Graduation glee tinged with grief

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT BEACH -- Today would have been one of the happiest days in Andre

Stewart’s young life. He should be donning a cap and gown, lining up next

to friends and classmates and accepting his high school diploma.

Sadly, a tragic car accident on the Pomona Freeway in May took

18-year-old Stewart’s life, but it will not keep his family from

treasuring the moment on his behalf.

Knowing her son’s deep desire to graduate from Newport Harbor High

School, Sonja William will put on a gown today and accept Stewart’s

diploma in his stead.

“When he was laid to rest, that was closure for me. That’s when it really

hit home for me,” she said. “I know he had this determination to graduate

-- his ultimate goal was to graduate -- so it’s another plateau for me.

So, I’m excited, but I’m scared and very emotional right now.”

Following Stewart’s untimely death, the entire school community came

together to mourn the loss of a beloved friend and star athlete. Close

friends and even those who barely knew him remembered Stewart as one of

the finest people they knew.

The football field where the talented running back dazzled crowds with

his athletic ability became a shrine to him, covered with flowers and

signs to remember him. The football team asked that Stewart’s No. 2

jersey be retired.

That same field will be the arena for Newport Harbor’s graduation

ceremony.

Stewart’s half-brother, Lamar William, who was in the car with him but

escaped with minor injuries, asked his mother this week if he could

accept Andre’s diploma. Karen Stewart, Andre’s sister, also expressed a

desire to accept the diploma.

But Sonja William decided it would be best if she undertook the emotional

task herself.

The family asked that they receive a copy of Stewart’s diploma, but were

surprised and touched by the offer to take part in the commencement from

Newport Harbor principal Bob Boies.

“I was shocked,” William said. “It was another overwhelming thing. I just

got deeply emotional. It’s still hard. I’ve told people you take it day

by day, but that’s not even enough -- you take it moment by moment.”

Members of Stewart’s family are not the only ones grieving and suffering

in his absence. It has also been a trying time for his friends and

teammates, who were like brothers to him, said football coach Jeff

Brinkley.

“Obviously, it’s a very emotional thing for players because they were all

very close to him,” Brinkley said. “Going through spring football got

their minds off it, but this is a reminder of all the great things he did

while he was here.”

School officials will pay tribute to Stewart when they present his

diploma to his mother after all of the graduates have received theirs.

“I think it’s an appropriate way to close,” Boies said. “Andre will

always be a part of the Class of 2000.”