2015 La Joya ISD Campus Chronicle

Recognizing excellence in education

PROGRESS TIMES

Palmview graduates to be presented

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he commencement exercise for Palmview High School is scheduled for Tuesday, June 2, at 11 a.m. at State Farm Arena.

There are 445 seniors in the Palmview High School class of 2015. Of those, 79 will graduate under the Distinguished Achievement Plan. Palmview High School will be graduating 144 Texas Scholars and 94 under the RGV Lead program.

Palmview’s JROTC cadets will present the colors and senior choir member Jose Angel Macias will sing the National Anthem.

Third-ranked student Giovanni Perez will give the welcome, and Principal Yvonne Ayala will introduce guests.

Emmanuel Garcia will give the salutatory address, followed by the valedictory address from Daniel Galvan.

Ayala and La Joya Independent School District Superintendent Alda T. Benavides will certify the graduates, and Board President Johnn Valente Alaniz will award

La Joya High Coyotes graduation is June 2

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he commencement exercise for the Coyote Class of 2015 will be held on Tuesday, June 2, at 8 a.m. at State Farm Arena.

There are 394 students in the La Joya High School Class of 2015. Of those, 96 are graduating under Distinguished Achievement Program. La Joya High will graduate 171 as Texas Scholars and 68 are Tech Prep Scholars.

La Joya High School JROTC cadets will present the colors, and choir students will sing the National Anthem.

Principal Antonio Cano will introduce special guests.

The salutatory address will be given by Laura Barrera. This will be followed by the valedictory address from Julio Treviño.

Cano and La Joya Independent School District Superintendent Alda T. Benavides will certify the graduates, and Board President Johnn Valente Alaniz will award the diplomas.

May 22, 2015

Benavides: LJISD grads are college and career ready

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s we approach the end of another very successful school year, I want to take a few moments to thank everyone for helping us make significant progress this year toward our mission of graduating all La Joya ISD students college and career ready. This truly was a very successful school year marked by significant growth and accomplishment in each of the key areas of our Vision. I would like to thank all stakeholders for the work you have done in support of our mission statement. Achieving the progress we have as a school district would not be possible without the support of a quality staff, motivated and capable students, strong leadership, and a very supportive community. The commitment to a quality education in La

Joya ISD makes the achievement of our goals possible.

As we near graduation, please take a moment to congratulate the La Joya ISD Class of 2015. We thank you for your contributions to our district that has helped make it the awesome district that it is. We wish you well in everything that you will become as graduates of La Joya High School, Juarez-Lincoln High School, Palmview High School, Jimmy Carter Early College High School and College & Career Center. On behalf of the School Board of Trustees and our entire central office administration, we wish all of the 2015 graduates great success in their future endeavors.

Congratulations La Joya ISD Class of 2015!

Dr. Alda T. Benavides Superintendent of Schools

A&M University, where he will be pursuing a degree in chemical engineering. Possible career paths for Daniel include making cleaner energy or working in the petrochemical industry.

“Our whole lives, we

have been trained and pressured not to make mistakes.

To earn perfect scores in all our exams. To never drop the football during the game. To never press the wrong valve during a band concert, and after constantly being told

not to make mistakes, we have begun to fear committing mistakes,” Daniel stated.

“However, as we transition into the real world, I hope that you let go of this men-

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Valedictorian Daniel Galvan

Salutatorian Emmanuael Garcia

Third Ranking Giovanni Perez

Antonio Cano Principal, LJHS

Third-ranked student Josette Ochoa will offer the closing remarks.

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Alaniz and La Joya Independent School District Superintendent Alda T. Benavides will certify the graduates, and Board President Johnn Valente Alaniz will award the diplomas.

Yaletzy Alaniz, thirdranked students, will close the ceremony.

See PHS 17B

Head Coyote students eye engineering careers

he top three graduates at La Joya High School all are looking to study engineering at the university level.

Julio Treviño, son of Javier and Nereida Treviño, is La Joya High School’s Class of 2015 valedictorian.

Julio has been part of rigorous extracurricular activities, such as the National Honor Society (two years) and student council (two years). He’s participated in UIL competitions since he was in second grade, competing in events such as number sense, mathematics, calculators and science. Julio’s also qualified for the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association twice.

He’s received the following honors: Texas Scholar, Texas Prep Scholar, member

J Eduardo Alaniz Principal, JLHS

Palmview’s top students show varied interests

rom evangelism to clean energy, the top three graduates at Palmview High School have big dreams they’re working toward.

After four years of hard work, Daniel Galvan has been named valedictorian of Palmview High School’s Class of 2015.

Although school and grades have been Daniel’s main focus, he also was involved in several organizations. For example, he participated in mathematics, science and calculators at UIL, and Daniel was announced district champion for match and science.

Also, Daniel participated in community organizations like National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta.

He plans to attend Texas

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507 students graduate from Juarez-Lincoln

uarez-Lincoln High School wishes to extend congratulations to the graduating students and their families. Students will experience the final stage of their journey as a Juarez-Lincoln High School Husky on Tuesday, June 2, at 5 p.m. at State Farm Arena.

There are 507 seniors that will walk the stage to collect their diplomas at the ceremony. Of those, 36 are graduating under the Distinguished Achievement Program. Juarez-Lincoln also will see 106 students graduate as Texas Scholars and 65 as Tech Prep students.

Juarez-Lincoln JROTC cadets will present the colors and Juarez-Lincoln choir students will sing the National Anthem.

Edith Rangel, senior class president, will then welcome Juarez-Lincoln students and Principal Eduardo Alaniz will introduce guests.

Andrea Chavez will give the salutatory address, followed by the valedictorian address from Maria Villalpando.

Section B

Yvonne Ayala Principal, PHS

the diplomas.

Trista Vasquez, senior class president, will close the ceremony and the Palmview band will play the school’s alma mater.

Class of 2015

of the National Honor Society, Excellence Award from the National Society of High School Scholars and state qualifier for an Texas Math and Science Coaches Association award. Julio’s also been named as a Minnie Ste-

vens Piper Scholar, a prestigious scholarship awarded by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation.

“All the hard work I have put in my education to reach my goals has brought me one step closer to my dream to

become a mechanical engineer,” Julio stated.

He plans to attend the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley as a mechanical engineering major.

Valedictorian Julio Treviño

Salutatorian Laura Barrera

Third Ranking Josette Ochoa

See LJHS 18B

Juarez-Lincoln grads busy in, out of class

uarez-Lincoln High School’s top three graduates managed to succeed academically while balancing lives full of personal and extracurricular obligations.

Maria J. Villalpando, valedictorian of the Juarez Lincoln High School Class of 2015, truly embodies hard work and perseverance. Maria is the daughter of Noe and Alicia Villalpando and the oldest of three children.

Volunteerism and altruism are the two qualities that truly define Maria, and when thinking about her about future plans, she said she’d love to be able to become a philanthropist if her position allowed it in the future. She volunteered numerous hours as a reading tutor, an income tax preparer and a food pantry distributor. As vice pres-

ident of the Juarez-Lincoln High School National Honor Society, she helped organize volunteers for the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank, made all preparations, and conducted meetings with her peers to work on logistics

of distributing food items to those in need. She also served the community at the Speer Memorial Library, the Lions Gate Club and a local nursing home.

Maria has also maintained a clear sense of pur-

pose when it comes to her academics. She has earned placement on the “A” honor roll repeatedly throughout most of her high school education. While in high

Valedictorian Maria Villalpando

Salutatorian Andrea Chavez

Third Ranking Yaletzy Alaniz

See JLHS 17B

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Jimmy Carter ECHS graduates overcome odds

he top students at Jimmy Carter Early College have overcome lives as migrants to become, for some, the first of their family to earn college degrees. The school’s top three graduates all have earned an associate degree.

Leslie Escalante is valedictorian of the Class of 2015 at Jimmy Carter Early College High School.

Leslie was born in the Valley, raised in Texas and spent summers in Wyoming.

“Although I am no longer considered a migrant, I grew up as one, and migrant life is an integral part of my character, pushing me towards education and establishing a deep-rooted curiosity though day-long ponderings over anything, which I touch back to whenever I lose motivation for projects or assignments,” she stated.

Leslie chose to attend an early college high school because she preferred small communities, and she’s glad she did. Many opportunities were made available to her because of school. Those opportunities included internships, university visits, networking opportunities and the chance to complete an associate of science in computer science.

Adelina Castillo Alvarado

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Jimmy Carter Early College HS graduates second senior class

T Valedictorian Leslie Escalante

was named salutatorian of Jimmy Carter Early College High School.

She was born and raised in Guatemala and came to the United States when she was 8.

“My first day of school in the United states was nerve-wracking,” Adelina stated. “I didn’t want to start school in such an abrupt way; I had no backpack, no school supplies, and I was simply dropped off. I tried to hug my mom, but they told me to hurry inside the room. It was so very well lit – nothing like my school back in Guatemala. But after that day, though I didn’t understand the English language, I fell in love with learning.”

Adelina stated lack of ed-

Salutatorian Adelina Castillo Alvarado

ucation is the reason for all the hardships in her family.

She attended Jimmy Carter Early College High School to obtain an education filled with exciting challenges and opportunities.

She’s earned an associate degree in interdisciplinary studies, and she’s the first of her family to earn a college degree.

Adelina plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin, where she will study pre-pharmacy.

Juan Alameda is the thirdranked student at Jimmy Carter Early College High School. He was born into a migrant family and traveled constantly. Juan’s parents gave up their own dreams of pursuing college in Mexico

Third Ranking Juan Alameda

to give him a better life in the United States.

His family started off as migrant workers, following seasonal work, but the travel did not help Alameda’s health, so they settled in Mission. His parents did not know English or how the educational system worked. In elementary school, Juan was placed in bilingual classes because he only spoke Spanish. The next year he was placed in English course.

Before graduating middle school, Juan applied to Jimmy Carter Early College High School in hopes of obtaining an associate degree by graduation. Four years later, he achieved his goal and plans to become an oncologist.

he commencement ceremony for Jimmy Carter Early College High School is set for Tuesday, June 2, at State Farm Arena.

There are 91 students in the Class of 2015. Five of those students are graduating with an associate degree in computer science. They are Juan Aguilar, Cristal Coria, Leslie Escalante, Ricardo Gonzalez and Eligio Reyna.

Claudia Luna senior class president, will welcome graduates. Principal Sylvia Sepulveda then will introduce guests.

Adelina Castillo will offer the salutatorian address, followed by Leslie Escalante with the valedictory address.

Sepulveda and La Joya Independent School District Superintendent Alda Bena-

Sylvia Sepulveda Principal JCECHS

vides will certify the graduates. Board President Johnn Valente Alaniz will award the diplomas.

Juan Alameda, thirdranked student, will offer the closing remarks.

Messages from the Class Presidents Trista Vasquez PHS

Lee Roy Cantu LJHS

Edith Rangel JLHS

Claudia Lun JCECHS

La Joya ISD DREAMers earn national scholarships

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he PHS Senior Class of 2015 has exceeded everyone’s expectations.

This class and school year will remain in history, both for our various accomplishments and traditions that were set. As the president, I noticed that our class became very united despite our differences. Being part of the class club enabled that, because every activity that we had brought many old friends back together or people made new friends along the way. This club wasn’t just about the trip at the end of the year, but about building school spirit and setting traditions that PHS lacked.

We set out to leave our mark in every sport, club, or organization. Our senior class club formalized the student section at the football games, the senior circle at the pep rallies, and the caravan to every home game. More importantly, we came together to help those in need such as the family we adopted during the winter. Seeing the family tear with joy with our contributions warmed our hearts and inspired us to continue giving back to those in need. Now that this chapter is coming to an end and seeing everyone’s anticipations and fears for graduation only makes me look back to how PHS has created a sense of pride and built our aspirations. In comparison to the previous graduation classes, we are more united and involved. We are proud of where we come from, what we stand for, and what we will become. Thanks to our class, clubs, teachers, sponsors, families, and friends, we have created memories that will last a lifetime. We are the class of 2015, forever Lobos.

–Trista Vasquez

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ear Graduating Class of 2015, I want to be the first to congratulate you on your tremendous accomplishments from diapers to your diploma. We have all worked so hard and should be proud of ourselves.

I wish you all the best of luck the moment you all step into the “Adult World.”

Whichever path you choose always remember these words by Terence Wells “Dream big, because the only person holding you from success is yourself.

Embrace who you are and stay true to yourself, discover your passion, and pursue your happiness.”

You have spent years building character, friendships, and memories. Cherish every well spent moment with your classmates because after June 2nd it will be the last time having your 2015 graduating class all in one room as a student body.

Embrace your friends, teachers, & parents. Because of them every single one of you is ready to start your own path. There is no reason to be afraid. As a student body, we traveled this journey together. A journey that has taught you many valuable lessons, made you stronger, made you who you are, and because of that you all are ready to begin the journey you decide to pursue.

It has been an Honor to be the President of the Graduating Class of 2015, you all have certainly made this class legendary. Good luck & remember “Make it a great day or not the choice is yours.”

Sincerely your Senior Class President, Lee Roy Cantu

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ear Fellow Seniors, We started Juarez-Lincoln High School as adolescents, but soon, we’ll leave it as young adults. Some of us will go straight to college, others will go straight into the workforce, but each of us will travel through our own course – yet, we’ve only begun to pursue the endeavors that will launch us into our futures.

Wherever we go or whatever we do, there will be challenges ahead of us precluding our future successes.

May we prepare ourselves to meet those challenges and overcome those obstacles straight on with our heads held high and our hearts open wide. May we strive for excellence in all we do.

Although it may be hard to see, every accomplishment, every success, and every victory we achieve will be added to the world’s acclamation. Our future individual successes will benefit society as a whole because when we succeed, we conquer. We prevail. We accomplish. My challenge to each and every one of you, and to myself, is to do all that you can to reach and to maximize your full potential.

If each of the 505 students in this vibrant graduating class is able to do that, imagine the results that would yield. Evidently, the future is in our hands, so we should resolve to make the most of it.

Congratulations Class of 2015! We did it!

Sincerely, Edith Rangel

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s Senior Class President, I am proud of my class for accomplishing their goals. Despite the fact that we are first generation college goers, we have succeeded on graduating, not just with a high school diploma, but also with an Associate’s Degree from South Texas College.

This achievement makes seniors from Jimmy Carter role models, not just for others, but for our siblings and younger family members as well.

I’ve been part of Student Government at Jimmy Carter for the last three years, and I’ve witnessed how our class has become unified. Each one of us is unique in our own way and has our own group of friends, but when one of us experienced difficulties, we came together to support that individual either emotionally or monetarily.

Even though we compete academically, we reached out to each other as if we were a family. United, we have succeeded!

In these four years’ journey, there have been many obstacles which have made us stronger and mature. From every mistake we have made in our high school year, we have gained knowledge and wisdom to create a positive outcome.

On behalf of the Jimmy Carter Senior Class, I would like to take this opportunity to thank La Joya ISD, teachers and staff at Carter, and most importantly, our family and parents for their support and helping to make each of our dreams come true.

-Claudia Luna Senior Class President

he start of 2015 marked a pivotal and exciting time of year for three LJISD Jimmy Carter Early College HS seniors.

Alexis Tinajero, Juan Piña, and Carlos Rodriguez, were each awarded the $25,000 TheDream.US Scholarship.

This grant is given to students who are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) approved. These are children who came to the United States from another country and have been raised in the United States. TheDream.US Scholarship was created to aid high school graduates who can not access federal loans or grants to help pay for college because of their immigration status.

This multi-million-dollar national scholarship fund specifically targets immigrant youth who want to obtain a post secondary education and give back to their communities – thus contributing to the prosperity of the nation.

Tinajero, Piña, and Rodriguez first learned about

TheDream.US scholarship through their English IV teacher, Benito Bernal. All three began the application process in early November and in January officially accepted the help. Out of 850 applicants from around the country, the JCECHS students were amongst the few to be granted $25,000 each, for the remainder of their college years.

The three senior friends plan to attend the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, which also awarded them an additional $4,000 for books and supplies. Tinajero hopes to major in dance, Piña in mass communications and Rodriguez in mechanical engineering, and all would not be pursuing such careers without the financial support of TheDream.US scholarship.

“La Joya ISD is my home – and this is where I want to return as a professional,” Tinajero said. “I feel so grateful for this grant because I know for a fact that I need it in order to achieve my dreams.”

PHS students receives scholarship to fully fund college education

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By Jimmy Aguilar

any parents dream about it, and many students strive for it, but being awarded a free ride to college isn’t something that happens very often. Palmview High School senior Stephanie De Leon has been awarded the Terry Foundation Scholarship to fully fund her college education at Texas State University in San Marcos.

The Terry Foundation is a scholarship program aimed to provide scholarships to Texas high school graduates.

It was established in 1986

by Houston philanthropists Howard & Nancy Terry. The awarded amount funds a full undergraduate degree for

Texas students attending a public university within the state.

De Leon is currently ranked 35th in her senior class, landing her a spot to be recognized as the top 10 percent of the 2014-2015 PHS graduating class. She has worked hard during high school taking such challenging classes as U.S. History, World History, English II and III. “I believe my leadership and willingness to help out whenever needed is what makes me worthy of this scholarship,” De Leon

See DE LEON 17B

May 22, 2015

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La Joya Independent School District Board of Trustees La Joya Independent School District Board of Trustees members are, from left to right, Oscar “Coach” Salinas, Juan Jose “J.J.” Peña, Joel Garcia (vice president), Johnn Alaniz (president), Juan Jose “J.J.” Garza (secretary), Esperanza “Espie” Ochoa and Jesus “Chuy” Avendaño.

PHS student earns perfect attendance from kinder to graduation

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By Jimmy Aguilar

Emilia Chavero

Magdalena Garza

Josette Ochoa

Three Gates Millennium Scholars from one La Joya school F or three La Joya High School seniors, the opportunity to attend the college of their choice without any financial worries is more than just small talk – it’s a dream come true. Emilia Chavero, Magdalena Garza, and Josette Ochoa are among this year’s recipients of the 2015 Gates Millennium Scholars.

Established in 1999 by Bill and Melinda Gates, the Gates Millennium Scholars scholarship was developed with the goal of “developing leaders for America’s future.” Out of 52,000 applicants, the program notified 1,500 finalists and then chose only 1,000 to reward.

The program removes the financial barriers to education for high-performing, low-income students and helps them to pursue a degree in any undergraduate degree at accredited universities across the country.

Though there have been La Joya ISD Gates Millennium Scholars in the past,

this is the first year that three have been selected from one school.

Chavero, ranked 10th, will sign with Texas A&M University in Kingsville to major in mathematics and educational administration. Garza, ranked fourth, will be pursuing a degree in international relations in global studies from the University of Texas in Austin.

Ochoa, ranked third, also plans on attending the University of Texas in Austin to study chemical engineering.

Chavero is the daughter of Joel and Marilu Chavero. She is ranked 10th in her graduating class and has acquired 52 college hours.

She is the National Honor Society secretary, Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica secretary, Migrant Club vice president and a leader in her community and is proud to serve in it.

Ochoa is the daughter of Jose and Diana Ochoa.

She is in National Honor Society, as well as UIL Cal-

culator, Math and Science.

Ochoa has been a starter for the La Joya High School Soccer Team, and this year she was the captain for the La Joya Varsity Soccer Team and will be part of the All Star Soccer Team. She is a graduate of the National Hispanic Institute, having attended all three summer programs and two national competitions.

Garza is the daughter of Maria Garza. She is involved in many organizations and has held many officer positions, such as Student Council representative for National Honor Society, Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, president for the Book Club, and the director for Leo Club. She has completed more than 100 hours of community service and more than 40 college hours.

She often spends her time reading literature and focusing on her schoolwork. Her goal is to work with underdeveloped countries to aid those in need.

IBC Bank-McAllen awards $22,000 in scholarships to Hidalgo County seniors

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BC Bank-McAllen promoted higher education recently by awarding a combined $22,000 in scholarships to 22 Hidalgo County high school graduates as they embark upon college and a new chapter of their adult lives. The students were awarded the A.R. Sanchez, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Award at a citywide reception on April 29 at the McAllen Chamber of Commerce.

Guest speakers at the event included IBC Bank-McAllen President and CEO R. David Guerra, IBC Bank-McAllen Senior Executive Vice President Adrian Villarreal and McAllen Chamber of Commerce President Steve Ahlenius.

“We are proud to assist these deserving high school seniors with the A.R. San-

chez, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Award,” Guerra said.

“They are the future business men and women in our communities, and we are honored to support this scholarship initiative for more than 20 years.”

This year, IBC Bank-McAllen presented a total of 22 A.R. Sanchez, Sr. Memorial Scholarship Awards, each valued at $1,000 across 22 area high schools.

Scholarship award recipients were Yesenia Zapata, Edinburg High School; Bianca Salinas, Edinburg North High School; Damian Esteban Setien, Hidalgo High School; Itzayana Ramos, Johnny G. Economedes High School; Maria Luna, Juarez Lincoln High School; Cecelia Solis, La Joya High School; Ma-

ria Cristina Guerra, Lamar Academy; Amber Michalk, McAllen High School; Roberto D. Hernandez, McAllen Memorial High School; Steven Tamez, Mission High School; Arantza Espinosa, Mission Veterans High School; Noe Rodriguez III, Nikki Rowe High School; Efrain Hernandez, Palmview High School; Alexander Galindo, PSJA High School; Hydia Puente, PSJA Memorial High School; Nubia Sanchez, PSJA North High School; Manuel Ibarra, Robert Vela High School; Irving Yanez, Sharyland High School; Jaritze Calderon, Valley View High School; Adrian Perez, Weslaco East High School; Janelle Negrete, Weslaco High School;

See IBC SCHOLARSHIPS 17B

veryone has those days where waking up to go to school or work seems incredibly difficult, even student Tristen Robles has had those days. What makes Robles different is that he has never missed a day of school in his entire academic life.

“My parents were a big reason for me having perfect attendance. They encouraged me every day to come to school,” Robles said.

Research shows a correlation between attendance and academic success. Robles will be graduating at the top 25 percent of his class come June.

“Coming to school every single day had helped me to never fall behind in my classes,” Robles said. “This helped me by never missing any assignments.”

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2015 Co-State Champions

Paalmview High School Mariachi Los Lobos

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IBC SCHOLARSHIPS

Beatriz Martinez, PSJA SW Early College High School.

IBC Bank-McAllen Senior Vice President Fernando De la Cerda and IBC Bank-McAllen First Vice President Margie Rocha Santos assisted in the scholarship presentation.

IBC Bank-McAllen began this market-wide community program in 1991 to provide the opportunity for higher education to youth from low to moderate-income households. Born into

JLHS

La Joya High School 2015 Senior Class

PHS

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tality. I hope you commit numerous mistakes. I hope you make several mistakes because it means you are endeavoring new things. It means you are stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself. It means you are learning. It means you are living.”

Emmanuel Garcia is Palmview High School’s salutatorian.

Born and raised in Mission, Emmanuel said his family did its best to instill a sense of tenacity and hard work in him.

At a young age, Emmanuel began playing sports like baseball, football and basketball and those sports taught him the value of dedication and teamwork.

Last summer, Emmanuel was named the National Hispanic Institute’s Texas Collegiate World Series Valedictorian. He’s been a member of the National Honor Society since his sophomore year, and he’s taken a few leader-

ship roles in his school, which include serving as president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and captain of his varsity baseball team. Emmanuel also has participated in Distributive Educational Clubs of America, or DECA, and UIL. “All the skills I’ve obtained throughout my years in high school have helped me become a role model in the eyes of others,” Emmanuel said. “I volunteered as a little league softball coach which allowed me to teach kids how to play the right way. I also offered assistance to young students who needed to be tutored in certain school subjects. Everything I’ve been a part of has molded me into who I am today.”

Emmanuel plans to attend Texas A&M University at College Station and study sports management. He hopes to further his education with a master’s degree.

Giovanni Isaiah Perez is ranked third at Palmview

from pg 1B

High School. Giovanni is a member of seven different organizations, including DECA, where he serves as president.

He has received numerous awards and recognitions, like the Ronald Reagan Leadership Award and the Einsteinium Award. In addition, Giovanni participated in sports at Palmview, primarily baseball.

In what free time he has, Giovanni enjoys playing the guitar and singing. He is an active member of his church and collects Snapple caps.

“I have been very lost and indecisive throughout my life. I didn’t really love one particular subject but instead enjoyed them all. Hence, I’ve been very hesitant onto what I would be studying in college,” Giovanni stated, later adding, “I will almost certainly become an evangelist and reach the lost world, because bringing people to Christ is my sole purpose of life. This is who I am.”

school, Maria has earned more than 20 college hours and earned top marks for these courses as well. She plans to pursue her post-secondary education at Texas A&M University in College Station this fall where she will pursue a degree in law.

Despite the extreme amount of work that goes into holding an officer position in multiple organizations, Maria, has never faltered. Aside from holding the position of vice president of the National Honor Society and the Top Hat Theatre Company, Maria was also the vice president for the 2015 Senior Class.

One of Maria’s greatest achievements has been in UIL Ready Writing competition. An avid reader and extemporaneous writer, Maria, the team’s captain, advanced to the UIL Ready Writing regional competition every year she competed starting with ninth grade. Her sophomore year she earned the district title and continued into the regional competition as the only sophomore at JLHS. Class of 2015 salutatorian Andrea Chavez is the daughter of Eduardo and Isabel Chavez.

Although Andrea and her family emigrated from Mexico, she has been able to take advantage of every academic opportunity she has encountered. Andrea has excelled in all areas she has faced, including learning and mastering the English language while welcoming each challenge along the way.

She learned she was only

DE LEON from pg 3B

from pg 2B

a humble family, Antonio R. Sanchez Sr., the namesake of the scholarship award and the founder of IBC Bank, was a strong supporter of making higher education available to those interested in bettering their lives. Sanchez’s commitment to the power of learning lives on in the A.R. Sanchez Scholarship Award, which is bestowed annually upon deserving high school seniors in South Texas and the upper Gulf Coast area.

said. “I feel that I have become a well-rounded person.”

De Leon will be the first generation to attend college in the U.S. from her family.

Her family expresses great pride in their daughter’s accomplishments but will have to adjust to De Leon’s new residence 5 hours away.

“My dad was extremely happy and so was my mom, although she seemed sad that I would no longer be living with her; I’ll be a few hours away,” De Leon said.

ranked 50th in her class her freshmen year, worked even harder, understanding that excelling academically not only meant time during the school day but after school and weekends as well.

She understands now the sacrifices her family has had to endure so that she and her siblings can enjoy a brighter future.

Andrea has effectively served as Head of Class and class treasurer and has also represented her roots by being part of folkloric dancing group “Sol Azteca”. Andrea has also challenged herself by joining National Hispanic Institute since she was a sophomore. The fact that English is her second language was not a fact to deter her from participating in The Great Debate, becoming a finalist.

Andrea has enrolled in as many Dual Enrollment and Advanced Placement classes as she could. Challenging herself and taking Advanced Placement courses early in her high school years has prepared her for her college dual enrollment classes as a junior and senior. She is graduating Juarez-Lincoln High School with 35 dual enrollment hours.

Andrea is also part of National Honor Society and DECA. She also contributed to El Noticiero as one of its writers. Andrea has also kept busy outside of school organizations by volunteering her time at Sacred Heart Church. Andrea is planning on attending Our Lady of

the Lake University where she has received a $60,000 scholarship.

Yaletzy Alaniz has earned the honor of being the 3rd ranked student at Juarez Lincoln High School. Yaletzy has received many accolades throughout the four years of high school.

She has served as JLHS student council representative, yearbook photographer and editor, chess club member and a migrant student worker. Yaletzy also has been active in Grupo Folklorico Sol Azteca, art club, volleyball, wrestling, UIL Headline, National Honor Society, Top Hat Theatre Company and La Joya ISD Campus Crime Stoppers.

Yaletzy will be graduating with 30 college hours from South Texas College.

She was also honored as the Juarez-Lincoln High School recipient of the Border Patrol Head of Class.

Yaletzy has managed to academically excel despite many life difficulties. She is the daughter of Enereida Cantu and David Montelongo and a first generation college student.

She has lived a life as a migrant worker in which she feels that it is an honorable way of providing for a family; however, she wants to stop that cycle and aspires to gain as much knowledge as she can, knowing that education will take her to the next level of life.

Yaletzy plans to pursue a medical degree at St. Edward’s University.

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May 22, 2015

Pictured are Jimmy Carter Early College High School students who qualified for regional UIL competitions. Among the qualifiers were Juan Raul Aguilar, Juan Alameda, Cristal Coria and Leslie Escalante in computers science, as well as Jesus Garcia in poetry.

ABOVE: Pictured, from left to right, are Jimmy Carter Early College High School senior class officers Stephanie Ortega, historian; Perla Espinoza, vice president; Claudia Luna, president; Adelina Castillo, treasurer; Angelica Molina, historian.

RIGHT: King Alberto Ayon Garcia and Queen Jaqueline J. Gamon were honored at this year’s Senior Prom.

LJHS

Julio encouraged all his 2015 classmates to never stop learning and to pursue the careers of their choice.

“As we leave high school, we must not forget where we came from,” Julio stated. “We have our parents to thank for all their support and encouragement in our education. We have all our teachers, administrators, counselors and all other staff to thank for all their hard work, time and effort put in to help us grow and flourish. Most importantly, we have God to thank for helping our teachers guide us well.”

Laura Barrera, La Joya High School’s salutatorian, is the daughter of Maria Hernandez.

She has been a member

of the UIL math and calculator teams for two years, as well and the National Honor Society for one year. This year, Laura also had the opportunity to represent her school at the La Joya ISD High School Advisory Pack.

She plans to study mechanical engineering and minor in mathematics at UT-RGV. “No matter the time of day, you can expect me to have a calculator handy and a math problem always within reach,” Laura stated.

Josette Ochoa, La Joya High’s third-ranked student, also is a Gates Millennium Scholar. She is the daughter of Jose and Diana Ochoa.

Ochoa has been a member of the National Honor Society two years and she’s

from pg 1B

competed on the UIL calculator, math and science teams for two years as well.

She also served as captain of the Lady Coyote varsity soccer team as a four-year starter. Ochoa is a graduate of the National Hispanic Institute, having attended all three summer programs and two national competitions.

Ocho represented her school at the superintendent roundtable, participated in drop-out prevention programs and gave speeches to the freshmen class.

“I can always be found reading a good book,” Ochoa stated.

She plans to attend the Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin as a chemical engineering major.

Pictured are 2014-2015 Student Council officers at Jimmy Carter Early College High School. Jesus Garcia served as president, Benny Lozano served as vice president, Tavi Quintanilla served as secretary, Juan Piña served as treasurer, Ashley Vanderpool served as social chair and Rosa F. Mendoza served as parliamentarian.

Pictured are officers of the Jimmy Carter Early College High School National Honor Society.

Seniors Leslie Escalante served as president, Jessica Soto served as vice president, Lucinda Villasana served as secretary and Roberto Blanco served as treasurer. Juniors Hilary Canales served as historian and Cecilia Martinez served as parliamentarian.