By: Rachel Nelson
http://www.amarilloscene.com/
http://www.amarilloscene.com/
Brian Deneke never imagined when he signed Shelly Singleton's freshman yearbook as "the most famous kid in school" that he one day would become just that.
Singleton befriended Deneke on the first day of sixth grade at Crockett Middle School on the grounds that they were both different.
"Brian tried to be friends with everybody," she said.December 12 will mark the tenth anniversary of the death of Deneke, a local punk who Singleton described as "the heartbeat of the scene."
Deneke was ran over and killed by Dustin Camp in the Western Plaza parking lot at the age of 19 in a conflict between two social groups: "punks" and "preps." Since Deneke's death in 1997, the incident has gained nation-wide coverage by outlets such as the Leeza Show, Dateline 20/20, MTV, A&E City Confidential, Texas Monthly, Punk Planet Magazine, the New York Times and more. His story has even been placed in textbooks for social studies classes.
Deneke is remembered by friends and family as a happy-go-lucky, likeable guy who loved to skateboard.
"I don't think I ever saw him in a bad mood," Singleton said. "You could not be around him and be in a bad mood."
Festivals will be held in approximately 30 different cities in Deneke's honor on the weekend of December 7 and 8. The Amarillo event will take place at the Nat Ballroom, located at 604 S. Georgia Street. The two-day happening will be a B.Y.O.B. event with live music and will serve as a time of unity in Brian's memory. Admission will be $5 each night.
Fifty percent of the National proceeds will go to the National Organization for Parents of Murdered Children.
"The other 50 percent of each city event proceeds will go to a chosen local organization to help change their own communities, to fight prejudice, violence, injustice and the like," The National Deneke Memorial Myspace reports.
Friends and family of Brian believe this is what he would want.
"He was very into helping people," Singleton said as she recalled how Brian would cook food and feed it to homeless people at parks.
Brian Deneke's father, Mike, finds the nation-wide response to be "overwhelming" and "surprising," and has recognized an attitude from some people to let the tragedy rest after ten years. But Brian's story has taken on a life of it's own.
"We didn't organize this. We didn't even know. So many people can relate to what happened. I think that's why the story keeps going. It touches people," Mike Deneke said.
"Brian's still a part of us," said Betty Deneke, Brians mother.
Mike Deneke believes that there are a lot of lessons to be learned from Brian's story, and the festival will help to shine a light on that.
"There's lots of lessons," he said. "There are unintended consequences to actions. There was also a lot of alcohol involved. That could be another lesson. But also respect for individuality and people. You don't have to agree, but treat others as you would want to be treated."
Brian's brother, Jason Deneke, said he misses the simplicity of "just hanging out" with his little brother. He also hopes that the nation-wide events will circulate a message to others.
"I just hope it raises some awareness and teaches people a little bit of tolerance," he said.
Brian Deneke's parents admitted that they were not particularly thrilled when Brian came home sporting a green Mohawk, but they noted that he was a free spirit. Betty Deneke remembers the first time she found out that Brian had a tattoo, and she laughs about it now.
"I found out he had a tattoo when I took him to the doctor's office for a broken collarbone," she said.
Although the Deneke's all agree that it doesn't feel like it's been ten years since Brian's death, they have learned to cope with the situation.
"We just had to kind of move on. You can let it eat you up and it can destroyyour life. Brian wouldn't have wanted that," Mike Deneke said.
Betty Deneke said her faith helped her through the loss of her son.
"It was the only thing that kept me going," she said.
Mike Deneke agreed. "What helped us get beyond the anger and the hatred was the idea of forgiveness," he said.
For more information about Brian's story or the upcoming events, visitwww.myspace.com/nationaldenekememorial or http://www.briandeneke.org/.
"There's lots of lessons," he said. "There are unintended consequences to actions. There was also a lot of alcohol involved. That could be another lesson. But also respect for individuality and people. You don't have to agree, but treat others as you would want to be treated."
Brian's brother, Jason Deneke, said he misses the simplicity of "just hanging out" with his little brother. He also hopes that the nation-wide events will circulate a message to others.
"I just hope it raises some awareness and teaches people a little bit of tolerance," he said.
Brian Deneke's parents admitted that they were not particularly thrilled when Brian came home sporting a green Mohawk, but they noted that he was a free spirit. Betty Deneke remembers the first time she found out that Brian had a tattoo, and she laughs about it now.
"I found out he had a tattoo when I took him to the doctor's office for a broken collarbone," she said.
Although the Deneke's all agree that it doesn't feel like it's been ten years since Brian's death, they have learned to cope with the situation.
"We just had to kind of move on. You can let it eat you up and it can destroyyour life. Brian wouldn't have wanted that," Mike Deneke said.
Betty Deneke said her faith helped her through the loss of her son.
"It was the only thing that kept me going," she said.
Mike Deneke agreed. "What helped us get beyond the anger and the hatred was the idea of forgiveness," he said.
For more information about Brian's story or the upcoming events, visitwww.myspace.com/nationaldenekememorial or http://www.briandeneke.org/.
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