REGINA – A photo contest is being held for Regina high school students in memory of Calista Fleming, 20, who died suddenly of a common but little-known heart disorder on May 17, 2012.
She was in her final semester of a professional photography program at North Island College in Courtenay, British Columbia.
“Calista was the one that taught me about photography and fashion. She got me into boxing, all kinds of stuff,” said friend Jared Schlechte. They both graduated from Martin Leboldus High School but only became friends while attending the University of Regina. “I totally accredit her for who I am today”
Her dad says Calista was independent with a big personality.
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“She made fun of everybody, including herself, and was the centre of attention for whatever was going on,” said Bryce Fleming.
Her dedication to photography is the reason behind the new photo contest.
“To keep her name alive is to keep a bit of her alive. At least a small part,” said Fleming.
The aim of the competition is also to raise awareness of sudden arrhythmia death syndrome (SADS), undetected cardiac disorders, often responsible for the unexpected deaths of young people.
“Most people who are diagnosed with these conditions early in life go on to live a relatively normal and fulfilling life,” said Pam Husband, executive director of the Canadian SADS Foundation. The organization says about 700 people in Canada under the age of 35 die from the heart disorders yearly.
The key is looking for warning signs, which includes fainting during physical activity.
“My daughter fainted twice when she was a teenager. We took her to the doctor and they pawned it off as being a teenaged thing,” said Fleming. “If we’d known then, I personally believe she’d be alive today.”
Regina high school students are asked to submit advertising photography, a form of art that became a focus for Calista.
“She loved the fact that she had complete control of everything right through picking the product to submitting the photograph to her instructors,” said Fleming.
The photo contest opens March 1. Details can be found at http://www.findingcalista.com.
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