CHAMPAIGN — A Centennial sophomore’s inspiring effort to have a Champaign street named in his late cousin’s honor received the full blessing of the city council Tuesday night.
By a unanimous 9-0 count, council members voted to name the portion of Kenwood Road between William and John streets “Honorary Daniyjah D. Staple Way,” as Dajuan Lane proposed.
The vote came on an emotional night in the council chambers, with members reading a resolution honoring retiring City Manager Dorothy David and Mayor Deb Feinen swearing in her successor, Joan Walls.
Ms. Staple, 18, was among two people killed in July during a pop-up party shooting on Cynthia Drive. The case remains unsolved.
Ms. Staple, who hoped to become a nurse, “was going to be a staple in our community,” Tanya Hubbard told council members before the vote. “That young lady was going to be a staple in the world.”
Council member Jamar Brown applauded Lane for taking the initiative to apply for the designation in his cousin’s honor. And he vowed, “every time I drive down (that) street, I will take the time to ponder the well-wished words” spoken about Ms. Staple