Tonight, Jan. 20, the third annual Break the Silence basketball game will be held at Robinson High School. The game raises awareness about domestic violence, often called the “silent crime,” as so few of these incidents are reported. At the game, the fans will remain quiet until the ninth point is scored, when they “break” the silence and begin to cheer.

Carolina Cassedy (’18) will spearhead the event this year. Cassedy has a legacy to uphold. Her older sister Katie (’16) has founded and directed the event for the past two years, and recently received the Tampa Bay Lightning Community Hero Award.

However, Carolina is embracing her role as event coordinator, and has worked with the Crisis Center to learn more about the prevention of domestic violence.

“This year I took a teen dating violence prevention course and learned a lot,” Carolina said. “You sit there listening to things these kids experienced that I personally would never have necessarily seen in my situation, and it inspired me to continue the event.”

Organizing the game is not a simple endeavor. For months, Carolina has worked in conjunction with both the Crisis Center and the Spring, two organizations that provide shelter for abused and battered women, to arrange the event’s details, including publicity and giveaways at the game.

“We organized when they’re coming, and made sure we had everything together,” Carolina said. “It’s an important cause and I know I have to do a good job. I’m hoping there’s a good turnout.”