Memorial songs for Melody

Wilson High School student Melody Ross,16, who was shot and killed Friday October 30, 2009, after a Wilson High School football game, at Wilson.

11/17/2009
By Greg Mellen, Staff Writer
Long Beach Press Telegram

LONG BEACH - Two days after burying her with tears and prayers, the family and friends of Melody Ross remembered her with something the bouncy teenager would likely have preferred - songs and spirit.

A collection of poets, singers and rappers celebrated the life of the 16-year-old Wilson High junior Tuesday night at the Art Theatre in a performance attended by about 100 residents, friends and family.

Nine performers and bands filled the theater on Long Beach's Retro Row with a mixture of sounds and styles that ranged from the poetry of Mike Sonksen, to the mellow reggae and pop of Scotty G. and Universal speakers, to the rap of PraCh Ly to the spiritual sounds of the Life House Church band, and concluding with a soulful set by two of Melody's cousins, Bunna Roeum and Stephen Kosal, who perform as Living Testimony.

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