Courtney O'Bryan's Life Celebrated
If there was ever any doubt about how just much Huntington High School loves Courtney O'Bryan it was erased during a special night that paid tribute to the spunky teenager who was killed December 2 after the car she was riding in hit an icy patch of roadway and flipped over in rural Pennsylvania while on a fundraising trip for pediatric cancer research.
"Courtney will always have a special place reserved just for her in our hearts and in the Blue Devil athletic program," Georgia D. McCarthy, Huntington's district director of athletics, told a crowd of about 750. "She was an amazing young woman who was loved by her teammates and coaches."
Huntington girls' basketball coaches Mike Kaplan and Marissa Bergmann spearheaded the organization of the evening. The pair worked with Mrs. McCarthy and Ms. O'Bryan's parents, Bill and Lisa. A huge crowd of current students and alumni, teachers, coaches, parents and friends of the O'Bryan family filled the home side bleachers and ringed the lobby side of the basketball court.
"Courtney played very hard for us and was a great teammate," Mr. Kaplan said. "Her smile was infectious. She helped lead our team and did everything we ever asked of her."
The coaches presented Ms. O'Bryan's parents with the No. 11 home and away Blue Devil basketball jerseys she wore with the team last year. The coaches framed the jerseys, which will be placed on permanent display in the team's showcase in the gym lobby. No Huntington girls' basketball player is wearing No. 11 this winter in honor of Ms. O'Bryan.
The Huntington Booster Club was on hand in the gym lobby, selling food and refreshments. Hundreds in the crowd donned Courtney O'Bryan Night white and blue t-shirts and a touching slide show ran continuously on a large screen television. Huntington soccer coach John Walsh and former JV girls' basketball coach Jim McCabe also addressed the crowd, sharing personal experiences and remembrances.
Mr. McCabe talked about how he got excited about something one day and started yelling and realized at some point that Ms. O'Bryan was smiling the whole time. "How can you yell at a kid that's smiling at you?" he asked rhetorically. He loved coaching the teenager and is devastated over her loss.
Ms. O'Bryan's mother, Lisa Brigandi told the crowd that her daughter was always thinking of others and urged others to lead their lives in a similar way. Like other speakers, Mrs. Brigandi became emotional and struggled to maintain her composure and complete her remarks. The mother and daughter shared a special bond.
"Courtney was just such a great kid," Ms. Bergmann said. "Her personality was so warm and giving. She was fun to be around. It is so sad that she has left us. It makes no sense. We will always remember her in our hearts and minds."
Bill O'Bryan told the crowd that he wore No. 11 during his scholastic days and his daughter was thrilled when she was able to get the same number assigned to her. The teenager had a very loyal group of friends who have all been crushed by her loss. Dozens returned to town from college in the days following her death, attending a wake at M.A. Connell Funeral Home and a funeral at St. Patrick's Church.
The large crowd included Huntington School Board President Emily Rogan and several of her fellow trustees, as well as Superintendent James W. Polansky. Senior Kristina Casale sang a beautiful rendition of the national anthem. The Huntington Highsteppers performed a special dance routine at halftime that they dedicated to Ms. O'Bryan.
The 20 minute ceremony preceded a Suffolk League IV varsity game between Huntington and West Babylon. Players from both teams sat in their courtside seats in uniform with their eyes glued on the speakers.
Funds were collected during the evening for a planned scholarship in Ms. O'Bryan's memory. "We were all fortunate to have Courtney in our lives and we are going to always remember her in a special way," Mr. Kaplan said.