Recognizing excellence in education
La Joya ISD Graduation Edition PROGRESS TIMES
Opportunity awaits LJISD grads
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ay is a wonderful, yet bittersweet time for our school district. It is marked by celebrations of the many accomplishments of our students and difficult partings as we bid our senior classes goodbye and wish them well on their most exciting journey into adulthood. We close the 2015-2016 school year with much success and are proud of the many choices and opportunities we have provided our young adults in order for them to achieve success. Our graduating seniors from our three comprehensive high schools and our two early colleges are well prepared to enter the workforce, attend college or pursue other postsecondary career training. Others will volunteer to be part of our armed forces in a proud career serving our nation. Our school community is proud of our young adults who represent a tradition of nurturing families and support from everyone involved with our schools from pre-school through 12th grade. As we near graduation, please take a moment to congratulate the La Joya lSD class of 2016. To the graduates, we thank you for your
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contributions to our district that have helped make it an amazing district. We wish you well in everything that you will become as graduates of La Joya High School,
Dr Alda T. Benavides Superintendent
Juarez-Lincoln High School, Palmview High School, Jimmy Carter Early College High School, Thelma Salinas STEM 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 2016 graduates great success in your future endeavors. Congratulations La Joya lSD class of 2016, you did it and we are proud of you!
ECHS’s first top 3 prepare for college
he top three students of Thelma Salinas STEM ECHS first graduating class earned associate degrees at the early college high school. Now they prepare for what comes next. Valedictorian Javier Venancio Becerra is the son of Javier and Leticia Becerra. He credits the beginning of his academic success to his eighth grade teacher Mr. Treviño. “Mr. Trevino was one of the first teachers who genuinely believed in me and wished for me to succeed,” Becerra said. “He was a second father to me and showed me valuable lessons not only in class, but about the world itself.” Because of his teacher, Becerra was motivated to participate in UIL, where he excelled in calculators and qualified for the state competition. The reason Becerra decided to attend Thelma R. Salinas STEM ECHS is because he hoped to graduate with an associate’s degree in engineering and wanted to save his family money, “While it was very difficult being the “guinea pigs” for this school I am proud to have taken this risk,” the valedictorian explained. “If it had not been for my attendance to this school, I believe that I would have not achieved as much as I did.” Becerra won multiple awards in engineering and science fair competitions, held leadership roles in extracurricular activities such as National Honor Society and Student Council and gained recognition from the school board for his accomplishments. But none of those things compare to the memories he has made made while at STEM, he said. Additionally, Becerra credits his hard work to his parents that instilled in him his diligence toward education. Becerra plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania with a four-year, full ride scholarship. He plans to pursue a bachelor of science in engineering for mechanical engineering, and a minor
in business from Wharton’s Business School. “I will continue to strive for excellence, and know that wherever I go in life I will find success, due to the fact that it has been ingrained
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LJHS’s top grads excel in extracurricular activities
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a Joya High School’s top ranking students have racked up accomplishments while staying on top of their academic studies to graduate at the top of their class. Valedictorian Andrea Lozano is the daughter of very supportive parents, and had several expectations to uphold, she said. Ever since she became a student of La Joya ISD at Leo J. Leo Elementary, her parents encouraged her to do all her school work and respect her teachers and peers, which are habits she can attribute to her success. “A question I get asked a lot is “how do you understand everything?” I say I don’t know, but I really have an idea of why,” Lozano explained. “Through my parents’ support, I have never had to play catch up. The best way to not fall behind in school is to always go to school, so my parents made it a point for me not to miss school during these first fun-
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Salutatorian Jenitza Zenthei Vega
Third Ranking Cristina Mancilla
in me by my teachers, friends and family,” Becerra said. “I owe all that I have to them, and will one day repay it forward unto the future generation of students who all have goals and aspirations in their own lives.”
See STEM 19
At La Joya High School, she was once again challenged to manage time between band, UIL, NHI, NHS and SHH. Despite the difficulty, however, I loved being a part of these amazing organizations with positions such as drum major, captain and officer. “By finding this balance, I feel far more prepared for the rigor of my classes to come
at UTRGV on the road to becoming a doctor of anesthesiology,” Lozano said. Darren Matthew García, son of Carlos and Brenda García, is La Joya High School’s Salutatorian for the Class of 2016. García participates in various extracurricular activities and organizations such as the National Honor Society,
Valedictorian Andrea Lozano
Salutatorian Darren Matthew García
Third Ranking Mark Anthony Cantu
See LA JOYA 20
family, Gonzalez felt it was her duty to set an example in hopes that her siblings would follow in her footsteps. During her four years at Juarez-Lincoln Alejandra participated in extra-curricular activities. She participat-
ed in state solo & ensemble for three years, as well as varsity band. She competed in UIL events such as Texas Math and Science Coaches Association at San Antonio 2015-2016, in addition to math, calculator, number
sense, social studies and ready writing. Along with all the extra-curricular activities, Gonzalez was also enrolled in dual enrollment and advanced placement classes.
Valedictorian Alejandra Gonzalez
Salutatorian Karla A. Martinez
Third Ranking Marilin Garcia Linares
See JLHS 20
Palmview HS lead grads overcome odds
espite obstacles early on in their lives, Palmview’s Brianna Guzman, Sadam Rivera and Armando Gallardo find themselves leading their 2016 graduating class. Valedictorian Brianna Guzman is the only child of Javier Guzman and Bertha Cano, both of whom are teachers. The Palmview High School senior said that she has learned many of life’s lessons from her parents, whom have always supported her in her endeavors and have helped shape her into the person she is today. Guzman is involved in a variety of organizations and clubs at Palmview High School. She admits that it has
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damental years of learning.” Middle school, although an awkward time, was where she learned the importance of time management, Lozano said. With the Cesar Chavez Middle School Band, UIL and sports, she was taught how to balance fun and business and how to distinguish when it was time for each one. This helped me tremendously throughout high school.
Top Huskies have sights set on Texas colleges
rom humble beginnings to top rankings, Juarez-Lincoln’s leading graduates look to continue their educational career at Texas universities. Valedictorian Alejandra Gonzalez was born to Oscar Rene and Maria Dolores Gonzalez. Raised in Mission, Texas, she grew up in a blue-collar upbringing. Her parents were both born in Mexico, and did not receive the opportunity to graduate high school. Her mother works at home, while her father makes a living in construction work. Gonzalez is the oldest between herself and two siblings. Her sister, Martha is a junior at Juarez-Lincoln High School, and Oscar is a fifth grader at Perez Elementary. As the oldest in her
D Valedictorian Javier Venancio Becerra
May 20, 2016
been hectic balancing her academic and social life but it’s been a fun process. “I love that I’ve been able to learn so much and still had fun,” she said. “I hope to
continue having fun experiences and memories as I take on greater challenges.” Salutatorian Sadam Rivera is the son of Jose Rivera and Yesika Quintanilla.
He was born and raised in Ciudad Miguel Aleman, Tamaulipas, Mexico. When he turned 13 years old, his family received the news that
Valedictorian Brianna Guzman
Salutatorian Sadam Rivera
Third Ranking Armando Gallardo
See PALMVIEW 20
Jimmy Carter’s top 3 prep for college
he Jimmy Carter Early College top three grads look to their families for inspiration as they prepare to start life after high school. Valedictorian Ezequiel Velasquez looks back at his life without regrets. The 18 year old said he likes to think everything in his life— positive or negative, big or small—was worth living through, and has prepared him to take on the next step in his life. Velasquez plans to attend the University of Houston and major in computer science. He is eager to be introduced to new experiences. Velasquez has lived in rural locations all of his life, so moving to the city will be a change of pace, he said. The
Jimmy Carter senior feels a new environment will provide him with a unique college experience, as well as internship opportunities for his career choice. However, the deep connection to his
family and culture will make him miss home. Velasquez is the youngest in a family of four. His older brother Julian Velasquez and sister Leslie Velasquez have taught him how to grow up
and at the same time enjoy life. His mother, Maria Elena Mexicano, raised him and his siblings in a single-parent household and has been a huge inspiration, he said. She
Valedictorian Ezequiel Velasquez
Salutatorian Jeanelly Gonzalez
Third Ranking Yaneth Sosa
See JIMMY 19