Suicide prompts skatepark group to take action

The loss of any young life affects small communities deeply; when the loss is the result of suicide, the impact can be particularly distressing. When the news came that Brendan Leddy -- a young man who was instrumental in the development of the Calais Skatepark and served as a role model for so many -- took his own life earlier this year, the shockwaves were pronounced.
To honor Leddy and his lasting positive impression on Calais and young skaters everywhere, the co founding members of the Calais Skatepark Committee (CSC) have established a scholarship opportunity to enrich the life of a teenage skater in Washington County. Simultaneously, the group has been newly invigorated to discuss and determine the future of the continually developing Calais Skatepark.

Remembering "BLeddy"
Brendan Leddy -- or BLeddy, as his friends affectionately called him -- was raised in Perry and was among the crucial voices in the high school student led initiative to establish a skatepark in Calais. In 1999 he joined Justin Colpitts, a student in Randy McCormick's technology education class at Calais High School, to develop the park from the ground up.
As a charter member of the CSC, Leddy participated in fundraising for the park, a grassroots effort that saw dozens of businesses in Calais committing thousands of dollars for the cause. Once the asphalt was laid in 2001, he was heavily involved in designing the park's ramps and layout, along with around 25 other CSC members under McCormick's advisement.
With the Calais Skatepark steadily growing, so did Leddy's skills. Devoting himself to hundreds of hours of practice, he became skilled enough to compete as a premier skateboarder, earning high marks in national competitions. He gained sponsorships from major companies and was a part of various semiprofessional skateboarding teams.
Beyond his skateboarding career, Leddy was an active member of the U.S. Air Force and served in numerous countries overseas.
Through it all, Leddy remembered his roots. Whenever he was in the area, he would be constantly providing direct support and mentorship to young skaters at the park. Others gained inspiration from watching him skate -- not only from his stunning successes, but his ability to quickly get back on the board again after he fell. At one point Leddy brought one of his semi pro teams to the Calais Skatepark for a full day of demonstrations and events.
One of the most impactful periods of Leddy's life was going to Woodward Camp, the premier U.S training facility for extreme sports -- including skateboarding, BMX, scooters, parkour, Olympic gymnastics and cheerleading -- which also offers horseback riding, zipline, canoeing and swimming to all campers. He gained much from his time at the camp and later returned as an ambassador to work with young skaters in need of guidance.

Sending a young skater to camp
Recognizing the impression Woodward Camp had made on Leddy, the CSC has established the BLeddy Memorial Fund with a goal of sending a 12- to 17 year old resident of Washington County to Camp Woodward for a one week session in the summer of 2021.
The scholarship will fully cover the cost of tuition to the camp, along with providing a $500 stipend to assist with transportation, a new skateboard deck with griptape, $50 to participate in the camp's Create a Skate activity and $200 for spending money while at camp.
A total of 10% of the amount raised will go to suicide prevention, drug addiction and veterans' services. To donate to or apply for the scholarship, visit www.facebook.com/CalaisSkatepark.

Generational legacy continues to unfold
In the wake of Leddy's death, the CSC has rallied its expanding membership together to recognize its role in the community and double down on its commitment to improving the lives of young Washington County residents.
Over the past 20 years, the CSC has held numerous events focusing on supporting youth, from competitions to music parties to the Skate Against Drugs event. In reflecting on their past successes, one of the founding members of the CSC recently said that it "saved his life" in the way that it gave him some direction and feeling of belonging, McCormick shares.
Not only are many members of the original CSC still involved, but they are incorporating a new generation into the park's future. "These former students of mine are now in their 30s and are taking their own children to the park that they played a role in developing," McCormick says, describing how Justin Colpitts' daughter Gracie is an avid skateboarder and influential member of the CSC.
McCormick's own son, Spencer, is highly involved in maintaining and updating the skate ramps in the park, as well as working with other communities to develop their own skateparks for the benefit of their youth.
Looking forward, the CSC is planning a Skate for Life event in the summer. Local organizations will be invited to give presentations and present materials on suicide prevention and healthy behaviors. Additionally, the event will honor the life of another CSC charter member who died recently, this time as a result of a drug overdose. The committee is planning to install a "fallen soldiers" tribute wall in the park to memorialize those it has lost.
If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, please utilize these anonymous resources. For the Maine crisis hotline, call 1 888 568 1112. For the Crisis Text Line, text "home" to 741741. Veterans can call 1 800 273 8255 or text to 838255 for support.