Still Grieving, Dublin High Returns To Class, Honors Classmates

DUBLIN, CA — Dublin High School students are usually chipper upon their return to school after the holidays, but this year was different, the district said. Students were still reeling from the loss of 16-year-old classmates Javier Ramirez and twins Mark Urista and Michael Urista, who were killed in a Christmas night car crash in Pleasanton.

The boys were honored with a moment of silence Tuesday and much of the campus community wore red — their favorite color. Others built posters in memorial of the boys.

Counselors and therapy dogs were onhand to help comfort the students, and families were given a list of resources to help students work through their grief, said Dublin Unified School District spokesperson Chip Dehnert in an email.

"You can't deny the power of these animals to help people heal and they were working some much-needed magic yesterday," he wrote.

Counselors visited the boys' classes to talk to their classmates. For students in need of a creative outlet to express themselves, art supplies were made available in the school's Career Center and newly opened Wellness Center, Dehnert said.

And while the Dublin High community may have known Javier, Mark and Michael best, Dehnert said there has been an outpouring of support from area residents. Students from other schools joined in the effort to wear red on the first day back from winter break. At a Dublin High and Amador Valley High basketball game, the teams and fans participated in a moment of support for the boys and the victims still recovering.

Two other teens, Dublin High student Samantha Vargas Arceo and James Logan High student Jared Reynoso, suffered critical injuries in the crash. Officials were not able to provide an update on their condition, but KTVU reported on New Year's Day that Reynoso was still in a medically induced coma.

The California Highway Patrol has not determined the cause of the collision, but does not believe alcohol or drugs were at play.

"We stand with our community in hoping both Samantha and Jared have a full recovery and are returned to the care of their family ASAP," Dehnert wrote.

As students continue to process the tragic loss of their classmates, Dublin High has scheduled a meeting for parents and staff to help them "support our students as they navigate this complicated situation," Dehnert wrote. Presenters will help the crowd know how to recognize grief, how to talk about grief with a young person and more.

Speakers include: Father Lawrence D’Anjou of St. Raymonds Catholic Church; Pastor Randy McGrady-Beach of John Knox Presbyterian Church and co-president of Dublin Integrity In Action; HUME Counselors Natalie Brewton and Kristina Oshiro; and Dublin High Counselors Caroline Rubio and Cynthia Walker.

The event will be held in the Dublin High Student Union Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The community took to social media to mourn the boys, tagging posts with #longlivemmj, an apparent reference to the boys' initials.

To some grieving on social media, the boys were brothers, beautiful people, angels, first friends and loved ones. Youth mused on the importance of telling loved ones that they are loved before it's too late and not taking life for granted.

"Fly high boys," one poster wrote. "We'll always remember you."