JULIA'S QUEST
JULIA'S STORYThe Iron Maidens Girls Lacrosse organization continues to support Julia's Quest with the Burning Flower Tournament....and a new stuffed animal collection!
On May 30, 2009, thirteen year-old Julia Marie Briggs, a former student of Farney Elementary, Black Elementary, and Hamilton Middle School, suddenly and very unexpectedly passed away from Mediastinal Lymphoma (a very rare and aggressive cancer). Prior to her passing, Julia was beginning her quest to attain the Silver Award for Girl Scouts. Her idea was to gather stuffed animals for the Houston Police Department for homicide detectives to give to children to hold for comfort in times of crisis. Julia was an energetic, charismatic, inspirational, and caring leader who demonstrated her leadership through athletics and community service. In addition to playing lacrosse with the Cy-Fair Iron Maidens, Julia played basketball, ran cross country and was also actively involved in the Girl Scouts. |
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DECEMBER 5TH, 2009 DECLARED JULIA BRIGGS DAYDecember 5th, the original date of The Cy-Fair Burning Flower Lacrosse Tournament was officially declared as Julia Briggs Day by Harris County & The City Of Houston. Governor Rick Perry also sent a letter of commendation recognizing Julia's dedication & impact on the community around her.
To read more about the Burning Flower Story & Symbolism, as well as visit The Burning Flower Foundation website. |
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JULIA'S QUEST
Julia Briggs wanted children of homicide victims, witnesses and even suspects to have something to hold and comfort them during what can be a traumatic time. Shortly after proposing her Girls Scouts Silver Award project to her lacrosse coach of three years, HPD Homicide Sergeant Brian Harris, Julia died from a rare form of cancer. At Julia's funeral, Sergeant Harris spoke of her mission to help those children, but feared the drive would end with her untimely death. To his delight, Julia's family, friends, and teammates took up her cause.
As a result, the Houston police officers, together with the organization Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.), the Cy-fair Iron Maiden Girls Lacrosse Organization, and the Girl Scouts of America, collect stuffed animals to provide comfort to local children affected by crime. Donated stuffed animals are distributed to the Child Advocacy Center, the HPD Victim Services and Family Services Units, as well as the Homicide and Robbery Divisions.
Every year since Julia's death, students and girls lacrosse players from the surrounding areas donate more than 1,000 stuffed animals in Julia's memory, ensuring her vision of comforting children affected by violence will carry on. In addition, $1,500 raised through the Burning Flower Scholarship fund benefit a youth who wants to attend summer camp. The recipient will be selected after an interview based upon the youth's community service and leadership roles in school and in the community.
As a result, the Houston police officers, together with the organization Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.), the Cy-fair Iron Maiden Girls Lacrosse Organization, and the Girl Scouts of America, collect stuffed animals to provide comfort to local children affected by crime. Donated stuffed animals are distributed to the Child Advocacy Center, the HPD Victim Services and Family Services Units, as well as the Homicide and Robbery Divisions.
Every year since Julia's death, students and girls lacrosse players from the surrounding areas donate more than 1,000 stuffed animals in Julia's memory, ensuring her vision of comforting children affected by violence will carry on. In addition, $1,500 raised through the Burning Flower Scholarship fund benefit a youth who wants to attend summer camp. The recipient will be selected after an interview based upon the youth's community service and leadership roles in school and in the community.
TRIBUTES TO JULIAJUNE 3RD, 2009 - MEMORIAL SERVICE
The Iron Maidens family has lost a bright and shining star. At Julia's "packed-to-the-rafters" memorial service, friends and family recalled stories that exemplified the spirit of this amazing young lady. We laughed, remembering her feistiness, and cried while recalling her ever-present caring nature. We heard about plans to continue her Girl Scout Silver Award project of collecting stuffed animals to be distributed to young victims of violence to comfort them in a time of great stress. It's a fitting project for a girl that had a gift of being able to diffuse a tense, or gloomy situation with a joke or funny face. We looked at scrapbook pages and a slideshow containing so so many precious pictures. Is it just me, or did anyone else notice how many of them were of Julia doing the "Thumbs Up"? It's as if she was always saying, "It's gonna be okay...fo sho!" We sang these words of an Indian Proverb: "When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice." This is exactly what Julia did. And yes, we're crying now while she's rejoicing in the presence of Our Lord... But come next season, when the Maidens must take the field, with Julia not physically beside us, but deep in our hearts, we'll wear her purple color and number 56 proudly, honoring her feisty and positive spirit.... THUMBS UP, MAIDENS...YOU KNOW!!! |
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