Roadrunners Remembered

The Service

On Feb. 28 the first annual Roadrunner Remembrance program took place at UTSA's Retama auditorium. The ceremony served as a way to honor deceased members of the Roadrunner community.

Family and friends gathered to remember their loved ones who were all part of the UTSA community. During the program Marlon Anderson, director of the Inclusion and Community Engagement Center, lent his thoughts on the program becoming a tradition.

"Today's program is the culmination of efforts by a group of dedicated members of the UTSA community. UTSA will proudly host this event each year. The event highlights each person's pride, loyalty and dedication to UTSA and celebrates their memories with family and friends, current students, faculty, staff, alumni and administration," Anderson said.

The stage was adorned with flowers, with the center arrangement displaying five Bird of Paradise flowers. "(The flowers symbolize) the individuals who passed away in each of UTSA's four decades, and the fifth is symbolic of the years 2000-2008," Anderson said.

Barry McKinney, director of student activities, was the master of ceremony for the event, and during the ceremonies, Dr. Gage Paine, vice president for student affairs and Christina Gomez, student government assocation president, offered their regards. Other participants were John Kaulfus, associate dean of students, who announced the names of those being honored, and Kenneth Brice, Jr., a UTSA alumnus, who read an original poem titled "Reach for me."

Two of the most beautiful moments in the program were also two that tugged relentlessly at the heart. The melodic voices of the UTSA chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women and the Phi Mu Alpha Symphonia Fraternity for Men rang through the auditorium and stirred the emotions of everyone in attendance. There was also a moment of silence that allowed for reflection of those deceased, and in that reflection, the silence was broken only by sounds of muffled weeping and subtle sniffling.

A Loving Wife, Mother, Sister and Friend

One member of the UTSA community whose family and friends came to honor her memory, was Irasema Villanueva. "She was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend," her husband, Abraham Villanueva, said. "We miss her and love her." Irasema Villanueva was the youngest of five girls who all cherished their sister.

"Even though she was my baby sister, she was the strongest and most logical minded," said Alicia Cantu.

Sylvia Castaneda, Adalia Montemayor, and Nydia Czar-all sisters of Villanueva-said that their sister was a beautiful and caring person who touched so many lives.

In November 2008, Villanueva passed away from cancer.

"She was an admirable woman who fought a great battle with a lot of dignity," Olinda Schwebel, another sister of Villanueva's, said.

Villanueva's husband shared that his wife loved working at UTSA and that she worked at the university for 15 years. Villanueva was a senior system analyst team leader.

This past year, the lives of 12 students were lost. Of the 12, three families shared their painful experience of losing a loved one. Among these families were three different mothers, all who shared a common bond: they'd all lost their children way too early-and all to car accidents. Unsure if they had the strength to speak of their losses, each took a moment to gain composure before they spoke. Courageously and through their tears, they managed to tell their children's stories.

A Great Daughter and Friend

On July 6, 2008, sophmore DeAndria Anderson passed away. She was 19 and studying to become a pharmacist.

"She loved the Lord," said her mother Loretta Stephens. "She was outgoing, caring, had a bubbly personality, lots of friends, and loved her family." Her mother mentioned a relevant message that DeAndria Anderson had posted on her MySpace page stating that someday she would want to meet the Lord and ask him what her purpose was in life. In addition to her family, a large group of Anderson's friends joined to remember her and all were visibly pained at losing her.

A Friend to All

Another student who passed away in a car accident was Clint "Alex" Luera. Also a sophomore, Alex was studying International Business. His mother and father, Lisa and Noel Luera, were at the program to honor the memory of their son who passed away on March 17, 2008.

"He had a great personality; he was a people person. He knew no stranger," his mother said. "As a mom, I wish we could go back to horse and buggy. There are just too many deaths on the road with our children."

Amanda Gomez, sophomore bilingual education major, was a friend of Luera. "He kept us together. He was the glue of our group," she said.

A Goal-oriented Achiever

The family and friends of David Anthony Silva also came to honor his memory. Sadly, Silva was killed by a drunk driver at the age of 22. As his mother wore his jacket, she spoke about her son. "(He was) very loving, caring, giving and very ambitious," said Diana Silva, David's mother. "He had many dreams, many goals."

David was a transfer student from Northwest Vista , so he was in his first year at UTSA. His mother describes how excited he was to attend the university.

"I remember the day he got accepted here," Silva said. "He came home and he was very happy." Silva's aunt, Rachel Silva, added that he was very proud that he attended UTSA.

Silva was a junior pursuing his marketing degree, and outside of school he was a longstanding employee at Broadway Bank. While employed at the bank, Silva was awarded teller of the year two consecutive years.

A Celebration of Life

Even in their absence, each member of the UTSA community who passed away was present that day in spirit, in the hearts and minds of their loved ones, as well as on the picture-buttons their family members donned. All of the families were pleased that UTSA took the time to honor their loved ones, although the experience was bitter-sweet.