There is a bench in front of Walton dedicated to Christina Diaz that reads “dwell on the beauty of life,” and anyone at Walton High School who knew her, knew that this was truly the way she lived. Through her entire battle with cancer, she demonstrated that cancer was not going to steal her love for life and her positive outlook.  She continued to be positive and full of grace, continued to create lasting memories, or, as she put it, continued to feel “the real stuff.”

Christina came to Walton in 2002, and, except for the 2010-2011 school year, she worked for Walton until 2017.  In that one extraneous year she had gone to another school to teach, and although she enjoyed that school, she knew she would go back to Walton as soon as she could, because Walton was her “home.”  Both in her classroom and in her daily life, she was the definition of positivity, passion, and love.  Affectionately called “Ms. Positiva” by her colleagues and all who knew her, she would even begin every semester by telling her students how important it is to stay positive!

For several years, Christina chaperoned Walton Spain trips, and she continued to encourage students to continue traveling and exploring the world because she was passionate about the life lessons that traveling teaches.  After she passed, the Christina Diaz Memorial Scholarship was created at Walton, which awards $1000 each year to a student participating in an international school trip.

Christina’s Walton family consists of an enormous group of people that loved and adored her.  Here are quotes from just a few of the many teachers who loved her dearly:

• The smile at the end of C-Hall, the twinkle in those blue eyes, my Spain roomie with a heart as big as the universe.
• A better friend would be hard to find.  She lived life to the fullest and inspired those around her to do the same.  Her love for everyone and everything around her was infectious.
• She had one of the biggest hearts of anyone I know.
• Her kindness and thoughtfulness knew no bounds.
• Christina was always the breath of fresh air in difficult meetings. 
• I miss her energy and zest for life!  I miss her walking down the hall and peeking into my classroom saying “Besitos,” “It’s all good,” or “Stay positive!”
• In health, illness, and now as our angel, she teaches us how to live wholeheartedly with no regrets.  What a joy it was just to watch her live.

Christina’s positivity, passion and love were her constant driving force.  After her terrible disease forced her out of her classroom, she continued to teach us many life lessons until the very end of her life, constantly reminding everyone of her motto: “Life is short.  Take the trip.  Buy the Shoes.  Eat the cake.”  After she passed, during her memorial service, her husband delivered a message Christina had prepared for all of her friends and family: “Look up and not down.  Look forward and not back, and lend a hand.  Stay positive and love life.”  Her spirit and her legacy will live on through her family, her friends, her community, and Walton High School.  Her Walton family feels so incredibly blessed to have known such an amazing person.