Softball, smiles and remembrance

CHAZY — Saturday felt bigger than the game of softball at Chazy Central Rural School.

There were smiles, tears and, most of all, remembrance of a girl taken way too early, Kennedy Columbus, who died at 17 in a single-car crash June 20, 2025.

“We wanted to honor and remember Kennedy in some way going into this season,” Chazy head coach Cory Thompson said. “She is the heart and soul of our program, and she is sorely missed.

“We wanted to do something that would be fun. We wanted today to be enjoyable for people and certainly emotional times, but an opportunity for us to do what she loved, and that was playing softball.

“We have several teams here, several of her former teammates, friends, family. We had an unbelievable turnout today from our community. The support has been just fantastic for us and, more importantly, for the Columbus family.”

Saturday was the inaugural Kennedy Columbus Memorial Tournament, during which the field was dedicated in her memory.

“I think the words Kennedy would use would be ‘thank you’ and ‘I love you’ to everyone, knowing them or not,” Roger Columbus, Kennedy’s father, said. “She would give hugs and her love and her little kisses and her little wonderful smile because if this was anyone other than Kennedy, she would be right here, first and foremost, taking charge of it to make sure everything was absolutely perfect just because that’s who she was, and that’s pretty much who she made us to be. It was supposed to be the other way around, but that’s who she was. You know, she really loved people. She loved everything. She just believed in things. Like, if she believed in something, nothing was going to stop her from making everything happen, make dreams come true or make a player better or 4-H, for example, make someone better in writing or youngster. There was never anyone too young or too old for her to help, or at least show her, show what she can — her talents — and pass them on.”

Four teams, including Chazy, Northeaster Clinton, Northern Adirondack and Peru, took part in the tournament.

The day was filled with laughter and tears as the games played.

“I haven’t seen something like this before,” Hadley Lucas said. “Softball is not a Chazy sport, so it’s so beautiful seeing everybody come together like this for softball and for her. She was one of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met, so I think this is a beautiful tribute that we have for her.”

Roger Columbus threw out the first pitch before the first game, but the dedication came after the second game played.

“We’re so honored. It’s just been amazing,” Kennedy’s mother, Heidi Dennis, said. “Cory Thompson had contacted us months ago, and he’s been planning ever since. and when Cory is at the helm, there isn’t much to worry about. He does a really nice job putting things together, so we knew it would be a class act. and we’re just so happy to have the turnout that’s here, too.”

The dedication, with the four teams lining the basepaths, included a plaque shaped like home plate that was given to the Columbus family. Thompson took a moment to read off some of Kennedy Columbus’ stats and records during her time at Chazy, followed by a 15-second moment of silence in honor of 15 having been her number.

“I think it’s so great that so many people came out for this,” Chazy senior Wynter Jarus said. “I know sometimes weekends are a little spotty and not everyone can come out, but I think a great amount of people turned out from every team. I think it’s so great because it shows just how many people knew her and how many people she had an effect on. and just seeing everyone come around, rally around her and have so much fun, I mean, all the games are going really well, and I think everyone’s having a whole lot of fun. Kennedy would have loved to see this.”

Thompson said a bronze version of the plaque presented will be placed on site as a remembrance of Kennedy Columbus.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to, you know, to make sure that Kennedy is never forgotten,” he said. ”To have a plaque that will be on site here in her memory, to remind us of just how special she was and how much she meant to our softball program and this entire Chazy school, is something that is very special to all of us.”

Roger Columbus thanked many for being a part of the day and giving support, from the school to the board to the athletic association and more. He said people reached out from Chazy all the way south toward New York City to give condolences and support.

“People reached out to support us, and without their strength and their encouragement, we probably wouldn’t be standing here today with such determination to make something so beautiful happen,” he said. “So I mean, there’s a million people to thank. I just thank everyone, I really do, because it’s hard to think of everyone individually. I’m afraid I’m going to miss someone.

“All that strength is now instilled in us to be able to function and be a part of something so wonderful.”

Roger Columbus added that at one time, he thought he would never step on a softball field again, but the support has changed that. It’s eased the burden, in a way.

“You know, we’re not ones that have limelight, but the support is astronomical, and I don’t, I just don’t know what else to say about it,” he said. “The support is to just keep it going. Just keep it going because we want this to happen over and over and have more young ladies in the sports and and enjoy them. Softball is a wonderful sport, and we encourage it. We’ll support it forever.”

He added there are more plans and more to come, but he was tight lipped on the possibilities.

One thing that is sure to happen again is the tournament. Thompson said the plan is to keep the tournament running for as long as there are teams interested in playing.

“It’s been a long winter, and we kind of go from day to day, not really knowing how to move through the days,” Dennis said. “So when you get to a point like today, and everyone’s here, the sun’s shining there, people are smiling and happy to be here. It just feels like she’s here.

“This morning, we had a rainbow near the sun that had nothing to do with rain. It’s a phenomenon that happened, and she gave that to us today. So I think that’s what it does. It just reinforces to us that she’s saying, ‘Mom and dad, I’m right here. I haven’t gone anywhere, and I have the best seat in the house to see what’s happening here.’ She would be thrilled to see this happening.”