By JON BAKER

LINCOLN — Ask anybody who walks the Lincoln High  hallways: Marissa Lorea and Alyssa Brennan were about as close as any classmates could be.

They talked about music, sports, grades, hopes and dreams, and — of course — boys.
When Lorea — a sophomore who adored soccer, running and offering a ‘Hey, Love!’ to her friends, it didn’t matter where they were — perished in a tragic car accident on Oct. 15, Brennan was crushed.
Naturally, she grieved with the rest of the LHS population, but Brennan also took it upon herself to help perpetuate her friend’s legacy.
On Saturday, on the grounds where Lorea experienced some of her best  moments, Brennan saw the roots of four months of organizing come to fruition at the “Marissa’s Run/Soccer Game Fundraiser,” held at Ferguson Field. It was designed to glean money for the Marissa A. Lorea Memorial Scholarship Fund, which will go to a graduating senior who most resembles Lorea’s goals, bubbly nature and love of community.
Even before Saturday’s festivities began with a 2.5-mile run/walk — one that attracted over 800 participants, among them Town Administrator T. Joseph Almond and Police Chief Brian Sullivan, at $15 per — Brennan stated she had collected a whopping $8,566.
“(On Friday) night, I was so worried about what (Saturday’s) weather would be like; I sat at home, in front of my computer, refreshing the Internet  ‘Weather Page’ every two minutes,” she grinned while her schoolmates played an  exhibition soccer game in memory of her buddy. “When I got up at 5:30 (Saturday morning), I looked outside and saw no rain. I was, like, ‘Yay! Thanks, Marissa!’
”This was all about keeping Marissa’s legacy alive for as long as possible at the school, and that goes for the community, too,” she added. “She had an impact on a lot of people, and we wanted to show our love for her, that  we would never forget what she meant to us. I thought this was the best way.
“This is beyond my wildest dreams. When I saw all those people lining up to register for the run, it blew my mind. My goal, by the time I graduated, was to raise $5,000 for Marissa’s Fund, and we’re way past that. It’s incredible. This is so rewarding.” 

Back in November, Brennan organized a “Bracelet”  drive at the high school, with Lorea’s name on each. She sold the allotment of 1,000, and — at $2 a shot — collected $2,000.
In her mind, that wasn’t enough.
Just after Christmas, she spoke with Brianna Lorea, Marissa’s older sister, about holding another more extravagant, long-lasting fete, “something to memorialize Marissa with all the things she loved to do,” and Brianna  agreed.
Brennan then approached Maryann Mitchell, Lincoln High’s adviser to the Future Business Leaders of America, during a January business class. So enamored with the notion, Mitchell signed a pass for her to visit vice-principal Kevin McNamara.
“No,” Brennan laughed, “I didn’t skip class.”
It took mere seconds for McNamara to give her the “go-ahead.”
Brennan, with herself as chairwoman, compiled an unofficial committee, and it included juniors Nathan McCoart and April Daugherty; Mitchell; middle school teachers Joy Maselli and Lynn Pike; and Lions’ varsity basketball coach Kent Crookes. She estimated at least 20 others also played key roles.
“Once we had permission from the administration, Alyssa went to the Rhode Island State Police for permission to run a raffle, and she talked to (School Resource Officer) Dave Waycott to help with race-course coordination,” Mitchell said. “She wrote dozens of letters to gain sponsors for the run and the game,  asking for donations, and told the businesses they would receive gold, silver or bronze recognition for those sponsorships.
“She asked Target officials at Lincoln Mall to donate water and refreshments, and she even got Target employees to act as volunteers,” she added.
“With those donations, she had T-shirts printed up for the run, and also the soccer game,” where dozens of schoolmates wore lime-green and pink jerseys with Lorea’s name and junior-varsity soccer No. 20 on their backs.
She also tracked down raffle items, including “Hello Kitty,” “Tupperware Goodies” and “Beauty Care” baskets; a $100 gift certificate for Cardi’s Furniture; and a Colbie Caillat compact disc (Marissa’s “fave”). Thanks to Hank and Mariana Galle, the New England Revolution professional soccer team offered  two jersies, one autographed by the entire squad for raffle, the other a special  No. 20, one later to be presented to the Lorea family.

“You just couldn’t ask for better student leadership,” McNamara said of Brennan, as he watched his students, including senior Brianna Lorea, play in the fun-oriented contest. “It took unbelievable organization and dedication to get this thing going. Alyssa has turned this into a major event, and I know it wasn’t easy. It took major planning, and she should be commended for it. “She was one of Marissa’s best friends, and this is a wonderful way to create something positive out of a terrible tragedy,” he added. “The Lorea family is here, and I know they’re very touched and proud of Alyssa for what she was able to do with this event.
“For the students, it’s not so much a way to get (the grief) out of their systems, but more about making a positive gesture. This shows them — and the community — we will not accept the cards we were dealt. We — and they — are going to make the world a better place.
“As hokey as that sounds, that’s how the kids feel. They’re making an impact. They know they’re all doing something important. This is one of the greatest things I’ve ever witnessed. I’ve never seen an event — which was almost completely student-organized — of this scope, not since I’ve been here.”
Fellow classmate Sara Camaparone admitted she hasn’t seen as much of Brennan since Jan. 28, the start date of the fete.
“She’s worked so hard on this,” she noted. “It seems like it’s been 23 hours a day. I know there were times I’d call her at 1 a.m., and she’d still be trying to finalize things. She deserves a lot of credit. We all miss Marissa, but she took it to another level. It’s awesome what she’s done.”
Senior Jordan Wilson begged out of work at Cinemaworld to attend.
“I thought it would be a blast to come out and see everybody and play soccer for such a great cause,” he said. “When it’s an organized event like this, and all the parents and neighbors come out, it makes it better because you know everyone is going to be there.”
At halftime, sophomore Ben Potter already had felt the game’s effects. It was easy to tell, as he limped over from the far sideline with the aid of a single crutch.
“I think I suffered a groin pull about 15 minutes in, and it hurts just walking, but I’m not leaving,” he chuckled through the pain. “Marissa was one of my best friends, so I’ve got to stay. This is awesome, how everyone got together. This is just what Marissa would’ve wanted. I think she’s here with all of  us.”
Just feet away, at the raffle table, Brennan hugged one of her pals, then looked up. She didn’t say a word, but her smile spoke volumes.