Newtown High School lacrosse and the 15 For Life Foundation continued its collaborative effort to support the foundation's mission of opening dialogue about depression and mental health when the boys' program hosted Trumbull on May 27. This game had been postponed due to lightning earlier in the season. NHS girls partnered with 15 For Life on May 13.

Newtown’s Jeff Kavovit’s brother and lacrosse standout Rob Kavovit took his life at the age of 45 and left behind a wife and two children after battling silent depression. This tragedy prompted the family to start 15 For Life. The number 15 is symbolic for the Kavovit family — Rob wore the number to represent the one girl and five boys that made up their family.

The mission began four years ago and has gone global with programs in Bulgaria and Australia, for example, getting involved with bringing attention to 15 For Life via its helmet decal program. The 15 For Life Foundation continues to grow with teams at the collegiate and high school level getting involved. Ticket sales, raffles, and donations at designated games raise money for the foundation.

Trumbull defeated the Nighthawks 13-8, but the Nighthawks continue to work hard to defeat a bigger opposition in life: Depression.

Kavovit and three Nighthawk players/15 For Life ambassadors — Cole Stockwell, Kyle Albrecht, and Graham Spencer — each said a few words before the game.

"Our team is honored and inspired by the 15 For Life Foundation mission. As an ambassador and captain of this team I hope to encourage open dialogue among my teammates and help she the shame around needing help," Stockwell said. "Each week we dedicate 15 minutes to check in, not only on our team's physical health, but also our mental health."

Checking in with family and friends, and making your team a second family of sorts, is part of what following the 15 For Life mission is all about. Depression is a silent killer that can be addressed beginning with people checking in on their teammates and family members.

"We understand the pressures teens and adults face daily. We believe in the support we can bring to each other through open dialogue and keeping our eyes and ears open to our teammates and those in our community," Albrecht said. "We encourage you to take 15 seconds to check in on your mental health daily and reach out to family and friends frequently."

Spencer thanked youth players and families who were on hand for the originally scheduled 15 For Life game, as well as the Trumbull High program for supporting the cause.

"Together we can save lives," Spencer concluded.

Newtown lacrosse player Brady Brosius was selected by his teammates for the team's 15 For Life Foundation Award, including a $1,500 scholarship for college, given to a player who exemplifies Rob Kavovit.

For more information about 15 For Life visit the 15 For Life website.