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Jayline Guerra: Studying for success

Victoria R by Victoria R

Jayline Guerra: Studying for success

Jayline Guerra, a freshman at Jimmy Carter Early College High School, strives to improve her education while managing her workload.
Guerra is the oldest sibling in her family. She is the first one to attend college early and is the expectation of success for her younger brothers.
“I was confused about some of the things, such as the dual enrollment assignments, but I was able to ask for help from my teachers and family,” Guerra said.
Her transition from her middle school activities—softball, basketball, and track—to having to focus on high school work and UIL activities caused her to consider staying after school.
“I played volleyball during my first semester,” Guerra said.
With two dual enrollment classes in her second semester, she decided to take a break to focus on her grades.
“I wanted to use my time after school to focus on my grades first, then sports or UIL.”
Though Guerra is not officially in any student council position, she still offers help with preparing events such as the Mercados.
Although Guerra does not have a direct career path, she is aware of what she wants to study, which is psychology.
“I always found it interesting how people think and knowing why,” Guerra said. “I did consider teaching, but I was advised by my tia, who worked at a different school, to pursue a higher-paying career.”

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Navigating the Last Year: Ariana Espinoza’s Reflection on Academics, Challenges, and Future Aspirations

Alexandra C by Alexandra C

Navigating the Last Year: Ariana Espinoza’s Reflection on Academics, Challenges, and Future Aspirations

As the academic year draws to a close at Jimmy Carter Early College High School, senior Ariana Espinoza shares her mixed emotions of excitement, nostalgia, and anticipation for what lies ahead. Espinoza, who has maintained high grades throughout her final year, emphasizes the importance of cherishing the remaining time with classmates while preparing for future endeavors. It’s a year characterized by the delicate balance between bidding farewell to familiar halls and eagerly anticipating the adventures.

“Regardless of being a very busy year, it has been fun and bittersweet. We are all getting ready to move on to new chapters in our lives, but also trying to create new memories and enjoy the time that we have left together,” Espinoza said. “It is a year of reflection as well; we look back at all of the academic challenges we’ve had, accomplishments we’ve made, and growth we’ve shown, whether personal or academic. Time has flown by very fast, but I’m glad I have made the most of it.”

Espinoza’s academic rigor is evident in her commitment to her studies, particularly in an anatomy and physiology class that she finds challenging and fascinating.
“I have planned to maintain good grades in all my classes, and I have achieved them by trying my best and staying on top of my work by turning it in on time,” It’soza said.

Beyond academics, Espinoza has successfully balanced extracurricular activities” and part-time work, crediting her organizational skills for her ability to manage her time efficiently.
“As someone who has always struggled with managing their time, I am proud of how well I have managed working, extracurricular activities, and academics this year,” Espinoza said. “Sometimes we just need to discipline ourselves to get things done. I write down all my tasks on a sticky note to stay organized. If I know I have work or events, I prioritize completing those tasks beforehand. It makes things easier for me to balance everything and manage my time efficiently.”

Looking “to the future, Espinoza shares advice for underclassmen, stressing the” importance of time management, self-care, and enjoying the high school experience.
“Manage your time wisely and prepare yourself for next year as you submit college and scholarship applications,” Espinoza said, “but don’t forget to enjoy and cherish this journey. Always remember to prioritize yourself and your well-being.”

With graduation on the horizon, Espinoza and her classmates stand at the threshold of a new beginning, ready to face the challenging opportunities that await.
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Empowering Excellence: Carlos Rodriguez’s Journey at Jimmy Carter Early College High School

Abigail C by Abigail C

Empowering Excellence: Carlos Rodriguez’s Journey at Jimmy Carter Early College High School

At Jimmy Carter Early College High School, academic excellence isn’t just a goal; it’s a way of life. For students like Carlos Rodriguez, enrolling in this institution was motivated by the desire for top-notch educational opportunities. “Jimmy Carter had the best options academically,” Rodriguez said.
Since joining Jimmy Carter, Rodriguez has found himself immersed in a vibrant academic environment, surrounded by supportive educators who excel in their fields and make learning enjoyable.
“Jimmy Carter is a great school with a great environment,” Rodriguez said. “All my teachers are great educators and fun to be around.”
With high hopes for personal and academic growth, Rodriguez expects Jimmy Carter to be a platform for his success.
“Hopefully, this school can help me excel, not only academically but personally,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez acknowledges his strengths and challenges, acknowledging his proficiency in reading and writing while recognizing the hurdles presented by subjects like Geography and Algebra, which demand extensive memorization.
Despite not currently participating in extracurricular activities, Rodriguez remains dedicated to his studies and focuses on effectively balancing his workload.
“I am not currently taking on any extracurricular activities,” Rodriguez said, highlighting his commitment to academic pursuits.
In addition to his regular coursework, Rodriguez is currently enrolled in college-level courses, including “Intro to Speech” and “Intro to Computing.”
These advanced classes not only enrich his learning experience but also prepare him for his long-term educational and career aspirations.
“Eventually, I see myself starting a career involving music,” Rodriguez reveals, expressing his ambitions for the future.
As he navigates his journey through Jimmy Carter Early College High School, Rodriguez hopes to gain academic knowledge and valuable life skills. “I hope to gain greater knowledge from this high school,” he says, “and hopefully, this school can somehow teach me how to become a better person.”
Carlos Rodriguez’s journey at Jimmy Carter Early College High School showcases the school’s dedication to academic success and personal development. With supportive teachers, challenging classes, and pathways for growth, Jimmy Carter equips students like Rodriguez with the resources to excel in their studies and beyond. As Rodriguez progresses in his education, he’s well-positioned to achieve his aspirations and maximize his experience at Jimmy Carter Early College High School.

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A Better Fit: Finding Himself in a New School Leads Down the Right Path

Yanet O by Yanet O

A Better Fit: Finding Himself in a New School Leads Down the Right Path

From Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School to La Joya High School, Jerimiah Ortiz embarked on a journey that led him to Jimmy Carter ECHS. His decision to choose Carter was influenced by its welcoming atmosphere, the opportunity to earn college credit hours, and a strong sense of belonging. For Jerimiah, Carter stood out as the ideal environment in which to thrive academically and socially.
“I got inspired to choose Jimmy Carter because I wanted to be able to have some college hours,” Ortiz said. “Also, the previous high school I went to (La Joya High) made me feel like I wasn’t going to fit in.”
Before coming to Carter, Jerimiah Ortiz had developed interests during his middle school years at Zavala MS.
“Before I started my freshman year I was in the middle school Lorenzo De Zavala and some of the interests I had was possibly becoming a Game Warden.”
However, that initial interest has dwindled, and Jerimiah is now exploring a new path for his future aspirations. Despite the uncertainty, he remains determined to discover his passion and pursue it.
As for his expectations at Jimmy Carter, Jerimiah Ortiz eagerly anticipates engaging in the school’s exciting range of activities.
“What I am most excited about experiencing at Jimmy Carter is all the activities the school does together such as, dances or good life.”
Ortiz’s specific goal at Carter is to graduate with his degree.
“One goal I hope to achieve is to be able to graduate with a degree and to ensure that I keep my grades up to get the credit to make sure that I am able to graduate with a good job in mind.”
The transition from regular high school courses to college courses differed slightly for Jeremiah.
“The college class that I am currently taking is Art Appreciation and I have found the transition to college life a bit challenging since it is a big step from the classes that I took last year and I meant both last semester and last school year in middle school.”
Now, moving away from academic pursuits and delving into Jerimiah’s interests, he has an array of hobbies and passions that may resonate with many. An exciting thing about Jeremiah is that he can make any type of survival cord.
“One of my hobbies is gaming, and I usually play Rocket League on the Nintendo Switch. Another hobby of mine is working with paracord, which is basically a type of survival cord. Most of the time, I make bracelets with the cobra knot or snake knot.”
To conclude this introduction, Jeremiah offers some advice for upcoming freshmen.
“A piece of advice I would give to other freshmen who just started their journey at Jimmy Carter is to set a good goal that you want in life. If you ever feel like giving up, you can just look back to your goal and let that motivate you to make that goal into an achievement.”