By MADDY VITALE
Mikenzie Helphenstine made such an impact on her family, the students she taught and those she coached in Ocean City.
The married mother of two who passed away on May 4 at just 43, after a long battle against breast cancer, influenced so many in a community.
Those who loved her, respected her and were touched by her, are making sure she will never be forgotten.
Her legacy will endure the test of time and her strength will help others fighting cancer.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. To pay tribute to Helphenstine, affectionately known as “Coach H,” who coached field hockey and lacrosse for the Ocean City school district and was a Primary School teacher, the Ocean City Police Department will wear pink badges, hats with pink writing and Helphenstine’s motto on their vests, “Till You Can’t.”
“Mikenzie was a huge influence, especially to girls growing up in town. I really fell in love with her mantra, “Till You Can’t.” It is a really motivational,” Police Chief Jay Prettyman said Friday. “When I saw how her motto resonated with people around town, especially my own daughters who experienced Mikenzie’s leadership and mentorship over the years as their coach, it not only fit, it fit police work too. Fight as hard as you can, until you can’t.”
Helphenstine is survived by her husband, Clint, daughter, Andi and son, Kyle.
Prettyman spoke with Clint Helphenstine about what he wanted the department to do to pay tribute to his wife.
“He was entirely supportive and honored that we would consider doing something like this,” Prettyman said. “You don’t get such an influential person through a small town often — especially for our female youth. I wanted to make sure that we honored her legacy and we remember and respect her.”
During a May 12 standing room only memorial service at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, Helphenstine’s motto for each day, her mantra, was encapsulated in one song sang by 2022 Junior Miss Ocean City, Makenna Fleming, titled, “Till You Can’t.”
Part of the lyrics in the song told a bit of how Helphenstine lived her life:
If you got a chance, take it; take it while you got a chance
If you got a dream, chase it, ’cause a dream won’t chase you back
If you’re gonna love somebody
Hold ’em as long and as strong and as close as you can
‘Til you can’t
Mayor Jay Gillian said he was so proud of how the police department and the entire community continues to keep the memory of Helphenstine forever in the minds and hearts of others.
“It is a testament to what Ocean City is all about, and who she was and what she meant to so many. Mikenzie has touched so many of our lives in the community from our youth, both girls and boys, and her family has done so much,” Gillian said. “Mikenzie just shined and her legacy will last forever.”
Gillian noted that the community often comes together to raise funds for important causes. The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Run/Walk will be held on Sunday, Oct. 9 on the Ocean City Boardwalk. For more information click, makingstrideswalk.org/OceanCityNJ.
There were those who knew Helphenstine in so many different roles. She was a mother, wife, teacher, mentor, coach and friend.
For Ocean City Police Officer Lexi Sharp, 23, wearing a pink badge, a police hat with pink writing and the inscription on her vest, “Till You Can’t,” in honor of Helphenstine and her battle with breast cancer, there is particular significance.
Sharp, a 2017 graduate of Ocean City High School, was coached by Helphenstine in both lacrosse and field hockey and her family is close with the Helphenstines.
“She literally touched so many kids’ lives who participated in sports. It is so amazing to see the impact she had on the community. Anyone you talked to knew her,” Sharp, who became an Ocean City police officer in June, said. “She was just a strong woman. She helped people gain confidence. She was empowering. And she lived life to her fullest.”
Mikenzie Helphenstine will not be forgotten. The Ocean City community will not let that ever happen.
“It was a long battle and Mikenzie fought until the end,” Sharp said.
The support of the community, the love for Helphenstine and the significance of wearing her coach’s motto, along with the other 67 officers in the department, will mean so much.
“It is so special and so warming,” Sharp said of the police department honoring Helphenstine wearing her motto on their vests. “I feel like she is with me.”
