5 things to know about Joaquín García whose name will adorn new Palm Beach County high school

Palm Beach County's newest high school will be the first to be bear the name of a Hispanic community leader when it opens as Dr. Joaquín García High School.

The school, west of Lake Worth Beach on Lyons Road, will hold 2,600 students. It will open in fall 2023. 

Supporters, colleagues and friends of García were emotional as the school board voted to honor him with the school's name on Nov. 2. García died in November 2021 at age 65.

More than a dozen people cheered his accomplishments and shared his legacy at the meeting before the vote, and about 30 people dressed in white shirts to show their support for the new name.

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But who is Joaquín García? Where did he grow up and what is his legacy?

Here are five things to know about him:

1. García was born in Cuba, schooled in the Dominican Republic

Born in Havana in 1956, García spent his early years in Spain and later moved to Puerto Rico.

He earned his medical degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic.

2. He was passionate about LGBTQ+ issues

García and his husband, Xavier García, were deeply involved in LGBTQ+ rights organizations in Palm Beach County.

García was an original board member of the Compass Community Center and also worked with the International AIDS Education Foundation.

Rolando Barrero, an art gallery owner in West Palm Beach, recalled being welcomed to the gay community by Joaquín and Xavier when he first opened his business.

"Both of them are shining examples of community leaders," he said. "They were the first two to welcome us to the neighborhood. That’s how hands-on they were. They were aware there was a new business, and they were ambassadors."

3. He was a co-owner of El Cid Animal Clinic

García started the West Palm Beach Animal Clinic in January 1995.

In 2016, he was nominated for a TrustBridge Health "everyday hero" award for his work with the clinic.

4. García was recognized with a Spanish order of chivalry

García collaborated closely with the Guatemala Mayan Center, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Haitian organizations in the community.

For these and other efforts, he received the Orden del Mérito Civil, an award established in 1926 by the King of Spain to recognize civic virtues and service to the community.

5. He was a founding member of HEC

García served as a founding member of the Hispanic Education Coalition of Palm Beach County and was the organization's chairman for 12 years.

The group organizes and advocates for better access to education for Hispanic students, who make up 37% of the Palm Beach County School District's population. García helped organize scholarship programs and fiercely supported dual-language classes.

When community members remember García, they say they think about what his representation will mean to future generations of Hispanic students.

"It is history in the making," Carmen García told the school board.

"I just pray that every single one of you understands how important this is to not only our Hispanic community but every child that gets an opportunity to see that someone that looks like him or that has a name that they can relate to will be able to see that there's an opportunity for them."

Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work, subscribe today!

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Who is Joaquín García, namesake of Palm Beach County's new high school