By: Aggie Rieger

On Saturday June 25, balloons flew away from the track as the remaining volunteers from the Go Orange for Lanisha Celebration Run/Walk released them to the blue sky. The flying white and orange balloons matched their surroundings; all orange for Lanisha Caldwell.

“We made sure to get everything orange, that’s how we represented her,” said senior Morgan Tinsley. “We’ve got orange nail polish, orange shirts, orange balloons, everything’s orange. We went all out. Know why? That’s her favorite color.”

Tragedy

On Saturday, May 21 Caldwell was diagnosed with a severe brain bleed. She spent one night at St. Luke’s Hospital and two weeks in ICU at Children’s Mercy as word quickly spread through social media and word of mouth. Then, after weeks of life support, she passed away the morning of Tuesday, June 14.

“Life is short,” said senior Abbey Fish. “I’ve just been thinking about that a lot lately. We’re not guaranteed the next day. I actually had this conversation with Lanisha once.”

Friends and family had a strong reaction to the news.

“When you look at her and you look at her smile, there’s such a sincerity that you don’t [usually] see,” said Roz McCommon, who performed with husband Nathan McCommon at the benefit.

 All agreed.

“Lanisha was so loved by Oak Park,” said StuCo sponsor and world history teacher Brian Edinger. “Everyone you ask about her, they have nothing but positive things to say.”

The cross country team, most of whom knew Caldwell as a friend and fellow teammate on the track team, was informed of Caldwell’s passing while on a team trip to Colorado.

“After that it was silent in the car,” said senior Keith Summers. “Before that there was laughing and a lot of loud music, but after that it was dead silent.”

Support

Discussion over a fundraiser for Caldwell’s family began nearly immediately, while Caldwell was still in the hospital. A group of family and friends gathered weekly in the waiting room of Children’s Mercy to plan the event. Most of these organizers were coworkers of Leana Nieves, Caldwell’s mother.

T-shirts were designed, Edinger was contacted, businesses were asked for donations, a website was made and word spread like wildfire. On May 30, the track was reserved for a 5K run/one mile walk to benefit Caldwell and her family.

Caldwell’s church, Northside Christian, updated members on Caldwell’s condition via emails, Facebook and word of mouth.

“It is tough. Lanisha was the glue to our youth group,” said Youth Pastor Zach White. “We’ve got a big hole that we need to fill.”

Local businesses donated money, food and prizes for the event.

“Most of the businesses were very supportive and wanted to do as much as they could,” said Kirsten Williams, who helped organize the event. “It was just step right up, no questions asked, they just wanted to help.”

Many businesses pitched in, including Hy-Vee, Chik-fil-A, Panera, Cake Works of Art, LaMar’s Donuts and more.

Support also came from Oak Park and the students.

“Oak Park has always been a caring school and it’s always been this way,” said Athletic Director Keith Ross. “It’s tremendous that they’re here to support.”

And the support was much appreciated.

“It’s been huge, it helps out a lot,” said Chad Snider, Nieves’s boyfriend. “Northland companies have been great. Oak Park High School has been great, the support from the teachers, especially Edinger.”

The donations are needed, as the cost of Caldwell’s treatment was high.

“If I had to make a guess, it’s probably going to be 20 grand plus, easy,” Snider said. 

With plans made, and 178 people registered online the night before the event, things seemed to be set in place.

 Celebration

“Oh no,” a volunteer shouted.

“Run, run,” screamed another. “Go get them.”

The balloons from a balloon arch on the track were flying away just after 8 a.m., when registration began. A mass of gray clouds quickly took over the sky above the track and soon the rain came pouring down, bright lightning flashed and the temperature dropped.

“I know there’s a lot of people that loved Lanisha,” Williams said, “so it won’t stop them.”

Participants sat in their cars and waited inside of Oak Park until about 9:30, when the event was able to begin.

“I think it sends a good message that people will come out on a rainy day and support fellow students, whatever their relation,” said US history teacher Megan Ives.

Just before the 5K race and one mile race began, the sky cleared of all rain.

“It was just perfect how it stopped right before we started, and now that we’re done [it’s raining again],” said senior Lauren Collingsworth, who participated in the walk.

The rain lightly picked up again after most of the participants had completed their courses.

“This feels really good,” Fish said. “Lanisha did it; she knew we needed a cool down.”

Heading to the start of the 5K run, Ives was nervous.

“I’m nervous because I don’t run long-distance, it’s not my thing,” she said. “But Lanisha’s going to help me finish.”

The course for the run ran around Oak Grove Park once, and circled the school twice. The runners were guided by cones, orange cones of course.

During the race and walk, around the track music played over a speaker system.

“In a way it felt good because it was good music, but it made me think,” said senior Allen McClemdon. “It made me think ‘what’s going to happen to me after I go.’ But it was good, you know.”

Edinger described the atmosphere as joyful.

“Everyone was heartbroken, but today was a celebration,” Edinger said.

According to Edinger, the male and female winners of the 5K received Royals tickets, second place won $25 gift certificates to Barry’s Sports and third place got certificates for two large pizzas from Papa Johns. Prizes were also awarded for oldest and youngest participant, most orange clothing, best farmer’s tan and to Oak Park graduate Seth Bernal for answering the question “What was Lanisha’s middle name” first. Her middle name was Dene.

Not all of those who had registered online or had said they would attend on the event’s Facebook page were able to make it to the event. Still, teachers, staff, students and even those that did not know Caldwell came to show support. Caldwell’s presence could be felt in stories that were told as participants circled the track and as family friend Christy Bell sang “Mighty to Save,” which was the song Caldwell was baptized to.  

“[I am] surprised,” said Marquis Caldwell, Lanisha’s younger brother who will attend Oak Park in the fall as a freshman. “During the summer I would think they have other things to do.”

All money raised helps Caldwell’s family pay the expensive medical bills. Registration on the day of the event was set at $30 and t-shirts were sold for $15. Also for sale were meal/raffle tickets. From this and donations, a total of $8,895.96 was raised. But this was not the first priority for Nieves; or even a priority at all.  

“I’m not even concerned about how much money was raised,” she said. “It’s nice to remember her like this versus how she was in the hospital.”

Classmates and friends of Caldwell felt similar.  

“I was actually dancing to the music I just think that this is something she would have fun with,” said senior Courtney Hockman. “It helps us to appreciate people more.”

Life

As the event ended at noon, the balloons flew away for the second time, to the blue sky.

“It was perfect, it was just perfect,” said Kathy May. “People were here to gain some kind of closure.”

So, what’s next?

“I don’t know where everyone’s going to go from here,” Nieves said. “For me, it’s healing; if there’s ever a good time for that.”

This event was a little step towards that healing for Caldwell’s family and friends, and for Oak Park as well. According to alumni Aaron Fiddelke, who designs the track shirts for Oak Park, he will dedicate next year’s team shirt to Caldwell. Edinger said that StuCo has already begun discussing possible fundraisers for the family during the school year.

“It [this event] will leave a little mark that Lanisha was here and I hope people will see that,” said Marcus Caldwell, Lanisha’s father. “It’s just a small tribute to my daughter, but small things can be big things, too.”

To donate to Caldwell’s family, visit http://goorangeforlanisha.weebly.com/donations.html.