Dozens of spectators dressed in blue Monday morning at a field hockey game in Waterville to commemorate Cassidy Charette, the 17-year-old Messalonskee High School junior fatally injured in a hayride accident over the weekend.
On Monday evening, hundreds gathered at a restaurant in Augusta to hold a candlelight vigil for Charette and her boyfriend, Connor Garland, another Messalonskee student, who was one of 22 others injured in the crash.
On the sidelines at the field hockey game was 16-year-old Emily Hogan, a star player on the Messalonskee field hockey team and one of Charette’s best friends. She was with Charette Saturday night in Mechanic Falls and was among six Messalonskee students on the hayride that overturned.
“I wouldn’t have missed this game for the world,” said Hogan, who didn’t play but was cheering for her teammates. “Cassidy was such a good friend to me, and it’s incredible how much everyone has come together.”
A moment of silence was held before the game, and admission proceeds were going toward funds for the families of Charette and Garland, who is being treated at a Boston hospital.
Hogan was taken to St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston after the accident, but was discharged with a few bruises and minor swelling. She said that with the exception of Charette and Garland, the other students and a recent graduate of Messalonskee who was on the hayride did not suffer any major injuries.
“She was so lucky,” said Louise Hogan, Emily’s mother. “It was really scary.”
Garland’s mother, Sue MacVane Garland, posted a comment Monday night on the “Help the Garland Family! Messalonskee Strong!” Facebook page set up to help the family as her son recovers from his injuries. “My superman is out of seven hours surgery,” she said. “I am waiting to see him. Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.”
Previous posts on the site indicated Connor Garland suffered a broken jaw and an injury to part of his back.
Hundreds of Messalonskee students, community members and supporters gathered Monday night in Augusta, holding a candlelight vigil at the Red Barn restaurant after a previously scheduled fundraiser for the Messalonskee Project Graduation Class of 2016, Charette’s and Garland’s class.
Students, most clad in their school colors, formed a tight circle and exchanged long hugs as they lit candles for their classmates.
They said Charette and Garland would have been at the fundraiser to help, as both were known for kindness to their classmates, even those they weren’t tight with.
“They’re both great people,” said Garrett Main, junior class president. “Cassidy was brilliant, at the top of the class. And her smile could light up a room. It’s so sad she’s not here. It’s not right. Connor is an athlete with a kind heart, too. He’s always looking to make someone’s day better.”
The Red Barn donated all the proceeds from the event. In a post on the restaurant’s Facebook page Monday night, owner Laura Benedict said: “Tonight’s fundraiser was the first one ever during which we ran out of haddock! The total raised, not including donations to Connor’s family and the T-shirts sold for the scholarship in Cassidy’s name, was $7,316!”
Mount Merici Academy, a Catholic elementary and middle school in Waterville where both Charette and Hogan had gone to school, was planning a candlelight vigil for Tuesday evening.
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