Lia Smith, Former Middlebury College Diver, 21

Passages: Lia Smith, Former Middlebury College Diver, 21

Lia Smith, a former diver at Middlebury College, died last week. She was 21 years outdated.

Smith had competed in earlier seasons as a diver for the Division III college, although she wasn’t actively listed on the group’s roster. She was final seen on Oct. 17, was reported lacking on Oct. 19, and her physique was discovered after an intensive legislation enforcement search close to campus final Thursday. An identification by police was made on Friday.

Smith was a member of the Class of 2026. She was a local of Woodside, California, double majoring in pc science and statistics. She was a member of the chess membership, Japanese membership and Women in Computer Science in addition to an advocate for transgender rights.

“Over the past few days, I have learned what a remarkable person Lia was…” school president Ian Baucom wrote in an email to the campus community on Saturday, whereas thanking school employees for his or her efforts within the search with Vermont State Police. “She was a gift to us and we are so grateful that she was – and will always remain – a member of our Middlebury family.”

“I have spoken with Lia’s family to express my heartbreak. As president, and far more as a fellow parent, I ache for them. This is a profound loss that nobody should have to endure.”