Information found in "Rio Grande Round Up," written by Valley Bi Lines, indicates Cabaza began 40-year teaching career at La Encantada. She earned her bachelor's degree in linguistics, she served as a resource person and consultant for the school's Spanish Department. Her thesis, "Vocabulario Expanol de Texas," written in collaboration with Gilberto Cerda and Julieta Farias Staggs, was published by the University of Texas in 1953. Born May 13, 1913 to Juan Bautista Cabaza, a native of Spain, and Francisca de los Angeles Bolado, the longtime educator died Sept. 1, 1974.

Described as a person who dedicated her life to helping others, Cabaza is credited for pioneering her innovative concepts in teaching Spanish. She generously shared her material and methods at a time when techniques in this new field were unavailable or in the testing stage, Widely known for her successful teaching methods, she was invited to conduct workshops to train foreign language teachers throughout the state.

Cabaza, who served as a Texas Education Agency consultant, earned the Cervantes Award in 1964. The honor was based upon her selection by the Alamo Valley Chapter of the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese as the South Texas Outstanding Teacher of Foreign Languages. A charter member of the San Benito Round Table, she participated in the American Association of University Women and attended St. Benedict's Parish.

She is survived by her sister, Maria de los Angeles Bolado of Mexico City and brother Jose E. Cabaza of San Antonio. Her death was followed by the passing of brothers Raul Cabaza of San Benito and Consuelo C. Garcia of Weslaco.

She would be proud to know that students and staff chose to carry the name to the new site.