Photo Gallery: Second Annual Ride For Baxter Fundraiser

Elise Norton lost her son, Baxter Waldman, on Dec. 7, 2022 following a motorcycle accident. Baxter was just 16 years old and would have been graduating high school this year and receiving his diploma at the June 14 graduation ceremony as a member of Nantucket High School’s Class of 2024. While Elise continues to navigate through life without her son by her side, she has made it a mission to keep his memory alive forever.

For a second consecutive year, the “Ride For Baxter” charity motorcycle ride took place Sunday morning to help raise funds for the Baxter Waldman Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship is aimed at assisting students who fit the kind of person Baxter was: “a loyal, confident, caring, and driven young man that had a zest for life who did everything in his power to reach his goals no matter what stood in his way,” the scholarship page says. “Through this scholarship we hope to support students with similar qualities who are involved in their school and community as team member, working outside of school, and determined to do what they love.”

It is fitting that the first set of scholarships gifted in Baxter’s name will be handed out to fellow members of his graduating class. The Community Foundation For Nantucket (CFN) announced last week that Shea Dwyer (Northeastern University), Archie Ferguson (NYU), Ella Hofford (Gordon College), Kinnick King (University of Iowa), Braden Knapp (College of Charleston), and Karina Valdez (Northeastern University) were the 2024 recipients.

The dozens of motorcyclists traveled along the same route as last year. They began at the VFW - headed into town via the rotary to Orange Street - down Francis to Washington Street - back out past the strip on Broad Street before bikers rode past the Dreamland onto Main Street and then down Orange Street again - Then bikers had an opportunity to cruise for a bit and head out onto Polpis Road - through Sconset - and then finish back at the VFW.

After everyone returned to the VFW – where the function was held and riders began their ride, they enjoyed food trucks, music, and raffles from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Below are some photos taken from the charity ride by David Creed. You can donate to this fundraiser by clicking here.