This past weekend was all about transforming a negative situation into a positive. While this appears to be a simple enough idea, in practice it is a daunting task, particularly in the darkest of times.

Losing a young, vibrant, and promising member of the community- as we did when Lacey Gallagher died from injuries sustained from an automobile accident last April- was a devastating blow. The Scholarship Fund set up in Lacey’s name has worked tirelessly since that tragic accident to build something constructive from the tragedy. This past weekend was the culmination of those efforts, an evening in which the memory of Lacey lived on and made a difference in the future of many across the area.

30 students from local schools gathered at Holy Name Church Hall on Friday night to attend a banquet which would mean a great deal to their future education. The 8th graders were there to collect on some of that aforementioned hard work by the Lacey Gallagher Scholarship Foundation and put it towards their collective education. The organization proudly awarded $1,000 to each of the 30 recipients to be applied to their Catholic high school education.

Lacey’s brother, Sean, spoke to the crowd honoring the memory of his sister and pledged that the family is dedicated to keeping Lacey’s spirit alive through the Scholarship Fund. Along with her brother, Lacey’s sisters Brie and Lexi were present to celebrate their sister’s memory. Denise and Frank Gallagher, Lacey’s parents, were on hand to present the scholarships to the very deserving young students who have embraced the ideals of community spirit, good sportsmanship and academics with the utmost integrity.

You might think that after handing out $30,000 on Friday the Scholarship Fund deserved a bit of a vacation, but come Saturday it was business as usual. The group held their first annual golf outing at Valley Brooke Golf and County Club, an event that attracted 139 participants and initiated a new year of fundraising in Lacey’s memory.

“It was cloudy out there, but we got lucky, missed the rain, and had a great golf day,” said event organizer and executive board member Bill Dolan, “we were really happy with the turnout, and everybody had a really good time golfing, and then at the afterparty.”

A memorial mass for Lacey was held at Holy Name as the weekend came to a close on Sunday evening. “This was a difficult, difficult time for the Gallagher family… having to revisit that tragic event and stir up those painful emotions.” said Father Francis Groarke, pastor of Holy Name Church, “But there’s strength in numbers, and the goodness of the people in the neighborhood and their faith were there to help them through it.”

Scores of Lacey’s classmates from Little Flower and neighbors packed the church to honor her. “You could just see how Lacey’s legacy is still alive,” said Scholarship Fund board member Mary Ellen Donahue, “and just how many people came here tonight to remember her is beautiful.”

“This entire weekend was absolutely overwhelming. It was such an honor to be able to award 30 wonderful and very appreciative 8th grade students with a scholarship in Lacey’s name,” Lacey’s mother, Denise, told The Spirit. “Without the outpouring of financial support from so many and countless volunteers, none of this would have been possible. Words alone cannot express enough just how much this all means to our family.”

This year’s scholarship recipients are:

Kelsey Adams – 8th grade student at St. George School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Avé Amoroso – 8th grade student at Mother of Divine Grace School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Avé Bolli – 8th grade student at St. Laurentius School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Emily Baehr – 8th grade student at Mother of Divine Grace School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Rebecca Bannan – 8th grade student at St. Timothy School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Michael Dolan – 8th grade student at St. Anne School – will be attending Northeast Catholic High School.

Tyler Duffy – 8th grade student at St. Laurentius School – will be attending Northeast Catholic High School.

Victoria Flanagan – 8th grade student at St. Anne School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Kelsey McDonough – 8th grade student at St. Anselm School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Timothy Milligan – 8th grade student at St. Laurentius School – will be attending Northeast Catholic High School.

Laura Morson – 8th grade student at St. George School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Elaine Mucerino – 8th grade student at St. Bernards School – will be attending Archbishop Ryan Catholic High School.

Taylor Murphy – 8th grade student at St. Laurentius School – will be attending John W. Hallahan High School.

Kerri Anne Petroski – 8th grade student at Nativity B.V.M. School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Mary Kate Rintye – 8th grade student at Mother of Divine Grace School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Gabrielle Rivera – 8th grade student at St. William School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Soraya Brin Fox – 8th grade student at St. Laurentius School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Dana Gabor – 8th grade student at St. Laurentius School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Madison Gallagher – 8th grade student at St. Anne School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Michael Kitz – 8th grade student at St. Laurentius School – will be attending Roman Catholic High School.

Kaitlyn Kelly – 8th grade student at St. Laurentius School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

John Kradzinski – 8th grade student at Our Lady of Calvary School – will be attending Northeast Catholic High School.

Jessica Lombardo – 8th grade student at Mother of Divine Grace – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Samantha Ludwig – 8th grade student at St. Laurentius School – will be attending Mercy Vocational High School.

Allison Serge – 8th grade student at St. Laurentius School – will be attending St. Hubert’s Catholic High School.

Ryan Shaw – 8th grade student at St. Laurentius School – will be attending Roman Catholic High School.

Dominic Vinciguerra – 8th grade student at St. Katherine of Siena School – will be attending Archbishop Ryan High School.

Emily Vizza – 8th grade student at St. George School – will be attending Archbishop Ryan High School.

Sarah Winkowski – 8th grade student at Pope John Paul II – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

Lindsay Zavislak – 8th grade student at St. Adalbert School – will be attending Little Flower Catholic High School.

The Spirit congratulates the Lacey Gallagher Scholarship Fund for their year of hard work and dedication. While Lacey’s passing left a void in our community and a sadness in our hearts, we are all inspired by your ability transform the circumstances into something that is truly helping young people across our area, all while remembering Lacey.•

When you remember me, it means that you have carried something of who I am with you, that I have left some mark of who I am on who you are. It means that you can summon me back to your mind even though countless years and miles may stand between us. It means that if we meet again, you will know me. It means that even after I die, you can still see my face and hear my voice and speak to me in your heart.
-Frederick Buechner