Greenville teams making a difference by championing suicide awareness
GREENVILLE — Greenville Schools are well into their baseball and softball seasons, and not only are the teams performing well on the field, but they’ve been doing a lot to promote their special cause this year – suicide awareness.
This all came together due to the passion of one junior, Emily Vraux. Last summer she lost a friend to suicide, and that awful event prompted her to take action. She talked to members of the GHS Sports Boosters about creating special jerseys and they, as well as the coaches, encouraged her to make it happen. Her mother Tammy said, “Emily is a very determined young lady. When she sets her mind to something she will see it through.”
Emily reached out to Dove Tail Bats, Theriault Construction and Northwoods Expressions as well as others to help cover the cost of the special jerseys. “I think because this was a cause near and dear to her heart, she had the drive to see it through,” her mother commented.
Emily’s enthusiasm was infectious and in addition to securing the money for the baseball and softball jerseys, this past April 28 many team members joined her in a fund-raising walk put on annually by the JD Foundation in Abbot. The JD Foundation, founded by Cheryl and Vic Morin, is a well-known organization that works tirelessly to educate and assist with reducing bullying and preventing suicide in Piscataquis County and beyond.
Cheryl Morin was delighted with the turnout. “There were 35 of them!” Morin exclaimed. “We were not anticipating that many, but it was a great turnout. They raised over $1,500 dollars. That kind of participation is such an acknowledgement,” she added. “It speaks volumes!”
Emily and her teammates plan to challenge other area schools to participate in future walks for the JD Foundation. “We can do so much more if we work together,” she said.
Players are seniors Lily Pelletier (#9), Emma Bilodeau (#4), Shelby Corvin (#1), Kenzie Redimarker (#19), and Sierra Bussell (#20); juniors Emily Vraux (#17) and Jordan Mann (#9); sophomores Aleya Pelletier (#5), Halle Pelletier (#2), Jessica Pomerleau (#3), Bianca Breton (#7), Morgan Noyes (#14), Allison Savery (#15), Michaela Drew (#18), and Tiegan Murray (#13); and freshmen Katie Worster (#18) and Maddie Kane (#11).
Coaches for the boys team are Head Coach, Kevin Stafford and Assistant Coach, Mark Mason. Players are seniors Noah Pratt (#2), Evan Bjork (#15), Devin Boone (#24), Connor DiAngelo (#25), Damien Hemond (#13), and Anthony Mason (#16); juniors Caleb Snell (#7), AJ Burns (#14), Nick Caiazzo (8), and Nate Pierce (#28);
sophomores Marck Martin (#9), Camden Harmon (#10), Law Hinkley (#12), and Chris Caiazzo (#22); and freshma Matt Snyder (#18).
Both teams are celebrating a great season. The girls have had ten wins and only one loss as of this writing. Coaches for their team are Erin Pelletier and Mike Cabral. “We’re very happy with their performance,” said Coach Cabral. “They’ve done really well and are in first place in their division. The only game they lost was to Narraguagus, and they’re a very tough team. The boys have also done well, with ten wins and only three losses, putting them in third place.
The teams had been planning a photo shoot with a drone to capture them wearing their new jerseys in ribbon formation. Unfortunately the day was way too windy so they settled on a tall ladder for the picture instead. Congratulations to Emily Vraux and the Lakers for a great spring and for supporting such a great and timely cause!
Observer photo/Shelagh Talbot
PLAYING FOR A CAUSE Greenville Laker baseball and softball players in ribbon formation for suicide awareness.