Feb. 23, 2007 — The students at the Antilles School are pulling together to send thoughts and well wishes to one of their own, Tariq Davis, a third grader seriously injured when a car hit him last weekend.
His injuries were so severe that after initially going to Schneider Regional Hospital, Davis was airlifted to Miami Children's Hospital for more intensive medical procedures.
The accident occurred at an American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) soccer game last Saturday morning, across from the University of the Virgin Islands' soccer fields. Counseling has been made available to the people who witnessed the accident, including fellow AYSO players, classmates and parents.
The students are doing everything possible to help Davis and his family, Headmaster Paul Horowitz said Thursday. On Saturday, so many classmates called and left messages on Davis' cell phone that they filled his message box. Those messages were then transferred to an MP3 player and played for the unconscious Tariq on headphones as he was flown to the hospital in Miami.
"One never knows what someone in his condition sees and hears, but we are willing to try anything," Horowitz said. "This is always a very hard time any school, but we are hoping for the best. Tariq and his family need all our help."
Davis' fellow third graders asked their teacher, Rebecca Rodriguez, what more they could do, and all this week they have made videos and CDs and sent them overnight to Tariq and his family. Both parents flew to Miami with Davis, and a grandmother flew from St. Croix to take care of a younger sibling.
As of Thursday, Davis remains unconscious, but he has had some eye and finger movement.
With help from AYSO regional commissioner Tracy Bingham, out of St. Croix, a fund has been set up by Antilles to help the family. Anyone wishing to donate money can send a check to the Antilles School, Frenchman's Bay, St. Thomas, VI 00802. Please note that the funds should be directed to the Davis Family Fund.
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