Evelyn Alvarado, our Evelyn, our beautiful "China", was born on April 8, 2010, in Hanford, California. And though she was only with us for 15 short years, she lived loudly, brightly, and fully in ways that many never do.

Evelyn was joy in motion. She was laughter before words. She was music turned into movement. When Evelyn entered a room, you felt her before you saw her, because she carried a light that demanded to be noticed.

She loved makeup, not only for beauty, but for expression. She was already an artist, already a creator, already someone who knew who she was. She loved making TikTok videos, loved dancing like no one was watching, loved food with her whole heart, snacks included. She found happiness in creativity, in rhythm, in being unapologetically herself.

Music was her language. She loved all kinds of music, but her favorite song this year was "Loco" by Neton Vega, and her all-time favorite artist was Ivan Conejo. Dancing was her freedom. Floral class was her favorite place to learn. Mean Girls was her comfort movie. Stranger Things was her show. These were so much more than interests, they were pieces of who she was.

Evelyn was silly and funny, smart and sharp, strong-willed and brave. She was sarcastic in a way that made you laugh, outspoken in a way that made you listen, and protective in a way that made you feel safe. She loved deeply and without hesitation.

Her laugh…oh, her laugh…was contagious. Once you heard it, it stayed with you. And her big, beautiful curly hair was her crown. It was her statement. It was why we called her "China." Bold. Radiant. Impossible to ignore.

She had many friends, but her best friend Areli was more than a friend, she was a sister by choice and by love. Evelyn knew how to build family wherever she went.

She is survived by her loving mother; her grandparents; two aunts; one uncle; two brothers; one sister; four cousins; and her puppy, Teddy who never left her side.

Evelyn made us laugh. Evelyn made us feel alive. Evelyn reminded us to live boldly, to love loudly, and to show up as our full selves. She did not let anything stand in her way. And while our hearts ache knowing she did not get the chance to reach her full potential, we know this: her life mattered. Her life changed us. Her life will continue to speak through every person who loved her.

She left behind a hole in our hearts, but she also left behind light. And that light will never go out.

Evelyn Alvarado, nuestra Evelyn, nuestra hermosa "China", nació el 8 de abril de 2010 en Hanford, California. Y aunque solo estuvo con nosotros 15 años, vivió con una intensidad, una alegría y una luz que muchos nunca llegan a conocer.

Evelyn era alegría en movimiento. Era risa antes de palabras. Era música hecha baile. Cuando Evelyn entraba en un lugar, se sentía su presencia, porque su luz no pasaba desapercibida.

Amaba el maquillaje, no solo por lo bello, sino por lo que podía expresar. Ya era una artista. Ya era una creadora. Ya sabía quién era. Le encantaba hacer videos de TikTok, bailar sin miedo, disfrutar la comida, y vivir cada momento siendo auténtica.

La música era su idioma. Le gustaban todos los géneros, pero su canción favorita este año fue "Loco" de Neton Vega, y su artista favorito de siempre fue Ivan Conejo. Bailar era su libertad. Su clase favorita era la de arreglos florales. Mean Girls era su película favorita, y Stranger Things su serie.

Evelyn era divertida, inteligente, fuerte, valiente y tenaz. Era sarcástica de una manera que hacía reír, sincera de una manera que hacía escuchar, y protectora de una manera que hacía sentir amado. Amaba profundamente y sin reservas.

Su risa era contagiosa. Una vez que la escuchabas, nunca la olvidabas. Y su cabello rizado, grande y hermoso, era su corona. Era su sello. Era la razón por la que la llamábamos "China."

Tenía muchos amigos, pero su mejor amiga Areli era más que una amiga, era una hermana elegida con el corazón.

Le sobreviven su amorosa mamá; sus abuelos; dos tías; un tío; dos hermanos; una hermana; cuatro primos; y su querido perrito, Teddy.

Evelyn nos hizo reír. Evelyn nos llenó de vida. Evelyn nos enseñó a amar con fuerza y a vivir sin miedo. Aunque duele profundamente saber que no pudo alcanzar todo su potencial, sabemos esto: su vida tuvo propósito. Su vida nos cambió. Su luz seguirá viva en todos nosotros.

Dejó un vacío en nuestros corazones, sí, pero también dejó luz. Y esa luz jamás se apagará.