A Community of Moms: Supporting the Whitneys Through Friendship and Fight Club

Coming Together for a Purpose

What started as a simple act of generosity quickly grew into a powerful show of community. A group of moms, all connected through their sons’ friendships with Ryan Whitney, gathered to help the Whitney family prepare for the annual Wiffle Ball tournament. From stuffing bags to carefully arranging silent auction baskets, their efforts went far beyond logistics—this was about love, loyalty, and honoring the bonds their boys had built together.

More Than Friends—Now Fight Club Moms

The start of the school year has been a busy one for Fight Club leadership. We’ve been on the ground meeting students, leaders, and families at events like Louisburg High School’s Community Pep Rally and Olathe South High School’s Back to School Night. These moments allow us to share our mission and recruit new group leaders and members. Several new groups are launching this fall, including both boys’ and girls’ groups for students that attend Olathe South High School, expanding on their already strong Class of 2028 boys’ group. Blue Valley schools will also see growth, with a new freshman boys’ group that attends school at Blue Valley High and a junior boys’ group that attends school at Blue Valley Northwest.

Raising Their Voices Together

As the silent auction baskets took shape and the tournament supplies were organized, it became clear that this wasn’t just about one event. It was about a group of women showing up for one another, weaving together their shared histories, and creating something that would carry forward the Whitneys’ impact on the community.

One of the moms, Rojanae Williams, reflected on the deeper meaning of the gathering:

“Walking into a room of women and mothers, I saw more than a group gathered to put together auction baskets. We came together because we understand how vital it is to raise our voices about mental and behavioral health for our kids, for each other, and for our community. This is not just a conversation of comfort; it is a matter of life and death. As mothers, we carry the responsibility to keep this topic alive, relevant, and urgent. We must get loud because our children are depending on us.” – Rajanae Williams

Another mom, Katie Horner, brought her perspective as both a mother and a teacher:

“Being a middle school teacher means you have hundreds if not thousands of students that you call your own. Just like for your own children, you have high hopes of seeing them in the future doing what they love to do. When that future is cut short from suicide, all you want to do is help. No matter how big or small your role is when helping. The hope is that we can be there to support each other and support those who may be suffering, to let them know that they are needed.” – Katie Horner

A Summer of Fun, a Year of Purpose

As groups launched into the school year, many wrapped up their summers with special events. Mike Anderson’s Class of 2207 group of Blue Valley Southwest boys enjoyed a Royals game together, celebrating friendship and kicking off the year with energy. Meanwhile, many Fight Club groups came together to participate in the Ryan Whitney Memorial Wiffle Ball Tournament, ending their summers with a powerful mix of fun, fellowship, and community impact. These shared experiences remind us of the heart of Fight Club: community, connection, and doing life together.

A Legacy of Support

The story of these moms is more than a behind-the-scenes effort—it’s a reminder of what happens when friendship and community come together. They help create a legacy for Ryan, ensuring that his memory lives on through acts of kindness, strength, and solidarity. And in doing so, they are reinforcing the very foundation of Fight Club: resilience, community, and support that stretches far beyond the field.

Fight Club is a space where young adults can openly talk about the issues they’re facing, without judgment or pressure. Have questions or want to learn more about Fight Club? We’re here to help. Whether you’re looking to join, a parent seeking more information, or someone interested in supporting our mission, don’t hesitate to reach out.‍