School Community Remembers Accident Victims at Phillies Outing

It took time for the school community to heal following the deaths of students Evan Welch and Erik Messick five years ago. But every year, students, teachers and parents come together to remember.

Welch and Messick were killed in separate accidents in Dec. 2007 involving drunk drivers, just days apart. Gary Ross, a teacher with the district’s child study team, said right after Messick’s death, he and a small group of parents and school administrators came together around the idea that they should create a scholarship in Messick’s name, as Welch’s parents had already started a scholarship in their son’s name on their own.

At first, Ross said, they tried out different fundraisers to bring in money for the scholarship—“things every other organization does”—until someone from Phillies Charities, the fundraising arm of the Phillies, approached the district with an idea.

The organization would give the district Phillies tickets to sell to students and staff, the district would give the money from ticket sales—as well as any unsold tickets—back to the team, and the team would take half the proceeds and give it back to the district for the scholarship fund.

According to Ross, the district has raised north of $2,000 the last few years this way.

The money is split evenly between the Messick scholarship—which goes to a student entering a two- or four-year college, a trade school or an apprenticeship—and the Welch scholarship.

In addition, each year the students, staff and parents who bought tickets—many of whom are friends and family of both boys—attend the game as a group.

“It’s sort of for them a reunion and time for mutual strength,” said Ross. “The support is very steady, and quiet.”

The group is attending the Phillies game against the Washington Nationals tonight at Citizens Bank Park.

The Erik Messick scholarship is awarded at the end of the year at a special awards banquet held by the district.