Courier Photo: Carlos Mercado
Schoolmates of two James Logan students who died this weekend wept and otherwise showed their grief Tuesday, the first day of classes after the early Sunday crash that also injured another student.
School administrators invited students and staff to leave written messages on a large poster to their departed classmates, Izaiah “Zay” Mease, 17, and Joe “Junior” Ioramo, who were killed when the 2004 Honda Accord Mease was driving crashed into a Dodge Ram pickup truck on southbound Interstate 880 near the West A Street off ramp.
One wrote, “Rest easy, Zay, we know you are looking at us from above, never forgotten.”
“It’s surreal to think that you are away from this world, “ wrote another, “I know are you still living your life after death. “
Courier Staff Photo
“No parent should Have to bury their child. My prayers are with your family,”wrote another.
Jazzy wrote, “Heaven got an amazing angel. Rest easy June.”
Deja added: “RIP Junebug. You were too young. I’m gonna miss you and I promise to watch over your family, gonna keep your name brother! This isn’t goodbye it’s a “see you later!”
Mease had attended New Haven schools since elementary school. One long-time classmate, who identified herself only as Charlotte A, wrote: “Hey June, haven’t really talked to you in a very long time. I only remember one fond memory with you, and it was only back in first grade, where you had that thing stuck up on your nose. You must’ve been the clown in every class of yours. Rest easy my fellow friend.”
“I grew up with Junior for most of my life and am still friends with him now, “ said Andre, a student who didn’t want to give his last name. “I was really shocked by the news and it really hurt that someone could be gone the next day.“ He said he had known Mease “since my middle school years” and “have been really close with him.”
Mease attended Alvarado Middle School.
Courier Photo: Carlos Mercado
Senior Braffer Morris, a friend of Mease, said he regretted his last meeting with him. “I wish I could have changed what I said … for the final time I spoke to him.” ” Morris said.
Campus Security Technician Patricia Gonzalez, Mease’s aunt, “ We will carry them in our hearts forever. Both were very unique and very special.”
For some staff members, the tragic deaths brought to mind their daily concerns about the students they serve.
“Everyday I tell the students to take care of themselves and to tell their loved ones they love them,” said CST Gonzalez.
Students and staff also wrote get well wishes for Izaiah Paopao, who was injured in the crash, on a large poster taped to a table in Colt Court. Paopao is recovering at Eden Medical Center.
On Monday, hundreds of classmates and family members gathered in the student parking lot at the corner of H Street and Alvarado-Niles Blvd. for a candlelight vigil, on of two vigils held at the campus after the tragic accident.
“I attended Junior’s candle vigil, it was crazy,” said Preet Samra on Tuesday, “When his sister was speaking everybody started crying. It was insanely hard but everybody came to support his family.”