A procession of Memorial High School students, town officials, marching band members, and friends of the Verea family marched slowly toward 56th Street, in advance of the street being renamed Rebeka Verea Way.
They held pastel-colored balloons and signs bearing the logo of parents’ Lourdes and Dr. Jorge Verea’s non-profit organization, The Rebeka Verea Foundation. Dedicated to the memory of their 17-year-old daughter, who was killed in a car accident in North Bergen after her high school graduation in 2005, the foundation works with schools across New Jersey and beyond to educate students about the importance of safe driving.
The atmosphere was sad but hopeful as the new street sign was erected in front of the school.
Many wore t-shirts and sweatshirts with the foundation’s motto written across them: “Say yes to life.”
“My hope is that as teenagers continue to learn the lessons of life at this institution and others throughout the state, they will take more meaning out of her name because she left a legacy for us” Dr. Verea said to the crowd as he stood next to the new street sign. “As difficult as it has been, every day, we wake up without her, but we have all of you young men and women as part of our lives.”
On the night of her graduation, Rebeka was in the passenger seat of a car her friend Alexis Torres was driving. He swerved to avoid hitting a truck near West Side Avenue and 74th Street in North Bergen, and they crashed. Rebeka was instantly killed. Torres was acquitted of any charges.
Rebeka Verea graduated from Cliffside Park High School, but her father has a medical practice in West New York. He is the chief medical officer at North Hudson Community Action Corporation, based in West New York.
Leading the way
Cristina Molina, a 17-year-old student who is close with the Vereas because of her mother who works for the foundation, held the sign with Rebeka’s senior photo edged by the trademark rainbow that has come to represent the organization. She did not know Rebeka, but she asked to hold the sign.
“It is important for us as teens to know her story, and to know how much unsafe driving can change a person’s life,” Cristina said after the ceremony. “Something as dumb as drinking and driving can be prevented, and it can save our lives so we can have a future.”
“Anyone who has blood in their veins has to feel the way we all feel today,” West New York’s Commissioner of Public Affairs FiorD’aliza Frias said to those in the crowd, few of whom were dry-eyed. “But right now is a time to rejoice and to say that a life like this hasn’t been in vain, and it will be celebrated on this street forever.”
Father Paco Legarra of Union City’s Holy Family Church blessed the dedication and said, “The dedication of this street will keep her memory alive among us. We are here to especially bless our young people to teach them that happiness depends on making right decisions.”
“Right now is a time to rejoice and to say that a life like this hasn’t been in vain, and it will be celebrated on this street forever.” – FiorD’aliza Frias
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Tragedy begets inspiration
Helping teens make the right decisions has been the Rebeka Verea foundation’s purpose for seven years, fueled the town’s decision to dedicate the street to her, and keeps her family going.
“This is just the beginning of what we need to do to bring awareness, to make sure that she did not die in vain,” West New York Mayor Dr. Felix Roque said. “I want the children walking through here to look at this sign and say Rebeka Verea was a little angel who is here for us. She will always be part of us.”
Sue Colacurcio, an adviser for the school’s My Outreach Mission program, held an assembly in the auditorium just prior to the ceremony to bring the students up to speed about the importance of the dedication.
“No matter where we go, we all come home and we will all always see the Rebeka Verea path,” she said. “You will remember that you are a part of today’s historic moment in saying yes to life.”
Life after death
Lourdes and Jorge Verea stood closely by as 17-year-old Joe Menendez sang a lyrical version of “I Believe” he had written to fit Rebeka’s life.
“The Rebeka Verea Foundation is not only us,” Lourdes told the many students standing near. “It’s all of you. It’s a family; a family we need to share life, hope, and safety with.”
Dr. Verea chose to focus on what he called metaphorical “signs” that they are all on the right path.
“It is only so appropriate that we are here at a crossroad of our journeys,” he said. “Our journey began without Rebeka 81 months, 22 days ago, and today between Park and Broadway, we have a name for that road ahead.” The road, he mentioned, also has a bridge running across it that connects two of the high school buildings.
“All I can tell you is that our journey will continue,” Dr. Verea continued. “Mom and I will continue with the mission of raising awareness of safety. That will never die in our hearts. With all of your support, I know we will make a difference.”
For more information on the cause, visit www.rebekavereafoundation.org.
Gennarose Pope may be reached at gpope@hudsonreporter.com.