Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

A “Joy Ride” will be held on June 19 at 6 p.m. ET in celebration of Mary Joy Moosman’s birthday, as well as to raise money for a scholarship fund in memory of the Troup High student. Moosman passed away after a May 16 crash involving four other Troup High students.

The idea came to the organizer, Michelle Partain, after being around the Moosman family following the crash. 

“We were talking and I just said when y’all were ready, I would love to keep her memory alive. Just to keep spreading her joy,” Partain said. “The whole experience of being around the family during all this, it just really touched me so deeply…The whole family, they are a very special family.”

Pertain knew Mary Joy, like herself, drove a Jeep. So, the idea of the Joy Ride formed. However, all vehicles are welcome. The ride will start at Troup High School and participants will do an hour-long drive, escorted by the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, meandering down to West Point. The ride will end at Johnny’s Pizza in West Point where Moosman worked. 

To register a vehicle in the ride it costs $25. All of the funds collected will go directly to the scholarship fund. Those wanting to register can go to https://forms.gle/tofoomvmxYGJav3r9. 

At Johnny’s, a birthday celebration will be held for those who participated in the ride or simply wanted to come for the party. To join the celebration at Johnny’s, it is $10 to cover the cost of food and drinks. Partain said people are welcome to join one or both of the events. 

For those unable to attend either event, Partain said there are still ways to donate to the scholarship fund. Registering for the ride will donate $25, but there is also a gofundme page for Moosman. According to the Partain, the Moosman family will be using a GoFundMe to continue to fund the scholarships. The fundraiser can be found at https://gofund.me/1294a25d. She hopes to make the Joy Ride yearly to offer scholarships every year. 

The plan is for the scholarship to go to three Troup High students each year, one to a competition cheerleader, one to a Varsity soccer player and another as an academic scholarship. The individuals selected will have a spirit similar to Mary Joy, said Partain, who “spread[s] joy.” While the amount of money awarded will depend on the fundraising efforts, Partain is hopeful people will show up for the ride.