By Alex Wycoff
Staff Writer
Mira Costa alumnus Rachel Kekauoha, who graduated from Mira Costa last year, was killed in an auto accident on April 6 at roughly 3:27 a.m. on Interstate 40 on her way to Lake Havasu, according to the California Highway Patrol.
Kekauoha was a graduate of the Costa class of 2011 and had many different relationships with many different people. Her passing shocked the community.
“There are a whole range of emotions that take place,” counselor Sue Bertran said. “Everybody responds differently. There are different phases of grief. There’s a different range of emotions that people will feel.”
The Mira Costa faculty and students are extremely upset by her passing.
“Rachel was the nicest person I had ever met,” senior Jill Thompson said. “I looked up to her and learned so much from her. It is very difficult to see someone with such a big heart pass away.”
Faculty members and school advisors feel a sense of guardianship and awareness of students that have been affected by the loss of a Costa student.
“I worry about you guys all the time,” Costa Principal Ben Dale said. “This has made me want to protect you all more. You just never know what tomorrow brings. Tell the people close to you every day that you love them.”
Despite this tragic loss, Costa counselors and others urge those affected by this event to seek support if need be.
“You don’t have to go through it alone,” Bertran said. “Reach out to someone. Getting help and getting some necessary support is the way to go. That’s what we’re here for on this earth, to support each other.”
A funeral and memorial service was held on April 21 at 11 a.m. for Kekauoha at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Manhattan Beach.
In order to raise money for her funeral service expenses, the Kekauoha family held a fundraiser at the Counter last Thursday.
“The Mira Costa family experienced a great loss,” Dale said. “This is a terrible loss to the Mira Costa family, the student’s family and our community.”
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