Zonaras was involved in a crash in 1988 at Wilmington and Stroop in Kettering, and doctors were uncertain of her survival. She was paralyzed from the chin down and lived for 29 more years, until passing away peacefully on Oct. 20, according to her obituary.
Through Huffman’s project, Dayton readers followed her path — and those of 99 others.
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
Here is a story that published as the class held a graduation ceremony in the spring of 2000.
» Remembering those who passed: Dayton Daily News obituaries
2000: Youngsters who columnist brought together as kindergartners now closing in on high school graduation
By Dale Huffman | May 21, 2000
She slowly wheeled to the front of the auditorium, a life-support system attached to her chair, her mother at her side.
She was the final student to be introduced, because her last name starts with Z, and her classmates gave her a standing ovation.
They stood up for the classmate who cannot stand.
Credit: HANDOUT
Credit: HANDOUT
It's easy to say it should not have been this way. Sara Lynn Zonaras, all of 18 years old, could be bitter about the wreck and about everything it took from her - running as a youngster, driving as a teen, the ability to speak and move about as she pleased.
Instead, Sara's mother, Kim, looked over the crowd and said:
"Sara wants to thank you for your love and your support over the years. She is anxious to see what tomorrow holds."
Sara's courage and determination are enough of a story, but there are more - 99 more. We first met these students in 1987 as part of the Dale Huffman Class of 2000. Originally, I was going to select just one boy and one girl. But in the first mail response there were exactly 100 letters equally split between boys and girls. And two sets of twins.
I took them all under my wings and became a part of their lives over the years.
The project came full circle last month with a graduation ceremony at the United States Air Force Museum, a ceremony we called "Flight into Life." As they were introduced, one by one, there were stories of super accomplishments. And accounts of struggles with tragedy.
Following so many kids for so long gives a rare insight into what it's like to grow up and take those first steps into adulthood. Some class members suffered through the deaths of close relatives. One class member lost an uncle to AIDS, and at least three class members have parents fighting cancer. One class member died, one survived a critical injury and others have big dreams of a future on Broadway.
Through all the triumph, pain and indecision, one common thread has emerged - these young people are ready to face the world as survivors.
THE ACCIDENT
On Oct. 15, 1988, Sara Zonaras, her mother and 4-year-old sister were driving on a Saturday morning in Kettering when they were involved in a violent collision with another car at Wilmington Avenue and Stroop Road.
All three were trapped in the wreckage. A man who has never been identified realized Sara was not breathing and gave her mouth-to-mouth resuscitation until paramedics arrived.
"We don't know who he was. We will never be able to repay him," her mother said.
Credit: NONE
Credit: NONE
Sara's injuries were so critical that doctors thought she might not survive. She spent a week in a coma and when she awoke, she was paralyzed from the chin down as a result of spinal cord and brain stem damage.
The family says that prayer, faith, good medical attention and the strong sense of fight and survival shown by Sara brought her through those first challenges.
"She responded when no one thought she could," her mother said. "She has always been mentally intact and has come such a long way. She is a real fighter and we are so proud of her."
Sara missed a lot of school during the primary grades due to hospital stays and trips to rehabilitation clinics. But with the help of tutors, she caught up and started attending classes in school in the fourth grade.
In the fifth grade she got a new wheelchair, and at John F. Kennedy Elementary School she was on the honor roll and given a citizenship award. That year she was asked her philosophy of life. Using a computer that is activated by her eyes, she wrote: "You just have to do what you have to do."
In the sixth grade she was presented the "Yes I Can Award" before moving on to Kettering Junior High, and that year her mother graduated from Sinclair Community College with a nursing degree.
When Sara was a junior in high school, her family moved into a home better suited to accommodate all the equipment needed to make her life comfortable, and she transferred to Centerville High School.
She said in a computer message that she wants to take business classes at Wright State University.
“Then I will work with my mother in our family quilting and gift shop,” she said. “I look forward to all the challenges of the years to come.”
About the Author