CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Hard Work Pays Off for JROTC Competitors
By Mylee Mejia
By Mylee Mejia
Here at Eastwood High School we have an amazing JROTC program. Many exciting things have been taking place in this club such as parades, competitions, and military balls.
To start off, the JROTC program at Eastwood high school started in 1964 and was recognized multiple times. JROTC is an amazing program that is offered to all schools in the United States. It helps students become great citizens and also teaches students discipline and order at an early age to help them later on in life. Another thing is that they learn important skills such as leadership, communication, and many other skills.
There was a JROTC competition in the beginning of the school year on October 29, 2022 and September 17, 2022. For these two competitions they placed very well such as placed first for expedition. There was another competition that took place that was on February 25, 2023. They were placed first for inspection, registration, and overall. There might be a few more competitions in the near future but we´re all very proud of them and for their hard work.
JROTC this year has participated in two parades which are the homecoming parade at Eastwood high school and another on veterans day. Homecoming parade took place at 6pm on a Thursday of September 22, 2022 while the veterans parade took place on of course veterans day. Their participation in the parade helps start off the parade and helps the JROTC participants get recognized for their hard work and determination. The parades also help promote their club to help show that to younger ones who are looking forward to joining later on.
Last, an event that many JROTC members look forward to is the military ball. This year it took place on February 11, 2023. The purpose of the ball is to bring all JROTC members all together celebrating by having dinner, dancing, and guest speakers. It's a night where they represent and celebrate the team.
To start off, the JROTC program at Eastwood high school started in 1964 and was recognized multiple times. JROTC is an amazing program that is offered to all schools in the United States. It helps students become great citizens and also teaches students discipline and order at an early age to help them later on in life. Another thing is that they learn important skills such as leadership, communication, and many other skills.
There was a JROTC competition in the beginning of the school year on October 29, 2022 and September 17, 2022. For these two competitions they placed very well such as placed first for expedition. There was another competition that took place that was on February 25, 2023. They were placed first for inspection, registration, and overall. There might be a few more competitions in the near future but we´re all very proud of them and for their hard work.
JROTC this year has participated in two parades which are the homecoming parade at Eastwood high school and another on veterans day. Homecoming parade took place at 6pm on a Thursday of September 22, 2022 while the veterans parade took place on of course veterans day. Their participation in the parade helps start off the parade and helps the JROTC participants get recognized for their hard work and determination. The parades also help promote their club to help show that to younger ones who are looking forward to joining later on.
Last, an event that many JROTC members look forward to is the military ball. This year it took place on February 11, 2023. The purpose of the ball is to bring all JROTC members all together celebrating by having dinner, dancing, and guest speakers. It's a night where they represent and celebrate the team.
FBLA Members Are On Their Way To State
Written By: Carmella Castruccio
Written By: Carmella Castruccio
Eastwood High School’s Future Business Leaders of America are soon on their way to state after a triumphant qualification tournament for many members. A total of 7 members got 3rd place, 11 members got 2nd, and 32 members won 1st! This year the state competition will be in Galveston, Texas as soon as school returns from spring intersession which is where and when it was held last year.
The 2023 state qualifier was held at YISD Central Office in January, and had many schools across the city competing to go. Each student had to choose one or two events, either a test or a presentation, to prepare and study for throughout the year up until competition. “The experience gave me new insight into my competitive aspirations with entrepreneurship and business development for the future.”, said Junior Monserrat Velarde. “I believe in my preparation for the presentation, presenting as an individual with my own expectations would have enhanced my confidence.” She among others are ready to be the best they can be for the state competition by reflecting on their previous triumphs and defeats.
This isn’t the first time that many FBLA members have qualified for state, and are both excited to start this journey again, while nervous to be better than before. “What I’m most looking forward to for state is probably the beautiful beach in Galveston, Waffle House, being able to go on this adventure with my friends, the breathtaking hotel, and of course the state conference!”, said sophomore Jocelyn Avalos. “What I’m least looking forward to is probably the 12 hour long drive and taking another test.” She is one of the many students who qualified for the test portion, meaning she will have much more free time to spend than the others who must practice their presentations throughout the trip.
Everyone who is a member of FBLA is very supportive of each other, and wishes only the best for their teammates, especially when it comes to making themselves become better. “One of the biggest things when it comes to these out of state competitions is just constantly practicing, just trying to improve by practicing and practicing things that I have not yet used as resources before. ”, said Junior Sebastian Perez-Navarro. “When it comes to the others competing, the biggest thing that I can say is just do your best and have fun with it, because sometimes when we’re not having fun, it becomes a job, and that’s when it loses its lust.” He as well the whole organization encourages many of the members to try their hardest by putting in a lot of effort, while also having fun while they’re there and not over stressing.
Eastwood high school is no stranger to fundraisers, and a majority of the ones throughout the year are to help FBLA members raise money for this state competition. The journey to state has been a constant, but hardworking journey from each member throughout the year. Excitement is most certainly a word many of those going to use to describe how they feel about the trip, although there is still an effort being made to be the best that they can be, and to truly represent Eastwood as El Paso’s Finest.
The 2023 state qualifier was held at YISD Central Office in January, and had many schools across the city competing to go. Each student had to choose one or two events, either a test or a presentation, to prepare and study for throughout the year up until competition. “The experience gave me new insight into my competitive aspirations with entrepreneurship and business development for the future.”, said Junior Monserrat Velarde. “I believe in my preparation for the presentation, presenting as an individual with my own expectations would have enhanced my confidence.” She among others are ready to be the best they can be for the state competition by reflecting on their previous triumphs and defeats.
This isn’t the first time that many FBLA members have qualified for state, and are both excited to start this journey again, while nervous to be better than before. “What I’m most looking forward to for state is probably the beautiful beach in Galveston, Waffle House, being able to go on this adventure with my friends, the breathtaking hotel, and of course the state conference!”, said sophomore Jocelyn Avalos. “What I’m least looking forward to is probably the 12 hour long drive and taking another test.” She is one of the many students who qualified for the test portion, meaning she will have much more free time to spend than the others who must practice their presentations throughout the trip.
Everyone who is a member of FBLA is very supportive of each other, and wishes only the best for their teammates, especially when it comes to making themselves become better. “One of the biggest things when it comes to these out of state competitions is just constantly practicing, just trying to improve by practicing and practicing things that I have not yet used as resources before. ”, said Junior Sebastian Perez-Navarro. “When it comes to the others competing, the biggest thing that I can say is just do your best and have fun with it, because sometimes when we’re not having fun, it becomes a job, and that’s when it loses its lust.” He as well the whole organization encourages many of the members to try their hardest by putting in a lot of effort, while also having fun while they’re there and not over stressing.
Eastwood high school is no stranger to fundraisers, and a majority of the ones throughout the year are to help FBLA members raise money for this state competition. The journey to state has been a constant, but hardworking journey from each member throughout the year. Excitement is most certainly a word many of those going to use to describe how they feel about the trip, although there is still an effort being made to be the best that they can be, and to truly represent Eastwood as El Paso’s Finest.
Theater and Journalism students start UIL Season
By Dylan Hardin-Espinoza
By Dylan Hardin-Espinoza
The University Interscholastic League, or UIL for short, is a state wide competition that provides various sports, academics, and musical contests for middle and high school students. Students all over Texas involved in any extracurricular dreams of making it to UIL, most commonly referred to as “state”. Eastwood Highs theater department is soon to compete for a shot at winning state, and the journalism students have just begun the invitational meet.
Theater will have students audition for specific parts for this year's Theater UIL play. “Frankenstein” will be this year’s UIL play. Once cast, students will be responsible for creating their own interpretation of the play. They will design costumes for the various characters in the performance, create and design a set that fits the perfect mood and tone, and create unique makeup looks and costumes to coincide with the costume design to give each character the proper look.
Eastwood's journalism students have also begun working towards UIL. They are competing in various topics such as copyediting, editorial writing, news writing, feature writing, and headline writing. For editorial and news writing, they are given 45 minutes to write a story based on an info sheet provided by the state and 60 minutes for feature writing. For copyediting, students are given 15 minutes and 30 minutes for headline writing.
Editor-in-chief of the Sabre Newspaper, Arielle Vizcarra, explains her experience so far, “I didn’t know what to expect since it was my first time. Other than the time limit, the tasks were pretty easy.” she said. “We won fifth place in the invitational meet for editorial writing. I am so proud of everyone who competed. I’m not worried for UIL, I know we are going to do an amazing job.”
Competing in UIL is no small feat. Every student that has ever competed in the competition should be proud of their accomplishment. To most, time it took to complete and even attempt a rigorous competition such as a UIL competition should be celebrated for the immense knowledge and ability to compete.
Theater will have students audition for specific parts for this year's Theater UIL play. “Frankenstein” will be this year’s UIL play. Once cast, students will be responsible for creating their own interpretation of the play. They will design costumes for the various characters in the performance, create and design a set that fits the perfect mood and tone, and create unique makeup looks and costumes to coincide with the costume design to give each character the proper look.
Eastwood's journalism students have also begun working towards UIL. They are competing in various topics such as copyediting, editorial writing, news writing, feature writing, and headline writing. For editorial and news writing, they are given 45 minutes to write a story based on an info sheet provided by the state and 60 minutes for feature writing. For copyediting, students are given 15 minutes and 30 minutes for headline writing.
Editor-in-chief of the Sabre Newspaper, Arielle Vizcarra, explains her experience so far, “I didn’t know what to expect since it was my first time. Other than the time limit, the tasks were pretty easy.” she said. “We won fifth place in the invitational meet for editorial writing. I am so proud of everyone who competed. I’m not worried for UIL, I know we are going to do an amazing job.”
Competing in UIL is no small feat. Every student that has ever competed in the competition should be proud of their accomplishment. To most, time it took to complete and even attempt a rigorous competition such as a UIL competition should be celebrated for the immense knowledge and ability to compete.