Long before Ria implored her Hoover High Class of 2021 to Carpe Diem! in her graduation address, she lived this creed in all she did. Whether zip lining, playing tennis, preparing for a debate round, regaling friends with stories and laughter, or going on a hike, she engaged life with passion.
In her 19 years on earth, Ria lived to inspire others and inspired others to live, with gusto and zest. She set about to seize each day with what Martin Luther King, Jr. once called the “fierce urgency of now.” Ria sought to better herself, her loved ones, her community, and the world upon waking each morning. After her passing, one friend expressed a simple sentiment that has been shared by countless others: “She left a lasting impact on everyone she met and changed the world for the better.”
We hope and trust that Ria’s legacy will continue to inspire us to seize each moment in life with love, friendship, dedication, and joy; a mission to be better and do better.
If you would like to donate in Ria’s memory or perhaps in honor of someone in your life who embodies that same spirit, the “Carpe Diem” fund will invest each dollar in young people who will boldly continue Ria’s journey to change the world, one day at a time.
To donate by check:
Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham (for Ria Shah Fund in the memo line)
2100 First Avenue North, Suite 700
Birmingham, AL 35203
This fund, established by Ria’s family, is a donor advised fund housed at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. The fund will support nonprofit organizations doing the work that embodies Ria’s lifetime passions.
If you have questions about the fund, please contact our Giving Staff.
Ria Shah “Carpe Diem” Hoover High School
Ria was one of three Valedictorians who spoke at her graduation ceremony from Hoover High School in 2021. In the video below, you can watch her inspiring speech encouraging her classmates to practice ‘carpe diem’.