A sign for Shannon

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Liverpool woman honors sister with suicide awareness billboard

By Ashley M. Casey

Associate Editor

After her sister, Shannon Rickes, died by suicide in January, Stacy Hernandez had a choice to make.

“I could either go into a deep hole or I could … turn this into something positive,” said Hernandez, who lives in Liverpool.

Liverpool resident Stacy Hernandez, pictured at right with her late sister, Shannon Rickes, vowed to honor Shannon’s memory by raising awareness about suicide and supporting organizations such as Hope for Bereaved and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Since Shannon’s death, Hernandez has raised almost $9,000 for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention through sales of T-shirts. Now, Hernandez has another tribute in the works for her sister: a billboard over Interstate 81.

“I realized I had to figure out a way to grieve without completely shutting down my business,” said Hernandez, who runs Styled by Stacy out of her home.

Hernandez sold T-shirts emblazoned with a sunflower and the quote attributed to Mohandas K. Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” of which Shannon had a tattoo. Hernandez encouraged her business’ social media followers to post pictures under the hashtag #SunflowersForShannon to celebrate what would have been Shannon’s 28th birthday on June 6.

Shannon was a physical education teacher in inner-city Detroit. She loved her career, Hernandez said, but had moved from public schools to a Catholic school not long before her death.

“She was an openly gay woman and she had struggles,” Hernandez said.

While Shannon struggled with depression, she sought treatment and seemed in good spirits when the family reunited over the holidays. Hernandez said she did not realize how profound her sister’s illness was until Shannon took her own life Jan. 24, 2019.

“It makes me sad because she wanted to be loved so bad and accepted so bad, she didn’t even love and accept herself,” she said.

‘You are enough’

While browsing Facebook, Hernandez stumbled across a Today Show story about Nicole Leth, an artist based in Kansas City, Missouri. Leth designed a series of billboards with positive affirmations after she lost her father to suicide.

“I made a vow that day that I would spend the rest of my life trying to save a life and prove that love was enough through my art and writing,” Leth wrote on Patreon, an online subscription service that allows people to fund artists, podcasters and other creators.

Hernandez messaged Leth and her husband on Facebook, but did not get her hopes up about receiving a response.

“I said I’m really inspired by what you’re doing. It mirrors what I’m trying to do in my community,” Hernandez said.

To her surprise, Leth wrote back. She offered the use of her artwork to Hernandez for a billboard in Syracuse. The pink billboard reads: “YOU ARE HUMAN. YOU ARE LOVEABLE. YOU ARE STRONG. YOU ARE ENOUGH.”

“It’s not even about suicide directly, even though that’s my story and the artist’s. It’s a good message to put out there any day of the week,” Hernandez said, adding, “I wish I had told her those things more often.”

The billboard will be visible from I-81 as drivers enter Syracuse from the north.

“My big, gutsy goal was to have one of the big billboards that is in one of the most seen locations,” Hernandez said.

Park Outdoor Advertising has donated a billboard for the month of November and Hernandez started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for October. Trappers II Pizza & Pub in Minoa is holding a “Dine for Dollars” fundraiser this Friday, Sept. 13, to support Hernandez’ campaign as well, with 15% of sales going toward the cause. Visit gofundme.com/f/bgabd-you-are-enough to print the fundraiser coupon or to donate toward the billboard.

‘Strong and supportive’

The cause of suicide prevention is in the forefront in Central New York, Hernandez said. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s local Out of the Darkness walk takes place Oct. 12 at Long Branch Park in Liverpool. Hernandez is sponsoring a team called Shannon Strong, but she will be participating virtually, as her youngest sister’s wedding is the same weekend.

This year, Laci’s Tapas Bar in Syracuse selected the CNY chapter of AFSP for its annual giveback promotion.

“We just think we can change the world or something,” Hernandez said.

Funds raised beyond Hernandez’ GoFundMe goal will go to AFSP and Hope for Bereaved, a local nonprofit that hosts grief support groups.

“I go to support groups every two weeks at Hope for Bereaved,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez said her community “has been super strong and supportive” of her efforts.

“People have wrapped their arms around me,” she said. “[They say,] ‘I’ve never met Shannon but I feel like I know her now through your stories, through your T-shirts.’”

While giving back helps Hernandez work through her grief over losing her sister, she is not just doing it to feel better.

“It’s what she did. She would have given anyone the shirt off her back,” Hernandez said. “My sister would have done anything for anyone. I just don’t want her death to be for nothing.”