Number of Participants: 50
Hours Donated: 10
Value of Time Served: $4,225
Event Type: Children & Youth
Sport: Girls Lacrosse
School: School 7-Oceanside Senior High School
Date: May 1, 2024
Location:
Oceanside High School
Skillman Avenue, Oceanside
NY
About:
Hearts were wrenched and tears were shed before the girls’ lacrosse game at Oceanside High School on Tuesday. The community gathered to honor Ava Salonia, who would have been playing her junior season for the Sailors. Ava, a lacrosse enthusiast and the eldest daughter of Jessica and Ralph Salonia, passed away last August after a nearly year-long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), diagnosed on the first day of her sophomore year.
Players and fans wore “Ava’s Army” gear, and a moment of silence was held before the national anthem. Ava’s sister, Ella, a sophomore on the varsity team, shared heartfelt memories: “She loved playing lacrosse and competing with her friends… always putting others before herself.” Jessica Salonia expressed the poignant reality: “Ella and Ava should be playing together on this team.”
The game against Roslyn, a 15-6 win for Oceanside, marked the inaugural event in memory of Ava. Her project, the “’Love, Ava’ Project,” involved designing cosmetic-style bags for friends and fellow cancer patients. The initiative will continue through fundraising efforts like Tuesday’s game, providing supplies for the project.
Jennifer Gemmo, part of the parent coalition coordinating the event, emphasized, “The money raised will not only keep her memory alive but also bring joy to other children.” Dina Ewashko, another key organizer, added, “Doing something like this in her honor only seems right.”
The Oceanside players wore orange ribbons and socks to raise leukemia awareness. Juniors Samantha Gemmo and Julianna Ewashko, along with senior Riley Mohr, addressed the crowd. Julianna said, “Ava was kind, caring, and the strongest person we have ever known.” Mohr asked everyone to consider Ava and all childhood cancer warriors during the moment of silence.
Ava played on the JV team as a freshman and had an excellent season. Coach Ralph Montero recalled her excitement about moving up to varsity. However, she was diagnosed with AML on the first day of her sophomore year, and despite a bone marrow transplant, she passed away last August at 16.
Jessica Salonia expressed gratitude for the community’s support over the last 18-20 months, calling the Oceanside family “the best people.”
How to Contribute: The “’Love, Ava’ Project” gear is available at Buoy4, with a portion of proceeds funding the project.
