Feb. 2, 2010
Blair senior remembered after death
Blair senior Paris Essoumba committed suicide Monday evening at his home in Silver Spring. He was 17 years old. Crisis management teams will be available this week to help students and staff cope with the news of his death, according to Acting Principal Myriam Rogers.
Second period teachers read a message to classes on Tuesday morning informing students of Essoumba's death. Rogers did not have any specific information as to why Essoumba took his own life. "People describe him as a very happy person," she said. "It kind of came out of nowhere." News of Essoumba's death was first made public on Facebook on Monday.
Counselors followed Essoumba's schedule to be present for students in those classes, according to Rogers. Psychologists, Blair counselors, counselors from local schools and pupil personnel workers from Montgomery County Public Schools were also available on Tuesday to provide grief support.
Essoumba was a member of the varsity football team and the hip-hop group Those Guys. An avid rapper, he regularly performed at SGR Spectacular and Silver Quill open mic events. "His mom described that he would spend hours at his friend's recording studio," Rogers said.
Essoumba's friends described him as a lover of poetry and music whose sense of humor made him stand out in a crowd. "He always made me laugh," senior Imani Pierre said. "We'd exchange big cute smiles back and forth in the hallways."
Blair alumnus Carlos Arana, who met Essoumba two years ago, said Essoumba was one of the most talented musicians he knows. "Towards junior and senior year, he became a quiet person, and very chill and not like he used to be - except when he jumped on the mic," Arana said. "It's like he was a completely different person when he touched that mic."
Essoumba's teachers, including English resource teacher Vickie Adamson, also noticed the change in his demeanor. "I think there was a Paris who was vibrant and energetic and who had a great command of words, but I think there was another Paris who was different," Adamson said. "I just regret that we weren't able to help him more."
The SGA is planning a Freestyle Friday to pay tribute to Essoumba's love for music, according to SGA President Alex Bae. The SGA will also be collecting donations throughout the week to help Essoumba's family with the cost of his funeral.
In addition, Blair's administration has posted three large banners - two near the SAC and another near the main staircase - to allow students an opportunity to send a message to Essoumba's family.
Essoumba's death marks the third time in the past two years that a Blair student has died. In November 2008, freshman Tai Lam was shot and killed on a Montgomery County RideOn bus and in April 2009, freshman Astride Avoume-Memine died due to complications from a seizure. Rogers hopes that the Blair community can once again come together in the face of this tragedy. "It is a devastating loss to the Blair community, but we need to stay strong," she said.
Rogers is helping the Essoumba family reach out to the Blair community to raise funds for funeral expenses. Checks can be made payable to Montgomery Blair High School with the memo P. Essoumba.
Essoumba's funeral will be held on Monday, Feb. 8 at the Community of Washington D.C. Church on 1225 R Street N.W. The viewing will take place from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and services will occur from 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Students who wish to attend the funeral services on Monday must submit a note from a parent or guardian to the attendance office.
If you need support or guidance after school hours, the Montgomery County Crisis Center is available 24 hours a day at 240-777-4000.
Senior Paris Essoumba, a passionate musician and football player, died Monday evening.
Counselors followed Essoumba's schedule to be present for students in those classes, according to Rogers. Psychologists, Blair counselors, counselors from local schools and pupil personnel workers from Montgomery County Public Schools were also available on Tuesday to provide grief support.
Essoumba was a member of the varsity football team and the hip-hop group Those Guys. An avid rapper, he regularly performed at SGR Spectacular and Silver Quill open mic events. "His mom described that he would spend hours at his friend's recording studio," Rogers said.
Essoumba's friends described him as a lover of poetry and music whose sense of humor made him stand out in a crowd. "He always made me laugh," senior Imani Pierre said. "We'd exchange big cute smiles back and forth in the hallways."
Blair alumnus Carlos Arana, who met Essoumba two years ago, said Essoumba was one of the most talented musicians he knows. "Towards junior and senior year, he became a quiet person, and very chill and not like he used to be - except when he jumped on the mic," Arana said. "It's like he was a completely different person when he touched that mic."
Essoumba's teachers, including English resource teacher Vickie Adamson, also noticed the change in his demeanor. "I think there was a Paris who was vibrant and energetic and who had a great command of words, but I think there was another Paris who was different," Adamson said. "I just regret that we weren't able to help him more."
The SGA is planning a Freestyle Friday to pay tribute to Essoumba's love for music, according to SGA President Alex Bae. The SGA will also be collecting donations throughout the week to help Essoumba's family with the cost of his funeral.
Essoumba's death marks the third time in the past two years that a Blair student has died. In November 2008, freshman Tai Lam was shot and killed on a Montgomery County RideOn bus and in April 2009, freshman Astride Avoume-Memine died due to complications from a seizure. Rogers hopes that the Blair community can once again come together in the face of this tragedy. "It is a devastating loss to the Blair community, but we need to stay strong," she said.
Rogers is helping the Essoumba family reach out to the Blair community to raise funds for funeral expenses. Checks can be made payable to Montgomery Blair High School with the memo P. Essoumba.
Essoumba's funeral will be held on Monday, Feb. 8 at the Community of Washington D.C. Church on 1225 R Street N.W. The viewing will take place from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. and services will occur from 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Students who wish to attend the funeral services on Monday must submit a note from a parent or guardian to the attendance office.
If you need support or guidance after school hours, the Montgomery County Crisis Center is available 24 hours a day at 240-777-4000.
Discuss this Article
life is too short ;-(
You were my buddy for only a few months in SSI when i came as a new student. You were really down to earth, never caused any problems what so ever, & most of all, was a great friend. Paris we would talk on the phone and just chat. Not to mention, you had a great talent in writing (you would read your poems to me through the phone). Highschool came along and i came to Northwood and you went to Blair. From there i would randomly see you and go say hi. Im so sad because i have this guilt inside of me thats telling me if i wouldve kept in touch, things would've been different. I love you paris. I dont understand why. You were so talented and very driven. I saw you yesterday morning walking to school, couldnt say hi because i was on the bus. i wish i can rewind and change that. I just hope this is just a huge joke and you come out and surprise me. i love you paris.
RIP Paris. you were a great guy. and a great thinker
Well it's gonna be different from now on
R.I.P Paris
R.I.P Paris
We don't yet know the full story of Paris. But I just want to say to all the kids out there - no matter what you might be feeling or what you might be going through, you are NOT defined simply by the circumstances you may find yourself in.
Strangely, I think of Naruto - perhaps many of you will know this Anime character, who understood that he can be in charge of his life's path and who was determined to keep going no matter how hard life's journey is...
I encourage you to turn to one another for support and above all, be kind to one another. Is there someone you have noticed who is very quiet? Someone who seemed different than others, or who has changed in attitude since you know him or her? Life is too short as it is.
Let there be peace on earth - and let it begin with me.
I hold the entire school community in my prayers...
Also I think its important for students to know of suicide prevention organizations. They have hotlines for people to talk to and just to have someone to listen can mean so much. Sometimes it's better to open up and let everything out to a stranger because they have no judgement on you and especially people who know how to console you. At least thats how i see it.
anyways for anyone who wants to talk:
http://www.twloha.com/find-help/
1-800-SUICIDE
http://www.befrienders.org/
http://www.twloha.com/vision/
RIP Paris
Rest in Peace, Paris.
Atleast we know your our shinning star up above.
Miss you dearly. Staying strong just for you <3 Rip Paris
ill miss u ! ;(
Suicide is a PERMANENT solution to a TEMPORARY problem. Whatever is bothering you will go away in a few weeks, but if you kill yourself you will be dead forever. Your parents and your teahers and friends love you and they want to help. You will hurt them terrribly if you do this. TELL SOMEONE, ANYONE!! We are all here to help you.
RIP. We love you.
Tell me, what if living is itself the problem? I suppose living is in reality a temporary problem, as are all problems, and as are all solutions.
Why then, ought we not to seek a permanent solution?
im new to blair this year, a freshman actually, on freshman hell week you asked if i was a freshman and i said "no" . You knew i was a freshman and didnt do anything but laughed like a little joke. For all i knew, you are a cool guy. My thoughts and blessings are with you.
Yhey shme rabah mvarakh lalam ul'almei almaya
Yitbarakh, vyishtabakh, vyitpa'ar, vyitromam, vyitnaseh, vyithadar vyithaleh vyithalal shmei k'dushah, brikh hu. Leila mein kol birkhata vshirata, tusbkhata, vnekhemata, da'amiran balmah, v'imru amen,
Yhey shlama rabah min shemaya, b'chaim, aleinu v'al kol yisrael, v'imru amen.
Oseh shalom bimrumav, hu ya'aseh shalom, v'al kol yisrael. v'imru Amen.
Mourner's Kaddish ~ Aramaic Prayer