Deadly Silence

Carlos Colon, Shaian Colon's father, holds Shaian's newborn daughter, also named Shaian, as well as his son's certificate of achievement given to the family during a senior awards luncheon at the B. B. Russell School in Brockton in 2007. (J. Kiely Jr./The Enterprise)

Graduation of tears

Family of Shaian Colon grapples with another emotional milestone

By Maureen Boyle, Enterprise staff writer
   BROCKTON — Carlos Colon cradles his two-week old granddaughter close to his chest and leans toward her tiny, pink face.
   “This is for your dad,” he whispers. “This is for your dad.”
   It is awards day at the city’s alternative high school housed at the former B.B. Russell School, and seven graduating seniors are gathered in Room 3 with teachers and staff for lunch, cake and speeches.
   It is the day Shaian was to shine.
   It is now a ceremony dedicated in his memory.
   “I didn’t want to be here today,” Colon admits. “I was going to bring a digital camera at first, but what is the sense of bring a digital camera when he’s not here.”
   Instead, Colon sits at the table with his family. He cradles his new granddaughter, named Shaian Adriela Colon after his son. One of his daughters, Kiara Y. Colon, is across from him nibbling on a roll up sandwich. One of the teen’s brothers, Gamaliel Rodriguez, picks at chips.

Mark St. Louis, principal of the Phoenix Alternative Program, gives Shaian's certificate of achievement to his mother Maritiza Rodriguez along with a hug. (J. Kiely Jr./The Enterprise)

   The baby, born seven months after her father was killed, is a blessing for the family, Maritza said. “It is like I have something of him still,” she says.
   Mark St. Louis, the school principal, is at the podium, standing beneath the clock. It is 1 o’clock and the program is starting.
   St. Louis begins to talk. He congratulates the students for working hard, for getting an education. Salavatore Terrass, the director of pupil personnel, talks about the students overcoming adversity.
   Two girls walk to the podium to accept awards for leadership. Another for perseverance in the face of adversity. A boy walks up to accept an award for most inspired. The group applauds and laughs.
   Maritza Rodriguez stares at the podium then lowers her head, wiping away tears with a white paper napkin. Colon looks toward the window, toward the sunlight outside. His face quivers briefly and he struggles to keep the shadow of grief away. The baby in Colon’s arms is gurgling. He looks down.
   The last award is being announced. St. Louis takes a few steps toward the table where Rodriguez sits and hands her the red bound certificate of achievement emblazoned with Shaian’s name. She holds the certificate in one hand, a tissue in the other. Colon blinks and holds the baby, wrapped in yellow, closer.