THREAD: 21+1 #Uvalde angels remembered now & past eternity. We’ve been back nearly every week since the massacre w/ a promise to honor those killed & to fight for accountability.
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Today, one day before the one-year mark please take some time to learn about the #Uvalde angels:
Nevaeh Bravo, 10.
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Her family said she ‘put a smile on everybody’s face.’
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She’s survived by her parents and three siblings.
Jacklyn ‘Jackie’ Cazares, 9
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She dreamed of going to Paris, being a vet & one day taking over the Love Ya Uvalde dinner (in her family’s words Jackie said ‘oh I can’t wait to be the boss!’)
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Her family has been fighting in DC & Austin the past year for gun reform legislation.
Makenna Lee Elrod Seiler, 10
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She loved Jesus, 4H, her friends & her family. Her mom tells us it was ‘three hugs & three kisses goodbye, every time.’
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At her birthday this year she was remembered for having a golden heart, being silly and sharing donuts she’d take to school.
Jose Flores Jr., 10
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We’re told Jose was always smiling & a perfect big brother.
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“He was so good and helpful. Around the house, he was my little shadow, helping me with stuff,” according to his stepmother Cynthia Herrera.
Amerie Jo Garza, 10
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A friend to all and a hero to the world. Amerie Jo tried calling 911 to save her classmates & teachers the day of the massacre. Her family tells me she was the perfect older sister.
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The aspiring artist and her art are memorialized around Uvalde.
Eliahna ‘Ellie’ Garcia, 9
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She fiercely loved Jesus, her family and Encanto. Disney made her a custom dress from the movie after finding out how big a fan she was.
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"She was fun, loving, with the biggest heart in the world," her father Steven said.
Irma Garcia, 48
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A longtime educator & one half of the ‘dream team’ Irma was known for her dedication to her family & students even in her final moments.
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“She tried to protect them at the last moment by giving her life, love and bravery,” Marcus Lozano, Irma’s brother, said.
Joe Garcia, 50
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Devoted husband to Irma & father to his children everyone remembers Joe’s love for life.
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He died two days after the shooting from cardiac arrest— family believes a broken heart.
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“Never turned anybody away from their door,” Marcus Lozano, Irma’s brother, said.
Uziyah Garcia, 10
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He loved Spider-Man & tried to put a smile on everyone’s faces. Brett & Nikki Cross raised him & have been fighting for gun reform legislation.
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“Every morning he told me he loved me before he went to school. We miss him everyday,” Nikki said about her son.
Xavier Lopez, 10
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He loved playing baseball, swimming and dancing. His sweet connection with Annabell Rodriguez, who also died in the shooting, was written in the stars.
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“We have forever to live [without Xavier]. I don’t know how,” his mom Felicha Martinez said.
Jayce Luevanos, 10
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He loved dinosaurs, SpongeBob, the color green and is so missed by his family.
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He would always make his grandparents a pot of coffee each morning.
Tess Mata, 10
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Tess was both the Astros & Jose Altuve’s biggest fan. Her family tells me you could hear her laugh a mile away.
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Tess loved Tik Tok, softball and her family. They wear bracelets Tess made & started a scholarship at Texas State (her dream school) in her name.
Maranda Mathis, 11
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She loved the outdoors, unicorns, mermaids and the color purple.
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Her family said she always enjoyed being among nature.
Eva Mireles, 44
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The other half of the ‘dream team’ Eva was a longtime educator, CrossFit superstar, karaoke queen & loving mother/wife. She also shielded her students during the massacre.
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“She she did this and she saved these kids,” her daughter Adalynn Ruiz tells us.
Alithia Ramirez, 10
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She dreamed of studying art in Paris. Her artwork has been honored by the White House and Google.
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There is a picture book coming out soon honoring Alithia and her art.
Annabell Rodriguez, 10
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She was best friends with her cousin Jackie Cazares and had a special connection with Xavier Lopez, both of whom were killed also in the mass shooting.
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She loved Tik Tok, the color blue and her family, including her twin sister.
Maite Rodriguez, 10
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She had dreams of being a marine biologist and loved anything to do with the ocean & keeping nature clean.
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Her green converse with a heart drawn on the toe have become recognized nationwide.
Lexi Rubio, 10
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Lexi wanted to attend St. Mary’s to study law. There’s now a scholarship in her name. She’s also known for her special at McDonald’s ‘Lexi Burger.’
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On those really bad days, the only thing that gets me up is sharing Lexi’s story,” Kimberly Rubio, her mom, said.
Layla Salazar, 11
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The track star and Tik Tok lover sang ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’ every morning with her dad on the way to school.
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Her grandfather Vincent Salazar Sr. said “She was my baby she was my granddaughter. I am mad. I am hurt.”
Jailah Silguero, 10.
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She loved Tik Tok, her family and her mural is painted right next to her cousin, Jayce.
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Her family held a relay in her honor and the Spurs made Jailah a custom jersey.
Eliahna Cruz Torres, 10
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She is forever her family’s #4 on and off the softball diamond. Her family tells us she could make anyone laugh and was very compassionate.
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Her family is often seen in purple shirts with Eliahna’s picture on them in her honor.
Rojelio Torres, 10
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He loved green, his family and Pokémon. His mural is now and forever part of the Pokémon Go game.
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When his mother Evadulia Orta received his backpack it had his Pokémon cards: “When we got that back we were happy because we got a part of him back.”
Several of the 21+1 Uvalde Angel’s families have been to Austin, Washington DC and met with countless lawmakers fighting for change.
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They gave us the honor of sharing those testimonies & conversations.
A group @LivesRobbed formed after the mass shooting. It’s officers are:
• @kimrubio21: Lexi Rubio’s mother
• @GloriaCazares82: Jackie Cazares’ mother
• @berlie72: Amerie Jo Garza’s Step-Grandmother
• @ronniemata1228: Tess Mata’s mother
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Their goal is gun reform legislation
All 21 families have let us in to their most vulnerable and difficult moments over this past year. There is so much more to say but for now let us honor their loved ones and #saytheirnames ❤️
Something else important to note. One year does not mark an ending point to anything. The Uvalde families determination will continue as will their fight for a safer world. Their work to honor their loved ones who should all still be here with them will continue forever.
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