16-05-2025
Bakersfield mother fights to get late daughter's name in graduation ceremony
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — 'I think of her 24/7, yes, I miss her dearly, I miss you know, the utter silence of not having silence in my house because she was the joy to our life,' said Daniela Esparza.
Sitting in her late daughter's room, Daniela Esparza is fighting for the memory of 13-year-old Jasid Garcia who died by suicide. Grief has only worsened for the mother, after learning Jasid's name will not be mentioned in the graduation of her school, Ollivier Middle. She was also left out of the class t-shirt.
When Esparza contacted the Principal, this is what she was told…
'We will provide for you her yearbook, her gown, and her diploma prior to the ceremony,' Esparza reads from her phone. 'While I know this is a heartbreaking time for you and your family, it's also a day of celebration for the other 380 students and their families.'
17 News contacted the Greenfield Union School District. We received a statement saying that, according to district policies, it was decided Jasid would be recognized at a different time. Adding this decision is to preserve the privacy and integrity of sensitive matters.
The San Francisco Giants are taking a different approach, honoring Jasid, a Junior Giant, by expanding mental health resources to the youth. The 13-year-old also won the Willie Mac Award for 2024, but passed before she could receive it.
'I don't need a special chair, I don't even honestly need to be present but if that's just that extra step where I could be honored to walk my daughter's footsteps and receive that diploma, I would,' said Esparza. 'I just want her name to be said.'
The graduation ceremony is set for May 28th.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
