Rally at Grossmont High helps spark new spirit after 'a bum year'

April 7, 2001

LA MESA -- Students at Grossmont High have had enough sorrow and tragedy this year, with the deaths of three students at their school, the two shootings on nearby campuses and the rumors floating around about more violence.

They threw a unity party yesterday, joining hands with teachers, parents, grandparents and other relatives and friends to ring the school quad at lunchtime. Members of the San Diego Chargers also were there.

"We wanted to show the community we can come together," said Brenda Hernandez, an 18-year-old senior and Associated Student Body member.

About noon, some 2,000 students, the staff and several hundred parents linked arms and joined hands when Principal Brad Lichtman stepped up to the microphone.

Lichtman talked about how they were people of all sizes, with different hair colors, from different countries, young people and old people and people who believed in different things.

"But together, who are we?" Lichtman shouted.

"We are Grossmont," the group shouted back.

Afterward, people lounged on the grass or sat at benches eating hamburgers and drinking sodas provided free by many donors. A dance group performed and there was music.

At one point, a group of students spontaneously jumped up on the blue stage and sang, "We all need somebody to lean on" along with the recording.

Gayle Ganster, co-president of the Parent Teacher Student Association, came up with the idea. Lichtman got on board and the event was planned in a week, just in time for spring break starting Monday.

"The mood has been awful since the Santana shootings: parent fears, student anxiety," Lichtman said. "There has not been a worse month in the history of this district or the history of this school."

As 17-year-old senior Andrew Johnson said: "People have been crying a lot. It needs to get a little better. It's been a bum year."

Two of the Grossmont High students who died this school year committed suicide, one parent and several students said. It was unclear how the third student died. The district declined to comment, citing confidentiality.

On March 5, two students were killed by gunfire at Santana High and 13 people were injured. Five people were wounded 17 days later in a shooting at Granite Hills High.

School leaders were trying to lift the teens from their funk and get back to the business of having fun in high school. They wanted everyone to know they were OK, including displaying a huge sign on the grass that read, "Proud to be Grossmont," as news helicopters buzzed overhead.

"It's great to have something positive in light of all the negative," said parent Donna Judd. "We need to de-stress."

Students attended an all-school assembly last week and the message there also was, "We're finished with this fear," Lichtman said.

Said David Napolean, athletic director and a computer technology teacher, "It's the first time I felt kids were relaxed and having fun again."

But while many students and parents expressed support, not everyone was comforted.

"I feel like it's a show. There's a lot more that needs to be done," said Jennifer Cooksey, a 16-year-old sophomore. "People need to talk to their kids. No one wakes up one day and says, 'I want to shoot people.' We need more training for this."

Many students, though, said the unity party was a success.

"It was really wonderful," said Melissa Arthur, a 15-year-old freshman. "It shows we can win this, and school really is a safe place to be."