Posted inCommunity, Culture, Education, Opinion

Dear Jimmy Carter Teacher, A Message To All Educators-Thank You

Laura C. by Laura C.

At first, I didn’t know whether to start with a thank you or an apology. There’s something about teaching an ocean of hormonally imbalanced teenagers that doesn’t sound too appealing to me. Nonetheless, here you are. Repeating a lecture seven times a day, speaking so passionately, others are sure to confuse your lesson with a sermon. All for what? For that one bratty kid in every period to step all over your dauntless discourse? (Seriously, though, if you have the answer, please email me.)
Anyway, there’s a reason I believe the journey between a student and a teacher is forever. You see, whatever us students amount to, become in life, it is because of you. Like sponges, we soak up a lot of what’s taught to us. Learning your mannerisms is the easiest, though. At this point, hearing “chispas” out in the halls was inevitable. So, expect a couple of years from now for me to become a lawyer and say something witty following the victory of my first case–I know Mr. Silva would do the same.
Not only do we learn a surplus of academic skills and idiosyncrasy, but we also learn impacting life lessons. Whether it be taught directly from you or an obstacle in life, you make us know that you’re there for us. Not many have the option to confide in their teachers. Yet, you make it available to us without an expectation of a return. As a student, I’m inspired by this, and it makes me cherish the relationship between student and teacher evermore.
Let me take on a more personal note. I’d like to thank my freshman year teachers for helping me showcase my inner child phase. Sophomore teachers Thank You for being there for me through my toughest phase, my junior year teachers, for cheering me on in my comeback phase. And to my senior teachers, well for what’s to come. Each and every one of you makes the difference in who we are and who we aspire to be. Just as I know we matter in your lives, please take note that you matter in ours too.
I’m sorry, and thank you.

Posted inEducation, Community, Student Journals

New Series, Music, Purchases

Maidelyn Perales by Maidelyn Perales

Online shopping has gotten out of hand for me. I keep receiving stuff in the mail that it’s gotten to the point where I don’t even remember what I ordered. Being quarantined has been mostly dull and stressful, but online shopping keeps me entertained. Today, the state reopened businesses but I feel like this is going to create a huge chaos. The coronavirus is not dead; it’s still spreading very quickly; every day, there are new cases in the Rio Grande Valley. But you know that’s not my problem because I will continue to isolate myself inside these four walls. It hasn’t been so bad, I’ve managed to have fun on my own mostly with music.
I jam out to music almost every day, it just makes me feel free. I feel like music is my escape from reality, depending on the genre it makes me feel like I’m somewhere else. When I listen to indie rock, it makes me feel like I’m at the beach. When I listen to country, it makes me feel like I’m at the ranch. Many songs take me back to old memories and I love that music holds that power over me. Anyways, I’ve also binge-watched a new Netflix series that was released just a couple of days ago that is called “Never Have I Ever.” I believed it was going to be boring, but it ended up being a very good show. It’s mostly about teenage drama and love, but I loved how they exhibited different cultures. I really loved the show to the point where I fell in love with one of the characters which is Paxton!!!! He is so hot. I can see why Devi was all over him. Not only that, but I loved some of the music they had on the show. One of the songs I’ve had on replay is “Fire For You” by Cannons; this song comes out when Paxton kisses Devi. I overall loved the show, and I can’t wait for season 2 to come out. On another note, I’ve been catching up on skincare.
I used to break out so much and so often, but I’ve been keeping up with my routine, and I feel like that has positively affected my skin. I love doing facemasks, my favorite one at the moment is a cleansing apple cider vinegar clay mask and scrub from Freeman. It is so refreshing and leaves my skin looking flawless. Putting on facemasks is my favorite part of skincare. Anyways, I also bought some led light strips that I’ve wanted for a long time. I never bought them because I was waiting for my Christmas light to stop working which they already did. It’s calming and soothing, having not just one color, but various. Depending on my mood, I change the color. Not only that, but I love how the led lights move to the beat of the music. Out of all my online purchases, this has been my absolute favorite. Although I didn’t do much, I feel like this has been my most productive quarantine week.

Posted inStudent Journals, Education, Community

DAY…I DON’T KNOW OF QUARANTINE…

Alexia E. by Alexia E.

Okay, so is this where I get inspirational? Well, I have had a fantastic week. You see there in the picture where I am with a horse. Well, I got to touch a horse for the first time in my 18 years, isn’t that amazing? Well, for me, it is I was so scared but yet so amazed. I am an inquisitive person, and I think that’s something that I like about myself but at the same time dislike. If you know me on a personal level, you know that I am always asking questions or looking at what you’re doing and not being nosey, but I love to learn. Whenever I want to do something, I either look at the video or ask people questions about how to do it.

Posted inEducation, Opinion, Community, Student Journals

Well That Was Faster Than Expected

Marissa L. by Marissa L.

After finally finishing the first six movies of the Star Wars franchise, I now open almost every conversation with Ewan McGregor’s iconic “Hello there” line. We are going into month two of not being in school, and I can honestly say: “Well, that went by fast.” I swear the last time I checked my calendar, it was still March 28th. It wasn’t until last night where the words “May 1st, 2020” at the top of my lock screen were put in bold for me to notice. On the bittersweet bright side, this just means that STC classes are almost finally put to a close though I do miss Mr. Garza continually reminding us to “Drink Sprite, not Dr. Pepper” every Friday after leaving his class. 

Posted inEducation, Arts, Community, Contest, Photography, School Pride

Glenda Villanueva earns Gold Medal at Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) State competition

by Ivan Silva

Junior Glenda Villanueva competed at the 2020 VASE State Event and was awarded a State Medal, alongside the Gold Seal Medal, a unique distinction given to select few art pieces.

Glenda’s photograph is named “Timeless” and showcases her grandfather. Congratulations Glenda! #LJISDShineBright #RedWolfPride #lajoyaisd

Posted inEducation, Opinion, Community, Student Journals

Bring Color to Quarantine

Marissa L. by Marissa L.

In many ways, to forget the letters COVID and the number 19, we do anything to forget everything. Where there’s a blank wall, we come up with creative ways to somehow get us busy. To add to the blank wall and replace its emptiness with our unique, vibrant colors. Before quarantine, I didn’t know spending half my day on websites like Khan Academy and AP Central would be so fun– as dorky as that may sound.

Seeing the never-ending topics that left uncovered at school is intriguing and amusing to discover. To be completely honest, I was in Math paradise once I clicked on the link on Khan Academy that redirected me to new, never before seen math topics. An entire expanding milky way galaxy of new concepts was at the top of my fingers. However, it did make me miss walking out of Mrs. Obnial’s classroom, turning to Genesis, and proudly saying: “Oh my gosh, that topic was so fun.”

While we may not realize it, quarantine has drastically changed the dancing images we have of life. We grow more appreciative of the things we took for granted. Recently, to have an escape from news stories of a virus, I’ve had small concerts in my room. Sometimes, when it feels like our current stay at the home situation will last an eternity, I pop in my headphones and just jam out to the songs my shuffle settings pick. Now, of course, I am no Celine Dion, but I can brag a little and say I am a mean lip-sync, almost the way Tom Holland did when he lip-sang to Rihanna. Jamming out in your room hits different when you have your lights off, but you’re out of season Christmas lights are on.

As these small concerts have progressed, I’ve learned to appreciate the overall music of a song. Not just listen to whoever is singing, but to take in the individual sound of the instruments and the dominant role they play. There’s always that one part of a song that we excitedly anticipate. Whether it is its smooth transitions, the gentle melody, or the hard hidden bass, there’s always that one section that makes us go: “Woah.” Quarantine, with the small concerts and the Khan Academy happiness it gave, has made us hold a golden thread of opportunity in our tiny hands.

Although we may not be able to do the outside things we used to love doing, we can always find a substitute that gives the same joyful emotions. By listening to that new album from your favorite artist that just came out, reorganizing your room in a different style, or trying out that new workout routine you saw on social media. Quarantine is as fun and as boring as you choose to make it. All we can do now is hope that the vision we have of life after quarantine– where we can finally see and hug our family and our friends– comes sooner rather than later.