'Tonight We're All Centurions': Football Teams, Pizza Restaurant Raise Funds For Saugus Shooting Victims
SANTA CLARITA (CBSLA) — A football game and a fundraiser at a pizza restaurant in Santa Clarita Friday night was dedicated to the victims of Thursday's shooting at nearby Saugus High School.
The people attending the game were encouraged to wear Centurion blue in solidarity with the families of 15-Year-Old Gracie Anne Muehlberger and 14-Year-Old Dominic Blackwell who lost their lives in the deadly school shooting, as well as the other students injured.
"Everybody's in the same school district," said student Dylan McBeth. "When it hits one of our schools, it hits all of our schools."
At halftime, balloons were released as part of a vigil for the victims.
"...Even though he did this to put fear in our hearts, we're all together and we're going to get through this together," said student Mayowa John.
Both teams decided to donate proceeds from the playoff game to the families of the victims.
"West Ranch Wildcats has determined that they are going to take their portion of the proceeds in tonight's CIF game and donate it to the families," said Dept. Supt. of Hart School District Mike Kuhlman. "They made contact with our opponents at Long Beach Wilson, they agreed to do the same which is remarkable."
"That money will be put to good use to help support people dealing with an unimaginable situation," Kuhlman said.
Donation buckets were also placed around the stadium.
Down the street at Vincenzo's Pizza, a fundraiser originally planned to reais funds for the Saugus High School soccer team had changed course.
"People are wonderful here," said Vincenzo's owner Leann Willis. "I did not expect this, it's insane."
"I had a woman come in this morning at opening and order some food and hand me a check for a thousand dollars made out to Saugus," Willis said. "I grew up in Newhall, Saugus was my rival, I went to Hart High, but tonight we're all Centurions"