It’s been just over a year since Sonoma State University lost one of their very own. 

Sonoma State Junior Paulette Quiba was tragically killed on Nov. 5, 2017 when a drunk driver crossed into her lane on Lakeville Highway and caused a head-on collision. The 21-year-old Business Major was a well-known leader on campus and contributed much to the school.

She was deeply involved as a member of many organizations, including sorority Phi Sigma Sigma, the Filipino American Association, and the Accounting Forum. She also belonged to Join Us Making Progress program, also known as JUMP, where she worked as the Days of Service coordinator and planned community service opportunities for students.

Quiba was a huge help to many of her peers in JUMP and worked closely with them in starting the Lobo’s Food Pantry, which opened earlier this year in February. The pantry provides a variety of non-perishable foods and other supplies for students who can’t afford it. This resource is located in Zinfandel and is open Monday through Wednesday for all students.

Quiba played such an important role in JUMP, her peers wanted to honor her with something special, as it’s been a difficult year without her. They want her to always be remembered and made the decision to put up a plaque in her name along the Food Pantry walls. 

Last year’s director of Human Services, Casey Elbert, and one of the coordinators for the Lobo’s Food Pantry, Kim Estrada, came up with this idea.

Estrada, who worked closely with Quiba in JUMP and belonged to the same sorority, knows how passionate she was about the Food Pantry and can’t wait to honor her with the plaque.

“When she passed, it was really difficult for the JUMP family because we’re all so close. We want Paulette to always be remembered and want to show others how much she meant to us with this plaque,” said Estrada. “She had a big heart for helping others and was always talking about how excited she was for the pantry to open. We love Paulette and will always carry her in our hearts.”

Gabriella Morin, who is currently in charge of the Food Pantry, thinks the plaque will be a great dedication to Quiba and all of her hard work in her time with JUMP.

“Paulette was a constant volunteer with JUMP even before she worked as a coordinator. She attended countless Days of Service and wanted to share that passion with others,” Morin explained. “She was a great addition to our team and had a strong passion for giving back to the community, so we think it’s important to dedicate this plaque to her.”

While they don’t have an official date set in place yet, JUMP has put in a work order for maintenance to put up the plaque. They chose to hang it in the Food Pantry because of how much effort Quiba put into this project and she wasn’t there to see the grand opening.