Fiesta Medal Honors Fallen Educator Whitney Weddel, Killed by Alleged Drunk Driver, as Her Legacy Inspires Scholarships for Future Healthcare Heroes in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO, TX — As Fiesta fills San Antonio with color, music, and celebration, one medal this year serves as a powerful reminder of a life taken far too soon. The medal, created in memory of former East Central ISD teacher Whitney Weddel, is more than just a collector’s item — it’s a symbol of love, loss, and a community’s determination to turn tragedy into purpose.
Whitney Weddel, a vibrant 28-year-old educator with a passion for teaching and healthcare, was killed in a devastating crash on February 8, 2024. According to deputies, Weddel was driving around 4:30 a.m. when she was struck head-on by Giovanna Blangiardo, who was reportedly intoxicated and driving the wrong way. The collision, which occurred just outside San Antonio, claimed Whitney’s life and left her family reeling.
“She’s been robbed of her life, and we’ve been robbed of her,” said Whitney’s mother, Monique Presas. “Every day since has been a struggle.”
Whitney wasn’t just a teacher; she was a mentor, a role model, and a passionate advocate for her students. At East Central ISD, she taught health science, guiding students who dreamed of becoming nurses, doctors, and healthcare workers. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and her commitment to education made a lasting impression.
“She adored her students and loved helping them pursue careers in healthcare,” said Presas. “She wanted to inspire the next generation to follow in her footsteps.”
In the wake of Whitney’s tragic death, her family and friends searched for ways to honor her legacy. The Whitney Presas Weddel Scholarship Fund was established to support East Central students entering the healthcare field — the same path Whitney had dedicated her life to fostering in others.
Last year, a close friend of Whitney’s donated proceeds from their Fiesta medal to the scholarship fund. Inspired by that gesture, Presas decided that this year, Whitney would have her own medal — a tribute to her impact and a means to help others in her memory.
The response was overwhelming. All 200 Whitney Weddel Fiesta medals sold out in just two days.
“People connected with her story,” said Presas. “They saw what she stood for, and they wanted to be a part of keeping her memory alive.”
Proceeds from the medals are funding two scholarships this year for East Central ISD students who plan to enter the medical field. For Presas, it’s both a comfort and a calling.
“She would be overjoyed to know this is happening,” she said. “This is how we keep her with us.”
In addition to creating the medal and overseeing the scholarship fund, Presas has become an outspoken voice against drunk driving. She continues to share Whitney’s story in hopes of preventing future tragedies — especially during Fiesta, when alcohol is often part of the celebrations.
“There’s absolutely no excuse for getting behind the wheel drunk,” Presas said. “One decision destroyed our family. I don’t want another family to go through what we’ve endured.”
Presas hopes that the Whitney Weddel medal becomes a Fiesta tradition — not just a keepsake, but a yearly reminder of the importance of living with intention, kindness, and responsibility.
“She would be so proud,” said Presas. “Not just of the medal or the scholarships, but of the lives being touched through her story.”
As San Antonio celebrates Fiesta, Whitney’s memory lives on — in every student she inspired, every medal shared in her name, and every life that chooses safety and compassion over recklessness. Her story, though marked by tragedy, continues to inspire a community to come together, not just in grief, but in purpose.
To support the Whitney Presas Weddel Scholarship Fund or to learn more about her legacy, visit [ Donate in Memory of Whitney Weddel].