“Shine Like the Sun” keeps a treasured son’s memory alive

Mare Lucas knew her son Zane was a bit different from other kids when he first started school. “Zane was always very smart, but he had a unique rhythm to his learning,” Mare remembered. “His teachers would let him pursue projects independently, and he began tinkering with technology on his own from an early age.”

Gunn wrestling team provides joy for a son who is struggling

As he grew older, Zane’s interest in tech and gaming grew, but he also began to develop anxiety and depression. When he started at Gunn High School, Zane’s condition prevented him from participating in most school activities. However, there was one place where Zane felt at ease: the Gunn wrestling team.

“Wrestling is the most inclusive and supportive sport because the team needs kids of every size and weight to win,” Mare explained. “In the same way that the Gunn wrestling team has welcomed girls, they made room for Zane and he loved being part of it.”

From tragedy comes “Shine Like the Sun”

Sadly, even wrestling was not enough to help Zane cope with his mental illness, and he ended his life in June 2017. The Lucas family launched an effort in Zane’s memory called “Shine Like the Sun,” which according to the website, aims to help start conversations about people we love who are in pain and what we can do…and to support the Gunn wrestling team.” The name is a reference to “Shine On You Crazy Diamond,” a Pink Floyd song that was one of Zane’s favorites.

Giving back to Gunn wrestling in Zane’s memory

After raising $3,600 from friends and family, Shine Like the Sun just made its first donation to the Gunn wrestling team in a moving ceremony on January 20, 2018.  The funds from Shine Like the Sun will help pay for wrestling singlets the 11 girls who are on the Gunn team and currently have no uniforms to wear in meets.

Gunn’s former wrestling Coach Horpel read a tribute to Zane at the ceremony, saying, “You were with us for one season and you left a lasting memory on all of us who knew you. You were determined, fearless and yet still nice and kind. Part of our heart has gone with you, and we pray that you have found what you were looking for. We pray for your family too.”

Honoring Zane by helping other kids like him

While Mare is still grieving for Zane and will miss him forever, his loss has given her a passion to keep talking about how to support adolescents who are struggling with mental illness.

“Zane had a huge heart and was so full of joy and life,” she said. “We are holding on to those memories and determined to find ways to help others in his honor.”

Sparkiverse provides a place for kids like Zane to connect

One of the ways that Mare is bringing Zane’s memory to life is through Sparkiverse Labs, an afterschool and summer program for kids she started with her family that aims to “fuse fun with tech.” Like Zane, Mare has loved all things math and tech from when she was young.  “I was always one of the few girls in higher level math classes, and that continued when I studied engineering in college,” she said. “And in all my jobs in tech, including a start up in Palo Alto, I have often been the only women in the room.”

“I began thinking about starting a program that would blend two obvious needs: a fun way for girls to explore tech, and a gathering for ‘techy’ kids like Zane to build social engagement,” she said. “As entrepreneur, I thought there must be a way to create a business that could do both.”

With these goals in mind, Mare, along with her husband David and daughter Jessica, launched Sparkiverse Labs in 2014. Sparkiverse began as an after-school program at Duveneck Elementary School that focused on science, tech, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). It has since grown to other schools in the Bay Area, and to offer a summer day camp.

And to bring the ‘techy’ kids together, Sparkiverse also leased a space in Mountain View, where programs include Minecraft gatherings for kids on Friday nights, gaming birthday parties, and more.

 

To learn more about Sparkiverse and Shine Like the Sun:

• DONATE to Shine Like Sun here, or get more information about the effort here.
• VISIT the website to learn more about Sparkiverse and its after school and summer programs 

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