The stadium yelled in excitement preparing for the performance of a lifetime; the lights dimmed, the music rang in the audience’s ears. There she stood with a smile so wide, showing nothing more than joy on her face. Only a month later would people be mourning her death.

Selena Quintanilla, rising star Tejano singer, was killed on March 31, 1995, by her “best friend” Yolanda Saldivar. As her remembrance day approaches people prepared to celebrate her life, while others were conflicted with the possibility of Saldivar getting parole March 30. 

The hearing moved up to March 27 and resulted with Saldivar being denied parole and will have another hearing in 2030. Saldivar was denied parole due to her being a threat to the public safety and will remain in prison. 

“Oh gosh, I have heard people talk about this day for years,” Spanish teacher Elma Garnett said. “Many do not believe she will live very long once released.”

Quintanilla was a rising star in Texas and was loved by many. She was a designer and a musician. She opened her own boutique in 1994 and was known for her fashion statements, often creating outfits for herself and band members. Her music style was considered Texan-Mexican because of the use of English and Spanish in her songs. Her most famous song was “Como la Flor.”

“I am going to go with my all-time fav ‘Como la Flor,’” Garnett said. “It stuck because at one of her concerts, (as you see in her movie) she calms an irritated crowd. The song is about a break-up.”

Though she created music for fun with her family, Quintanilla also created music to spread messages to her audience. Her music often talked about relationships, such as heart, losing love, moving on and finding a new love, but her music also conveyed a message about living life to the fullest, self-worth and confidence and women empowerment.