Lachu Adhikari and Jamon Sanders taking pictures of Garinger High school in the school parking lot for the Garinger garden news story for PBS January 4, 2018. Photo by Donato Castrejon.
By Donato Castrejon
Charlotte, N.C January 4, 2018 – Garinger High School is participating in the PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs program, to connect middle schools and high school students with public media stations to produce original, reliable, youth-focused news reports.
Students are able to broadcast content on the national NewsHour site and the nightly broadcast along with teachers ensuring that they help the program leaders create curriculum for the young people to be more engaged with news and public affairs, making sure young voices are active in conversations pertaining serious issues involving the nation.
“It’s simply fantastic. It gives students real world experience, it’s hands on and they get to report about issues important to them. I appreciate Jeff Sonier from WTVI for mentoring the students. It’s rare that students have the opportunity to work side by side with a professional journalist”, said a Garinger English teacher Michele Lemere, who applied for the program and is implementing it in her her fourth period journalism class.
A lot of the students who are active in the program are very interested about it. “I feel very excited, I feel like I have special privileges”, said junior Jamon Sanders. “I feel like you get to learn a lot of things and learn something new,” said a senior named Lachu Adhikari.
Christmas (Día de Navidad) is a popular holiday celebrated in Puerto Rico. Christmas celebrations in Puerto Rico begin in early December and continues until almost February. The holiday is celebrated by joyous music and with family and friends and by consuming large amounts of food. In Puerto Rico the majority of people go on Parrandas (caroling). Three Kings’ Day is basically a second Christmas Day for the people of Puerto Rico. Many cities in Puerto Rico host festivals and parades on Three Kings’ Day to celebrate the event. Three men will dress as the three kings and give out gifts to children. All in all, Christmas in Puerto Rico is all about spending time with family and friends and enjoying each other company.
Garinger veterans pictured, from left: Science teacher Robert Long (Air Force), technology teacher Benny Neely (Navy), Security associates Anthony Agrinsoni (Army National Gard), Maurice McPherson (Army) and Pedro Estrella (Army), JROTC instructor Jacqueline Thomas (Army), English teacher Dietrich Singleton (Navy), and JROTC instructors Bruce Vinson (Army) and Elmore Brown (Army.)
From left, Claudia Martinez, Jasia Saunders, Mia Mitchell, and Marina Hernandez made it to the finals for the Army JROTC Leadership Bowl. Not pictured: Ashley Littlejohn. PHOTO BY ANDY SANDOVAL.
By: Andy Sandoval
The Garinger JROTC team who consist of Marina Hernandez, Jasia Saunders, Ashley Littlejohn, Mia Mitchell and Claudia Martinez outperformed 1,320 JROTC units in order to compete in the finals for the National Army JROTC Leadership Bowl in an all expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.
Leadership Teams selected to participate in the leadership Championship (JLAB) should have a solid working knowledge of leadership principles and classroom applications. Forty four – member teams earned the opportunity to participate in the Leadership Championship on the basis of their knowledge of the JROTC curriculum, their leadership skills and academics.
The team had to overcome many complex obstacles such as ensuring the team consisted of the proper grade level, leadership and the desire in order to qualify. Due to inclement weather, our team was deprived of a week’s worth of studying and practicing in preparation for the test that was due. They said their greatest challenge was recovering the time lost.
Junior, Jasia Saunders is the leader of the team and helped lead them to success.
“Beginning is easy, continuing is hard, you can let it define you, destroy you, or strengthen you,” she said.
This competition is sponsored by the College Options Foundation. The College Options Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that is dedicated to enriching the academic development of high school students and assisting them in their preparation for higher education. There emphasis lies with serving military families and students who participate in JROTC. They accomplish their mission by providing resources for college admissions and funding, utilize student planning guides, college exam study guides, admissions tutorials and personalized counseling, and conduct spirited academic competitions for JROTC students nationwide.
While in Washington, DC the JLAB team will participate in various events such as visiting the National Museum of American History, several monuments and the Smithsonian Institute with the guidance and instruction from their JROTC instructor CSM Jacqueline Thomas.
The team always says, “The perseverance of a team builds a committed tomorrow.” The team’s reaction was very overwhelming when they were informed that they made it. The team is very elated to have made it to nationals, but is also motivated to come home with a win!
The final competition will be held on June 26 in Washington, D.C. The Garinger JLAB team could come home with a Certificate of Excellence, a George C. Marshall Medal, and several awards for their JROTC uniforms.
We wish our Leadership Team the best of luck!! Go G-Code!!!!
Mitzel Parra (left) and Ms. Ogle led a blood drive at Garinger High School March 9, collecting 67 pints of blood.
By Isarel Fernandez
With the help of Mrs.Ogle, Mitzel Perra and dozens of students, Garinger’s 2015 Blood Drive on March 9 was a tremendous success.
Thanks to our brave and generous students and staff, 67 units of blood was collected, which will benefit more than 200 people who have suffered traumatic injuries.
Mrs.Ogle, who has been a nurse for 38 years, set a goal to collect as much blood as possible because it is such a critical need in our community.
More than 90 students donated blood. Others who volunteered to work at the event include Solomea Asfaw, Karen Escobar, Tangela Gallman, Sofia Lopez, Hinin Sin Oo, Flor Lovo, and Summer Williston.
A big “thanks” from Ms. Ogle to everyone who participated in this year’s blood drive.
Tresor Mbuyu scores a goal in the second round of playoffs against Watauga HS. (photo by:tarheelsportsphotography)Mbuyu warms up before the second round of playoffs. (photo by:tarheelsportsphtography)
By Francisco Gonzalez
Earlier this season, senior Tresor Mbuyu was nominated for Top Drawer Soccer All American team and put on the watch list. On Friday October 24 he was officially named All American, making him the first All American at Garinger and the only player from North Carolina to be on the All American team for 2014. On Sunday December 7 the NSCAA, the official national soccer coaches association, also named Mbuyu “All American.”
“It wasn’t a surprise for me” said David Garrett, the Garinger varsity soccer coach, “Tresor is one of the best players I’ve seen… his passion and dedication make him what he is.”
Mbuyu had an outstanding season, beating his records from his previous season. Last season Mbuyu was all conference, all state, the Charlotte Observer’s Player of the year and had a total of 34 goals. This year Mbuyu earned All conference, All Region, All State, Charlotte Observer player of the year again and All American for Top Drawer Soccer and the NHSCAA. He scored 56 goals in his favor, making him the top scorer in the state.
“Its an honor to be nominated for All American and without my teammates I would have never made it to where I am this season.” Mbuyu takes great pride in his team, he said he knows its not just the individual achievements but the team effort that counts.
The Wildcats made it to the third round of playoffs this year, the furthest any Garinger soccer team has ever made it. This being Mbuyu’s senior year, he hoped to win a state championship.Although the wildcats season came to a tragic end, as they lost 3-0 to the now state champions Reagan High, Mbuyu said he is proud of what they accomplished.
“I just wanted to finish the season off strong,” he says. With his high school season over and college recruiters on the hunt for Mbuyu, he says he hopes to be in college next year (he has a few offers already), continuing to do what he does best which is “playing the beautiful game of soccer.”
The Rambler 