Bensalem Senior Tailgate Keeps Memory Of Sophia Pasquarella Alive
by Alex Lloyd Gross
Right now Sophia Pasquarella should be in college. She would have graduated from Bensalem High School in 2024. . Unfortunately, she died when cancer took over her body and never made it . In 2024 her parents threw a Senior Tailgate at Bensalem High School, complete with food, games and all kinds of fun things to do. Instead of doing it once, they were asked by Bensalem High School to keep doing it.
According to Pete Pasquarella, Sophia’s father, “This grew, we have so many businesses that have donated food, from pulled pork, to chicken tenders and even mac and cheese”. He are giving out a $500 scholarship to a deserving .student, This year it is gong to Mary Beck, who kicked cancer’s ass when she was five years old. A large sign at the tailgate show off the many businesses that donated food.
Alex Lloyd Gross Photo Delaware Valley News.com Mary Beck takes part in the tailgate. She was also the recipient of the $500.00 scholarship.
The tailgate was free and open to the entire senior class. “They registered and pledged $1.00 . That dollar just made sure the kids who registered would show up. Word got around the school about how much fun past tailgates have been so getting the entire class to go was not hard. For seniors, they are graduating. The school day for them is just graduation practice, so the tailgate is not being held in lieu of lesson time.
Each student also got 25 raffle tickets and could hope to get prizes like sports memorabilia or health and beauty products. The tickets were free. None of the students went to school with Sophia, but a lot wished they did.
Several students were videotaping the event for a video production that will be circulated in the school. Many of the students want this to happen every year so that future classes can experience the love that two parents had for their daughter who could not be with her class.