Here is the article that appeared in the Dallas Morning News on September 20, 2007.

KAREEM BACCHUS: 1990-2007
Indiana University freshman remembered for charisma, love of life
12:00 AM CDT on Thursday, September 20, 2007
By JAKE BATSELL / The Dallas Morning News
jbatsell@dallasnews.com

Nearly two days after Kareem Bacchus died at an Indiana hospital, stunned friends kept showering him with text messages.
"I know you won't get this, but I love you and wish only that you rest in peace," read one message sent to Kareem's cellphone on Wednesday. "Thanks for being so amazing every day of your life."
The popular 17-year-old graduate of Plano West Senior High School fell unconscious Saturday night, after playing tennis at Indiana University, where he was a freshman. He was placed on life support and died early Tuesday.
Family members said Kareem may have suffered a severe allergic reaction, possibly to something he ate, although official autopsy results are weeks away.
Police said friends helped Kareem back to his dorm room to administer allergy medicine, but his condition worsened.
Kareem was allergic to seafood, dairy products and peanuts, said his mother, Ann Bacchus. He was hospitalized this month for another allergic food reaction.

His sudden death reverberated from Bloomington, Ind., to Plano to Austin.
Loved ones in all three cities organized memorial services in his honor this week, as tributes continued to flow on the Internet and into his cellphone inbox.
Friends and family on Wednesday recalled Kareem's energetic personality and his smooth, deep baritone singing voice.

He was the lead bass for the Plano West choir and also performed in a separate mixed ensemble.
"He had a lot of charisma," his mother said. "Kareem loved the limelight. He loved being on stage. He totally lit up."
A versatile singer, Kareem was equally comfortable belting out the songs of Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra and Elton John. Friends downloaded his songs on their iPods and watched videos of his solo performances on YouTube.
"You couldn't miss him, with the laughter and all the happiness of his being," said Kathy Hackett, head of choral activities at Plano West. "When he sang, the happiness was glowing."

Hansini Sharma, a longtime Plano friend who attends the University of Texas at Austin, said Kareem tackled everything "with a full heart," from friendships to academics to his role in the school musical, West Side Story.
"His optimism helped me be more optimistic," said Ms. Sharma, 18. "You would never see him without his huge smile plastered across his face."
Ms. Sharma said about 30 people gathered at UT this week to share memories of Kareem.

Indiana students have arranged at least two memorial services in his honor, said Dick McKaig, Indiana's dean of students. Kareem quickly made his mark in Bloomington. Classmates elected him vice president of his dormitory, which is home to more than 1,000 students. And he won direct admission to Indiana's Kelley School of Business, which lets in only a small number of freshmen."Academically, he stood out," Dr. McKaig said. "Socially, he stood out. It's a very, very sad thing."

Kareem's mother said her son wanted to study in Spain and ultimately hoped to pursue a career in international business. His interests extended well beyond singing – he played tennis, earned a black belt in tae kwon do and worked as a lifeguard and mall clothing store employee.

But friends and family said Kareem's enthusiasm and compassion were more impressive than his accomplishments. "He was full of life – very caring, very loving," said his father, Fazal Bacchus. "I was privileged to have him as a son," Ms. Bacchus said. "He taught me more than I taught him. He just believed there was good in anybody."

In addition to his parents, survivors include his younger brother, Zain, two grandmothers and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services begin today with a viewing from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Rahma Funeral Home, 7810 W. Spring Valley Road in Dallas. Final rites are scheduled for 1:45 p.m. at the Dallas Central Mosque, 840 Abrams Road in Richardson, followed by a procession and burial at 2:30 p.m. at Restland Cemetery, 9220 Restland Road in Dallas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America or the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.

It appears that our paths crossed as Kareem was featured on my website..

Black belt test at Ahn's Tae Kwon Do 2004-10-30

West Side Story rehearsal at Plano West 2007-01-24

Plano West Prom 2007-04-28

Rest in peace.