Feb 6, 1991 - Mar 15, 2008

Funeral services will be held Saturday for Claremont High School's Victor Wang, an ambitious student who had aspirations to be an electronics engineer and a musician.

Victor, 17, drowned while swimming in Newport Beach.

Since the March 15 tragedy, friends and relatives have been expressing their grief with posters, flowers and red ribbons throughout the high school. A viewing is scheduled Friday with a service Saturday.

In addition to being in a rock band with friends, Victor juggled four advanced placement classes this semester. His mother Jennifer Liu said he was like her "right hand."

"He always wanted to help people," Liu said. "Every moment in my life with him was very special."

Victor was with his friends on a trip to Newport Beach when the accident occurred. The Orange County Register reported 4- to 8-foot surf that day with winds between 25 and 30 mph.

Liu is now pushing for stricter warnings to be posted at the beach so future accidents can be avoided.

It was the second drowning fatality in two years for Claremont High. In June 2006, Taeho Lee, 18, died after being caught in a riptide in Huntington Beach.

"It's always shocking when these tragedies occur," said Claremont High principal Brett O'Connor. "Unfortunately, it brought back memories of Taeho Lee."

Victor was born on Feb. 6, 1991, in Los Angeles. He was a Chinese American who loved visiting Taiwan and China with his parents and enjoyed learning the Chinese language. Liu said he often tutored foreign students in English and math during his spare time.

"None of the children born here want to learn Chinese but Victor would beg me to take him to Chinese class," Liu said. "He typed in Chinese even better than me."

Victor, who was in his junior year, had set his sights on attending UCLA or Harvey Mudd College.

His guidance counselor Paula Hebert called Victor "bright and inquisitive."

"He's one of those people who can make friends very easily," Hebert said. "He's going to be terribly missed."

Victor is survived by his parents Vincent Wang and Jennifer Liu and younger brother Lawrence Wang.

The viewing and funeral will be at Rose Hills Memorial Park and Mortuary located through Gate 1, 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier. A viewing is scheduled from 1 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday . Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday

An online guestbook has been set up for family and friends to share their memories of Victor. Visit www.mem.com and type in Wang, V.

~ Inland Valley Daily Bulletin