Progreso at Lyford cancelled amid tragedy

[Bull Butter]

The Lyford community is grieving the death of Sophomore Gaby Rivera, who was among 7 LHS girls involved in an ATV accident last night. One other girl is in very critical condition. Gaby was a starter on Lyford's Volleyball, Basketball and Softball teams. She was the Valley Morning Star's newcomer of the year in basketball, averaging 13 points and 4 steals as a Freshman.

Lyford CISD has decided to cancel this week's non-district Homecoming game with Progreso. Thoughts and prayers go out to Gaby's family, as well as the Lyford Bulldog community

[regaleagle]

Just really sad news for the entire community and district. Prayers from Argyle for all those connected.

[garciap77]

Prayers from Wylie.

[FireGraig]

What a tragedy. God bless the community and her family.

[Ville]

Same from Ville God Bless them all.

[WARHORSE84]

Prayers from Devine

[Lombardi]

thoughts and prayers

[Inmateboss]

Prayers from Graham!!!


Expect to win, Play to win!!! Go Graham Steers
Go # 5

[Roughneck93]

Thoughts and prayers from West Columbia.

[Los Owls]

Sorry to hear the bad news..Prayers from HONDO.

[Bull Butter]

http://www.rgvsports.com/sports/lyford-12118-teen-local.html


Lyford mourning passing of local teen
September 19, 2012 1:20 AM
Eladio Jaimez
Valley Morning Star
LYFORD — A day after an accident claimed the life of Lyford teenager Gaby Rivera, her parents wanted her remembered for her love of academics, sports and a humble heart.

“When she was named valedictorian at her middle school graduation, she told me she wanted to do the same in high school,” her father Johnny said on Tuesday. “I told her to keep working hard and continue doing what she was doing. That’s where she thrived…in the classroom. She made straight A’s…she was a natural. She was ranked No. 1 in her class.”

Gaby, 15, had perfect attendance in school since the age of 4.

She dreamed of becoming a pediatrician one day, Johnny said.

But Gaby’s life and dreams were cut short on Monday when an all-terrain vehicle she was riding on with seven other girls flipped over and killed Gaby, Johnny said.

Another girl was taken to the Valley Baptist Medical Center and remains in critical condition according to VBMC spokesman Michael Swartz.

The girls were working on posters for a float for the Lyford Homecoming parade, which was scheduled for this week, Gaby’s mother Marina said.

According to a statement released by the Lyford CISD, the accident occurred 10 miles east of Lyford on La Rosita Road at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Monday.

By Tuesday afternoon, all Homecoming activities and athletic events, including Friday’s football game, for the week had been cancelled, Lyford athletic director Jaime Infante said.

All athletic events would resume Monday, Infante said.

Classes would continue as scheduled and extra counselors were brought in to help students with the grieving process, Infante said.

A statement released by the Lyford CISD stated in part:

“The Lyford CISD educational family is heartbroken over the loss of one of our students. We have mobilized our counseling staff and counselors from surrounding districts to counsel students and staff. We are family. We will pull through this together.”

A rosary will be held at Good Shepherd Funeral Home in Raymondville on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Another rosary will be held at Prince of Peace Catholic Church on Friday at 7 p.m. Gaby served as an alter server at Prince of Peace.

A Mass will be celebrated in Gaby’s honor on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Prince of Peace followed by internment at Lyford’s Evergreen Cemetery.

“She was very humble,” her mother, Marina, said. “And she had a very close relationship with Jesus Christ. I think that’s one of the reasons we’re all handling it so well. She always knew that all her accomplishments were because of Him.”

Johnny said her teammates recognized her spirituality and Gaby was one of the leaders of the team in that aspect.

“When her softball team won the national PONY tournament, all her teammates knew that Gaby was close to the church and to God,” Johnny said. “So she would lead the team in prayer before and after the games.”

Gaby played volleyball and softball but her passion was basketball.

She burst onto the basketball scene as a freshman earning Valley Morning Star All-Area Newcomer of the Year honors.

As a freshman last year, she averaged 13.4 points and 4.3 steals per game.

She started playing basketball when she was in the third grade.

In an interview last March with the VMS, Rivera said the recognition was a source of pride.

“It’s a big accomplishment,” Gaby told the VMS in March. “It’ll push me harder these next years. It’s something I could be proud of.”



Read more: http://www.rgvsports.com/articles/lyford-12118-teen-local.html#ixzz26xsEx4iB

[zebrablue2]

Prayers said and sent!!! So sad.

[Gone Fishing]

So sorry, God bless this family, Prayers sent.

[Pudlugger]

How very sad. Such a wonderful young lady. Prayers to her family and friends from La Grange.

[SHSBulldog00]

Prayers for her family and community.