........Homegrown Inspiration........
Above: Eddie Garcia finds inspiration and a good role model close to home -- his mother.
These are the kind of stories that just melt your heart, and stories like these are what I truly enjoy writing about. It hit especially close to me when interviewing for this story. I had a single mother who raised three of us, and at one point were homeless for two weeks; we lived in the street for a couple days. I told Eddie Garcia's mom that everything would be OK one way or another. My mom made it and it is why I'm appreciative and admire single mothers. Behind every good man stands an even greater woman, and that woman was my mom.
HOMEGROWN INSPIRATION
Rio Hondo Prep's Garcia looks to mother as example
By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer
Since he was 3 years old, Eddie Garcia always saw a familiar face working up a sweat.
It was his mother, Martha, who often worked long hours, and it wasn't unusual for her to take up an extra one or two part-time jobs in addition to a full-time job to make ends meet.
It was that kind of determination and sense of urgency that Garcia admired and emulated.
"You raise me up so I can stand on mountains."
He's in his final year at Rio Hondo Prep, where he's not only taken advantage of every opportunity but also been at the forefront of everything he's been involved with, whether on or off the field.
The Kares hope Garcia doesn't let up Saturday night at 7 when Rio Hondo Prep hosts Riverside Christian in the CIF-Southern Section Northeast Division championship.
Garcia was voted toughest player on the team by his teammates last season, and he's known for his intensity. It's no surprise, then, why he leads the team in tackles (77) and sacks (4) this season.
"He's the backbone of the team," Rio Hondo Prep coach Ken Drain said. "He's what keeps us together out there."
But when it comes to his mother, Garcia is about as sensitive, appreciative and loving as one can be.
"You raise me up to walk on stormy seas."
Martha came to the U.S. at an early age after leaving her native Oaxaca , Mexico. She raised Aurelia, 21; Connie, a senior at Rio Hondo Prep; and Garcia, 18, by herself since her divorce when Garcia was 3. Garcia's father has since started a new life in Minnesota, and Garcia said he has little to no contact with him.
"But she's been there all the time," he said. "I don't know what we'd do without her."
The family of four lives in Monrovia. They don't indulge in much, except when it comes to education.
"We don't have much and we're not rich, but I always wanted them to have a great education," said Martha from her home.
"When they started, I wasn't sure how I'd pay for it, but I knew I would have to find a way."
Garcia and his sister Connie have attended Rio Hondo Prep since fifth grade. The tuition, along with mortgage payments and everyday life expenses, began to pile up, and the declining economy wasn't helping.
Garcia spent his entire summer working with his mother at Avon in Pasadena. His first day was a 12-hour shift and he didn't get home until just past 1 a.m.
A few hours of sleep would suffice, but it wasn't like he had a choice - his practice the next day started at 7 a.m.
"I told him that as a training employee, he was supposed to work only eight hours," Martha said. "I asked him if he wanted me to talk to the supervisor about it but he didn't want me to; he wanted to work as many hours as he could."
Scholarships and financial aid alleviated tuition expenses, but it still wasn't enough. Martha was falling behind in other areas, including the mortgage.
"I am strong when I am on your shoulders."
Garcia worked four days a week in the summer in addition to football practice, which started at 7 a.m. and ended at 11 a.m. He'd rest for an hour before starting work at 1:30p.m.
The three-year starter estimates he earned just over $2,600, and $600 of it went toward his tuition.
"He was this high school kid working with adults," Martha recalled. "The supervisors told me he was one of the hardest- working employees."
Martha has done just about everything she can to meet the $500 monthly tuition payments. She works her full-time job Monday through Friday and sells Avon products on the weekend. Before she leaves for work, Martha cooks 10-15 meals for co-workers who pay $5 a plate.
"It's not much, but it's something," Martha said. "I don't get to see (my kids) much after I drop them off. By the time I get home (at 1 a.m.) they're already sleeping.
"I try not to tell them what I'm doing. I don't want them to be worried. I want them to take advantage of school because I always wanted them to have a good education. The tuition is my biggest worry right now, but that's something I don't want them to have to worry about."
Though she rarely sees her kids, Martha has attended most of Garcia's games and is proud of his accomplishments.
Against Boron two weeks ago, Martha made a surprise drive to the desert; Garcia didn't know she was at the game until it was over.
She'll be there Saturday night cheering on the Kares.
Garcia also does well academically: he's student body president with good grades, and he wants to attend Cal State Fullerton and go into law enforcement.
"You raise me up to more than I can be."
"He's always given his best effort," said Rio Hondo Prep principal Leslie Orsburn, who used to be Garcia's Latin teacher. "He's always been a leader among his peers - a quiet leader, and in no way draws any attention to himself or have had any kind of ego."
Garcia gets emotional when speaking of his mother's sacrifice to put him through school and provide everyday necessities.
And in return, he's paid her back with something money will never buy.
Pride.
miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4485
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About this blog
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
Miguel -
Awesome story! Thanks for taking the time to write this story on Eddie Garcia...He is a true inspiration!!
Stories like this make me realize that it's all worth it for doing what you have to do to get your kids where they need to be.
God bless them - and God will bless them.
ed.. "El Presidente" congradulations in leading your boys to Championship. Bring it home!
Ed. El Presidente congradulations in leading your boys to championship. Bring it home!
Ed. El Presidente congradulations in leading your boys to championship. Bring it home!