ELK Express - Stratford ISD

Volume 11, Issue 5
ELK Express
April 19, 2016
Thai Students Share Sights, Food, Fun of Their Country
They Wish SHS Could Experience
Baitong
Waan
The island of Mu Koh Petra in The Indian Ocean
where we could go diving or snorkeling.
We could eat papaya salad, every imaginable type of seafood,
and other delicious Thai food.
We wish you could go to Songkran. It’s a day of respect . We visit
older people to pay our respect. Then we have water fights all day
and a concert at night.. It is so much fun!
We would go to see the beautiful Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok .
Since we have been in Stratford, these are the things we have
experienced for the first time:
Chick-Fil-A (the best!)
Thanksgiving
Go to church
Go to a football game
Mexican food
St. Patrick’s Day
Christmas
Work on a school newspaper
Compete in UIL Academics
Snow
Fun Fact
Thai Trivia—The full name of our capital ‘Bangkok’ is Krung Thep
At the Maesa Elephant Camp in Chiangmai, we can
ride elephants and play with them.
Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok
Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan
Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit
Issue 5, page 2
Junior Spotlight Daniela Reyes
Daniela Reyes is the daughter of
Ramiro Reyes and Susana Robles,
She has three sisters Erika Robles,
Angelica Reyes and Yahaira
Reyes and one brother Ramiro
Reyes.
Daniela’s pet peeve is “when people act like there better than others.”
Someone she admires is her mom
because “She’s a strong ,hard working woman who never gives up
and does everything to make us
happy.”
A few hobbies Daniela enjoys are
eating, running and watching
Netflix.
The three adjectives that Daniela
thinks best describe her are”
moody, funny, and hard-working.”
Her favorite quote is “Be grateful
for the good times and keep the
faith during the bad times. Stay
positive when life gives you every
reason to be negative.”
Most teachers would be surprised
to know that “I won’t do homework until an hour before the class
or a day before.”
Something Daniela is passionate
about is trying to make close
friends or family happy before
making herself happy.
Someone she would like to meet is
Vin Diesel, “it would be nice to
meet my future boyfriend.”
A trivia fact about Daniela is
“My mood can change in .001 seconds by something you say or do.”
Senior Spotlight: Lizeth Ibarra
Lizeth Ibarra is the daughter of Analilia Robles
and Ignacio Ibarra. She has four sisters Alondra
Zapata, Lilibeth Ibarra, Natali Zapata and Aby
Ibarra and two brothers Tachito Ibarra and Jose
Zapata.
Lizeth's pet peeve is “when people smack gum.”
Someone Lizeth admires is her grandmother,
"She's the strongest person I've ever known.”
A hobby she enjoys is listening to music.
Three words that Lizeth believes best describe
her are “determined, open -minded, and persistent.”
Her favorite quote is, “Nothing will ever be
more important than the relationship you have
with God today.”
Most teachers would be surprised to know that
she loves math.
Something Lizeth is passionate about is, “My
country and my family.”
Someone she would like to meet is author David Marin “He is a loving and caring person, he
did everything in his power to help three little
kids.”
Most people don’t know that she loves riding
horses.
Issue 5, page 3
Spring Banquet Schedule
SHS Welcomes New Student
April 16th -Prom, 7p.m.
Anna Maria Campos, a
May 9th-FFA Banquet, 7p.m.
sophomore, transferring
from Texhoma.
May 10 -Band Banquet, 7p.m.
May 17th - Athletic Banquet, 7p.m.
May 19th -Scholastic Banquet, 7p.m.
Checklist for Graduating Seniors
If the cap fits, wear it.
Vanessa Barajas helps Alex Sanchez adjust her cap
Happy to be seniors. (L to R) Stephanie Olmos, Paola Vasquez, Alex
Sanchez, Francisco Ramirez, Aylin Jacquez and Vanessa Barajas are all
smiles in their graduation gowns.

Complete and send FAFSA form (ASAP) (colleges will not give financial aid without this) ____

Apply to college(s), tech or trade school ( if you haven't already.)_____

Visit the School(s) in which you are interested. ____

Register now for ACT if you haven’t taken it. _____

Check college costs at your chosen school (s)________

Prepare a list of friends and relatives for graduation invitations. ________

Order invitations and mail 1 month prior to graduation.________

Order or buy thank you notes.________

Look for graduation clothing and shoes. ________

Check with counselor to make sure all high school documents are complete and final transcript
will be sent to your school. __________
Issue 5, page 4
Bucket List for High School
(top ten things you should do while you’re in high school)
1.
Get your driver’s license. (You will need it for college or a job.)
2.
Go to prom at least once. (Whether you love it or hate it, you’ll never have another chance).
3.
Be involved in something . (Sports, band, newspaper, yearbook, FCCLA, of FFA; you’ll be a
part of something bigger than yourself)
4.
Save some money (You’ll need it for college, a car, or relocating)
5.
Volunteer for something. (Volunteer work is not only great for resumes and college scholarships but also makes you more aware of others.)
6.
Go on the senior trip. (You’ll never get another chance to vacation with your class)
7.
Take and print pictures of your friends and fun times to preserve your memories.
8.
Cultivate a good relationship with your teachers and principal. (They are the ones who write
recommendations for scholarships or jobs)
9.
Get fit. (Bad eating habits and lack of exercise not only affect the way you look but your
health in the future.)
10. Learn to get along with others who are different from you. (This is a part of life at college and on the job. Learn how now)
Paola Vasquez shows
her driver’s license , a
must-have before you
graduate.
Ruben Gonzales, Mrs. Hudson, and
Daniela Valdez look over an assignment. Good teacher relationships
are important.
Counting Minutes Makes Longer School Days, More Holidays
Texas is now letting schools
add up the extra minutes of
class time each day until there
are enough extra minutes to
equal a school day.
That’s good news to students
and teachers alike who will
have more days off next year.
Using the new minutes formula will make it possible for
Stratford schools to have two
new student holidays—
Columbus Day in October and
Presidents Day in February.
For more details, the new
calendar is posted on
www.stratfordisd.net. Click on
2016-17 District Calendar.
School Holidays 2016-2017
Labor Day—Sept. 5
Columbus Day— Oct. 5
Thanksgiving—Nov .23Nov 27
Christmas –Dec. 21-Jan 3
Blake Rios (l) and Jaime Jacquez
celebrate the new school holidays
for the 2015-2016 school year.Columbus Day and Presidents Day.
May 16
Snow day
No school
Presidents Day—Feb.20
Spring Break -March11Mar 19
Easter—April 14 –April 16
Special Days
Junior High Graduation May 25
High School Graduation
May 26
Freshman Spotlight Heber Fierro
IIssue 5, page 5
Heber is the son of Patricia Acosta and Francisco Fierro. He Heber would most like to meet Johnny Depp, “Because he
has one brother, Gerardo Fierro.
plays in my favorite movie, ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ and
because he’s funny.”
His pet peeve is “when people smack their gum.”
Something most people wouldn’t know about Heber is his
The person Heber most admires is “My dad because he is
middle name is Fernando, and his nickname is “Gato”.
the funniest and the smartest person I know.”
Some of his hobbies are playing football and basketball
with friends.
Three words Heber would use to describe himself are,
“quiet, funny, and smart.”
Heber’s favorite quote is “Once they see you’re doing
better without them, that’s when they want you back.” Wiz Khalifa
His teachers would be surprised to know, “I’ve been to a
Royals game in Kansas City.”
He’s passionate about what he’s going to do in the future.
Sophomore Spotlight Brookelin Langston
care what other people think. She’s herself and that’s what
matters.”
Her hobbies include eating, laughing, being with horses,
and riding horses, even though she doesn't get to often.
Three words that Brookelin thinks describes her are, sarcastic, shy, and loud.
Brookelin’s favorite quote is, “We humans have only limited patience for reality.” - Atticus
Her teachers would be surprised to know , “I don’t like
getting up and talking in front of a lot of people.”
She is passionate about music, “It’s my number one go –
to.”
Brookelin is the daughter of Theron and Rhonda McCammond. She has one sister, Linzee Langston, who is in the
fifth grade.
Her pet peeve is when people don’t mind their own business.
Brookelin admires, “My Aunt Cecily because she doesn’t
Brookelin would most like to meet The Weekend,
“Because he has some of the greatest music there is, and
he is an amazing artist. “
An interesting fact about Brookelin is she used to barrel
race when she lived in Arkansas.
Pictures you thought you’d never see (in print)
Elk Express Bloopers
Issue 5, page 7
Canine Characters, ‘Pooch”analities
Have you ever wondered what breed of dog you would be if you were
a canine? The Elk Express went to the website www.whatdog.net to
find these interesting creatures.
A new gas station/convenience store is being built
in Stratford. What fast food restaurant would you
like to be in the new store?
Chick-fil-A– Norma Ruiz, Mrs.Wyatt, Shari Hudson, Gage
Brooks
McDonalds– Keyci Lopez, Adrian Acosta, Aylin Jacquez,
Jaime Jacquez
Wendy’s– Agustina Eizmendi
Schlotzky’s– Rabecca Couch
Pembroke Welsh Corgi–
Active and loving, bold, willful nature, smart and sassy.
Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel– Gentle, affectionate companion, energetic, sweet tempered.
What-A-Burger– Daniela Reyes
Donut Shop— Jorge Ramirez
Sonic— Mrs.Carthel, Raeleigh Willborn
Buffalo Wild Wings— Blake Griffin
Hooters— Juan C Camberos
Chipotle— Erik Ruiz
Pizza Hut—Nicolle Law
Doberman Pinscher– Powerful instinct to protect,
intelligent, courageous
Labrador-Gets along with just
about everyone, strong , active, gentle and eager to please
Students Compete in Art Contest
Fourteen art students or Eric Ruiz competed in the
annual OPSU Art Jubilee.
The students each exhibited 2-3 original art pieces in
a variety of mediums and subject matter.
Rottweiler—Loves its
family, protective, bigboned, well muscled.
English Cocker Spaniel—
Outgoing, needs to be told
and told again, athletic
Dutch Shepherd Smart, athletic, independent -minded.
Tibetan Spaniel— Vocal,
independent, assertive and
watchful.
The contest is an annual event and attracts high
school students from Oklahoma and Texas.
Esperanza Hernandez shows her Pencil and
Charcoal drawing she exhibited at OPSU.
Issue 5, page
Thumbs Up To...

The Lady Elks– Bi-district basketball champs

The Elks– Area basketball champs, advancing to regional tournament.

Levi Springer– Advancing to state in vocal solo and ensemble contest.

The Administration– Providing spirit bus for students to area basketball game and regional tournament.

Coach Keener and Rudy Salazar– For their willingness to drive
student buses to playoff games

SHS Student Body– Best fans ever! (Student cheering section
praised by Channel 7 Sports News at Amarillo playoff game. )

The Big Blue Band—For winning Sweepstakes in this year’s band
competition!

The One –Act Play - for advancing to area competition
Levi Springer goes over the music for his
state vocal solo and ensemble contest.
Making A Grand Exit -Senior band members pose with
their sweepstakes trophy. (l to r) Orlando Mayorya,
Chesney Rendon, Juan Cambreros, Vanessa Barajas, Tommie Long, Monica Reyes, Paola Vasquez, Kelsey Pickens,
Alexie Wright, Julian Lincoln, and Kevin Hernandez
Academic Brains Reign at District UIL Meet
Erika Lopez goes
over her notes before the Social Studies contest.
Regional Qualifiers—( l to r) Waan Wongsopanakul–
Number Sense, Alexie Wright—Headlines and Spelling,
Sidney Turner—Ready Writing , Natalia Niave –Spelling,
Ty Hess—Biology, Nicolle Law—Spelling, Noah Harris—
Poetry, Laynee Burr—Spelling, and Kory Punch - L/D
Debate.
Senior Alexie Wright was
SHS’s high-point individual
at the UIL Academic District Meet, taking first
place in Headlines, first in
team spelling and 4th
place in Editorial Writing.
Waan Wongsopanankul
finds her name on the
winners list posted at
the UIL Academic Contest.