MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE was founded by the Alhadeff Family, who lost their beautiful 14-year old daughter, Alyssa, to the brutal shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Valentine’s Day 2018. Alyssa was bright, energetic, happy, athletic – a pure ray of sunshine who lit up every room with her warm smile. She was an honor student, a good friend who was known to stay up later then she should have in order to support others, a winning debater, and a star soccer player, the captain of her traveling team.
Alyssa was the kind of girl whom every mother wants their daughter to be friends with, and whom any parent would be proud of. She was playful, loved dancing, singing, and family beach days on Long Beach Island, New Jersey. At the same time that she was a fierce attacking soccer mid-fielder, she loved clothes, makeup, and all things sparkly off the field. She was the best big sister to her two younger brothers and a mentor to her younger cousins.
Alyssa, #8 on the soccer field, often marveled at how her number, when rotated 90 degrees, signifies infinity. Her favorite color was aqua, actually known as the color of protection that wards off the evil eye. We honor her with the infinity and colors in our logo – a symbol of constant alertness that contributes to the safety of our youth.
In their grief, Lori and Ilan Alhadeff founded MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE so that no other parent has to endure the pain they live with.