Source: Ventura County Star, TransWorldNews
A dozen students from E.O. Green School in Oxnard stood around a picnic table at a local park Tuesday eating pink vegan cupcakes and waiting for autographed photos of two reality TV stars.
Most of the eighth-graders gathered in the park had never watched CBS' "The Amazing Race," or heard of Kynt and Vyxsin, one of 11 teams that raced around the world on the show's 12th edition.
But that didn't matter, said Jesus Cruz, 13. "They came all the way from Kentucky to see us," he said, "and I think that's pretty cool."
Kynt Cothron and Vyxsin Fiala started planning the visit after hearing about the Feb. 12 shooting inside a computer lab at E.O. Green that left Larry King, 15, dead.
Kynt had been in discussion with the teacher of the class just a little after the incident, offering support and an "anything we can do" attitude. The first period English teacher where the slaying took place jumped at the chance to get, "any sort of help, especially something fun for the kids."
"We can make a difference in this situation, and help make sure Lawrence is NEVER forgotten," Kynt commented. "As a fellow 'Boy-in-Makeup,' I understand and can relate to the torment and turmoil which Lawrence endured from others at his school."
They wanted to show their support for the two dozen other students in the lab that day, a first-period English class taught by Dawn Boldrin.
"Today's just about pink and black and cupcakes," Kynt said with a laugh, a Hello Kitty balloon floating from a tree above his head.
Some at the Oxnard junior high school had seen King being teased by students in the weeks before the shooting for being gay and wearing high-heeled boots and makeup, and that's partly what drew Kynt to the school.
Kynt, 30, and Vyxsin, 28, described as "dating goths" by the television series, wear a lot of black and pink.
They also wear makeup. On Tuesday, they wore pink and white eye shadow to the picnic.
Little did Kynt know, but his own gut reaction was mirrored by A-List celebrities like Ellen Degeneres, Janet Jackson, Rosie O'Donnell and others.
Little did Kynt and Vyxsin know, but a nation of teenagers would be honoring Lawrence "Larry" King today. March 25th, 2008 is a "Day of Silence" for the slain teen. Kynt & Vyxsin will not be alone in their support of safer schools, tolerance, and serious change.
On the TV series, Kynt and Vyxsin were noted for their over-the-top makeup and gender-blurring fashion. The other racers often made derogatory remarks, on air, about Kynt and Vyxsin's appearance - bluntly calling them "freaks" or "witches."
Kynt and Vyxsin also planned to attend a vigil in King's memory in West Hollywood for Wednesday evening, Kynt said. He also plans to collect letters of support for E.O. Green students -- something he didn't want to talk about Tuesday in front of the kids because he wanted to let them keep the mood light.
"They got some cupcakes, sugar and some smiles," said Boldrin, who helped Kynt and Vyxsin work out the arrangements at the Port Hueneme park. She wanted the kids to have something positive in the midst of everything they have gone through -- and continue to go through.
She worries that they don't get enough support, and sometimes that maybe things are brought up too much.
She also worries about asking her class to go back to a computer lab. She doesn't have nearly enough computers in her own classroom and wishes she could find laptops they could use.
"There's no road map for this," Boldrin said.
On Tuesday, she just wanted them to have a little fun.
In the park, students snacked on the cupcakes, made by Vyxsin, and asked questions about the race. Kynt and Vyxsin chatted with them, posed for pictures and shook a lot of hands.
Full article: Reality TV stars lift the spirits of Oxnard students | Ventura County Star
Kynt & Vyxsin from CBS Series The Amazing Race Honor Slain Teen in North Hollywood Vigil | TransWorldNews