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SISD Homecoming festivities ignite school spirit for 2019-20 school year

November 12, 2019 High School, Sports

Socorro Independent School District high schools revved up the school spirit at 2019-2020 homecoming celebrations, which included pep rallies, parades, football games, and dances.

Students, teachers, staff and alumni celebrated a week of festivities by showing off their school spirit and many enjoying victorious homecoming games.

El Dorado High School

El Dorado High School’s festivities were Sept. 9 to 14. The Aztecs theme was “Can I Have This Dance” from Disney’s High School Musical. Their parade was Sept. 11 followed by the Birth of the Aztec Sun ceremony in the football field.

“Everyone is so excited for today, because the parade just starts the year off on a positive note,” said Theresa Maya, El Dorado student activities director.

They celebrated the pep rally on Sept. 12, followed by the El Dorado vs. Andress homecoming game at the SAC. Their homecoming dance was Sept. 14 at the Empire.

El Dorado High School homecoming parade photos

Pebble Hills High School

The Pebble Hills Spartans also celebrated their homecoming Sept. 9 to 14 with their theme “Don’t Stop the Music,” a tribute to music festivals. Their homecoming parade was Sept. 11. The homecoming pep rally was Sept. 13 followed by the homecoming football game, which they won against Chapin High School.

“Homecoming is important because it’s the kick off to the start of the school year and it’s just a fun way to bring the community together,” said Emily Cancellare, student activities director at Pebble Hills High School.

The homecoming dance was Sept. 14 in the Pebble Hill’s courtyard.

Pebble Hills High School homecoming parade photos

Socorro High School

The theme for the Socorro High School homecoming was “Deep In the Heart of Texas,” which was celebrated Sept. 16-21. The homecoming parade and the pep rally were on Sept. 19.

“The parade is pretty important because it shows our school spirit, not only of Socorro High School, but of the district, because there are other schools involved in the parade from the elementary and middle schools,” said junior Jennifer Betancourt, who performed with the Socorro High School mariachi group.

The homecoming game was against Burges High School Sept. 20 at Socorro High School. Their homecoming dance was Sept. 21 at the Pit.

Socorro High School homecoming parade photos

Mission Early College

Mission Early College High School celebrated its homecoming week Sept. 16 to 21 with a pep rally Sept. 20 and homecoming dance Sept. 21.

“We didn’t always have homecoming, but for a lot of students it’s a coming of age thing and we didn’t want them to miss out on that,” said Ben Ortega, principal of Mission Early College High School.

Mission Early College High School homecoming parade photos

Eastlake High School

The Eastlake High School Falcons celebrated their homecoming the week of Sept. 23 to 27 with the theme “Around the World.” A parade and a community pep rally took place Sept. 25.

“We’re here today for my son, and my daughter is next in line. He’s going to be the first one graduating and then, hopefully, going off to college, so this is a big deal for us,” said Adan Martinez, a parent from Eastlake. “We try to be involved as much as we can with all his extracurricular stuff so we’re definitely excited for the parade.”

The homecoming football game was against Pebble Hills Sept. 26 at the SAC and Sept. 27 was the homecoming dance in the main foyer of Eastlake High School.

Eastlake High School homecoming parade photos

Montwood High School

Montwood High School homecoming was Sept. 23 to 28 with the theme of “Rams Take Over the World.” A parade and carnival were celebrated on Sept. 25 at the school.

“Homecoming is one of the events that brings the community together and that makes our community better,” said Humberto Galindo, a senior at Montwood High School.

The Rams won the homecoming football game against Eastwood Sept. 27 at the SAC and had their dance Sept. 28 in the school gym.

Montwood High School homecoming parade photos

Americas High School

The Americas High School Trailblazers celebrated their homecoming the week of Oct. 21 to 26 with the theme “New York State of Mind.” The homecoming parade was Oct. 24.

“I think homecoming is a great way of getting all the schools in the feeder pattern involved, which brings the community together,” said parent Viviana Amezcun, who attended the parade to support her Trailblazer, as well as her son and niece from the Vista Del Sol soccer team.

The Trailblazers won their homecoming football game against Pebble Hills High School Oct. 25 at the SAC. Their homecoming dance theme was “A Night in New York” Oct. 26 at Americas High School.

Americas High School homecoming parade photos

Socorro ISD high schools gear up to celebrate 2019 homecoming

September 7, 2019 News

Socorro Independent School District officials announced that their seven high schools are set to start homecoming celebrations with an assortment of events and activities this month.

Students, teachers, staff and alumni will celebrate a week of festivities at their respective schools, including dress ups for spirit week, parades, the big homecoming games and cleverly themed dances.

The 2019 homecoming schedule is as follows:

El Dorado High School
El Dorado High School’s festivities will be from Sept. 9 to 14. The Aztecs will be pulling their theme right out of a Disney movie with “Can I Have This Dance” from “High School Musical.” Dress up days will include “The Boys are Back – Wear Baseball Tees” and “Waka Wednesday – Dress Hawaiian.”

The parade will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 11 followed by the Birth of the Aztec Sun ceremony in the football field. A pep rally will be during eighth period Sept. 12 followed by the El Dorado vs. Andress homecoming game at 6:30 p.m. at the SAC. The homecoming dance will be from 8 to 11:45 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Empire.

Pebble Hills High School
The Pebble Hills Spartans also will celebrate their homecoming Sept. 9 to 14 with their theme “Don’t Stop the Music,” a tribute to music festivals. Dress up days through the week will range from “Gnarly Neon,” “School of Rock,” “Coachella Vibes,” and “Nostalgic Nineties.” Activities throughout the week will include window decorating for student organizations on Sept. 9, Movie Under the Stars at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 10, and the homecoming parade at 6 p.m. Sept. 11.

A homecoming volleyball game will be at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 12 against Carlsbad High School. The homecoming pep rally will be Sept. 13 during eighth period followed by the Pebble Hills vs. Chapin High School homecoming football game at 7:30 p.m. at the SAC.

The homecoming dance will be from 8 p.m. to midnight Sept. 14 in the Pebble Hill’s courtyard.

Socorro High School
The Socorro High School Bulldog’s theme for this year’s homecoming is In the Heart of Texas, which will be celebrated Sept. 16-21. Dress up days will include Tex-Mex Day, celebrating the beautiful influence of Mexico on our culture; Country Livin’, students will gear up in their cowboy attire; and Texas Sports Day, students may wear their favorite Texas sports team jersey.

Homecoming events throughout the week will include a Texas State Fair with food, games, music and fun from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Bulldog Championship Park. The homecoming parade on Alameda Ave. will begin at 5:45 p.m. Sept. 19 and the pep rally will follow at Mad Dog Field at 7 p.m., where the homecoming king and queen winners will be announced.

The homecoming game will be against Burges High School at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 at Socorro High School. The homecoming dance will be from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Pit.

Mission Early College
Mission Early College High School will celebrate homecoming week Sept. 16 to 21 with a pep rally Sept. 20 and the homecoming dance Sept. 21. Check back for more details soon.

Eastlake High School
The Eastlake High School Falcons will be celebrating their homecoming the week of Sept. 23 to 28 with the theme Around the World. Dress up days will include Tourist day, Cartoon Day, Western Day, Spirit Day, and Jersey Day.

Activities for the week include decorating classroom doors, a parade and a community pep rally Sept. 25 with games and performances to which attendees are encouraged to wear purple and orange. The homecoming football game against Pebble Hills will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at the SAC.

There will be a volleyball tournament against Ysleta at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 28 and the homecoming dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sept. 26 in the main foyer of Eastlake High School.

Montwood High School
Montwood High School homecoming will be Sept. 23 to 28 at the home of the Rams with this year’s theme of Rams Take Over the World. Students will be able to dress up in fun outfits throughout the week with theme days like Show your American Pride and Dress as a Tourist.

The school will be showing the movie “The Lorax” at 6 p.m. (or at sunset) Sept. 24 on the school football field. The parade and carnival will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 25 at the school.

The homecoming football game against Eastwood will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at the SAC and the dance will be 8 p.m. to midnight Sept. 28 in the school gym.

Americas High School
Americas High School will celebrate homecoming week Oct. 21 to 26 with the theme of New York State of Mind. Check back for more details soon.

Americas Librarian Experiences Unique Training at Yellowstone National Park

September 6, 2018 News

Americas High School lead librarian Neysa Hardin experienced a different kind of professional development this summer. It was surrounded by lush forests and gushing geysers at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

Hardin was one of 12 teachers selected nationwide from 250 applicants for the national park’s annual weeklong STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Teacher Workshop.

“I feel so renewed and refreshed,” Hardin said. “It’s as if I am a first-year teacher again. You know that energized feeling you had in the beginning? After 20 years in this profession, it is a good feeling to have.”

The Trailblazer educator spent nearly five days learning how to integrate science into art and humanities and vice versa.

“I’ve always been interested in and loved life sciences, but I didn’t study it,” Hardin said. “The workshop gave me a chance to delve in to it.”

Marcy Sparks, Socorro ISD’s coordinator of library services, was excited Hardin had a chance to experience this type of training, she said. It opens the door for other SISD educators. In addition, Hardin plans to share what she learned with her colleagues.

“When Team SISD educators seek opportunities to grow as lifelong learners, especially with unique opportunities like the Yellowstone National Park workshop, they model the very best of our expectations for our students,” Sparks said. “It’s great that she got a chance to attend. I believe Ms. Hardin has a real passion for the importance of preserving our state and national parks as places where learners of all ages can discover the past and appreciate our natural landscape.”

Hardin’s week was intense with little time for sightseeing, she said. The educators woke up early, sometimes at 5 a.m., and went to bed after 10 p.m. They participated in wild life observation, took samplings of the hot springs to uncover the microbes that live there and learned about the Native American culture and its impact on Yellowstone. The group attended nightly lectures from recognized university professors that discussed issues related to the national park.

“For each activity, we learned how art and humanities can intertwine with biology, botany and anthropology,” Hardin said. “During our studio time, they would teach us different art and how to incorporate it into science classes. Now, I hope to teach what I learned to our students at Americas.”

She has several ideas planned for students. She wants to take them to visit the various parks along the southern part of Rio Grande. The hope is to stop at La Llorona and Leasburg Dam parks and the border near Anthony and Canutillo. Students will study the agricultural impact on the river. She also will have her students sharing their own personal Llorona stories, read poems from well-known area poets and write their own poems about what they see around the Rio Grande.

“It’s going to be fun,” Hardin said. “We will return again in April to see if there are any difference in the tests we are taking of the soil and we will look closely any visible changes surrounding the river.”

Sparks applauds Hardin’s innovative thinking. It’s what makes SISD educators, like Hardin, so special, she said.

“When Team SISD librarians take their passions and integrate it into their learning spaces, all their students are better served with opportunities to see the world in new ways,” Sparks said.

Despite the rigorous training, Hardin sees her week at Yellowstone as one of the most satisfying. It’s made this school year an exciting one.

“When I applied, I didn’t really think I would be selected,” Hardin said. “I just turned in the application and hoped for the best. It was like throwing an egg at a wall and hoping it would stick. Now I am so grateful for the opportunity. It was so intense, but I learned so much. It was such a great week.”

To view more photos, courtesy SISD, click here.

Story in Many Pics: Coronado Crushes Americas 36-15

September 29, 2017 High School

In a battle of 6a powerhouses, the Coronado Thunderbirds traveled east to take on the Americas TrailBlazers in the 2nd half of the doubleheader at Socorro ISD’s Student Activities Center (SAC)

Andres Acosta was there as the Thunderbirds blasted the ‘Blazers 36-15, and he brings you his view of the game in this Story in Many Pics.

Coronado Thunderbirds vs Americas Trailblazers, SISD S.A.C., September 29, 2017

One of Socorro ISD’s facilities – and the center piece of the district’s athletics and fine arts facilities, the Student Activities Center (SAC) | Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta

Video+Story: Americas High Student Wins National Student of the Year

July 19, 2017 News

DES MOINES, IA – From more than 150-thousand student members of the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA), recognized the 2017 National Student of the Year―Ricardo Flores from Americas High School.

This prestigious annual award recognizes one student from the National Speech & Debate Association who best embodies the code of honor: integrity, humility, respect, leadership, and are service.

Nominees must also demonstrate strong academic credentials and a commitment to the speech and debate community.

“Ricardo is a shining example of the talented young leaders who participate in this activity,” said J. Scott Wunn, Executive Director of the National Speech & Debate Association. “We are proud to recognize Ricardo for his outstanding accomplishments and have him serve as a student ambassador for our organization.”

Following a rigorous application process, six student finalists interviewed with an esteemed panel of educators during the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama, June 18 – 23, 2017. Ricardo gave an emotional thank you when he received the award.

“Thanks to my coach [Irene Gardea] for always believing me. Thank you for always being there even when I was just a shy Mexican kid,” said Ricardo. “Thanks for always hearing me and believing that I had a voice. Us Hispanics deserve to be heard in this country, especially now. There are no borders. We overcame this border today. Thank you.”

Ricardo recently graduated from Americas High School in Texas. After witnessing the violence and increasing political tension in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Ricardo and his family came to the U.S. in 2007, when he was in second grade. Ricardo joined theater and voluntarily took speech classes to improve his English.

When he entered Americas High School as a freshman he was almost entirely fluent in English, and was accepted to the law and government magnet program. As a senior, he was ranked 4th in his class of 689, and qualified in five events for the TFA State Tournament.

He was the Head Captain of the Forensics Team, President of the National Technical Honor Society, Parliamentarian of National Honor Society, and member of the district superintendent’s student advisory committee. In addition, Ricardo shares his time in numerous volunteer activities including several projects that send school supplies and toiletries to elementary schools in Ciudad Juarez.

The finalists for the William Woods Tate, Jr., Memorial National Student of the Year award include:

Nicholas Aranda – Holy Cross Catholic Academy, TX
Derek Collins – Hattiesburg High School, MS
Chloe Dennison – Asheville High School, NC
Michael Franklin – Sumner Academy, KS
Olivia Shoemaker – Lakeville North High School, MN

The National Student of the Year is awarded to a graduating high school student who will be asked to fulfill certain duties during the 2017-18 school year, which may include acting as a regional or national ambassador to promote Association activities; assisting with educational opportunities at the National Tournament; and facilitating alumni association efforts.

Americas High’s Libertas Students to Educate Community on Citizens’ Rights

December 12, 2016 Local News

The Americas High School Libertas Academy unveiled its plans to launch its Communities in Action and Anti-Bullying Youth Court initiatives.

The Libertas Academy will host a public meeting for all community members regarding civil rights, voter education, and the school’s anti-bullying efforts at 6 p.m. Dec. 15 at the school.

“Voting rights are important,” said Jonathan Perez, senior student in the Libertas program. “A lot of people don’t understand the importance of their voice in the voting spectrum and how it can affect our leaders.”

The Communities in Action initiative will include Texas House Representative Mary Gonzalez, the Law Office of Danny Razo and Law Office of Monique Velarde Reyes, who will give presentations to help citizens be aware of their legal rights. The students also will assist in educating the public about how to become a U.S. citizen

“It’s important the we have events like these to announce the plans of the Libertas program,” said Kyle Donnelly, senior student and vice president of the program. “Libertas focuses on student success but it also focuses and student involvement in the campus and in the community. We want to have great students, and we also want great citizens!”

The event on Dec. 15 also will allow students to explain more about their new Anti-Bullying Youth Court program. The mock trial program will be an avenue for students to discuss bullying prevention and awareness and give students experience in developing and discussing solutions to serious issues involved with bullying.

“The Libertas student body is all about being united,” Perez said. “We feel like it is our responsibility as future models and vehicles of social and political change to take affirmative action on making a difference in our community.”

The Libertas Academy is one of six advanced academic academies offered at SISD high schools and is geared toward students who wish to pursue a career in government and public administration or law.

Story in Six Pics: Americas sweeps Socorro in 1-6A Volleyball

October 13, 2015 High School, Sports

It was an intra-ISD matchup as Americas took on Socorro in a Tuesday night 1-6a battle. Our Andres Acosta was there, check out the game in this Story in Six Pics (plus a couple more)

Game One –   Game Two Game Three
AHS- 25 AHS- 25   AHS- 25
SHS- 13   SHS- 16   SHS- 7