His close friends and family may have all sorts of nicknames for him, but I simply knew him as Mr. Aguirre. To me he was a mentor, an educator, and a friend. He was the first, and perhaps the most influential person who helped shape the career I am in today. He knew I would become a journalist before I even did.
I first met him as a 6th grader at W.R. Thomas Middle School in his T.V. Production class. Years later I would go on to high school at Southwest high and guess who popped up there? Yup, Mr. Aguirre was hired on to teach T.V. Production there as well.
At Southwest I was his T.V. Production student for 3 years in a row. One year I had a double dose of Mr. Aguirre as I was also in his Spanish Class. I was never good enough to play soccer on the team that he coached at school, but he would often times bring me along to videotape their matches. Many lunch periods were spent in the T.V. studio working on projects or just hanging out with Mr. Aguirre and listening to his advice and guidance.
He would often remind me that I had the "It" factor necessary to make it in the broadcast news industry. I am currently an anchor/reporter for the CBS station in Dallas, TX. Previously I worked in Washington, D.C. and on the U.S.-Mexico border in El Paso, TX. It's been an amazing ride so far that all began when I was a kid learning how to point and shoot a camera from Mr. Aguirre.
I could go on and on...but I think I will end it by saying the influence this man has had on my life is profound.
It saddens me to hear of his passing, but I thank God for having Mr. Aguirre be a part of my life. I will cherish every memory I have of him. He was a real gift.
RIP Mr. Aguirre. Thank you for everything. I will see you again someday and give you the hug I didn't get to give you down here.
Offering my deepest condolences,
Kenny Molestina
SW High Class of '02