> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Deanna Maran remembered - URL: https://www.smdp.com/deanna-maran-remembered/ - Published: 2001-11-27T16:00:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-22T22:28:43.000Z - Author: Carolyn Sackariason - Tags: Education, Santa Monica, #archive-import *Non-violence the message at Maran Samohi memorial* “The night was a big blur. Looking back is like fast forwarding a scary movie,” said a friend of Deanna Maran, who spoke publicly for the first time since her high school classmate was murdered 11 days ago. Friends reflected, mourned and said good-bye to the 15-year-old s o p h o m o r e, along with hundreds of others at the Greek theater at Santa Monica High School Monday. It was there that Maran was an honor student, a member of the choir, and played on the track, volleyball and water polo teams. Maran was fatally stabbed at a party in West Los Angeles after she fought with a 15-year-old who was “trashing the house.” Maran didn’t like the teen’s behavior and told her so. Unfortunately, Maran’s principles and values resulted in her death. The 15-year-old’s sister, identified as Katrina Sarkissian, came to the party and allegedly stabbed Maran. Maran’s friends drove her to the hospital but it was too late. She died just after midnight. Fellow student and friend Tim Livingston carried Maran, soaked in blood, to the car. Livingston shared his thoughts about the fateful night through a poem he wrote in an attempt to make sense of his friend’s death. “So many times, I have played this night in my head, but the next thing I knew you were dead...” Maran was remembered as a person who was much wiser than her age would suggest. Her attitude toward life remained positive and loving towards others, friends said. “She loved life and made everyone else love life, too,” said friend Kiyoshi Houston. “She always wanted things to be cool and that’s what she was trying to do that night she died... I still cannot believe that something so tragic could have happened to someone that wonderful. De-anna, you have imprinted yourself on us.” The teen, also a f f e c t i o n a t e l y known as “Lala,” wasn’t afraid to stand up for what she believed in and called people on their behavior when it was warranted. She was a strong girl, full of zest, courage and tenacity, say her friends, teachers and family. Even more, she understood the meaning of being kind to others. And she put her beliefs into practice according to the two dozen friends and teachers who spoke at the memorial. Ms. Everett, an educator at Maran’s former school, John Adams Middle School, said she asked other teachers to reflect on Maran as a student. They spoke about her “bubbly personality, her ability to bring diverse groups together, her energy and enthusiasm, her sense of humor, her natural talent as a school leader and her accomplishments as an athlete.” “I think it is so interesting to know that everyone had such vivid memories of her,” she said. She added that the message drilled into John Adams students was “KRR,” which translates into “kindness, respect and responsibility.” It obviously rubbed off on Maran. “It probably sounded silly at the time, maybe even trite. But I think about the events that brought us here today and all of the lessons we could have taught you. Perhaps the KRR lesson was the most important lesson of all,” she said. The overriding message throughout the two-hour memorial was non-violence. “The first step toward non-violence is kindness and just acting like a human being,” said Maran’s sister, Amika. “Of all the stories I have heard about my sister they say, ‘I loved your sister, she was special.’ Why is that special? Why is treating each other as human beings special? “It was her instinct to make you feel better,” she continued. “The first step to non-violence is being kind to each other. It’s that simple.” > “It was her instinct to make you feel better. The first step to non-violence is being kind to each other. It’s that simple.” — — AMIKA MARAN Deanna Maran’s sister Maran was a small girl who had a propensity to eat, her friends joked. She had a bright future ahead of her. Maran’s friends admired her ability to maintain a 4.0 grade point average, hold down a job as a hostess at the Firehouse, and remain a member of so many student activities. And finally, she found the time to play on three team sports. “Out of everything I know of her, she would have changed the world,” said a volleyball teammate. “She got good grades and was an athlete,” said one of her best friends. “I was failing in school and was always getting myself in trouble. To live half of what she would have become would be a great achievement in my life.” It’s clear that Maran’s spirit and zest for life will be carried throughout her classmates’ lives. “We all know her... the tan, the teeth, the thick black hair, the grin... her approach was simple and unassuming but she carried herself with confidence,” said a water polo teammate. “Lala was the energy source.” > “We all know her... the tan, the teeth, the thick black hair, the grin... her approach was simple and unassuming but she carried herself with confidence. Lala was the energy source.” Maran’s closest friends remembered all of the joys of adolescence with her — going to the beach, sun tanning on the roof, learning how to surf, rollerblading, shopping for clothes, eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts, In & Out hamburgers, the International House of Pancakes and many more. A co-worker at the Firehouse said her beauty went further than just her looks, which were noticed by many male customers. Many were sadly informed that someone so beautiful could only be 15 years old, he joked. “Lala was gorgeous inside and out,” he said. “Your smile and your cute little dimple brightened up our days.” > “Your smile and your cute little dimple brightened up our days.” — — Firehouse co-worker The only thing that her friends can take away from their tragic loss is to learn compassion by practicing goodwill toward others. Said one friend: “What a price to pay for a lesson.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/112701-02_01.jpg) Above: Amika Maran reflects on the loss of her sister while the Santa Monica High School band plays a rendition of ‘Ave Maria’ during the teen’s memorial on Monday. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/112701-02_02.jpg) Above: Amika Maran reflects on the loss of her sister while the Santa Monica High School band plays a rendition of ‘Ave Maria’ during the teen’s memorial on Monday. (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/112701-02_03.jpg) (Photo: Carolyn Sackariason/Daily Press) *Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 27, 2001.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/112701.pdf?ref=smdp.com)