Do It for Dominic D

Dominic DePalma Memorial Soccer Scholarship now open for 2024

Sheri Fisher — Wed, 03 Apr 2024 23:21:03 +0000

Dominic DePalma Memorial Scholarship

Application Process Opens May 17, 2024

Student athletes with GRIT and those who need financial support to cover athletic or educational fees are encouraged to apply

Dominic DePalma was a Broomfield High School Class of 2023 athlete who lived for his friends and loved his family. He was a true competitor who was instantly and naturally gifted at many sports, including basketball, baseball, and golf. But, his greatest love was soccer.

Dominic played for Broomfield Soccer Club, Westminster Soccer Club, Storm North (now Rapids North), and Arvada Edge (now Colorado Edge Soccer Club). He was a Colorado State Cup Champion and Most Valuable Player who was selected to represent Olympic Development Program and Colorado Select for three years.

Details:

Applicants should be U13 – 19 (middle to high schoolers) who seek to continue their soccer participation
Scholarship amount: up to $2,000
Scholarships awarded to support: club or school team fees, travel expenses for tournaments or camps, uniform cost, etc.
Application deadline: June 21, 2024
Letters of recommendation are required. Plan for time to gather these.

Criteria: Applicants will demonstrate how they exhibit the qualities and spirit that Dominic embraced:

Dominating
Leading from Beside
Humility and Grit

Important dates:

May 17, 2024: Official announcement that applications are open.
June 21, 2024: Deadline for application submissions.
July 13, 2024: Notification of scholarship recipients.
July 28, 2024: Scholarship recipients announced and honored at event (to be announced).

Start your application here.

Silent Auction for the Xbox Lover in Your Life

Lori Holden — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 23:05:59 +0000

Silent Auction

3 Customized Xbox Controllers

Domen8teR

Do you have an avid gamer on your list?
You just found the perfect gift.

This Silent Auction is your chance to snag 1, 2, or even 3 Xbox controllers, uniquely custom-designed at Xbox Design Lab ($94 value). Each controller bears Dominic’s legendary screen name — Domen8teR — and spot lights a color scheme that tells the story of a special part of the life of our friend and teammate we so dearly miss.

Bidding begins at 8:00 a.m. this Friday, December 15th!
Don’t miss your chance to participate.

Here’s how join in the fun:

1. Click Auction to find out more about each of these Domen8teR-inspired Xbox controllers.

2. Click Register right NOW, so you are ready when the silent auction begins. (You can also register after the event opens — just be sure to place bids and register prior to the event close on Monday!)

3. Confirm your email address after you receive the email with subject line: XBox Controller Silent Auction 2023 registration

4. Place your first bid on Friday, Dec 15 at 8:00 a.m. MST.
(You do not need to download an app to participate.)

Bidding closes on Monday, Dec 18 at 7:00 p.m. MST, but don’t worry. You will be notified about your bids throughout the auction.

We hope you will join the fun! Your favorite gamer can hold in their hands the important messages we are all learning from Dominic’s epic life that ended too soon. All proceeds go to The Dominic DePalma Memorial Scholarship.

Opening Soon: The Dominic DePalma Memorial Scholarship Application

Lori Holden — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 18:01:00 +0000

As of July 28, 2023, we have survived a full year without Dominic.

Dominic DePalma was a rising 2023 Broomfield High School senior who lived for his friends and loved his family. He was a true athlete who was instantly and naturally gifted at many sports, including basketball, baseball, and golf. But his one true love was soccer.

Dominic played soccer for Broomfield Soccer Club, Westminster Soccer Club and Storm North (both are now Rapids North), and Arvada Edge (now Real Edge Colorado). He played at Aspen Creek K-8 and Jefferson Academy. He was a State Cup Champion and Most Valuable Player who was selected to represent Olympic Development Program and Colorado Select for three years.

He also played competitive basketball for Westy Wolves, Standley Lake Gators, and Pomona Panthers, as well as playing on middle school teams at Aspen Creek K-8, Jefferson Academy.

The Dominic DePalma Memorial Scholarship Fund will soon announce deadlines for their upcoming application process. Scholarships will be available to athletes of any sport who best demonstrate the kind of qualities and spirit that Dominic embraced. Applicants are encouraged to prepare to tell us how they exemplify the traits we loved so much in Dominic:

Dominating: Dominic’s opponents felt his wrath, earning names like “Diesel” and “Dominator.” Broomfield High School Coach Zach Hindman said he’d never seen a kid intimidate his opponents (and sometimes his teammates) as much as Dom did. If he was coming in for a tackle, people just got out of the way. Other coaches have added that if they were behind in the last few minutes of the game, the player you want to have the ball at his foot is Dominic.

Applicants will describe ways they dominate their sport.

Leading from Beside: On the soccer field, Dominic had a brilliant disposition that you just don’t see often in boys his age, continued Hindman. He had a perfect combination of confidence and humility, grace and power. Important to the team, yet also kind and nurturing, he had an impact that guys don’t usually understand until they’re older. He was never out in front verbally but always someone the other boys were looking to for leadership.

Applicants will include examples of leading from beside.

Humility and grit: Broomfield Soccer Club Coach Liam Sinclair remembers Dominic fiercely sweating after their first training together, after Dominic giving 150% of his effort. While many players want to be the one to take the shot and win the game, Dominic didn’t need that credit. His keen sense of knowing when his best option was to pass to another player, and precisely which player would come through in that moment, won many games. His kindness and sincerity, combined with his commitment, rubbed off on everyone around him.

Other coaches have added that if they were behind in the last few minutes of the game, the player you want to have the ball is Dominic.

Applicants will include examples of humility and grit.

Want to be notified when the application process opens?

July 30 – DEDICATE ONE OF DOMINIC’S MEMORIAL BENCHES

Mary-Frances O'Dea — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 21:24:29 +0000

Join Dominic’s friends & family as we …

DEDICATE ONE OF DOMINIC’S MEMORIAL BENCHES

Please join the celebration of the legacy Dominic DePalma left us during his short but meaningful life. As we survive one full year without this fierce, funny, and kind kid who had some serious intelligence and indomitable grit, we honor Dominic by dedicating one of his memorial benches, which will be enjoyed by the entire Broomfield community. We welcome all of his family and friends to remember, reflect and feel Dominic’s AMAZING spirit.

SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2023 AT 2 PM – 4 PM

Country Estates Park 13941 Aspen St Broomfield, CO 80020

WHAT TO BRING:

Bring your stories! Tell us how Dominic made you laugh, or a time he was there for you. Share how he makes a difference in your life.

Then, tell us how YOU have changed. What decisions have you made differently … because Dominic made a difference in your life.

WHAT NOT TO BRING:

Gifts. There is not anything we need.

We will have refreshments and cookies to share as we gather to share and remember.

RSVP

Aug 5 – Walk Like MADD

Mary-Frances O'Dea — Tue, 25 Jul 2023 02:25:32 +0000

Walk Like MADD

If you haven’t experienced what MADD Colorado does for survivors and victims of drunk and impaired driving, consider yourself lucky. This organization has been supporting us for 365+ painful days.

We are driven to pay it forward through them, and we would love you to join us.

On Saturday, August 5th at 8:30 am, Gino, Eleana, and I hope you will “Walk Like MADD” with us at Sloan’s Lake in Denver. We will walk this 5K to join MADD’s mission “to create a future of No More Victims.”

The Memory Mile will also honor Dominic, as well as our neighbor’s nephew Tanner Lutes, who was also killed by a drunk driver in March, 2022. Each boy who was taken from us far too soon will have their own sign in The Memory Mile.

Click the red “JOIN OUR TEAM” to walk for “DO IT FOR DOMINIC D.” There are no other donations required. We hope you will spend the morning supporting us and remembering that amazing kid whom we miss so much!

Join MADD Walk with us!

Bumper Stickers and Magnets

Mary-Frances O'Dea — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 20:17:33 +0000

With a prom deadline, the DePalmas collected enough support from family and friends to produce 2,000 bumper stickers and magnets, pinpointing the message, “Never Forget: Your DD will get you home.” Dominic’s handwriting is featured, as well as Dominic’s drawings of himself and his home, and a QR code that leads here.

As we did for what would have been Dominic's senior Prom, we hope to flood the cars of Broomfield High School students and families with memorial car decals. This is our way to influence teen during Homecoming season in the fall and Prom season in the spring.

These FREE stickers and magnets will help your teen drivers think before getting behind the wheel of a car, and for their passengers to question the driver's safety before getting in their car.

Thanks to Mike Hyten for graphic design.

Email us to get stickers or more information.

Memorial Benches

Mary-Frances O'Dea — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 20:10:52 +0000

The entire community came together to construct three memorial benches:

Broomfield Commons

Country Estates

The Dominic DePalma Memorial Garden

Benches are placed where kids will be reminded to make safe decisions before getting into cars. The DePalma front yard has transformed into a memorial garden, where all are welcome to be still and remember Dominic.

Thank you for donations that have come separately from this page. The Montera, Bursey, and Holden families donated a combined $500! The Goal Total has been adjusted accordingly, from $7,000 to $6,500.

Stickers, Magnets and Bracelets Are Here!

The DePalmas are flooding the cars of high school students and their families with important messages — just in time for prom. These FREE stickers and magnets will help your student drivers think before getting behind the wheel of a car, and for their passengers to question the driver’s safety before getting in their car. Just contact one of us to arrange to get yours!

Benches are Beautiful!

The City of Broomfield approved two memorial benches for Dominic. The above green bench will be at Country Estates on the west side of the lot, across from the original memorial that the kids created. The second bench will be at Broomfield Commons, just north of the Yellow turf fields where Dominic, Diesel, the Domn8r earned his many nicknames. It will be BSC red.

While nothing will ever bring Dominic back, we hope that none of our friends experience this kind of loss, ever again. We aim to impact kids — and adults — in our community. May these messages be a legacy that lasts for many generations to come.

We can do better.

With these projects come expenses. However, we have chosen not to sell these memorial items. Anyone who wants stickers, magnets, and bracelets can get them at no cost. You will help offset these expenses for the DePalma family with your generous donation.

Thank you to Mike Hyten for combining Dominic’s drawings and Tami’s scattered ideas into a powerful message on these beautiful stickers and magnets. More thanks to Paula Fenn at HALO.com for getting everything to us on a tight deadline.

Bracelets are made possible by Stephanie Amack, who was the very first to find a way for all of us to remember and honor Dominic’s legacy. Stephanie continues to help in every selfless manner possible.

An incredible amount of appreciation goes to Melissa Whitmer, who has spent endless hours negotiating with the city, researching memorial benches and fine-tuning our messages. She has graciously accepted the role of keeping Tami in line. Everything that has happened can be traced back to gentle nudges from Melissa.

Your DD will get you home!

First Bank: Banking for Good

Lori Holden — Thu, 18 May 2023 08:00:22 +0000

The first thing I did when our bank called was ask my friend, Melissa, if it was legit. “Yes, you won a $500 deposit, just for having a College Savings Account at FirstBank,” she explained.

It was a lie.

After we picked up our daughter from school and brought her to our branch, a manager escorted us to a room. It seemed odd. Wouldn’t this minor deposit be signed at a little desk in the middle of the bank?

Behind the conference room door were nearly 20 smiling faces, some of them very familiar. “Eleana didn’t win some random drawing,” my friend continued, surrounded by balloons and tiny bundt cakes.

FirstBank’s philosophy is #BankingForGood. And, boy, did FirstBank spread some goodness.

My friend, Melissa, had told our story to FirstBank, including our projects to distribute “Your DD Will Get You Home” stickers to thousands of students before prom, and strategically place memorial benches in places where kids will be making critical choices before driving their cars.

FirstBank responded in 3 very big ways!

$175 donation to Eleana for a shopping spree
$300 gift card to Whole Foods to Gino and me
$3,000 to pay off the Go Fund Me for benches, stickers and magnets

Those 20 smiling faces exemplified the meaning of Banking for Good. Included were Dawn Davis, North Market President, Kristin Gallagher and Jamie Stanton, Retail Senior Managers for the North Market, Joy Power, Treasury Management Senior Specialist, Melissa Thomas Whitmer, Senior Vice President at Huntington bank (who started her banking career at FirstBank), and Caleb and Haley, friends we have known since nearly the beginning of their lives.

We are grateful to have Dominic’s legacy honored in such powerful ways. As I have repeated in the last 8 1/2 months, in the middle of this awful nightmare, there are also pockets of tremendous beauty.

FirstBank is the latest in a parade of supportive people who continue to show up, day after day, in every possible way. I will never find enough chances to thank you all. But I sure can try …

Dominic didn’t get to take nearly enough breaths. But FirstBank, and all of our incredible friends, continue to take my breath away.

Last Call for Victim’s Impact Statements

Mary-Frances O'Dea — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 20:55:31 +0000

Deadline – Wednesday, January 18, 2023, end of day

State how you knew Dominic and how you have been impacted by his loss. If you didn’t know Dominic well, discuss how you have witnessed the challenges our family has faced. If your child/ren was/were friends with Dominic, explain how their lives have been impacted since losing their friend. (If they are able to write something in their own words, nothing would be more powerful. In fact, doing so can help them process their grief.)

Speak from your heart. Talk about any memories you have of Dominic. Include photos and videos of fun times. One paragraph is better than nothing.

To date, 24 friends have submitted 52 pages of impact statements, in addition to my own. (If you have provided yours, I have read it with tears rolling down my face!). I would love for the judge to see statements from dozens more people who are impacted by the loss of Dominic.

Send your Victim’s Impact Statement to:

Carolyn French

Cfrench@bouldercounty.org

(303) 441-4869

Write it to the Attention of:

Judge Ingrid S. Bakke

20th Judicial District Chief Judge

Division 13, Courtroom G

Sentencing Hearing

The sentencing hearing in the vehicular homicide case will be held tomorrow. We encourage you to attend in the manner that best fits your schedule. Here are details:

Friday, January 20, 2023, 10:30 a.m.

Duration: 1-1.5 hours

Unlike the last hearing, this hearing is only for our case. We do not expect any other cases to be presented, nor should there be any other delays in addressing our case.

ATTEND IN PERSON

Boulder County Combined Court

1777 6th St.

Boulder, CO 80302

ATTEND REMOTELY

Please enter your name, but do not enter a hashtag.

https://judicial.webex.com/meet/ingrid.bakke

DOMINIC’S BIRTHDAY

Mary-Frances O'Dea — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 20:43:55 +0000

On Wednesday, January 25th more than one hundred friends and family joined us to celebrate Dominic’s 18th birthday with a Hot Chocolate Tailgater at Country Estates Park, where Dominic’s friends created his memorial nearly 6 months ago. Thank you for helping us stay warm, enjoying s’mores by the fire pits.

Dominic was born at 2:48 p.m., when we honored him with a release of green, blue or white balloons.

Thank you to all who left candles, votives, and tea lights at the memorial. Watching this illuminated as the sun went down was a beautiful sight.

Thank you for honoring our amazing son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, friend, and teammate.