The Battle of the Belts is dedicated to Hillsborough County teens who lost their lives in a car crash by not wearing a seatbelt. Contact Tanya@BattleoftheBelts.com if you have a teenage friend or loved one you would like to include in the dedications.
Katie Marchetti 1989-2006

Katlyn Marie "Katie" Marchetti, 16, of Valrico, Fla., entered into rest March 4, 2006. Katie adored her family, cherished her friends and embraced life. She loved her dogs, "Coco Channel," "Louis Vuitton" and "Licorice." Her SAT preparations and college selections kept her challenged as she approached her final year and a half at Durant High School. Katie was artistic, shared her mother's passion for fashion and decorating, and envisioned a career in fashion or interior design.

She loved her workouts with her friends at the Campo YMCA, her weekend job at the Valrico Dunkin Donuts and her involvement with the Ophelia Project of Tampa Bay, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the development of girls in middle and high school and the proposition that "beauty comes from within." Katie filled every space in all our lives, and now, she shares space with the angels in heaven with God.

Preceded in death by her paternal grand-father, Vincent Marchetti, formerly of Providence, R.I., Katie is survived by her parents, Vincent Angelo "Vin" and Laura Dianne (Sipe) Marchetti; brother, Andrew Vincent "Drew" Marchetti of Valrico; her maternal grandparents, John Richard "Dick" and Dianne (Ford) Sipe of Valrico; her paternal grandmother, Anna Maria (D'Attilio) Marchetti of Austin, Texas; her uncle and aunt, Michael Anthony and Linda Suzanne (Sipe) Pelosi, and cousins, Molly and John Pelosi of Saunderstown, R.I.; her uncle and aunt, Charles Andrew "Chuck" and Maria Ann (Marchetti) Price, and cousin, Benjamin Maxwell Price of Austin, Texas; her uncle and aunt, John Christopher "Chris" and Alicia (Berenguer) Sipe, and cousins, Olivia and Christian Sipe of Miramar, Fla.; and numerous other family members and close friends. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, March 11, 2006, at Nativity Catholic Church, 705 E. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511, (813) 681-4608. Interment will immediately follow at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, 2323 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511, (813) 689-8121. The family willreceive friends 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, 2006, at Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Katie Marchetti Memorial Foundation for Girls, Inc., 3601 Sugarloaf Lane, Valrico, FL 33594. Stowers Brandon

Click here to visit the Katie Marchetti Memorial Foundation website.

Haley Marie Weatherly 1993-2008

Haley passed away on August 4, 2008. Haley was a kind soul who loved life, shopping, animals, and traveling. But most of all spending time with her friends and mother. Haley would have been attending her second year at Bloomingdale High School. Haley attended Laurel Nokomis Elementary and Middle School. In 2006, she was a member of the Venice Vikings Cheerleading squad. Her squad won 1st place in the Florida district Cheer Off, 1st place in the Florida Regionals and then went on to win 7th in the nation at Nationals. Haley is survided by her mother, Cindy Weatherly; father, Ken Weatherly; maternal grandparents, Fred and Wanda Van Fleet; paternal grandparents, Richard and Retta Weatherly; uncles, Danny, Jim and Tony (Julie) Van Fleet; aunt, Wendy (Richard) Schaub; cousins, Heather, Cody, Shane, Jared and Tara Van Fleet, and Chloe and Katy Schaub; stepmother, Stacey Weatherly; and half sisters, Erika Weatherly and Shelby Marx. She is preceeded in death by her grandmother, Beverly Van Fleet.

Visit Haley's Guest Book
Read a Touching Letter to Haley

Nicholas Marcotrigiano 1990-2008
Nicholas L. Marcotrigiano, 17, of Plant City passed away on Monday, August 4, 2008. Nicholas was a lifelong resident of the area. He was a senior at Bloomingdale High School. “Happy Feet” as he was known by his loving family and friends. He is survived by: his loving parents, Russell and Sherry Marcotrigiano; brothers, Daniel and Christopher Marcotrigiano, and Thomas Borden; paternal grandfather, Lawrence Marcotrigiano; maternal grandmother, Patricia Mason. He is survived by an extended loving family and friends. It should be known to all that Nic was always happy and loved life, as he did his friends. So smile and remember him as he was.

Click here to visit Nick's guest book.
Click here to read an article detailing the unfortunate accident that claimed the lives of Nick Marcotrigiano and Haley Weatherly.

Enrique Cruz 1992-2008
Gone But Not Forgotten

Click here to read the news report about Enrique's tragic death.