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Uvalde Victim, Tess Mata, Was Saving up to Take Family to Disney World

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Credit: Mata Family

21 lives were lost on May 24, 2022, including young children and beloved educators in the deadliest school shooting in Texas history. As the story of what happened at Robb Elementary School unfolds on news channels around the globe, one family is sharing the story of their 10-year-old child, Tess Marie Mata who was killed in the Uvalde, Texas shooting.

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Credit: The Washington Post

The photos and the list of the names of the 21 victims of the Uvalde school shooting have been on every network as the nation does its best to comprehend the unimaginable situation and work to stop such horrific events from ever happening again.

The names and ages of the victims include Makenna Lee Elrod, 10; Layla Salazar, 11; Maranda Mathis, 11; Nevaeh Bravo, 10; Jose Manuel Flores Jr., 10; Xavier Lopez, 10; Tess Marie Mata, 10; Rojelio Torres, 10; Eliahna “Ellie” Amyah Garcia, 9; Eliahna A. Torres, 10; Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, 10; Jackie Cazares, 9; Uziyah Garcia; Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, 10; Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, 10; Jailah Nicole Silguero, 10; Irma Garcia, 48; Eva Mireles, 44; Amerie Jo Garza, 10; Alexandria “Lexi” Aniyah Rubio, 10; Alithia Ramirez, 10.

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Credit: The Washington Post

With our hearts hurting for these families, one family reported with The Washington Post that their child was saving up money to take her family on a Walt Disney World Resort vacation. 10-year-old Tess Mata had a jar full of cash which sat in her purple bedroom as she saved to take her family to what we all know and love as the “most magical place on earth.”

Tess, known as “Tessy” by her friends and family, was known to be an introverted young lady who loved her cat, enjoyed softball and spending time with her friends, and had a contagious laugh.

Tess’ sister Faith Mata wrote on social media, “Sissy I miss you so much, I just want to hold you and tell you how pretty you are. We have one sassy guardian angel that I know is going to protect our family.”

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Credit: The Washington Post

Faith also shared with The Washington Post, “My sister was saving that money for a family trip. She wanted us all to go to Disney World. She went a couple years ago. But she loved it so much she wanted to go back. We were planning to go once I graduated from college next year.”

As with many of the Uvalde school shooting families, the Mata Family has set up a GoFundMe account to help during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Mata family.

About Jamie Sylvester

I'm a Disney nerd! A kid at heart who loves the magic and memories of Walt Disney World. I follow all things Disney and enjoy the vacations, day trips, and weekend getaways, and geek out over the planning of such events. My goal is to experience as many Disney desserts and cocktails as possible! Married to another Disney nerd and blessed with a daughter and son, we thoroughly enjoy the magic at Disney and are here to help others experience the magic as well.