| About |
ZALIKHA, AMERRA, In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Amerra Zalikha, 18 of Miami, born on February 14, 1988. Amerra, the dearly beloved daughter of Mohamad and Mary Ellen, had just returned home from her first semester at the University of Florida when she was tragically killed after being struck by a car on December 14, 2006. Amerra graduated Magna Cum Laude from Miami Killian High School. She was an AP scholar and was awarded a Florida Bright Futures Scholarship. An active Girl Scout since first grade, she earned the Silver Award and the Gold Award. Amerra practiced a lifelong commitment to her religious faith by serving her community, the environment, children in need, and her family. She believed, "in order to truly feel fulfilled, one must aid others." Amerra was passionate about brightening the lives of those who were suffering. She brought joy to many, including the elderly in nursing homes, veterans at the VA hospital, ill children at Baptist Hospital's Children's Wing, and under-privileged and abused children at the Children's Home Society. Amerra was a Pre-Med and International Relations student. Her motto - "You must be the change you want to see in the world." She seized the day with so much enthusiasm few could keep up with her. During high school, Amerra served as President of the Science Honor Society, as well as being a member of other honor societies and clubs. Amerra played the trumpet and euphonium in Killian's Marching Band. She repeatedly volunteered for causes such as Hands on Miami and Baynanza. Amerra often returned to her former school, Kenwood Elementary, to volunteer. When considering quotes for her high school yearbook, she noted that "the tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it." Amerra made every moment count. Amerra will be most profoundly missed by her parents, Mohamad and Mary Ellen Zalikha; her beloved brothers, Omar (Amy) and Abdul Kareem Zalikha; maternal great-grandmother, Carrie Rosa; maternal grandmother, Lucy McQuillian; niece Ava and nephew, Mohamad, and many loving uncles, aunts, cousins, extended family and friends. Amerra was preceded in death by her grandfathers Naim Zalikha and William McQuillan and her paternal grandmother, Farghab Chubib. In her 18 years of life, Amerra touched many people's lives. No words can describe the loss we feel or how deeply she will be missed. The memory of your beautiful smile and your compassion is in our hearts and minds always. We will be forever inspired by the beauty and grace of your life. Anyone wishing to memorialize Amerra's life may make a donation on her behalf to provide aid to feed the hungry in Africa, as this was something Amerra aspired to do. |
