Laredo ISD The Phoenix Quarterlyearlycollege.elisd.org/UserFiles/Servers/Server_333570/File/Vol 1 Issue 2.pdfthe same for every KPOP artist. Many never make it to true success because

By: Danna Moreno

On the morning of Sep-tember 28, 2017, Garcia Early College High School made history. The entire student body was gathered in the cafeteria to hear the results for the coveted U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon School Award.

The students, dressed in light blue, created an ocean of anticipation. Our shirts read: “Hard work pays off.” School pride was at an all time high, and the ambiance was extraordinary.

Alongside my fellow classmates were our teach-ers, staff, and principal. There were also LISD board members present. We all sat quietly to hear Superinten-dent, Sylvia Guerra Rios, speak about this huge ac-complishment.

As we waited patiently

for the announcement, we could only wonder how things would change for our school. We would be highly recognized. It would be such an honor.

Then the school got the call. The US Department of Education called to con-gratulate us on earning the National Blue Ribbon Award.

We cheered and cheered. It was such a great time to be an GECHS Phoenix. We all walked outside to release blue balloons to signal our great achievement. It will be a memory many of us will never forget.

Volume 1, Issue 2

A Blue Ribbon School

December 19, 2017

L a r e d o I S D

The Phoenix Quarterly H.J. Garcia Early College High School

A Day in the Life... 2

Through the Eyes... 2

What’s Happening... 2

In the World of 3

Dissections at GECHS 3

Review: A Netflix Must 3

Tech Tips 4

Healthy Living 4

Counselors’ Corner 4

Principal’s Desk 4

Inside This Issue

Photo: Courtesy of LISD

Nationally Recognized Blue Ribbon School

Photos: Courtesy of LISD

occurring. The biggest fear about the end of Net Neutrality is that of censoring information from the people. If the bill does get passed, it might be the end of the internet as we know it. Moving across the planet, Russia has been banned from the 2018 Olympics. Russia was in-vestigated by the Olympic com-mittee, and was accused of dop-ing their athletes in previous games. As punishment, the Rus-sian flag will not be shown, and their national anthem will not be played at the next Olympics. Rus-sian athletes have the option of competing with neutral colors, and in the official documents will

By: Dalila Flores

Currently, tensions have risen in the United States, and Trump’s travel ban is not making it easier. The Su-preme Court passed Trump’s bill; the ban stops people from travelling to the U.S. from six mainly Muslim countries. Trump says that it is to protect America. Also in the states, despite the unpredictable events that have occurred dealing with the public use of internet ser-vices, there is a chance for people to take a stand and prevent Net Neutrality from

Page 2

Through the Eyes of a College Student

A Day in the Life of a GECHS Junior

What’s Happening in the World

history ones. Of course, this varies on each student. Another student stated that one of her masters course is stressful because “there is more workload.” The college students’ main ad-vice is to stay on top of your game and don’t become overly confi-dent. The number of classes a stu-dent takes really depends on the individual. One college student found that 2 classes was enough, while another was taking 7 clas-ses. The toughest part about being a college student is not about the

By: Alcides Lezcano

Though all of us at GECHS take college classes, we are still not quite “college” students. There is still quite a lot of difference between us. One of those things is that of stress. Accord-ing to a college student, Valerie, she didn’t really deal with stress because she keeps up with her work and studies. In other words, she is responsible—something many of us should try. Another student avoids stress by involving themselves in art and praying. Some college students said their most stressful class were the

The Phoenix Quarter ly

show that Russia won no medals. Putin has shown little response to the ban. On the other hand, Russian citi-zens are furious and are protesting the ban.

“smarts,” it’s more about cop-ing with responsibilities and finding time for yourself and of course to focus for your college courses. All of the interviewed stu-dents stated that they enjoyed their time here at TAMIU be-cause of the environment they are put in and because they are allowed to be independent.

By: Isabelle Burton

The day in the life of a

junior is the most challeng-

ing yet. Juniors have to

juggle their high school

coursework along with their

college work like, but this

is when they have to decide

what they want to do with

their careers.

The classes that the juniors

liked the most was History Sup-

port which is the class that helps

with their

History 1302

work load.

The most

challenging

class the

juniors have

is physics.

Mr. Obregon is the most pop-

ular teacher with the juniors. The

advice that most juniors would

tell to their underclassmen is that

is that you should not procrasti-

nate and to get everything done

in a reasonable time.

Volume 1, I ssue 2

at the end of the season, and there are only nine epi-sodes which leaves hardcore fans dying for more. My personal, overall, rating of the show is an 11/11 (pun intended).

By: Eric Cedillo

If you’re wondering what to binge watch this Christmas break, I highly recommend “Stranger Things” on Netflix. The show stays true to its sci-fi horror theme, but also has a good amount of humor to lighten things up. Good things about the show “Stranger Things” are infinite. Three good things about the show would have to be the humor the characters have, the astonishing choice of actors, and the setting of the show giving an 80’s nostalgic vibe. Though there are many good things about the show, there are a few weak points, being that the show feels rushed, there isn’t much of a conclusion

Page 3

In the World of KPOP

Reviews: A Netflix Must

Dissection Time at GECHS

By: Danna Moreno

Dissection time has come around

at Garcia Early College and all the

students are buzzing about it. This

year our Freshman biology classes

and our Junior Anatomy classes are

dissecting.

Every semester the science de-

partment at GECHS picks from a

wide array of available species to

dissect. Last year we stuck with a

classic, the frog. This year our sci-

ence department chose fetal pigs.

Although dissection is a require-

ment for anatomy, students taking

biology are encouraged to participate

in this exciting hands on activity.

Even our very own science teach-

ers remember their experiences with

dissection. Recollections of the ani-

mals they dissected and the memo-

ries of the experience are thoughts

they wish to share with their stu-

dents.

Photo Courtesy: PQ Staff—

Mrs. Madriaga’s A&P students

dissecting a piglet.

By: Daisy and Dalila Flores

The sensation that is KPOP (Korean

Pop Music) and its world domination

hit its mark in the 2017 billboard

awards with BTS, an international boy-

band group. They made themselves

famous in the U.S. by hitting the charts,

winning awards, and collaborating with

American artists in their hit single “Mic

Drop.” Despite their success, it is not

the same for every KPOP artist. Many

never make it to true success because of

the demanding work schedule.

Before they debut, a group must go

through years of training where they

are formed into the “perfect” KPOP

group. Many take years to show their

true group image, or make music that

they want to. In order to make it, they

have to work ceaselessly which is what

attracts the fans. In their efforts, good

music is made, and amazing artists are

created.

The group Seventeen is one that

many thought wouldn’t succeed; how-

ever, they pulled through and made the

charts. They have 13 members and

were part of a dying company, but they

prevailed and have become extremely

successful. Their attraction is their

individual personalities that work to-

gether to form an amazing team. The

group writes and produces their own

music, and creates their own choreog-

raphy.

Music is universal, and even though

many do not understand the foreign

words, what attracts listeners is the

work ethic behind the genre. The music

that many groups produce creates a

community where artist can freely in-

teract with their audience, despite the

language barriers. So yes, it may not

make sense to many, but KPOP artists

are entertaining to say the least. The

world of KPOP is strange, yet very

intriguing.

Backpacks Did you know that backpacks are very helpful, “IF” you wear them correctly? The American Occupational Therapy Association, recommends not to carry more than 15% of your body weight. This is how:

Apply the heaviest books/items closer to the back, and if the backpack is heavy, consider hand carrying some books.

Be sure to apply both straps over one shoulder; using one should only causes leaning to the side, and curving of the spine.

A heavy backpack that hangs loosely pulls on the back, straining the lower back and muscles.

Backpacks should fit snuggly with the bottom of the pack resting on the curve of the lower back.

Wearing Backpacks correctly now will prevent future backaches.

By: Mrs. Cena, RN

A picture is worth a thousand words, so back

them up. Google Photos offers a desktop and mo-

bile solution to store, edit, manipulate and share

all your digital pictures. Unlimited storage of pic-

ture up to 16 megapixels. Download it to-

day. Available for both Android and iOS.

TECH TIPS By: Kerry Bonugli

HEALTHY LIVING By: Nurse Cena

-Mrs. Leal (9th & 10th Grade Counselor)

COUNSELORS’ CORNER

From the Principal’s Desk

We are "authors of our own desti-

ny," so it is up to each one of us to

write a great story.

-Unknown

“NO! Try not! DO or DO NOT!

There is no try.” - YODA

-Mrs. Dominguez (11th & 12th Grade Counselor)

Sponsor: Mrs. S. Villanueva Editor: Isabelle Burton

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more if you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have

enough.” - Oprah Winfrey

Our school will now offer Communities in Schools as an additional re-source to help our students succeed in their academic goals, as well as sup-port social and emotional growth throughout the school year. I look forward to helping our students succeed in meeting their own personal goals for this school year and beyond.

Rosie Guzman, CIS Coordinator

(956) 273-7740

“ I have learned that success is

to be measured not so much by

the position that one has

reached in life as by the obsta-

cles which he has had to over-

come while trying to succeed.”

— Booker T. Washington