Remembering student
Strawberry Field Aidan Harrington Memorial Soccer Field sign unveiled at KISH pitch
Strawberry Field Aidan Harrington Memorial Soccer Field sign is unveiled at KISH pitch.
The soccer pitch at Kensington Intermediate-Senior High School (KISH) now bears the name of a popular former student.
A sign reading “Strawberry Field Aidan Harrington Memorial Soccer Field” was unveiled on Sunday afternoon.
“We decided to name it Strawberry Field just because of Aidan’s influence of music,” explained Jake Reynolds, a close friend of Harrington and master of ceremonies for the dedication ceremony. “Aidan loved music, every genre, so we thought it was fitting for the Beatles song Strawberry Fields Forever to be the main theme of the field.” Harrington, who was named KISH’s top male athlete in his graduating year of 2014, passed away suddenly while attending university in Halifax in November 2016.
“He was always trying to help out,” said Reynolds in describing Harrington. “He was one of the best big brothers to his little brother, Quinn, that I have ever seen.
“He was always caring for people, he was an amazing athlete and super smart, very intelligent and was always cracking jokes.” Harrington, who proudly wore KISH’s green and white colours in soccer, basketball, cross-country and track and field, played Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association soccer with the University of King’s College. He was also very active in the Kensington youth soccer program, and was a very popular coach with young players. “The kids loved him, and he would often be coaching two teams,” noted parent Rebecca Donald.
The Harrington family was very appreciative of the dedication, and everyone in attendance was asked to write or print their name on the back of the sign.
“An amazing group of people, community and friends,” said an emotional Alan Harrington in thanking the large gathering of friends, youth soccer players and parents for attending. Reynolds, who now lives in Summerside, said a group of Aidan’s friends came up with the idea to put his name on a field. It was an easy decision to put that sign at KISH.
“We wanted it here so whenever his little brother came up he would be able to play on the field, and Aidan really made an impact at KISH,” emphasized Reynolds.