Posted inEducation

Battle of the Books: Inspiring Readers, Making Communities

Kayla A by Kayla A

Battle of the Books Ignites Student Literacy and Teamwork

The Battle of the Books, a storied Chicago-originated competition that first hit the airwaves in the 1930s as a radio program, has evolved into a beloved reading incentive and literary challenge for primary and secondary students nationwide.

Rooted in a history of promoting literacy, the competition has seen numerous transformations since its inception, notably in the selection and number of books presented to its young participants. This year’s booklist was predominantly chosen based on recommendations from students who have previously competed, ensuring the selections resonate with the competitors.

Librarians from each participating school are responsible for forming teams and selecting students who have shown a profound understanding of the chosen books. These students are then prepared for battle by coaches or mentors, often librarians, who guide them through intensive review sessions and strategy meetings.

The competition format is straightforward yet challenging: teams earn points by accurately answering questions about the books they have read. These questions range from specific details about places and dates to broader inquiries about literary themes and quotes. Preparation for the competition is rigorous, with students dedicating significant time to studying the content of the books and practicing with sample questions provided by their mentors.

Beyond fostering literacy and a love for reading, the Battle of the Books emphasizes the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Participants enhance their reading comprehension and analytical skills and learn to work effectively with their peers toward a common goal.

As the competition concludes, winners are celebrated with trophies and prize bags. Still, perhaps the more lasting rewards are the friendships formed and the interactions with authors that have become a hallmark of the event. The Battle of the Books continues to build a strong community of young readers, united by their shared enthusiasm for literature and the thrill of competition.

Posted inEducation

The Journey to Admittance

Alexandra C by Alexandra C

In the college admissions journey, receiving an acceptance letter is a beacon of achievement, encapsulating years of academic dedication. For Karyme Longoria, this pinnacle moment came with her acceptance into Texas A&M University, a dream realized after years of aspiration and hard work.

“I am super excited to have been accepted into Texas A&M, which I will be attending this coming fall,” Longoria said. “Since I was younger, Texas A&M was my dream school, so being accepted into the major I wanted felt surreal. Since I will be graduating with my associate’s in science, I will be going in with most of my prerequisites done so I can apply for nursing school next spring.”

The college application process, often daunting in Longoria’s experience, proved to be a testament to the power of community and support, fostering a sense of empowerment and accomplishment among applicants.

“The college application process was much easier than anticipated,” she said. “But having friends who were all going through the same thing helped because we figured out a lot with each other alongside all the help we had from the college recruiters, the counselor, and our teachers.”

Despite the support, Longoria encountered challenges, particularly in securing scholarships. “The only challenge I encountered was scholarships,” she said. Many of the scholarships shared with us had to do with income, which often discouraged me because I did not qualify for them, or they were very popular, and the chances of me getting them were very low. I overcame this challenge by searching for scholarships on my own time that pertained to myself and were not as well known, increasing the chances of me getting them.”

Dispelling rumors about the college application process, Longoria shared her pragmatic approach to applications and backups. “That I knew of, there was not a certain number of schools we needed to apply to,” she said. “But we were told to apply to UTRGV, even if we did not plan to attend, as a backup in case things did not go our way later in the year.”

The moment of acceptance, often depicted as a grandiose event on social media, was a more subdued yet equally joyous occasion for Longoria. “When I found out I was accepted into UTRGV, I had just woken up,” she recalled. “It was not at all how I expected to find out. I thought I was going to find out the way you see on TikTok with your family surrounding you and everyone freaking out when they saw you were accepted.”

As graduation approaches, Longoria contemplates the transition with excitement and nostalgia. “I have mixed emotions about graduating,” she said. “I am beyond excited because I get to move on to the next stage of my life, but at the same time, I realize I will not be around the same friends and teachers I have been these past three years.”

Looking ahead, Longoria is focused on her goals and the future at Texas A&M. “A few of my goals that I have going into college are to stay on track, time-wise, and be accepted into Texas A&M’s nursing school,” she said. “Another one of my goals is to build connections when I am in college with as many people as possible, whether it be students or professors. Overall, I think I have sacrificed a lot these four years, so I just want to enjoy my time in college while still ensuring I do everything that needs to be done.”

Longoria’s journey from high school to college encapsulates the blend of excitement, anticipation, and the pursuit of dreams that characterizes the college application process, inspiring those embarking on this life-changing path.

Posted inEducation

Dr. Marcey Sorensen’s Journey to La Joya ISD

Lizania R by Lizania R

Dr. Marcey Sorensen’s Journey to La Joya ISD

In a wave of anticipation, La Joya ISD welcomes its newest superintendent, Dr. Marcey Sorensen. Dr. Sorensen steps into her role with a visionary approach to shape education.
Having served as Deputy Superintendent for the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), Dr. Sorensen led initiatives to enhance learning outcomes for over 1.3 million students across 131 districts. She continued to serve Fort Worth Independent School District as assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, and later as Chief Academic Officer. Partnerships with academic institutions such as Texas Christian University have allowed Dr. Sorensen to cultivate an undeniable track record of transformative leadership in improving student achievement.
Dr Sorensen believes in the right of every child to access a world-class education that nurtures their academic, social, and emotional growth to allow a child to unleash their fullest potential. Some of Dr. Sorensen’s core values and belief systems for La Joya ISD include excellence, integrity, and collaboration. Sorensen’s 90-day plan will allow her to immerse herself in the La Joya ISD district.
Dr. Sorensen’s 90-day plan includes 4 phases. The first phase includes building a goal to assess the district’s operations, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness. The second phase focuses on taking a look at the financial well-being and transparency of the district and central administrative and campus-based structures. During the third phase, Dr. Sorensen plans to create strategic plans and actions for the school year of 2024-2025. Finally, during the fourth phase, Dr. Sorensen plans to lead a multi-year strategic plan to chart the path forward for La Joya ISD.
As Dr. Sorensen assumes her new role, the strategic planning to lead La Joya ISD into a promising future is driven by her passion for education and commitment to excellence.

Posted inEvents, Education, Community, NHS

Love for Paws: NHS Contributes to Yaqui Animal Rescue

Roberto by Roberto

The National Honor Society values service and character as two of its four pillars. Service means going outside oneself to meet the needs of others from various communities, while character builds relationships grounded in empathy. Bridging the care of local animals, the school’s NHS is asking Jimmy Carter students to donate to the local animal shelters.
The Jimmy Carter Early College High School NHS is hosting its third annual “Love for Paws” event, where it donates pet food and care products for animals to the Yaqui Animal Rescue.
“The purpose of this project is that I saw the need to help animal shelters,” NHS sponsor and Spanish teacher Claudia Camarillo said. “I’m a pet lover. I want to do something for the animal community.”
Camarillo and the NHS members have placed fliers with a list of animal products students can donate to their first-period teacher to spread the word.
“I think one of the things that always help us to reach our goal and with past projects is to give something in return,” Camarillo said. “Whatever first-period class donates the most items will receive a pizza party.”
Camarillo said NHS should participate in this project because the Yaqui Animal Rescue needs donations to remind the NHS members about being responsible pet owners.
“I want to create this culture of responsibility for our pets,” Camarillo said. “I also think we as a community need to help animals in need, which is why I feel that the NHS needs to play a part in this project.”
A house fire occurred in La Joya in 2021. Firefighter Marlo Munoz, the first responder, rescued a puppy whom Munoz had mistaken for a teddy bear. After Munoz saved the puppy from the house fire, the Yaqui Animal Rescue took the puppy in and named it after Munoz. This story inspired Camarillo to start this project to give all pets the care they deserve.