Conor McCarthy, an Avon High School senior, has been working hard on an event that will honor a late classmate and help his school.
He's organized the Mellissa Anne Andrew Memorial Golf Tournament, which will be held in memory of the 17-year-old student who was killed in a car crash last summer. All the proceeds from the event on May 15 at the Farmington Woods Golf Club will be donated to the Smiles for Mellissa Fund to help fund a new sign language program at the high school.
Mellissa learned signing to communicate with her brother Aidan, who has Down Syndrome
The tournament’s fundraising goal is $25,000, which is enough to fund a part-time sign language teacher at Avon High School. Conor is half way there.
"This is a wonderful way for the Avon community to come together to remember a girl who was so beautiful both inside and out," Conor said. "We expect a large group of both golfers and non-golfers to attend, and a number of students will be there helping with logistics, entertainment, and publicity."
"Many of the students are still grieving, so this is one way that we can help ease their pain," says Jake Tussin, one of seven student and adult volunteers working on the event with Conor. Conor is planning and hosting the tournament as part of his AHS Senior Mastery Project, a semester-long Humanities assignment.
To learn more about the tournament; to register for the event; or to make a donation, you can visit: www.cmac.golfregistrations.com. Checks should be made out to SEPTA, Avon’s special education PTA, and mailed to SEPTA c/o Diane Condon, 2 Deepwood Drive, Avon, CT 06001.
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The event is open to the public. Non-golfers are welcome and dinner-only tickets are available.
