Posted inSports, Education, Student Life

Beyond the Pool: A sophomore’s swimming journey

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Beyond the Pool: A sophomore’s swimming journey

Contained with anxious feelings after qualifying for swimming & diving regionals, sophomore Javier Liguez faces a rigorous path that will soon entail his persistence and skill in his hobby.

“Qualifying for regionals is a great accomplishment,” Liguez said. “And although this is my second time qualifying for regionals, I still feel extremely nervous and anxious, but once it’s all over, I feel accomplished.”

Liguez competes for La Joya High School, which made him learn valuable social skills to become a model member of the swim team.

“Swimming has definitely changed me as a person by becoming more communicative, more disciplined and taught me to lead others,” Liguez said.

Liguez’s family and teammates continue to motivate him to pursue swimming throughout high school.

“As a sophomore, I plan to keep on swimming throughout high school and I’ll say that the people around me is what’s keeping me going,” Liguez said. “My mom and teammates definitely push me to do better and push me to never quit.”

With his second regional meet coming up, fueled with encouragement and compliments,
Liguez prepares himself to face this rigorous competition head-on and represent the La Joya swim team.

Posted inStudent Profile, Education, Featured

RedWolves Alum: Raquel Cruz and Her Academic Journey

Avatar photoby Yankarlo M

RedWolves Alum: Raquel Cruz and Her Academic Journey

Raquel Cruz, soon to graduate from Texas A&M Kingsville, is on her way to start a career in kinesiology. In the class of 2021, Cruz was in her junior year when the COVID-19 pandemic affected Texas. Her academic journey highlights the significance of JCECHS.
“It’s helped me manage my time better, so I’ve been able to balance things that I have to do and want to do,” Cruz said.
Before her college years, Cruz was part of the La Joya Independent School District. When it was time for her to enroll in high school, she set her eyes on Carter.
“There were a lot of schools (…), but I just thought that Jimmy Carter was more adequate,” Cruz said. “Adequate for my future and the goals I had in mind.”
As was the case with many students, Cruz took the opportunity to complete two years of college for free. JCECHS is an early college, and its academic programs prepare me for life even beyond college.
“I feel that it helps Texas society advance more economically and socially,” Cruz said.
Cruz graduated from Carter and is soon to hit a closing chapter in her academic journey. Cultivating an interest in the sciences, Cruz has accomplished things she’s proud of.
“My major interest is exercise science (…) I feel like people underestimate the chains you can have in your life with exercise,” Cruz said. “I’ve gone to Waco for the American College of Sports Medicine (…). We were able to place in the top ten of all universities.”
Cruz will be graduating from A&M Kingsville this year.

Posted inEducation

Desire and Drive

Avatar photoby Jaymee G

Desire and Drive

Exposure to new experiences and different people is a big reason to join UIL. Competing at UIL State is a significant accomplishment for freshman Desiree Pena. The UIL States offered Pena a chance to socialize while doing an event she loves.
“I think maybe my goal would be to continue going to state in UIL every year,” Pena said. “With my current coaches, I think it’s possible to go every year, and that’s my goal.”
Pena has put time and effort into her UIL events science, calculators, and literary criticisms. She started UIL back in third grade on a whim when a teacher encouraged her to join. Pena began to participate in the math events and noticed how good her skills were when she started placing.
“Math was always my strong point until middle school when I joined science,” Pena said. “My teacher asked me to join, and then last year, I did well in science and ended up qualifying for state.”
Pena’s experience at the state was filled with meeting new people and doing something she liked: science. From making friends with her roommate to talking to students from other schools, this experience was filled with lasting memories.
“I will never forget my roommate,” Pena said. “We seem like complete opposites on the outside, but we started talking and quickly became friends.”
Pena qualified for UIL State this year and went on to compete at a University in San Antonio.
A big part of UIL is encouraging students to be a part of something bigger than themselves and to offer memorable experiences. Pena started competing for fun and was able to compete at UIL State. Everyone should be encouraged to join and find an event they think is fun.

Posted inEducation

Academics is only part of her story

Avatar photoby Jessica Anguiano

Academics is only part of her story

Isabella Sarabia is a freshman RedWolf majoring in teaching and is active in the Student Council and UIL. She has even advanced in math, science, number awareness, and calculators to compete at the district UIL meet.
Sarabia contributes to her class by serving as the student council secretary because she enjoys being active in the happenings in her classroom.
Despite her long history in UIL, she has learned to love the events in which she participates. In addition to keeping her mind occupied and assisting her with time management, these events teach her leadership, teamwork, and constructive criticism—all of which are valuable skills for her new position as student council secretary.
Sarabia spends her free time with them outside school to decompress and hang out with her pals. Sarabia has been working in a group with her peers in her new college studies, and she has truly enjoyed it—as long as she and her group get along well.
She finds human geography difficult and loves her geometry lesson, but she paces herself to learn how to avoid putting off doing her work and finish it before it builds up. Throughout her time here, she wants to run for president of the student council to advance. She feels that Jimmy Carter’s selection will help her fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher, so she is grateful.

Posted inEducation

Abiel Moreno: Embarking on a Multi-path Journey

Avatar photoby Jalynn G

Abiel Moreno: Embarking on a Multi-path Journey

Abiel Moreno is a freshman, just starting off his four-year journey as a high school student. With the unique opportunity of dual enrollment and extracurriculars along the way, he navigates the juncture where adolescence meets higher learning and time management, embarking on a multi-path journey that promises both challenges and triumphs.
As he navigates the labyrinth of his new high school life, Moreno finds himself immersed in a diverse array of classes, each offering its own unique challenges and rewards.
“I do think I like most of my classes here at Jimmy Carter,” he said, “but my current favorite is definitely Band because of how truly dedicated and committed I am to it.”
Moreno is currently a member of the La Joya High School marching band as part of their talented drumline and strives to participate in it for more years to come.
Alongside his musical endeavors, Abiel is currently enrolled in two dual enrollment classes as per the school’s partnership with South Texas College: Art Appreciation and Introduction to Speech. With these and his usual high school classes, academics can become a top priority over anything else.
“I envision my high school life as shaping my future goals and what I really want to do in the future,” Moreno said. “My family supports me by constantly saying that they are proud of me and are always sure to be on my back when I need to pick up a grade in anything. I try to focus on my academics a lot by getting B+ grades in all my classes. Maybe I could get into an ivy league school later on,” Moreno said.
And so, as he looks to the future, Moreno’s high school experience serves as a launch pad for his dreams and aspirations. In the symphony of his high school life, Abiel Moreno is not just a player, but a conductor of his own future and all that comes after, shaping his ongoing story with a firm foundation.

Posted inEducation

The Class of Social Resilience: Gael Hinojosa’s Journey

Avatar photoby Marianna R.

The Class of Social Resilience: Gael Hinojosa’s Journey

The class of 2024 began their first years of high school during the pandemic. For many, this stunted the growth in social involvement. Amidst the challenges, the 2024 seniors have proven resilient and persevering.
After two years of adjusting to in-person learning, Gael Hinojosa decided to immerse himself in the extracurriculars that JCECHS offers. In his junior year, Hinojosa was a member of the CyberTechies club and the chess club. This year, he has been involved in UIL mathematics, UIL cross-examination debate, NHS, and the Mu Alpha Theta club.
“It was kind of boring not doing much at school. I was just trying to pass and study, but ever since I joined NHS, I have been able to help out Ms. Camarillo with [school-related activities],” Hinojosa said.
The opportunity to join UIL events came unexpectedly, but it led Hinojosa to join the UIL CX Debate team again for senior year.
“Last year, I didn’t do much, but I was put in at the last minute for the UIL CX Debate and computer science,” Hinojosa said.
This year, Gael Hinojosa secured third place as the state alternate in the UIL CX Debate at Jimmy Carter ECHS.
Hinojosa is pursuing an Associate of Arts in Teaching degree with a major in education. While his current major is tentative, Hinojosa plans to attend UTRGV this fall semester and work on a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering.
Extracurriculars have not only increased student involvement but also balanced work stresses and eased the facets of school life. Hinojosa encourages students to be involved to enhance their high school experience.
“Coming here, it’s a work-based school. Make sure you have as much fun as possible,” Hinojosa said.