First-Year Killed by Auto

Sarah Theresa Craig, a first-year student who lived in Wigglesworth, died May 24 at Hartford Hospital from injuries suffered when she was struck by an alleged drunk driver two days earlier.

Craig, 18, was taking a break from exams at her family's home in Norfolk, Conn., along with three of her Harvard friends when she was struck by the car.

Craig was best known at Harvard for her talent in drama.

She produced "The American Dream," which was shown at the Loeb Experimental Theater this spring.

Craig was to produce and design the set and costumes for Lord Byron's "Manfred," which was scheduled for screening at Harvard this fall.

Dean of Freshman Elizabeth Studley Nathans said Craig's work as a drama producer was renowned.

Craig was described by all who knew her as an energetic, talented person who put the welfare of others before her own.

"I think she valued other people's comfort before her own," said Jennifer R. Weiss '99, who was with Craig in Connecticut.

Weiss roomed with Craig this year and had planned to do so again in Dunster House next year.

"I remember the Tuesday before our trip [to Norfolk] we were both pulling all-nighters to try to finish papers, and even though hers was longer, she was the one who was comforting me," Weiss said.

Before enrolling at Harvard, Craig attended Hotchkiss School, where she was the recipient of numerous awards.

Craig intended to concentrate in folklore and mythology. She also excelled in math and science, often taking courses at Hotchkiss with students several grades ahead of her.

Stanford flew her to its campus, in the hopes of luring her, but she eventually chose Harvard.

Craig's blockmates said Craig planned to travel to Australia during her junior year to study the folklore of the Aboriginals.

Her mother, Valerie Craig, said her interest in folklore and mythology began when she was very young.

"When Sarah was five, she started a mythological anthology," Mrs. Craig said. "She wanted to cross catalogue all the different types of mythological characters."

"It grew more complex as she grew older," she said. "By the time she was twelve or so she put the whole thing on computer disk. I think she hoped someday to publish it."

Diane Proctor, dean of the faculty at Hotchkiss, and the writer of Craig's eulogy, said Craig always made her variety of talents available to others.

"She always had time to help some of our most advanced math students," Proctor said.

"We had some incredible writers in our corridor, but whenever they needed a piece reshaped or crafted, they went to Sarah," Proctor said.

Craig's ability to take on more and more was legendary among her peers, both at Hotchkiss and at Harvard.

"I knew kids who had half as many classes, but always seemed overworked," says Proctor. "But there was no element of narcissism in Sarah, which is rare for someone that young."

Craig was the first student in the history of Hotchkiss to take 10 academic classes while she was directing a production, Proctor said.

Craig's schedule at Hotchkiss was so busy that administrators contacted her mother to make sure she approved.

Her mother said Sarah wanted to take part in as many activities as possible because she felt she "might never be able to do it again."

The Craig family received hundreds of sympathy notes over e-mail from friends, and her best friend from high school flew back from Switzerland for the funeral.

Sarah is survived by her parents John S. Craig and Valerie (Peterson) Craig and her brother Samuel.

A private memorial service for family members was held last Tuesday, and a public service was conducted last Friday in Norfolk.

Family members requested that donations in Sarah's memory be directed to Bruce Anderson at the First Church of Christ in Norfolk

Stanford flew her to its campus, in the hopes of luring her, but she eventually chose Harvard.

Craig's blockmates said Craig planned to travel to Australia during her junior year to study the folklore of the Aboriginals.

Her mother, Valerie Craig, said her interest in folklore and mythology began when she was very young.

"When Sarah was five, she started a mythological anthology," Mrs. Craig said. "She wanted to cross catalogue all the different types of mythological characters."

"It grew more complex as she grew older," she said. "By the time she was twelve or so she put the whole thing on computer disk. I think she hoped someday to publish it."

Diane Proctor, dean of the faculty at Hotchkiss, and the writer of Craig's eulogy, said Craig always made her variety of talents available to others.

"She always had time to help some of our most advanced math students," Proctor said.

"We had some incredible writers in our corridor, but whenever they needed a piece reshaped or crafted, they went to Sarah," Proctor said.

Craig's ability to take on more and more was legendary among her peers, both at Hotchkiss and at Harvard.

"I knew kids who had half as many classes, but always seemed overworked," says Proctor. "But there was no element of narcissism in Sarah, which is rare for someone that young."

Craig was the first student in the history of Hotchkiss to take 10 academic classes while she was directing a production, Proctor said.

Craig's schedule at Hotchkiss was so busy that administrators contacted her mother to make sure she approved.

Her mother said Sarah wanted to take part in as many activities as possible because she felt she "might never be able to do it again."

The Craig family received hundreds of sympathy notes over e-mail from friends, and her best friend from high school flew back from Switzerland for the funeral.

Sarah is survived by her parents John S. Craig and Valerie (Peterson) Craig and her brother Samuel.

A private memorial service for family members was held last Tuesday, and a public service was conducted last Friday in Norfolk.

Family members requested that donations in Sarah's memory be directed to Bruce Anderson at the First Church of Christ in Norfolk