Columbine students to speak in Costa Mesa

Danette Goulet

COSTA MESA -- They survived one of the most horrifying events in recent

history.

Now, four students from Columbine High School in Littleton, Colo., are

visiting other campuses around the nation to talk about their experience

last year when two students shot and killed 12 classmates and a teacher.

On Friday morning, they will describe their experiences -- and talk about

how they think the tragedy could have been prevented -- to students at

Costa Mesa High School.

It is just one of several stops for the Columbine students, who are on a

two-week tour of Orange County schools, said John Batty, Costa Mesa’s

activities director.

Students at Costa Mesa said they are looking forward to the visit because

it will bring home the reality of what happened at Columbine.

“It’s a good idea,” said Farshid Kazi, the student body president at

Costa Mesa High. “It doesn’t really hit you as much until a person who

experienced it is right in front of you. It really hits you a lot harder

when you see someone filled with that much emotion.”

John Santos, a freshman, said he is very interested to hear an update

about how Columbine students are doing now.

“I wanted to know what happened, what they are doing now and what

Columbine as a school is doing to prevent this from happening again,” he

said.

Some people seem to think that such a violent incident could never arise

at their school, but Santos said sometimes he worries it might.

“Hopefully not, but there are a few kids I’m worried about,” he said.

Farshid said he hopes the Columbine students’ presentation will make an

impact on Costa Mesa.

“It will affect those who may be on the borderline of doing something

they shouldn’t do,” he said.