The Pirate Press News at La Vega High School

VOLUME 1

EDITION 7

Life after High School by Ana Gallegos, Editor Congratulations to the 2015 LVHS Salutatorian!

In a matter of days, seniors will be walking off the stage towards a new chapter in their life.

Now, life after high school may seem scary for some because many adults like to tell students

that the real world is hard and their advice is to basically be prepared to face challenges. Even

if we do not accept it, it is true because we go from living at home with parents to moving out

on our own to attend college, work, etc. Additionally, this is a chance to “start over” and

flourish. People think that these high school years define us. For instance, if you were a loner

in high school then you will be a loner in life, or if you were in the popular group then you will

be popular in your field of work. However, recent studies have shown that our four agonizing

years do not define us! In other words, after we get our diploma we will eventually find a

career, buy a house, raise a family, etc. If one thinks about it, we just spend an average of 23

years in school and spend way more than that with people who care about us. Therefore,

show the world what you can do and live life to the fullest!

High School Proverbs by Rebecca Rusu, Business Manager Congratulations to the 2015 LVHS Valedictorian!

The end of my high school journey has summed up into hundreds of “lessons learned” and experiences that I will never forget. Many of these experiences of which I owe a multitude of thanks and gratitude because without them, I would not be the person that I am today. That is why I have chosen to share some of my high school proverbs with you, so that you might succeed in your personal high school journey. My awareness of certain matters has increased considerably, these matters include: trust, responsibility, integrity and perhaps most importantly, friendship. I say that friendship is the most important because along with true friendship comes trust, responsibility and integrity. Who you spend time with is what you will become, so choosing the right friends is definitely detrimental to a person’s individual success. Another valuable lesson that I have learned was to build a good relationship with all of my teachers. This relationship led to trust and certain “perks” that other students did not have. In addition, building relationships with administration and faculty may be wise to do because you will never know if you need that extra help from above. All in all, to have a successful high school career be respectful, be bold and confident and always set your standards high.

(To the left) Congratulations to LVHS Seniors Faith Dimerson and

Cameron Jackson! Faith signed with Hill College in Hillsboro and

Cameron signed with McMurry University in Abilene. We are so

proud of these outstanding student athletes!

(To the right) Congratulations to the Seventh Period Soccer

Champions (T. Pina, Marelyn Flores, and Booz Ramirez). Many

thanks to Coach Sherry Salter for organizing this event each year!

MAY

2015

Bureau of Engraving & Printing in Fort Worth Field Trip First Annual Scholar Banquet Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas Field Trip

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Marching to the Step of a New Beat by Leonardo Torres

Every year, the band gets two new leaders known as drum majors to conduct them through their marching season. Next year’s drum majors are senior, Heaven Lopez, and junior, Daniel Martinez. These two are extremely ready to do their part in leading their band to a first division. They also want to have a great time and plan to be strict leaders in order to be in top shape for contests. However, they are going to be fair in letting the band have a voice by helping them make choices with music and other things. Heaven, who will be the one “taking charge”, says that she is very grateful to be playing this role for her senior year. On the other hand, Daniel is probably the first junior to ever be a drum major in the past couple of years. How lucky of him! In the end, they said that they are looking forward to the next marching season and would like to tell those who tried out that they did well and also deserved the part. They would also like to give a big thanks to the judges. Congratulations to Heaven and Daniel!

Going on an Adventure! by Andrea Silva Over the past few weeks, Mr. Hoefer, along with Ms. Rudd, took his Sports Marketing class, as well as his Business class, to the McLane Stadium for a tour. The purpose for this field trip was for the students to learn and understand how a stadium is handled and all that goes on during a football game. The students, as well as myself, really enjoyed the tour around the stadium. The best part would have to be the suites because of the amazing view of the city, as well as, the football field. Another favorite part of the tour was the really awesome locker room. The other stadium Mr. Hoefer’s Sports Marketing and Career Prep classes visited was The Texas Rangers Stadium in Arlington. The purpose for this tour at the stadium was to learn how it has to be taken care of and how everything has to be done before, during, and after a game, then comparing the McLane Stadium to it. The students also enjoyed this trip and the best part was when we got the chance to go into the press room where they interview the coach after a game. The McLane Stadium was more open to us in showing us things that the Rangers Stadium wasn’t allowed to show us, such as the locker room. Overall, the whole experience in visiting both of these stadiums was great and also very exciting.

New Experience by Diego Magdaleno

What is Navy Junior Reserve Officers Trainer Corps (NJROTC)? NJROTC, established in 1964, is a program offered to high schools that teaches students character education, student achievement, wellness, leadership, and diversity. The program promotes patriotism, develops responsible citizens, provides community service, and encourages higher education. Classroom instruction is augmented throughout the year by extra-curricular activities, such as drill and orienteering competitions, field meets, marksmanship sports training, visits to naval or other activities, and physical fitness training. Zacheaus Dimerson has been part of NJROTC for two months at La Vega High School. He joined NJROTC because he wanted to try something different and hopes to get a full ride to college. His plans are to be in

the U.S. Marines. Additionally, he joined because he saw people wearing uniforms, going on field trips, one of his friends asked him to join, and he wanted to try something different. His favorite thing about NJROTC is when he spins the guns around, and his least favorite thing about NJROTC is when they have to be marching outside in the heat. He likes working with Commander Gompper and Chief Terry because “they are both cool”. Zacheaus is looking forward to being in NJROTC again next year and has a goal of achieving a higher rank. NJROTC has been at La Vega for 19 years. For more information, visit the NJROTC website.

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One Step at a Time by Kinsee Gordon

Student Council is a group of student leaders who work with an adult supervisor to collaborate with others to impact their school community, which impacts their city or town, which impacts our state, which impacts our country, which changes the world. Otany Robinson is both student council president and senior class president. One of the responsibilities of student council is to come together to give thoughts on how to improve our school. It benefits our school by helping students become leaders and helping them get involved with the community. She manages being president of both organizations by taking it all one step at a time, along with the help from her great support group. Her favorite part about student

council is scheduling the pep-rallies and taking part in community service. She thinks that student council at La Vega could improve by actively getting more students involved, doing more community service, organization, and making sure that every voice is heard. As president, she is in charge of pep rallies, community service, meetings, making sure everybody is doing what they are supposed to, and talking to Ms. Krumnow. Otany enjoys being president, but she does not plan on being a part of student government while she is in college because she has other interests and wants to try new things!

Girls Playing Football? by Melissa Lozano The Powder Puff game was a game for the seniors to go against the underclassmen in a football game where the players were only girls, and the coaches were former football players. Cheerleaders were boys, and they performed during half time. The game was about an hour long, ending with the underclassmen winning 28-8. Rebecca Rusu made the touchdown for the senior team (pictured to left). Even though it was a hot day all the players said they enjoyed going out against the other players, and having fun trying to get the win for their team. Everyone had to practice after school, for at least a week, to get ready for the game, learn the positions they were going to play, and know how each play was going to turn out for them and their opposing team. The crowd ended up being a good size and they were cheering on as if it was a real game. The fans were cheering on each player and the team they were supporting. This was the second annual game, and it will hopefully

become an annual tradition for the high school. It was help on April 30 at Pirate Stadium to raise funds for the Senior Trip.

A Support System for Students by Se’Donte Jones CIS (Communities in Schools) is a support system for students, focusing on areas of academics, behavior, attendance, and making sure basic needs are met. Currently in our office we have Amy White our Program Manager, Brittany Chasteen our Transitions Case Manager, and Shane Austin our 2014-2015 AmeriCorps Member. The founder for CIS is Bill Milliken. CIS is a national organization that serves a number of states. This affiliate has a central office located in downtown Waco and at LVHS in room 504. We chose CIS as our employer in order to give back to our community in a variety of ways, while simultaneously impacting the lives of students in a multitude of ways. Including, but not limited to, mentoring, tutoring, and providing general guidance. CIS reduces absenteeism, increases study skills, helps students to prepare for state examinations, reduces disciplinary assignments,

and helps prepare students to achieve the post-secondary goals that they have set for themselves and to ensure all basic needs are met. If you would like to know the specific qualifications, come by and see someone in the office. Enrollment packets will be available for the 2015-2016 school year at registration. Services offered to students are supportive guidance, academic support, attendance support, and social support. If you are looking to be a CIS employee there are various requirements to be an employee of CIS. In order to find out what requirements you need to meet, please visit our website at www.cis-hot.org.

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Running is Life by Se’Donte Jones I sat down with #2 of the Lady Pirates basketball team, Kobi Gill. However, that’s not the only sport she plays. She also plays volleyball and participates in Track and Field. We sat down and I asked her to tell me something about her and track. Kobi answered that “in track [she] run[s] all three relays. In the past, [she also] ran other events, such as the 400, 800, 100 and 200.” Early this season, Kobi was second leg on the 4x100 m relay and 4x200 m relay. Later in the season, she moved to fourth leg and held the spot as fourth leg on all three relays. She commented that she was blessed this year with talented teammates.

Unfortunately, they fell short at regionals and did not advance to the state track meet. She hopes that next year, times will be improved and they advance to state one final time for her senior year. The Girls Track coach is Suzette Gill, Kobi’s mother. Congratulations to all the ladies on a fantastic season!

The Big Day by Saboria Hadnot Q: How do you feel about going to state? DJ: I felt really good going to state for a second time in my high school year. It’s an experience I won’t forget. Jamarcus: I feel successful. Q: How did you prepare yourself to make it there? DJ: Training with Coach Carpenter and Coach Ward was intense, especially being the one running. I kept faith, trained hard, and ran fast. Jamarcus: I trained every day and didn’t let anything stop me. Q: Was it easy getting there? DJ: No, I ranked fourth in area and ranked fourth in regionals, so I wasn’t even supposed to go to state. However, I believed I could and I did. Jamarcus: Yes. Q: What event did you go to state in? DJ: My event was the 200 meter dash. Jamarcus: My event was the Long Jump. Q: Did you think you would have made it this far? DJ: No, I didn’t think I would make it after our varsity boys disqualified in both the 4x1 and the 4x2. Jamarcus: Yes, I did. Q: Were you nervous at the starting line? DJ: No, because I have been in that atmosphere before; not in a single event, but I was very calm at the line. Jamarcus: No, because I have been doing it too long to get nervous. Q: How many medals did you receive this year? DJ: I received 14 medals. Jamarcus: I don’t know, but a lot. Q: How did you feel after the race? DJ: I felt accomplished. Jamarcus: I felt like I could have done better. Q: Were the runners fast? DJ & Jamarcus: Yes. Q: What place did you get? Dj: Sixth Jamarcus: Second

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LVHS Scholars and their Most Inspiring Teachers Alexandria Aleman – Ms. Sherry Salter James Artis – Mr. Aaron King Iyary Fernandez – Ms. Shanna Jones Ana Gallegos – Ms. Jan Skrabanek Melanie Kiss – Mr. Richard Contreras Erik Martinez – Mr. Chuck Klander Cecila Ojeda – Ms. Natasha Garcia Emilio Ortegon – Ms. Amanda Endsley Otany Robinson – Ms. Shanna Jones Sha’Tavion London – Ms. Adrienne Brooks Dulce Rodriguez – Ms. Shanna Jones Jeralyn Robinson – Ms. Amanda Endsley Mirella Rodriguez – Ms. Natasha Garcia Rebecca Rusu – Mr. David Drafahl Mark Solano – Mr. Aaron King

The Final Voyage The senior class has worked hard for two years to raise money for prom and the senior trip. It paid off! We were able to book two charter buses for the

senior trip. We were able to pay the full cost for 75 students and 7 chaperones to attend Senior Nite at Six Flags in Arlington. The park was closed to the public from 6:00 pm to midnight. The only attendees were senior students from schools around the state. The students’ tickets included an all-you-can-eat buffet. The adults enjoyed a buffet and air conditioning in the chaperone room, which was located in the Crazy Horse Saloon. The senior class sponsored a multitude of events this year. The last event was the Senior Breakfast at Rudy’s. Congratulations to all seniors, as they embark on a new beginning!

The Class of 2015 reached the million dollar goal towards college scholarships ($1,080,433 to be exact)! Many awards, certificates, medals, and scholarships were presented at the LVHS Awards Night. Ms. Jones, Ms. Ramos, and Ms. Hammond enjoyed their baby shower! The seniors in band had the privilege of an all day trip to Medieval Times! (from left to right)

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AVID is a System by Danyelle McCutcheon AVID (Advanced Via Individual Determination) is a system, it is not a program! The AVID elective teachers aim to instill the proper techniques to help the AVID students be successful in their future endeavors, whether it be for college or careers. Ms. Krumnow is our district coordinator, and Ms. Garcia is the campus coordinator. AVID will help you as much as you put into it. AVID is not only at the La Vega ISD; the organization is also global. Imagine others students like you around the world preparing for colleges and other opportunities that may come their way! To join AVID your teachers can recommend you to AVID, or you can fill out an AVID application. The AVID organization has been around for more than 30 years. La Vega ISD started using the AVID system for

freshmen in 2008-2009. It all started in a San Diego classroom with about 32 students. One focus of AVID is collaboration. Through various activities, AVID students work to establish a family. Their goal is to close the achievement gap by preparing all students for college readiness and success in a global society. For more about AVID, visit their website at www.avid.org.

Baccalaureate Celebrates a New Beginning The service was held on Sunday, May 31 at the Church of the Open Door. Ms. Skrabanek introduced the class, and Otany Robinson welcomed the class. An opening prayer was provided by Sha’Tavion London, followed by an emotional reading of the poem “Forever Friends” by Rebecca Rusu. Janay Willis elegantly sang “Tomorrow” by the Winans. Mark Solano introduced the guest speaker, Aaron King, who delivered a motivating speech about wisdom to the seniors. Melanie Kiss introduced Reverend Bill Swearingen who presented an encouraging message as these seniors enter their new beginning. The closing

prayer was provided by Dulce Rodriguez, who requested the seniors hold hands during the prayer. Thank you to the attendees!

A Night to Remember by Tiyun Kendricks Conversation excerpts from an interview with Samaria Dorham! Tiyun: Did you enjoy prom? Samaria: Kind of, it was alright. Tiyun: Is it what you expected? Samaria: Not really. Tiyun: How was the music? Samaria: It was ok. Tiyun: Did you dance? Samaria: Yes, I danced for a little bit. Tiyun: Did you attend with a date? Samaria: Yes, I went with my best friend Denetria. Tiyun: What colors did you wear? Samaria: My dress was black and silver. Tiyun: Did you take a lot of pictures? Samaria: I took plenty of pictures because it was a special night. Tiyun: Do you consider prom a night to remember? Samaria: Of course I do, why would I not? Tiyun: Was preparing for prom stressful? Samaria: Yes it was. It was time consuming trying to get everything together. Tiyun: Would you recommend others to attend prom? Yes I would. It’s something everyone should get the chance to be a part of.

La Vega High School,

Business English

Ms. Jan Skrabanek,

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555 N Loop 340

Waco, TX 76705

(254) 799-4951

www.lavegaisd.org

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