This memorial is to honor the legacy of Rosa Isela Garcia. Rosa’s character was often mistaken as shy and quiet but her resilience and grit was inspirational.
She did not give in to the unfortunate stigma of being a single young mother or its economic consequences. Instead Rosa used education as a way out. She enrolled at The El Paso Job Core Program. In a little more than a year she received her diploma, (a year earlier then her friends in high school) received her vocational certificate and enrolled at El Paso Community College plus had her baby!
For a long time, Rosa’s life was working in the daytime, going to school and studying in the evenings, but always being a good Mom and for her children every time. Her investment in Education gave her what she considered to be the best job she ever had, The El Paso Police Department.
She began with the El Paso Police Crime Stoppers Unit and then went on to be part of The El Paso Police Academy family for many years until her passing. Rosa loved being part of the Police Academy. She often decorated her office and brought baked goods on every holiday to ease the stressful demands as new recruits.
This education scholarship will be just one part of her big legacy she left behind. Hopefully, i will inspire and encourage other single parents. So they can believe in themselves, in their community and in their future.