On the one-year anniversary of her tragic death, family and friends of Tara Romero are inviting everyone to mark the anniversary and help celebrate a life cut short.
The Tara Romero Memorial Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, Nov. 4, exactly one year after the 14-year-old Morgan Hill resident was killed in a drive-by shooting on the corner of Cosmo and Del Monte avenues. Three other teens – all friends of Romero’s and fellow Sobrato students at the time – were injured by the gunfire.
Hosted by the “Everyone’s Child, the Tara Romero Youth Empowerment Project” and Annette Nevarez, the organization’s founder and Tara’s mother, the memorial will include live entertainment, local community speakers, including Morgan Hill Mayor Steve Tate, and a balloon release. The event will take place at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center at 17000 Monterey Street in the Hiram Morgan Hill multi-purpose room.
“The goal of this event is to celebrate a young life, but also to allow Tara’s family to thank the community for its support over the past year,” said Lisa Washington, executive director at Everyone’s Child. “We want this to be an uplifting event and, ultimately, try to turn tragedy into something positive for the community and the kids here who have experienced so much grief during this past year.”
Friends and family of Romero created “Everyone’s Child” to raise money for a public art project in honor of Romero and other fallen teens in the community. The nonprofit also works to raise money, on an ongoing basis, for youth scholarships, nonprofit youth organizations and other local groups that share the new nonprofit’s vision.
On Wednesday, Oct. 24, the hearing for the five young men accused of killing Romero was again continued. The suspects will next appear in court at the San Jose Hall of Justice at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15 for a preliminary hearing, according to Santa Clara County deputy district attorney Peter Waite.
The suspects have not yet entered a plea to the charges.
