Clare Dahlia Snetsinger

Clare Dahlia Snetsinger November 5, 1971– May 28, 1989

Although Clare was a mere 17 years old when she died of cancer, she accomplished a considerable amount in her short life. Her remarkable spirit continues to inspire others. Her life was filled with rich experiences, and she contributed in many positive ways to helping her community.
From early childhood Clare showed an aptitude toward art, design, fashion, theatre and music. These skills served her well as creative outlets, especially when she was diagnosed with cancer at age 14. For instance, she was determined to make her appearance into a fashion statement, regardless of her baldness due to chemotherapy. She wore trendy outfits and jewelry purchased from thrift shops and foreign bazaar-type stores and adorned her head with beautiful scarves, hats and Egyptian like head coverings that made her look exotic. Other creative outlets for Clare included playing the flute and participating in Thespians and the Boal Barn Theatre apprentice program. These were great sources of joy.

Clare was known for more than her artistry. She participated in organizations that promoted human rights, and she befriended and encouraged other children who were struggling with cancer. During her three-and-a-half year illness Clare received numerous blood transfusions — perhaps as many as a hundred. She was aware of how important this life-sustaining gift of blood was to her and decided to initiate a blood drive at her school. It was a huge success. The Red Cross commended her for her effort and the efforts of her classmates and teachers. When Clare died shortly before graduation, her school, the Delta Program in State College, decided to continue the blood drive as an annual event in her memory and honor. The blood drive takes place each spring, usually in May.

Clare earned other honors before and after she died. She received the Judge Sharp award for academic excellence and community service. She also was selected to be an alternate to the Governor’s School for the Arts and a full participant in the Governor’s School for Agricultural Sciences. Sadly, she died before she could attend either program. She received the (Centre County) Youth Service Bureau Award posthumously.

• The Clare Dahlia Snetsinger Youth Award given by the Centre Communities Chapter of the American Red Cross
• The Clare Dahlia Snetsinger Community Service Award recognizing State College Area Schools’ Delta Program students who contribute their services to benefit the community
• The Clare Dahlia Snetsinger Program Award recognizing State College Area Schools’ Delta Program students who contribute their service to benefit of the school
• The Clare Dahlia Snetsinger Art Awards of Excellence in the Visual Arts are scholarships awarded to 11th and 12th grade students from Centre County Pennsylvania talented in the visual arts.
• The Clare Dahlia Snetsinger Art Awards of Excellence in Performance are scholarships awarded to 11th and 12th grade students from Centre County Pennsylvania talented in the performing arts.

A statue entitled “She’s Alive In My Mind” created by Clare’s friend and classmate Mark Pilato is located on the Park Avenue side of the Centre Medical Sciences Building near Mt. Nittany Medical Center, State College.