Be an UPstander

Written By Ellen Marrs

Good evening Mayor Kevin Hartke, City Council members, and staff. My name is Melissa Ciconte and I have lived in Chandler for the past thirteen years. I am the stepmother of Preston Lord. If you are not familiar with Preston, he was brutally attacked at a Halloween party on October 28th, 2023, which resulted in his death on October 30th, 2023. He recently celebrated turning 16 years old when this horrendous act and devastating loss occurred.

This tragedy abruptly altered our lives forever. This has been a nightmare that we have endured for the past 75 days without resolution of the assailants being brought into custody for justice to be served. Preston has been mentioned on the local news and in the newspapers due to the investigation on his case.

Preston is more than a headline, he was a son, brother and friend to many. Preston was an upstanding young man. While no amount of words can fully describe him I will list some of his attributes to help you get to know who he was. He was a junior at Combs HighSchool and a member of the basketball and golf team. He loved sports, especially the Seattle Seahwaks and the Boston Celtics. Preston was very academic and has received many scholastic honors. Preston was also awarded the 2023 President’s Education Award from the U.S. Secretary of Education. Additionally, he participated in various school leadership roles including Vice President of the National Junior Honor Society, President of his Elementary Student Council, Sophomore Class Historian and was involved with student council prior to his death.

Preston was content with everything he had in life and appreciative of anything that was given or done for him. He was not your typical teenager. He never talked back to adults and was respectful towards everyone. Preston was loyal, trustworthy, and responsible. He had empathy for children and was gentle and kind. He stood up for the weaker person and knew the difference between right and wrong. He inspired many people to be better, and to do better. Although he had many friendships, there was no one he looked up to and admired more than his big sissy. Now that you know what an extraordinary person Preston was let’s discuss why I am here tonight.

Preston's death has impacted not only the Chandler City community but the entire East Valley. Many residents, including myself, are concerned about the presence of teen violence and bullying in our community. Our children are sent to school to get an education and prepare them to be an upstanding and contributing member of society. When Children are afraid to have social outings or attend school in fear of their lives this is a grave concern. We should not be afraid in our own community.

At the Halloween party that Preston attended there was attendance from Mesa, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Gilbert, Chandler and Ahwatukee. Our city does not have a clear divide line. There is complete crossover in businesses, schools, church and activites.

The grassroots campaign “Be an UPstander and not a BYstander … if you know something, say something” that was initiated by Katey McPherson and the Lord Family is an idea of promoting awareness of teen violence and bullying. Initiating mandatory education sessions in school, providing resources for families and counselors, and increased law enforcement prescence in areas that teenagers congregate would decrease the incidences of violence. Instead, empowering our youth by building their self confidence, worth and value would encourage their outlook on life and give them the courage to stand up to bullying.

We would love this campaign to be in Preston's Honor. Thank you for your consideration in this request.

—Written by Melissa Ciconte, Preston’s Bonus Mom

Ellen Marrs

Ellen is a successful entrepreneur, author, homeschooling mom of seven, and three-time Boston Marathon finisher. She is the author of “Lessons from the Finish Line”, her personal story of faith, passion, and perseverance in the pursuit to run 12 races in 12 consecutive months. She is also a compilation author in "Women Who Rock", a book highlighting the stories and successes of women from various backgrounds and stages of life.

The focus of Ellen's business and her personal goal in life is to make a positive impact on the world with those who choose to join her in “The Kindness Revolution”. She teaches individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations the importance of expressing gratitude through relationship marketing, as well as her signature class, “Gratitude: The Missing Link”. In a span of just three years, the students in her classes impacted over 10,000 people with compassion, gratitude, and kindness.

Ellen was most recently featured by FOX 10 TV, the Boston Athletic Association, Boston University News Service, Voyage Phoenix, and Networking Times magazine, a global publication for the network marketing profession.

Ellen fuels her passion to help others and make a difference in the world by sharing her story with abuse victims, foster children, and potential foster parents. As a motivational speaker, trainer, and mentor, she inspires others to overcome difficult circumstances, pursue their dreams and achieve their goals with unbridled passion. She has mentored countless individuals, businesses, and non-profit organizations in relationship marketing and "acceleration through appreciation".

To relax, Ellen enjoys running, riding motorcycles, and spending as much time as possible outdoors with her family. She currently travels the United States with her husband, Rick, and their seven children.

To connect with Ellen, reach out via social media or the Life on Planet Marrs website.

https://lifeonplanetmarrs.com
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