The school's principal confirmed the 15-year-old spent his freshman year at Fowler High and was an active member of the wrestling team.
His friends remembered his infectious laugh and joking spirit.
"Manuel, he was taken away from us way too soon," said Ricky Barron, Fowler High Varsity Wrestling Coach.
Under a canopy of blue skies, dozens of classmates, family, and community members gathered to remember the life of 15-year-old Hernandez -- a former Fowler High student who attended classes with his twin brother.
"He was funny at first, and I quickly became his friend. Shortly after I met his brother, Jesus, who was also nice and funny and always lightened the mood," said a former classmate.
Manuel's mother, Flor Nolasco, clutching a portrait of her son. Her husband, Juan, stood behind her with his hands resting on her shoulders.
Manuel was a current Selma High sophomore whose life was cut short after he was hit by a car while riding his e-bike on his way home from school on Tuesday afternoon on Highland and Rose Avenues in Selma.
The teen had spent his freshman year at Fowler High and was an active member of the school's wrestling team. He recently transferred to Selma High to begin his sophomore year when a tragedy struck.
"When I found out, the only thing that came to my mind was that the wrestler could no longer wrestle or fight -- he got knocked out," said Joseph Ortiz, a Fowler High classmate and close friend of Manuel and Jesus.
"He had a lot of potential, especially in the division he would have been and he was tough," said Ricky Barron, the Varsity Wrestling Coach at Fowler High.
The sea of mourners lit candles as they remembered their friend and fellow classmate.
"We have a saying here, 'Once a red cat, always a red cat.' Once you're part of the family, you'll always be part of the red cat family," said Fowler High Principal Rick Perez, Jr.
Fowler High will continue to offer its 800 students access to counselors during this time.
The family is preparing to lay their son to rest and has organized a GoFundMe to help with those expenses.
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