Melissa Ciconte, Preston Lord’s stepmother, hands a raffle prize to a girl at the 18th-birthday celebration at The Stillery in downtown Chandler on Sept. 24. The event in memory of Lord, the latest celebration of the slain teen’s life, involved several fundraisers for youth and outreach causes.
Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks
Brian Garcia-Larson tosses a ball toward a dunk tank during the 18th-birthday celebration for the late Preston Lord at The Stillery in downtown Chandler on Sept. 23. The event held in memory of Lord, the latest celebration of the slain teen’s life, involved several fundraisers for youth and outreach causes.
Independent Newsmedia/Jason W. Brooks
Nick Lord, Preston Lord’s father, waits for a throw toward the dunk tank he occupied during the 18th-birthday celebration for his late son at The Stillery in downtown Chandler on Sept. 23. The event held in celebration of the life of Lord, the latest celebration of the slain teen’s life, involved several fundraisers for youth and outreach causes. In the background is Chandler City Council member O.D. Harris, who also took his turn getting drenched in the dunk tank at the event.
Hundreds of friends, family and supporters of Preston Lord’s family gathered at a downtown Chandler restaurant this week to celebrate what would have been the East Valley resident’s 18th birthday.
Nick Lord, Preston Lord’s father, smiled as he took his turn in the dunk tank set up in the courtyard for the Sept. 23 event, cheerfully getting dropped down by adults and younger attendees who seemed proud of their throwing arms.
Melissa Ciconte, Preston Lord’s stepmother, handed out raffle prizes and did much of the emceeing of the event with a microphone, thanking the attendees repeatedly for celebrating Preston’s life.
The event in the name of Lord, the latest celebration of the teen who was beaten to death at an October 2023 house party, involved several fundraisers for youth and outreach causes.
It was a much more lively and lighthearted event than some previous tributes for Preston, as many were focused on either mourning a loss or pledging to find new ways to reduce teen violence.
In attendance were Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, Chandler City Council member O.D. Harris, activist Bridget Vega, relatives of Preston’s and dozens of East Valley businesspeople.
Much of the literature and items available at the event directs the community to look at the initiatives addressed on justice4prestonlord.com.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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