Presbyterian Pan American School

March 29, 2015 •VOLUME 12 • ISSUE 6• KINGSVILLE, TX 78363

Eagle X-Press

Eagles track & field competes in Bishop

by Juan HernandezStaff Writer

Champions League begins

by Alain KwizeraStaff Writer

PPAS baseball falls to Fal

Staff Writerby Isaac Del Rio

by Nerina CruzStaff Writer

Annual International Banquet held at PPAS South Texas Career Expo brings job awareness and

college preparation

Students participate in TAMUK’s Engineering Dayby Vania JimenezStaff Writer

Sophomore Sara Mendoza in the 300-hurdles.Photo by: Juan Hernandez

Presbyterian Pan Ameri-can School (PPAS) cel-ebrated the annual In-ternational Banquet on Saturday, February 28 at the dining hall.International Banquet is

a multi-cultural event that promotes diversity and mu-tual understanding among international students, said Pre University Stu-dent Lisa Nsengiyumva.“This banquet is the

time where you can learn facts and the beau-ty of many countries,” said Nsengiyumva. This event is where ev-

eryone has the opportu-nity to sample the food from all over the eight cultures that PPAS rep-resents, countries as U.S, Mexico, South Korea,

Venezuela, Estonia, Scot-land, China and Rwanda. This year, Internation-

al Banquet started with a Mariachi, arranged by Sophomores Juan Vazquez, Jose Calderon, Leonardo de la Fuente, Edward Araujo and Ju-nior Ismael Bartolome.

“At the beginning I was nervous, but it was a good experience because I was able to represent a little bit of my culture as a Mexican,” Calderon said. The food was prepared

by the kitchen staff and some volunteer stu-dents. There were five

Seniors, juniors and some sophomores of Pres-byterian Pan American School (PPAS) went to the South Texas Career Expo on March 6, 2015 at J.K Northway Exposition Cen-ter. The goal of this event is to prepare students for their future related to col-leges and job opportunities. It also provides explana-tions of what each career is about and financial aid. The event, where nearly 2,000 students attended, promotes career awareness and college preparation.

Students of PPAS were walking and asking around about the majors they are interested in. Senior Abiel Montalvo asked representa-tives about financial aid, Ju-nior Diego Cantu inquired about athletics at the event and Alina Calderon asked about housing options. Some of the universities that were in the Expo were the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, Del Mar College, University of Houston-Victoria, Texas

traditional dishes and three different desserts. “I mostly enjoyed the

chicken flautas from Mexico and the BBQ Ribs from United States,” said Sophomore Rey Garza. The event also included

an entertainment program, where students participat-ed through music and pre-sentations of countries. As the first time, the Interna-tional Banquet had guest students from Texas A&M University–Kingsville (TAMUK). There were two African girls and an Indian girl, who performed a cultural Indian dance. After the banquet, the

sophomore class spon-sored a dance that took place in the Student Union Building (SUB), where all kinds of music from differ-ent countries was played.

The baseball team of Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS) played its first away game against Falfurrias on Monday March 2, 2015 which ended with the vic-tory of Falfurrias, 1-11. “Even though the

score was not close, the guys played the game well due to the effort they put in,” said Hardy Robert-son, baseball coach. Robertson said that

this is the fourth year PPAS baseball team started and the baseball team has been improv-

ing from day one to today even though it lost some of its play-ers who graduated in 2014 the baseball team never lost their hope of becoming the best.“Though we lost the

game, I think that we are improving more and more every day and we hope to get the best out of it in the end,” said Jose Calderon.Robertson said that

Edger Chaidez is one of the players who im-pressed him because of all the good plays he had and all the ef-fort he put in the game.“I tried the best that I

could, though we lost the game and I will con-tinue to do all I can to get our baseball team to victory,” Chaidez said.

The playoffs of the UEFA Champions League began this week with 16 teams.The chosen teams for the playoffs are PSG, Chelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk, Bayern Munich, Ba-sel, Porto, Schalke, Real Madrid, Man. City, Barcelona, Juventus, Borus-sia Dortmund, Ar-senal, Monaco, Leverkusen and At-letico de Madrid.

The first week of games finished and it left one game to play for each team to define the win-ners for the next phase of the UEFA Champions League.The next game for all the teams will be on March 17 and 18.The favorite team to win the cup is FCB but also the Real Madrid had a good game and its a favorite too.The UEFA Cham-

pions League is the most privileged cup in Europe and the winning team is de-voted by the best team in Europe.Also the UEFA Champions League takes place in coun-tries such as France, Portugal, Spain, and Germany.

On March 7, 2015, Presbyterian Pan American School’s (PPAS) Track and Field team had their meet in Bishop. The meet was sup-posed to be in Rivera, but was canceled. “The kids were

working hard and I saw results. The next competition is go-ing to be sprightly and I am looking for improvements in personal best,” said Coach Reili Cantu. At Bishop’s competition, Bishop, H.M. King, Academy and PPAS teams participated.

PPAS established a new school record in 800m at this meet.“I was nervous in

the beginning and tired at the end, but when coach [Cantu]told me that I broke the 800m record, I felt so proud of my-self,” said Sara Men-doza. Senior Ana Vazquez

won second place in the two-mile run. Sophomore Hen-riette Mbawmbaw won second place in 100 and 300-hurdles. Junior Alain Kwiz-era also won second place in shot put. The

relay team of Sara Mendoza, Henriette Mbawmbaw, Vania Jimenez and Rocio Paredes won third place in 4X4. Some of the PPAS run-ners were injured. Other Athletes were sick and didn’t par-ticipate, but were sup-porting and cheering the rest of the team. “It was tough but

I’m glad I could at least finish it. I think the next meet will be hard but I feel con-fident about it be-cause I’ve been train-ing,” said Ariel Lima.

Students in the Principles of Engineering class at PPAS participated in TAMUK’s Engineering Day Event.

Sophomore Jaime Chirinos ready to take off from 1st

to 2nd base .

Photo provided by: Jose Calderon

On February 27, se-lected Presbyterian Pan American School’s stu-dents of the Principal of Engineering class participated in an en-gineering day event at Texas A&M Univer-sity-Kingsville, where according to Juan Pla-cencia, the engineering class teacher; the stu-dents were challenged to work in small teams to create a working vehicle from seem-ingly random items. In the process, students were able to apply their knowledge of fric-

tion, Newton’s 2nd law of motion, and many other theoretical no-tions in order to solve a real-world problem.The students were

challenged to com-pete with others lo-

cal high schools.“I think it was a

great learning expe-rience for our stu-dents,” Placencia said.Placencia also add-

ed that even though

they didn’t qualify, they learned lots of things and it was a really good experi-ence for the students.Senior Grace Han

said she was proud and glad to repre-sent Presbyterian Pan American School. She learned a lot of things and she also had fun.“I was glad I was able to

represent the school and even though we didn’t win, I learned lots of new things,” Han said.Senior Emilio Vasquez

said the engineering day event help him to use his engineering skills.

by Hector GarciaStaff Writer

Photo provided by: Yearbook StaffStudents from Rwanda, from left, Clarisse Bucyana, Keza Bizumuremyi, Serge Dusayidirane, Hope Inema, Brenda Munezero, Manoach Bizumuremyi and Roger Niyongira. Photo by: Hector Garcia

From left, Juniors Alina Calderon, Ana Lopez, Cassandra Vazquez, Salma Lucio and Sarai Lara visit the University

of Houston booth at the Career Expo, held at the J.K. Northway Coliseum on March 6.

A&M University-Kingsville, Costal Bend College, etc.

“I think that it is a great thing that PPAS is doing this every year because I got a lot of information about the university I want to go to,” said Junior Ariel Rivera.

At the Expo, the represen-tatives of each university were giving informational material to the students, and some of them even bags and pens, said Se-nior Arturo Gonzalez.

“Even though I could not find the university I want to go to, I got a lot of information about the major I want,” said Ju-nior Salvador Vasquez.

At the event, the Junior class sponsored the con-cession and sold nachos, hot dogs with chili, chips, water, sodas, candies, Frito pie, etc. and dual credit stu-dents from PPAS helped in the hospitality room.

“I enjoyed helping in the event because it was a good experience and I got to talk to a lot of wise people,” said Senior Emilio Vasquez.

FEATURES & OPINION

School Choir performs in Gonzalesby Ana Karen DavilaStaff Writer

Eagles X-Press Staff: Adviser, Desiree Alegria. Ismael Bartolome, Nerina Cruz, Ana Karen Davila, Isaac Del Rio, Hector Garcia, Juan Hernandez, Miriam Jimenez, Vania Jimenez, Alain Kwiz-era, Sunghoon Kwon, Ana Lopez, Scarlett Saldana.

by Scarlett SaldanaStaff Writer

PPAS student advances to district rotary speech contest by Sung KwonStaff Writer

by Ana LopezStaff Writer

by Miriam JimenezStaff Writer

Seniors visit Nursing Homeby: Ismael BartolomeStaff Writer

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Senior places in Soil & Water Conservation Essay Contest

Young’s Pizza is full of choices, flavor and history

Senior Daniela Tamayo

Photo provided by: Signe Fredrickson

On February 24, 26, and March 7, 2015, Senior Monika Ruiz, from Presby-terian Pan American School (PPAS), com-peted in the Noon and Sunrise Rotary Speech Contest. “The Rotary Speech

Contest is about the four-way tests of hon-esty, fairness, friend-ship, and social ben-efit. The student has to work that out in their life, and prove

it by giving a speech in front of the judges more than five to sev-en minutes, one stu-dent at a time,” said Dr. Doug Dalglish, School President. Ruiz, who repre-

sented PPAS, went against three other students from Kings-ville Independent School District. The first competition was on Tuesday, Febru-ary 24th at Cherry Tree Tea Room for the Kingsville Noon Rotary Club Meeting,

Daniela Tamayo, 17-year-old Senior, has been chosen as student of the month for March at Pres-byterian Pan Ameri-can School (PPAS).Tamayo is from Ca-margo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She was born on July 15, 1997.Daniela is in basket-

ball, track, NHS and Campus Ministry. Her favorite subject is Art.“I feel so honored for

being named student of the month and I hope my parents are proud of me,” Tamayo said.She does not have

a favorite sport, but

she said she likes to run and for hobbies, she likes to listen to music and sleep.Tamayo came to

PPAS because she was curious about it.She doesn’t have a

technique to study, she just does it while listening to music.Tamayo said that she

does not always have

time to have fun and study, but she tries to. She is one of the stu-dents that attends Tex-as A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), where she is enrolled in Analytical Geom-etry. She also attends Coastal Bend College where she takes Eng-lish and Economics.She is planning

to go to University of Houston or Sch-reiner and wants to study Optometry.“I have set myself a

goal and it is to have a career,” Tamayo said.

Presbyterian Pan Ameri-can School (PPAS) Se-nior class went to Kleberg County Nursing and Re-habilitation Home for a community service project. “The nursing home was

a good opportunity to be able to give back part of the community service we do. It makes you appreci-ate life even more and be thankful to. I am glad I was able to attend,” said Senior Andrea Castanon.Senior sponsor Clau-

dia Moreno attended with the students on Feb-ruary 20 and 27, 2015. “This community ser-

vice activity is also a great cultural experience since many of our students have never played bingo before,” Moreno said.Seniors did community

service while interacting with the senior citizens playing bingo and talking to them at the nursing home. “It was a beautiful expe-

rience to have the oppor-tunity to interact with the senior citizens. Most of them were really excited because they do not receive visits often, so having someone to talk was a good for them as well as for us,” said Senior Raisa Santos.Some seniors like to go to

the nursing home because sometimes it reminds them about their grandparents, said Senior Grace Han.“At first, I hesitated be-

cause I did not know what to do, but once I started talking to a lady named Elvira Trevino, it felt like I was talking with my grand-mother and it made me miss her more,” Han said.

Presbyterian Pan Amer-ican School’s Morris Chapel Choir performed in Gonzales on March 1. The Gonzales Presbyte-rian Church invited the Morris Chapel Choir to sing at their Sunday ser-vice, said Choir Direc-tor Joe Garcia. Garcia said that one of the main purposes of the choir trip is to promote the school and to raise fu-ture funds for the school.Two songs were per-

formed at the service, “We Will Worship the Lord” by Williams and Martin and “We Thank You Lord” by Angerman and Martin.Members of the choir

had the opportunity to

have lunch with the mem-bers of this Church. Junior Lisset Campuzano said that the people were very friendly and that they all thanked the choir mem-bers for being with them. “There was a lot

of food. It was deli-

cious. I loved the des-sert,” Campuzano said.Members of the choir

were working very hard to have the songs ready for the performance,Garcia said that they put

a lot of effort into it. They practiced every Monday

during choir class and reinforcing with extra re-hearsals on Wednesdays and Fridays, Garcia said. “We all gave everything

in this performance be-cause we love to praise God,” said Sopho-more Juan Vazquez. The service initiated and

ended with a special per-formance, a trio of a piano and two violins, played by Magdiel Alaniz, Miso Lee, and Ismael Bar-tolome, Garcia added. Pianist Miso Lee said

that the people at the Church thanked her for the special per-formance and really enjoyed the music. “It is good that

God has given us tal-ented people in the school,” Vazquez said.

Dinning at the restau-rant, “Young’s Pizza,” home of the infamous “Texicali,” was a new and exciting experi-ence. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 pm. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Fri-day & Saturday and closed on Sunday. It is located at 625 W Santa Gertrudis St.The place is sim-

ple, yet vibrant, but the food is without a doubt--awesome. The food has a spe-

cial taste and the choices are endless

Gina Lozano, 18 years old Senior at Presbyteri-an Pan American School (PPAS) competed in an essay contest sponsored by the Kleberg-Kenedy County Soil and Water Conservation District. “In the essay I de-

scribed how soil and wa-ter get contaminated by humans,” Lozano said.She received 5th place.

PPAS teachers Yvonne Garza and Robin Harkey, helped her in her par-ticipation in the contest. “It is so rewarding

to see students, such as Georgina, perform well in competition. I am so very proud of her,” Harkey said. Yvonne Garza, PPAS

teacher said that Lo-zano did an outstand-ing job with her essay and also Lozano made great points that really focused on the topic. On February 24, the

Kleberg-Kenedy County organized an Annual Conservation Awards Banquet at Dick Kle-berg Park for students that won a placed in the essay contest about Soil and Water Con-servation. Harkey and Garza accompanied

her to the banquet.“I never thought I would

win something because I did it the night before in a rush. I just wanted the grade,” Lozano said.Lozano was award-

ed a plaque along with the other five placed participants.“Gina really proved that

our students can compete with the best and place in the top. There were 247 essays submitted, and the judges are very picky. Gina was very shy and embarrassed to be rec-ognized for her achieve-ment, but she needs to be extremely proud of her-self. I not only speak for myself but for all of Gi-na’s teachers when I say I am extremely proud of her,” Garza said.

where Ruiz received 1st place. The second

in Corpus Christi. “I was very proud

of her [Ruiz] hard work and determina-tion in writing her speech. At the com-petition, she present-ed her speech with great passion and confidence. So, I look forward to see her compete at the Dis-trict competition and I have very high hope for her,” Said Rick Saenz, speech and theatre arts teacher.

Photo provided by: PPAS FB

Class Treasurer namedStudent of the Month

so hopefully your stomach is as well. Customers can

choose from sand-wiches, pizza, wings, patooties, soups, salad and desserts. The list goes on and there are many differ-ent varieties of each. The restaurant is

comfortable and of-fers many tables and areas to sit, includ-ing a small second floor, big enough for a group of about 10.The service was ex-

ceptional from the be-ginning when custom-ers order their meal at the front counter. Drinks are self-serve. Photos by: Miriam Jimenez

Pictured is a 9’inch Ponderosa Pizza and the

Sandwich menu at Young’s Pizza.

competition was on Thursday, February

26th at Linda’s Cafe for Sunrise Rotary Contest, which Ruiz won 1st place in the contest once again.“I felt proud of my-

self because I had never participated in a speech contest be-fore, nor winning the contest,” Ruiz said. An area competi-

tion took place on Saturday, March 7th at Coastal Bend College. She placed 1st, allowing her to advance to Dis-trict on March 28th

Now, the food or-der takes time, but is well worth the wait.My lunch order con-

sisted of spicy wings with ranch dressing, and a drink. The fla-vor was undeniable. One of the best things

about this restaurant was that it has a unique taste. All the food in general has a special flavor. The wings had a special spicy taste, and even though they were spicy, I wanted more. Desserts such as

cheese cake, fruit topping, tres leches cake, aunt aggie de’s pralines, and frozen yogurt were options

Photo by: Scarlett Saldana

The Morris Chapel Choir performed at First Presybyterian Church in Gonzales at the beginning of March.

for “sweet tooths.” I also liked that visi-

tors were allowed to write their name on the restaurant walls, giving the establish-ment a personal touch. Since this was al-lowed, the walls were covered in colorful names and signatures. Young’s Pizza is

a great restaurant with excellent food, a comfortable at-mosphere and a his-tory in Kingsville.

From left, PPAS School President Dr. Doug Dalglish, Senior Monika Ruiz and School Principal Ellie Perez.

Photo provided by: Ellie PerezFrom left, Teacher Yvonne Garza, Senior Gina Lozano and Teacher Robin Harkey.