In 2022, four Hays CISD students died from fentanyl poisoning. In the months since, the families of Noah Rodriguez, Kevin McConville and Garrett Garcia (pictured above) have worked to educate the community on the dangers of this illicit drug. A digital billboard spreading awareness, spearheaded by Noah’s mother Janel, can now be seen off exit 217 of IH-35 North in Kyle by the La Quinta Inn & Suites until April.
Janel began raising money for the billboard in November and successfully hit the $3,600 goal by the January deadline. To thank the community for its support, the families held a gathering under the billboard on Jan. 8 with hamburgers, cake and a raffle. (PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON)
A stark reality: during the gathering, a small urn containing some of Noah’s ashes sat on a table next to buttons with his face on them. Janel often takes the urn to speaking engagements to show parents and students how destructive fentanyl is. (PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON)
Donations can still be made to support future billboard endeavors on Venmo @FentanylAwarenessBillboard and Cash App $FentanylAwareness. (PHOTO BY BRITTANY ANDERSON)
