Number of Participants: 16
Hours Donated: 6
Value of Time Served: $3,340
Event Type: Health & Safety
Activity: Girls Lacrosse
School: Earl L Vandermeulen High School
Date: May 5, 2026
Location:
Port Jefferson High School
Old Post Road West, Port Jefferson
NY
About:
The Port Jefferson Girls Varsity Lacrosse team recently came together with Better Together to support an important cause by hosting a Morgan’s Message Dedication Game focused on raising awareness for student-athlete mental health.
The event highlighted the power of teamwork, compassion, and community as players, students, and supporters united around the message that no one has to face mental health challenges alone. Through the dedication game, the athletes helped promote open conversations surrounding mental wellness while encouraging others to seek support and look out for one another.
Morgan’s Message, founded in memory of student-athlete Morgan Rodgers, works to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in athletics and create safer, more supportive environments for students. By dedicating the game to this mission, the Port Jefferson athletes used their platform to advocate for awareness, connection, and support within their school community.
The initiative was supported by Better Together, a student-centered effort that continues to encourage kindness, inclusion, and mental health awareness throughout the district. The organization also encouraged other Port Jefferson athletic teams and coaches to connect with Annie McKeown to help plan future dedication games and continue spreading the message across the school community.
The dedication game served as a reminder that athletics can play a powerful role in fostering meaningful conversations and helping students feel seen, heard, and supported. Through their leadership and advocacy, the Port Jefferson Girls Lacrosse team demonstrated that success in sports is not only measured by competition, but also by the positive impact athletes can make off the field.
Initiatives like this continue to strengthen school communities and reinforce the message that students are truly “Better Together.”
