Morgan’s Message at IHS

Morgan’s Message® is a 501(c)(3) that strives to eliminate the stigma  surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community  and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in  athletics.  

Clubs Initiatives? 

We have our own Morgan’s Message chapter here at Irondequoit High  School. Here we have regular meetings where we organize how we  are going to share the message with the community. At these  meetings we decide our dedication games and how they’ll be  organized, what fundraisers we will have and create posters. The  games, the fundraisers and creation of posters all help share the  message about mental health awareness for athletes.  

Project and events? 

Each season we have dedication games for as many sports as we are  able to schedule. For these games we set up a table where we have  ambassadors share Morgan’s Message and spread awareness about  mental health for athletes. We also create a goody bag for all of the  athletes, coaches and referees. In these bags we have a Morgan’s  Message bracelet, sticker, positive affirmation, and hair ribbon. In an  effort to help spread the message we connect with the central office  of Morgan’s Message to help supply our game efforts to help bring  awareness.  

In addition to dedication games of various sports, we also have  fundraisers at Chipotle and Brusters to date. Another fundraiser that  was implemented just this year is an apparel store. Our lead  ambassador Emmalynn Francis has created a beautiful store with the  Morgan’s Message signature butterfly that she created with our  school colors; blue and gold. She worked with the team to create a  line of apparel that was shared not only with IHS, but the entire  district!

How students have been involved? 

Students are at the center of this initiative. The students meet  regularly to discuss ideas with each other and create posters and the  goody bags for the dedication games. They are the ones that help  spread the awareness and lead the mission for spreading Morgan’s  Message and awareness for mental health for athletes.  

Partnerships and collaborations with the community? 

At this time, we have teamed up with our local Brusters for our “Blue  Pop” fundraiser where we help spread awareness about Morgan’s  Message, and raise money for our chapter here in Irondequoit.  

We have also organized a fundraiser with Chipotle, coming up in May. 

Our Morgan’s Message Irondequoit High School store has been  released to not only the High School, but to the entire district! 

Our lead ambassadors were interviewed with PrimeTime Ballers.  

We are brainstorming about more ideas about ambassadors going to  our younger schools as well.

We currently have 28 student-athletes involved in the program, including 2 ambassadors and 25 representatives. In the 2024-2025 school year alone, we’ve already hosted 3 games and have 5 more planned for the spring. Between the meetings, events, and behind-the-scenes efforts, our chapter collectively dedicates over 500 hours each year to supporting Morgan’s Message and raising awareness about mental health for athletes.