Creating a legacy to keep Lacey's message alive
All three young women studied environmental sciences at Lakeland together. On December 29—just seven months after she graduated—Longworth was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident near Mayfair, Sask.
“One of Lacey’s favourite sayings was ‘make good choices,’” says Slater. “We decided to do a run in Calgary that was in support of women’s cancer research to honour her memory. About four hours into the walk and 28 km later, our legs and feet were killing us and we started to think that maybe there were other ways we could have paid tribute to Lacey. I’m sure she would have agreed.”
Now that the aches, pains and blisters have disappeared, Kindrachuk and Slater are working to make sure their friend’s memory remains at Lakeland College forever. By creating and selling specially designed “Make Good Choices” red wristbands, the pair is raising funds to support various charities and projects. One such cause is the Lacey Longworth Endowment Fund which will be used to create scholarships for Lakeland College students.
“Lacey was a real go getter and rallied to support many campaigns on campus,” says Slater. “Funding the scholarship is a meaningful way to keep Lacey’s legacy alive, while at the same time, helping students to get the most they can from their college experience in the future.”
Slater and Kindrachuk sold the red wristbands at the Lacer the Racer Memorial Golf Tournament held at the Vermilion Golf and Country Club on July 30. Prior to this, they sold over 1,000 wristbands to raise $5,000 in support of women’s cancer as well as the Lakeland student scholarship endowment fund.
While both agree that Lacey’s death created a huge void in their lives, the memory of her spirit, actions and personal passion gives them countless memories and stories that they will hold on to forever.
“Lacey was so positive and so committed to everything,” says Kindrachuk, adding that in addition to being a strong student academically, Longworth was actively involved in the Students’ Association, the Stockman’s Club, the Enviro Club, and the intercollegiate judging and rowing teams as well as other campus life activities. “She was always the one to jump into action first.”
Slater adds that she misses Longworth’s enthusiasm as well as her straight-talking, no-hold-bars opinions. “That made her she was. She was such a good friend, though, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for Lacey. I owe her and her memory a lot.”
Kindrachuk and Slater continue to sell the Make Good Choices wristbands for $5 each.
For more information or to order one, please email kaeleykindrachuk@hotmail.com or call Slater at 306 460 8602.
