Tragedy strikes over winter holiday
Say bye to the "happy little bird" and "ray of sunshine" by their teachers
Yu Chung Sze
Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: Campus Life
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December 12, an unforgettable day that two of Peninsula College's international students, Duo Li, from Guang Xi China, and Chi Kan Cheung "Raymond", from Hong Kong, lost their lives in a car wreck. Despite the fact that Duo and Raymond passed away, they will live on in the hearts of their friends forever.
Duo was a hard-working and pleasant young woman. Because of her active and optimistic character, Duo was surrounded by friends. Although she was 21 years old, she had the heart of a child. Her favorite treats were green tea ice cream and chocolate.
However, don't underestimate that young woman. "She enjoyed being the organizer of the big events every time, such as international students welcome party, and never
disappointed the people," says Joleen Christopher, Duo's host mom.
Mana Watanbe is an international student from Japan who lived with Duo for about one year in the same host family. Mana is one of Duo's best friends. While she was watching Japanese TV shows from her laptop, Duo would always remind her to finish her homework first. It was priceless memories Mana will never forget.
Teachers who taught Duo were always impressed with Duo's work ethic and serious attitude. "I like to remember how Duo always seemed to be smiling. She reminded me of a happy little bird who greeted me with a cheerful song," says Janet Lucas, teacher of Duo's English 90 class. "I miss Duo's warm smile and generous spirit. She was a bright light in this world and will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by the Peninsula College community. The joy and kindness that she embodied are gifts that will remain with us," says Erin Kate Murphy, Duo's English Second Language (ESL) teacher.
Raymond was a nice and quiet young man who was interested in computer science. The first impression of him was almost the same, an intellectual man seldom talks. However, after spending some time with him, people found that Raymond was an unselfish person who always put his friends before himself.
"Raymond is a helpful and true friend who tried his best to help others, especially in solving the computer problems," says Peony Cheng, one of Raymond's best friends, who is also an international student from Hong Kong. "Raymond was such an industrious, sensitive, and joyful young man. He was like a ray of sunshine," says Melanie Falcioni, Raymond's ESL teacher.
In support of Duo and Raymond's families, college staff and students helped with visa and international travel arrangements, transportation, memory book's making, fund raising and the creation of Facebook group "R.I.P. Duo & Raymond".
The tax-deductible donations for the families of Duo and Raymond keep rolling in. They can be sent to the Peninsula College Foundation's Cheung/Li Memorial Fund, 1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles, WA 98362.
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