Library organization in need of HELP identifying folks in Leon Studio photos

(Seguin) -- You are invited to thumb through some old photographs and help identify the who, what, where and how.

Leon and Nelda Kubala operated Leon Studio for 50 years, photographing family portraits, city and county events, and local sites.

The Seguin Public Library owns a portion of the Leon Studio collection, and the Friends of the Library need the community’s help in identifying people, places, and events.

During the program, attendees will have the opportunity to view a selection of photos and help in documenting Seguin history by identifying individuals, events, locations, and providing context and anecdotes for the images. Join us and be part of documenting Seguin’s History through the Leon Studio images.

The program will be held in the Seguin Public Library’s Community Meeting Room at 2:30 p.m. Thursday,

The program is free and open to the public. A business meeting will follow the program. The Seguin Public Library can be reached by calling 830.401.2422.

Residents encouraged to turn in old prescription drugs to sheriff’s office

(Seguin) -- Here's an early and friendly reminder to begin cleaning out those medicine cabinets. This Saturday, the Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office will again be teaming up with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to host the annual National Take Back Initiative.

The Guadalupe County Sheriff's Office will once again be the venue for the one-day opportunity for persons to dispose of unwanted or unused prescription drugs.

The event will be held on

Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the two-story sheriff's office entrance located at 2617 N. Guadalupe Street.

A deputy will be on hand to take the substances to be disposed of with no questions asked. All solid pharmaceutical products in consumer containers will be accepted. Officials say they cannot accept liquids or syringes/needles. Only pills and patches will be accepted.

Citizens can contact their doctor or pharmacist as to where syringes/needles can be disposed of, or where DIY sharps containers can be disposed of.

Co-founder, continued.

In addition to Teatro, De La Rosa will also be remembered as a retired educator and administrator. According to Teatro, De La Rosa served in the Seguin ISD for 37 years. She holds multiple degrees in science, math, physics, and computer science. She also held teaching certifications in secondary mathematics and physics plus mid-management administrator and superintendent.

The impact that De La Rosa made in the community always came full circle with those she touched throughout the years. An example of that is Tiffany Rangel, the co-artistic director for Ballet Folklorico De La Rosa, one of the many programs under the Teatro umbrella. At the age of 4, Rangel says she fell in love with the art of folklorico dancing. She not only continued the Mexican dancing traditions throughout her life but today finds herself instilling that same love that De La Rosa had for the program into her own students through her current role with Teatro.

Rangel says De La Rosa was among those who inspired her over the years –even following her footsteps in many ways.

“I don’t remember my life without Mrs. De La Rosa in it. She’s always been a huge, huge mentor to me not only as somebody who was involved in Teatro and spreading the Mexican American culture but as a mother, as a friend and most recently as an educator within Seguin ISD as a math teacher. So, it definitely has been really hard personally. In so many ways, now in her absence, I feel as an educator being a math teacher which she was and she was also a professor at TLU teaching math and so just in many ways, I feel like dedicating my life to continuing what she started and what she embodied in me beginning when I was four-years-old. So, definitely a huge loss,” said Rangel.

Rangel says although the programs have great leadership, De La Rosa was always seen rolling up her sleeves and being present to support not only the students but their families.

“She was a collaborator in everything she did. She empowered us all. She empowered the children within the program and a huge part of that was absolutely making herself present whether it was coming to the studio during meetings or coming to the studio during practices, being at performances. She always let us know that we were being supported by being a part of the process,” said Rangel.

What might have been even more important –and something that she didn’t realize then was De La Rosa’s imprint on ensuring the future of the program.

“I think now we kind of transition to that ‘now, what do we do?’ She taught us so much and she gave us the latitude to kind of make our recitals and teach the kids on our own and so now this is kind of what she’s prepared us for -- is to just continue her legacy,” said Rangel.

De La Rosa leaves behind her husband Homer and three adult daughters Christine De La Rosa; Dr. Yvonne De La Rosa and Veronica Ramirez. Visitation begins today at Tres Hewell Mortuary. The funeral service is set for 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.

De La Rosa was 75.