Return to Transcripts main page

American Morning

Feelings Mixed on Graduation Day at Santana High School

Aired June 15, 2001 - 09:05   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: At a high school graduation in Santee, California, pomp and circumstance was mixed with sadness this year. The school was the scene of deadly shooting back in March, and for the mother of one of the victims, graduation was a very difficult day.

CNN's Thelma Gutierrez has that story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

THELMA GUTIERREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Santana High School graduation day, a day for the Class of 2001 to look to the future. But a bittersweet day for Mari Gordon-Rayborn, her son, Randy, will never wear this cap and gown, never graduate, never celebrate with his family.

MARI GORDON-RAYBORN, MOTHER OF VICTIM: The physical pain is incredible to me to really -- to live with. Knowing that he's gone every morning and starts everything kind of new.

GUTIERREZ: Randy was only 17 when he was shot and killed at Santana High School. Fourteen-year-old Bryan Zuckor also died in the bloody rampage that left 13 others wounded back in March of this year.

AEMON CANNON, VALEDICTORIAN OF SANTANA HIGH SCHOOL: There was a day not so long ago when we all forgot what it meant to be innocent.

KAREN DEGISCHER, PRINCIPAL, SANTANA HIGH SCHOOL: Randy and Bryan will always remain in that heart.

GUTIERREZ: In her son's place among the 377 graduates...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Randy Michael Kershner (ph) Gordon.

(APPLAUSE)

GUTIERREZ: ... Mari Gordon-Rayborn, wearing her son's cap and gown, accepts Randy's high school diploma.

For the Class of 2001, it was the close of a chapter no one should have to experience.

Thelma Gutierrez, CNN, Santee, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE) TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com