El Paso, Texas (KTSM) – IDEA Mesa Hills School hosted a celebration of life Tuesday, March 19 for the 8-year-old El Paso girl who died in a rollover car crash in Hudspeth County last week.
Yvette Delgado, the school principal, said the family was heading to the beach for a spring break trip when the crash took place on March 13.
The Texas Department of Public Safety says the driver of the vehicle failed to stay in a single lane and headed off the roadway. The vehicle then rolled over and came to a rest on its right side. DPS says the vehicle had four passengers and 8-year-old Sophia Arellano was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Delgado said the school organized the memorial because they want everyone to remember Sofia through words and pictures.
“She was joy, and that is one of our core values here at Mesa Hills. She was a representative of bringing joy, anybody that she would talk to, just a happy little girl,” Delgado said.
The memorial took place in the gymnasium of the school with grades 3 to 5 in attendance, along with the Arellano family.
A display of pictures was shown of Sofia with her classmates, and a teacher sang a song paying her respects to the student. The ceremony ended with students, family and staff releasing white balloons outside the gymnasium.
Delgado said the school has a team of counselors making sure students and parents have the necessary resources during this time of grief.
“We provided stuffed toys so they can hug. Sofia’s favorite animal is unicorns, so we provided unicorn stuffed toys to the kiddos,” Delgado said.
Aracely Mijares, school counselor, says they are trying to guide students’ thoughts towards a more positive mental approach.
“The way we are relating the message is as an opportunity to reflect and think about all of the experiences students can remember of the scholar, and maybe times she made them laugh.” Mijares said.
The school is organizing a GoFundMe page, in an effort to help the family financially. It will be posted on IDEA Mesa Hills Facebook page.
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