1. Remembering A Beautiful Life.
The second annual Peace Love and Music From Maren will occur on April 30, 2016 at Jonathan Law High School in Milford, CT. The Purpose of this event is to remember the beautiful life that was taken too soon. Maren Sanchez, junior class president and prom queen, was loved by so many. By coming together we not only remember this beautiful girl, we celebrate her life and the way she lived it; with love and compassion for others. This event has all the activities and then some that our beloved Maren gained so much joy from. Her passion was music. She loved to sing, play guitar, and even write her own songs. She also had a love for fun. She gave off this indescribable light, witnessed by anyone in close enough distance to hear her contagious laugh. She made even the most casual event, the time of you life. She loved her life, she lived it with so much passion and would never allow anyone to dim the light that she saw in this world. We now live for her. We laugh, sing, dance, run, and play; as she celebrates along with us, her beautiful life that will be cherished forever.
2. Purple, Purple, and More Purple!
If you love purple than you will love this event! Look left, look right; purple balloons, hats, too toos, signs, face paint, even purple hair! Purple was in fact Maren's favorite color, so now it is ours as well. Everywhere you look there will be the vibrant combination of the calm color of crashing waves, blue, and the fierce energy of fire, red; not only just a mix of two colors, but a color that embodied Maren and her beloved personality. Look in front of you, purple. Turn around, purple. A color that represents creativity, wisdom, independence, and royalty. The color purple also has a variety of effects on the mind and body, it is known to uplift spirits; ironic am I right? It is meant to calm ones mind while also enhancing creative thoughts and imagination. A color that defines Maren as perfectly as a color can.
3. Food Trucks!!!!
Whether you're a picky eater or love to entice yourself with new treats, we have the food for you. At this year's event there will be 18 food trucks from poutine, my personal favorite, to fried bites of cheesy deliciousness. There are also sweet treats such as cannolis and more! Each food truck brings its own personal twist right to our event and they all park at the top of the hill, overlooking the days festivities. If you're not a fan of fun, then you definitely need to come for the food.
4. Therapy Dogs!!
Ever since our tragedy, we all got by with the help of many furry, four legged, friends. It all started off with one very special pup, Spartacus Chooch. He was the canine first responder called to the rescue along with his owner and trainer Brad Cole. Our furry friend would travel the halls and accompany us during stressful test the first few months after our loss. They didn't stop there, though, the two also accompanied both the 2014 and 2015 graduating classes of Jonathan Law High School as they accepted their diplomas. Spartacus and the many other therapy dogs that supported my classmates and I, were the reason we were able to keep a smile on our faces during such a difficult time. They were there through the sad part of our journey, so it is very clear why they will accompany us during our celebration as well.
5. The Ultimate Kickball Tournament.
If you're competitive and want to go up against 20+ teams then you'll love this. All you need is a team, team name, and something that distinguishes your group from the others, like matching t-shirts. The game is set up in brackets, if you beat the team you're first up against then you make it to the next level and so on until there are only two teams left. This is a great way to get out there and fun. Even if you're not the athletic type, the games are a blast to watch and you can cheer on your favorite team
6. Never-Ending Live Music.
This part of the event embodies the one thing Maren loved most of all, music, something that has always been her entire world. There will be all types of bands playing from jazz, to rap, country, and more. Even students join along on stage, there is a little bit of everything for people of all ages to enjoy to listen to throughout the day's events. Even if your'e ready for a break from all of the fun; you can go get food from the food trucks, sit on the hill and enjoy the peace, love and music that surrounds you. There's nothing better than that.
7. Inflatables Galore!
At this year's event there will be 30 gigantic inflatables, not only will there be the typical bounce house but there will also be jousting, bull rides, slides, and obstacle courses for anyone who purchases a wristband at the event. There are ones as well just for kids for the worrisome parent's sake, but at the entrance line of the many bouncers you will find parents, teachers, and students; not the typical accepted age range for these memorable inner childhood toys. Anyone who is ready to laugh, bounce, and have a great time is welcome!
8. Raffles and More Raffles!!
Now this isn't your typical T.V., movie night, or cooking basket type of raffle. Yes there will be those as well, but this raffle is much more extraordinary. At PLM, if you participate, you can win prizes such as grills, hockey tickets, beauty supplies, spa trips, and so on. There is a basket for anyone and everyone and there are plenty to go around.
9. The 5K, Purple Out Edition.
Most of the time you hear 5K and run a 5K in the opposite direction, not here. This 5K is not only for runners and athletes but for moms with strollers, kids, walkers, even those who are just doing it to deck out in purple from head to toe. The main purpose of this isn't to run, it's to have fun!
Before 5K.......
After 5K...... (we know, we should have walked)
10. Arts and Craft Vendors.
Not only can you participate in all of the art activity booths by painting kindness coins and getting henna tattoos, but there are also craft vendors all along the baseball field of the high school. You can either browse or you can shop! There will be anything and everything decked in purple, PLM, and more.
11. The Billboard Contest!
If you can paint, draw, or have an eye for art and want to have your own billboard then enter your work in the contest held at PLM. People of all ages submit their masterpieces that represent Peace, Love, Music and most importantly, Maren. Whatever goes, you can use seashells, cutouts, anything and everything. There will be a panel of judges and the winner's artwork will become a billboard put up in Milford, Connecticut!
12. Dunk Tank!!
Teachers, students, even the principle of the high school hop into the tank to get dunked under ice cold water. Anyone who wants to participate can take a shot at throwing a baseball at the target, if the target is hit, down the victim goes. Want to dunk a particular person? Challenge them to get in the tank, hopefully you have a good arm! Only for good fun, but it's always a laugh when you can make your principle get dunked.
13. Sooo Many Pictures!
At PLM there's a picture perfect photo spot at every corner. There are boxes and boxes of dress up supplies along with fun frames to pose in behind. Also, there are tons of PLM cutouts that you can stick your head in for the perfect goofy picture. Make sure to bring your camera to this event, this is the perfect place to capture a lifetimes worth of fun.
14. Help Fundraise Money to Benefit The Maren Sanchez Scholarship Fund.
Despite all of the fun that the day brings, the main purpose of this event is to raise money for The Maren Sanchez Scholarship Fund. The purpose of this fund the first year was to give scholarships to the graduating seniors of both Jonathan Law and Joseph A. Foran, the two high schools in Milford, CT. The first annual PLM From Maren made it possible for over $55,000 worth of scholarships to be given to the seniors of the two schools. The purpose of this years event is to not only do that again, but to be able to offer even more in scholarships and to a wider range of students. The PLM committee will not only be giving scholarships to Jonathan Law and Joseph A. Foran this year, but to any Milford, CT senior that meets the criteria of the scholarship. The only way to make this possible is for more people to come to the event and participate in it's fun activities! So be a part of the fun and come to Jonathan Law High School on April 30th at 10:00am until 5:00pm to celebrate a beloved life to family, friends, classmates, and facility of the Milford community
15. To Spread Love!!!! "Love Wins"
Milford is a small city with a big heart, that's what we are known for; our compassion to one another, not only as a community, as a family. Be a part of our family for the day and join our fight for peace and love to one another; because that truly is the hardest battle to win in a world that can be so cold sometimes. Although there will always be struggle we find hope in Maren's light that shines on us every day. Maren is what we hope to see in the world one day. She emphasized kindness and compassion to others, she only ever saw good in the world and that is why we celebrate her life. Her life left such a significant mark on so many, it is our time now to thank her for the beautiful impact she had on our world; Peace Love and Music From Maren is the very beginning of doing just that.
The Jonathan Law Class of 2015
For more information about Peace Love and Music From Maren, visit their Facebook page- https://www.facebook.com/PLMfromMaren
