Paying tribute to young Zay’Quan Wheeler
Paula Bethea, principal for Joyce Kilmer Elementary School, had a bone to pick about the lack of news coverage for Zay’Quan Wheeler, a 14-yearold city boy who died after falling through ice on a local canal.
“Other than a couple of articles — one announcing his tragedy in the waters of the canal and then reporting that he had passed on, I am also disappointed that no one from the newspaper was on hand for his vigil held at a school which he attended from K-8th grade, Joyce Kilmer Middle School, where close to 150-200 people also attended nor at his services,” Bethea wrote via email.
Of course, Bethea sounds accurate alarm when good. young people pass away without much media interest. Bleeding and leading remains a centerfold for newspapers. If Wheeler had flashed gang signs and money, had a record, been part of any gang other than a church choir, well, everybody knows how that story unravels.
Zay’Quan “was not killed by violence, he did not have one enemy, he loved school, and dancing, and baseball, and track, and basketball. He attended school every day, he was respectful, and full of light and joy. A true KID. These are the stories that need to be told about our children and to our children. This is a cover story that would have warmed the hearts of a broken community. His is a story of a single mother who had her heart torn from her in the waters of a canal. Yet, how the community immediately responded without question nor hesitation to help her and her incredible family,” Bethea noted.
“....... every person who reads this needs to know the impact that this young man has made on my life and the lives of many across the city of Trenton, the state of New Jersey, and beyond. Writing in two articles that that he lived, then he died does not display the impact of this child.”
Bethea described Zay’quan as “light and love personified”. She called him fun-loving, popular and noted that the Trenton community surrounded his parents, Ebonika and John, with a love and support that I have not seen in a long time in our city. Though the service was so large, it was the members community, that without hesitation donated funds, food, time, and anything else that was needed to give Zay’quan the home going service of a young king because this tragedy had struck them in a personal way.”
Bethea said she witnessed a memorial service that filled Shiloh Baptist Church as some young people walked across Trenton, car-pooled and took taxicabs to attend young Wheeler’s special day.
Death days and birthdays both tether life. “In the End”, The Beatles sing “...in the end, the love you take, is equal to the love you make.” An internet search discovered photos of a beautiful young man, including a heartwarming one of Wheeler dressed as a puppy.
An obituary, not my favorite pastime, noted Zay’Quan Terrell Wheeler 14, of Trenton departed this life on February 4, 2019 at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He attended Mercer Street Friends for Pre-K then eventually joined Joyce Kilmer Middle School’s student body and family.
Zay’Quan Wheeler excelled as an All-Star Athlete with the West End Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball League and Joyce Kilmer’s Basketball and Track & Field Teams.
Condolences to his immediate family and the long list of relatives who can share his wonderful memories and issues that connect with his passing. The final name listed in Wheeler’s obituary belonged to his best friend, Haniyah McNeil.
What an honor. You were best friend to Zay’Quan Wheeler! Treasure that memory, honor his life by becoming the best person possible. Talk to him. Pray for his peace and hope that passion for life overwhelms each moment you live.
Remember, that time does not heal all wounds. In fact, some instances last lifetimes, which means finding emotional support and professional help should be on your list regarding moving forward.
Most of all, keep his memory and life alive. Always remember the special qualities that made Zay’Quan important and worthy of your time — and deserving of this small remembrance here.
L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.