Presbyterian Pan American School

December 3, 2017 •VOLUME 15 • ISSUE 2• KINGSVILLE, TX 78363

Eagle X-Press

Money raised for earthquake reliefby Paulina LongoriaStaff Writer

Lady Eagles soccer plays first game

by Mayra GalvanStaff Writer

Eagles basketball starts posting up

Staff Writerby Yuridia Esponoza

by Camila ArjonaStaff Writer

Pan Am hosts Christmas banquet Once Upon A Teen held on campus

PPAS joins in Operation Christmas Childby Ana Karen SantiagoStaff Writer

The “Los Cansecos” team was the winner of the volley-ball tournament.

PPAS held its annual Christmas banquet and gift ex-change on Satuday, Dec. 2.

From left, Leslie Canales and Ashley Canales browse through clothing at Once Upon A Teen.

Photo provided by: FB

Every year, Presby-terian Pan American School (PPAS) students organize a Christmas Banquet and Chapel Service with the help of staff and adminis-tration. The event will take place on Decem-ber 2nd. The chapel service will feature mu-sic from the choir and praise band as well as special performances. Paulina Boudesocque,

and Paulina Longo-ria will sing “O Holy Night,” accompa-nied by Omar Ortiz and Esteban Gon-zales on the guitar.“I’ve been wanting

to participate during the Christmas Service since I was a sopho-more. I figured since I’m a senior this is

my year to do it,” Boudesocque said.The sophomore class

is officially in charge of the Banquet; how-ever other organiza-tions also take part in the event. This event takes a lot of time and preparation, sopho-

more class president, 16-year-old Natasha Day mentioned that her class has been work-ing on this project since early November. “The Sophomore

class has been work-ing hard for this, you can expect a lot of blue

On November 11, 2017, members from West Plano Presbyterian Church & First Presbyterian Church sponsored and organized a pre-loved clothing sale in the Student Union Build-ing at Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS).

“It is always enjoyable to get new clothes, but is is more enjoyable when the entire school is there getting new clothes as well,” said Junior Esteban Gonzalez.

“Once Upon A Teen” is the name of this event. Stu-dents like Senior Aneida Flores praise “Once Upon A Teen” for its unique way

Last week, On Novem-ber 9, Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS) boys basketball team competed against Alamo Macedonia in Hidalgo. Even though the Eagles lost the game, they ended up with a score of, 40–43. Joshua Karangwa,

scored the first basket and gained the first two points for the Eagles team. “We are improving ev-

ery day at every practice. It doesn’t matter if we lose or win because we play for God and for our-selves,” said Senior Carlo Lopez (shooting guard). The team is lead by two

senior captains, Chang-Hee Han and Karangwa. “If you give your all, a

win will feel deserved and a loss won’t hold regret,” said Oliver Iracheta. The Eagles boys basketball team is preparing for their next game on Novem-ber 20 in Raymondville Our team is working

hard, and showing im-

provement at every prac-tice, and the captains show support to the new players that want to lear more of this sport, that will create more experi-ences for them, and show them how to work together as a team, Iracheta said.

The girls soccer team played their first game against Incarnate Word Academy at Presby-terian Pan Ameri-can School (PPAS) on Friday, Novem-ber 10 and lost, 4-0.“We fought hard against a very good team, our de-fense was good, but we need to work on communica-tion and spread-ing the field,” said Coach Reili Cantu. Their next game is expected to be against

Oratory Academy on November 30, 2017.“It was a good game, our teammates gave their best in the field, yet we need to learn from our mistakes, then with hard team work we are going to succeed,” said Cap-

tain Saida Castrellon. The girls accept theirs mistakes as good soc-cer players, and they are going to work hard in the next soc-cer game as a team.“It was pretty good even though we lost, but we gave our best, also we received a lot of support from the students that made us feel better,” said Sophomore Helena Walton. The girls soccer team is im-proving and getting ready for the season by training everyday.

On Friday Nov. 10, the Campus Ministry orga-nized a volleyball tour-nament with the purpose of raising money as an earthquake relief for the recent September earth-quake in Mexico. The idea emerged from the Campus Ministry ac-tivities’ leaders, Seniors’ Ana Quiroga and Saida Castrellon who wanted to create a fun activity that would get involved all the school commu-nity and that would raise a fair amount of money for earthquake relief. The volleyball tourna-

ment consisted of two different categories, the Ultimate Team and the Friends’ Cup. While the Friends Cup was cho-sen randomly for stu-dents who just wanted to participate and have fun, the Ultimate Team was more competi-tive with teams com-posed of six players

chosen by the students.The winners of the Ul-

timate Team were Los Cansecos team, they had a tight competition, but at the end they were able to beat the last team. “I believe that anything can happen when you work as a team,” said Sopho-more Fidel Canseco.Campus Ministry

raised over 200 dollars for this cause and the money will be sent to

Presbyterian Assistance in Mexico to help in the earthquake relief. “We had a great outcome and with this activity. Many students partici-pated and some even donated money without being part of the tour-nament,” Quiroga said. “We would be glad to

make another activity that would help a com-munity in need,” said Pastor Tucker-Motley.

PPAS’ Campus Ministry put together shoe boxes with gifts for children for Christmas.

SeniorChanghee Han shoots a freethrow during a home game.

Photo provided by:PPAS FB

The Lady Eagles soccer team took on Incarnate

Word Academy at PPAS.

Presbyterian Pan Ameri-can School’s (PPAS) Cam-pus Ministry held its first “Operation Christmas Child” on November 10.

This project had the pur-pose of providing Christmas gifts to children around the world to show them there is a God that loves them, ac-cording to Samaritan’s Purse

“‘Operation Christmas Child’ is a great opportu-nity to help those in need; by sending Christmas gifts to children around the world we demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way,” said 17-year-old Se-nior Ana Cecilia Quiroga.

The school’s pastor and director of spiritual life, Rebekah Tucker-Motley, coordinated this proj-ect to involve PPAS stu-dents in the process.

“It’s great to see the whole school participate, work-ing together on something that benefits other peo-ple,” Tucker-Motley said.

Students, organizations, clubs, and classes supported this cause by buying a box (or more) and putting items

together for a gender and age group of their choice.

“I think the meaning of Christmas is to show care for others and this proj-ect is doing that, showing them how important they are to us,” said 18-year-old Senior Lizeth Mireles.

by Elian GarzaStaff Writer

of getting students togeth-er while giving them the chance to get something new for their wardrobe.

“Even though this is my last year, I hope next generations can have this,” Flores said.

Even though it might look as if the clothes do-nated by the different Pres-byterian Churches are the main part of “Once Upon a Teen,” Senior José Luis Sanchez said otherwise.

“Now that I have felt what receiving feels like, I want to make oth-er people feel the same way,” Sanchez said.

Students inducted into NHSby Joshua KarangwaStaff Writer

Lady Eagles basketball season begins

by Eulalia VelazquezStaff Writer

The National Honor Society (NHS) induction is a ceremonial event in which students recognized for outstanding academic achievements, leadership abilities, communal par-ticipation, as well as good character, are inaugurated as members of this student body.The 2017 Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS) NHS induction will take place at the Harte Center on December 1, 2017. The ceremony will be directed by Principal Ellie Perez, and facilitated by current NHS members as well as NHS Sponsor Hardy Robertson. Every year, nominated students receive a nomination letter inviting them to apply. The application process requires a submission of various prerequisites including an essay responding to a question provided with the nomination letter. Following the annual NHS tradition, the names of the selected students will be kept se-cret until the event when current NHS members will walk to the student being inducted and present a yellow rose representing welcoming of the student into the NHS. “I am looking forward to recognizing students for their hard work and dedication and partnering with them to serve our community,” said NHS President Ana Karen Santiago

The girls basket-ball team from Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS) has already started the season. The coach for the year is Selina Tijerina. On November 9, they competed against Alamo Macedonia

Christian Academy in Hidalgo County and lost with a score of, 22 to 53. “They have had some games and the most recent one was on No-vember 9. The girls did a great job. They played as a team and com-municated. We have a young team but I see a

lot of potential for this team,” Tijerina said. I was excited, I really wanted to play, said Paulina Boudesocque 17-year-old senior. On November 20, the team will have another game at Lasara High School at 5:30 p.m.

Photo provided by: Lizeth Mireles

Photo provided by:PPAS FB

and traditional Christ-mas decorations in the cafeteria,” Day said. During the Secret

Santa gift exchange ran by Student Council, students will randomly pick out the name of a student and buy them a Christmas present. The student can re-main anonymous or they can reveal them-selves when it is time to present the gifts during the banquet. “Last year it was a

wonderful experience to see all the students in Panam acting like a real family,” said Nicholas Garcia, Stu-dent Council treasurer. The Christmas ban-

quet is an annual event filled with community and worship for PPAS students and faculty.

Photo provided by: PPAS FB

FEATURES & OPINION

Students participate in Christmas card art contest

by Oscar BugarinStaff Writer

Eagles X-Press Staff: Adviser, Desiree Alegria. Miriam Jimenez. Michelle Day. Isaac Del Rio. Perla Ahumada. Oscar Bugarin. Michelle Kim. Karen Santiago. Camila Arjona. Paulina Longoria. Miel Lee. Jesus Galvan. Joshua Karangwa. Jack Lee. Mayra Galvan. Tania Acevedo. Yuridia Espinoza. Rodrigo Chapa. Elian Garza. Eulalia Velazquez.

by Perla AhumadaStaff Writer

School ambassdors travel to San Marcosby Michelle Kim

Staff Writer

by Rodrigo ChapaStaff Writer

by Miel LeeStaff Writer

Choir performs in San Marcos

by Tania AcevedoStaff Writer

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Campus Presidents named

Students of the Month

Annual Fall Luncheon took place at PPAS

This year, artwork submitted by Nicole Pierzo, Natalia Pérez, Nicolle Arévalo, and Andrea Martinez will be

featured on the PPAS Christmas cards.

Photo provided by: PPAS FB

Seniors Miriam Jimenez (l) and Oliver Iracheta

were named Student of the Month.

From November 4 to November 5, 2017, Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS) ambassa-dors traveled to First Presbyterian Church in San Marcos to worship and minute for mission. Minute for Mission is the story of life at PPAS.“An ambassador is

a student chosen to represent the school and go out to the com-munity,” said Pas-tor Tucker- Motley.

This time the ambas-sadors represented PPAS at San Marcos.

Photo by: Rodrigo Chapa

Each year, Presby-terian Pan Ameri-can School (PPAS) hosts a Christmas Banquet with din-ner and a choir performance. An-other activity that evening is the school-wide stu-dent gift exchange. “We are the ones

that wrap the gifts for the people that need it the most,” said Student Coun-cil Vice-President Jesus Galvan.Student Council is

in charge of helping the students wrap

their gifts, which helps both the stu-dent body and the organization.Choices and pric-

es are displayed for the students to choose from.“Christmas Wrap-

ping is a tedious

fundraiser, how-ever at the end Stu-dent Council feels proud knowing that all of this mon-ey go for a good cause,” said Ath-letic Representa-tive Oliver Iracheta.Diane Garcia

who is the Student Council sponsor in charge of gift wrapping said it is important to have well wrapped gifts.“The purpose of

Christmas Wrap-ping is to make everyone’s heart smile like a child, and feel spe-cial,” Garcia said.

On November 12, 2017, the Choir of Pres-byterian Pan American School (PPAS), directed by Joe L. Garcia, Choir Director, attended the choir performance in San Marcos at First Presbyterian Church. “It’s an experience in

which you see how de-voted they are, you don’t just learn the songs, you learn how much they love God,” said Almi Cabanzo, 14-year old-

sophomore. For some of them this year is the last year in Choir, “Being part of choir in

my last year here at Pan Am means a lot. I have lived a lot of experienc-es this past three years,” said Angela Rivera, 18-year-old Senior. This is the last year for

some of the people in choir such as Rivera and it is also the first year to be in choir for Cabanzo.

During the holidays, students at Presby-terian Pan American School (PPAS) design a Christmas card and participate in a contest. Every year students

who have Arts par-ticipate in this contest.The winners this year

were Sophomores Na-talia Pérez and Nicolle Arévalo, Freshmen Andrea Martinez and Nicole Pierzo.The winners will go

out of school to eat with Josh Perkins, art teacher.The school uses the

cards to be the official school’s Christmas card to send off campus. “I felt really proud

with myself, I didn’t expect to win but I’m really happy I

did,” said Freshman Andrea Martinez.On back of the Christ-

mas card, people who receive it can find a biography of the winning students.“The feeling of Christ-

mas and how I can be related to it with one of the most important aspects of it made me draw the three wise men helping me to share the spirit of Christmas with

others,” said Sopho-more Nicolle Arévalo. Art students for next

year already have an idea of what the judges expect for next year.“Sharing the feeling of

Christmas with others is something that might bring joy to other peo-ple as the students of PPAS wanted to do with these cards,” said Fresh-men Nicole Pierzo.Since students at PPAS

make this card with dif-ferent techniques, any student can have the opportunity as these girls did this year.“I think that showing

what Christmas means to me, can help other people to feel the same way as I do when Christ-mas comes,” said Soph-omore Natalia Pérez.

The Annual Fall Luncheon took place at Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS) on Novem-ber 22, 2017 in Harte Center. The freshmen class organized this event, including dec-orating and clean up.President of the

freshmen class Elim Lee said she was re-ally excited to have such an event like this. Every fresh-man worked hard in their assigned work to have this

Miriam Jimenez, 17 year-old senior, has been chosen as the student of the month for October at Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS). “I feel proud being men-

tioned student of the month. I think all those hard mo-ments I spent during this years helped me to always give my best and to never give up,” Jimenez said.During her four years at

PPAS, she formed part of cross country, girls soccer, track and is captain of girls soccer and track & field.“It’s been hard to have

many schools responsi-bilities and at the same time being in sports, but my feeling to do incred-ible things was bigger than my excuses,” Jimenez said.Jimenez was class repre-

sentatives as vice president in her freshman year and she is a member of student council since her sopho-

more. She is currently the Campus Ministry Council (CMC) Treasurer and Stu-dent Council President.“Being president of student

council is a big responsibil-ity, I feel proud to be part of an amazing organiza-tion, which its purpose is to seek a better student life and be the voice of the students,” Jimenez said. After graduating from

PPAS, she is planning to study physical therapy at Sam

Houston State University.Oliver Iracheta, 17 year-old

senior has been chosen as the student of the month for No-vember at Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS). “I feel very proud and

I’m impacted because af-ter all the hard work that I have day by day I never thought I will be named as the student of the month. My parents will be proud of me and I’m enthusiasm to tell them,” Iracheta said.He participates in many

sports including cross coun-try, basketball, baseball, track and field, cheerleader and this year in Soccer as a captain.“I’m a person active physi-

cally and represent my school, country, community. As an athlete, it is an honor for me and whenever I step on the field, court or track, I try to give my best to honor ev-eryone else that helped me to be where I am,” Iracheta said.He is current-

ly the 4H president.

“I love interacting with people out of Pan Am and knowing

Photo provided by: PPAS FBPPAS Ambassadors traveled to First Presbyterian

Church in San Marcos.

Student council offers gift wrapping

event before the Thanksgiving break. Lee said that it was hard to put ev-

eryone to work but, she tried her best. “I felt like we had little time and

many things to do,” Lee said.

Nicole Pierzo, fresh-men at PPAS, attend-ed the luncheon. She said she had great time at the event and preparing for it. Freshmen Jona-

than Velazquez who helped prepare for the luncheon said that all their [fresh-men] hard work was worth it because everybody seemed to enjoy the event. All students, fac-

ulty & staff were invited to attend.

Photo provided by: Miel Lee

Students and staff had a Fall Luncheon Nov. 21.

more about them,” said 16-year-old Ju-nior Hope Shobha. Each of the ambas-

sadors shared their personal experi-ences with the mem-bers of the church. We ate and wor-

shipped, said Ju-nior Yuli Chen. A m b a s s a d o r s

were also given a tour of Texas State University.Now, PPAS am-

bassadors are pre-paring for the next trip to Houston.

From left, Seniors Paulina Longoria & Aneida Flores help with gift wrapping.

Photo provided by:PPAS FB

Veterans Day recognized at PPASby Jesus GalvanStaff Writer

Poetry competition heldby Jack LeeStaff Writer

A poetry competition was held at Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS) on November 21, 2017 in the Harte Center. Each poetry team in Reading II class will present their po-etry in front of the whole school. Furthermore, the winner of the contest will get the time to have lunch with English I and II Teacher Rebecca Perkins. “Every year, many teams try to be winner of poetry, and a lot of teams show good quality of work. So

this year, I also expect good quality of poetry and I expect them to memorize well on their poetry,” Perkins said. Through all the poetry, I can learn the importance of teamwork and also get confidence on speech by this competition, said Sophomore Luis Chirinos.Also, I think the hardest part of preparing poem was com-bining the each one’s poem, each one has different opin-ion and feeling. I think the key point of making good poetry was communicat-ing well with the teammate, said Junior Christian Pena.

Photo provided by: Perla Ahumada

The Choir performed at First Presbyterian Church in San Marcos.

On November 8, an assembly in honor of Veteran’s day was held at Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS) at the school’s dining hall. It is an annual event where veterans visit the school to have lunch with the students of PPAS.“The school invites veterans to show that we support them and are thankful for their service for our country,” said History Teacher Joshua Perkins.A presentation was given by Senior Salvador Vazquez and his classmates, Juniors Jocelyn Vazquez, and Tri-ana Hinojosa. “This event is made to make awareness of the sacri-fice soldiers do for the United States and the rest of the world,” Vazquez said.The event was organized by Principal Ellie Perez, and the food was cooked by the dining hall staff, coordinated by Dining Hall Director Marlene Zamora. “The purpose of bringing veterans to the school is to honor them in our house, rewarding them for their sacrifice with a meal,” Zamora said.