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Thursday, October 26, 2000

Two bouts with cancer can't keep scholar down
Rita Garcia's illnesses don't keep her from participating in drill teams or in dreaming of a science career
By Aimée Courtice
Caller-Times

David Pellerin/Caller-Times

Rita Garcia is surrounded by family photos in her Corpus Christi home. She currently undergoes chemotherapy for liver cancer, but she’s gathered enough strength to excel academically in her classes at Ray High School. She focuses her attention on college and dreams of a career in psychology or pharmacology.

Just about every other day, the side effects of 17-year-old Rita Garcia's chemotherapy treatments for her liver cancer make getting out of bed too painful.
   Even though her body aches so much that some days she barely musters enough strength to write in her journal, the Ray High School senior is keeping up her grades to graduate with her class in the spring and head off to college.
   The Caller-Times Distinguished Scholar in the achiever category ranks 193th in her class of 468 with a grade average of 85.57 or 86.21 with honors classes factored in.
   Because of chemotherapy and weekly doctor visits, Rita had to stop going to school in late September. She will keep up with her schoolwork through the district's Homebound Program, which sets up Rita with a home tutor.
   This isn't the first time Rita has been forced to miss school. During her sophomore year, she was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor behind the retina of her left eye and underwent weekly laser and radiation treatments.
   She was back in school for her junior year. At the end of the year, Rita made the Tex-Ann Drill Team, but she only was able to perform at two football games before she got sick again.
   Elise Garst, who is Rita's leadership class teacher this year, said Rita's courage is an example to other students.
   "I remember when she stood up in front of the class (this September) and told us she had cancer again," Garst said. "She just smiled and told us, 'I will be OK.'
   "She's obviously grateful for every opportunity she has and she really loves to live life."
   Rita, daughter of Velma Kirbo and Roy Garcia, says her faith has helped her stay positive.
   "I asked myself why at first," she said. "But I am very religious and spiritual. I don't ask why anymore. I ask for God to give me understanding."
   Rita, also a member of the Spanish Honors Society and a delegate last year to the Youth Opportunities United Youth Summit, admits she hasn't been studious always. Her grades would range from A's to C's, but after her first semester in high school, she said, reality struck her.
   "I know I am going to need to do well to go to a good college," said Rita, who wants to attend the University of Texas and study psychology or pharmacology.
   Realizing the opportunity she has to simply live life also has driven her.
   "I try to take advantage of every opportunity I have," she said. "When I see other kids in class that don't care (about school) it frustrates me because they don't realize they won't have the opportunity of free education forever."
   Rita's mother said her daughter's perseverance and positive attitude impresses her every day.
   "Her strength and the peace and comfort God has given her have inspired me," she said.

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