Maran Foundation set up to teach non-violence
SAMOHI — Students gathered on the south lawn of campus Wednesday morning to remember lives that were tragically cut short.
A tree, dedicated to slain sophomore Deanna Maran, was recently planted on the sunny hillside near Pico Boulevard.
But the tree will also serve in memory for all Santa Monica High School students who have passed away — Cindy Cruz, William Lopez, Tori Eckhard, Charles Conway, Chris Carey and Randall Ramsey, to name a few.
During the half-hour ceremony, which was attended by dozens of students and faculty, friends of Maran and Cruz’ brother, Jaime Cruz, spoke about their losses.
“I wish we didn’t have to be here today,” said Cruz of his little sister, who committed suicide. “The planting of this tree acknowledges the loss here at Samohi of all the young folk that have died senselessly.”
The tree is planted in an area where many Samohi students gather in the afternoon.
Friends of Maran, who was 15 years old when she was murdered Nov. 17, 2001, held back the tears as they talked about how they miss their friend known affectionately as “Lala,” her family nickname.
“It’s probably been the hardest experience of my life,” said Tim Livingston, who carried an injured Maran to the car after she was stabbed by another teenager at a party in Westwood two years ago. “To deal with death at the age of 15 is a life-changing experience.”
Maran’s parents, Harriet and Ilja Maran, who live in the Ocean Park neighborhood, attended the ceremony with their son, Ilja, who attends John Muir Elementary.
“It was good to see the kids,” Harriet Maran said. “It’s important.”
Samohi teacher Bill Wishart, said he taught Lopez, who died quickly from leukemia two years ago, and Eckhard, who fell from a roof. Both students were juniors when they died.
“It’s very meaningful for the students remaining here, it’s an excellent way to express their grief,” Wishart said. “It’s really hard to take but I think our kids are really resilient.”
The Maran family started a foundation in Deanna’s name to teach non-violence throughout the community and the country. It seeks to build an active group of students, teachers, parents and community members who commit to teaching others about the symptoms of violence, how to prevent escalation of violence, and how to stop it entirely.
By connecting people to resources that educate students in grades K-12 about non-violent solutions, habits, and sensibilities, the Marans hope one day conflicts will end in peaceful resolution.
Ilja Maran said the programs and scholarships will start locally. But in the future, he envisions the foundation to support programs throughout the country. Thousands of dollars have been raised since Deanna’s death.
The first scholarship will be given out through Samohi this school year — the year Deanna would have graduated. It will award $750 each to two seniors who most exhibit the qualities possessed by Deanna — sincerity, generosity, kindness and the concern for the welfare of others. A 600-word essay on the topic of “What I have done to contribute to a more just and non-violent community” is required and two letters of recommendation.
One scholarship will be dedicated to a Samohi senior in gratitude to the community’s generous support immediately following Deanna’s murder.
By keeping the story alive, the Marans hope that people, especially children, remember that the tragedy could have been avoided had an alternative been used to resolve the dispute. Deanna had a brief altercation with a 15-year-old girl at the party. Once party goers broke up the fight, the 15-year-old called her sister who came to the party and stabbed Deanna while dozens of teenagers looked on.
The Marans are using Deanna’s murder, as well as other similar stories, as case studies to be taught by leaders in the community. The foundation’s Web site is www.maranfoundation.org.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 11, 2003. Read the original PDF.