A reception held by the LBPOST.com on Wednesday evening drew the Mayor of Long Beach, the superintendent of the Long Beach Unified School District and many more to honor 2009 Long Beach Person of the Year Melody Ross. The event was held at Ristorante daVinci and welcomed several LBPOST.com columnists as well as many members of the Ross family.

Vanaretha and Chantha Ross spoke to the crowd and shared memories of their daughter, a tragic victim of gang violence when she was killed in the crossfire of a gang-related shooting immediately following a football game at Wilson High School this October 30. The LBPOST.com announced this weel that Melody had been named the 2009 Person of the Year.

Long Beach mayor Bob Foster spoke of spending time with the Ross family over the past few weeks and viewing their inspiring strength firsthand. It was also announced during the event that the LBUSD had created a fund in Melody's honor to fund school safety programs and equipment, assistance to families who suffer through tragedies, as well as two scholarships that will be given to Long Beach high school students.

Check out some photos from Wednesday's reception, below.


Long Beach mayor Bob Foster addresses the crowd at daVinci.


Chantha and Vanareth Ross, parents of Melody.


The crowd consisting of LBPOST.com columnists and friends, and relatives and supporters of the Ross family.


LBPOST.com publisher Shaun Lumachi and Chantha Ross


Chantha Ross and Judy Seal, executive director of the Long Beach Education Foundation


Vanareth Ross and LBPOST.com managing editor Ryan ZumMallen.

Donations can be made to the Student Safety & Scholarship Fund in Memory of Melody Ross via check or credit card. Checks may be made out to the Long Beach Education Foundation. A note in the memo line should read: Student Safety & Scholarship Fund in Memory of Melody Ross. Checks should be sent to:

Long Beach Education Foundation
1515 Hughes Way
Long Beach, CA 90810

Click here if you would like to make a secure online credit card donation to the Student Safety & Scholarship Fund in Memory of Melody Ross.

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