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Teachers remember Esequiel

The Big Bend Sentinel, Marfa, Texas, May 29, 1997

Esequiel was a second-year welding student and one of the students who went to district competition. He also volunteered with our Living History Project at Fort Leaton State Historic Site, and was selected as a student aide to work last fall's Longhorn cattle drive at Big Bend Ranch State Park.

He was honest, reliable, hard working and cheerful. He was a ranch kid and loved ranch life. He was proud of his goat herd and told me that he often engaged in target practice with his antique .22 rifle while tending them. His family was very important to him. His untimely death is a great loss to our community.

Randall C. Cater
Industrial technology teacher


Esequiel Hernandez Jr. was an always smiling student with a strong interest in the history of his home. In August I assigned the first long paper of the year. While most students wrote of childhood incidents, Esequiel chose to write a brief history of how the Mexican Revolution of 1910-17 affected the Big Bend region. When Esequiel was killed, he was just a few days away from finishing a research paper on the history of the Texas Rangers' law enforcement organization. These interests were tied in with Esequiel's overall love of horses and his love of life spent on horseback. The last photo I took of Esequiel for the yearbook is of him sitting astride a horse with a big smile on his face.

Esequiel was a quiet and pleasant student who was always polite and conscientious. His classmates and I will miss him very much.

Kevin Stahnke
English II teacher


For two years, as a freshman and a sophomore, Esequiel Hernandez Jr. was one of my students at Presidio High School. He was always polite and well behaved. Although somewhat shy, he was a willing talker when addressed, and I did enjoy talking to him. I know that he was well liked by his fellow students and had many friends. I will miss him.

Larry Swinnea
Biology teacher


Esequiel was one of the nicest people I've ever had the honor to know. He was a very fine young man, and he was the best library aide I had. He was a very well behaved young man. He did whatever was asked of him without complaint. He was very quiet and very likeable. I will miss him very much.

Deanne Mejia
Librarian


Esequiel Hernandez, Jr. was the bright spot in my seventh-period art class.

Madelyn Farmer
Art teacher


Esequiel was in one of my Spanish classes as well as the dance class. When the dance class began in January, he was the only boy who registered for the course. After the first week of class, Esequiel recruited five more boys to join the 16 girls for dance. He was extremely punctual, responsible and enthusiastic about the course. Since he had wanted to buy un sombrero charro, the dance class is providing the hat for the casket as a gift to Esequiel's family.

Christine Manriquez
Spanish and dance teacher


Esequiel was a meek, humble boy. He was well liked by all who knew him. This young man conducted himself in a manner that was above reproach. The reaction to his death across the campus is indicative of the quality of Esequiel's life. A sense of family can be observed throughout the student body and staff as the coping process has begun.

Teloa Swinnea
Presidio High School, co-principal


This article copyright 1997 The Big Bend Sentinel, (Marfa, Texas) and is reproduced for non-profit educational purposes only.

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