Tag Archives: Montwood 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

In a battle of the SISD titans, the Montwood Rams and the Americas Trail Blazers faced off at the Student Activities Center Friday night.

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

While the fall chill was in the air at the Gem in Far East El Paso – Socorro ISD’s SAC – two of the city’s elite teams heated up the gridiron under the Thursday Night Lights.

However it was all Rams from the opening kickoff, as Montwood took the ball and scored on their opening drive. With the help of their defense, the Rams never looked back and pulled away from the Cougars to win the contest 36-16.

With the play of Rams quarterback Sebastian Galvan and running back Christopher Ramos the offense was firing on all cylinders.

On the other side of the ball, the Rams defense forced turnovers at key times and stopped the Cougar offense for much of the night.

Our very own Ruben R. Ramirez was at the blustery contest and we bring you his view via this ‘Game in Many Pics.’

Socorro ISD powerhouses Montwood and Pebble Hills collided Friday night at the Gem in Far East El Paso – The SAC – and the teams put on a show.

The two titans battled throughout, but in the end the Rams topped the Spartans 49-36.

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

The Montwood Rams hosted the Odessa Bronchos in game one of a Thursday Night Lights doubleheader at the jewel of the Far East: Socorro ISD’s SAC.

The Rams wasted no time, allowing Odessa only two scores en route to a 51-14 victory.

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

Montwood High School brought literacy and technology together with a new program called Virtual Book Tasting. The technique allows students to use their laptops to sample, checkout and read eBooks.

The idea is similar to a popular trend nationwide called book tasting, in which students look at three or four book titles at their school library and determine if they want to read the literature. But a virtual book tasting lets students use any mobile device to check out eBooks they like and return it when they are ready. There are no deadlines or late fees.

“The idea is for students to enjoy reading and to really develop a lifelong appreciation for reading and for literature,” said Dr. Kirk Macon, lead librarian at Montwood. “It’s the first time it is done anywhere in El Paso, not just in our district.”

The lesson blends the district’s DNA 1:1 initiative (one laptop for every high school student) MackinVIA (the SISD libraries’ eBook system), Nearpod (an instructional software with interactive learning experiences) and student choices about their own independent reading or finding “just the right book,” Macon said.

Students click on MackinVIA eBook summaries, develop their own “backpack” of books based on genres, and personal preferences of reading material, and then check out the items virtually, he said.

“We just have a lot of options out there,” he said. “The eBooks are great. This is what we will be doing from now on.”

Montwood library media specialist Jennifer Marquez said the students have really enjoyed the process.

“Every student we’ve served has been engaged and enthusiastic about the library and 21st century learning,” Marquez said.

Alyssa Orozco, ninth grader, found that the program made browsing, checking out and reading books easier.

“You don’t have to go through the aisles,” Orozco said. “You just search it on your laptop and its right there for you. I thought it was interesting finding out all the different types of books they have available. I like the variety. I find this is much more relaxing. I think it was really cool.”

Classmate Kayla Jimenez said she sampled four books and found one she liked.

“I’ve never done anything like this,” she said. “We got the chance to find w

In a Thursday Night matchup between the first and second schools ever opened in the Socorro district, the namesake Socorro Bulldogs traveled north to take on the Montwood Rams.

The Rams defended their home turf, defeating the Bulldogs 69-38.

As part of a very special series, Montwood High School football supporter and honorary team member Kieran Johnson scored in the second quarter.  (video below gallery)

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

The Montwood Rams hosted the powerhouse from the Permian Basin Friday afternoon at the SAC: the Midland Lee Rebels.

Our very own Johnny Mendiola was there and brings you his view of the game in the ‘Story in Many Pics.’

It was a battle of the Far East Side titans as the Montwood Rams hosted the Eastlake Falcons at the SAC Friday Night.

And battle they did as the Rams grounded the Falcons 22-13.

Our very own Julio Vasquez was there and brings you his view of the game in this ‘Story in Many Pics’

Fifteen Socorro Independent School District counseling teams are being recognized by the Lone Star State School Counselor Association (LSSSCA) for winning the 2017-2018 Lone Star Award.

The 15 SISD campuses were among the 32 counseling programs statewide that received the distinction. The Lone Star Award recognizes counseling teams for their effective school counseling programs that advocate for students.

“We are very proud of the 15 school counseling programs that received the Lone Star Bronze and Silver Awards,” said Tammy Mackeben, director of guidance and counseling. “This is a true testament to the quality counseling programs we have in Socorro ISD focusing on academic, career and social emotional needs of all students.”

Seven counseling teams earned a Silver Award and eight teams received a Bronze Award. The silver award recipients are Helen Ball, James P. Butler, Sgt. Roberto Ituarte elementary schools, Desert Wind and Paso del Norte K-8 schools, SPC. Rafael Hernando III Middle School and Montwood High School.

Bronze Award recipients are Chester E. Jordan, Hurshel Antwine, Lujan-Chavez and Purple Heart elementary schools, Bill Sybert and John Drugan K-8 schools, and Socorro and Capt. Water E. Clarke middle schools.

Next year, the association will create criteria for a Gold level award. The Lone Star Award is designed to progressively prepare school counselors to be recognized by the American School Counselors Association as Recognized ASCA Model Program winners. RAMP honors school counselors who are running a top-notch, comprehensive school counseling program at either the elementary, middle or high school level.

“Although the awards are exciting, the most important part of the recognition are the excellent services provided to Team SISD students,” Mackeben said.

The teams will be recognized at the 2nd annual School Counselor Conference Nov. 5-7, 2017 in Frisco, TX.

Montwood High School’s National Honor Society is hosting Sciencepalooza, a hands-on workshop and science demonstration for kindergarten to eighth grade students, on April 15 at the high school, 12000 Montwood Dr.

The science event will help younger students to better understand science, chemistry and other science-related fields.

The event is also a community service project for Montwood NHS to raise funds for La Posada Home for Women and Children, a non-profit organization in Downtown El Paso that helps homeless women and children.

Sciencepalooza costs $20 per child and students will receive a T-shirt, snacks and lunch.

What:             Montwood High School National Honor Society’s Sciencepalooza.

Who:               High school, middle and elementary students, Montwood High School National Honor Society, teachers

Where:           Montwood High School |  12000 Montwood Dr.

 When:             Saturday, April 15, 2017 |  8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

In an effort to raise awareness and increase the number of organ donors within the state of Texas, student council organizations in the Socorro Independent School District partnered with Donate Life Texas to participate in “Dare to Dream. Dare to Do,” the annual Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC) campaign to help the cause.

The statewide project will allow Team SISD student council groups to educate the community about the need for organ/tissue donations, and encourage them to register as donors. The goal is to make a difference by saving lives.

According to Donate Life America, 125,000 men, women and children await lifesaving organ transplants, and every 10 minutes another person is added to the list.

“A few weeks ago I met a lady who shared her story of battling cancer for more than ten years and how grateful she was for her lung and kidney transplant,” said Flor Dominguez, senior student at Socorro High School and the student council community service chair. “It wasn’t until I looked into her eyes that I fully understood the impact a donor can have.”

Each campus will strive to meet its goal of 200 registrations to have a collective total of more than 1,000 registrations. The schools will promote registrations at basketball games, school assemblies, parent nights and on their school websites.

“This is a unique project,” said Lorraine Varela, student activities director at Americas High School. “It’s teaching students the importance of giving back and true service, helping one another. We are extremely excited to be a part of such a large project that will essentially help save lives.”

To learn more about the “Dare to Dream. Dare to Do” initiative click HERE. Below are the links for the SISD school campaigns.

Americas High School

Eastlake High School

El Dorado High School

Montwood High School

Socorro High School

Pebble Hills High School