The Shawnee Mission Northwest parking lot was nearly full.
It was a Saturday afternoon.
Instead of backpacks, students brought balloons in orange, black, white and green.
Instead of entering classrooms, everyone made their way to the football field.
Instead of starting first hour, students joined in prayer to honor sophomore Ovet Gomez Regalado, who passed away Friday morning after being hospitalized following a medical emergency at football conditioning.
Teachers, coaches, band directors, students, parents, Trailridge Middle School and SMNW staff, community members and the football team, about 200 people in total, all gathered to celebrate Ovet’s life. Some tossed around footballs, others brought flowers or wore face paint and green body glitter. Two little girls with orange hair bows and unicorn sequined t-shirts held heart-shaped balloons that tangled in the wind. One flew away.
Senior Logan Morley, who had known Ovet since freshman year, had an idea to gather people at Northwest on Saturday and show support for the Gomez Regalado family.
“I told all the football guys to spread word,” Morley said. “His family deserves it. He was so loved by everyone.”
The field was a sea of green, Ovet’s favorite color.
Around 3:00 p.m., Sports Director Angelo Giacalone instructed football players to tie their balloons on the chain-linked fence.
“This will be a reminder every time you step out that damn locker room,” Giacalone said.
A folding table and coolers full of water bottles lined the sidewalk.
Groups went up to sign a card which said, “It’s a great big hug with a fold in the middle.” There was an image of a bear smiling, with rosy cheeks holding a big heart.
Some people wore t-shirts with a picture of Ovet in his jersey, the words “Long Live Ovet” and “Forever 15” scrawled in swirly type underneath.
It was well over 90 degrees, so hot that the air was rippling. Everyone’s foreheads glistened with sweat, and the backs of t-shirts were soaked. But no one dared to leave early.
“I knew Ovet personally,” sophomore Evan Couldry said. “He was a fun guy. Who doesn’t wanna support him? We hung out in groups. At lunch, he would always take my food.”
Couldrey laughed a little bit at that.
Senior Lily Graham, like many others, came to show her support, wearing a forest green top and acrylic nails. She bought a chocolate chocolate chip cake on her lunch break from work and made a card to bring Ray.
Senior Stephanie Benitez was misty-eyed. She had known the family for eight years.
“Ovet was a very good kid,” she said. “I came out here to say goodbye.”
People gathered on the turf to give a moment of silence. Ovet’s mother could be heard sobbing, shoulders shaking as she held her eldest son, Ray.
There are no explanations or words for the suffering we experience
We do not wish the pain away
God is with us
Words of a local priest rang out amongst the silent crowd.
Only one balloon was released by Ray. It was in the shape of a football.
“It will get to Ovet,” Giacalone said.
