José Luis Rodriguez was celebrating his 18th birthday on Nov. 23, 2007, when he was fatally shot in an unsolved shooting that took place in Chula Vista.

    Rodriguez was a recent graduate of Sweetwater High School, and was enrolled in his first semester at San Diego City College. His love for education and reading was such, that he was a student worker for the Lincoln Acres Branch of San Diego County Library.

    Now, four years after his life was cut short, the community of Lincoln Acres and the Lincoln Acres Library staff honor will once again honor Rodriguez’s memory at the Celebration of Life on Saturday, October 22 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

    The Lincoln Acres Library is located at 2725 Granger Ave. in National City. This event is free and open to the public.

    Described as perpetually upbeat, Rodriguez was very respected and highly regarded by the Lincoln Acres community and beloved by the students who visited the library. A bright young man with a bright future, he aspired to be a doctor one day. His life displayed values that are an inspiration to all who knew him. His bright spirit and positive outlook will never be forgotten, and are a glowing example to everyone in the Lincoln Acres community.

    “Every year we invite the community to come together in celebration of a wonderful person. José was perpetually upbeat and loved helping kids and teens,” said Branch Manager José Ocadiz. “He continues to be an inspiration to us each and every day.”

    This year’s Celebration of Life includes a showcase of entertainment by local teens, including performances by Sweet and Easy Teen Shuffle, the teen rock band Yttrium, and Los Caporales de San Ysidro: Mariachi Juvenil.

    Each year, the Friends of the Lincoln Acres Library offer a scholarship in honor of Rodriguez, and present it to a student at Sweetwater High School. His life continues to inspire students at his alma mater, according to Principal Dr. Roman Del Rosario.

    “The community of Sweetwater High is grateful for the José Luis Rodriguez Scholarship” Del Rosario said. “This scholarship is a wonderful way to honor the life of this young man who touched so many, and died so young. José’s aspirations for higher education will live on through this scholarship.”

    County Supervisor Greg Cox will be presenting the scholarship this Saturday.

    “José Luis used to work at the Lincoln Acres library and was an inspiration to the children and teens that came into the library,” Cox said.

    “He wanted each of them to succeed and he knew that the education and the services offered at the library gave them their best opportunity to go to college and succeed. That’s why it is so appropriate that we announce these scholarships in his name. Nowadays, some critics question whether libraries are necessary. But we know our children depend on libraries to help them achieve success in education and in life.”

    The murder of Rodriguez remains a mystery, and a $50,000 reward is being offered for its resolution.