"It will be interesting to see how our interaction plays out," said David Horwitz, 66, a Los Angeles County Superior Court judge. "We don't want to interfere, but we want him to know we're here to be whatever he needs."
After the hugs at their first meeting, Kamal presented the Horwitzes with a thank-you card and a framed photo of himself holding an honor roll plaque on his graduation day from K. Anthony Schools, a private second-to-sixth-grade campus in Inglewood.
He told the couple how excited he was to be attending Brentwood's summer school and practicing for the school's football team. As he played with the couple's three dachshunds, Maggie, Teddy and Mickey, he appeared a little disbelieving at the turn of events.
Kamal, who lives in South Los Angeles, was admitted for the fall at Campbell Hall, a private North Hollywood campus, but the school was unable to offer him financial aid. He was put on a wait list at Brentwood, but that school also did not have enough financial aid for Kamal and many other qualified, financially needy candidates. While his mother searched for a safe, academically focused alternative, Kamal was unsure where he would be attending classes in the fall.
But a few weeks ago, Brentwood director of admissions Keith Sarkisian received a call from Horwitz.
"You could hear the energy in his voice and the commitment to make this happen, no matter what it took," said Sarkisian. "We have so many people hurting in this economy, but here's a guy who wants to change a kid's life. Because we were so overburdened on financial aid, I don't think we would have gotten Kamal had it not been for the Horwitzes."
The couple, who are down-to-earth, politically outspoken and disdainful of the pretensions of some of their Westside neighbors, said they enjoy a comfortable life, although they may have to cut back on some luxuries.
"David made a really good point that it's one thing to give to charity, a political party or an initiative," said Jacki. "But to give money that's going directly to a person, who you didn't know, that's a whole other level. It becomes so personal."
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carla.rivera@latimes.com
