Mia

She is on the dance team and on the cheerleading team, Mia Felix, 11, manages to be in both teams by showing up to half practice of dance and half practice of cheer.  

“I joined them because I like both and for me I think it’s important to be in different teams to represent the school,” Felix said.

One of her many struggles was that instead of dedicating all her time in just one team, she found it difficult and learned with time how to manage her time to be at dance and cheer at the same time without missing anything.

“What I like about dance is that I can put my emotions into it because I like to show them and also my family has done dance for a long time and what I like about cheer is that I think it’s the same thing as dance but, at least for me they differ in some aspects like in cheer I can’t express my emotions and, in dance I can but I still enjoy being in cheer don’t get me wrong,” Felix said.

One of her influences on music are her parents since they have been dancing their whole life. In cheer was her sister that was also a part of the cheerleading team and dance team when she was in Bowie so she basically thought she can do it too.

“In dance for me I can express more my feelings and emotions than in cheer because there I really can’t do the same but I still like being in cheer but I go to the side of dance because I love dancing,” Feliz said.

Jazmin Flores, 11,  has known Mia for the past 2 years and since then they are really close and inseparable.

“I’m really proud of Mia being in dance and cheer because I know how much Mia loves dancing like you can put whatever type of music and she will literally stand up and dance without being nervous,” Flores said.

As Felix becomes a senior, she has decided to still continue being in the cheerleading and dance team.

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Angelica

Angelica Barraza, 12, is involves of the food truck, dance team, and cheerleader team. She loves participating in many curricular activities and has lots of school spirit.

“She is always trying to make me laugh and is very attentive when you tell her something she also has a very giggly personality which makes you laugh and be happy. Even if she is busy she tries to make time to be with her friends,” Stephanie Villalobos said. Villalobos a Senior who is close friends with Angelica.

Barraza honestly would not like to become a professional cook, dancer, nor cheerleader in the future.
“Even though I would love to keep dancing, it takes to much time and I would rather focus on a career. Many people tell me I should keep on with becoming a professional dancer but I just feel like it’s not a job I would want for myself,” Barraza said.

Mr. Puga is the culinary arts teacher and director of the Food Truck. He just like many other teachers who pushes students to their best to show what they are capable of. “I personally expect Barraza to keep being motivated and continue to grow and do the best to her ability,” Chef Puga said. All students involved in the activities that I am in have become like family to me.

“I honestly enjoy each and every activity. Although cheer and dance take more flexibility, skills, and technique, culinary arts is just following a recipe,” Barraza said.

“Angelica’s attitude in the food truck is very cheerful and she is always dancing and doing crazy things basically just having fun and trying to stay focused on what to do with the food,” Villalobos said.

Cheer and dance are activities that take up a lot of time.

“I always arrive at school at 6 in the morning to practice for cheer and sometimes I stay after school if there are games from 5-8 p.m,” Barraza said. Speaking English is an obstacle many teens struggle with including myself.

“When I first moved here to El Paso from Juarez. I really didn’t speak much of the language. Still to this day I struggle some. I mostly understand the language but I cannot speak it well,” Barraza said.

When you have support from people you really look up to you tend to keep going and trying. “My parents have always tried to give me everything I need.

They motivate me everyday because high school is not easy, especially when you’re in many curricular activities at school,” Barraza said. At the beginning of the school year, everyone has goals they want to achieve.

Seniors always look forward to graduating. It is almost the end of the year and graduating is getting closer and closer. “This school year I’m looking forward to graduating just like any other senior, I’m working hard and participating in as many activities as I can,” Barraza said.