San Marcos – There’s a palpable excitement in the air at Texas State University as hundreds of almost graduates eagerly await for their names to be called to get the diplomas they’ve worked so hard for.
“I told her ‘baby, if you can get through this year, there’s nothing stopping you. Nothing at all,’” Veronica Mata, mother to Faith and Tess, said.
The entire Mata family has just been getting through the year since they lost Tess last May.
Extra special graduation tonight at @TexasStateUniv. The Mata family is celebrating Faith’s graduation. It’s been a tough year, but one thing is certain…Tess is here celebrating her sissy 🦋 @faithmataa pic.twitter.com/nvQv80XRew
— Leigh Waldman (@LeighWaldman) May 13, 2023
“I know she had a really hard morning this morning, getting out of bed. So it was really hard not having her sister here,” Veronica said.
Tess’ picture filled her chair. The 10-year-old was killed nearly one year ago at Robb Elementary School.
Veronica and her husband Jerry held onto one another as they watched Faith be recognized for graduating college and making it through the unimaginable.
“Just a long time…I’m glad that it’s finally happening. She’s… I’m proud of her. You know, it took a lot of her, so I’m very proud of her,” Veronica said.
From Faith’s cap to her tassel and stole, you can see pieces of little Tess everywhere and feel her in the excitement of the moment Faith’s name is called to accept her diploma.
Her extended family, the loved ones of some of the other 21 victims, were there to cheer Faith on as she jumped into the river holding Tess’ photo.
Of course the extended family is here too! pic.twitter.com/ZIViXMXXuD
— Leigh Waldman (@LeighWaldman) May 13, 2023
“It feels bittersweet. I’m glad that I could be here with all of the people who were a part of my journey, though I’m missing Tess…it sucks, but I’m ready to jump into the future now,” Faith said.
On the day of her graduation, Faith said that her little sister visited her in her dream.
In her dream, Faith said Tess was older but still wearing her clear glasses and that Tess wanted Faith to know she was always there for her.
“I just like, I just felt comforted like I just know, like I just feel her all the time,” Faith said.
Faith has big plans for the future -- plans that were shaped in part by what she and her family went through this last year.
We’ll have that story and more tributes to the victims and survivors of the Robb tragedy on May 24, 2023, at 9 p.m. in an hour-long KSAT 12 News special we’re calling “One Year In Uvalde.”