Lanterns to be released in memory of Plum high school student who died 2 years ago
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Jody Dojonovic of Plum said her son, Thomas, had a warm smile that could light up a room.
She hopes to once again light up a community in his memory.
The second annual Thomas Jack Dojonovic Project Spread Positivity lantern release is set for July 21 at Larry Mills Park off Fontana Drive.
Participants can meet around 8 p.m. The release is scheduled for 9 p.m.
The family hopes to launch 1,000 points of light for the Plum high schooler, swimmer and Air Force Junior ROTC cadet who took his own life after completing his sophomore year.
“It’s a celebration of Thomas’ life, and the other part is bringing a community together,” his mother said. “I love the idea that people can get together and do good in such a crazy world.”
Thomas was 16 when he died at his home June 29, 2019.
He was a member of the swim team and taught swim lessons at the Sampson Family YMCA.
Dojonovic said she was shocked and numb, and was unaware how much her first born struggled.
“I don’t know what was going on with my son exactly, but I know for him to take his life there had to have been something going on and he didn’t tell us about it,” Dojonovic said.
A detective helped the family dig into what may have led to Thomas’ decision.
The mother declined to discuss what was found, but said there was inspiration in the tragedy.
“I don’t think it’s fair for me to try to identify what he was going through because I don’t know,” she said. “The only person who really could tell Thomas’ story was Thomas.
“I knew I had a mission in two things: One, carrying on the legacy of my son, and two, making the biggest effort I can to end the stigma of mental health and mental illness.”
Dojonovic launched Project Spread Positivity after hearing countless stories from Thomas’ friends about how he would deliver that message often.
“Thomas said it to everybody all the time,” Dojonovic said about being positive. “I just love to hear the stories because they say he was amazing, had a huge positive impact on the entire team and pulled them together. It’s the craziest story because of how it ends.
“Everybody says he was the positive one, the encouraging one and he loved to swim. He loved to be in the water. That was a big part of his life. He loved nature. He loved animals. He loved to hunt. He loved to fish. He was silly. The best smile you’ve ever seen. He kind of moved to the beat of his own drum. He was good to everybody. His life ended way too soon.”
The swim team kept Thomas in their hearts and prayers last year while on the way to the WPIAL Class AAA championship.
Coach Shawn Haupt in February 2020 expressed his emotions about how the team rallied and came together in the swimmer’s memory.
“It hasn’t been easy,” Haupt said. “It’s been a roller coaster of emotions with good and bad days for everyone, swimmers, coaches, everybody. Every meet, they incorporated his initials into a cheer, and they put his initials on a shirt. I think those are nice ways to remember him throughout the year. Ultimately, everyone is trying to move on, but they don’t want to forget.”
Last year, friends and family purchased lanterns in memory of Thomas and to support the budding nonprofit.
About 800 were launched from Larry Mills Park, in various parts of Plum and in various other communities as part of a socially distanced celebration of life.
This year, lanterns will be given away.
Dojonovic is pushing for legislation mandating mental health education to be taught in public schools. She believes it is important for youths to talk about what they might be experiencing or thinking.
“If you’re not feeling good, it’s OK to tell somebody,” she said. “Nobody’s going to think you’re crazy. There are ways to deal with depression and anxiety. Now with covid, it’s one of the more important messages that need to get out there.”
More information about the organization is available at tjdpsp.com.