Lockport Union-Sun & Journal — MEDINA — The memory of a Medina student who took his own life ten years ago will be honored at an event later this month that will raise funds for a scholarship and a national organization which seeks to prevent suicides through public awareness and education about depression and other brain illnesses.

Bowlers, local musicians, family, friends and the community, including suicide survivors and mental health advocates, will gather to raise awareness for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention at “Rock-n-Bowl” for Suicide Awareness, at noon Aug. 11.

Proceeds raised will benefit Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, as well as the Ryan Stack memorial scholarship, which is being awarded for the first time next year.

“A loss like this is something very difficult to recover from, but being involved with this event and organization has helped our family,” said Jamie Leszczynski, Ryan’s other sister said. “We want to bring awareness to the community and help other families as well.”

Stack, who would have graduated in the Class of 2004, took his own life at age 16 by completing suicide. To celebrate his memory, his family and friends are seeking to establish a scholarship in his name. This scholarship will be presented to a junior at Medina High School in whom a teacher, faculty member or staff member sees potential.

“Ryan wasn’t the best student, but he was a self-taught musician who did talk about college,” Leszczynski said. “This scholarship meant for an average student who people see as having potential. It could give them an extra oomph as they look towards their future.”

The event will be held at the Medina Bowling Lanes and is open to anyone who would like to participate. The event is $10 to participate as either an attendee or as a bowler.

Local musicians, including Above the Fog, Adrenaline Anthem, Terrible Ideas, Hotel Bravo and Bad Habit, will be performing starting at 12:30 p.m. There will also be raffle baskets, a chicken BBQ as well as 50/50.

To register or donate, go to http://tinyurl.com/cs7xflu. For more information about the event, email Jamie@abcideabased.com.

Suicide is a national public health crisis and is the second leading cause of death among 15 to 34-year-olds and the third leading cause of death for 35 to 44-year-olds. SAVE works to prevent suicide through public awareness and education, reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and serves as a resource to those touched by suicide.

To learn more about SAVE, visit www.save.org or call 952-946-7998.