Memorial softball tournament, scholarship at Blissfield both memorialize Riga woman

BLISSFIELD — The life, legacy and tenacious spirit of a 24-year-old Riga woman who died in an automobile crash nearing two years ago, Aug. 3, 2022, is being remembered throughout the Blissfield community and beyond with an annual memorial softball tournament and a scholarship fund at Blissfield High School .

Ronnie VanSteenkiste-Amador, a 2016 Blissfield High School graduate, had a love for softball whether she was playing or coaching, according to her obituary .

That’s why when one of Ronnie’s longtime best friends wanted to do something that emphasized her impact and her fun, outgoing personality, it was a no-brainer to start a softball tournament.

“Straight off the get-go, it was a main thought of mine to start the softball tournament,” said Brooke Pickles, president and founder of the VanSteenkiste-Amador Memorial Scholarship fund at Blissfield High School. “Softball is who Ronnie was.”

Pickles, also a 2016 graduate of Blissfield High School, has known VanSteenkiste-Amador since both were at least 2 years old. A third longtime friend, LeeAnn Forche, formed a trio of best friends that Pickles called “The Three Musketeers.”

“We all were attached at the hip,” Pickles said in an interview. “One weekend we were at one of our houses, the next weekend we would be at somebody else’s house. We would always be doing something together throughout the week and into the weekend.”

Wherever one would go, the other two would follow along, Pickles said.

VanSteenkiste-Amador was described as being the fun and outgoing personality of the group. Forche — formerly Seidl — was the member of the group who would keep the mediation; serve as the peacekeeper. Pickles, meanwhile, described herself as the book smart/academic member of the trio. Together, they formed a bond of friendship that held strong through daycare, elementary school, middle school and high school. It continues today, even in VanSteenkiste-Amador's absence.

“(Ronnie) was like a sister to me,” Pickles said. “It was the same with her family. Her family was like a family to me.”

The past almost two years have been difficult, Pickles admitted. There has been a lot of grief, sadness and pain.

But through the implementation of the memorial softball tournament — now in its second year — those who knew VanSteenkiste-Amador have been able to celebrate her life while participating in a game that meant so much to the first-generation college student.

VanSteenkiste-Amador, after graduating from Blissfield, attended and graduated from Adrian College , receiving a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. She was employed at the college as an administrative assistant, one of many jobs she held during her pursuit of paying for her higher education.

“It was a huge passion of (Ronnie’s) to pursue her higher studies. She was a very hardworking person,” Pickles said, noting that VanSteenkiste-Amador held at least two or three jobs at a time to fund her education. Among those jobs was being a coach for the Blissfield High School junior varsity softball team.

The softball tournament, most recently held in Blissfield’s Ellis Park June 22, is the main fundraiser for the scholarship at Blissfield High School.

The VanSteenkiste-Amador Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually since its inception in 2023, to a senior student at Blissfield who is pursuing higher education or the skilled trades. In two years, $2,500 in scholarship money has been awarded.

The application for the scholarship opens in the springtime and requires essay writing and a letter of recommendation from anybody besides a family member, Pickles detailed. The 2024 scholarship was awarded in May during an end-of-the-school year scholarship reception event at Blissfield High School. This year’s recipient was June Miller.

"I am incredibly honored to be this year's recipient of the Ronnie VanSteenkiste-Amador Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship has provided me with a beautiful opportunity to pursue a career in architecture where I hope to be able to create safe and inclusive spaces that foster community for all who use them,” Miller said in an email.

According to her obituary, VanSteenkiste-Amador enjoyed all kinds of music, having fun and being the life of the party no matter if she was hanging out with friends or shopping, especially for shoes.

“Ronnie will be remembered by her family for her kind, compassionate, forgiving and loving heart,” the obituary said.

Softball tournament more than a sporting event

Five teams, all a mix of ages, participated in the second annual memorial softball tournament, held in a double-elimination format.

And while the competition was fierce with “teams battling it out throughout the day,” Pickles said, the tournament was more than just a summer weekend sporting event.

“It was a celebration of life, a tribute to Ronnie’s legacy and a tangible way to support the VanSteenkiste-Amador Memorial Scholarship Fund at Blissfield High School,” she said.

Volunteers, including Blissfield residents Lucas Rogers and Chad Abbott, helped make the tournament possible, Pickles highlighted.

The Riga Fire Department where VanSteenkiste-Amador was a volunteer firefighter also contributed to the event’s success by cooking and distributing hotdogs for the players.

Fifteen sponsors provided support in one fashion or another. Contributions not only helped raise funds for the scholarship but also “demonstrated their commitment to honoring Ronnie’s memory,” Pickles said.

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Blissfield business Stitches and Stems designed the tournament shirts, which added a personal touch to the event.

The Seed Spitters, a team composed of individuals from Blissfield including some who graduated with VanSteenkiste-Amador, emerged victorious.

“Their win was a reminder of the enduring bonds forged within the community,” Pickles said.

Among the players on the winning team was Forche, who served as team captain.

“So glad we could bring home the trophy this year. I know Ronnie was with us the whole tournament and cheering us on,” she said.

Those who are interested in learning more about the Ronnie VanSteenkiste-Amador Memorial Scholarship or how they can get involved with the softball tournament may email vansteenkistescholarshipboard@gmail.com . A Facebook page also has helpful information and updates that can be followed at VanSteenkiste-Amador Scholarship Spotlight .

— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at bheineman@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: twitter.com/LenaweeHeineman .

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Memorial softball tournament, scholarship at Blissfield both memorialize Riga woman