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OAKLAND — Hundreds of family and friends of graduating Dewey Academy students erupted in applause Wednesday night as the students walked to their seats, sporting proud grins and green gowns. Though the room was seemingly full of joy, the family of Nia Wilson were heartbroken, fighting back tears.
Wilson would have been there among the 44 graduating students; she was on track to graduate from the continuation school Wednesday with high hopes of later either joining the Marines, going to college or becoming a paramedic. But on July 22, she was stabbed to death at the MacArthur BART station in what police have called a brazen assault.
“This is an achievement that my daughter and I sat down and spoke of many times. It’s so heartbreaking that she’s not here to experience for herself,” her father, Ansar Muhammed, said in an interview.
Wilson was known for her pep, and would have danced and cheered on her way to the podium to receive her diploma, as several of the graduating students did, her mother, Alicia Grayson, said.
Dewey Academy awarded an honorary diploma to Wilson at Wednesday night’s ceremony. Grayson and Muhammed accepted it on her behalf, and just like Wilson would have, danced and cheered on their way to the podium to accept it.
“She would have loved that better than seeing everyone grieving; that’s just her,” Muhammed said.
Wilson had previously attended Oakland High, and finished her last remaining credits at Dewey. Though she was only there for a short time, she left a big impact on both students and faculty.
“Nia’s life not only was a blessing to us, but she definitely left a legacy for us at Dewey Academy,” said principal Darrell Ross.
Juan Campos, her student counselor, said he cherished her positive attitude.
“Every time she came to me, it was mainly because she had an issue or wanted to vent, but I would always get a smile out of her,” Campos said.
Wilson’s alleged killer, John Lee Cowell, was indicted in October on charges of murder and attempted murder, with the special circumstance of lying in wait. The charges make him eligible for the death penalty, which Wilson’s family intends to pursue as punishment.