TAMPA — A community is honoring the memory of Anthony Naiboa. He's one of the victims of the Seminole Heights killer. Now his family is giving the gift of education and imagination in his name.
A senior will soon walk the halls of Hillsborough High School for the last time. But first, Nehemiah Briseneau, is about to get a big surprise. He's the very first recipient of the newly formed Anthony Naiboa Autism Foundation Inc. To help him on his way to college Naiboa's family gave him a new laptop.
20-year-old with autism murdered by Seminole Heights killer after taking wrong bus home
Parents of Seminole Heights victim, Anthony Naiboa, start scholarship in son's name
Briseneau and Naiboa have more than a few things in common. They attended the same school and both dealt with autism.
"Growing up I struggled to communicate with people," said Briseneau, "You know it was quite a challenge."
In fact, the similarities brings Naiboa's step-mom to tears.
"My heart just melted," said Maria Rodriguez, "because it reminded me so much of Anthony. His personality, the way he talks, his charisma, which is just a magnet."
Like Naiboa, the18-year-old gravitates toward music. Briseneau says he can speak to people better using music.
"Anthony was also a producer. So he did all his music through a laptop. So a laptop is a world that opens," said Casimar Naiboa, Anthony's father.
The family is giving out two other laptops this year paid for entirely out of their own pockets. This soon-to-be grad promises this isn't the last time we'll see him on TV.
"I plan to be a singer, a songwriter and a movie actor," he said.
The Naiboa family's hope that Anthony's legacy will live on has come true.
