It's not characteristic of me to talk about a school who I despise out of envy, at least in terms of their athletic programs. Lakewood had finished second to Wilson in girls' golf, volleyball and tennis, and I wondered; just how many more times are we going to finish runner-up to them?
But as an alumnus of a school whose district is shared by the other, as well as four other major Long Beach high school, I write this in solidarity.
As you all know, Melody Ross was a 16-year old pole vaulter/honors student at Wilson when she was shot, donning the garment of Kara Zor-El, known as Supergirl. This tragedy spread like wildfire, and people are still talking about the magnitude of the crime.
The gunman is still at large, but it looks to me that fate may be closing in on him soon. I'll curse the day the fates buy him time to atone for his crimes.
Anyway, here's how I got the news. I was at my school's homecoming game with Millikan. We trashed the Rams 60-7. It was a mess. So I head to the bus, but I end up missing it. I thought that was the 101 or 103 bus heading to the Westside. Turns out, that was just the bus heading towards Seventh Street. After I get off the 103 and head home, I trade shots with some of the people at the Long Beach Post web site, and then I get this news: "Friday Night Shootings: One At Wilson High, One Officer-Involved."
Uh oh. I read more news, and then I see the comments come out left and right on this event. I thought, man, I gotta take a look at this. I wasn't there to take a glimpse at what happened last night, but I could have if I made it time to get on board that 93 heading downtown.
So when I passed by on Saturday, everything was quiet. I was singing "I Believe" by the Blessid Union of Souls on my iPod. I saw a few posters celebrating Homecoming, and then I walk by a throng of students surrounding a set of flowers, candles and incense.
Then I pass by the stadium. Above the stands I could see arcs of ballons in Wilson's colors, a sad reminder of what was a day to celebrate the return of Bruins past and the great deeds of superheroes turn into a unforgettable, unforgivable Nightmare on Ximeno Avenue. I had to hold back tears after coming to terms with this.
Even some Lakewood Lancers fans went to send their condolences. The Lancers are scheduled to face the Bruins on November 13. I screamed to the heavens, "Justice Will Be Served! Rest In Peace!"
And the healing process continues. I start to question if the season finale is going to be held at Wilson, especially after seeing this unfold. I would rather see this at Vets Stadium, if only for the safety of the players, fans, students, etc.
Rest in peace, noble Bruin. As your mother said to you before you went, "You can fly now."
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