- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,170,766
- Reaction score
- 59
YORKTOWN HEIGHTS - Overcome with emotion and fighting through tears to speak, Jessica Gorman was effusive in thanking the community for its support throughout an unfathomably difficult period for her family.
She then shifted seamlessly, lightening the mood by joking about her bedazzled denim jacket offering little protection from the evening chill. But, she explained, it was designed by her daughter, customized with glittery patches, and meant to be worn to Yorktown sporting events.
The infusion of levity in that speech and the round of hugs that followed, and simply her parents’ presence at a girls lacrosse game, Lily Diaz said, was a reminder of what the team loved most about Sheridan Gorman.
“What her parents said kind of symbolized what she was like,” Diaz said of her friend and former teammate. “She always had a positive attitude, no matter what, and she would always be thinking about others.”
Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed March 19 while walking near the campus of Loyola University in Chicago, where the 18-year-old was a freshman.
Her relatives are reeling, and former schoolmates still are stunned by the tragedy, but players said it was uplifting to see Sheridan’s family attend a game the lacrosse program held in her honor. Thomas and Jessica Gorman addressed the audience in a pregame ceremony, and Sheridan’s sister Madelon greeted the team.
“It’s a situation no one should have to go through, but her family is amazing and we admire them,” said Yorktown coach Heather Raniolo, who organized the memorial game. “It’s been difficult for all of us, but we’ve leaned on each other. We’re trying to live like Sheridan — being positive and selfless.”
Buoyed by that wave of emotion and fueled almost by a sense of duty, the Huskers followed up with a 16-11 victory, building an insurmountable lead and holding on to beat previously undefeated John Jay-Cross River.
“This game being for Sheridan,” Diaz said, “the whole team had a different kind of energy and hunger. Her spirit was with us.”
“She was the team manager when I was in eighth grade and she was always looking out for everyone,” Ryan, a sophomore, said of Sheridan Gorman. Ryan scored six goals for Yorktown in the girls lacrosse win. “She used to drive me around if I needed to get somewhere, and she’d do things like that for the younger players. She was always super positive and I’ll never forget that.”
'Sheridan was the best of us all': Yorktown honors memory of teen
Yorktown High School will have a commemorative brick installed in the ground near the entrance of Charlie Murphy Athletic Field. Inscribed on it will be a heart with the message, “Live like Sheridan Gorman.”
“Every day when we walk down to the field for practice or a game,” Raniolo said, “we’ll pass it and we’ll think of her.”
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Sheridan Gorman's parents thank Yorktown community before lacrosse win
Continue reading...
She then shifted seamlessly, lightening the mood by joking about her bedazzled denim jacket offering little protection from the evening chill. But, she explained, it was designed by her daughter, customized with glittery patches, and meant to be worn to Yorktown sporting events.
The infusion of levity in that speech and the round of hugs that followed, and simply her parents’ presence at a girls lacrosse game, Lily Diaz said, was a reminder of what the team loved most about Sheridan Gorman.
“What her parents said kind of symbolized what she was like,” Diaz said of her friend and former teammate. “She always had a positive attitude, no matter what, and she would always be thinking about others.”
Sheridan Gorman was shot and killed March 19 while walking near the campus of Loyola University in Chicago, where the 18-year-old was a freshman.
Her relatives are reeling, and former schoolmates still are stunned by the tragedy, but players said it was uplifting to see Sheridan’s family attend a game the lacrosse program held in her honor. Thomas and Jessica Gorman addressed the audience in a pregame ceremony, and Sheridan’s sister Madelon greeted the team.
“It’s a situation no one should have to go through, but her family is amazing and we admire them,” said Yorktown coach Heather Raniolo, who organized the memorial game. “It’s been difficult for all of us, but we’ve leaned on each other. We’re trying to live like Sheridan — being positive and selfless.”
Buoyed by that wave of emotion and fueled almost by a sense of duty, the Huskers followed up with a 16-11 victory, building an insurmountable lead and holding on to beat previously undefeated John Jay-Cross River.
“This game being for Sheridan,” Diaz said, “the whole team had a different kind of energy and hunger. Her spirit was with us.”
“She was the team manager when I was in eighth grade and she was always looking out for everyone,” Ryan, a sophomore, said of Sheridan Gorman. Ryan scored six goals for Yorktown in the girls lacrosse win. “She used to drive me around if I needed to get somewhere, and she’d do things like that for the younger players. She was always super positive and I’ll never forget that.”
'Sheridan was the best of us all': Yorktown honors memory of teen
Yorktown High School will have a commemorative brick installed in the ground near the entrance of Charlie Murphy Athletic Field. Inscribed on it will be a heart with the message, “Live like Sheridan Gorman.”
“Every day when we walk down to the field for practice or a game,” Raniolo said, “we’ll pass it and we’ll think of her.”
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Sheridan Gorman's parents thank Yorktown community before lacrosse win
Continue reading...
