The bleachers at the Ward Melville softball field were covered in a sea of bright blue shirts Saturday morning as dozens of people gathered to cheer on the softball team's fourth charity game.
This year's cause was to raise mental health awareness in honor of Forest Hills softball player Jordan Kenna, who committed suicide in November.
As of early Saturday afternoon, the team had raised $5,437 for Morgan's Message, an organization that works to provide resources and support to people suffering from mental health issues.
Shortly after Kenna's death, Ward Melville played against Kenna's team in an offseason tournament.
“It was very upsetting to be on that field and see those girls crying,” Ward Melville coach Joseph Berger said. “We took that and tried to make something positive out of it.”
Before Saturday's game, Rosalie Judd, a Westhampton senior and one of Kenna's former travel teammates, shared her story with Kenna in a moving speech and offered encouragement to those struggling with mental health. .
“Ward Melville was really supportive of Jordan. It was really great. . . We held a tournament in the fall and they raised about $2,000 for her memory and funeral,” Judd said. Ta. “You never know what someone is going through. Treat everyone with kindness.”
That message was written on the back of the shirts worn by Ward Melville and all Rocky Point players, with the front saying, “You don't have to suffer in silence.” Behind Ward Melville's dugout stood a board with mental health statistics from the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
“It's great to see so many blue shirts and know everyone is supporting them. Rocky Point was also wearing this shirt. It's great,” Berger said.
Juliana Russ struck out four and allowed three hits, leading the Patriots to a 15-0 nonleague victory over Rocky Point (2-14) in five innings. Sophie Reid and Haley Moser each hit inside-the-park home runs for Ward Melville (5-7).
“It can be difficult to balance being an athlete with schoolwork. I know a lot of athletes who struggle with their mental health,” Russ said. “Everyone was on board with the idea of this game because everyone knows how important this issue is.”
Ward Melville has a program run by Leah Jantzen that provides social support and mental health strategies to student-athletes throughout the year. Berger said Jantzen recommended Morgan's Message because it works with Jantzen's program.
“Whenever an athlete steps on the field or court, there is tremendous pressure to compete and succeed,” Berger said. “We want to tell them that you can't always be successful on the field, but that doesn't diminish your ability.”
