Keisha Marlene Quintero of Beeville loved to help people — whether it was tutoring younger kids or helping family and friends sort through their emotional problems.

After graduating from A.C. Jones High School in 2003, Keisha decided to dedicate her life to making other people’s lives better.

Keisha had earned her bachelor’s degree in the spring of 2008 and was studying for her master’s degree in psychology and anthropology at Texas State University when she died following a car accident.

And while her life was cut short, her goal of helping others need not be.

The Texas State Alumni committee, on which Keisha served as vice president, wants to create a scholarship in her name.

Keisha’s parents, Tony and Rose Marie Quintero, and the rest of her family, are joining in the noble effort.

They hope to raise $25,000 over the next five years, the money to go toward college scholarships for high school seniors.

“Keisha would have wanted us to help other students,” said her mother. “She would have liked the idea of a scholarship because she liked to help other people. Her outlook on life was unique and refreshing.”

In fact, her mother noted that the first local fundraiser will be a car wash on Aug. 8 at O’Reilly Auto Parts.

Keisha, who was 23 at the time of her death, had an impressive academic, athletic and community service record dating back to high school.

As a student at A.C. Jones, Keisha she served as a member of the Key Club, Junior Med Club, National Honor Society, Upward Bound and TRIO program, which requires its members to perform community service or volunteer projects.

She also served on the yearbook and newspaper staff.

Keisha also played volleyball, soccer, tennis, track and studied the piano for 11 years.

At the end of her sophomore year, Keisha attended a six-week youth leadership conference in Washington, D.C., through the Upward Bound program. At the end of her her junior year, she was selected to attend a prestigious math and science academy at Lyon College in Batesville, Ark., for six weeks.

She was a certified SCUBA diver and was voted “most humorous” and “best personality” of her senior class.

She was named to the National “Who’s Who of High School students.”’

As a college student at San Marcos, she received numerous awards and was a member of the university’s alumni committee.

Keisha performed counseling services for the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Shelter, Austin Police Department and Navarro High School.

Her services did not go unrecognized. She was honored for her dedication to local victims of family violence, sexual assault and child abuse, by the agencies where she volunteered.

“She loved helping people of all walks of life,” Rose Marie said. “Keisha was a beautiful, loving person inside and out and who was always smiling. She touched so many hearts and changed so many lives for the better in her short lifetime.”

Anyone who would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, or who has fund-raising ideas, is encouraged to contact Keisha’s family at 354-0872.