Tag Archives: el dorado high school

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

The early game at Socorro ISD Student Activities Complex featured the Del Valle Conquistadores visiting the El Dorado Aztecs.

While the homestanding Aztecs did their best, they were no match for the Conquistadores who grabbed the win 34-21

Our very own Johnny Yturales was there and we bring you his view of the contest in this ‘Game in Many Pics.’

It was another SISD showdown in the Gem of Far East El Paso – the SAC – as El Dorado took on Americas Friday Night.

The Trailblazers played host, but they were not very welcoming, shutting out the Aztecs 58-0.

Our very own Johnny Yturales was there and we bring you his view of the contest via this gallery.

In game two of Socorro ISD’s Thursday Night Lights doubleheader, the Franklin Cougars traveled to the SAC to take on the El Dorado Aztecs.

Franklin was on fire from the opening kick off, dominating the Aztecs 63-14

Our very own Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta was there and we bring you his view of the contest in this ‘Game in Many Pics.’

The Andress Eagles took flight to far east El Paso, landing at Socorro’s SAC to take on the homestanding El Dorado Aztecs Thursday night.

The back and forth battle between the Aztecs and the Eagles was finally ended when Andress capped off the night with an 34-30win.

Our very own ‘Ace’ Acosta was there and we bring you his view of the contest in this ‘Game in Many Pics.’

In a battle of SISD powerhouses, the Pebble Hills Spartans hosted their rivals the El Dorado Aztecs at the Crown Jewel of the Far East – the Socorro Activities Center.

The Aztecs started well, but the Spartans would defend their home turf, sending El Dorado packing 54-12.

Our very own Chief Photographer ‘Ace’ Acosta was there and we bring you his view of the game in this ‘Game in Many Pics’

El Dorado High School art teacher Candace Printz, well-known for promoting environmental awareness and proactive recycling efforts through her It’s Your World & Green Hope nonprofits, won an Environmental Excellence Award at the first-ever Texas Senate District 29 Environmental Excellence Recognition.

“I feel great that the years we have put into this program are now gaining attention at the local and state level because it’s going to improve the world we live in,” Printz said. “I’m also pleased that more organizations are creating programs that acknowledge and praise groups that are trying to make positive environmental change.”

The Environmental Excellence awards program was initiated by Senator José Rodríguez’ Environment Advisory Committee, in conjunction with the City of El Paso Environmental Services Department.

The program helps identify, articulate and strengthen a regional culture of conservation, preservation and best practices for the environment.

Printz launched the It’s Your World project in 2015 by organizing desert clean ups and making artwork from the debris that was collected. The former school club of 60 students has evolved into Green Hope Project, a non-profit organization that furthers education, the arts and environmentalism through work with scientists and engineers.

“We want to work with engineers and scientists to create solutions to the overabundance of plastic that is clogging our oceans and landfills,” she said. “We also want to re-purpose materials for housings, playgrounds, and artwork to decrease the amount of items that are discarded.”

Karl Rimkus, chairman of the EAC and Operations Manager for the El Paso Environmental Services Department said they were happy to recognize worthy endeavors in the advancement of environmental issues in our community.

“For the first time we will be able to not only highlight environmental projects worthy of recognition, but will maintain an archive of these projects for future reference and inspiration,” Rimkus said.

The EAC suggests legislation and engages in discussions that empower the community to have a role in policy change in regard to environmental affairs.

“This local, regional, and state attention is important to us because we want to continue this momentum and propel this project to higher levels,” Printz said.

The honor was awarded in April.

This Saturday, an opening reception will be celebrated for the Metamorphosis Art to Treasure III exhibit, which features artwork made from recycled materials.

The artists created the pieces for the annual contest in a community project spearheaded by El Dorado High School art teacher and event organizer Candace Printz.

The event is part of the It’s Your World community art project, in which participants create artwork from recycled material and raises awareness about environmental conservation, and Green Hope Project, a new nonprofit that is an offshoot of It’s Your World.

El Dorado students and community members involved in the project regularly take part in desert cleanups and turn the trash into art. The contest for the Metamorphosis exhibit invited all community members in the El Paso, Las Cruces and Juarez area to enter their artwork created from recycled materials.

In addition to promoting the arts and recycling, the Metamorphosis exhibit supports non-profits in the area, such as the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition, which helps preserve the local land, and MuttLove Dog Rescue, which helps take care of abandoned or sick animals that the It’s Your World community project members have found at the desert cleanups.

Proceeds from the sale of select works at the exhibit will go to one of these organizations or Green Hope Project.

At the event, both groups and the City of El Paso’s Environmental Services will set up informational booths. MuttLove also will have a dog adoption event. Entertainment will be provided by a DJ and the event will be catered.

Award winners will be presented at 3 p.m. during the reception.

The Metamorphosis Art to Treasure III exhibit will be on display from April 27 through May 17 at the International Museum of Art.

What:             Metamorphosis Trash to Treasure III recycled art exhibition

Who:               El Dorado High School art students and teacher; El Paso, New Mexico and Mexico artists; community members

Where:           International Museum of Art |   1211 Montana Avenue

When:             Saturday, April 27, 2019 –  Reception from 2 to 4 p.m., awards at 3 p.m.

Earlier this month, El Dorado High School had an opening reception for its 2019 International Baccalaureate art exhibit in the Founders Hall at the Hospitals of Providence East Campus.

The annual exhibit featured the artwork that El Dorado students created as part of a two-year project in the International Baccalaureate program. The IB program is one of the Socorro Independent School District’s advanced academics academies, which provides students a rigorous, comprehensive curriculum that prepares them for college and careers and to be active participants of a global society.

“This is the culmination of everything they have been working on,” said Candace Printz, art teacher at El Dorado. “This reception is for the students so they can show their family and friends what they have been working so hard for.”

The students created numerous pieces and curated the exhibit. They wrote their biographies and created artist statements, creating an art portfolio to display professionally.

As part of their grade, the students spent part of the day defending their work to an art examiner.

“They had to be articulate and learn to explain themselves,” Printz said. “I found that the process helped a lot of the kids. It built their self-esteem.”

Many students sold their works and received 100 percent of the sales price they set.

Natalie De Santiago’s art intrigued a doctor, who walked by the exhibit. He bought one of her paintings and commissioned another.

“I honestly thought my work wasn’t that good,” said De Santiago, who hopes to become a psychologist and receive a minor in art therapy. “I was genuinely surprised that somebody would actually want my work. Being in this class opened that door for me.”

The two year project helped her discover an art style and uncover the kind of medium she prefers (painting). She learned so much about herself through her art work, De Santiago said.

“Art is so therapeutic,” she said. “It provides an escape for me. I am so grateful to have the IB program at El Dorado. It has led me to become a well-rounded student.”

De Santiago and her classmates’ experience would not have been possible without the help of the Hospitals of Providence East, who hosted the reception and exhibit, Printz said.

“They hang the show, provide the invitations, help celebrate our students with a luncheon and host the reception,” Printz said. “For somebody to be just down the road, be a Partner in Education and be able to step in and do that, it means the world to the kids. I am so grateful to the Hospitals of Providence for all they have done.”

El Dorado student art exhibit event photos

El Dorado High School art teacher Candace Printz was named the 2019 Environmental Educator of the Year as part of the 2019 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards given by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

“This is an honor,” Printz said. “I hope that this attention can propel our future efforts with the Its Your World Project club, in addition to our newly founded non-profit, Green Hope Project, that furthers education, the arts and environmentalism through work with scientists and engineers.”

Printz was recognized for her creative conservation efforts with her It’s Your World clean-up, recycling and art project. With the statewide recognition, Print was awarded a $2,500 grant to go toward the It’s Your World project.

She was credited for educating students and the public, for utilizing volunteers, and for creating conservation projects. She was chosen by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and TCEQ commissioners.

Printz began the innovative It’s Your World project during the 2015-2016 school year. Seeing trash piling up in the El Paso desert, Printz and her students decided to collect debris and turn it into artwork. Their art educated the public on how much pollution there was in their community.

Her effort won a national contest sponsored by Barnes & Noble. Former first daughter, Chelsea Clinton, who was involved in the contest, visited El Dorado High School to recognize the school’s efforts and came back to El Paso a year later to attend an art exhibit that resulted from the recycling art project. Since then, she has continued growing her conservation art project with clean-ups, art shows, presentations, and workshops and has involved dozens of students and community members in the efforts.

“Ms. Printz’s hard work and dedication have once again brought credit to her and Socorro ISD,” said Ronald Pingor, SISD assistant director of fine arts. “Congratulations on a job well done!”

She will be recognized at a banquet on May 15 as part of the TCEQ’s Environmental Trade Fair and Conference at the Austin Convention Center

In the nightcap of a doubleheader at Socorro ISD’s SAC, the Eastlake Falcons played host to the El Dorado Aztecs.

The Falcons wasted no time, quickly rolling up the Aztecs en-route to a 28-2 victory.

Our very own Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta was there and we bring you his view of the game in this ‘Story in Many Pics’

It was a fierce night at Socorro ISD’s SAC, as the Bel Air Highlanders battled the El Dorado Aztecs.

When the clock struck ‘0’ at the end of regulation, it was all knotted up and the teams went to overtime, where the Aztecs struck gold, downing the Highlanders 34-28.

–

El Dorado High School students took a behind the scenes tour of the El Paso Zoo giving them the opportunity for project-based learning in their International Baccalaureate biology class.

The unique experience was made possible after their teacher, Amber Berestein, won the Innovative Teaching and Training grant by the Texas IB Schools Association (TIBS). The award recognizes outstanding IB teachers and programs, and provides enriching academic experiences for students.

Berestein was one of six Texas educators to earn the $1,000 TIBS grant for her unit of study IB Biology HL Zoological Cooperative. The program is the first of its kind in El Paso. It allowed students to learn about wild animals, their habitats, conservation issues, and the ways in which they can contribute to their preservation.

“Ecology and conservation are a very important part of our curriculum,” Berestein said. “It’s one thing to talk about it in the classroom, but I wanted to bring the kids to ecology and conservation, and what better way than at the El Paso Zoo.”

Students appreciated the two-day hands-on approach to zoological preservation. Aside from seeing the exotic animals, they signed petitions to help the critically endangered Mexican Wolf, visited the medical facility, and the commissary where the animals’ diets are prepared.

“I really enjoyed the firsthand experience,” said Riley Perez, a senior at El Dorado. “I was never aware of the conservation project that the El Paso Zoo is a part of, and the role they play in conserving different species and animals.”

Another student, Kaitlyn Rodriguez, said her favorite part was touring the medical center, seeing the equipment they use on animals, and how they care for them to keep them healthy.

“This has been a really cool,” Rodriguez said “It’s relatable to what we learn in school. It’s like we get a visual of what we are learning.”

The program will help students become better ambassadors for environmental protection and conservation, Berestein said. 

“My students were impressed with the conservation programs,” she said. “They couldn’t believe how big behind the scenes is. It’s important to expose them because a lot of them haven’t been to the zoo since they were small and some of them haven’t been at all.”

The El Paso Zoo will work with Berestein to leverage the opportunity as a pilot for future high school programs with a science focus, said Zoo Director Steve Marshall.

“(Berestein) is an example of innovative teachers all over this region that think creatively and see the zoo as a powerful classroom resource,” Marshall said.

To view a gallery, courtesy SISD, click here.

The Socorro Independent School District launched its seventh advanced academic academy at El Dorado High School at the start of the 2018-2019 school year.

“Our students will be exposed to architecture all four years,” said Luisa Valenzuela, the academy instructor and an El Paso area architect. “They will build their knowledge and by their senior year they will know what it is like to be an architect. They will become excellent designers, they will have the opportunity to present to professional architects and civil engineers so that when they graduate they are prepared for the college environment and be ready for the real world.”

SISD officials add, “The Aztec Architectural Academy, the only one of its kind in the El Paso region, is a rigorous, hands-on program that allows students to gain a foundation in the fields of interior design, construction, civil engineering, and architecture.”

Students also earn dual credit and take career and technical education courses that will have them on an advanced pathway to earning a degree in architecture.

Forty-five students are in the academy’s first cohort. They will delve into several hands-on projects, including creating an actual blue print of a home and then building a small model of it; completing 25 hours of community service with an architect; and learning all mechanical, electrical, plumbing and green building codes, she said.

“It’s everything a college student would be taking in an architecture class,” Valenzuela said. “I want them to graduate ready for college. It’s an excellent opportunity for our students.”

The academy class is divided into two groups. One class meets is in the morning. The other in the afternoon. The classroom is set up much like an architectural office with draft tables, metal architect swing arm, LED desk lamps, architect and engineer scales, protractors, sketchbooks, colored lead pencils, liner pens, tracing paper and storage tubes. New computers and projectors on either side of the room top out the class amenities.

“We want to make sure students have all the necessary tools to succeed,” said El Dorado High School Principal Cynthia Retana.

AAA will be working closely with the El Paso Community College architectural program. A committee from the college oversees the academy and, this past summer, students took a tour of the architectural facility at El Paso Community College.

“We are here to help you,” Alejandro Mireles, architecture coordinator at El Paso Community College, told students who attended the inaugural meeting. “Architecture is constantly changing. It’s competitive and this will challenge you, but it also will be a very exciting experience.”

The decision to create an architectural program occurred after SISD’s Career & Technology department received many requests from students interested in the field, Retana said.

“It’s exciting to offer an endorsement that many students are interested in,” Retana said. “It’s another opportunity for students.”

Desiree Cuevas, 14, can’t believe that the district is offering something she has been wanting to do since she was a little girl.

“I love building things,” Cuevas said. “I used to play with Legos all the time, making tall buildings and houses. This is pretty exciting.”

The El Paso-area high school football season got off to a rousing start Thursday night, as the El Dorado Aztecs took on their inter-SISD rivals the Pebble Hills Spartans.

In the arena known as the SAC – Student Activities Center – the Spartans quickly jumped out to a lead, with their defense preventing the Aztecs from striking gold until late in the game.

Our very own Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta was there, and brings you his view of the contest in this ‘Story in Many Pics.’