LT students perform, raise funds for O’Laughlin fund
Morgan Vickery from La Grange preforms with Melissa Quirk from Western Springs (behind) during a concert for the Kelli O'Laughlin fund, at Lyons Township High School. | Jerry Daliege~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: October 22, 2012 1:53AM
LA GRANGE — Lyons Township High School students gathered Saturday at the school’s Reber Center, to share their talent and remember a classmate.
The JOY concert was in memoriy of Kelli O’Laughlin, the Indian Head Park teen killed last year when she walked in on a burglary in her home. Kelli’s middle name was Joy.
Mark Gomez, one of O’Laughlin’s good friends and classmates, was among those who spearheaded this event. He said Joy was a good way to start the school year.
Indeed, the concert was created to be inspirational.
“The songs that were chosen are uplifting and upbeat. It’s a great feeling from her life,” he says.
Funds raised from sales of tickets, bracelets, T-shirts, raffle tickets and concessions went to the Kelli Joy O’Laughin Memorial Fund, which was set up by O’Laughlin’s parents to provide educational opportunities for young people who share their daughter’s dedication to family, friends and the community
In addition to Gomez, other student organizers of the JOY concert were Emily Atseff, Ella DaDan, Katlyn Freeman, David Hussey, Jessica Klimes, Annie LeFevour, Matt McDonnell, Emily Parkes, Kaity Shepard and Alex Wenstrup.
Gomez also credits LTHS principal David Franson with supporting the group’s efforts.
For more information on the Kelli Joy O’Laughlin Memorial Fund visit http://kellijoyolaughlinmemorialfund.com.





