A lasting legacy: Dr. Sara Carrasco honored, remembered at Laredo College

Laredo College leaders, faculty and staff gathered for a special commemoration ceremony this week to dedicate a bench in the honor of a special individual to the school at the Ft. McIntosh campus.

Dr. Sara Carrasco was honored Thursday near LC’s Maravillo Gym as a bench was engraved at the location. Carrasco died on July 22. The location was described by her family and co-workers as one she considered a second home.

Carrasco was a kinesiology instructor and tennis coach, and she dedicated her life serving education and promoting physical activity. She also earned multiple distinctions and accolades for her work in athletics and advocating for a healthier lifestyle.

Carrasco’s son, Adolfo, was present for the ceremony and expressed his gratitude for seeing his mother recognized for her service to the community.

“This recognition represents almost 51 years in education and the impact that she had in our community,” Adolfo said. “People say its easy to make a buck, but it’s harder to make a difference. That’s my mom’s legacy, she had an impact on many. And today it’s just an example of years and decades of years of service to this community, and everybody here is a reflection of what she did for many people.”

Carrasco worked at LJ Christen Middle School before becoming an educator at Laredo College, but she was also part of many other activities to raise money for supporting the battle against heart disease and diabetes. She also assisted with private instruction and player development.

As Laredo College is about to celebrate 75 years of service, Carrasco was a mainstay at the institution for most of that time.

“I couldn’t be happier (for the honor),” Adolfo said. “On behalf of our family, it has being such an honor to reflect back and look at all mom has done for so many people. As I looked across the room and I look at everybody, I see my mother. It is a reflection of our mom. It such an honor to be here.

“I love my mom, and she will be missed. I hope that through our people; our community; our institution, Laredo College; that her legacy lives on forever.”

Lu Sparksman, who who retired in 2018 but was an instructor since the days of Laredo Junior College, stated that Carrasco was one of her dearest friends.

“She was a wonderful friend, colleague, and we shared our office together,” Sparksman said. “We had a lot of adventures together. She was wonderfully inspiring as far as being a joyful person and someone who loves their profession, who loved mentoring young students.

“She was high spirited and loving, and a great best friend and colleague. When I picture her, it is here on campus as the only place I can think of.”

Marisela Rodriguez Tijerina, LC’s Provost Vice President of Academic Affairs, shared many fond memories as well with Carrasco and said that she had a major impact on her life.

“Career-wise, we worked on a lot of things like working on new curriculum for kinesiology, but personally, she helped me with my training. I ultimately became a track athlete, and I even ran one marathon,” Rodriguez Tijerina said. “She helped me with the physical, mental and spiritual. That’s Dr. Carrasco, that’s the spirit she provided us and motivation. We will always remember Dr. Carrasco.”

Additionally, Laredo College Board President Lupita Zepeda said she saw that impact first-hand with many students’ lives being changed for the better.

“She was one of our educators at Laredo College. She made a huge difference in all the students that she touched their lives,” Zepeda said. “I’ve heard a lot of good things that students that come back and talked about, and we’re very proud that we’re able to honor her. We will have the bench here in front of the Maravillo Gym because this was her second home. We’re very proud to be here and honor her and her family.

“(We) thank her family for sharing her with us. She spent a lot of years here educating our students.”

karol.garcia@lmtonline.com