Honoring Kobe Bryant

The news of the death of Kobe Bryant (1978-2020) on January 26, 2020 shook Los Angeles and the world to its core. New West Charter High School students wore purple and gold to honor the Lakers icon. Here are some of the many students who participated in this spirit day on January 31, 2020:

Juniors Malena Bell (left), Tess Carlson (inset), and Audrey Bell

Freshmen wearing Kobe Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers jerseys

Senior Sierra Velasquez

Junior Stella Raymond

Junior Sara González

On January 31, 2020, I went to the Kobe Bryant memorial at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles. The crowd was reverent and respectful as they grieved this devastating loss. Here are some of the photos from the memorial:

On February 8, 2020, my family and I visited El Camino Real, the small, family-run Mexican institution known as Kobe Bryant and his family’s favorite restaurant in Fullerton, California (approximately 40 miles from New West Charter High School in West Los Angeles). While the food was delicious, inexpensive (as compared to West Los Angeles food prices), and quite filling, the long lines at the restaurant were surely caused by those who wished to honor Kobe. Here are some photos from the restaurant:

Junior Malena Bell at El Camino Real

The Kobe Bryant Memorial Service will be held at Staples Center on February 24, 2020 at 10 a.m. PST. This memorial service will be another way mourners can grieve the death of Kobe Bryant as well the other eight passengers who died in the horrific helicopter crash alongside him (his daughter, Gianna Bryant, 13; Payton Chester, 13; Sarah Chester, 45; Alyssa Altobelli, 14; Keri Altobelli; 46; John Altobelli, 56; Christina Mauser, 38; helicopter pilot Ara Zobayan, 50).