Tracy Press

 
A pot-luck fundraiser will take place tonight at Lincoln Park to raise money to help pay the funercal costs for the late Harmony One student Denzell Hines.

West High art student Anthony Sul painted a mural of his deseased friend. Glenn Moore/Tracy Press

Denzell, 16, attended West High for the last two years before he transferred in January to Harmony One, a county-run continuation school.

Picture collages and heartfelt messages in honor of Denzell are draped around the campus courtyard this week. School counselors opened the library during lunch hour to invite students to write messages and talk about the loss.

“I’ve been hearing kids share anecdotes about him and just talk about who he was,” Assistant Principal Karen Alcorn said. “The kids have really been amazing.”

West High students were hit hard again last January when West High junior Michael Ucci was killed in a car crash and three other students were severely injured. Alcorn said in the midst of both tragedies, she’s seen students come together to help out the victims’ families.

West High senior Anthony Sul didn’t know Denzell very well, but he couldn’t imagine not helping out.

The 17-year-old organized a potluck tonight to raise money for the Hines family and to start a scholarship fund in Denzell’s memory. Students have already collected more than $1,500 for the cause.

“The thing that’s been pushing me, is trying to get the whole community to break bread over this one person,” Anthony said.

He drove by the crash scene at the intersection of Corral Hollow and Schulte roads Friday night just minutes after Denzell was hit. Anthony is friends with the driver of the car that struck Denzell, 19-year-old John Holland.

“I sat there thinking, this family is going to go through a hard thing. I’ve got to do something,” he said. “To me, no matter who you are, everybody’s family.”

The potluck is at 6 p.m. today at Lincoln Park, 20 E. Eaton Ave.

For information: Anthony Sul, 914-7150 or Lisa Encarnacion, 346-5628

•We want to hear what you have to say. To reach Tracy Press reporter Danielle MacMurchy, call 830-4221 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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written by amy , May 08, 2008

That guy has TALENT!!!! Such a noble TRIBUTE!

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written by amy , May 08, 2008

Anthony Sul, beautiful work!

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written by yib , May 08, 2008

Wow! Talented kid +---what a tribute---+his family should be proud!

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written by theDream , May 08, 2008

Wow,Not just talent but Heart!!!!
Good job Anthony

My prayers and condolences go out to the Hines family

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written by Nicki , May 08, 2008

WOW awesome mural. Anthony you are very talented.

My condolences to the Hines family.

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written by tiredofitall , May 09, 2008

Beutiful job Anthony!
Rest in peace Denzell.

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written by keep it real , May 09, 2008

The mural is beautiful; even more beautiful is what he is trying to accomplish by organizing this potluck. Great job, Anthony!

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written by r.i.p denzell , May 09, 2008

happy jack get the f&*( off this site, you hella dumb for that one. damn.


restinpeace denzell, i told you i'd always have your backk bruh

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written by Silly Me , May 09, 2008

hAPPY jACK-
YOUR SUCH A LOWLIFE!

gREAT ART WORK YOUNGMAN!
i'LL BE AT THE POTLUCK!

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written by Royce , May 09, 2008

Death is often the distortion of truth.

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written by I Miss My Bestie , May 09, 2008

Hey bestie you see people here is really missing you. Man I miss you more though. Bestie I wish you was never gone. I miss all the fun times that we had with each other! U was my best friend, my lover, and my friend and Im glad that Im your friend. REST IN PEACE TO DENZELL K. HINES AKA MR SHOULDA LEAN!!!

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written by NARC , May 09, 2008

Wow, that is a beautiful peace of work! Right on Anthony! This is definitely a tragedy. Just a couple hours ago I seen another child who was hit by a car on Grantline & Corrow Hollow, That child couldn't be more then about 9. Condolences to the Hines family and to the other family.

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written by Kmart sherm-head , May 10, 2008

Denzell Hines was a thief.

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written by hmmph , May 10, 2008

denzell was a "black market" ipod/phone stealer. and sold them.

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written by Involved parent Tracy 10 yrs. , May 16, 2008

What a wonderful selfless thing to do for an aquaintance. You are a remarkable young man, and I wish nothing but the best for you, after all the terrible things that have happened you are a positive role model, and your actions have reflected positive on others including my West High student.