Countywide : Teens Pay Tribute to Peer Who Was Killed

The bright face smiling at passers-by on the memorial plaque in the Cypress High School quad is that of a young woman just beginning her journey into adult life.

In a solemn tribute Monday, friends and family of former student Allison Saliture remembered how an allegedly drunken driver brought a tragic and early end to her journey last March.

“Each time we pass by Allison’s memorial, we will remember how she lived, but also how she died. She is forever in our hearts,” said her father, John Saliture, echoing the inscription on the black, stone tablet.

Almost 1,700 of Allison’s classmates filed silently past the memorial after the brief ceremony. Some wept. A few shuddered as they passed. Others craned their necks to read the inscription. Many just walked by, not even looking at the marker. One or two left the line to join the Saliture family.

Allison Saliture died March 31, five days after the crash and just 22 days after she and twin Jennifer had turned 16.

“It’s like I get reminded every day, by people looking at me and staring,” Jennifer said. “We got our first job together and we got our car together. It’s just hard thinking of how she’s not there to share all these things.”

Saliture and his wife, Haze, chose the first day of Red Ribbon Week, an anti-substance abuse observance, to dedicate the plaque, in the hope that it will discourage Jennifer’s classmates from drinking and driving.

Police said Rene Castorena’s car was going more than 100 m.p.h. on Valley View Avenue, running stoplights and weaving into opposing traffic lanes before it slammed into the rear of the car in which Allison was a passenger.

Castorena, 19, who police say tested as intoxicated, faces a charge of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence in a trial set for Nov. 14. Castorena is in the Orange County Jail.

Red Ribbon Activities

The use of red ribbons as an anti-substance abuse symbol began as a tribute to federal Drug Enforcement Administration agent Enrique Camarena, who was tortured and slain by drug traffickers in 1985. Some of the Red Ribbon Week observances in Orange County this week:

* Paularino Elementary School, Costa Mesa: Students will view a “Fantastic Kids Show” on how to say no to drugs today; participate in a barbecue and “wear red day” Wednesday, pledge not to use drugs Thursday, and join a Jog-a-Thon fund-raiser Friday.

* Goldenwest Street at the San Diego Freeway: 400 Westminster School District students will stage an anti-drug march Friday through Westminster Mall.

* Los Amigos High School, Fountain Valley: “Virgin” drinks including strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas will be sold at lunch today; students will dress in red and launch balloons Wednesday and take pledges Thursday.

* McGarvin Intermediate School, Garden Grove: Students will write brief essays today, sign a banner at lunch Wednesday and wear red Friday.

* Other Garden Grove Unified School District schools: Plans include “wear red days,” displays of cars wrecked by drunken drivers, Red Ribbon Week quilts and essay contests.

* Fullerton School District schools: Bells toll at noon all week to remind students to remain drug-free. Drag-racing car at Golden Hill School on Wednesday will show “Drugs Are a Drag”; a pledge banner will be posted in the cafeteria Thursday, and a clown will visit Friday to hand out red candy whips and remind students not to “Clown Around with Drugs.”

* Orange Unified School District board: Passed resolution supporting Red Ribbon Week.

* Brea-Olinda Unified School District schools: City of Brea sponsors events, including bumper sticker design contest for K-6 students; seventh- and eighth-graders will be asked to write letters to family members who smoke, drink or take drugs to ask them to stop; ninth- through 12th-graders will write essays on “How to Resist Peer Pressure.”

Source: Individual schools, districts; Researched by HOLLY J. WAGNER / For The Times