Weslaco grieves the loss of senior and varsity cheerleader Larissa Rodriguez

WESLACO, Texas (ValleyCentral)- The Weslaco community is grieving after losing one of its own, Weslaco High School senior and cheerleader Larissa Rodriguez.

"One thing that people keep saying is, I just remember her smile," said Weslaco High School cheer coach and student council advisor Itzel Zepeda. "Her smile, her big smile."

Cheer coach Zepeda said she knew Larissa on a personal level, and Larissa was cheer co-captain and student council president.

Zepeda said it was impossible for people not to know her.

"You went to a football game, you are going to see her on the screen," said Zepeda. "She is part of the student council, so she walks the line, you see her when they announced her name, and she is in the hype video." 

Zepeda said Larissa's love for cheer was so tangible that she made varsity during her sophomore year.

"She's also a hall of fame cheerleader, UCL, American, UCA staff candidate," said Zepeda. "She is wonderful, a wonderful girl."

Besides cheering for Weslaco High, Larissa also served her city. She was Miss Texas Onion Fest in 2024 and Junior Miss Weslaco in 2022.

"She was part of our team," said Weslaco Mayor Adrian Gonzalez. "She was at all of these events. I got to know her pretty well, very motivated, very outgoing."

As for Larissa's cheer family, Zepeda said it will stand strong next to Larissa's parents, and her contagious spirit will live on.

Zepeda says her teammate deeply misses her.

"They come to her locker, and they're like I can feel Larissa here," said Zepeda. "I know that she is here, and I tell them just sit here with her, and let's just remember all the great things about her."

Larissa was planning on attending the University of Texas at Austin and had aspirations of becoming a lawyer. 

The city of Weslaco is planning a vigil for her in the next couple of weeks.