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.
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