Communities Celebrate and Mourn Together at Portland/Lakewood Football Game

On September 26, 2025, the Portland Raiders will host the Lakewood Vikings for their Homecoming football game. In addition to the festivities (listed below), both teams are promoting suicide awareness and prevention in honor of two special students lost to suicide in recent years. 

The Raiders had considered hosting the Purple/Teal Memorial at a different game this fall, but Lakewood felt passionate about the event. Last year, on September 18, PHS sophomore Kailey Lightner took her life. So, at the next football game on 9/20/24, both Portland and Lakewood communities poured out love and support for the Lightner family. 

According to her mother, Victoria Lightner: “Kailey’s biggest joy in life was deer hunting—she was an absolute slayer, hooked from the moment she hunted with her dad at age three. Dirt biking was her second joy: peaceful rides down country roads, wildflowers in hand, and the thrill of the track. Her quick-witted, sarcastic humor lit up every room; she loved to make others smile and laugh.”  Lightner adds, “Kailey was—and still is—so deeply loved, by family and by many whose lives she touched. But her perception was distorted by thoughts that weren’t true. And that’s the tragedy—when distorted thoughts convince someone that life isn’t worth living. But not all thoughts are truth.” Mrs. Lightner encourages “building a resilient mind through meaningful connections that challenge those lies. And just as vital are grace and mercy— Grace is extending kindness or love without it needing to be earned. Mercy is offering kindness or love even when a negative reaction might be justified. Grace and mercy bring transformative perception and light to almost every situation. Kailey brought so much light. Let’s honor her by choosing compassion, by reminding each other we’re never alone, and by holding onto hope even when our minds feel heavy.”

As September is Suicide Awareness month, Coach John Novara and the PHS Raiders were planning a Purple/Teal football game this season when Lakewood reached out to join forces again. The communities decided to promote positive mental health for students, alumni, and two teams who had a heartfelt bond from last year’s tragedy. 

In the spirit of Homecoming, the Raider team will also honor the memory of another student lost too soon: Austin Getchell. PHS QB, Haden Getchell had completed his senior football season, but not his senior year, when his younger brother, Austin (16), lost his life to suicide his sophomore year in March 2022. 

Austin had been a junior Raider before choosing tennis as his fall sport in high school. He was an active student athlete who enjoyed fishing, swimming, and bowling. An avid reader and honor student, he played video games in his spare time. In addition to the tennis team, Getchell was also on the trap and golf teams. And he absolutely loved spirit events, dressing up and cheering on his brother from the student section. He was kind and helpful, even happy to volunteer in the Concession Stand. His mother, Theresa Getchell reflects, “I believe it was more impulsive than an ongoing depression for Austin. He was active and witty, well-liked with a lifelong friend group. He had immeasurable love and support from his family and community. But that just proves how important it is to teach all students that our minds can play tricks on us. We need a specific plan for the difficult, dark moments when we are alone. That happens to everyone, but one impulsive decision can be a permanent solution to a temporary hardship. Our family will grieve forever; we love Austin infinitely and would have done anything to support him.” 

2019 PHS graduate, Ethan Getchell, was studying business at Hope College when his younger brother died. The grief and loss prompted him to change his career plan to social work and advocating for men’s mental health. In 2023, Getchell earned a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Michigan. He is now completing a therapy fellowship at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor. For more information on mental health, suicide prevention, depression, or grief, you can follow him on LinkedIn or go to www.ethangetchell.substack.com. 

Theresa Getchell recently retired from 25 years of teaching English at Portland High School. Both she and Ethan are available for speaking engagements to promote positive mental health and suicide awareness/prevention. You can reach them at tgetchell@gmail.com. 

PHS Homecoming: Portland Raiders vs Lakewood Vikings

Game time: 7:00