What’s Recently Happened?
As summer comes to a close and fall quickly approaches, the John Adams High School Eagles swiftly begin the first two weeks of the 2022-2023 school year. With many clubs and after school activities starting back up, the school spirit of many begins to shine through. The varsity football season for the Eagles boys have begun and completed in three games so far. With a current record of 1-2 , students and fans are overjoyed for the wonderful Friday night lights and eager to see the boys continue to put up a fight and win titles.
On Tuesday, August 30, 2022, seven students from John Adams were recognized in the National Recognition Program through CollegeBoard. Students: Ariel Hernandez, Camille Ball, Kayla Douglas, Lauren Gallegos, Na’Kayla Scales, Thomas Barton, and Zaid Delgado were all very surprised with this news. Seniors Douglas and Ball, as well as Scales, a junior, were all recognized for the National African American Recognition Award (NAARA).
“It feels great to be able to receive such recognition," Douglas said. "Without my family prioritizing my academics and telling me I could do it, I would not have been able to be eligible for this identification.”
“It feels really good to be recognized for how much effort I put into my personal success.," Ball added. "Especially being an African-American woman, it just shows that I too can accomplish as many things as people who believe they are superior to me.”
"I'm honored and proud of this accomplishment," Scales concluded.
Through this, Scales hopes to achieve much more in her last two school years at Adams.
“I was completely shocked that I got the recognition, but I am extremely grateful and hope this helps with college applications," said Junior, Lauren Gallegos, recognized for the National Hispanic Recognition Award (NHRA).
The John Adams students and staff congratulate these seven with their great accomplishment and wish them the best of luck in their futures.
What’s Coming Up?
The first spirit week of the school year is around the corner, and runs from September 12-16, 2022. On September 16, the Eagles will take on Mishawaka Marian High School for the homecoming football game. The senior class student government is already working hard to set up spirit week themes as well as homecoming hallway themes.
Re-elections for the 2022-2023 student government are being held the week after homecoming. With positions for each class as well as the student body available, many students are beginning their campaigns. Numerous clubs around Adams are starting up as well, such as Spanish Honor Society, Eagles Going Green, African Student Association, Drama Club, and many more.
Staff Spotlight:
Teaching three different Spanish courses at John Adams, Cecilia Standon-Verduzo is a fan favorite of many students. Having taught for 17 years in total, 16 of those have been at John Adams.
“I love the diversity that Adams has and all the opportunities the students have," she said.
Though her plans have not always been completely set to be a teacher, that quickly changed after college.
“Growing up I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, but eventually I decided that I needed to get a career in something else. After I graduated college, I had no clue what I really wanted to do. I was able to have some jobs tutoring and working with the Boys & Girls Club which allowed me to realize that teaching was really what I was meant to do.” Stanton-Verduzco said.
Languages, and the history, literature and culture of them are all things Stanton-Verduzco is strongly passionate about. In being a Spanish teacher, she believes this captures all the areas and aspects she loves.
Teaching, to Stanton-Verduzco, is more than just teaching a subject.
“It’s building relationships, mentoring and being a positive person in students’ lives," she said.
Within her classroom specifically, her main hope is that students feel comfortable in her room and know that they can be themselves. Creating a safe space like such is what really draws students in, helping exemplify her relationship building priorities with the students. Another goal of hers as a teacher is that her students understand that making mistakes is all a part of learning; and she hopes this is something they carry on with them in the future.
“When students show interest in learning or the subject itself, it is always amazing to see that spark,” Stanton-Verduzco said.
Her role as a teacher is not the only thing she does around John Adams. Stanton-Verduzco is also a Quiz Bowl coach, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society sponsor, as well as a Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS) co-coordinator. As she sponsors and contributes to these different clubs around the school, she is proud to be able to aid students in going on to make lasting impacts in the community from what they have learned around the school.
"The Spanish Honor Society allows students to come together and celebrate the cultures I am passionate about, and I love being able to help students to continue to foster a love of learning," she said.
She also adds that her role as a CAS co-coordinator allows her to help students achieve their academic goals in pursuing a well rounded education.
“It is a hard lesson to learn, but being a small part, for a brief moment, in a student’s life and knowing that you helped make their time in school a little better, it’s worth knowing that soon they will move on and you have to let go.” Stanton-Verduzco said.
Student Spotlight:
John Adams Senior Marcelina Kukawska shows exceptional talent all around the school as well as outside of school.
The partial International Baccalaureate (IB) student takes part in many clubs that include: Art club, Spanish club and Spanish Honor Society, Ski club and Student Advocates for IB Diversity.
“It's a great way to meet people from different grades because usually I don’t get an opportunity to interact with the freshmen and sophomores," she said.
During her time with the Art club, Kukawska now serves as co-president along with her friend Kinsey Temple. Together this summer, Kukawska and the team made and sold art pieces specifically made by them in the Art Beat event in Downtown, South Bend. Through this they were able to raise over $750 for the art club.