Rosita Aragon was living her dream, working as a DJ at the La Raza radio station in the Bay Area, and getting ready to graduate from San Jose State University.
But, instead of planning a graduation party, her sister, Martha, is planning a funeral. Aragon was killed in a car crash Saturday on Interstate 5, north of Coalinga.
Aragon's mother was driving the SUV and her father was also a passenger. The family was coming back from the Central Valley, where Aragon was volunteering for a nonprofit.
Martha said her sister's volunteer efforts were an example of her giving spirit.
"As tired as she was, she always helped her mom, her nephews," Martha said. "She was there for everyone. She was selfless."
Aragon was one class short of graduating. Despite that, Martha hopes the university will award her sister a degree.
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"It's the satisfaction of seeing all her efforts come to fruition in the end," Martha said. "If she had been alive, we would have celebrated with her."
San Jose State leaders said they are considering the family's request.
"In order to award a degree posthumously, we have to look at how close the student was to graduation and how closely they were to meeting the graduation requirements," said Pat Harris, SJSU spokesperson.
Aragon's family is hoping the university will make a decision in time for the May 24 graduation.
Her two older sisters were the first in the family to graduate from college. They said they would like Aragon to join them.
"We all have bachelors up on the wall, and we want to have her diploma up there too," Martha said.
