| | Photo courtesy of Jason Duncan |
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Marissa Plakosh loved music. But more than music, the Ohio State freshman loved to burn CDs for friends and family. She filled the CDs with different genres from classic rock to country, including one of her favorite bands - the Eagles. Before she died, Marissa Plakosh burned a CD for her mother, which she listens to daily.
After a fatal accident on Dec. 15, her brother Mike Plakosh is doing everything in his power to ensure her memory plays on.
Mike Plakosh, a senior in accounting, is putting together a CD of some of Marissa Plakosh's favorite songs covered by Youngstown-area artists, with help from his cousin Jeanne Salata and a family friend. The bands are donating their time and talent, and the family friend, who works at a recording studio, will be donating the recording equipment and production. Proceeds will go toward a scholarship fund in Marissa Plakosh's name for Mahoning County students planning to attend OSU.
Marissa Plakosh was shot and killed in her Youngstown-area home Dec. 15. Family friend Daniel Buccino, 20, was handling a loaded gun when it discharged and struck Marissa Plakosh in the neck. After evidence was reviewed, it was ruled an accident, according to Poland Township Police.
Buccino appeared in court Dec. 19 where he pleaded not guilty to negligent homicide, a first-degree misdemeanor. He is expected back in court in June.
"Danny and I have been friends for a long time. Marissa liked to hang out with my friends and I. She was one of the funniest girls I know," Mike Plakosh said. "I know Danny would never want to hurt my sister."
A classmate of eight years, Alex Ornelas, a freshman in exploration, said in an e-mail interview Marissa won her senior class superlative "class clown" because of her ability to make anyone laugh, no matter the circumstance.
"People here at OSU didn't know how good of a person Marissa truly was, but I'm sure whoever met her, immediately loved her personality," she said.
Ornelas said Marissa Plakosh always wanted to go to OSU to be reunited with her brother.
"Since she was little, her dream was to go to Ohio State with her brother, Mike," she said. "In fall 2006, her wish came true. She became a Buckeye, and that was the happiest I have ever seen her. We had football tickets together the first season and we always had a blast because she was so into the game and her love for the Buckeyes was phenomenal."
Mike Plakosh said his sister loved OSU so much she lied to their mother to be on campus for the November 2006 Michigan game. Because OSU was a big part of Marissa Plakosh's life, MikePlakosh said he would like to sell the CDs on campus - specifically at Stradley Hall, where she lived on the fifth floor.
"When I went to college, she always wanted to go to Ohio State to be back with me. She worked really hard in high school to get in here," he said. "Marissa wanted to come to Ohio State, that was her dream."
Another of Marissa Plakosh's dreams was to meet coach Jim Tressel. After breaking a few bones, she finally got the chance at orientation during the summer.
Marissa Plakosh climbed up a tree for a photo and fell getting down. She broke four lumbar vertebrae and had to stay in the university hospital. One morning, a university official asked Marissa if there was anything they could do for her. Half-joking she said, "Get me coach Tressel." He stopped by her room the next day and stayed with her for an hour.
Marissa Plakosh's mother spent the duration of the stay at her side - a closeness that suffered as Marissa left for her freshman year of college.
One of the last things Marissa did before she died was make a blanket with her mother. She called her mother at work and said she wanted to spend more time with her, Mike Plakosh said. The two bought fabric and sewed the blanket together later that night.
"She was wrapped in that blanket when she got shot, so my mom sleeps with it every night," Mike Plakosh said.
Ornelas said the funeral and calling hours were hard for family and friends and she misses Marissa Plakosh.
"Of course I don't think it was her time to go," she said. "I don't believe any 18-year-old should have to die nor should a mother ever have to bury her 18-year-old daughter. Marissa had so many friends and so many people that loved her, it really is a tragedy."
Stradley residents were given opportunities to speak with people from OSU's counseling and consultation services. Marissa Plakosh's roommate moved out of their dorm room and into her parents' home outside of Columbus, Mike Plakosh said. She is considering moving back into the residence halls spring quarter.
Through friends, family and the university, Mike Plakosh said he has received tremendous support, especially from President E. Gordon Gee, who wrote him a letter during break sending his condolences to their family.
Looking back, Mike Plakosh said he tried to make sense of what happened that night. He replayed the actions in his head, still not understanding. Jason Duncan, a friend, told him not to dwell, but look toward the bigger picture. In her honor, Duncan created a tribute Web site,
missyou.last-memories.com, where friends can post stories and pictures of Marissa Plakosh.
Mike Plakosh said he realized everything happens for a reason - that it was Marissa's time.
"It's hard to feel better about the situation because you always try to make sense of it," he said.
Amanda Dolasinski can be reached at dolasinski.1@osu.edu.
2008 Woodie Awards
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