So I finished my Junior year at HTHCV!! I don’t want to show off, but I think my final grades are pretty good ;-). What was especially nice was this message from my two team teachers:
“Luz! Words can’t fully describe how thankful we are to have been your junior year teachers. Your name is so appropriate because you really are the type of person who shines light into the darkness. You provide eloquent wording to people’s thoughts that they can’t quite articulate yet as well as action steps for how to do something about it. You are unapologetically yourself – setting an example for both your peers and teachers for what it means to work hard and laugh at the same time. Your voice has been integral to our evolution as teachers and we thank for you that. Everything you say is thought out and articulate. You’re not afraid to ask questions or be an advocate for yourself. At the beginning of this year, you didn’t necessarily view yourself as a scientists or as someone who would go into the sciences, but you made one of the best Making Waves Documentaries and Infographic of the class. To us, this illustrates that your mindset had changed in regards to how you view yourself as a scientist. Between the gun violence walkout, Ethnic Studies, and MEChA next year, you set the bar for what student leadership looks like and for how HTHCV can evolve has a community. Next year, we hope that you continue to take care of yourself. The work that brings you energy can often also be draining, and much like your mentor Diana mentioned, it’s important to ensure that you make time for yourself. Whether it’s through the Danza Azteca or other forms of artistic expression, we hope that you embrace that space for yourself. Overall, we hope that you are happy and thriving in your final year at HTHCV. Thank you so much for everything and good luck in 12th grade and beyond! With love, Ms. Mackenzie and Ms. Meghan”