Classmate of Tina's

Submitted by Cateena Wade (United States), Nov 22, 2008 at 23:46

I often think of Tina at this time of the year. I just happened this year to do a search on her name and found this site. It is nice to know that other people are still thinking about her as I do. You see Tina and I were called Tina#1 and Tina#2 because we both were called Tina at school.

It was really devastating to hear that she was killed. I will never forget it. All day at school there was a rumor that one of the seniors were killed and I remember we were all trying to figure out who it was by trying to figure out who was absent and not accounted for. Then at our last period class, an announcement on the PA system from our principal Mr. Purdy devastated and shocked all of us.

All of the seniors were in the hallway consoling each other in utter disbelief! There was so much sadness that all of the seniors never truly recovered and "our year" was never the same. Like another commentator said, we never got any resolution because we were not allowed to go to the funeral. However we did have a memorial at school and if you all didn't know, we planted a tree in Tina's honor at Roosevelt! (By the principal's window on the front lawn.) We also have a page dedicated to her in our yearbook. I'm looking at her beautiful face, remembering the good times we shared and some of the concerns she shared with me! This is the poem we submitted in our class yearbook:

IN MEMORY OF PALESTINA ISA

Roosevelt is composed of all religions and races,
though looking down the hall, you see smiling faces.
November the 6th was a day of gloom,
For all the students in Roosevelt's rooms.
A rumor had started, we hadn't a clue,
Until Mr. Purdy told us that rumor was true.
Palestina Isa our very dear friend,
At the age of 16 her life came to an end.
For those who knew her there was nothing to say,
But everyone was glad she passed Roosevelt's way.
If she saw you coming by a yard or a mile,
She would always speak and give you a smile.
Tina would light up and always glisten,
No matter how she felt, she had time to listen.

Tina Isa we will always remember you,
And miss the way you used to say our favorite word "two".
Palestina Isa was one of the best,
She really stood out from all the rest.
We should remember the good and try not to mourn,
And dedicate to her, Poisons' "Every Rose Has Its Thorns."
The sweet memories of you will never pass,
This is dedicated to you from your Senior Class.

By Mrs. Sandra Irons, Senior Class Sponsor

Even after 19 years, I WILL NEVER FORGET! I guess the whole senior class won't.

Rest in peace, Tina

From, Songbird--Tina#1

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