Dana Middle School

This assembly was the grand finale to the other TKF programs that Dana Counselor, Fred Laskowski, has been leading at Dana all year; the Ending the Cycle of Violence (ECV) program and the Circle of Peace program.  The assembly was a huge success and received an overwhelmingly positive response from the students.

 

TKF was formed in 1995 after 20-year-old SDSU student Tariq Khamisa was senselessly shot and killed while delivering pizzas, by a 14-year-old gang member, Tony Hicks.  Believing that there were “victims on both ends of the gun”, Tariq’s father, Azim Khamisa, reached out in forgiveness to Tony’s grandfather and guardian, Ples Felix to begin the process of healing.  Since that time, Azim and Ples have dedicated their lives to ending the epidemic of youth violence that plagues our country.  To help prevent such tragedies from striking other families, they have spoken to thousands of school children about the pain and loss they have personally experienced, the power of choice, and the importance of forgiveness.

 

Though the Dana 6th grade students already knew the story and had seen Mr. Khamisa and Mr. Felix through the video series they have been watching, everyone agreed that seeing them and hearing them speak in person was a very powerful experience for all.  A news crew from the local NBC station was at Dana Middle filming a current and past student for a TKF success story which was televised Friday morning.  You can view the news video here.

 

Many guests were present from parents to various members or the community from all over San Diego County. A grand applause to all our Dana students who have taken the concept to heart and have been excellent role models in this endeavor.

 

As the program states, “everyone deserves to be loved and treated well”. Let us continue to move forth in an effort to create a peaceful world.