In a heartwarming effort to give back to the community and honor the memory of their beloved daughter, the family of Alycia Reynaga, a Stagg High School student who tragically lost her life in a stabbing incident on campus in April 2022, organized a backpack giveaway on Sunday. The event aimed to provide 300 backpacks to local students as they prepare to return to school after the summer break.The giveaway took place at the Mango Crazy restaurant on 222 North El Dorado Ave, starting at 11 a.m. Alycia's cousin, Andrea Hernandez, expressed the family's heartfelt desire to come together as one to make a positive impact on the community. She said, "Everyone needs help, and by doing this, it's what Lala would want."
Alycia Reynaga was only 15 years old when she was tragically attacked by a man named Anthony Gray, who entered the Stagg High School parking lot and proceeded to assault her on campus in April 2022. Alycia, a freshman softball player, had a bright future ahead of her, and her untimely death sent shockwaves through the community.
Following the tragic incident, along with two other instances of unauthorized individuals entering the campus, school officials took steps to enhance security measures at Stagg High School. Some of the additional measures included the deployment of two extra campus security monitors, bringing the total to nine.
However, despite these efforts, Alycia Reynaga's family took legal action against Stockton Unified School District in April 2023, asserting that her death could have been prevented. The lawsuit accuses the Stockton Unified High School District board and administration of serious negligence and a "systemic failure to protect students." It alleges that security measures were reduced on campus, despite education officials being aware for years that students needed more protection.
The backpack giveaway event, organized by Reynaga's family, not only aimed to assist students with school supplies but also served as a touching tribute to the young life lost too soon. The family's commitment to supporting the community in the face of their own tragedy exemplifies the strength and resilience of the Stockton community.
As students across Stockton prepare to return to school, the impact of such a gesture from Reynaga's family resonates far beyond the backpacks provided. It serves as a powerful reminder that amidst adversity, unity and compassion can bring about positive change, making a difference in the lives of others and in the collective spirit of Stockton.