| Laci Rocha was a Downey High School Cheer Leader in Modesto "The real slumber party begins only when the parents go to bed. A group of about 10 Downey High School girls huddle in a bedroom, gossiping and talking trash about boys deep into the early morning. A girl tiptoes into the room, quietly closing the door behind her. "OK, they're asleep," she announces. As the champagne cork pops, muted snickers fill the room. The girls make a pact: No matter how bad the hangover is, everyone has to go to school in the morning. As the next day wears on, one by one, the girls feign sickness and bow out of school. Laci is the only one who finishes the day. That night, she calls each of the girls to chew them out. "You guys, that's so not fair," she says again and again. "We had a deal." It was a close circle of friends. Many of them had gone to school with Laci at Sonoma Elementary School and La Loma Junior High before moving on to Downey. The group includes Rene Tomlinson, Renee Garza, Stacy Boyers, Lori Ellsworth and several others. Some of them were cheerleaders. Some of them played sports. On Friday nights, they met at Rose Avenue Park and planned their evening, which usually included a football game and the parties that followed. Wherever they went, Laci often became the center of attention. She was a refreshing blend of confidence, sincerity, loudness and charm. "Honestly, thinking back, she is the only person I know who has never changed," Tomlinson said. "Always perky, bubbly, energetic, chatty. She always wants to have fun." After graduation in 1993, the group separated. A few of them remained in close contact. But, for the most part, each of the young women set about building their lives. Laci moved to Morro Bay to attend school at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. During her first year, she received the outstanding freshman award in the ornamental horticulture division. "I saw her develop a lot in those days," Brent said. "She was very excited about college. She met a lot of people and really grew. "What was unique about her was that she wasn't the typical college student. When I'd drive down and visit her, instead of going to keg parties, we'd go wine tasting. I would have never known when you go into wineries, you start with whites and work your way to reds. She taught me a lot that way." ++++++++++++++++ From: CINDIEC Feb-17, 2003 I'm not sure if this info has been posted. A talented lady. The 30 students were from all over the U.S. AMERICAN FLORAL ENDOWMENT Endowment Internships Offer Industry Experience To 30 Students During 1997/98 Mosmiller Scholar Interns Training in 1997 and 1998 LACI ROCHA Cal Poly, Mellano & Company Students train with retail florists, wholesalers or allied companies for 10-16 weeks. Upon completion, the Endowment awards scholarship grants of $2,000. --------------------------- She graduated from Cal Poly in 1997 with a degree in ornamental horticulture. ---------------------------- JAN 4, 2003 Virginia Walter, a 28-year Cal Poly professor in the horticulture and crop-science department, got to know the student known as Laci Rocha well during her years at the school. The young woman was in some of the courses she taught and on a 1996 flower-judging team that competed with departments from other universities across the country. She was president of Pi Alpha Xi, the horticulture honor society. Laci Peterson sought out Walter as an adviser for her senior project, which examined the marketing of pre-wrapped floral bouquets. "She's a very lively person, and she's not a wallflower. She was very active from the moment she stepped on campus," Walter said. "You can't not know Laci." Walter said she stopped in at The Shack periodically for one of their "great" burgers -- and to see Laci Peterson. The couple ran The Shack for two years, until they sold it in 1999 and moved to Modesto to consider starting a family. She said she last saw Scott Peterson at a trade show about a year ago, although she couldn't recall where it was. Helen Angley hired Peterson in 1995 to work as a cashier at Cal Poly's plant shop. Time sheets she produced show Laci Peterson was promoted in 1996 to manage the shop, which she did for about a year. She and Scott Peterson "were a darling couple," Angley said. Angley recalled that Laci Peterson was one of the first students to compete on both the flower-judging team and the landscape team, which also competed nationally and finished first 12 of the last 15 years. She qualified for both, studying to be eligible on top of her regular coursework, Angley said. ================ Article 2 Laci Rocha was emerging as a rising star within the agriculture department, majoring in ornamental horticulture. Rocha was one of the first students to compete on both the flower-judging team and the landscape team -- both teams competed nationally against other horticultural schools. She went to work at Cal Poly's plant shop in 1995 and eventually was promoted to manager. At the same time she was excelling in the classroom and also spending some time as president of Pi Alpha Xi, the horticulture honor society. Pi Alpha Xi National Honor Society for Floriculture, Landscape Horticulture, and Ornamental Horticulture Pi Alpha Xi is the Floriculture, Landscape Horticulture, and Ornamental Horticulture Honor Society, and not everyone is eligible to join. Only the top students in the junior and senior classes with a demonstrated interest in floriculture, landscape horticulture, and /or ornamental horticulture are invited to join. Graduate students and faculty with an emphasis in these fields are also eligible. Students must have an academicaverage of at least a "B" (3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 system) in their major and at least a 2.75 grade point average overall. Candidates should give promise of continued activity and interest in the field. Roster of Chapters Upsilon - California Polytechnic State University-- San Luis Obispo HOME EVIDENCE-NEWS INCONSISTENT STATEMENTS ALIBI-WITNESS LIST INDEX LACI-EARLY YEARS LACI MET SCOTT LACI THE HOSTESS & TEACHER LACI- LETTER WITH WEDDING PICTURES |
| LACI DENISE ROCHA HER HIGH SCHOOL & COLLEGE YEARS |
 |
 |