((PKG)) PARKLAND MEMORIAL
((Banner: Tragedy and Healing))
((Reporter/Camera: Esha Serai))
((Video Editors: Ali Shaker, Marcus Harton))
((Adapted by: Philip Alexiou))
((Map: United States / Fort Lauderdale, Florida))
((Banner: In February 2018, a gunman killed 17 people at a Parkland, Florida high school))
((RABBI MENDY GUTNICK, CHABAD OF PARKLAND))
There has always been a similar experience in our history, where Alyssa too will always pray on behalf of those who are here, on behalf of those who speak to her and remember her. As a sign of great honor and respect as we consecrate the headstone, because it also marks our love and connection that will forever remain an eternal testament to last over the years.
((ILAN ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S FATHER))
Help us celebrate her life. Come to the beach today, which was her favorite place. After today, and if you are feeling down and low, remember that Alyssa is with you. She’ll lift you up and she’ll laugh with you. #liveforalyssa.
((Banner: Later that week..))
((NIKHITA NOOKALA, SENIOR STUDENT, MARJORY STONEMEN DOUGLAS))
I always knew I was going to prom. I have looked forward to it since freshman year, so I was excited.
((SUZANNA BARNA, SENIOR STUDENT, MARJORY STONEMEN DOUGLAS))
You only get one prom and it’s kind of what every high schooler looks forward to and I kind of just wanted to be just really happy night that I am always going to remember with my friends. So I’m trying to not let it be different than how it would have been before everything happened, but, I mean, obviously it is different, like we are going to have people who could have been at a prom, not there.
((NIKHITA NOOKALA, SENIOR STUDENT, MARJORY STONEMEN DOUGLAS))
It’s something normal, and that’s when everyone will be happy even if, you know, we’ve obviously experienced something really terrible, but that is one night where we could forget everything and still remember all of our friends and things like that.
((NIKHITA NOOKALA, SENIOR STUDENT, MARJORY STONEMEN DOUGLAS))
There is a lot of people from the community that wanted to help out and sponsor our prom and the venue itself gave a really big discount and the Alumni network that we have secured the DJ and the party favors and so we didn’t have to pay for any of that.
((MICHELLE DITTMEIER, SENIOR STUDENT, MARJORY STONEMEN DOUGLAS))
Everybody, kind of, wants to be there because people can’t be there. There’s like over 800 people going, so it’s a lot more than normal. We are living life like we’re kids because we are even though we now have to act a little more mature because of what has happened, but we are still just normal kids.
