Viola Trochimowicz

Anna Ozgo Zawatski

Wednesday, January 29, 2003 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1B 





OPINION 
 The Killer Bees Athletic Club holds its annual banquet and awards ceremony on
Sunday. This non-profit organization has been doing a terrific job honoring
the best amateur athletes in this area for 20 years now. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 It's an elegant event, run by people who genuinely care. Of course that
sounds trite, but it's true. If you've ever attended, you know what I mean. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Yet, with all the good that comes from evening, I always get a weird
feeling when KABC time rolls around. That's probably because I always
associate the letters with a name. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kerry O'Neill. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I didn't know Kerry, never even interviewed her during my time at this
newspaper, but I certainly knew of her. Heck, it was impossible not to. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 She defined the term ``student/athlete'' while at Wyoming Valley West High
School, and went on to a brilliant career at the U.S. Naval Academy, setting
three school track and field records and earning All-American status at
Annapolis. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Kerry, in fact, became the first woman in the history of the academy to
participate in the NCAA Division I-A Championships. At graduation, she was
awarded the Vice Admiral William P. Lawrence Sword as the outstanding athlete
in her class, and was the winner of the academy's 1993 NCAA Woman of the Year
Award. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Trophies represent excellence &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Granted, there's no such thing as a perfect child, but Ed O'Neill will tell
you Kerry came awfully close. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Ed will be on hand Sunday afternoon at the KABC dinner. Since 1994, he,
Kerry's mother and other family members have been asked to present the club's
Award for Excellence - a trophy named in honor of Kerry O'Neill, who was
murdered six months after her graduation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I won't begin to imagine what this night will be like for the O'Neills,
especially Ed, whom I have come to know over the years through our shared
interest and love of greyhound dogs. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 I do know a day doesn't go by that Ed doesn't think of Kerry. A few years
ago he authored a loving tribute in her memory. Titled, ``I Have Finished The
Race,'' the book provides an insight into their special relationship. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Wouldn't any parent be proud?'' he wrote in a recent e-mail. ``Wouldn't
any parent eagerly accept the invitation to attend? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Will I attend? Of course. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Will I present Kerry's award with pride? Of course. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Will I feel pride in the individual who receives Kerry's award? Of
course. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``Will I do all of the above with a huge lump in my throat? ... &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Things like the Pete Gray Award for overcoming adversity, the Bernie
Hargadon Award for excellence in running, the Tom McLaughlin unsung hero
award, the Eddie White Pioneer Award and the Kerry O'Neill Award for
dedication to excellence are what make the KABC a cut above the rest. These
trophies are more than just pieces of hardware to be stored in the back of a
closet. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Here's hoping this year's recipients can appreciate that. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Reach Kellar at 829-7243 or jkellar@leader.net &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

A Shining Memory Lies Behind Award