Tay`s #15 Jersey Retired

 Pat and Larry Bliss, parents of Taylor Rae Bliss, the 2010
Newark High School graduate who died in a tragic all-terrain
vehicle accident in July, were given a framed copy of their
daughter’s #15 Newark Lady Reds Varsity Soccer home jersey
that was retired at a special tribute before the Newark-PalmyraMacedon Red Raiders game here September 25.
!
The poignant tribute was highlighted by the south hill of
the field being beautifully decorated, in advance, in her memory
by Gary Vanderbrook, NCSD courier, and the deceased soccer
player’s extended family member coming out onto the field
before Pat and Larry Bliss were given their daughter’s retired
jersey by Newark Lady Reds Soccer Coach Jason Dentel and
Mary Thoms, Girls Soccer Booster Club president.
!
Dentel, who teaches sixth grade math and social studies
at Newark Middle School, and Thoms, who teaches seventh
grade ELA, wrote a tribute to Bliss that was read over the public
address system to everyone attending the memorial event
including various NCSD and Pal-Mac administrators, athletic
directors, coaches and assistants.
!
Excerpts from the tribute follow:
!
“Tonight is a very special night we are playing in honor
and in the memory of #15 Taylor Rae Bliss. She was a wonderful
person, who was taken from all of us too soon. She played
soccer for the Newark Reds throughout her high school career
graduating in 2010. Taylor was a coach for the Summer Soccer
Kitz program for three years. She loved playing “hide ‘n seek”
and working with kids. Known to her good friends and family
as “Tay,” she was a hard-working and determined athlete. She
put 100% effort into everything she did. Taylor always put team
first and was an ideal teammate. She had an infectious smile and
a laugh that was contagious.
!
!
“We miss you Tay!’’
!
“We chose the Pal-Mac game because this was not only a loss for the Newark School
District, it was a loss for Pal-Mac. Taylor’s mom, Pat, is the administrative assistant to the PalMac Athletic Director and has worked in Pal-Mac for 14 years. Members of the Pal-Mac district
watched Taylor grow up just like we did in Newark.
!
“Taylor’s away jersey is currently hanging in the old press box and will be hanging there
for all home games. After this season, it will be framed and hung in the girls’ locker room. !
“We would like to thank everyone for coming out to support the Bliss family, the Newark
Family, and the Pal-Mac family in honoring a great teammate, a great friend, and a great person.
We miss you Tay!”
!
Also at the event, it was announced that the Newark Girls Soccer Booster Club is
establishing a scholarship in Bliss’ memory. In recent months, both Newark and Pal-Mac each
sold tee shirts to help raise funds for it. Both teams wore the shirts to the memorial event.
Additionally, individual donations have been given. More than $1,500 has been raised so far.
!
Also, Jenna Havert and Gabriel “Beto” Caraballo, two children who participate in the
summer Kitz program, were presented with 2014 program scholarships.