Sometimes a single name becomes a symbol for an entire community's heartbeat. In Portsmouth, Rhode Island, that name is Kelly Nevitt. If you’ve spent any time in Newport County lately, you’ve likely seen the green ribbons or heard the stories. People don't just talk about her; they remember her with a kind of vividness that usually fades after a few months. But with Kelly, it’s different. Honestly, the way this town has rallied around her memory is nothing short of incredible.
She wasn't a politician or a business mogul. She was a 15-year-old freshman at Portsmouth High School with a laugh that could apparently be heard from three hallways away.
The Night Everything Changed in Portsmouth
It was June 7, 2025. What was supposed to be a standard celebration—a private graduation party at the Portuguese American Citizens Club (PPACC)—turned into a nightmare that felt like a movie script gone wrong. A concrete landing on an exterior stairwell detached from the building. It just... gave way.
Kelly was there. So was Aaron Delgado, a 17-year-old who survived but faced a grueling recovery. The collapse happened in seconds. The aftermath, however, has lasted for months. Investigations into the building's history revealed it dated back to 1946, with some renovations likely done in the 70s—long before the modern building codes we take for granted today. Investigators are still digging into how a structure that held so many community events over the decades could fail so catastrophically.
Who Was Kelly Nevitt?
To know why this hit Portsmouth so hard, you have to look past the news reports. Kelly Nicole Nevitt was born on September 18, 2009. She wasn't just a student; she was a performer. If there was a stage, she was on it.
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Musical theater was her "thing." You might have seen her playing Rizzo in Grease or the high-energy Sister Mary Lazarus in Sister Act. Friends say she had a voice that literally made people stop walking. She was a mainstay at the Newport Children’s Theater, a place that has now become a central part of her legacy.
- Passions: Musical theater, color guard, and animals.
- Spirit: Unapologetically herself.
- Pets: A cat named Diva and a dog named Pearl.
She was the kind of person who’d call a friend late at night just to make sure they were okay. That’s the detail that keeps coming up. It wasn't just that she was talented; it was that she was kind. In a world where high school can be a shark tank, Kelly was the girl making sure everyone felt like they mattered.
A Town Turning Grief into Action
Portsmouth didn't just mourn; it moved. The "Portsmouth Strong" movement wasn't just a hashtag—it was a series of events that actually did something. A community dinner at the Green Valley Country Club raised over $35,000. That money wasn't just for bills; it went toward a scholarship at the Newport Children's Theater and helped Aaron Delgado with the massive costs of his recovery.
GoFundMe campaigns for the Nevitt family saw an outpouring of support that topped $89,000 in a matter of days. It’s a testament to the "inseparable bond" Kelly shared with her mother, Sharon Nevitt. They weren't just mother and daughter; they were best friends.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Legacy
Often, when a tragedy like this happens, the focus stays on the "why" and the "how"—the building permits, the old concrete, the legal battles. While those things are happening in the background, the real story in Portsmouth is about the 2025 Homecoming.
During the halftime of a football game against Chariho, the school didn't just have a moment of silence. They celebrated. Band members and cheerleaders—friends like Holly Doyle and Maressa Dooley—honored her memory. Aaron Delgado was crowned Homecoming King alongside Victor Waycuilis. It was a bittersweet moment that basically defined what it means to be "Portsmouth Strong."
The Reality of Safety and Aging Infrastructure
We have to talk about the elephant in the room: the building. The PPACC had been a community hub for generations. The town manager noted that there were no prior complaints about the staircase. It was a "silent" failure.
This has sparked a larger conversation across Rhode Island about the safety of older private clubs and halls. Many of these buildings are the lifeblood of small towns, but they are also aging. The investigation into the June 7 collapse serves as a wake-up call for inspections that go beyond simple fire safety and look at the structural integrity of landings and stairwells that were built fifty years ago.
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Moving Forward with Kelly’s Spirit
How do you keep a memory alive without it just being sad? The community has found a way. By supporting the Newport Children's Theater, they ensure that the next "extraordinary voice" gets a chance to be heard.
Next Steps for the Community:
- Support the Scholarship: Donations to the Newport Children’s Theater in Kelly’s name help fund programs for kids who share her passion for the stage.
- Infrastructure Awareness: Use this as a catalyst to check the structural safety of older community buildings you may manage or frequent.
- Keep the Connection: Follow the updates from the Four Hearts Foundation, which continues to support local families in crisis.
Kelly’s story is a reminder that a life isn't measured by its length, but by the "light and laughter" it leaves behind. Portsmouth is a different place now, but in many ways, it’s a closer one.
Practical Resource for Support:
If you want to contribute to the legacy Kelly left behind, you can find information on the scholarship fund through the Newport Children’s Theater website. This fund directly supports youth arts in the Newport and Portsmouth areas, keeping the music going for students who, like Kelly, find their home on the stage.