Teen Anger Erupts in Violence

I was so saddened by the story about Deanna Maran, the Santa Monica High School student who was fatally stabbed at a party (Nov. 21). My heart goes out to the Maran family. I wish I could say it also shocked me. The story brought back some painful memories. When my son was a senior at Santa Monica High School, he was severely beaten about the head and body at a party in Malibu. He was left for dead by his predators. When friends found him, unconscious, he was airlifted to UCLA. I received the phone call at 3 a.m.

The beating was unprovoked; his assailants were angry with him and his friends for some reason no one even remembers, and he was jumped. Fortunately for my son, he survived. It’s my feeling that high schools should have anger-management classes and counseling for students. Santa Monica High offered very little to those involved in my son’s situation. In fact, it was pretty much swept under the carpet.

Kim Saylors

Los Angeles