Fundraisers Held as Affton Mourns Teen

The tragic deaths of two young people has prompted a local pizza restaurant to put on two fundraisers to help with the medical expenses of one of those who died. Rachel Bequette, 15, a freshman cheerleader at Affton High School died March 17 from injuries she sustained in an automobile accident March 6 that killed the driver, Sean Mitchell Blair of Mehlville.  

Kathy McGuire, manager of the Affton on Reavis Barracks Road, has scheduled two fundraisers to help pay for Bequette’s medical and burial expenses.

“My son, Chris Lewis and his friend Sean Winfrey work here and are friends of Rachel’s brother,” McGuire said. “They felt so bad for the family and wanted to do something, so we will be donating 10% of all sales on Thursday, March 31 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. to the cause. And then April 2 we will be having a bake sale in our parking lot.”

The bake sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“When Sean told Rachel’s mother about the fundraiser she was so happy she broke down in tears,” McGuire said.

She added that it can be delivery, eat-in or take-out, and that there is also a bucket in their store for donations. March 31 is Opening Day for the Cardinals, so those not going to the game were encouraged to order pizza while watching it on television. The Affton High School website encourages students to participate in the fundraiser and "show your support for an AHS family."  

According to students, Principal Susan Jackson has asked all clubs and organizations at Affton to help raise funds to plant a tree in Bequette's honor. There was a moment of silence for her at the Affton School Board meeting March 22.

The car accident reportedly happened as Blair drove Bequette home from the Mardi Gras celebration in Soulard. Blair died instantly, but Bequette lingered in a coma for 11 days. Students at Affton High School first became aware of Bequette's death with the unexpected cancellation of an anticipated yearly tradition at the school.

"We received a call that Sports Night was called off," said one parent. "There were no notes sent home but our son had heard about it from other students."

at Affton High School. Jackson said that the $800-1000 proceeds from the event would also be donated to help with the expenses of the Bequette family.

The day after students first heard, about 200 students gathered in a classroom for a prayer vigil organized by the Fellowship of Christian Atheletes (FCA) to pray for Bequette’s recovery. Later, some students made posts on their Facebook pages mentioning alcohol, but it has not been determined if alcohol or drugs were a factor. The details of the accident were unknown.

Bequette’s death in the fiery crash was on the minds of concerned parents and teachers all week.  Former Rogers Middle School science teacher Gary Schoenberger, who just retired this year, remembered Bequette from class last year and said she “was a good student, very cooperative. I looked forward to working with her.”

He noted that she was the type who made time for some of the students who were not readily accepted by some of the others.

“I wish that this tragedy would be the last of its kind,” Schoenberger said, “But the sad truth is that it may not be. I just encourage my former students, and in fact everyone, to take care of each other, and take whatever steps necessary to try to ensure that it doesn’t happen to you.”  

“Rachel was an amazing friend and person,” wrote a friend on the online guest book with her obituary. “The fact that this even happened is so wrong.”

Rachel Bequette was the daughter of Rina and Michael Bequette, Jr. Her brother, Michael III, who played football at Affton High School, is in the Navy and was able to come back for the funeral.  

Besides Rachel and Michael III, the Bequettes have another son who is under two years old.