Running for Cindy: Annual memorial and scholarship run unites community

EDINBURG — Cynthia Salinas (Goodrum at the time) had just watched the installation of a new house alarm system in her San Antonio home. After the installer left, she immediately brought the system to life.

She thought she was safe.

She wasn’t.

While Cynthia’s mother had taken her child Tristan to a nearby Home Depot, her husband had been casing the home, waiting for the opportune moment. He found it, broke into the house and, at 12:12 p.m. Dec. 27, 2012, she activated the house’s panic, burglary and medical alarms.

Soon after, officers entered the home and found Cynthia shot to death in her kitchen, just one day after filing for a divorce and while seeking a protective order. Her divorce petition cried out that she was in fear for her life and the life of her son.

At the time of her murder, she was four months pregnant.

Moments before her funeral in Edinburg, her husband was tracked down by police at a hotel in Las Vegas. Police pursued Narada Goodrum on a short chase before Goodrum pulled a gun and fatally shot himself in the head.

Salinas, an Edinburg North graduate, hasn’t been forgotten. Far from it. Recently, runners from and around the Edinburg area took part in the annual Cynthia Jean Salinas 5K Run (also known as the CJS 5K). The event not only celebrates Salinas’ life, but brings awareness to domestic violence and provides scholarships for Edinburg school district students. This year, there were seven scholarship recipients, the most since the event began as a fundraiser in 2013.

“The girls who were her classmates started it and they have kept up with it every year,” said Sophia Salinas, Cynthia’s mother. “Every year it’s very emotional and I’m humbled and so grateful and thankful that they have kept the memory of our daughter alive.”

Hidalgo County District Attorney Ricardo Rodriguez participated in the run/walk, as well as a members of his Crime Victims Unit and Domestic Violence Unit.

“We try to do a good job in operating with the community at events like this — celebrating the life of Cynthia is important to us because we have a responsibility to prosecute these type of cases. We do the best we can, but we never want to get it to that point.

“We also are strong on prevention awareness. So through Cynthia and through the community, we have an event to show that there is support — not only for Cynthia, but for those who don’t want to talk about living in fear of domestic violence. It’s not easy, it’s not a popular thing to talk about but we want to show the community that we are here to support you.”

Edinburg High student-athlete Mia Guillen was one of the seven scholarship winners. She was encouraged by a former coach to attend the event as a freshman and has been there every year since. “I think the message for this is amazing,” Guillen said. “To see all these people come out here to support the message really touches me. I’m sure it touches a lot of people out there. Getting a scholarship also means so much. It shows my story can touch other people too. And I want to be able to distribute the support, pay it forward.”

Three years ago, Guillen stayed awake at nights wondering if she would be able to participate in athletics, school or anything as she battled Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma, the most advanced form at that stage.

“I thought I was two year out from it but my mom told me it was three years. I had lost track, I forgot,” Guillen said. “At the time I didn’t think I would be there. With cancer always think the worst. So, I’m thankful for life, I’m grateful for all the people I met and those who went on the journey with me and to be able to be here for this amazing event.”

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A large tapestry with Cynthia’s likeness hung near the start/finish line for all to take in a visual of the woman they were remembering. Edinburg Vela student-athlete and scholarship winner Jalenia Carrillo was one of many who had their picture taken alongside the memory blanket.

“I was just grateful to be even considered for this scholarship,” she said. “It’s good to see the support and see everyone get together to celebrate her life and honor her. This is a special event with an important message.”

Recipients of the Cynthia Jean Salinas Scholarship were: Guillen, Denisse Serna and Frida Escobedo from Edinburg High, Alexis Martinez from Edinburg North, Yaharia DeLeon from Edinburg Economedes and Carrillo from Edinburg Vela. Committee members for the event are Angeline Gutierrez, Deanna Sanchez, Alcinda Pardo, Anna Carbrales, Kelly Rivera-Salazar, Jerry Salazar, Christy Balderas, Norma Balderas, Leo Munoz and Mario Lizcano.

Sanchez, the Edinburg High volleyball coach, is looking to expand the event to other cities and school districts to aid in the awareness of domestic violence.

“She was just a beautiful girl and a friend,” Sanchez said. “When we started seeing her walk around and wearing long sleeves and turtlenecks and acting differently, we knew something was wrong. This didn’t have to happen. Hopefully, this event can help bring more awareness.”

Rodriguez said that, as difficult as it is to live under the fear of domestic abuse, the event is one of many that shows there is support for those who don’t know what to do.

“A lot of people lean on others, whether it’s the DA office or first responders or government agencies during situations like domestic violence,” Rodriguez said. “But the community is here also and the more we come out the more we raise prevention awareness. “We have thousands of protective orders. Some say it’s just a little piece of paper, but that has saved a lot of lives and if we can save just one, that’s a great thing each and every time.”