Haitian Quake Victims Honored At Lynn U., Site Of Final Presidential Debate
BOCA RATON (CBSMiami) -- The third and final presidential debate to be held Monday night at Lynn University in Boca Raton is a major coup for the little school. Lynn's last and first moment in the national spotlight came sadly, when 6 students and faculty members perished in the devastating earthquake in Haiti nearly three years ago.
The four students and two professors were on a humanitarian mission when they died in the quake.
There were memorials to those who died; a monument was built in their memory, and scholarships given to students from Haiti.
"When I got a scholarship, an opportunity to come here, it was basically a light in a tunnel and I can actually envision a future for me," said Gwen Darguste, a scholarship student from Haiti.
Darguste is the first of what will be many Haitians granted scholarships to Lynn University in memory of its students and teachers who died trying to help Haiti.
"After the earthquake, when my school collapsed, I didn't know what I was going to do," explained Darguste. Many of her professors and classmates died in the quake and she narrowly escaped death as well.
"Yes, I was very lucky," said Darguste.
She's now fortunate to benefit from the last measure given by the Lynn family members who perished in the quake.
"It gives me the will and the strength to go further with my life and my plans," she said.
She plans to be an ambassador to the UN perhaps in order to continue to aid the Haitian people.
Monday night, when Lynn University draws the focus of the world, she'll be there.
"I'm going to be an usher in the debate. Fortunately, they chose me to be an usher in the debate," she proudly exclaimed. "Basically like a front row seat to history, and I'm going to be a part of it, so I'm very excited and very grateful."
Having come to national prominence on the tears of a terrible tragedy, Lynn University can now celebrate triumph, serving as the last national stage in the race for the highest office in the land.
