Fond Farewell: Psychology Major Sasha Garcia

Sophomore Sasha Garcia, a psychology major, passed away June 4. She was 20.

Born January 26, 2000, in Brawley, she lived in Calexico, Imperial Beach, and Chula Vista while growing up. She loved drawing, painting, and sports, playing in the Imperial Beach Girls Softball League for several years, and competing in softball and water polo at Olympian High School.

In 2018, she enrolled at Chico State, making friends in the residence halls and taking classes during winter and summer sessions as she strived to graduate early. Even during a short hospitalization due to complications of lupus, she continued with her studies.

Cheryl Lugo, an advisor for the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, recalls how lively Garcia was when they first met and her excitement to start the semester.

“We talked about graduate school quite a bit, and I encouraged her to check back in with me once the semester started so I could connect her with faculty,” she said. “She was worried about her ability to be competitive for graduate school, so we planned to meet throughout the semester to check in and make sure that she was on track, doing well, and feeling confident.”

Gerardo Mireles taught Garcia in one of his Spanish courses this spring and said he wished he had the chance to know her better, since their time in person was cut short due to COVID-19 and the move to virtual instruction. In their brief time in class, she impressed him with her dedication and attitude.

“Sasha was a quiet student in my Spanish class but was always respectful of her peers, and she was always positive and contributed to finish the assignments on time,” he said.

Sasha is survived by her father, Michael J. Garcia, mother Maria Guadalupe Lepe-Messimer, stepmother Anna Garcia, grandmothers Dolores Lepe and Susie Tirado, sisters Belinda Garcia and Breannah Garcia, brother Michael Garcia Jr., and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Services were held August 7 in Calexico. The University flag will be lowered today in her memory.