TUCSON, Ariz. -- Today was the first football game since 7 year-old Jazelle Armenta passed away due to a car accident.
It was a day full of cheers, warm embraces, and most of all a day of remembrance for little Jazelle. Her coach told KGUN9, this is what she would have wanted.
It’s been several days since 7-year-old Jazelle Armenta lost her life, something that is still difficult for Jazelle’s mom to wrap her head around.
“She was always smiling. Always doing stuff for everybody else. She was so joyful and….” Jazelle’s mom told KGUN9 with tears in her eyes.
Today, her cheer squad honored Jazelle a different way -- by doing what she loved. By cheering. Tucson Redskins’ Cheer coach Yvonne Lopez says this what Jazelle would have wanted to see.
“Jazelle’s grandmother, her main caregiver, she said, she wants us to be here cheering and playing so we are doing this in her honor,” Lopez added.
They even added her name in cheers, to keep her memory alive.
“The girls caught on to it so quickly. It’s amazing. We didn't have to teach them.
California oranges, Jazelle’s favorite cheer, was frequently heard throughout the game -- as were memories of Jazelle from her squad.
“I remember that she always used to be so funny,” said one of her teammates.
At halftime Jazelle’s family, friends, and teammates released balloons in her honor.
The youth Tucson Redskins football team played their hearts out today and were able to clench the win in honor of Jazelle. Her family started a go-fund me account for funeral expenses, with a $10,000 dollar goal. They have since raised roughly 17,000 dollars.
