COMMUNITY
A6 • HERMISTONHERALD.COM
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020
Family refl ects on a somber anniversary
Candlelight vigil marks one-year anniversary of Graciela Garcia’s disappearance
By JADE MCDOWELL
NEWS EDITOR
Family and friends of
Graciela Garcia gathered at
McKenzie Park in Hermis-
ton on Saturday, Nov. 8, to
mark the one-year anniver-
sary of her disappearance.
Garcia, 50, grew up in
the area, graduating from
Umatilla High School and
eventually starting Careyes
Beauty Salon, which she
operated out of her home in
Hermiston.
She was last seen on
Nov. 8, 2019, by her hus-
band, according to police,
who have described her dis-
appearance as “extremely
suspicious.”
She
was
reported missing Nov. 11,
2019.
During the vigil friends
and family described Garcia
as a fun-loving person who
stayed positive in the face
of adversity. They joined in
prayer for answers and for
her safe return, and lit can-
dles in her honor.
After the time for prayer,
Jade McDowell/Hermiston Herald
Participants hold candles at McKenzie Park during a vigil on
Nov. 8, 2020, marking the one-year anniversary of Graciela
Garcia’s disappearance in Hermiston. Below, stones with
messages asking police to fi nd Graciela Garcia were laid on
the front lawn of the Hermiston police station during the vigil.
Jade McDowell/Hermiston Herald
Graciela Garcia’s friends and family talk about her disappearance at a vigil on Nov. 8, 2020,
in McKenzie Park in Hermiston, marking the one-year anniversary of the Hermiston woman’s
disappearance.
they made their way to the
Hermiston Police Depart-
ment’s headquarters, where
they laid down painted
stones with the message
“#FindGracielaGarcia” on
the lawn. They then made
their way to Garcia’s home
nearby and took turns laying
red roses in her yard before
spending time holding up
signs with her information
Hermiston church to host youth conference
HERMISTON HERALD
The Game Changer
Youth Conference for stu-
dents ages 10-21 is coming
to New Hope Community
Church, 1350 S. Highway
395, beginning Friday, Nov.
13. It is free to attend, and no
registration is required.
Sponsored by the Fellow-
ship of Christian Athletes,
and featuring John Kopta of
the Power Team and rap art-
ist George Moss, the confer-
ence aims to promote student
success by providing strate-
gies to win with academics
and athletics.
Four
sessions
are
offered: Friday, Nov. 13
from 6-7:15 p.m. or 7:45-
9:15 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 14
from 10:30 a.m. to noon; Sat-
urday from 1:30-3 p.m.; and
Saturday from 6-7:15 p.m. or
7:45-9 p.m. All those attend-
ing must wear a face cover-
ing at all times and socially
distance. Each session is lim-
ited to 100 participants.
A 3-on-3 basketball tour-
nament is available as part
of the conference, and will
be played at Eastside bas-
ketball courts, 582 E. Main
St., on Saturday beginning
at 3 p.m. Those interested in
competing must have a team
put together and attend either
Friday night session to sign
up.
For information, call Rod
Bragato at 541-720-8104.
Hermiston Altrusa awards scholarships
HERMISTON HERALD
Altrusa International of
Hermiston has announced
four recipients of the
Linda Gilleese Memorial
Scholarship.
Cristal Artz, a third
grade teacher at Desert View
Elementary School in Herm-
iston, received $1,000. Artz
subbed in Hermiston for two
years before being hired.
She attends Western Gov-
ernors University, work-
ing toward her Masters in
Teaching degree.
Savannah Torres wants
to return to Hermiston, after
graduating from Oregon
Health & Science University,
to work as a medical/surgi-
cal nurse. She has worked
at a local fl ower shop, Sun
Terrace and Good Shepherd
Medical Center, as well as
being a CNA at Regency.
Torres received $1,000.
Kelly De La Cruz also
attends Western Gover-
nors University, where she
is working towards a bach-
elor’s degree in accounting.
She is a graduate of Herm-
iston High School, where
she became interested in
accounting and is hoping to
be hired by a local fi rm. She
said her goal is to be a role
model for her young daugh-
ter and her brother, whom
she is raising by herself after
her mom died of cancer. De
La Cruz received $500.
Mariana Macias also
attended HHS, as well as
Blue Mountain Commu-
nity College. She is a senior
at Portland State Univer-
sity with a major in account-
ing and a minor in Spanish.
She is attending school and
working full-time to cover
all of her living and school
expenses. After graduating
and interning in an account-
ing fi rm, Macias hopes to
open her own accounting
fi rm. She received $500.
Next spring brings more
opportunity for Altrusa
scholarships, as the Doro-
thy Juve Scholarship will be
available. Applicants should
be enrolled in a post-high
school program and be two-
thirds fi nished with the pro-
gram. Applicants are asked
to provide a cover letter
with information about their
goals, work history, and
need. They may reapply.
Catholic Daughters celebrate 65-year member
HERMISTON HERALD
Arlene Burns, 92, the only
surviving charter member of
the Catholic Daughters of
the Americas, Our Lady of
Angels Court #1692, was
presented with her 65-year
membership pin on Nov. 5 at
her home in Hermiston.
Father Skip Thompson
offered a special blessing
prior to the group enjoying
dessert to celebrate Burns’
accomplishment.
The 65-year anniversary
for the court was on April
17, 2020, but due to corona-
virus precautions the presen-
tation was delayed.
along Highway 395.
Garcia is 5 feet, 4 inches
tall and weighs approxi-
mately 140 pounds.
Anyone with any infor-
mation pertaining to Gar-
cia’s
disappearance
is
encouraged
to
contact
Hermiston Police Depart-
ment at 541-567-5519.
Echo School veterans
celebration altered
HERMISTON HERALD
ECHO
—
Echo
School’s annual Veter-
ans Celebration sched-
uled for Wednesday, Nov.
11, has been altered due to
the governor’s “pause” on
gatherings.
The Veterans Assembly
will kick off the event at
10 a.m. at the Echo School
The most valuable and
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CHURCH
DIRECTORY
Community Worship
Featured this Week:
The Full Gospel Home Church
235 SW 3rd • Phone 567-7678
Rev. Ed Baker - Rev. Nina Baker
Sunday:
Sunday School........10:00 am
Worship...................11:00 am
Evening Service........7:00 pm
Wednesday Service..7:00 pm
“Casting all your care upon him;
for he careth for you.”
1 Pet. 5:7
LANDMARK BAPTIST
CHURCH
The Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Our Lady of Angels
Court #1692, presented Arlene Burns, seated front, with a 65-
year anniversary pin on Nov. 5, 2020, at her home.
Stress and the
Holidays
www.hermistonlmbc.com
541-289-4774
Pastor David Dever
First Christian Church
“Grow Your Faith Through God”
567-3013
775 W. Highland Ave., Hermiston
Join us for a FREE Lunch & Learn on handling
stress during the holiday season!
CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
Sun. Bible Classes...................10:00am
Sun. Worship Service..............11:00am
Sun. Evening Worship..............6:00pm
Wed. Prayer & Bible Study......6:00pm
Sunday School...9:00 am
Worship Service...10:30 am
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NEW BEGINNINGS
Worship Service 10:30 AM
Sunday School 9:00 AM
Pastor J.C. Barnett
Children’s Church &
Nursery Available
700 West Orchard Avenue
P.O. Box 933
Hermiston, Oregon
125 E. Beech Ave. • 567-3232
Paul Burns/Contributed Photo
football fi eld, 600 Gerone
St., as planned, but will
only be livestreamed on
the Echo School District
Facebook page. Only those
directly involved in the
assembly will be attending
in person.
For more information,
contact Billie Parker at
bjparker@echosd5.org or
541-376-8436.
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
Join Us
Us
Join
On Our Journey
With Jesus.
Join us on ZOOM 9:00 AM Sunday
Email: chuckb@eotnet.net for link
N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston
PH: 567-6672
We are an all inclusive Church
who welcomes all.
Our Lady of Angels
Catholic Church
Iglesia Católica Nuestra
Señora de los Ángeles
565 W. HERMISTON AVE.
565 W. HERMISTON AVE.
To advertise in the
Seventh-day
Adventist Church
Thursday, 12 November
12:00pm
In-Person and Virtual options. Contact 541-667-
3509 or healthinfo@gshealth.org for more
information or to register.
Church Directory,
please contact Audra
Workman
541-564-4538 or email
aworkman@eastoregonian.com
Saturdays
Sabbath School........9:30 a.m.
Worship Service......11:00 a.m.
English & Spanish Services
567-8241
Hermiston Jr. Academy
1300 NW Academy Lane, • Hermiston