SPOTSWOOD–Freeing one of nature’s most beautiful insects to honor the life and legacy of Nicole Surace, the Spotswood High School’s DECA chapter co-hosted the Surace Butterfly Release event.
Surace was a student at Spotswood High school who graduated in 2012, but passed away Dec. 1, 2013. Spotswood DECA Advisor Kelly Meagher said she had passed away in a tragic car accident on Dutch Road in East Brunswick with her boyfriend Jeffrey Szatkowski.
“She was a freshman at Monmouth University when she passed and was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend. She lit up any room she went in with her bright personality, infectious smile, and was a role model to many,” 11th grader Kayla Dekovics said. “She inspired people specifically in DECA and cheer with her hard work and passion, two activities she participated in during her years at Spotswood.”
Surace’s family, friends and Spotswood classmates released butterflies on April 6 at Butterfly Park, located on Rues Lane in East Brunswick.
Kayla said the event was co-hosted by the high school’s DECA Chapter and Cheerleading team since these were Surace’s favorite activities.
As a Spotswood DECA member, Kayla said she coordinated the butterfly release event along with fellow 11th grade tudent Gabrielle Dellaglio, who is also a member of Spotswood DECA.
Kayla said DECA organized this event to keep Surace’s memory alive and to carry on her legacy.
“This is the first year we are hosting a butterfly release; however, we did a remembrance walk in honor of [Surace] last year,” Kayla said.
During the event, Nicole Surace purple butterfly release t-shirts with the logo “Smile. Life’s Too Short” were sold to attendees.
“R&D Promotions made the shirts with the designs we created. The quote on the back of the shirt is actually something [Surace] always said,” Kayla said.
For more information about the Spotswood High School’s DECA chapter, visit www.shs.spsd.us/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1056449&type=d&pREC_ID=1348785.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
