Category: Student Profile

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Calculating Leadership: Jose Morales

Calculating Leadership: Jose Morales

From excelling in academic competitions to holding leadership roles in multiple organizations, Jose Morales stands out for his ability to manage leadership roles while maintaining academic valor. As Vice President of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Area 4, Parliamentarian of the National Honor Society (NHS), and a state competitor in the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association (TMSCA) calculators division, Morales is a committed student to both his passion and his future goals.

“These passions of mine have shaped me since I learned different skills like time management but they also made my high school experience more enjoyable,” Morales said

Morales’ most recent achievement was becoming the vice president of FBLA Area 4 and Parliamentarian of the NHS. Notably, he placed in a TMSCA state meet in 10th-grade calculators. These extracurriculars serve as a mold for his character, shaping him into a future he wants to fit in.

“I have considered engineering as my future field of study, mainly because of my love for math,” Morales said. “To pursue this career, I plan to get an associate degree here and take some classes that help me achieve my goal of going into engineering.”

Morales isn’t certain of a career, but he knows his love for math will be his foundation. To balance his extracurricular activities alongside dual enrollment, Morales has to stay organized in his classes.

“I have planners and to-do lists to make sure I don’t miss doing an assignment. I procrastinate sometimes but not as frequently when I stick with my organizational strategies,” Morales said.

By organizing himself, Morales is able to balance his academic responsibilities with his leadership roles ensuring he remains a well-rounded and successful student.

School Pride / Education / Profiles / Featured / Community / Culture / News / Student Profile

RedWolf Alum Explores Sustainable Agriculture in Costa Rica

UTRGV Student Explores Sustainable Agriculture in Costa Rica

Jared Valdes, a student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), recently returned from a school-sponsored trip to Costa Rica, where he deepened his understanding of sustainable agriculture and tropical agroecology. Valdes, a member of the class of 2022 at Jimmy Carter Early College High School, is pursuing a degree in Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems with a focus on Tropical Agroecology.

As part of the trip, Valdes visited various farms across Costa Rica, including those producing coffee, bananas, cacao, and vegetables. The program, hosted alongside Costa Rica’s Center for Tropical Agriculture Research and Education (CATIE), offered students hands-on experience with agroecological practices in a tropical environment.

“Being here in Costa Rica, a place teeming with biodiversity, I have been able to experience the outdoors like never before,” Valdes said. “From cloud tropical forests to barren landscapes by the Pacific, I have dived deeper than any other class.”

Valdes and his classmates explored how sustainable agriculture operates in Costa Rica’s diverse landscapes, gaining valuable insights into tropical farming techniques. “We are visiting different farms to gain a deep understanding of agroecological principles in a tropical setting,” he added.

A graduate of the Jimmy Carter Early College High School, Valdes is eager to apply what he learned during the trip to his studies and future career. He hopes to promote sustainable farming practices within his community and beyond.

Student Profile / Education / Featured

RedWolves Alum: Raquel Cruz and Her Academic Journey

RedWolves Alum: Raquel Cruz and Her Academic Journey

Raquel Cruz, soon to graduate from Texas A&M Kingsville, is on her way to start a career in kinesiology. In the class of 2021, Cruz was in her junior year when the COVID-19 pandemic affected Texas. Her academic journey highlights the significance of JCECHS.
“It’s helped me manage my time better, so I’ve been able to balance things that I have to do and want to do,” Cruz said.
Before her college years, Cruz was part of the La Joya Independent School District. When it was time for her to enroll in high school, she set her eyes on Carter.
“There were a lot of schools (…), but I just thought that Jimmy Carter was more adequate,” Cruz said. “Adequate for my future and the goals I had in mind.”
As was the case with many students, Cruz took the opportunity to complete two years of college for free. JCECHS is an early college, and its academic programs prepare me for life even beyond college.
“I feel that it helps Texas society advance more economically and socially,” Cruz said.
Cruz graduated from Carter and is soon to hit a closing chapter in her academic journey. Cultivating an interest in the sciences, Cruz has accomplished things she’s proud of.
“My major interest is exercise science (…) I feel like people underestimate the chains you can have in your life with exercise,” Cruz said. “I’ve gone to Waco for the American College of Sports Medicine (…). We were able to place in the top ten of all universities.”
Cruz will be graduating from A&M Kingsville this year.

Student Profile / Education

Perseverance and Passion: Redwolf and Husky

Partaking in the identities of a junior Redwolf student at Jimmy Carter and a Husky at Juarez Lincoln’s dance-drill team, Susana Hernandez tackles balancing the different roles in her life through her passion.
Hernandez’s passion for dance has existed since she was a little girl.
“Every time I would put music on, I would dance my heart out because I love dancing, and I wasn’t afraid to dance in front of my parents,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez’s interest in the drill dance team was sparked in middle school.
“I would see some of the girls dancing, some of the girls in the team right now. They would have a lot of fun dancing, and they were happy. I decided to pursue this dream because I love dancing,” Hernandez said. “Like my dad used to say, ‘Never say you can’t when you haven’t tried.’ “
Juggling college courses at one school while maintaining after-school activities has proved itself to be a challenge. However, Hernandez has found sanction in the balance of trusting herself, her religion, her family, and her teachers’ support.
“A factor that influences the way I handle both extracurriculars and school work is God and my mom. My mom supports me with anything, which makes me so happy, and God helps me so much because He is always there for me when I need someone else to talk to besides my mom,” Hernandez said.
Besides her family and her God, Hernandez accredits her success to her responsibility.
“Another factor in life that helps me juggle is my responsibility. If I missed something in school, I ask the teachers, and they help me,” Hernandez said.
The drill team does come with its adversities. Hernandez has been a part of Juarez Lincoln’s drill team since her freshman year but quit because attendance was affecting her academically. Yet, last year, Hernandez decided to reconnect and rejoin the team.
In essence, Hernandez continues to pursue the drill team because it is an outlet and a sanction of art.
“The drill team has impacted my life because dancing is a form of art where you can express your emotions through a dance no matter which type of dance it is,” Hernandez said.
With competition season rolling in from January to April, Hernandez and her team practice in four out of five dance categories: jazz, Hip-Hop, kick, and contemporary.
If the team advances from local competitions, they aim to win regionals and then nationals. Local and regional competitions will be hosted in Corpus Christi.

Student Profile / Education

Carolina Amador: A Unique Perspective

As the current senior valedictorian of Jimmy Carter Early College High School, Carolina Amador ranks number one in her class. 

Her current rank and title are commonly sought after by students alike. Yet Carolina holds a unique perspective on being the valedictorian of JCECHS and JCECHS, arguably more remarkable than her status. 

“It doesn’t mean that I’m essentially smarter than anyone,” Amador said. “It just means that I can be someone that someone can look up to.” 

Amador doesn’t place excessive emphasis on her achievements. She acknowledges her school community as playing a part in her success. 

“As a whole, the community here at school, it has been really beneficial,” Amador said. “Because, again, I’m not valedictorian just because of my grades.” 

Some students may regard the position of valedictorian as a far-fetched goal, but Amador knows that is not true for Carter students. 

“I think anyone can, really. That’s why ranks are always changing.” Amador said. 

And despite all her success and hard work, Amador explains that self-care is still really important to her.

“So knowing when to do things for school first and then for yourself is really, really important.” Amador said. 

Amador admits she felt intimidated her freshman year in JCECHS, but now as the valedictorian she possesses a unique perspective. 

“Over the years I’ve like met all the teachers I’ve had my friends here to help me.” Amador said.

It was enlightening for her to know JCECHS is not scary at all.

Community / Carter Update / Student Life / Student Profile / Sports / Education / UIL

Junior Ivan S. Caught in Action

This entry is part 3 of 45 in the series RedWolves in the Wild

Student-Athlete Ivan S. plays for La Joya High School while also attending Carter. Ivan plays running back on the team.” The game against Mission High School at La Joya ISD Stadium on Nov. 3, 2022 marked the end of the team’s season.”It feels good in a way but there’s a new page to be read now. As a team, we have to get stronger faster and grow stronger mentally. All that during our off-season to be ready for next year.” Ivan looks forward to next year’s season.

School Pride / Education / Profiles / Community / Graduation / Carter Update / Student Profile

$137,000: Carter Senior Signed as UTRGV Luminary Scholar

Frida Beltran, a senior at Jimmy Carter Early College High School, signed her intent to attend the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley as a Luminary Scholarship recipient beginning in fall 2022.
UTRGV awarded Frida the prestigious UTRGV Luminary Scholarship, which offers the brightest incoming first-year college students from all disciplines a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in an unparalleled learning environment. The scholarship is valued at $137,000, defraying the Bachelor’s degree tuition, room and board, and Medical School.
Frida thanks her parents but specifically her mother, for encouraging her to live to her fullest potential. She also thanks all of her teachers from Jimmy Carter ECHS to Camarena Elementary for helping her become the student and individual she is today.
The Luminary Scholars program received over 500 applications for the Luminary Scholarship, and Frida was one of the twenty-five students awarded.
Having completed her UTRGV application and enrolling with the UTRGV scholarship portal, Frida remembers receiving repeated emails asking her to apply for the Luminary Scholarship—she realized she met the requirements and submitted her.
“It takes a student committed to themselves and their education to make a mark on their community, and when I think of Friday, I see that. She has demonstrated that attention, commitment, and academic integrity make a difference in how students succeed. She exemplifies what being part of the RedWolves family and La Joya ISD is truly all about,” Professional Communication instructor Ivan Silva said.
Finalists were invited to a reception at UTRGV, during which they participated in a face-to-face interview as a part of the final stage of the scholarship selection process. Although nervous, Frida was steadfast and navigated the moment with the respect, integrity, and excellence she learned from being a RedWolves student.
In April, Frida shared in during her dual enrollment Biology class that she received the Luminary scholarship. The moment was met with celebration from both her classmates and teachers. Carter administration stopped in to congratulate her and mark the momentous occasion as another moment of PRIDE for our campus’ legacy.
Frida is an exemplary Carter student; she graduated with her Associate in Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from South Texas College on May 6 and 60 college hours. Frida also received the prestigious College Board recognition of National Hispanic Merit Scholar under the National Hispanic Recognition Program; she scored a composite of 30 on her ACT.
Frida believes that her accomplishments in high school helped in her being selected as a recipient of the Luminary scholarship.