Natalie Masachi, News Editor
The helicopter that chauffeured Kobe Bryant from his Orange County home to the Los Angeles area departed Santa Ana-John Wayne Airport shortly after 9 a.m. on a foggy Sunday morning with nine people aboard.
Its destination was the Camarillo Airport, northwest of Los Angeles, near Mr. Bryant’s sports academy. When Kobe Bryant tragically died with his teenage daughter Gianna and seven others, the entire basketball world stood still.
Some might argue that the nation as a whole was in shock. Millions of people around the world know who Kobe Bryant was, have watched him play, or were inspired by his work ethic and competitive spirit, including business owners and entrepreneurs.
On campus many are heartbroken by the death of Kobe Bryant, in fact they honored this tragedy with wearing his number “24” Lakers jerseys or representing the colors of his team with purple and yellow.
Teachers like Mrs. Duncan here on campus shared some moments from Bryant’s life that inspires her, “Mamba Mentality! Grind it out, work hard, never give up. If you fail, just use those factors as information you need to go back to the drawing board and potential he hit a slam dunk the next opportunity”.
Quotes such as “Live each day with a purpose” and “Be a positive role model” are some of the ideas Mrs. Duncan carries with her even after this tragedy.
Kobe Bryant became a 5 time NBA Champion, 2 time NBA Finals MVP, 2008 NBA MVP, 12 time NBA All-Star, 3 time NBA All-Star Game MVP, 2 time scoring champion, 12 time All-NBA selection, 10 time defensive selection, and now, entitled as one of the top ten players of all time by the man, Michael Jordan.
But even with all these achievements, the most important achievement in his life was the love he had for his family. His mentality was able to touch so many young basketball players to make it all the way the same he did.
Talking with Brian Prouty, a varsity boys basketball player he shares his grief, “Kobe [Bryant] got me into basketball when I was little – without him I wouldn’t be playing, the news of his passing was depressing for my entire family. Being Laker fans, we all watched him play and seeing him gone is just heartbreaking”.
As he shares how Kobe Bryant was able to make an impact goes to show the impact he has made on future athletes.
While this has been a devastating time for the Bryant family, other passengers on the helicopter that day lost their lives in the terrible crash.
In loving memory of Kobe and Gianna Bryant, Payton Chester, Sarah Chester, Alyssa Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, John Altobelli, Christina Mauser, and the helicopter’s pilot, Ara Zobayan.
The Cat's Eye 