Paul Anthony Lopez,...Just An Angel
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Welcome to the Paul Anthony Lopez memorial web page. Contributions for the Paul Anthony Lopez Scholarship Fund can be sent to:
Paul Anthony Lopez Scholarship Fund
c/o Consumer Affairs and Claims
P.O. Box 7604
Hauppauge, NY 11760-9631
Paul Anthony Lopez, born October 19, 1980, graduated an honor student from St. Anthony's High School in June of 1998. He was on his way to New York University after earning competitive scholarships. On July 30, 1998, Paul went out for a pizza with his two friends Rebecca and Kim. The three were hit by a drunk driver. Paul went into a coma and two days later was pronounced dead. Rebecca suffered from minor injuries. Kimberly is still suffering from serious injuries.
This page has been started to commemorate a wonderful person. The following passage is Paul's entrance letter to New York University. It perfectly illustrates his aspirations and views of life.
"I was born into a strong Puerto Rican family with a rich history which has created much of who I am today. My father's family was one of the traditional farmers who worked hard and came to New York in search of the infamous American opportunity. My mother's family consisted of rich plantation owners. Her mother came to this country more out of rebellion from her aristocratic chains than any social or economic struggle. Both sides of the family worked hard. They worked until their hands bled, and they only had sweat and tears to wash the blood."
"My parents were raised in Spanish Harlem and were taught that the only way out was to work. My mother worked in her mother's clothing factory while she attended two years of college. My father began work with Eastern Airlines in La Guardia Airport. They moved to Long Island to raise a family, hopefully the product of that dream which began in Puerto Rico so many years ago. They always held on to the seeds of their heritage which they planted in my two sisters and I. My sisters seemed to assimilate more into the Anglo society in which we lived. I on the other hand strived for my own people. Living in a society which constituted of strong American ideals and culture, I felt something missing."
"My first conscious trip to Puerto Rico was at the age of fifteen. I had never seen a more beautiful land. The mountains of my families' native Cupey Alto and Corozal were glorious in sight. The cities of San Juan and Ponce struck me with awesome beauty. There in Puerto Rico I found the missing piece of my heart. I finally understood why one would say 'Puerto Rico my heart's desire.' I strived for a way to express this feeling. I found this outlet in music. I recognized the great contribution my people had in music to Latin America and the world and what a better way to personify that music than in dance. Upon my return to New York I realized that deep in me lie a dancer and that I must bring him out to show the world. I learned the basics from family gatherings and improved what I learned by watching programs on television that consisted of dance. I began to perform at cultural celebrations in my school. I was inspired from the respect I received to learn more. I taught myself tango, cha cha cha, plena, cumbia, and mambo. My parents recognized my talents and entered me into the Traveling Hispanic Theatre, an inexpensive folkloric dance company. There I learned flamenco, bomba, and various other dances from Latin America. In the theatre I also found the people I had been in search of. These dancers became my second family. I found people striving for the same means of expression restricted by the ignorant society in which we live in."
"My school atmosphere is radically different from my theatre atmosphere. In school I am challenged to excel in a society where I am not supposed to belong. If my mentality was controlled by a constant idea of oppression my achievements would be limited. I do realize there is a difference between my friends from both atmospheres. Somewhere there must be a link between these radical barriers. In my education I have come to realize what a great opportunity I have to be in school. We can not take for granted something denied to children of so many nations throughout the world. This is my inspiration for learning. I enjoy being involved in school. I am seriously committed to the National Honor Society, United Colors Club, Symphonic Band and various other events that take place during the school year."
"In my school everyone knows I am Puerto Rican. They did not come to know this by the flaunting of a beaded flag or the useless complaining of social oppression of my people. They know it because of my dancing. It is when I dance that they are compelled to ask where I am from. I feel these means have a greater effect on the extermination of stereotypes and the future progression of our people."
"I do attend a private parochial school and I am grateful for this opportunity everyday. There are however many sacrifices that go along with this education. In my eyes I am 'rich', this is because I look at it from a worldly prospective yet in comparison with the rest of the society in which I live, I am not so rich. Life is not easy and I have had my share of problems. I acquire money for lunch by searching through the couch for spare change. I do not experience luxurious vacations or weekend escapades with my friends. Although I do not hold a job during the school year, due to the belief held by my mother that it interferes with my studies, I do work hard. My mother suffers from breast cancer and my father from liver trouble. Of course I don't mind taking care of them and maintaing the house, but it is stressful when so many obligations must be met. My parents always make sure that there is food on the table and clothes on my back to provide the best life possible. Financially we are strained. We never know if we can keep the house, have a car, or live comfortably. It would be fine if they wanted me to attend a community college, but they and myself want the best education possible which can only be attained by financial aid."
"In the future I hope to apply what I have learned to my goals. I aspire to receive a doctorate in psychology and begin a bilingual practice. With my success I plan to contribute to my community. There is nothing more I would like to see than the advancement of my people. If possible I would make financial contributions but more important I would donate my time to the children and youth of our community. The world we live in is not so pleasant anymore and I feel time will be needed to provide for moral and virtuous youth. First I feel I must be a youth and represent that youth to the best of my ability."
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