As the Canutillo High School Class of 2024 gets ready to take on the graduation stage next month, one of its members will be there in more than memory thanks to the work of a Girl Scout from Reyes Elementary School.
Reyes fourth-grader Faith Murrietta decided that the memory of Carlos Lerma, who died in 2021, should be honored during the graduation ceremony at the Don Haskins. As a Girl Scout doing her Bronze Award project, she opted to leave a legacy of remembrance for Lerma and any other El Paso high-school student who unfortunately did not make it to commencement.
With the help of the Girl Scouts and the Carlos Lerma Memorial Foundation, Faith created the Graduation Angel – a metal structure that will be placed near the graduation stage. The structure will don the Canutillo High School cap and gown as well as a photo of Carlos.
“It’s a way to honor them with something that stands there in their memory,” Faith said. “And the Angel will be available to any family and high school who wants to use it in the future to honor any student who passed away and can’t be there.”
The Graduation Angel will be used for the first time on May 30, for the Canutillo High School Class of 2024 commencement exercises.
Faith was honored for her work on Tuesday with a special recognition by the Optimist International Country Club organization, who selected her project as one that showcases youth community service.
“What we have here is a clear example of a young person going above and beyond in her efforts to make a difference in her community,” said Jenny Patino, a member of Optimist International and an assistant principal at Canutillo High School. “By designing the Graduation Angel, she not only secured the legacy of Carlos Lerma, but also made sure that the legacies of any student who can’t make it to graduation is honored by their classmates and their families in the future.”