A Special Night

The Lenox, Bedford and Stanton communities banded together Monday night to host another Pride Challenge, this time for two families very important to their respective communities.

T-shirts, bracelets, dinner and basketball were organized to help Kynna Powell and Kevin Ritchie, two members of families each endowed and beloved by the communities and schools that came together.

Kynna is 3 years old and was diagnosed with a brain tumor in early October. Her parents, Clint and Kandra, are both Bedford graduates. Clint currently teaches at Bedford, after a teaching stop at Lenox and a prior student teaching opportunity at Stanton.

Kevin was diagnosed with cancer this past summer and has played an enormous role in the community as well.

The night was filled with energy as the basketball players and fans erupted as their school competed in a skills competition, including a 3-point shootout and relay race before finishing with a 20-minute scrimmage between the boys of Lenox and Bedford.

Lenox boys head basketball coach Jesse Cox knew the event was personal for a lot of people.

“It’s more personable,” said Cox. “You know in these situations there is a couple of things you can do. You can pray and we’re looking for some other way to support them. This is one way we thought we could do it.”

Bedford boys basketball coach Frank Sefrit issued a similar sentiment.

“They’ve been part of this program, they’ve been part of the school system and the community,” said Sefrit. “This is just a chance that everyone can come out and show their appreciation and their love for them.”

A silent auction was held during dinner and throughout the night with items ranging from Southwestern Community College gear to a chance to shave Sefrit’s head.

The latter was handed out to fellow Bedford player Tristen Tracy, who took a pair of clippers to Sefrit’s hair line at half court of the basketball gymnasium for all to see.

“I thought, what can I do to raise some money?” said Sefrit. “And the kids have been complaining about, ‘well we did it that one other time’ and they’re like ‘put your head up and I’ll bid on it.’”

The schools are continuing to accept donations for the families and plan to present them with the money when Lenox and Bedford basketball matchup in the regular season in January.

Pink t-shirts reading “Kynna’s Kourt” were worn by the entire Lenox girls basketball team and many others in attendance. Bracelets were also made and sold by the schools as well.

“As soon as we started doing that stuff people were all on top of it, Cox said about how quickly support came in. “It flooded my phone, our athletic directors. Some of the Powell’s have relatives that work at our schools and instantaneously people wanted to participate and be apart of it.”

Both coaches were immensely impressed by the turnout for the night’s events.

“We are very appreciative of both of these communities that come together for great causes,” Sefrit said. “We are mortal enemies when we play each other, but the love going around is what’s important.”