STUDENTS AGAINST VIOLENCE EVERYWHERE ~ IN MEMORY

The tragic stories on this page of the National SAVE website have been submitted by SAVE members, advisors, and/or friends of SAVE nationwide. If you know of a SAVE member who has died at the hands of violence that needs to be shared, please contact National SAVE.

Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of these SAVE members and their communities. Their lives were too young to be ended. We cannot let their deaths be in vain. Please do your part. Start a SAVE chapter at your elementary, middle or high school. Redouble your efforts in violence prevention in your school and community. One child saved or protected makes all of our efforts worthwhile. Contact SAVE for more information on how you can make a difference.

If you would like to donate to SAVE in honor of any young person, please visit our donation page. Through your contribution, SAVE can continue to spread the message of nonviolence and empower students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive difference in their school and community. Investing in SAVE not only makes a difference for students today, it also paves the nonviolent path for generations to come.

~ SAVE Staff

In Memory of Monique Palmer
San Diego SAVE Chapter President
2001-2008 SAVE Member

The violent deaths of two teenagers who were shot in a possible gang attack has left two San Diego high schools struggling to cope with the tragic losses. Monique Palmer, 17, a senior at Lincoln High School, died on the Valencia Park corner where she was shot after leaving a party. Her friend Michael Taylor, 15, a freshman at Point Loma High School, died at a hospital shortly after.

Dozens of people gathered at the site of the shooting to honor the teens. Attendees lighted candles and placed them at the curb along with balloons, flowers and signs expressing their love and loss.

“Stop the shooting,” read one sign, the words illuminated by candlelight. San Diego City Councilman Tony Young said in an interview that he spoke with family members of each victim and attended the vigil.

“People are angry,” said Young, who represents southeastern San Diego neighborhoods. “This type of senseless violence toward young people like this really upsets them. It upsets me, and it should upset everybody in the community.”

Monique and Michael had been at a party attended by Lincoln High students when three vehicles filled with possible gang members showed up, said San Diego homicide detectives and witnesses. The party crashers pointed handguns at the guests and yelled gang challenges before driving away shortly before 1 a.m.

Several minutes later, Monique and Michael left the party with a group of people. At the corner of San Jacinto and Groveland drives, two men walked up and fired shots before escaping south on San Jacinto, police said. “Other people ran, but I guess she didn't have a chance to run,” said Monique's friend Janelle Bennett, 17, who was at the party. “It's just hard to believe she's gone.”

Police have not released a description of the shooters. Those who knew Monique and Michael described them as good kids with nothing to indicate an involvement with gangs. Friends described Monique as outgoing, a member of the school step dance team this year and class secretary on the student council last year. Monique also served as a chapter president of Students Against Violence Everywhere. Five chapters of the national program were opened in southeastern San Diego schools in 2005 in response to gang violence. Just recently, Monique learned she had been accepted to California State University Los Angeles, classmates said, though she hadn't yet made up her mind on which college to attend. “She showed people that even though you're at Lincoln, where everyone stereotypes you, you can still go to parties and still get good grades and go to college,” said friend Helena McAllister, 17, who was taking Advanced Placement classes with Monique this year.

In Memory of Brittany Willis
2000-2004 SAVE Member

On June 29, 2004, the Wilson Police Department (NC) along with the State Bureau of Investigation ended their 2 day search for my friend after they found her body dumped in a construction field. Brittany Tyler Willis, a popular, loving, athletic , and beautiful young woman was kidnapped, raped, and murdered two days before her 18th birthday. Two teenagers, ages 16 and 18, have been charged with kidnapping, armed robbery, first degree rape, and first degree murder.

As a very active member of SAVE, I NEVER imagined something like this could happen to someone close to me, especially someone as likeable and as loving as Brittany. Brittany too was an active member in SAVE and promoted non-violence. So everyone wonders HOW and WHY did this happen? You read about this kind of incident in newspapers, see it on television, listen to it on the news, and even read about it in books, but until it "hits close to home", the reality of violence isn't a reality...it is merely an article, a television show, a top story, or a novel. The sad and awful truth about violence is that it does not discriminate. It can happen to anyone and anywhere.

Brittany would have attended Peace College in Raleigh, NC in the fall. Her life ended way too soon. Like Angie Bynum and friends, I along with my friends do not want Brittany's death to be in vain. So I challenge all of you to share Brittany's story with everyone you know and encourage them to start SAVE chapters to promote conflict management, crime prevention and anger management in your school and community. If you already are an active member, please continue to spread the SAVE message and work to do all you can against this war against violence. To make a memorial contribution in Brittany's honor please contact SAVE .

~ Mary Catherine Tee

(Mary Catherine Tee was the SAVE Chapter president at Hunt High School, served on the National SAVE Youth Advisory Board from 2002-2004 and was the chairperson in the 2003-2004 school year.)

National Association of Students Against Violence Everywhere SAVE: Youth Voices... Grown-Up Choices! Toll Free 866-343-SAVE For more information contact cwray@nationalsave.org   /   Copyright 2012