Family of Hayley Pelock Aims to Create Memorial Scholarship

In the weeks that followed 19-year-old Hayley Pelock's untimely death in March, a Facebook fan page was created as a memorial to the slain South Chicago Heights teen. On that page, many of Hayley's friends, teachers and acquaintances have expressed their sadness, sent condolences to her family, and posted songs and videos as tributes to her.

Hayley died March 11 after her boyfriend, Ryan Fantasia, was attempting to assemble his gun and accidentally fired it, according to police.

The Facebook page, created by Jacob Kosarko of Hammond, IN, has reached more than 2,300 fans and is being supported and overseen by Hayley's parents. 

But Facebook was just the beginning.

Hayley's family is now selling pink and black bracelets with "R.I.P. Hayley Pelock, gone but not forgotten" printed on them. The family is also selling DVDs and ribbons memorializing the popular graduate, all for a special purpose.

"All the proceeds are going to the family," said Rosa Petrongelli, an administrator on the fan page. "They're going to create a scholarship in her name with the funds."

Patch caught up with Hayley's mother, Andrea Pelock, at Marian Catholic, where people have been picking up the bracelets they ordered online. 

"She was in beauty school at Trend Setters (College of Cosmetology) in Tinley Park," Pelock explained. "So we're hoping to set up the scholarship with them."

Pelock said she has seen an amazing amount of support for the idea, with many of the bracelets being ordered through the Facebook page.

"It's been overwhelming," Pelock said of the support. "We've gotten out like 800 bracelets."

Sharing tearful hugs and fond memories near the Ashland Avenue entrance of Marian Catholic, Andrea said she is grateful for the outpouring of condolences for her family.

"We really just want to thank everyone for the love and support," Pelock said. "It's helped us a lot, the support we're getting."

The DVDs are $6 and the ribbons are $2. Pelock said the best place to get information about the bracelets and other items is to visit the Facebook page. Petrongelli said those interested can preorder ribbons.