the phoenician vol i ed i

8/14/2019 The Phoenician Vol I Ed I

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The Weenie Mobile obliterated the competition,leaving the other seven competitors eating their dust. The winning team members were AlonsoVarela, Miguel Acosta, Juan Gomez, and AlanRuiz (all juniors at MECHS).

On August 15th, the races took place down atthe student parking lot to celebrate Greek Week.The competition consisted of two heats and four groups per heat.

The Weenie Mobiles chances of victoryhad dimmed after the devastating fall of teammember Gardea. The injury happened around8:30 a.m. Gardea and Varela were foolingaround racing down the hill next to the cafeteria.[We] lost control and couldnt steer, saidGardea.

According to eye witness junior ElizabethGonzalez, when they were getting close toCoach Arvizus portable, the cart when out of control, but the cart just dragged him along ashe tried to stop it.

They landed on the sand, but the chariot cut

Gardeas leg and injured Varelas hand.It was so freaking cool but painful, said

Varela.Gardea didnt want attention from the nurse

and asked junior Eddie Rosales to fetch hima bandage while he was trying to clean thewound. The nurse sent Gardea to the hospitaland Gardea received more than 20 stitches.

Varela had to step in and take Gardeas place.

The race was full of excitement going into thefinal lap. The Party Animals, a team of freshmengirls, were gaining.

When asked about thoughts running throughtheir minds as they got closer to the finish,Miguel Acosta said, We pushed it till theend.

Alan Ruiz said, I was about to throw up.While Juan Gomez said, Thank God we

finished.

Bring a visual aid.The teacher never suspected a horse to arrive.

After lunch heads usually rest on tables and theday slows down. This day was different.

Juniors Jamie Mendoza, Miguel Acosta andAlonso Varela finished their presentation inTerri Flickingers U.S. History class. As theyneared the end of their presentations, the boysheaded outside to show Flickinger the visualaid required for their presentations.

Hooves clacking, the light brown horsetrotted outside of the portable. With mouthswide open, students stood in awe of the horse.Junior Eddie Gardea brought La Banana fromMendozas grandfathers house.

Even Mrs. Flickinger decided to ride thehorse and travel all the way from the parkinglot to the main office.

The ride brought back good memories,Flickinger said.

Ay, yo tambin quiero! shouted junior Andrea Magaa.

Magaa decided to join in the fun as welland jumped right on the horses back after Flickenger got off.

Magaa says, It was biiig! and confessed shewould like to put some Victoria Secret perfumeon La Banana because the horse smelled bad.She also wanted to feed the horse some gum

because its hungry but no one would let her.It was awesome! students shouted.

Volume I - Edition 1October 2008

Photo: Irvin Rodriguez

Photo: Jaime Mendoza

U.S. history teacher Terri Flickinger rides La Banana outside MissionEarly College High School.

The Weenie Mobile fights to cross the finish line first.

Horsing around

Weenie MobileVictory

By: Irvin Rodriguez

By: Jaime Mendoza

The staff welcomes you to the first editionof The Phoenician , the Mission Early CollegeHigh School student newspaper. We are very

proud of this student publication.

Our goal is to report and photograph interest-ing events and people here at MECHS. Thenewly established journalism program is alsodesigned to teach students about journalisticethics and the importance of responsible jour-nalism in a democracy.

We hope you enjoy reading the first issue of The Phoenician .

Josue Cardoza Roberto Ceballos

Juan Gomez Elizabeth Gonzalez,

Hazael Luis Jaime MendozaGloria Michaud

Irvin Rodriguez

Eight students established this newspaper andshould be commended for their vision and hardwork. I am proud of this team and their dedica-tion to Mission Early College High School.

Jean L. Schlitzkus, Adviser The Phoenician

The first edition of The PhoenicianEight students establish ourschools newspaper

MECHS studentschallenge themselvesto go beyond a high

school education.Page 2

Greek Week culminates in

performances bytheater department.

Page 5

First Movie Night a big success for

moviegoers and clubs.Page 7

tHE pHoenMission Early College High School


2/8

Structure must be taught, according to junior English teacher Nellie Ugarte.

In a regular college setting, students havehigher structure and maturity levels. Theygo out and read the chapter before coming toclass, according to freshmen BCIS teacher Angie Haro.

College professors dont go looking for students to turn in their homework and projects.Professors also dont have binder checks for their class. They expect students to take goodnotes.

Haro says that college is more lecture based;the instructor fills in the blanks, rather thandoing so much work in class to insure thatstudents understand the subject.

At MECHS, students are exposed right awayto college-level material and higher-levelthinking.

Students here are going beyond being a [highschool] freshman, says Haro.

Because of this major transition, studentssometimes dont know how to act.

Mentally youre in college but physicallyyou are still young, says math teacher Frank Savina, head of the math department.

This quick change in some cases makes theteachers modify their lesson plans to cover more in class so st udents understand the subject

better.Because of the higher level of thought at

MECHS, Savina says, I have to post problemsthat are a bit more challenging, especially inmath.

The good part is that teachers are willingto be flexible and help with any studentsdifficulties.

But sometimes, Savina says, This is collegeand youre acting high school-ish right now!

Within the coming months, potential staff members will be interviewed in hopes of beingadded to the teaching roster.

Next years addition of 125 students to our small campus brings a need to hire new instruc-tors.

Interviewing for the job is an informal affair.Algebra teacher Andrew Waxman says, I camein and [Dr. Armando Aguirre] asked about myteaching philosophy, described the idea of theschool, and asked questions to see if I could beflexible in my position.

Making educated decisions is important, to besure, because the individuals we hire must becapable of teaching our unique students.

I think Dr. Aguirres criteria and method for selecting employees is highly effective. The

people currently holding such positions arewell-liked and good at what they do, says ju-

nior Zyanya Dickey. Dr. Aguirres ability toevaluate and select viable individuals is effec-tive, and in the best interest of the students.

Aguirre says that before an interview, appli-cants degrees and transcripts are evaluated.Once credentials are established, the interviewdetermines if the candidate will fit in to our cur-rent population.

This year, MECHS welcomed several newfaculty members: Nora Cuvelier teaches physics,Terri Flickinger teaches U.S. history, Diana Larateaches biology, Beth Leffler teaches theater and dance and Jean Schlitzkus teaches speechand journalism.

Photo: Jean SchlitzkusBiology teacher Diana Lara prepares handouts for her classes.

Hiring teachers By: Josua Cardoza

As for the students, every one of us knowswhy were here. I was curious to see why, of allthe schools in El Paso, these teachers decided tocome to MECHS.

There are as many differences as there aresimilarities in the MECHS staff.

Three randomly chosen teachers were askedto analyze their own teaching styles, experiencesand their students.

English teacher Nellie Ugarte, the first teacher ever hired at MECHS, knew she wanted to

participate in this newlyfounded program.All MECHS teachers had to build programsfrom the ground up; more than teachers, theyare pioneers.

Nellie Ugarte, physical education teacher DarziArvizu, and speech and journalism teacher JeanSchlitzkus were asked several questions aboutMECHS and their accomplishments here.

These teachers graduated from variousuniversities including New Mexico StateUniversity, New Mexico University, theUniversity of Texas at El Paso and the Universityof Texas in Austin. Their degrees vary, however,going from one end of the court to the other.

Ugarte obtained a Bachelor of Arts and aMasters of Education degree. Its evident thatshe knew she wanted to become a teacher sincethe beginning of her education. Unlike Mrs.Ugarte, Ms. Schlitzkus earned a Bachelor of Science in TV and Film and later was certifiedto become a teacher. Like Ms. Schlitzkus, Ms.Arvizu became a teacher but majored in adifferent areain Sports Administration.

So what do these teachers have in common?Theyre all co-workers! Whatever their

background education or life experiences, theyall enjoy their time at MECHS.

Each of these teachers was persuaded to jointhe MECHS team by a presentation given byPrincipal Dr. Armando Aguirre.

After her first three weeks at MECHS, Ms.Schlitzkus admits that her new job is actually alot more fun than I thought it was going to be.

According to Ms. Arvizu she is building a program and has more freedom to work withthe students versus worrying solely aboutTEKS.

On a different note, these teachers have their individual teaching styles.

Mrs. Ugarte relies more on books, discussion,written assignments, and less on technology.Of course, Ms. Arvizu does not rely heavilyon a textbook. I teach through doing Arvizuclaims when asked about her teaching style.Technology-based methods of teaching areused by Ms. Schlitzkus including PowerPoint

presentations, video clips and internetwebsites.

There is so much hope for our country andcommunity because the students are leaders,Mrs. Ugarte responded when asked what shehas learned from her students.

With her hands running through her hair,Ms. Schlitzkus answered the same question bysimply saying, a lot in three weeks!

These three teachers have different teachingstyles, personalities and education, but they allhave the same expectations from usstudentsshould succeed at MECHS and in life.

have the same expectation from us, to thrivethrough life.

Why MECHS? By: Elizabeth Gonzalez

Beyond freshman

By: Jaime Mendoza

Photo: Jaime Mendoza

tHE pHoeniciaN 2 October 2008

On September 15th and 16th 338 Mechs members were polled for this survey

ATTENTION ALL JUNIORS! TIRED OF THE SAME OLD BORINGSUMMER?!

RATHER BE KAYAKING, HORSEBACKRIDING, OR SURFING? RATHER BE VISITINGA JUNGLE, A VOLCANO, A CLOUD FOREST,OR A WATERFALL?

THEN JOIN US FOR A FABULOUS ADVENTURE/ECO TOUR OFBEAUTIFUL AND EXOTIC COSTA RICA! We depart May 25, 2009 for an exciting 10 day trip. Only$1790.00 covers all air transportation, ground transportation,tours, motels, and three meals per day (price subject tochange).

Sign up now at www.eftours.com. Tour # 464752.See Mrs. Flick in portable 17 for more information.


3/8

Music is unleashed by a music teacher providing us with musical enlightenment inour school.

MECHS music and choir teacher JoshuaBrewer sat down with The Phoenician to talk about his life as a musician and teacher.

Students are the best, teachers are greatsaid Brewer referring to MECHS.

Although Brewer has such a great knowledgeof music, he continuesto learn about music

in many ways.The learning of music never ends,said Brewer.

I learn music byteaching because youlearn more by teachingthan by learning. Iget to practice playinginstruments as I teachmy students as well.

Brewers musical way of life started aroundthe age of 16 when he first started to playguitar. He became very inspired by the factthat music is challenging.

He listens to various types of music genres.I like to listen [to everything] from Baroquesongs to modern Pop music said Brewer.

He enjoyed music so much that he learnedmore instruments in order to expand hismusical knowledge. I also play the trumpet,

percussion, keyboard, and alto sax,saysBrewer.

Once he knew how

to play a variety of instruments, he foundhimself ready tocompose music.

I have composedclassical pieces, rock songs, experimentalsongs, and currently amworking on techno-popstyle music.

When it comes tomusic, Mr. Brewer is thecampus expert.

Soaring Phoenix and voyaging Eagles arehere to stay!

Houstons Challenge Early College HighSchool is a program that gives students theunique opportunity to take college classesalong with regular high school curriculum.

CECHS has programs that promote a highlyrigorous academic environment ensuring thatstudents earn a high school diploma as wellas an Associates of Arts degree.

Sound familiar? Both MECHS and CECHSare incredible schools that are becominglegends across Texas. Early college highschools are popping up all over our state.

When asked about early colleges versustraditional high schools, MECHS PrincipalDr. Armando Aguirre said, Everyone elsegets vanilla!

What are differences and similarities between MECHS and CECHS?

Challenge Early College High SchoolPrincipal Justin Fuentes describes CECHSas a small school with big ideas.

Mission and Challenge students choosefrom a variety of fields for their Associatesof Arts degree. Students can select from awide range of disciplines including: criminal

justice, business, psychology, nursing, andmany more. Although the schools offer similar degree plans, CECHS students arerequired to complete a five year program.

Another difference between Mission andChallenge involves clubs and organizations(see sidebar).

Mission and Challenge are both openingdoors to extraordinary possibilities.

Even though the schools are associatedwith different community colleges, theyshare common goals: higher education for the youth becoming the building blocks of anamazing future!

Photo: Roberto CeballosMusic teacher Joshua Brewer continues his music education alongsidehis students.

MECHS versus CECHSFilling MECHSwith music Joshua Brewer

Mr. Joshua Brewer

Students [at MECHS]

are the best, teachers

are great

By: Roberto Ceballos

tHE pHoeniciOctober 2008

CECHS offers:Dragon Dance ClubSchool Spirit Club

International Thespian Society

Gay-Straight AlliancesSpoken Word

Radio ClubArt Club

Fellowship of Christian StudentsTravel Club

Female Confidence Club

MECHS offers:Chess Club

Fantasy FootballScience Bowl

Friday Music Caf,Book Club

Literary AnthologyChrysalis

Super SACEnvironmental Club

Spanish Honor Society

Wikipedia Commons - Public DomainChallenge Early College High School

ACROSS

1. Sport played during lunch time atthe basketball court5. Laptop brand that juniors have6. PE teacher8. Color of trees and grass andbushes10. Laptop brand that freshmen andsophomores have11. Another place to eat at besidesMECHS12. The number of classi cations

14. School district15. What every MECHS student has16. Most played instrument18. MECHS transportation19. Mission Early College High

School

DOWN

1. What this school doesnt have2. What MECHS students are waitingfor on the empty space3. Music teacher4. The environment in MECHS7. What teachers assign9. Friday is called what for sopho-mores and juniors?13. The classrooms at MECHS are...17. What most people listen to

Answers on back page!


4/8

Junior Holly Jimenez and her sister, sophomore Michelle Jime-nez, celebrated a Quincerera and a Sweet 16 party on thesame night at the Mission Valley Ballroom.

The day of the big party, the girls awakened early in the morningto make preparations for a day of laughter, tears, and unforget-table memories.

After a photo session at Photo Pros, the court made their wayto the church in a limousine. The limo ride was filled with every-thing from Las Mulas De Moreno to Reggeton, making the rideunforgettable.

The court finally arrived at the church. The Jimenez familygathered and Mrs. Jimenez shared touching memories of her beloved daughters childhoods. Tears streaming, Michelle andHolly listened to their mother share precious moments.

Around nine oclock the court made their elaborate entrance.The quinceera confesses being nervous and anxious. Theneverything smoothly transitioned into the waltz with their father.

The night was filled with dances including El Tejanito and MiCarrito. Les quedo chido, said junior Karla Jimenez.

Once the fun-dance finished, the party begins with Norteas (thequinceeras favorite). People began to fill the dance floor with acontagious dancing spirit that spread throughout the whole roomlike a raging fire. The party lasted until 1:00 a.m.

Que te parece fine, fine, fine, very good, very good, very good,very, very, very, very, goooood! exclaimed one partygoer.

Story & photos by:Irvin Rodriguez

P a r t y

2


5/8

W hat do you think youredoing?It was all yours! spectators shout.

Students that are into this sport rarelyuse this language when a player isabout to score a goal and misses.

I take each game like achampionship and play with all myskills, says sophomore Paul Garca.

Most people started to playsoccer at a young age and havedeveloped their skills since.Soccer can be introduced indifferent ways. Players enjoyhaving fun with their friends andshowing what they know.

Sophomore Jos Cabrera says, I feelthat every time I play I learn new skillsfrom other players.

Freshmen Adrian Hurtado, DanielFernandez, Heber Luis, Luis Paez,sophomores Paul Garca, CarloTerrazas, Jos Cabrera, Luis Diaz,

juniors Hector Perez, Miguel Acosta,and Juan Gomez are some MECHSsoccer players.

Different styles are played around theworld and here on campus. Street soccer is fun for some players and others prefer

field soccer but still respect them.

Soccer is a type of language thatstudents use to communicate andsocialize. Sometimes, players seeother players as brothers. Other times,opponents are seen as actual enemies inthe game.

It depends on the players in order for me to take a game seriously, saysfreshman Heber Luis.

Luis believes some players are notcompetitive enough to take soccer seriously. Like him, soccer players likecompetition. It gives them movement,style, and a fun competitive game.

A soccer intramural did take place thefirst nine weeks. The Power Rangerswere victorious.

Passionateabout soccerBy: Hazael Luis

Ancient plays that capture the culture and art that thrived centuries ago in Greece

were recreated by theater students from Mission Early College High School.

Greek Drama is a theatrical tradition that flourished in ancient Greece between

600 and 200 BC. On August 20th, MECHS theater students brought back three

of the greatest plays in all of dramatic literature expressing universal themes

and emotions. Theater and dance director Beth Leffler sponsored the Greek

performances. Leffler said, The excitement of performing brought out the best

in everyone!

Actors and dancers draped in white silk sheets memorized prologues from The

Birds, Oedipus Rex, and Antigone while bodies spiraled into organic shapes

and tragic, yet suspenseful music held the audience spellbound. Three basic Greek

dramatic structures captured the audienceprose, lyric and dance.

Students preparation consisted of studying classical Greek theater and playwrights.

The students had only two weeks to rehearse before the big day. Rehearsals took

place during their class.

Junior Irma Gomez said, I loved my toga I wore for the performance and it was

a great experience to be in a play.

Classes were rotated throughout the day, giving most a chance to see the plays.

While watching the second play, Junior Olivia Silvas said, Oh I thought they

were awesome, the lead actor [sophomore Julissa Soto] was really good!

The performances were a hit and left the crowd with the urge to see more. The

scenes are only a mere taste of plays to come.

Greek Theaterf By: Gloria Machaud


6/8

Music teacher Josh Brewer, athletics coachDarci Arvizu and other instructors at MECHSstress over a lack of classroom space.

Growing concerns over space constraints, itsimpact on the well-being of the students and theeffectiveness of teaching have provoked staff members to raise questions to MECHS PrincipalDr. Armando Aguirre.

During some class periods I have too largea number of students in this cramped space,and I feel that it is detrimental to their health,says Coach Darci Arvizu. Arvizu occasionallyconducts her physical education classes withinthe inadequate confines of a portable.

Brewer also suffers from insufficient space.He feels the situation will only degenerate astime passes and extra instruments are added tohis room. Brewer says, It certainly is a major issue that needs to be addressed.

Lack of space certainly begins to impair progress, remarks junior Josh Gonzalez.Youre in here practicing guitar and your elbow is bumping someone else.

Arvizu understands she will not be given atraditional gym facility.

Dr. Aguirre says the planned cafeteria buildingwill not double as a gym and is not to be usedfor any such purposes.

Currently the only plans to provide additionalspace for existing classes is a grassy areadesignated to be used by the physical educationstudents.

Its lunch time here at MECHS! Oh no wait!The lunch line is too long

Students say the lunch lines at MECHS aretoo long.

There have been many issues here at MECHSrelated to the cafeteria. Currently we are usinga portable as a cafeteria. Since the number of students has dramatically increased since theschools opening, a single portable is a problemduring lunch.

Im probably more frustrated than you guys

are, claims MECHS Principal Dr. ArmandoAguirre.

The cafeteria has become really crowdedduring lunch. Many students prefer not to eat inthe cafeteria portable.

According to Dr. Aguirre, construction on anew cafeteria is set to begin by December 31st.Unfortunately, that deadline might have to beextended. This project is still in the planningstages.

Even though our cafeteria may seem verysmall, the quality of the food and the furnishingsare pretty good.

In addition, MECHS junior Jimmy Chavezargues that the cafeteria service is good.

The service is good [and the] ladies are niceto students, said Chavez.

Students have been waiting for a new cafeteriafor awhile and seem to be getting impatient.

Aguirre says that they have been trying to geta new cafeteria for 2 years.

A Ford Focus, a 3000 GT Mitsubishi, anda Chrysler Sebring are all student drivencars, now being parked in the new student

parking lot down by the basketball courtarea.

The drivers of all these cars are walkingfurther to get to class. The new parking lot

positioned in front of the basketball courts.Students like Miguel Acosta feel that

because of motorcycles something chaoticmight occur.

On the other hand, math teacher Frank Savina says, Man up!!! When Savinaattended UTEP, he had to park farther thanour students.

On the other hand, nurse Brissette, the parking monitor, mentioned that movingstudent parking was necessary because,eventually, the student drivers wouldoutnumber faculty and staff drivers.

Brissette mentioned that the new student parking area was a good choice because it

was unoccupied and is closer than normalEPCC student parking.

When asked about choices for future parking, Brissette said, the ditch is outof the question because it is a designatedwater catch area.

Some students like junior Jimmy Chavezsay parking in the basketball courts lot is agood idea because, simply, they must park somewhere. Chavez doesnt think that themotorcycles are a threat because they are

far, and dont come close.

Other students like Miguel Acosta say thatthe new student parking lot is not such agood idea because at lunch time, you have

people playing soccer, and the ball mightdamage their cars. He also mentioned thatsince he has to drive uphill, his cars enginegets forced more and he loses gas.

Brissette also mentioned that MECHS isin the process of developing a contract for driving students. The contract will outlineexpected driving behavior due to several

incidents reported.

Photos: Roberto CeballosStudents are looking forward to a larger cafeteria.

New cafeteriaon the horizon

Josh Gonzalez

Lack of spacecertainly begins toimpair progress...youre in [class]practicing guitarand your elbow

is bumpingsomeone else.

By: Roberto Ceballos

Brontok!! A massive virus attacks laptopusers! Viral attacks and other problems ofteninvade laptops here at Mission Early CollegeHigh School.

Freshmen use their laptops more often thando sophomores and juniors. These students startinstalling software like games and chat rooms.I just use it for games, music, homework, saysfreshman Heber Luis.

Dells are the most widely used brand at thisschool. Some juniors still use Hewlett Packard.

MECHS principal Dr. Armando Aguirre says,It wasnt as good as the other one, suggestingthat HP was might not have been t he best choiceinitially.

Almost every HP laptop on campus hashad problems. According to Dr. Aguirre, thewarranty process the school had with HP waslimited, inefficient and time consuming.

BCIS teacher Angelica Haro says HP laptopsare not a very good tool to use. These laptopsare more sensitive and have to be taken goodcare of.

Unfortunately, laptops are not always treatedwith care. People mistreat their laptops, saysHaro.

After the first year with HP, the school decidedto go with Dell. Dell offered a better warranty

and price as well.Laptops are a great advantage to those students

who like technology as well to those who dont.Those who access the internet often feel a lot of freedom. Games, music, and other applicationsare available to laptop users at this campus.

Restriction on the internet is a problem for many students in the school. Students havelittle access to entertaining sites on the internet.However, students still manage to manipulatethe internet using backdoor proxies and other web pages that confuse the filtration the schoolhas put in place.

Students dont know that by circumventingthe system, they are creating more restrictionsfor themselves. The students are providing thedistrict with the information needed to block anddeny internet access to sites not permitted by thedistrict through the internet access at school.

Some recommendations made from MECHSinstructional technologist Veronica Maciasinclude: taking care with laptops, cleaninglaptops and avoiding certain websites due to therisk of viruses.

Macias really wants students to take advantageof the technological tools provided. However,Students shouldnt abuse their privileges withthe laptops, says Dr. Aguirre.

Tech-no!Many laptop problems preventable

By: Hazael Luis

Got space?Teachers and students remain flexibleBy: Josua Cardoza

S t a r t w

a l k i n g

, d r i v e

r s !

S t o r y

& p

h o t o s :

J u a n

G o m e z

tHE pHoeniciaN 6 October 2008

Inside the cafeteria portable.


7/8

Movies outside such an old concept butwhat happens when this idea is altered by theMECHS staff and students?

When you combine a movie, friends, and(of course) some grub an exceptional outcomeoccurs.

More than 200 students plus their family andfriends attended the first ever MECHS movienight on August 22nd.

Movie Night was all about screening a movieoutside at the MdP campus with clubs servingtreats and friends hanging out.

As staff and students arrived they saw many booths and immediately were overcome withhunger. Before the movie started, they all

gathered around the booths and bought their snacks.Everyone knows what it feels like watching a

movie with friends, but have you ever stoppedto think what its like to give out the food youunconsciously eat during the movie?

Many of the MECHS students that areinvolved in clubs know what it feels like to

be under stress and have a line of customerswaiting impatiently for their food.

NHS, BPA, Leadership, and Science Bowl setup stands and with the help of the members rantheir booths.

As the NHS president, I was there earlyenough to make sure the stand was set up and

people showed up to previously set times. For most MECHS vendors it wasnt as stressful asmy situation.

Business is all about negotiation and strategy.We ended up selling more because of [my]negotiation stated Ivette Lopez, after helpingin both BPA and NHS booths.

Most of the vendors had a good time servingothers for their clubs, as well as taking pride init at the same time.

According to Cristina Lara it was funwalking around asking people if they wantedto buy something. Some were promoting t heir goods by taking the product to the costumers

to avoid them the fatigue of walking up to the booths and missing the movie.In order to get attention others yelled buy one

get one free! Not everyone was there to watch the movie or

was even remotely interested in the film.According to Jaime Mendoza, [people] went

to spend time with friends people were justchilling, Obviously for Jaime movie night wasmore of a socializing event than the concept of an outdoors cinema.

When asked would you do it again? Ninety percent of the student body responded yes!

Story by: Felicia Garcia

Photo: Jaime MendozaElizabeth Gonzalez waits on moviegoers at MECHS first Movie Night.

By: Elizabeth Gonzalez

Movie night started with people chatting,eating chips, and lying down.

On a white sheet and with a powerful projector, Ferris Buellers Day Off premieredas the first MECHS movie shown outside theMDP campus. It was a great success. This wasthe first time that the three classifications of students got together to watch a movie outside.

Many of the students like junior Alan Ruiz,freshman Skye Ugarte, and junior Robert Vina-Marrufo said no when asked whether they hadever seen a movie outside. On the other hand,according to Dr. Aguirre, it had been nearly30 years since he had seen a movie outside.Aguirre talked about his trips to the drive-inmovie theaters.

According to Aguirre, he drove his car and put a portable speaker inside his car to hear themovie. He also mentioned that they would siton the hood or the roof of their cars during theheat of summer.

Alejandra Enriquez, the sister of junior KarinaEnriquez, said that she had seen a movie outsideon a computer with my boyfriend.

Parents also accompanied students to themovie screening. Monica Flores mother,Rosario Flores, mentioned that she had never seen a movie outside.

To complement the movie, a large number of snacks and drinks were sold at the event, turningout to be a great fundraiser for the clubs in our school.

Munching out at Movie Night

Story & photos by:Juan GomezMovies under the stars

Journeying back in timeA flurry of gunshots fired left andright! Andy ended up with a gag rubber chicken on her lap, just as one of theshotguns fired. Next, the Shady Ladiesmade their rounds and the gunslingers

began bickering over their woman.Brief commercial breaks were takenin between smack-talk to raffle off historical items with enough sparks to

peak everyones interest. Then, floozyBeula, John Wesley Hardins latest andfinal fling, wreaked havoc in a drunkenhaze. Beula ended up sitting on the canin the can for a fifty dollar charge. Thedoom-fated Hardin received word of thisindiscretion and heatedly exchanged histwo cents with Constable John Selman.The dispute ended with Hardin staringinto the darkening sky. Later, after thereenactment ended, those who were notfrightened easily decided to take a quick ghost tour throughout the most haunted

places in the cemetery. The tour started afew yards away from (the real) Hardins

grave near the buried Buffalo Soldiers.We passed the infant nursery on our wayto a shroud of trees clustered together ominously near the highway. There itwas reported that a womanly apparitionwas running. Near those very same trees,

boots belonging to (possibly) ConstableJohn Selman, appeared to be restingcontently on the browned grass.After continuing to an area dubbed themost holy and satanic, we made our way towards the eerie crypt locatednear the Gateway West entrance. Asthe night drew to a close and blacknessenveloped us, we paid a brief visit toCynthia in her crib. Strangely, my new

batteries were reduced to half-strength just a few minutes before we arrivedat her plot. Our last stop before our nighttime escapade drew to a close wasat the Chinese cemetery. All in all, itwas a great experience to relive El Pasoshistory, even if it was but a shadow intime.

Special to The Phoenician Mrs. Flickinger takes students to historicConcordia Cemetary

tHE pHoeniciOctober 2008

MECHS Movie Night was a hit with students, staff, family and friends.


8/8

Plans are underway tobegin a Mock Trial teamhere at MECHS. A teamof 9 students will soon bepreparing for the gruelingcompetition in February.All high school teams inTexas receive the samecourt case that is either criminal or civil in nature.Teams work with their sponsor and local attorneysto learn how to argue thecase in competition. Thepreparation is intense andthe competition is ferce.Americas, Cathedral,Coronado, and HomeSchoolers are usuallyamong the top teams.

MECHS wants to break thetop 6 in our inaugural year.

More information willfollow as the team comestogether. All students areinvited to the courthousein February to watchus compete. See Mrs.Flickinger in portable 17 if this interests you.

Environmentally On an Environmental MissionBy: Crystal Mendoza

The MECHS Environmental Club was startedlast year with the help of students who are determinedto make the world a better place for us to live. Ourgoal is to educate the student body on how they can livetheir lives greener and make the world around thema better place to live for everyone. By educating eachother rst within ourselves, we can expand by lettingother people know of our causes. Not only are we recy-cling, but helping increase the amount of plants aroundcampus to make our school full of

Not only does the environmental club care aboutthe environment, but we also care about the animalsthat are possibly endangered. We are looking forwardto a greener, better year at MECHS and if anyone is in-terested in joining, dont be afraid to stop by, the earthcould always use another volunteer to keep it clean.

Our plans for this year are to keep up weeklywith recycling and making a difference in the waypeople view the environment. Throughout this year, wewill be selling candy to help fundraise. We are possiblylooking at spring planting to increase the variety of foli-age around the school. With the help of our advisors,Mrs. Lara and Ms. Mendez, our of cers who hold theirpositions to a new standard, and the rest of our group,we can ful ll all of our goals this year.

Throughout the year, we will be presenting thePhoenician with informative articles of including ourlatest news, and the new ways we can become greener.Be on the lookout for our articles!

ACROSS: 1. soccer 2. HP 6. Arvizu 8. brown 10. Dell 11. EPCC 12. three 14. SISD 15. laptops 16. guitar 18. buses 19. MECHSDOWN: 1. sports 2. cafeteria 3. Brewer 4. desert 7. homework 9. exible Fridays 13. portables 17. music

MOCK TRIAL

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