John Adams remembers one of its own

When John Adams High School graduate Kelvin DeBourgh, Jr., was killed in an accident while test-driving the AirTrain JFK four years ago, his alma mater decided to do something to remember the young father.
“When one is taken so suddenly, we really feel it,” said John Adams Principal Grace Zwillenberg, before a ceremony unveiling an electronic billboard in DeBourgh’s honor.
On Friday, May 24, John Adams unveiled the 15-foot high, $23,000 structure to DeBourgh, Jr.’s parents, Kelvin Sr. and Bernadine; wife, Keva Scott; and 10-year-old daughter, Avion. Senator Serphin Maltese also introduced a resolution to the New York State Legislature in memory of DeBourgh, Jr.
“I hope this sign will keep his memory alive for his family,” said Richmond Hill South Civic Association President Margaret Finnerty, whose organization led the push to dedicate the board. “He’s here with us in spirit.”
The sign will scroll information about the school plays, baseball games, and dinner dances to students, parents, and passersby, school officials said.
Four years in the works, organizers - led by Finnerty and Terri Saporita, the Vice President of the Richmond Hill South Civic Association - contended with fundraising, placement, and paperwork issues before the billboard could be put in place.
Along with a dinner dance, a fundraiser selling water at graduation day, and an event at McDonald’s, an anonymous donor contributed $5,000 to the board fund.
Local politicians - Maltese, City Councilmember Joseph Addabbo, Jr., and Assemblymembers Audrey Pfeffer and Michelle Titus all agreed to provide support, but finding a contractor proved much more difficult, Saporita said.
Finally, Mike Somani of All American Signs.com, Inc. signed on to the project, they said.
At the billboard unveiling ceremony, Kelvin DeBourgh, Sr. said, “I’m speechless. This is such a wonderful thing.”
Speaking on behalf of the DeBourgh family, DeBourgh, Jr.’s aunt, Christina Rojas, thanked the school, the elected officials, and the Richmond Hill South Civic Association.
“Kelvin Jr. was a warm-hearted and compassionate young man with a great personality. He had a smile that would light up a room. He was a hard, dedicated worker who loved challenges. Whatever tasks he performed, he would always ensure it was done to perfection,” Rojas said.
“Unfortunately, Kelvin, Jr. is no here with us today because he died a tragic death four years ago,” Rojas said.
In September 2002, then-23-year-old DeBourgh, Jr. was killed when the light rail he was riding in derailed. The following year, an investigation conducted by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey found that DeBourgh, Jr. had not been properly trained and that there was a communication breakdown, both of which led to his death.