Slash The Stigma

The first annual Slash the Stigma Devon Thompson Memorial Tournament was held at the Valley Event Center this past weekend, March 11 and 12. A total of eight local teams participated in the three-on-three tournament with a six man team maximum. A team from Miles City was supposed to compete, but due to the winter storm that made it's way to the area, had to cancel at the last minute. During the championship game on Sunday, the winning team, comprised of Colter Barnett, Lex Fairclough, Britt Fairclough, Colten Prewett, Michael Uphues, Kristian Price and Gage Siefert, brought home smiles and the coveted sweatshirts and engraved Yeti cups.

"The championship game got heated! Some of these players hadn't played since they graduated and you could tell! But it was so much fun, and though the players took the game seriously, they had fun too!," reflected Jordan Thompson. "It was such an honor for them to win it because they played with Devon. They were friends with Devon."

The tournament was hosted by Thompson's mom, Brandi, sister Jordan, with the support of the rest of the Thompson family, the community and the Valley C.A.R.E. Coalition as a way to bring mental health into the forefront of all conversations. "The biggest thing out there that there are resources available. Something happens to everyone. We want to get out there there is light at the end of the tunnel, you just have to put the work in," explained J. Thompson.

Devon, who passed away in October 2021, at the age of 21, as a result of suicide, loved hockey and softball. Six months after her passing, sister Jordan wanted to do something in her honor while also bringing awareness to mental health. Two years later the thought came into fruition and both Brandi and Jordan could not believe the outpouring of love and support they have received.

"My goal was to raise $5,000. We raised almost tripe that, between 50/50 raffle, silent auction baskets and concessions," explained Jordan. "Katrena [Palmer] and Mary [Hughes] at the Valley County C.A.R.E. Coalition were godsends, just amazing."

According to Brandi and Jordan, the event could not have been as successful without the backing of the community. "We had 25 baskets donated for the silent auction. I had actually stopped asking for donations because we had so many, and then people just brought baskets to the event on Saturday. People walked in and saw help was needed in the concessions, they jumped right in. Milk River, with OJ Taylor, helped in the box doing the clock, many people decorated the windows and tables," stated Jordan. "Cleanup only took like a half hour!," stated Brandi. "The parking lot was just packed full."

Though official totals of the event haven't been determined, all proceeds, including the donation back from the 50/50 raffle won by Del Hansen in the amount of $560, were donated to the Valley C.A.R.E. Coalition to help raise awareness and prevention of mental health with some funds being used to put up a plaque for Devon at the Valley Event Center. The Thompsons also want to provide funds to the Event Center for the use of the facility during the tournament as due to the generosity of the Valley Event Center board, the tournament organizers were provided the space and concessions at no charge.

In addition to remembering Devon, community members also shared photos of their loved ones on the boards of the arena with various positive sayings. "People need to talk about mental health because it shows you are not alone. If we want things to change, we need to talk about it," said Jordan. "There are too many Devons who have left this world too soon."

The Thompsons hope to continue this event for years to come and Jordan has already started a list for changes to next year's event, including having businesses sponsor teams and making hockey pucks with the Slash the Stigma logo. "Mental health isn't talked about and it isn't discussed. This weekend was very healing for all of us. We were able to remember Devon for how funny she was and the fun times we had with her. It was an overall good weekend, a fun happy-filled weekend," reflected Jordan.