Diego Valencia, a seventeen-year-old senior at MACES, passed away after suffering a major medical crisis on the morning of Monday, May 19. Born October 23, 2007, Diego lived in the Huntington Park community with his mother, Erendira; father, Alberto; sister, Nicole; and brother, Carlos.
His academic journey began at San Antonio Elementary & STEM Magnet School in Huntington Park. After graduating, he enrolled at MACES, where he spent the next seven years leaving his mark – not only through academics but through the friendships and joy he brought to those around him.
Diego will be remembered for his card games, magic tricks, and quick wit. He had a passion for storytelling, often creating motivational quotes that left his friends inspired like no other. He always “[found] a way to make [us] laugh… like even during AP testing,” Adrian Escartin, a senior at MACES said. Those who knew him describe him as witty, hilarious, and endlessly creative.
A viewing for Diego will be held on Sunday, June 1, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. at Iglesia De Santa Martha, 6012 Seville Avenue, Huntington Park. The funeral Mass will take place the following day, Monday, June 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. at the same location. In honor of Diego’s love for soccer, the family invites all attendees to wear a soccer jersey.
For students attending the funeral, MACES staff are offering support and understanding during this difficult time. “Make sure that when you come back the following day you have a note from your parents signing that you were at the funeral service. If you feel emotionally stable and you want to come back that same day, you can come back late with that same note,” Marisol Tapia, attendance counselor at MACES, said.
Diego’s absence leaves a deep void in the lives of those who loved him. As we prepare to graduate, we carry his memory with us as a reminder of friendship, laughter, and the fragility of life. He will be missed dearly and remembered always.
His legacy lives on in the stories we tell, the jokes we share, and the love we carry forward. In the halls of MACES and beyond, Diego’s light continues to shine.
