A few of Mrs. Rosie’s biggest fans gathered in front of San Jacinto Elementary School to honor her for her remarkable half-century of service.
Rosie Reyna has been a custodian at the school since 1975, getting to know generations of families in that part of town, as she showed up for work year after year.
New San Angelo ISD Trustee Karla Cardenas organized the event for the San Jacinto Parents Group, and spoke briefly.
“Rosie; look at everything you have done for San Jacinto,” Cardenas said. “My parents know you, I’ve known you forever, and my kids, too.
“You’ve been such a part of everyone’s lives, and we just wanted to honor you… In a time where everything is changing, you have been a constant.”
A banner thanking Reyna for her service and Warrior headdress were presented, along with a monetary gift, as a token of thanks for all of her years of hard work and dedication.
For her part, Reyna was genuinely surprised by the impromptu event, and delighted as a few former students she hadn’t seen in a long time dropped by to give her a hug and take a picture with her.
Everyone who spoke agreed they were sad that San Jacinto was closing forever, but they shared memories of the school, and of Reyna, recalling the kindnesses and assistance she offered to them through the years.
Reyna said she isn’t planning to retire quite yet.
“I told them ‘One-more year,'” she said with a laugh. “I hate to quit on something halfway.”
