News
Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2006
Elementary School in Texas
Named in Honor of Enrique "Kiki" Camarena
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Enrique Camarena Elementary School in Mission, Texas |
(MISSION, TX) - The Dedication Ceremony for Enrique “Kiki” Camarena Elementary School occurred in Mission, Texas in December 2006. Camarena Elementary is the first newly constructed school in the United States that was named for Special Agent (S/A) Camarena. The La Joya (TX) Independent School District Board of Trustees named the school in honor of S/A Camarena, who as a positive role model made a difference as he fought the battle against illegal drugs. S/A Camarena was kidnapped, tortured, and murdered in 1985 by members of drug trafficking organizations based in Guadalajara, Mexico.
The guest speaker at the dedication was Geneva “Mika” Camarena, the widow of S/A Camarena and Vice President of the Enrique S. Camarena Educational Foundation. Ms. Camarena spoke of S/A Camerana’s dedication to his community and nation, and how his memory has inspired others. Ms. Camarena also noted how Red Ribbon Week focuses S/A Camarena’s dedication to his family and encouraging school-age children to lead a drug-free life. Also present at the dedication were S/A Camarena’s sisters, Myrna Covarrubias, Sandra Camarena, and Bertha Tamayo, and his niece, Jenine Ramos. Students from Camarena Elementary sang inspirational musical selections and gave a series of short speeches, which centered on the topic, “What is a Hero?” The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of a bust and portrait of S/A Camarena, which will be on permanent display in the school’s foyer. Approximately 150 members of the community, La Joya School Board Trustees and administrators, and Camarena Elementary staff members attended the dedication, as did members of the DEA staff from the McAllen District Office and Brownsville Resident Office.
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(L to R) Mika Camarena, La Joya ISD Superintendent Dr. Alba Benavides, Principal Jose T. Garcia, School Board Secretary Jose A. "Fito" Salinas, and School Board Member Elma Garza |
SA Camarena's sisters (L to R) Sandra, Myrna and Bertha with retired DEA Special Agent Jaime Kuykendall (second from right) |
More About Enrique "Kiki" Camarena>>
Dedicatory Address >>