((PKG)) PARKLAND -- PART 1
((Banner: The Activist))
((Producers: Beth Mendelson, Tom Detzel, Cliff Hackel))
((Camera: Esha Sarai, Tom Bagnall))
((Music: Roger Hooper, Lenny Williams))
((Map: Parkland, Florida
Washington, D.C.))
((Stills Courtesy: Andrew Sheehy))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
Alyssa was the heartbeat of our family.
((Stills Courtesy: Alhadeff family))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
She had so much zest for life, so much spunk, she kept us on our toes.
((Stills Courtesy: Andrew Sheehy and Coach Laurie Thomas))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
Her soccer skills were outstanding.
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
So, the next step for Alyssa was to play in college and to get a soccer scholarship. Actually, the day before she died on February 13, she played in her last competitive soccer game and she was phenomenal. Every single thing that she did during that game was incredible. Her passes were on, her heading was on, her shooting was on, every single thing.
((Stills Courtesy: Coach Laurie Thomas))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
She got into the car after the game and I turned to Alyssa, I said, “Alyssa, you know you just played the best game of your life.” And she was like, "Yeah, I know mom."
((Locator: Parkland, Florida - February, 14, 2018))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
So, what happened was I received a text message saying ‘shots fired at Stoneman Douglas High School. Kids jumping and running towards Westlake Middle School.’ And the next second, I just had this overwhelming feeling of loss that something happened to Alyssa. And I was running towards the high school, but there was yellow tape from tree to tree and I couldn't go anywhere past that. I broke through the yellow tape and I'm just wearing this thin little black tank top and then, like, I literally feel him keeping up pace with me.
((Still Courtesy: NBCUniversal Archives))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
The Marriott command center was the designated area where I would hear about what happened to Alyssa.
((Still Courtesy: Sun Sentinel))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
So, we went to the command center and I was the first parent there. It wasn't even set up yet. Because I was, I was always one step ahead of all this because Alyssa was with me. Alyssa was pushing me, telling me that she was hurt and telling me she needed help. I was like I need to get to Alyssa. I need to get to her.
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
Finally, we were called to the room. So, my husband and I, we go to this room and we sit down with the FBI, and they tell us, "We believe that Alyssa is dead.” And as a mother, that's just not acceptable. You can't just tell me you believe.
((NATS))
((RABBI MENDY GUTNICK, CHABAD OF PARKLAND))
This place where Alyssa rests, it is now holy and will forever be a living monument, a sign post for all of us, to inspire all of us and direct our path forward.
((ILAN ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S FATHER))
Alyssa, I'm so sorry as your father that I could not have taken those bullets for you.
((RABBI MENDY GUTNICK, CHABAD OF PARKLAND))
When Ilan spoke at the memorial service, it was one of the most powerful words I'd ever heard. They had such an unbelievable love for their daughter and their daughter for them. And the idea of sending out those butterflies at the memorial ceremony was so poignant in as much as it spoke not only with regards to Alyssa still being with us but now just in a different state, in a different form. Now, she was almost like the butterfly with wings like an angel flying above us. But it also is a powerful lesson and testament to us of what we are capable of achieving in our lifetimes.
((NATS))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I got up really early in the morning and I drove to the Everglades which is less than a minute from my house.
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I went there because I wanted to try to get a closer connection with God to better understand why He took Alyssa. And I sat down and I looked up in the sky and asked God, "Why Alyssa? Why did you take Alyssa?"
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
The next day, I knew that I needed to have a voice to make change.
((NATS))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
My name is Lori Alhadeff. And as of a few minutes ago, I'm a candidate for the Broward County School Board District Four.
((Footage Courtesy: Tobin Kurtz and Garrison Irwin))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I'm Lori Alhadeff. I want to ensure that the money that the school district spends, gets utilized both properly and efficiently.
When I do something, I go all out and I do it.
There's no halfway in between. As I say at my campaign, I'm up to bat and I'm going to hit a home run. I just can't stop trying to make change, trying to positively affect the school safety in the schools.
((RABBI MENDY GUTNICK, CHABAD OF PARKLAND))
There’s just been a remarkable increase in what she’s chosen to do. I mean everything she’s done is not by force.
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
And we got another donation, and a hundred dollars! Woohoo!
((RABBI MENDY GUTNICK, CHABAD OF PARKLAND))
It’s a choice that she’s made, but every one of those choices is motivated, I believe, by her striving to live Alyssa’s legacy the best way she can.
((NATS))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
What each school needs to do is come up with a game plan from security experts. Each school is going to be different. We're looking into different ballistic glass to be able to put in the doors in the schools. If there was ballistic glass in Alyssa's door, Alyssa would be alive today.
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
So, I do feel very strongly that the schools need to change that piece of glass and make it bullet proof.
((Locator: Washington D.C. - March 24, 2018))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I will not stop talking. I'm going to let my voice be my power. Absolutely this is going to make change. There's going to be change in school safety. It's not going away.
((Footage Courtesy: Tobin Kurtz and Garrison Irwin))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I lost a child. But if I can be strong enough to do these things that other adults or children can see, "Well look if Lori Alhadeff can do and she lost a child, I can be strong enough to do it too."
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I'm just a stay-at-home mom. I'm just one person.
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I do think one voice can make a difference. I think just stepping up to the plate, speaking out and having that power of your voice, can make changes.
((NATS: NEWS ANCHOR))
Two Parkland parents ran for school board. Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa was killed in the massacre in Parkland, wins District 4 here, and winning it pretty easily, 65 percent to 18 percent for her opponent.
((NATS))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
We did it!
