Nicole “Denalda” Renae Siegrist: laney college student

“The choir is reeling over the loss,” said Laney Choir Director John Reager. “She had real spirit. She was looking forward to singing the Faure Requiem. Now we are singing it for her.” 
The Laney Choir will sing the Faure Requiem on Dec. 9 at 7PM at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland, 2169 Broadway. Tickets are $10 for students and seniors, $20 general admission.

Sarah Hoda: former laney college student

“Sarah distinguished herself by her incredibly kind and giving personality,” Laney College Welding Instructor Liisa Pine Schoonmaker wrote. “She was a teacher; she gave to the community by starting an artists collective in 2010 for traveling creatives to rest their heads when they couldn’t afford Northern California’s rising rents. She was a vibrant participant in the Bay Area arts community.”

Donna Kellogg: former laney college student

“She was full of life,” Donna’s mother, Susan Slocum, said. “Donna would often dye her hair different colors. She could light up the room.” Her stepfather, Keith, said Donna was a “free-spirited girl” who loved music, the outdoors and biking. “She wanted to be a nutrition consultant and maybe do it in the prison system to help people,” Slocum said, “or work at a homeless shelter.”

Travis Hough: future laney college student

Travis applied to Laney for the Spring 2017 semester and would have started in January. Music was integral to his life: he even named his rescue greyhound “Bowie” after one of his musical heroes, David Bowie. Travis was engaged to be married this summer. A celebration of Travis Hough’s life is pending, his father said, and probably will be held around what would have been Travis’ 36th birthday, Jan. 17.

Jennifer Kiyomi Tanouye: former laney college student

Her best friend, Ronnie Casey, described Tanouye as vibrant, fashionable and beautiful woman. Tanouye ran the Mission Creek Oakland Music and Arts festival for several years. “I strive to support local musicians in their creative endeavors,” she wrote on her LinkedIn profile. She was a music manager at Shazam, and had worked at Oakland’s Issues bookshop and San Francisco’s Exploratorium museum.

Ara Jo: artist in residence at bcc, former laney college student

Friends called Jo the most adoptable person ever, a vibrant artist and community organizer who could make friends with anyone, anywhere. She filled walls with bright, colorful murals. “She was a very, very social girl,” said Han Park, Jo’s uncle. Friends said she was friendly, funny, dynamic, creative and always cheerful. Jo lived in Oakland and worked at Berkeley’s Ink Stone art supply store.