this is just practice

Sarah Millett, a journalism student at San Francisco State University who devoted her time to filmmaking and various forms of activism, has died of a methamphetamine overdose.

Ms. Millett was 24 years old when she died in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco on Monday after paramedics fought to save her life.

Ms. Millett's short film "Gender Pains," an experimental documentary that shed light on the hardships surrounding gender roles as an individual and as a part of society, was shown on KQED and played at various film festivals throughout California, Texas and Minnesota. The film also included Sarah's own personal and ongoing struggle with her identity as a young girl going though a gender transition, which she called her "butch phase."

"She had a quality about her that's deep, thoughtful, truthful, sincere and trustworthy," said Eileen Bautista, who had befriended Sarah when the worked together at City College of San Francisco before she transferred to San Francisco State University.

In 2007, Millett displayed a collage she made at the California Young Women's Collaborative art show. In addition, she coordinated the Insights Art Exhibition at San Francisco City Hall for two years, an annual art show that is made up of works from blind or visually impaired artists.

"She has always stepped to a different drum beat than the rest of the kids her age," said Mother Karen Saltekoff. "In fact, I think she was in charge of the whole damn band most of the time."

Friends and family will remember Sarah as a very compulsive and passionate writer. She often had conflicting characteristics that helped shape her into an intriguing woman. Her interests also included notes, magazines and painting. She enjoyed making new friends and spending time with her old ones.

"As long as I am involved in art and activism, I think I will have a chance at happiness," said Sarah shortly before she died.

Survivors include her Mother, Karen Saltekoff of Toledo, Oregon; and sister, Jennifer Millett of Portland, Oregon.

A memorial ceremony will be held Thursday at 6 p.m. at The Old First Presbyterian Church, 1751 Sacramento Street, San Francisco. A private burial will follow the next morning.

Ms. Millett's family has asked that memorial donations be made to the Bay Area National Council of Alcoholism and other Drug Addictions, 944 Market Street, 3rd Floor, San Francisco, CA, 94102.