Toni Marino, a student at Petal, touched a number of lives during her short time on earth. Marino died at the age of 12 on Dec. 26, 2017, from complications associated with acute myeloid leukemia. She was first diagnosed at the age of 8 and was diagnosed three more times. Each time the cancer returned, she defeated it and in the end, she was still living cancer free.
Marino’s valiant fight touched many lives in Petal and around the country. Since her death, a playground has been dedicated in her memory at First Baptist Church of Petal. And now another tribute will continue her legacy for years to come.
LeeAnn Slipher, an attorney in McComb, recently established the Antonia “Toni” Grace Marino scholarship through the Southwest Mississippi Community College Foundation.
Slipher and Toni’s mother, Lacy, were best friends growing up in Pike County. “We played high school softball, as well as summer softball,” she said on Monday. “We knew each other’s secrets.”
Through Facebook, the longtime friends were able to stay in touch and follow each others lives. It was on Facebook that Slipher first learned of Toni’s illness and battle.
Although Slipher never had the opportunity to meet Toni, she said she felt like she knew her by keeping in touch through the Team Toni Macaroni Facebook page.
With a daughter a couple of years younger than Toni, Slipher said she could relate to what the Marino family – dad Kevin, Mom Lacy and brother, Kam – was going through.
“Toni’s life had an effect on me and was special and if it were me, I’d want my daughter remembered,” said Slipher. “And what better way than through education.” That’s why she established the scholarship at Southwest Community College in their hometown and where both she and Lacy attended school for a little while.
“Toni demonstrated courage and bravery that there are no words to describe,” said Slipher. “And she did it all with such grace and beauty that left those around her in awe. In celebration of the wonderful example that she was and the lessons of perseverance and determination that she taught others, this scholarship was created in her honor. “
Because Marino’s favorite pastime was art, it seemed fitting that she be remembered through art. Scholarship applicants are required to write a 750-word or more essay explaining how art is their passion, how they will use art in their hope to inspire and why they will earn and should be awarded this scholarship.
Lacy wrote on the Team Toni Macaroni Facebook Page:
My dear, sweet high school friend has humbled us so much with this tribute to Toni. She came to us months back and told us her plan and we were just speechless. I still can’t find the words to show our appreciation.
We thought the scholarship should go to something that Toni absolutely loved, and she LOVED art. She always told us she wanted to grow up and be a veterinarian or a marine biologist, but we know that art was her passion.
Thank you for allowing Toni’s journey to continue LeeAnn Slipher. She would absolutely love this – giving to others was one of her most beautiful traits (as it is yours)...and her artwork was equally as beautiful. “
