Tag Archives: Eastlake

Three Socorro Independent School District mariachi groups will showcase their musical talent at the 2019 UIL State Mariachi Festival February 22 and 23 in Edinburg, Texas.

Americas, Eastlake, and Socorro high schools are three of the four mariachi programs in El Paso advancing to state after earning a Division One, Superior rating at the UIL Regional Mariachi Contest.

“It’s awesome for our schools and district to be represented at the state mariachi contest,” said Janet Lynch, SISD instrumental music specialist.

“Our students will get to compete with the best mariachis in Texas. It gives them the chance to see and listen to other groups and learn how to improve their craft in mariachi music.”

Each mariachi program has ten minutes to perform two songs, one in the style of son jalisciense. Groups that receive the highest rating will receive a trophy.

The SISD musicians are excited and feel confident that they will do well.

“This is such a big accomplishment,” said Alondra Carbajal, a senior at Eastlake High School. “We are very excited because we have been working really hard for this competition.”

With the upcoming state contest, the students are fine-tuning their skills and strengthening their stage presence.

“We are practicing as much as we can,” said Steve Ramirez, a senior at Socorro High School. “We are strong enough and I know we can do this. Le vamos a hechar ganas!”

Sergio Ramos, mariachi director at Americas High School, said the extra hours students spend practicing their violins, guitars, trumpets, and vocals will pay off.

“’These are hard-working kids and their commitment to the organization is very evident,” Ramos said. “I’m very proud of my students, and it makes me happy to see mariachis from different high schools participate. Hopefully, this becomes a standard for the city.”

To live stream the 2019 UIL State Mariachi Festival, visit the Texas UIL website.

It was one of the busiest weekends yet for El Paso bands, with three separate contests taking place on Saturday. The end result was some great finishes for our local groups.

The first contest of the weekend was the 4-A Area contest in Lubbock. Mountain View and Clint represented El Paso, but neither band was able to advance past the preliminary round.

The largest contest of the season was simultaneously happening in Las Cruces. The 41st annual Tournament of Bands took place with some outstanding results for our local groups.28 bands took the field in 4 classes with the following results.

In preliminary Class B Awards, Irvin won Outstanding Music Execution, Burges won Outstanding Percussion, Alamogordo won Best colorguard, and Jeff/Silva won the Drum Major award. Riverside finished third, Irvin finished second, and Alamogordo finished in first place.

In preliminary Class A , Eastlake High School took Music Execution, Percussion, and Colorguard, while Parkland High School took home the Drum Major award. Top finishers were Las Cruces High School in third, Bel Air in second, and Eastlake in the top spot.

In preliminary Class AA, Hanks swept all captions. Cleveland High School from Rio Rancho, New Mexico, came in third, while Onate finished second and Hanks took the top spot.

The 10 bands advancing to finals were Albuquerque Eldorado, Las Cruces, Cleveland, Del Valle, Eastwood, Eastlake, Horizon, Onate, Bel Air, and Hanks High Schools.

Hanks High School ended the night as Grand Champions with their show ‘Pocket Full of Poseys.’ Other finalist finishes included Eastlake in second place, with Onate High School from Las Cruces in third and Bel Air High School finishing fourth. Cleveland was in 5th place, followed by Horizon High in 6th, Eastwood in 7th, and Del Valle in 8th. Las Cruces High finished 9th and Albuquerque Eldorao finished 10th.

Perhaps the biggest news of the days is El Paso has both the advancing bands from the Area A 6-A marching band contest. 14 bands competed in prelims, with seven bands advancing to finals. El Paso bands in finals included Americas, Coronado, Montwood, and Pebble Hills.

At the end of the second and final round of competition, Pebble Hills came in first, followed closely by Montwood. These two bands, both from the Socorro ISD, will now travel to San Antonio to represent West Texas at the State marching band contest.

Prelims for the 6-A contest will be held in the Alamodome on Monday, November 5, with the finals round taking place on Tuesday, November 6.

Directors of the Pebble Hills Spartan band are Maximo Sierra, Raul Chavira, Daniel Hunt, and Cecil Crabtree.

The Montwood “Mean Green” band is under the direction of Beto Pererz, Roman Lechuga, and Caitlyn Colette.

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Author – Lorraine Kubala

The complete schedule can be viewed on the ‘Musical Notes- The Blog’ page on Facebook.

27 bands took the field at Franklin High School Saturday, as El Paso ISD hosted their invitational contest for area marching bands.

Serving as adjudicators for the event were Valentino Leyba, Kevin Moreman, and Shawn Silva, all band directors in the Las Cruces Public Schools. Instrumental Coordinator Julio Castillo was the contest organizer.

Due to the large number of bands entered, the contest was divided into morning and afternoon sessions. An awards ceremony was held at 11:30 after the first 13 bands performed. After a lunch break, the afternoon saw another 14 bands take the field, capping the day with an awards ceremony for these bands at the final conclusion of the contest.

Receiving first divisions, which denotes a “Superior” performance, were Franklin, Riverside, Parkland, Hanks, Bel Air, Eastlake and Del Valle High Schools in the morning session, and Irvin, Burges, Americas, and Coronado High Schools in the afternoon.

Bands receiving second divisions, denoting an “excellent” performance, were Horizon, Eastwood, Ysleta, and Socorro High Schools in the morning, and El Paso, Andress, Jefferson Silva, and Chapin High Schools in the afternoon.

Bands receiving a third division, or “good” performance, were Canutillo, Anthony, Fabens, Clint, Bowie, San Elizario, and Austin High Schools.

This contest served as a tune up for the bands and was great for getting some last minute pointers from the judges before the UIL contest next Saturday. All the El Paso-area bands will compete in the state- sanctioned contest which this year will advance 2-, 4-, and 6-A bands to the Area marching band contests for each respective class.

Those contests will take place in Amarillo for the 2-As, Lubbock for the 4-As, and Odessa for the 6-As on October 27th.

Locally, there is plenty more action coming up in Band-tober. The aforementioned UIL contest is next Saturday, October 13, at the SAC. This contest will be for ratings, just as today’s contest was, with qualifying bands advancing to the Area round of contests on the 27th.

On October 20, bands from Texas and New Mexico will take the field again at the SAC for the SISD Marchfest. The Marchfest contest uses a 7- person judging panel and is a two-round contest.

After prelims, 6 bands from the small band class will advance to a finals round, while 8 bands in the large band class will advance. No division ratings are given at this contest. Instead, the bands are given numerical scores and ranked in first place, second place, and so on.

The experience of competing for those rankings will come in handy for the last weekend in October. The advancing bands attending the Area contests will be ranked, and the highest -placing bands will advance to the State marching band contest.

This contest is held at the Alamodome in San Antonio on November 5,6, and 7.

Meanwhile, most of those bands not advancing to Area contests will instead journey up to Las Cruces for the NMSU Tournament of Bands, also taking place on October 27th. This contest, too, uses a 7-person judging panel and a prelims/finals format.

The Tournament of Bands for many years has served as the penultimate contest for bragging rights around the area, and promises some amazing marching show action for local band fans.

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Author – Lorraine Kubala

The complete schedule can be viewed on the ‘Musical Notes- The Blog’ page on Facebook.  

Click here for a complete listing of all the ‘Bandtober’ Events

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Once again, the El Paso Herald-Post will be providing band fans with LIVE, STREAMING coverage of SISD’s Marchfest on October 20, 2018!   Our day-long coverage starts at 7:20 and goes on through the finals!

Eastlake and Montwood high schools have received the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (T-STEM) application planning year approval and designation, respectively, by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for the 2018-19 school year.

T-STEM Academies are rigorous secondary schools focusing on improving instruction and academic performance in science and mathematics-related subjects. They increase the number of students who study and enter STEM careers.

“We are excited to have been awarded the T-STEM designation and planning year approval at Montwood and Eastlake High School,” said Carmen Crosse, assistant superintendent of secondary education. “The innovative instruction and support our students will receive through these programs is another endless opportunity they can benefit from.”

This is the first year Eastlake High School receives the planning year approval for its computer science program.  Eastlake’s computer science T-STEM Academy will engage in a year of planning with TEA-selected technical assistance providers to meet the design elements and requirements in the T-STEM blueprint.

Upon successful completion of the planning year, the school will be eligible to apply for the provisional designation in 2019-20.

“Receiving the T-STEM application planning year approval from TEA is truly an honor for our campus,” said Gilbert Martinez, principal at Eastlake High School. “We are very excited for students and teachers. Our computer science classes are a prime example of extending the most opportunities for all students in Socorro ISD as a T-STEM school.”

Montwood’s Synergi4 Academy has earned the designation since 2014.

“We are excited to continue providing our Synergi4 biomedical and engineering students with the great opportunities that come from being a TEA T-STEM designated campus,” said Carlos Guerra, Montwood principal. “We are happy to continue making Montwood High School and Team SISD the best place to be.”

T-STEM academies have access to professional development, receive technical assistance, and participate in the network of T-STEM Academies. Students can receive a high school diploma while earning college credit, they also can complete industry certifications and credentials.

T-STEM campuses are designated based on a rigorous designation process, according to the TEA website. Once a campus is designated, professional development and technical assistance are provided to designated T-STEM academies to serve as demonstration schools and learning labs.

Designated academies showcase innovative instruction methods which integrate technology and engineering into science and mathematics instruction.

“Thank you for Socorro ISD’s hard work and dedication in providing STEM opportunities for students so they may accelerate their learning and graduate from high school prepared for the post-secondary path of their choosing,” said Commissioner of Education Mike Morath, in a letter.

The Socorro Independent School District celebrated more than 3,400 graduates at commencement ceremonies on May 31, June 2 and 3 at the Region 19 Chito Samaniego center and the Don Haskins Center at the University of Texas at El Paso.

Socorro Independent School District students recently made history, as they were the first SISD students to exhibit their work at the El Paso Museum of Art.

“I am really excited for our students,” said Macka Jones, visual art specialist for SISD. “This is an amazing experience and for many of them a dream come true. We are proud to be a district of endless opportunities and that is what we created today, an opportunity for our students.”

Young artists were thrilled to see their beautiful ceramics, diverse paintings and hand-crafted sculptures at the 59-year-old museum. Their art was placed next to an exhibit featuring artwork owned by the actor and comedian Richard Anthony “Cheech” Marin.

“It’s pretty unbelievable that my work is being showcased at the El Paso Museum of Art,” Saenz said. “We all worked really hard to get here so we could display our love of art.”

The exhibit originated last September when students toured the museum’s permanent collection of art, the 7,000-piece Kress Collection.

The students were asked to choose a work that caught their eye and create an art piece inspired by that particular work.

“Working with the SISD students and teachers has been a great experience,” said David Hernandez, education curator at the El Paso Museum of Art. “The art work is impressive and it’s interesting to see the direct correlation between their work and what they saw at the museum.”

Marquez, a senior at Pebble Hills, was inspired by American painter Raphael Soyer.

“It took a long time to finish my piece but I’m really proud of it,” Marquez said. “My freshmen year I would have never imagined that my work would be featured in a museum. This is a really big deal!”

Teachers and parents also were happy to see the student work at the showcase.
“During the process I saw tears, passion and joy and that is the creation of art,” said Veronica Chaparro, art teacher at Eastlake High School. “To see them release their emotions into something visual and tangible for the community to see is amazing!”

The student art was displayed April 21-23 and drew a large crowd of students, families, teachers and friends.

The student showcase featured the work of 27 high school students from Americas, Eastlake, El Dorado, Montwood, Pebble Hills and Socorro high schools.

The students featured are: Alimei Saenz, Ana Calderas, Ana Varela, Andrea Soto, Ariel Anguiano, Ashley Diaz, Ayleen Garcia, Blanca Gonzalez, Brianna Robles, Caleb Hernandez, Desiree Boykin, Isaiah Gutierrez, Kimberly Juarez, Leslie Cuellar, Lynette Baez, Marlena Ray, Mikayla Espineli, Natalia Quizz, Natalia Arzola, Noelle Marquez, Paul Sescon, Phoebe Lozano, Sergio Chavez, Stephanie Vazquez, Vanessa Najera, Victoria Aldaco and Viridiana Kropf.

Four mariachi groups in the Socorro Independent School District will once again represent their schools and district February 23 and 24 at the 2018 UIL State Mariachi Festival in Edinburg, Texas

Americas, Eastlake, El Dorado and Socorro high schools are four of the six mariachi groups in El Paso going to state after earning a Division One, Superior rating at the UIL Regional Mariachi Contest recently.

“Socorro ISD is extremely proud of the accomplishments of our mariachi programs,” said Ronald Pingor, assistant director of fine arts. “Over the past few years, the success level has continued to grow and we are very pleased that four of our high school mariachi ensembles will be representing our district at the state level.”

The mariachi groups will perform their best jaliciense, polka, boleros or other mariachi medleys in under ten minutes. Ensembles also will receive a 30-minute clinic with a nationally recognized mariachi educator at the end of their performance. Groups that receive an overall Division I rating will receive a group award as well as individual gold medals for each member.

Last year, El Dorado’s Mariachi Azteca was recognized as a top rated group at the festival. The group hopes to excel at the state contest once again.

“I’m glad we made it this far,” said Juan A. Contreras, the mariachi instructor at the school. “We’ve had a difficult year but despite the challenges my students have worked very hard during rehearsals. I am very proud of them and I know we will do well at the state mariachi festival again.”

Americas, Eastlake and Socorro also are working hard to prepare for the event. The young musicians say their great appreciation of music and culture, combined with a strong commitment to their skill and fellow musicians will make them shine when they take the center stage.

“This is our third time going to state and I am really looking forward to competing and showing all the other groups what we’ve got,” said

Priscilla Diaz-Rubio, a violin player and senior at Socorro High School. “I feel prepared and excited. Mariachi gives me the opportunity to be enthusiastic about my culture, something that is not common for someone my age.”

The SISD mariachi teams have been preparing for 18 weeks, during school, after school and on Saturdays.

“Their hard work and dedication speaks well for both the students and the directors,” Pingor said.

To live stream the 2018 UIL State Mariachi Festival, visit the Texas UIL website at www.uiltexas.org/music/state-mariachi-festival, select the BOX5 Media site or click  here.

In the night cap game at Socorro ISD’s SAC, the Cinderella team of this year’s playoffs – the Jefferson Silver Foxes, took on the powerhouse Eastlake Falcons.

While the Silver Foxes looked to stretch their win streak to three games, the Falcons had other ideas, as they defeated Jefferson 56-13.

Andres Acosta was there and he brings you his view of the game in this ‘Story in Many Pics.’

Americas and Eastlake high schools were selected as finalists for the 2017 America’s Best Urban Schools Award by the National Center for Urban School Transformation.

The Team SISD campuses were two of 32 schools nationwide and the only schools in El Paso chosen for the award after meeting rigorous criteria including high achievement, arduous curriculum, excellent instruction and enthusiastic student engagement.

“I’m very proud of the excellent work that our teachers, administrators and staff at Americas and Eastlake high schools are achieving,” said SISD Superintendent Dr. José Espinoza. “They work hard, as a team, to offer all children a world-class education and endless opportunities. It is an honor for our schools to be recognized again for this prestigious award and it is indicative of the great teaching and learning going on in Team SISD.”

The 32 finalists will receive site visits from NCUST representatives to analyze the school’s strengths and positive culture that supports the learning of every student. The visits will help the NCUST officials to determine which of the finalists will be named the 2017 bronze, silver, or gold award winners in March.

This is third time Team SISD schools has been recognized for this award. Last year, Mission Early College High School won the Silver Award and SPC. Rafael Hernando III Middle School won the Bronze Award. Escontrias Elementary was given a bronze award in 2014.

Week 4 was a hard-hitting week for the teams in action, as rivalries and memories were rekindled and re-formed. We chose Del Valle vs Ysleta and Eastlake vs Riverside because of the intensity of the play shown by all four teams.

Enjoy Andres Acosta’s view of the high school football action from week 4!

River Oaks Properties, the oldest commercial real estate development and management firm in the El Paso area, announced Tuesday their continued expansion in El Paso, and now into Horizon City. This growth is a continuation of their $200 million investment that was announced in 2014.

During the first half of 2016, River Oaks Properties will develop a total of six retail centers equaling 136,800 sq. ft. of retail space that will generate approximately 420 new jobs for the El Paso market–two of the six centers will come online by March 2016.

The new retail centers River Oaks will be building in 2016 are:  Shops at Dieter Village located at 1505 George Dieter, Tierra Del Norte II located at 2301 B N. Zaragoza, Shops on the Loop Phase II located at 2204 Joe Battle, Eastlake Marketplace located at 13001 Eastlake Blvd (their first Horizon City project), Las Tiendas de Zaragoza Phase II located at 3590 N. Zaragoza and Sunfire Village located at 2106 Zaragoza.

“The success of North Hills Power center that River Oaks recently opened in northeast El Paso has generated larger results than expected, with some retailers reaching record sales,” said Adam Frank, President of River Oaks Properties. “This lets us know that we are on the right path, and that our centers are meeting a need for our community.”

Opening soon to River Oaks projects on the eastside are Spec’s, Petco and a second Sprouts location.

This $200 million investment in the development of retail centers includes recruiting new retailers to El Paso. Just last week, River Oaks had a very large presence at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), in Dallas, Texas, where they met with several brokers and presented their El Paso projects to prospective national retailers.

Author: Barracuda PR

It was billed as a battle of of the best teams in East El Paso and it did not disappoint. Eastlake and Del Valle battled at the S.A.C. and our very own Andres Acosta was there and brings you all the action.