Emily’s Story
Emily was born on February 26, 2002 to deaf parents. At the hospital the family excitedly asked her father what they had named her. He replied EmAhDee. Her father can speak well but understandably struggles in his enunciations. When he was asked to spell it, he signed E-M-I-L-Y. The family inside chuckle was he had named his little girl something he couldn't say! Thus, she was known as EmAhDee (M.A.D.) to her family. Mentorship Action for Discovering Success or MADs became the acronym that best reflected the mission of their nonprofit and to honor the memory of their lovely Emily.
Emily was a very enterprising young lady. Hearing children born to deaf parents often must speak for their parents. They learn at an early age how to communicate with adults outside of the family. Emily was no exception to this. She was very active at her high school, played on the volleyball team and was fearless in pursuing her dreams. On her own, she had landed a modeling contract, promoted herself and was working on finishing high school. Her dream was to attend nursing school. She loved and rescued kittens. She also adored and cared for her younger sister. She was a wonderful mixture of strength, fierceness and maturity. She also had the sweet, stubborn qualities of innocence exhibited by a seventeen year old youth. She made many great life decisions. And as every teenager does, she also made unwise choices. It is part of being a typical teen.
One of those choices ended her life. She participated and provided a ride to two young men to buy marijuana. The boys in her car squabbled with the dealer and a fight ensued. The dealer ran back to the supplier and they took it upon themselves to hunt down Emily's car. They openly fired upon it. She was shot several times. This occurred on the street of the Mayor's house in a very populated area in the city of York, Pa. It was on Dec. 12, 2019. It was 5:00 p.m. on a busy Thursday evening. Her car had 9-12 gunshot holes in it. She died within the next hour.
Emily was 17. The young men in the car were 16 and 17. They were all from Dover, Pa. The shooter was 21 . He was from Red Lion, Pa. His accomplice was 18. He was from York, Pa. A young girl provided the shooters her car. She was fully aware of their violent intentions. Later she hid all of the evidence. She was 18 and from Lancaster, Pa. This reached across all economic backgrounds, geographical locations and ethnicities. This is a family problem that touches everyone from everywhere. It is sadly shocking to think that these were the choices that were made. It is painful to know that Emily was killed over a quarter of an ounce of marijuana and around $60.00. It is difficult to understand the thoughts behind a decision made that someone should die over something such as this. Just one different choice made by any one of the young people in this incident could have prevented such a sad senseless tragedy.
And that is what we hope to address with MADS Enterprises. Every young person deserves the opportunity and to have access to programs centered around arts, science, music, academics and sports. Often they may not have the resources to pay for that program or to purchase the necessary items to participate in it. Their choices have now become limited. And unwise decisions can fill that gap.
MADS Enterprises would offer support by matching young people to programs that encourage and enrich their particular interests and passions. We want to bridge the gap financially should the program require additional fees or items to participate in it. MADS Enterprises wants to offer mentorship and support in the pursuit of their passions and dreams. And we would do this one young enterprising person at a time!
A second part of our mission would be to sponsor events. We would support enterprising young people who help develop an event concept, work to organize it and help to enlist the volunteers that run it. A portion of the money made from their event would then go toward a young person(s) whose talents and interests centered on the focus of that event. MADS Enterprises wishes to help young people find their path to success. By offering mentorship, community support and guidance, we believe that kids can help kids!
It is tragic that six young people did not see a different path in the incident that involved Emily. She paid the highest price. But all of their lives were altered that day. As Emily’s family and friends try to find understanding and purpose in this tragedy it became clear that Emily is the only one who is truly free. Her family and friends must now learn how to continue their lives without her spirited presence. The remaining young people involved have to find a way to live with the consequences of their choices as well. If MADS Enterprises can prevent another family from knowing any aspect of this tragedy, it will be worth it. Our young people truly matter. We wish to help one young person at a time! And we believe that today’s kids really can help other kids! Emily would have been one of the first to volunteer!
One young person at a time! Kids helping Kids!
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