Posted inEducation

Student Balances Busy Schedule, Pursues Ambitious Goals

Daniela M. by Daniela M.

Balancing extracurricular activities, academics and personal life is a challenge for many high school students. For Jocelyne Vargas, staying busy is not just a challenge — it’s a lifestyle. With ambitious goals, she manages to keep a firm balance.

Involved in several organizations — including Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Art Club and serving as a class officer — Vargas has built a name for herself as a highly active member of the school community.

With so many responsibilities, dedication and careful time management are required to maintain balance.

“A typical day for me starts with school, and while I’m there, I try to get as much work done as possible,” she said. “I don’t want to take it home because, at home, I want to spend time with my family and friends.”

Writing tasks down in a planner helps keep her organized and on track to meet deadlines. Even with strong time management skills, stress can become overwhelming.

“When I feel overwhelmed, I just try to relax and get as much done as I can, even if it’s late,” she said. “Anything is better than a zero, and surrounding myself with friends helps a lot.”

She also acknowledges that sacrifices are sometimes necessary — whether it’s turning down a new activity or skipping a club meeting to finish an assignment. Still, her goal of graduating high school with an associate degree helps her push forward.

“I know that I will graduate with my associate degree, and that keeps me going. I’m saving time and money, and I’m making myself and my parents proud,” she said.

Despite the pressure and demands, her passion for meeting new people and staying active fuels her motivation. There have been times when schoolwork suffered due to extracurricular commitments, but she has found ways to bounce back.

“Yes, my grades have suffered at times, but I just try to stay organized,” she said. “If that happens, I turn in my work as soon as possible to get the most credit I can.”

Balancing a schedule like Vargas’ comes with its challenges, but she has learned to handle the pressure and always do her best — even if it means letting people down. Her priorities are clear: staying true to herself and her goals.

Spending time with family, engaging in creative activities and seeking support from loved ones have helped her maintain a positive state of mind.

“My friends help me stay on track because we are in the same environment and have the same goals,” she said. “We push each other to do our best.”

Looking back, she has no regrets about her busy schedule. The friendships, experiences and accomplishments have made all the hard work worth it.

“Although I’m always busy, I feel like it’s worth it because I’ve met so many new people through the activities I do,” she said. “And in the end, I know I will accomplish my goals.”

By building a strong support system and maintaining a determined mindset, Vargas continues to navigate high school with perseverance — proving that a packed schedule can be both manageable and rewarding.

Posted inEducation

Spring in the Mercado

Ximena S. by Ximena S.

The annual Spring Mercado brought students and staff together once again for a day filled with food, games and school spirit. The long-standing tradition offered a welcome break from academics as the campus transformed into a vibrant celebration.

Students in Mrs. Torres’ Practicum in Entrepreneurship class played a key role in preparing for the event, working for weeks on decorations.

“I was in class helping Mrs. Torres make flowers,” said student Rubi. “It was a lot of work to create each one, but it was worth it because I enjoy doing DIY projects, and the end result was very pretty.”

Although some traditional food options were missing this year, attendees still enjoyed a variety of snacks — many of them at lower prices.

“I noticed that this year they did not have tacos or brisket sandwiches, but they made up for it with other snacks at a pretty good price,” Rubi said.

The day was filled with laughter and activity, as students visited booths, sampled treats, and created lasting memories.

“I had so much fun with my friends during our last mercado,” said Alexa. “We visited almost every table, and we made so many memories.”

From colorful decorations to cheerful crowds, the Spring Mercado once again delivered a festive atmosphere for the school community to enjoy.

Posted inEducation

Rusbel Gonzalez: A Freshman Athlete Striving for Balance

Maria A. by Maria A.

At just 14 years old, Rusbel Gonzalez is already making a name for himself — not just for his quick footwork on the basketball court, but for his focus and ambition off it.

Though smaller in stature than many of his teammates and opponents, Gonzalez navigates the court with speed, precision and quiet determination. His commitment to basketball began early, fueled by the encouragement of his family.

“Oh, my parents, they always help me out,” Gonzalez said. Their support has kept his passion for the sport alive.

But Gonzalez isn’t only focused on scoring points. He’s determined to succeed both as an athlete and a student.

“The student comes before the athlete,” he said. “You can’t just play sports without doing good in school.”

That balance between sports and academics has taught Gonzalez discipline and time management, lessons that extend beyond the gym. He’s also faced challenges unique to his athletic journey — particularly his height.

“Yes, I have,” he said when asked if he’s encountered obstacles. “My height.”

Rather than letting that become a setback, Gonzalez adapted.

“I practiced more and just got quicker,” he said.

Like many athletes, Gonzalez has learned how to deal with outside noise and negativity.

“I just handle it by ignoring them,” he said. “I don’t really listen to people that criticize.”

Outside of basketball, Gonzalez has a passion for reading — a hobby not often associated with athletes his age.

“A fun fact about me?” he said with a grin. “That I read. I like to read.”

For Gonzalez, sports have taught him the importance of effort — something he applies in all areas of his life.

“Putting effort into things that you want to achieve,” he said, is one of the most important lessons he’s learned.

While basketball plays a major role in his life now, Gonzalez has long-term goals that reach far beyond the court.

“I see myself finishing high school and my associate’s degree,” he said, confident about the next five years.

His ambitions stretch even further.

“Become a lawyer and get into a good law school,” he said.

When asked what legacy he hopes to leave behind, Gonzalez’s vision is clear.

“I hope to give them a good reputation of people that actually really made it,” he said, referring to his school and team.

With his work ethic, focus and resilience, Gonzalez is already showing what it means to lead by example — whether he’s chasing a fast break or his future in law.

Posted inEducation

Sophomore Star: Balancing School and Sports with Passion

Rubi V. by Rubi V.

Juggling academics and athletics is no easy feat, but for sophomore Dezerae Martinez, it’s part of daily life. A Jimmy Carter Early College High School student, Martinez is committed to excelling in both the classroom and the field.

“I’ve played sports ever since I was in 7th grade. I started with cheer but didn’t like it, so I attempted sports and fell in love with them,” Martinez said. “I tried them all but stuck to basketball, softball, and soccer.”

Martinez, who plays center outfield in softball, says her love for the game fuels her academic efforts.

“I have to pass my classes to play sports,” she said. “It’s not easy because I have to keep up and study harder, but for sports, I do it.”

During sports seasons, her schedule is packed with practices every weekday except Friday. Games often fall on Saturdays, and Sunday is her only day off. Even then, her schoolwork still demands attention.

“I do my schoolwork after games and practice, but sometimes it’s hard to keep up,” she said.

To prepare for a game, Martinez follows a routine that includes a morning protein shake and a 30-minute run before warming up with her team.

“For softball, I play center outfield,” she said. “It’s the best because I get to throw fast and high balls from the outfield.”

Looking ahead, Martinez hopes to take her athletic career to the collegiate level.

“I plan to continue playing sports in college. I hope to play for Texas A&M softball; my other option would be to play for UTRGV softball,” she said.

And if the opportunity to go pro ever comes, her choice is clear.

“If I could play a sport professionally, it would be softball because it helps my well-being and offers a therapeutic break from everyday pressures,” she said. “I am filled with a huge feeling of joy and satisfaction.”

Posted inEducation

Sophomore students visit TAMIU

Isabella S. by Isabella S.

Sophomore students from Jimmy Carter Early College High School took a break from the classroom with a field trip to Laredo on Feb. 28, where they visited Texas A&M International University and spent time at Main Event.

For many students, the highlight of the trip was exploring the college campus.

“My favorite part of the trip would have to be visiting the school because I had never visited that school before and it is an option I am considering for college,” said Camila Garcia.

Garcia said the tour guides were helpful in answering her questions and showing her where classes would be held if she decided to attend.

Abigail Tavarez also said she enjoyed the field trip and appreciated the time away from school responsibilities.

“I enjoyed the field trip because I like having a break from school, and it helps me relieve stress from school and assignments,” Tavarez said.

Although Tavarez said the university does not offer her intended field of study, she still had a positive impression of the campus.

“The campus was very pretty and the environment was very welcoming, and the people at the campus were very nice and friendly, but they don’t offer what I am interested in studying, so it isn’t an option for me,” she said.

After the university tour, students spent the afternoon at Main Event, where they relaxed and played games with classmates.

“I had a lot of fun with my friends, and having that time and experience with them was something that I enjoyed a lot,” Tavarez said.

Students expressed their gratitude to the trip organizers and said they appreciated the opportunity to explore future college options while bonding with friends.

Posted inEducation

Sophomore Student Government

Danika T. by Danika T.

Balancing academics and extracurriculars isn’t easy, but for student leaders at Jimmy Carter Early College High School, the reward is worth the effort.

“I choose to be a part of the student government because I like being involved and knowing what’s happening in school and upcoming events,” said sophomore vice president Isabella Sarabia. “With student government, I have that leadership and the possibility to know or create events, making school funner and making students excited to come and enjoy their time here more.”

While Sarabia has always been active in student government, sophomore president Camila Garcia said her interest started with a simple suggestion.

“My mom told me, hey, you should try out student government my freshman year, and I was like, oh, let me try it out. I liked it, so I decided to try again my sophomore year,” Garcia said.

Each position in student government brings a unique set of responsibilities, and choosing the right role can shape a student’s experience.

“Last year, I was the class historian, and when it came time to run for my sophomore year, I thought, maybe I should try running for secretary,” Garcia said. “My freshman class teacher, Mr. Castillo, told me, hey, maybe you should try running for president; you never know what could happen.”

Garcia originally considered vice president but ultimately decided to run for president, feeling it might be her best chance to take on the role before her junior or senior year.

“My first choice was to be vice president because I wanted to be the president’s right hand. I wanted to be there to help, direct, or give my opinion to the president and also help my fellow officers out,” Sarabia said.

Sarabia is no stranger to being involved, participating in TAFE and helping classmates while maintaining her academic performance.

“I think being in student government improves my academics because being an officer while balancing academics forces me to be responsible and have everything planned out,” she said. “It helps me with my time management and balancing activities on events, and everything helps me balance my academics, like focusing on what I need to get done before I can have fun with my officers or events to plan.”

Garcia agrees that student government has improved her ability to handle responsibilities.

“No, I do not think student council is affecting my academics. I have become an excellent problem solver, and I have gotten tons better at being a good time management person,” Garcia said.

For both students, the experience has provided personal growth and practical skills.

“Some pros are that you get involved with your class and community,” Garcia said. “You get involved with events, games, and spirit weeks. You’re always there for all of your classmates. You also get to organize many things happening in school. One of the best things about this is that you get to let your peers’ voices be heard.”

Sarabia said the experience has helped her grow socially and personally.

“One of the pros is that I gained leadership skills from my position,” she said. “I was always very shy, but being on the student government has shown me that it’s okay to step outside my comfort zone and do things I might not normally do. As an officer, I feel it’s very important to ensure everyone feels included and comfortable while ensuring everything is in order. Also, my social skills — I met so many great people and made so many great friends from this organization.”