Conor McCarthy, an Avon High School senior, is organizing The Mellissa Anne Andrew Memorial Golf Tournament in memory of his classmate who passed away last summer in a tragic car accident. 

A full article on the event is posted on Avon Patch.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Smiles for Mellissa Fund, specifically to help fund a new sign language program at the high school.  Conor was inspired to do something good in honor of Mellissa, and is planning and hosting the event as part of his AHS Senior Mastery Project, a semester-long Humanities assignment.  The AHS administration and Mellissa’s mother, Anne Marie Piehl, all enthusiastically supported Conor’s unique proposal for the compulsory senior project, and they are delighted with the progress he’s made. Working with a committee of seven student and adult volunteers, Conor has secured a date, venue, theme and key sponsors for the tournament which will take place on May 15, 2011 at the Farmington Woods Golf Club in Avon, Connecticut. The event is open to the public.

“This is a wonderful way for the Avon community to come together to remember a girl who was so beautiful both inside and out,” says Conor, tournament chairman. “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.”  NBC 30 meteorologist, Bob Maxon, will be the event’s Master of Ceremonies, and Avon High School’s Rhapsody a capella choral group, as well as a trio of Mellissa’s friends, will provide entertainment.  “Many of the students are still grieving, so this is one way that we can help ease their pain” remarks Jake Tussin, committee member. Phil Yanaros, another member of the committee, was very good friends with Mellissa.   He adds, “I know this event is a great idea because it will allow Mellissa’s legacy to live on at the high school.  There are still some very hard days for me.   Mellissa was a close friend and not a day goes by that I don’t think of her in some way or another.”

All proceeds from the Mellissa Andrew Memorial Golf Tournament will benefit the Smiles for Mellissa Fund which supports SEPTA, Avon’s special education PTA.  Mellissa’s mother, Anne Marie, a member of SEPTA, proposed to Avon High School that Sign Language be added to the school’s language curriculum, given its rise in popularity as a language used by special needs children. Mellissa herself learned signing in order to communicate with her brother Aidan who has Down Syndrome.   “Many area high schools offer Signing as a second language similar to the traditional languages being offered such as Spanish and French” explains Anne Marie.  

The tournament’s fundraising goal is $25,000.00 – enough to fund a part-time sign language teacher at Avon High School.  “We are half way there,” reports Conor.  “I’m thrilled with the progress we’ve made in just six months.” The tournament has been able to secure several key sponsors:  Attorney Kevin Ferry is the tournament’s Gold Sponsor; Firefly Studio is the Silver Sponsor and Lerner and Company, Crest Graphics and Norcom Mortgage all are Bronze Sponsors. Acura of Avon is providing the Hole in One Sponsorship and other local businesses have been very generous by offering tee box sponsorships and/or donating auction items. Richard Gallivan, owner of The Meat House in Avon, was so impressed by Conor’s efforts that he donated a private, catered barbecue to be one of the live auction items.

To learn more about the Mellissa Andrew Memorial Golf Tournament; to register for the event; or to make a donation, please visit: www.cmac.golfregistrations.com. All checks should be made out to SEPTA and mailed to SEPTA c/o Diane Condon, 2 Deepwood Drive, Avon, CT  06001.  The event is open to the public. Non-golfers are welcome to attend and dinner-only tickets are available.

Submitted by the McCarthy family.