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Roxbury: friends, family shoot for the cure
On Thursday, May 24, Roxbury residents visited Roxbury High School to support Nick Russo, a former Roxbury High School student and lacrosse player who passed away of leukemia last August. Everyone in attendance gave a donation, and watched, as the Roxbury Gaels took on the Randolph Rams in a boys’ lacrosse showdown. The game was known as the 2012, “Shoot for the Cure” lacrosse game. This was the fourth annual Shoot for the Cure game, the previous three had been for breast cancer.
The game drew a large amount of supporters, consisting of students, parents, teachers, and even lacrosse fans who had no relationship with Roxbury High School. The majority of students and parents that attended the game wore orange “Shoot for the Cure” T- shirts, which were purchased in school, or at the ticket booth. The orange shirts showed support for leukemia, and Nick Russo who passed of it. During warm-up, the Roxbury players wore orange shorts, and during the game, they wore orange uniforms.
The cost to attend was $5. Of admission costs and donations, half of the money that was made went to a leukemia foundation, and the other half went to the “Nick Russo Scholarship” which is money for college given to a graduating senior.
The game was also Senior Night for the lacrosse team, and everyone showed respect in a moment of applause, as Nick Russo’s parents took center field. Mr. and Mrs. Russo were given an orange lacrosse ball, and a bouquet of flowers, in honor of their son, who was due to graduate this summer.
Senior Tommy Alliegro was good friends with Nick Russo for a long time. “This is a great way to keep Nick’s legacy going,” Alliegro said. “Nick was a great guy, and everyone loved him, so this is great.”
Senior attack man and midfielder, Brendan Riefberg played with Nick Russo. “Nick was a brother to some of us, and we play in his memory every time we step on the field, but to have the entire night dedicated to him was really great,” Riefberg said. “My emotions were running wild,” he added.
Although Roxbury lost the game, 9-6, both Roxbury and Randolph fans both agreed that the game was a success. “I wish we could have won for Nick and for all the fans, but I know Nick would be proud of our effort that night, and all season,” Riefberg added.
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