High School Senior Substitutes For Dad As Cheerleader Stands Alone

May 28, 2018 by apost team

What do you do when you see someone in distress? If you are Matthew Garcia, you run to the rescue! Therefore, it’s no surprise to find out what Matthew did for Addie Rodriguez.

In her eyes, he is a hero that saved her life. 
 

apost.com

For Matthew Garcia, a senior at Central Catholic High School, it was just a normal game. He was in the stands in San Antonio, Texas, watching his younger brother play football against St. John Bosco Elementary School, where Addie is a cheerleader.

However, for Addie, there was nothing normal about this game. It was “Parents Day” and she was distraught. 
 

Addie’s mom, Alexis Perry-Rodriguez, recalls these upsetting moments vividly. The cheerleaders’ moms were honored with a performance, and later on, the fathers lifted their daughters on their shoulders. As the other girls on the squad were hoisted onto their fathers’ shoulders, it broke Alexis’ heart to see her daughter standing alone amid what should have been a happy moment. 
 

As Addie’s mother explained further, “[He’s] not just an absentee parent. He’s serving our country.” You see, Addie’s father is in the United States Air Force. He had recently left for exercises at Travis Air Force Base in California.

He has been an airman for nearly 7 years, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
 

That day Addie had no choice; she stood alone. Longing for her father who was so far away, she couldn’t hide her sadness and how she desperately wanted him to be home.

But someone noticed. 
 

That someone was Matthew Garcia. Without hesitation, he jumped from the stands and flew to Addie’s side. As if that wasn’t enough, he said that he would lift her to his shoulders to stand with the other cheerleaders if she would like. At the kindness of a stranger, Addie’s tears evaporated, and Alexis said that her heart melted.
 

To see this sweet moment and hear about Addie and her mom's reaction, watch the video below! 
 

Matthew’s thoughtful, yet swift action of substituting for Addie’s dad is something that she will never forget. Addie now has two heroes in her life, her father and Matthew Garcia. 

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