Leonardo Guerrero is a Jimmy Carter Early College High School sophomore and takes pride in being a part of the RedWolves.
“Being a student at Jimmy Carter is like being acknowledged for more than just your accolades as a student. Of course, being in an early college is different from being in a comprehensive school, with the rigorous curriculum that most of us Red Wolves have, being a student here is difficult,” said Guerrero, “But with the small environment here, I have befriended my mentors. Being a student here, I’m allowed to work with passionate teachers who are willing to go out of their way to help me in every academic or personal subject.”
Guerrero is focused on leveling up his academic game and has several goals.
“A goal I’ve set for myself this semester has been to study in advance for my ACT, specifically the math portion. The reason for this is how practice-based the ACT is,” said Guerrero. “You are meant to identify patterns instantaneously on the ACT, but with practice, the patterns on the test become muscle memory.
He also believes that practicing for the ACT is essential to achieving a standout score. For him, math is the best subject as it connects everything.
“Math. I love mathematics and have loved it ever since I was a kid. I’ve always been interested in astronomy, maybe because I was scared about the Earth’s gravity pulling everything to it, causing Armageddon,” said Guerrero, “This led me to search for ‘Why we haven’t blown up,’ ‘What is gravity,’ and ‘The math behind gravity,’ to which I still question. This love for astronomy and math has led me to be fascinated by what I have been taught most: math.”
Navigating the varied demands of academics, extracurricular activities, and personal life requires efficient time management and a delicate balance.
“To balance school, dual enrollment, journalism practice, clubs, other extracurriculars, and a personal life, I schedule and talk to people in advance,” said Guerrero, “Since I stay after school most days, I have to make sure to have any homework or activities done beforehand, considering I get home around 7 pm.”
Guerrero makes the most out of challenges and is driven by the need to solve things.
“An academic challenge I’ve encountered would have to be UIL Journalism. I have only been in Journalism for a little over a year. I’ve been doing well for the most part. Still, for a while, I never put much effort into practicing during my free time,” said Guerrero, “Recently, however, I have tried finding as much free time during school to read as I learned I retain information better at school. Because of this, I feel I will improve, not just in journalism, but in my general understanding.”
His future work and career are at the top of his mind as he explores high school and himself.
“I am considering working as an aerospace engineer in the future. The field of study this pertains to is, moreover, math. With my love for math, I have wanted to be held responsible for the architecture that will lead us out of this world using a familiar language practiced for hundreds of thousands of years,” said Guerrero.
Effective studying techniques and organizational strategies are crucial tools for navigating the maze of knowledge and maximizing learning outcomes in the complex road of academic pursuits.
“Some strategies I use to stay organized in my academics include making notating easy and accessible. I do this by syncing my assignments’ due dates with my calendar app, which constantly reminds me when I need to finish something,” said Guerrero.
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Educators: The Triumphs and Determination of Jimmy Carter’s TAFE team
Inspiring Tomorrow’s Educators: The Triumphs and Determination of Jimmy Carter’s TAFE team
TAFE is dedicated to promoting teaching as a career and supporting aspiring educators in Texas. TAFE provides opportunities for high school and college students interested in pursuing careers in education to connect with mentors, gain valuable experience through internships and workshops, participate in competitions, and engage in community service projects.
Jimmy Carter’s TAFE teams (TAFE Red and TAFE Gold) competed in area and regional competitions, bringing home numerous awards and qualifications due to their hard work and dedication.
Junior Audrey Brown has been in TAFE for three years and she has received significant praise for her awards.
“The event that I competed in was Exploring Non-core Subject Teaching Careers,” Brown says. “I was able to follow around Mr. Silva (the communications teacher on campus) and make a PowerPoint about what he does inside and outside of the classroom as a non-core teacher and present it at state. It was a lot of fun!”
Through this presentation, Brown qualified for the nationals.
Unlike in previous years, the team doesn’t plan on attending nationals this year due to the La Joya ISD not allowing out-of-state trips. But despite not going to nationals this year, the TAFE national qualifiers are still proud to have been bestowed the honor of being national qualifiers and know that the title can help them with future endeavors.
“When we recruited our kids, they were a little bummed out because of the news. I told them that the district just wouldn’t allow it despite advancing to nationals,” TAFE sponsor Brenda Treviño says. “However, they are still national qualifiers at the end of the day. They get the title, they get to put in their resumes, and they get to feel pride. And through all the competition they’ve experienced, I’m extremely proud of them and their accomplishments no matter what.”
Despite the setback, TAFE’s national qualifiers take pride in their accomplishments, knowing their achievements and talents will serve them well in future pursuits. With this in mind, the TAFE team continues to work hard to compete and bring back more titles, allowing them to always have something to look forward to in their own lives and something to be proud of in their current high school years.
Life Skills Era: A Brief Insight into Care Academy
Life Skills Era: A Brief Insight into Care Academy
The Care Academy provides special education services within a dedicated building on campus. It offers a unique program designed to prepare students for real-world challenges. Under the guidance of mentors and assistants, students engage in a curriculum that simulates real-life scenarios, thereby fostering vital skills for future success.
Tania Mercado-Cantu, an instructor at the academy for four years, emphasizes the importance of self-reliance to her students, reflecting on the program’s commitment to practical learning.
Activities such as floral arrangement, cooking, and gardening are part of the curriculum, aiming to teach essential life skills. The academy’s recent initiative, the “Care Café,” is a practical exercise, simulating a café environment where students learn firsthand about managing a business and its potential challenges. This initiative and ongoing efforts like mentorship in real-life job settings underscore the academy’s dedication to empowering its students for independence. Despite setbacks such as the interruption of programs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is optimism about their continuation, further aiding student development.
Mercado-Cantu finds joy in witnessing the students’ growth, underlining the program’s transformative impact.
The Care Academy’s success in fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment highlights its significant contribution to the student’s development, making it a cherished part of the Jimmy Carter campus community.
National Honor Society: Insights and Future Plans.
National Honor Society: Insights and Future Plans.
At Jimmy Carter Early College High School, the National Honor Society (NHS), led by Claudia Camarillo, focuses on community service, emphasizing support for the community’s most vulnerable. The NHS engages in various activities, such as blood drives, Thanksgiving meal distributions, toy drives, and assisting those in need. Camarillo expresses that the guiding principle behind their projects is the benefit to others, whether it’s supplying blood, food, toys, or support to animal shelters.
The program’s driving force is the desire to help, with projects often responding to immediate community needs. For instance, the NHS organizes seasonal projects to assemble Thanksgiving baskets for families, including a blood drive in October and a food drive in November. December collects toys for elementary school children, and February supports local animal shelters. These initiatives include recognizing community needs like the Rio Grande Valley’s low blood donation rates.
Unexpected challenges, like assisting a student’s family after a house fire, demonstrate the NHS’s readiness to support the community promptly. Camarillo aims to expand their outreach to include older adults in future projects, highlighting the organization’s adaptability and commitment to making a difference.
With a reputation for providing help and facing challenges head-on, the NHS looks forward to events such as the induction ceremony and celebrating its senior members’ graduation. Camarillo’s leadership aims to serve the community and cultivate a culture of generosity among students, encouraging them to help others without expecting anything in return. This ethos cements the NHS’s role in building a caring community at Jimmy Carter Early College High School.
Early Bio Birds: Students Dive into Morning Study Session for Upcoming Quizzes
Early Bio Birds: Students Dive into Morning Study Session for Upcoming Quizzes
Red Wolves Embark on Bulletin Board Mission for Their Class
Red Wolves Embark on Bulletin Board Mission for Their Class
Redwolves Unleash Their Creative Talents, Transforming JCEHS Pillars with Vibrant Artwork!
Redwolves Unleash Their Creative Talents, Transforming JCEHS Pillars with Vibrant Artwork!
Capturing the Spirit of Spring: Students Flourish at Spring Mercado
Capturing the Spirit of Spring: Students Flourish at Spring Mercado