Saturday, May 16, 2009
One Year
One year ago today, Rebeckha left this world and her loved ones behind. It's been one year of painful silence for her family. May God bless her and keep her in His loving embrace.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Olympian swimmer helps raise money at Attleboro road race
Runners leave the starting line at in the five-mile race in the fourth annual Rome Boulevard Road Race on Sunday in Attleboro. (Staff photo by Tom Maguire)
Top Headlines
Nearly 400 participated in the race, up from about 300 last year, to raise funds to offset Attleboro school sports user fees for students whose families cannot afford them.
Perhaps the largest and most notable presence was the Attleboro Bluefish Swim Club, with about 75 making the switch from swimsuit to running shorts for the Sunday races.
One member of the Bluefish is Beisel, now 16, who swam in the Beijing Olympics in August. Beisel came in fourth in the 400 meter individual medley and fifth in the 200 meter backstroke in Beijing.
Jen Nitso, Attleboro resident and mother of Bluefish team member and runner Hannah Nitso, a fifth grader at the Foxborough Regional Charter School, said that Beisel's Olympic appearances were "wonderful for the team. The kids got together to watch her on television and cheer for her together."
Dave Rapoza of Mansfield has a message and a photo for his wife Shelley at the finish line. (Staff photo by Tom Maguire)
Bluefish coach Chuck Batchelor also noted Beisel's inspiration: "I think the other kids are thinking, 'If she can do it, maybe I can do it, too.' "Beisel finished an inspirational 20th among women overall in the Rome Boulevard five- mile race.
Batchelor was rightfully with his team's turnout, standing out from the rest of the crowd in a sea of bright yellow T-shirts.
"We did it last year with about 50 or so runners," he said. "It makes sense for us (to do this) because we run as a component of our training, and of course to help raise funds for team sports here in Attleboro."
Attleboro teachers, through the Attleboro Education Association, were very much involved in organizing and participating in the races, with a large contingent of runners from Brennan Middle School, faculty and students alike. Attleboro High School Principal Jeffrey Newman was quite busy on the field, as was retired teacher Mark Ferruccio, among many others.
Jen Withers of Attleboro, a fourth grade teacher at Hill-Roberts Elementary School, won a second-place victory in the 5-mile race in the 19 to 29 age group. Withers, who is training for a half-marathon at the end of the month, enthusiastically noted, "Of course, I love supporting Attleboro and Attleboro schools!"
"Even with the current bad economy, we still have the same local sponsors, and their involvement is even greater this year," said race director James Hawkins, a math teacher at Attleboro High. "And this year student involvement has really grown: we have more students running and more students helping to organize the event. It's really about the community coming together for fun and helping to support school sports in Attleboro."
More than $9,000?
Although the total of funds raised was not available at press time, Hawkins stated, "We raised about $9,000 in each of the past two years, and we hope to add to that this year."
In addition to prizes for individual top three finishers, male and female, in each age group, several team prizes were given: $250 in cash to the top team of five adult runners from Attleboro, a party at Briggs corner Pizza for 35 people for the top team of five high school runners, and a new "Go the Distance" trophy donated by AHS track coach Martin Tighe for the top team of five students in grade 8 or younger. Mayor's Trophy Awards went to Kent Taylor and Sara Greene of Attleboro, who each received a $100 gift certificate to Eastern Mountain Sports at its new location, Patriot Place. An additional $500 was donated to the Rebeckha Whitefield Scholarship Fund in memory of the well-known student athlete from Attleboro who died in a car crash last May.
Runners in the five mile race run along Drummond Street in Attleboro. (Staff photo by Tom Maguire)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
AHS's Tyler McCarthy wears Rebeckha's #7
A quote from a 9/9/2008 article by Sun Chronicle staff member, Peter Gobis, entitled "McCarthy the heart of Big Blue":
"He's the heart and soul of the program," without hesitation said Deschenes. It wasn't that McCarthy added more body muscle, more speed. "He had a fantastic summer. He's a hammer on both sides of the ball and above all, he's a gentleman."
How so? Instead of wearing his dad's No. 34 as a Warrior, McCarthy has taken No. 7, the number worn by the late Bombardier field hockey player Rebeckha Whitefield, daughter of AHS assistant coach Mike Whitefield.
"To me, it's a big deal," said McCarthy in respect.
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Read the full article here or click on the link to this article in the "Articles" section of the sidebar on the right.
"He's the heart and soul of the program," without hesitation said Deschenes. It wasn't that McCarthy added more body muscle, more speed. "He had a fantastic summer. He's a hammer on both sides of the ball and above all, he's a gentleman."
How so? Instead of wearing his dad's No. 34 as a Warrior, McCarthy has taken No. 7, the number worn by the late Bombardier field hockey player Rebeckha Whitefield, daughter of AHS assistant coach Mike Whitefield.
"To me, it's a big deal," said McCarthy in respect.
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Read the full article here or click on the link to this article in the "Articles" section of the sidebar on the right.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
The Rebeckha Lynn Whitefield Scholarship Fund "Closest-to-the-Pin" Tournament on 9/6/2008
The next fundraiser, on Sept. 6, is being held at Stone-E-Lea Golf Club in Attleboro, Rehoboth Country Club, and Wentworth Hills Country Club in Plainville and is a closest to the pin tournament.
To donate, send a check to: Rebeckha Lynn Whitefield Scholarship Fund/Foundation, 55 Pioneer Circle, Attleboro, MA, 02703.
To donate, send a check to: Rebeckha Lynn Whitefield Scholarship Fund/Foundation, 55 Pioneer Circle, Attleboro, MA, 02703.
Hitting the Links in Becky's Memory.
The following is from an 8/17/2008 article in the Sun Chronicle. You may also access this article at the Sun Chronicle website from the "Articles" section in the sidebar:
In Attleboro, hundreds hit the links in memory of AHS student
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In Attleboro, hundreds hit the links in memory of AHS student
Jordan Croteau, left, and her twin brother Shane, 4 1/2, of Attleboro, putt their way to the hole while golfing with their dad, John, during Saturday’s mini-golf and pitch and putt golf fundraiser at Atlantic Golf in South Attleboro to help raise money for the Rebeckha Whitefield Scholarship Fund. (Staff photo by Mark Stockwell)
Top Headlines
Money raised for Rebeckha Whitefield scholarship
ATTLEBORO -- With blue and yellow shirts matching a clear summer sky and the sun's glow, more than 400 participants hit the mini-golf links or the pitch and putt Saturday morning to support the Rebeckha Lynn Whitefield fundraiser at the Atlantic Golf Center in South Attleboro.The 17-year-old Attleboro High School student died on May 16 in a car accident on Oakhill Avenue in Attleboro, near the Seekonk line.
"She was just a true teammate She was just a true blue. She loved her friends and her high school. She just supported all the organizations and that's why we created this fund. When we started seeing the amount of outpouring from friends and community, we knew we could do more than a scholarship," her father Michael said Saturday.
The effort raised $6,600 from the tournament and an estimated $900 from the sale of shirts, ribbons, and stickers towards the foundation. This will bring the total amount in the fund close to $47,000. All the proceeds go towards scholarships, young people and youth organizations in Attleboro, according to Michael Whitefield.
Mark Parsons, Rebeckha's indoor field hockey coach, said, "This is about healing. It's a long process." Karen Whitefield, Michael's sister, considered Rebeckha a daughter. Tearing up, she said, "All the support; I can't put it into words."
'Really good, but really hard'
"It's a tough day. This is all really good, but it's really hard," Michael Whitefield said.
Helping out the family at the fundraiser were over 100 volunteers.
The large number of participants included several of Rebeckha's best friends.
"She's a sister to me," Nicole Tremblay said of Rebeckha. "She was one of the best people anyone has ever known."
Another field hockey teammate, Brittany Carr, said Rebeckha "was always smiling. She was never upset. She always wanted to make sure you were happy."
Anthony Rongione, owner of Atlantic Golf Center, said he donated the time and course to the fundraiser because he thought it was a good cause. "We are glad to help out especially as this is a local family."
The next fundraiser, on Sept. 6, is being held at Stone-E-Lea Golf Club in Attleboro, Rehoboth Country Club, and Wentworth Hills Country Club in Plainville and is a closest to the pin tournament.
To donate, send a check to: Rebeckha Lynn Whitefield Scholarship Fund/Foundation, 55 Pioneer Circle, Attleboro, MA, 02703.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
The Rebeckha Lynn Whitefield Scholarship Fund Mini-Golf Tournament on 8/16/2008
Today, the Rebeckha Lynn Whitefield Scholarship Fund/Foundation held a Mini-Golf tournament at Atlantic Golf Center in South Attleboro, between 8 AM and 1 PM. A sign was posted inside the entrance to Briggs Corner Pizzeria.
The Whitefield "family" came in for a lunch time meal. The "family" included the Whitefields themselves, and the friends of Rebeckha, all wearing shirts designed and created by Rebeckha's field hockey team, some in yellow, some in blue, and all the shirts had the "Whitefield" name in the back, and Rebeckha's number 7. It was a loving tribute to a great girl.
Below is a 8/11/2008 article by MATT ROCHELEAU in the Sun Chronicle:
ATTLEBORO - Those who knew her say they'll never get over the death of 17-year-old Rebeckha Lynn Whitefield, but they're working to turn the tragedy into a living legacy.
Whitefield was killed in a car crash in May on Oakhill Avenue in Attleboro.
"Becky was a giving person and her father wanted Becky to keep giving even though she is not with us physically anymore. It is his way of keeping her memory alive with all of us," said Mark Parsons, Whitefield's indoor field hockey coach. "She had a way of making everyone smile and enjoy life. She always had a smile on her face and loved to make people laugh."
To that end, friends and family have established the Rebeckha Whitefield Scholarship Fund in support of Attleboro youth.
The fund has raised about $40,000 since May, with hopes of collecting $100,000 over the next three years. Proceeds from a mini-golf and pitch and putt tournament Saturday at Atlantic Golf, 754 Newport Ave. in South Attleboro, will go toward the fund.
The tournament will be from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is $6 per player, and includes refreshments and trophies.
Parsons, whose daughter was a friend of Whitefield, is helping coordinate the tournament.
The event is still in need of sponsors for about 10 of the 27 total holes, he said.
Sponsorship is $100 per hole or $500 to sponsor the tournament, which has a fundrasing goal of $5,000 goal.
Parsons said the golf course has been one of the fund's biggest supporters.
"They didn't even blink," he said of Atlantic Golf's decision to help out.
The tournament features 18 holes of mini-golf and 9 of pitch and putt for more experienced players.
"Mike, the father, wanted it to be about the family," Parsons said of the event. "We don't want anybody to be turned away."
Foursomes as well as single players are welcome, said Christine Chapman, who helps with the foundation. Participants can register the day of the event and are encouraging people to arrive early.
Those seeking more information or interested in sponsoring a hole or the event can contact Mike Whitefield at 508-226-7464 or Mark Parsons at 508-369-9056 or email at mparsons@winning-moves.com.
Whitefield's dedication as a high school field hockey player and track athlete is remembered through the fund established in her name.
The foundation, started by Rebeckha Whitefield's dad, Michael Whitefield and managed by a board of directors of 11 family and friends, supports youth organizations in the Attleboro area that Whitefield had played or was interest in.
So far, the foundation has donated to the Attleboro High football team for equipment, Parsons said.
The fund also has committed to the Attleboro High field hockey team and South Attleboro Whitehawks youth football organization, Chapman said.
Scholarships will be given out starting with the Class of 2009.
Looking ahead, the foundation's next event on Sept. 6 will be a closest to the pin tournament at Wentworth Hills Country Club in Plainville, Stone-E-Lea Golf Club in Attleboro and Rehoboth Country Club.
Parsons said he is handling the loss of Whitefield one day at a time.
"This special 17-year-old girl has touched the whole city of Attleboro and we will never get over it," he said.
Whitefield was killed just after 11 p.m. on May 16, when the vehicle she was driving crashed into a tree on rain-slick Oakhill Avenue, near the Seekonk line.
Along with her father, Rebeckha left her stepmother, Jen, and three stepsisters.
Donations can be sent to: Rebeckha Whitefield Scholarship Fund, 55 Pioneer Circle, Attleboro, MA 02703.
The Whitefield "family" came in for a lunch time meal. The "family" included the Whitefields themselves, and the friends of Rebeckha, all wearing shirts designed and created by Rebeckha's field hockey team, some in yellow, some in blue, and all the shirts had the "Whitefield" name in the back, and Rebeckha's number 7. It was a loving tribute to a great girl.
Below is a 8/11/2008 article by MATT ROCHELEAU in the Sun Chronicle:
$100,000 in memory of Becky
ATTLEBORO - Those who knew her say they'll never get over the death of 17-year-old Rebeckha Lynn Whitefield, but they're working to turn the tragedy into a living legacy.
Whitefield was killed in a car crash in May on Oakhill Avenue in Attleboro.
"Becky was a giving person and her father wanted Becky to keep giving even though she is not with us physically anymore. It is his way of keeping her memory alive with all of us," said Mark Parsons, Whitefield's indoor field hockey coach. "She had a way of making everyone smile and enjoy life. She always had a smile on her face and loved to make people laugh."
To that end, friends and family have established the Rebeckha Whitefield Scholarship Fund in support of Attleboro youth.
The fund has raised about $40,000 since May, with hopes of collecting $100,000 over the next three years. Proceeds from a mini-golf and pitch and putt tournament Saturday at Atlantic Golf, 754 Newport Ave. in South Attleboro, will go toward the fund.
The tournament will be from 8 a.m. to noon. The cost is $6 per player, and includes refreshments and trophies.
Parsons, whose daughter was a friend of Whitefield, is helping coordinate the tournament.
The event is still in need of sponsors for about 10 of the 27 total holes, he said.
Sponsorship is $100 per hole or $500 to sponsor the tournament, which has a fundrasing goal of $5,000 goal.
Parsons said the golf course has been one of the fund's biggest supporters.
"They didn't even blink," he said of Atlantic Golf's decision to help out.
The tournament features 18 holes of mini-golf and 9 of pitch and putt for more experienced players.
"Mike, the father, wanted it to be about the family," Parsons said of the event. "We don't want anybody to be turned away."
Foursomes as well as single players are welcome, said Christine Chapman, who helps with the foundation. Participants can register the day of the event and are encouraging people to arrive early.
Those seeking more information or interested in sponsoring a hole or the event can contact Mike Whitefield at 508-226-7464 or Mark Parsons at 508-369-9056 or email at mparsons@winning-moves.com.
Whitefield's dedication as a high school field hockey player and track athlete is remembered through the fund established in her name.
The foundation, started by Rebeckha Whitefield's dad, Michael Whitefield and managed by a board of directors of 11 family and friends, supports youth organizations in the Attleboro area that Whitefield had played or was interest in.
So far, the foundation has donated to the Attleboro High football team for equipment, Parsons said.
The fund also has committed to the Attleboro High field hockey team and South Attleboro Whitehawks youth football organization, Chapman said.
Scholarships will be given out starting with the Class of 2009.
Looking ahead, the foundation's next event on Sept. 6 will be a closest to the pin tournament at Wentworth Hills Country Club in Plainville, Stone-E-Lea Golf Club in Attleboro and Rehoboth Country Club.
Parsons said he is handling the loss of Whitefield one day at a time.
"This special 17-year-old girl has touched the whole city of Attleboro and we will never get over it," he said.
Whitefield was killed just after 11 p.m. on May 16, when the vehicle she was driving crashed into a tree on rain-slick Oakhill Avenue, near the Seekonk line.
Along with her father, Rebeckha left her stepmother, Jen, and three stepsisters.
Donations can be sent to: Rebeckha Whitefield Scholarship Fund, 55 Pioneer Circle, Attleboro, MA 02703.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Rome Boulevard Road Race on 10/5/2008
Click here for more information from the website.
NEW TEAM PRIZES FOR 2008
Teams will be made up of 5 people. We will average their finishing times and
the fastest AVERAGE wins the following prize:
• FIVE MILE RACE OPEN DIVISION $250 CASH
• FIVE MILE RACE HIGH SCHOOL AND YOUNGER will win a pizza party (pizza and drinks)
on a Monday or Tuesday at Briggs Corner Pizzeria for THIRTY FIVE people
• TWO MILE RACE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE 8 AND YOUNGER will win the first annual
Martin Tighe “Go The Distance” trophy
• WE WILL DONATE AN ADDITIONAL $500 to the Rebeckha Whitefield Scholarship Fund if any of these prizes are won by a team from Attleboro teachers,Attleboro Students, Attleboro Police Running Team,Attleboro Firefighers,Wampanoag Road Runners,
Attleboro Bluefish Swim Club,Attleboro YMCA Jaguars, or a group of all Attleboro residents.
NEW TEAM PRIZES FOR 2008
Teams will be made up of 5 people. We will average their finishing times and
the fastest AVERAGE wins the following prize:
• FIVE MILE RACE OPEN DIVISION $250 CASH
• FIVE MILE RACE HIGH SCHOOL AND YOUNGER will win a pizza party (pizza and drinks)
on a Monday or Tuesday at Briggs Corner Pizzeria for THIRTY FIVE people
• TWO MILE RACE MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE 8 AND YOUNGER will win the first annual
Martin Tighe “Go The Distance” trophy
• WE WILL DONATE AN ADDITIONAL $500 to the Rebeckha Whitefield Scholarship Fund if any of these prizes are won by a team from Attleboro teachers,Attleboro Students, Attleboro Police Running Team,Attleboro Firefighers,Wampanoag Road Runners,
Attleboro Bluefish Swim Club,Attleboro YMCA Jaguars, or a group of all Attleboro residents.
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