WOODLAND HILLS : Scholarships Named After Slain Student

Two Taft High School seniors--average students who worked hard and have dreamed of college--will receive $500 scholarships tonight in the name of LaMoun Thames, a classmate who was stabbed to death three years ago.

LaMoun, who was 15 when he died, would have graduated this month with the scholarship winners. He was attacked after football practice while waiting for a bus to his home in South-Central Los Angeles. Authorities said his killers mistook him for a rival gang member.

“It’s kind of nice to end this on a positive note,” said Suzanne Lewis, a Woodland Hills parent of one of LaMoun’s classmates, who helped organize a fund-raising drive to help the boy’s family pay funeral expenses.

Lewis also has organized candlelight vigils on the anniversary of LaMoun’s death near the site where he died at Winnetka Avenue and Ventura Boulevard.

Actor Tony Danza, who came to the funeral after hearing of the tragedy, donated the $1,000 in scholarship money. He is donating $5,000 for scholarships to be given out in LaMoun’s name next year as well.

“I was deeply touched he took the time to come out to this young boy’s funeral in South-Central,” Lewis said. She contacted Danza through his publicist and he offered to help.

The names of the scholarship winners will be announced at the school’s senior awards tonight.

The scholarship is meant for C students who shared LaMoun’s dream of going to college and playing football, and could even go to one of his teammates, Lewis said. Students will also dedicate a nine-foot tree in LaMoun’s name on the Taft campus.

Danza will personally present the scholarships.

Oscar Andres Lopez, 19, of Northridge was ordered by a judge to stand trial for murder in LaMoun’s death. Lopez and a 15-year-old were arrested a year ago.

“I was struck by the profound irony that his family had sent him here from South Central,” Lewis said.

“At every corner, every child should be safe.”