Funeral for Hector Magana - A life cut short
Donation protected
***URGENT UPDATE*** We are still short to pay the Funeral Home. Anything you can donate would help a lot. Anything over the amount to bury Hector will go to start his Non-Profit to help parent-less teens like him get back on their feet and have the support they need to start adulthood.
On December 17th, 2020, Cadet Graduate Hector Magana was involved in an automobile accident involving initially one other vehicle on the 210 Freeway in Glendora, California, at approximately 12:13 am. The initial collision appears to have disabled both vehicles, trapping each driver. Several more vehicles approached the crash site, unaware of the previous accident, violently striking Graduate Magana's disabled vehicle several additional times, killing him. He was born September 9th, 1998, and died December 17th, 2020, at the young age of 22. He is survived by relatives and friends from around the world and the staff of the California State Military Department's, Youth and Community Program's Task Force.
We are asking for donations to help cover the funeral cost as the father was not in the picture and his mother, Jeanine Romero passed from cancer. This leaves his Aunt, his Friends, and the Staff of Sunburst to cover the $8,500 costs. Any amount you can help with is greatly appreciated. Please take a few moments and learn a little about Hector. It's a story you'll be sad you read, but happy he was on this earth for his limited time. Any funds raised over the $8,500 to cover the funeral cost will establish a Scholarship in his name to help those in similar situations.
THE STORY OF HECTOR MAGANA - THE ANGEL WITH CLIPPED WINGS
Cadet Magana was a unique soul. At such a young age, he endured so many trials, hardships, and pure bad luck. From him and his mother being caught in an abusive household to losing his mother to cancer at the age of 15, and a subsequent drug addiction compounded by then being homeless at and alone living in his deceased mothers' car right after her passing; most at this point would have given up. Instead, Cadet Graduate Hector Magana was introduced to a Sunburst Youth Academy program, a Free 5 1/2 Quasi-Military Residential Program, where at-risk teens must volunteer, compete, and earn 1 of 225 spots at the program where 1 in 6 applicants do not make it in.
During the initial meeting, set up by Lloyd Wilson, who at the time was the Dean of Students at Poly Academy of Achievers and Leaders in Long Beach, Ca, Staff from Sunburst explained the nature of the school, that it was voluntary, free, would include a grueling physical tryout and if he earns a spot, the staff will cover all of his cost. Cadet Managa reminded silent throughout the meeting, taking in all of the new information. Stuck on a military base for 5 1/2 months, no cell phone, no social media, being told what to do each day were some of the items explained. At the conclusion of the mini one on one Orientation, Cadet Graduate Magana looked at the Dean of Students and then back at the Sunburst staff and asked, "Hold up. Are you saying am have my bed again and have food to eat every day? Sign me up." The staff chuckled as Magana had this personality and smile that you could not help but love even as a Military Instructor.
Here the thing, I was that Sergeant. This moment changed his and my life forever. As funny as the moment was, on the way back to our base, the thought never left my head that of all the things I sad, his focus was on something as simple as a bed to call his own and food. It was inspirational yet also tragic in nature. There he was, a 15-year-old kid living in his dead mothers' car, with no food and being helped by Mr. Wilson with some pocket change to get what he needs. Mr. Wilson also came in early each day so Hector could use the school's showers before anyone else arrived to ensure the student body would be none the wiser.
I wish I could say this story had the happy ending we all hoped for, but life has weird ways of handing out fate.
Hector earned his spot at the Sunburst Youth Academy with ease. Outperforming the vast majority of applicants, he received a phone call from me with a simple, "Applicant Magana, You're in. I'll pick you up Sunday at 8:00 am. Don't do anything stupid until then." Followed by Hector's response of, "Really Sergeant? That's what's up. Don't worry Sergeant. I'll be chillin'. Thank you for doing all this." This was the start of a 6-month journey in which Cadet Graduate Magana pushed himself physically, academically, and emotionally as he began attending counseling sessions provided by the program to help cope with the loss of his mother. He was featured in several new segments and video productions during his time in the program. There was an underlying message in each video, interview, or quote; he always wanted to do it to make his mother proud as she looked over him.
He graduated from the program as one of the Top Cadets on December 11th, 2016, and returned a man on a mission. Ups and downs were still apart of his life, as with any young adult, but his compass always helped guide him down the path he wanted for himself. The path to make his mother proud just one more time.
Before he graduated from our Program, I asked him to write a letter telling his story and what led him to be here. He asked why, and I told him that his story would help change someone else's life. Maybe give them hope for once. He put his head down and started writing while telling me, "You know Sergeant, I can do hope. My life isn't as bad as some of the other peoples', but maybe I can help someone. How long should it be?"
His letter is below the next photo.
THE LAST LETTER - WE LEFT THE TEXT AS WRITTEN BY HECTOR.
Hello my name is Cadet Hector Magana. I am 17 years old and I have been through a lot. I’m writing the is cause Sgt. Cotton told me to tell my story so maybe my story would help other people. So here it is. At 11 years old, my mother made the decision to abandon my siblings and I behind at our Aunts in order to move in with her new boyfriend. I begged and pleaded with her to take me with her. I cried, held on her and wouldn’t let her go. She finally relented and allowed me to go with her to live in her new home.
We lived with her new boyfriend for a short while until they broke up and had to move out. Since we didn’t have any money and were extremely poor, we moved in with family again. In order to try and earn money to help my family, I started selling weed, which turned into me doing drugs heavily. It became a downward spiral. I sold more drugs to try and support my family, but it also to support my drug habit. I got kicked out of middle school for fighting all the time and ended up joining a gang. My mother saw the path I was headed and found out I was selling drugs and was into the gang lifestyle. She ended up moving us to another city so that we could get away from that life.
It was during the move my mom found out she had cancer. This was the first event that sparked a change in me. She was getting sicker and sicker and I needed to take care of her. I stopped selling drugs and dropped out of high school in order to take care of her. It was an emotional minefield for me seeing her decline and finally having to say goodbye to her on her deathbed. That really messed up.
At 16 my mother passed away. I was left with no one to turn to. Because of my prior behavior, I burned every bridge I had. I made the decision to go back to school but I also got back into gangs and started selling drugs again. I slept in my deceased mothers car every night and would go to my high school to shower. My school principal, Mr. Wilson is a real one. I really appreciate that he had my back all the time. He saw something in me and told me about Sunburst. He set up a meeting between Sgt. Cotton and Mr. Wright and me. Once I heard them speak about what they could do for me, I was sold. I knew I would at least have 3 meals a day and a bed to sleep on. I hadn’t had that in a long time.
I called Sgt. Cotton and told him that I was going to go. He drove over to my school in like 30 minutes and helped me fill out the paperwork. I was supposed to have my stuff to prove who I was like, my birth paperwork, so I got kind of scared thinking I wasn't going to get in because of it. But when I told him I didn’t have it, he just told me he doesn't care, as long as I wanted to be there he would take care of it. We got done and when I was leaving and we were walking out he asked if I was hungry. I said eye yes, but I got it. But he still took me to get food and some gas. A few weeks later I started Sunburst.
Sunburst has given me so much more then I could have ever expected. I now know what I am capable of and how strong I am. I used to have all F’s and now I have A’s and B’s. I was not a perfect person before Sunburst and I won’t be one after, but I promised myself that I would make my mother proud and push myself each and everyday. I now plan to become a registered nurse and work with other cancer patients. When I think about slipping back into my old ways, I use my mother as my strength, and when I mess up I’m going to keep learning and keep going. Thank you for not giving up on me. I still don’t know why you helped me. Like I’m not even family with you. I thought you was fuckin with me about this place being Disneyland. But like, I think you should change what you say during Orientation. It’s not the fakest place on earth. It’s the realist because we get to finally be ourselves. Anyway Sgt, thank you and like don’t forget about me once I’m gone alright?
On December 17th, 2020, Cadet Graduate Hector Magana was involved in an automobile accident involving initially one other vehicle on the 210 Freeway in Glendora, California, at approximately 12:13 am. The initial collision appears to have disabled both vehicles, trapping each driver. Several more vehicles approached the crash site, unaware of the previous accident, violently striking Graduate Magana's disabled vehicle several additional times, killing him. He was born September 9th, 1998, and died December 17th, 2020, at the young age of 22. He is survived by relatives and friends from around the world and the staff of the California State Military Department's, Youth and Community Program's Task Force.
We are asking for donations to help cover the funeral cost as the father was not in the picture and his mother, Jeanine Romero passed from cancer. This leaves his Aunt, his Friends, and the Staff of Sunburst to cover the $8,500 costs. Any amount you can help with is greatly appreciated. Please take a few moments and learn a little about Hector. It's a story you'll be sad you read, but happy he was on this earth for his limited time. Any funds raised over the $8,500 to cover the funeral cost will establish a Scholarship in his name to help those in similar situations.
THE STORY OF HECTOR MAGANA - THE ANGEL WITH CLIPPED WINGS
Cadet Magana was a unique soul. At such a young age, he endured so many trials, hardships, and pure bad luck. From him and his mother being caught in an abusive household to losing his mother to cancer at the age of 15, and a subsequent drug addiction compounded by then being homeless at and alone living in his deceased mothers' car right after her passing; most at this point would have given up. Instead, Cadet Graduate Hector Magana was introduced to a Sunburst Youth Academy program, a Free 5 1/2 Quasi-Military Residential Program, where at-risk teens must volunteer, compete, and earn 1 of 225 spots at the program where 1 in 6 applicants do not make it in.
During the initial meeting, set up by Lloyd Wilson, who at the time was the Dean of Students at Poly Academy of Achievers and Leaders in Long Beach, Ca, Staff from Sunburst explained the nature of the school, that it was voluntary, free, would include a grueling physical tryout and if he earns a spot, the staff will cover all of his cost. Cadet Managa reminded silent throughout the meeting, taking in all of the new information. Stuck on a military base for 5 1/2 months, no cell phone, no social media, being told what to do each day were some of the items explained. At the conclusion of the mini one on one Orientation, Cadet Graduate Magana looked at the Dean of Students and then back at the Sunburst staff and asked, "Hold up. Are you saying am have my bed again and have food to eat every day? Sign me up." The staff chuckled as Magana had this personality and smile that you could not help but love even as a Military Instructor.
Here the thing, I was that Sergeant. This moment changed his and my life forever. As funny as the moment was, on the way back to our base, the thought never left my head that of all the things I sad, his focus was on something as simple as a bed to call his own and food. It was inspirational yet also tragic in nature. There he was, a 15-year-old kid living in his dead mothers' car, with no food and being helped by Mr. Wilson with some pocket change to get what he needs. Mr. Wilson also came in early each day so Hector could use the school's showers before anyone else arrived to ensure the student body would be none the wiser.
I wish I could say this story had the happy ending we all hoped for, but life has weird ways of handing out fate.
Hector earned his spot at the Sunburst Youth Academy with ease. Outperforming the vast majority of applicants, he received a phone call from me with a simple, "Applicant Magana, You're in. I'll pick you up Sunday at 8:00 am. Don't do anything stupid until then." Followed by Hector's response of, "Really Sergeant? That's what's up. Don't worry Sergeant. I'll be chillin'. Thank you for doing all this." This was the start of a 6-month journey in which Cadet Graduate Magana pushed himself physically, academically, and emotionally as he began attending counseling sessions provided by the program to help cope with the loss of his mother. He was featured in several new segments and video productions during his time in the program. There was an underlying message in each video, interview, or quote; he always wanted to do it to make his mother proud as she looked over him.
He graduated from the program as one of the Top Cadets on December 11th, 2016, and returned a man on a mission. Ups and downs were still apart of his life, as with any young adult, but his compass always helped guide him down the path he wanted for himself. The path to make his mother proud just one more time.
Before he graduated from our Program, I asked him to write a letter telling his story and what led him to be here. He asked why, and I told him that his story would help change someone else's life. Maybe give them hope for once. He put his head down and started writing while telling me, "You know Sergeant, I can do hope. My life isn't as bad as some of the other peoples', but maybe I can help someone. How long should it be?"
His letter is below the next photo.
THE LAST LETTER - WE LEFT THE TEXT AS WRITTEN BY HECTOR.
Hello my name is Cadet Hector Magana. I am 17 years old and I have been through a lot. I’m writing the is cause Sgt. Cotton told me to tell my story so maybe my story would help other people. So here it is. At 11 years old, my mother made the decision to abandon my siblings and I behind at our Aunts in order to move in with her new boyfriend. I begged and pleaded with her to take me with her. I cried, held on her and wouldn’t let her go. She finally relented and allowed me to go with her to live in her new home.
We lived with her new boyfriend for a short while until they broke up and had to move out. Since we didn’t have any money and were extremely poor, we moved in with family again. In order to try and earn money to help my family, I started selling weed, which turned into me doing drugs heavily. It became a downward spiral. I sold more drugs to try and support my family, but it also to support my drug habit. I got kicked out of middle school for fighting all the time and ended up joining a gang. My mother saw the path I was headed and found out I was selling drugs and was into the gang lifestyle. She ended up moving us to another city so that we could get away from that life.
It was during the move my mom found out she had cancer. This was the first event that sparked a change in me. She was getting sicker and sicker and I needed to take care of her. I stopped selling drugs and dropped out of high school in order to take care of her. It was an emotional minefield for me seeing her decline and finally having to say goodbye to her on her deathbed. That really messed up.
At 16 my mother passed away. I was left with no one to turn to. Because of my prior behavior, I burned every bridge I had. I made the decision to go back to school but I also got back into gangs and started selling drugs again. I slept in my deceased mothers car every night and would go to my high school to shower. My school principal, Mr. Wilson is a real one. I really appreciate that he had my back all the time. He saw something in me and told me about Sunburst. He set up a meeting between Sgt. Cotton and Mr. Wright and me. Once I heard them speak about what they could do for me, I was sold. I knew I would at least have 3 meals a day and a bed to sleep on. I hadn’t had that in a long time.
I called Sgt. Cotton and told him that I was going to go. He drove over to my school in like 30 minutes and helped me fill out the paperwork. I was supposed to have my stuff to prove who I was like, my birth paperwork, so I got kind of scared thinking I wasn't going to get in because of it. But when I told him I didn’t have it, he just told me he doesn't care, as long as I wanted to be there he would take care of it. We got done and when I was leaving and we were walking out he asked if I was hungry. I said eye yes, but I got it. But he still took me to get food and some gas. A few weeks later I started Sunburst.
Sunburst has given me so much more then I could have ever expected. I now know what I am capable of and how strong I am. I used to have all F’s and now I have A’s and B’s. I was not a perfect person before Sunburst and I won’t be one after, but I promised myself that I would make my mother proud and push myself each and everyday. I now plan to become a registered nurse and work with other cancer patients. When I think about slipping back into my old ways, I use my mother as my strength, and when I mess up I’m going to keep learning and keep going. Thank you for not giving up on me. I still don’t know why you helped me. Like I’m not even family with you. I thought you was fuckin with me about this place being Disneyland. But like, I think you should change what you say during Orientation. It’s not the fakest place on earth. It’s the realist because we get to finally be ourselves. Anyway Sgt, thank you and like don’t forget about me once I’m gone alright?
Fundraising team: HIS SMILE COULD SAVE THE WORLD (2)
Briana Romero
Organizer
Long Beach, CA
Philip Cotton
Team member