1. Eagle X-Press
PRESBYTERIAN PAN AMERICAN SCHOOL
PAGE 6 PAGE 7
TRACK INTERNATIONAL BANQUET
MARCH 15, 2009 • VOLUME 6 • ISSUE 2 • KINGSVILLE, TX 78363
SPEECH CONTEST HEALTHY ACCEPTED MOVIE REVIEW
Junior wins scholarship Senior discusses how to be healthy Several seniors have been accepted Confessions of a Shopaholic
to Universities
– page 2 – page 4 – page 7 – page 8
Ukraine students attend Pan Am for one month something new,” Belyy said.
by Kate Thompson lived on campus in the dorms.
This trip came across these
Zinchenko had a roommate and
Editor-in-Chief
students by their chaperon
the four males lived in a suite
Five teenage students from Gulko. Gulko’s daughter lives
together.
Kiev, Ukraine joined PPAS’ in Corpus Christi and found
“My roommate was so funny,
student body on February 9, out about PPAS through one of
she taught me a little bit of
2009 for one month. Kseniya her professors at Texas A&M
Spanish and I tried to teach
Zinchenko, 14; Rodion University-Kingsville. Her
her a little bit of Ukrainian,”
Voshchanov, 15; Zhenya Popov, professor told her that PPAS
Zinchenko said.
17; Borys Belyy, 15; and Mykyta would be an excellent place for
For the most part, the students
Bondarenko, 16; all participated an exchange program. Gulko
stayed on the PPAS campus, but
in 11th grade level classes and later visited the campus in august
some weekends they left with
followed normal days at PPAS. and brought the news about
their Ukrainian chaperone Zoya
They interacted with class PPAS to the Ukraine.
Gulko or with local families
meetings, chapel services and A registration list was made
living in Kingsville. The students photo by Kate Thompson
social activities. for interested students. The FROM LEFT, ZHENYA POPOV, MYKYTA BONDARENKO AND BORYS BELYY
visited downtown Kingsville,
“Pan American has very students had to know the English (FRONT ROW); RODION VOSHCHANOV AND KSENIYA ZINCHENKO.
San Antonio and Corpus Christi
interesting people and classes, language well, have interest in different reasons. Gulko is a debate teacher in
while they were here.
I enjoyed learning about their the American culture, and pay “The students came here to Ukraine and some students took
“The American culture is very
routines and cultures,” Popov for their own trip. Originally the learn about American culture, to her class from this exchange
different from our own, so it
said. group to come to America was gain knowledge of other cultures group. The students either found
is always great to learn about
The Ukraine students also larger, but some dropped out for and countries,” Gulko said. JUMP, PAGE 2
Junior places second in essay contest essay placed second out of Rodriguez was honored at
by Kate Thompson contest to students because it is
seventy essays in Kleberg and the 10th Annual Conservation
Editor-in-Chief important to keep them aware
Kenedy County. Her essay will Awards Banquet at Dick Kleberg of soil and water conservation.
Tania Rodriguez, 17-year-
go on to compete at Regionals. Park on February 26. Her mother Rodriguez is not only a writer
old junior, placed second in
Rodriguez’s essay contained and other faculty members of environmental conservation,
the Senior Essay contest for
environmental issues, of PPAS accompanied her to but she also lives it. Rodriguez
Kleberg-Kenedy Soil and
information about water the banquet. Rodriguez was said that she does not buy
Water Conservation District.
conservation, and how the soil awarded a plaque along with the bottled water, but instead buys
“I feel honored to have won
is polluted. She also wrote other five placed participants. it by the gallons and refills her
this award. I really didn’t
about how important it is for “I will definitely write another water bottles. She brushes her
think I was going to even
people to know about conserving essay for next year, this was a great teeth with one cup of water only,
place,” Rodriguez said.
water, because there is only opportunity,” Rodriguez said. encourages people to not waste
The essay contest was about
so much left, Rodriguez said. Edgar Ortega, PPAS teacher, water, and is an active recycler.
FROM LEFT, JESSICA BENAVIDES OF soil and water conservation. The
“There is a solution for our was the one who informed
THE KLEBERG-KENEDY SOIL & WATER “It is so important to recycle
topic was to write what water
CONSERVATION DISTRICT IN KINGSVILLE, water and soil problems and Rodriguez and numerous students and to save our limited
and soil conservation means to
TANIA RODRIGUEZ, EDGAR ORTEGA it starts with us making a at PPAS about the contest. resources; we need to protect our
AND BARBARA STOTTLEMYER, DEAN OF the writer. The minimum for this
difference,” Rodriguez said. Ortega said he presented the environment.”
essay was a page. Rodriguez’s
STUDENTS.

2. academics
2 March 15, 2009 Eagle X-Press
DEAN'S
Junior wins Rotary Club scholarship
JUMP, UKRAINE
DESK
out about this trip by her or by
friends and family.
“Since these students are studying
~Dr. Barbara Stottlemyer
by Zian Rivera in America, they are excused from
it the truth? Is it fair to too,” Melendez said.
school,” Gulko said, “Although when
Staff Writer
all concerned? Will it be In her speech Melendez they return to Ukraine they will have
beneficial to all concerned?
Junior Ana Paola spoke of diversity of people quite a bit of work to make up.”
Will it build goodwill
Melendez, 17-year-old, of and why is it important for Voshchanov and Belyy attend the
and better friendships? same school in the Ukraine and know
Presbyterian Pan American all of us and why we need
each other well. Popov and Zinchenko
The students were asked
School (PPAS) won the each other.
used to attend the same school, but no
to prepare a speech not less
speech contest on March “The space to write the longer do.
than five minutes and not
3 at Sirloin Stockade, speech was really short and
The sport of rowing is a good Voshchanov and Popov have
example of what teamwork looks like. more than seven minutes.
sponsored by the Rotary I tried to make it different experienced exchange trips before.
Cooperation, timing, and sensitivity
The students of PPAS
Club of Kingsville. and it worked,” she said. Together they both went to Delaware
to the teammates are all essential for
smooth navigation and maximum and Colorado.
were judged on the basis
Melendez along with Now Melendez is working
efficiency in meeting the team’s goals. “It is always easier to go on these trips
of content, organization
four students, juniors on her speech in order to
The same is true for an organization.
with someone you know, that is why I
This past week, our school had
and delivery. The prize
Tania Rodriguez, Jimena make it better for the next
a Quality Assurance Review by a was glad I had Zhenya and Boris with
team from the Southern Association was a scholarship given
Hernandez, Saddam Bello level, she said. She is excited me,” Voshchanov said.
of Colleges and Schools Council
by the Rotary Club and an
and Senior Jea Lee were about the next competition
on Accreditation and School The five students and their
Improvement (SACS CASI). SACS opportunity to represent
selected by the speech and because she thinks she chaperone left the U.S. on March 6.
CASI has teamed with the North
the club at the area contest
debate teacher at PPAS, has a good chance to win. This was Zinchenko's first trip to the
Central Association Commission on
Accreditation and School Improvement U.S. and will not forget the people she
at Texas A&M University-
Paloma Gonzalez for their “I hope to win this
(NCA CASI) and National Study
met, she said.
Kingsville on March 25.
good development in class.
of School Evaluation (NSSE) to level and to advance to
“I met a lot of great people and had
form AdvancED, the world’s largest
Melendez started working
“I chose these students the next one,” she said.
education community representing new experiences and I am really glad
schools in thirty states and sixty-five on her speech as soon as she
because they are very fluent At the next competition, I got to go on this trip to represent
countries and serving nearly fifteen
found out about the event,
when they talk,” Gonzalez Melendez’s participation my country,” Zinchenko said.
million students. Schools continue to
earn the SACS CASI or NCA CASI she said. She spoke with her I hope they will keep in touch with us,
said. will be about the same, with
accreditation seals based on the region
I really enjoyed having them here, said
father and he encouraged
The participants had the same speech, but with
in which they reside. The unified
Soo Won Yoo, 18-year-old junior.
standards and process of AdvancED
her to do her best.
to write an essay on the improvements, she said.
enhance the value, consistency, and Rikki Sanchez also is grateful for
meaning of the respective seals. “I felt really surprised
topic of “The 4 Way Test.” their presence at PPAS.
To earn accreditation, schools and
because I knew other
The 4 Way Test means “I enjoyed learning about their
districts meet AdvancED quality
standards, engage in continuous participants had
that the speech had to culture, and learning a little bit of their
improvement, and demonstrate
language,” said Sanchez, 16-year-old
really good speeches
answer the questions: Is
quality assurance through internal
and external review. The accreditation junior.
system is based on a five-year term.
The QAR team provided an exit report THEA Test Dates (Texas A&M Kingsville)
COUNSELOR'S
at the end of their visit and informed Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration Deadline Emergency Registration
us that we can celebrate because there (additional fee applies) (additional fee applies)
were several commendations that April 25, 2009 March 27, 2009 April 15, 2009 April 22, 2009
they had noted. They stated that for June 27, 2009 May 29, 2009 June 17, 2009 June 24, 2009
the first time ever, they were making
July 25, 2009 June 26, 2009 July 15, 2009 July 22, 2009
a commendation on a school’s vision
and mission. Our school’s mission
is “to develop students for lives ACT Test Dates
of Christian leadership through: Test Date Registration Deadline Late Fee Required
ELLIE PEREZ
preparing them for admission to the June 13, 2009 May 8, 2009 May 9-22, 2009
college or university of their choice;
developing young people who can Scholarship Requirements-Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
relate to and function successfully in Biology Departmental Scholarship (incoming freshmen). To be eligible to receive this scholarship a student must:
an increasingly complex, multicultural 1. Submit an official high school transcript including class rank.
society; teaching students the value 2. Submit a list of extracurricular activities and community service.
and dignity of work; and training and 3. Submit a list of any special honors or awards.
encouraging them for church and/or 4. Be enrolled as a Biology major in the subsequent Fall and Spring semesters for at least 15 hours.
secular service as Christian leaders 5. Forward two letters of recommendation. (one from a science teacher)
for the Americas and beyond. As a 6. Completed scholarship application.
Application deadline is April 10, 2009—All materials must be received to be considered. Return application materials to:
team, we know our mission and we are
working together towards this goal. Texas A&M University-Kingsville, Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Room 108
CORNER
I will share more on the SACS 920 University Blvd. MSC 158, Kingsville, Texas 78363
accreditation visit next month. 361-593-3803 phone 361-593-3800 fax. For more information, please contact Mrs. Ellie Perez.

3. features 3
March 15, 2009 Eagle X-Press
Bible instructor named teacher of the month
Q+A WITH SENIOR
by Sheree Flores
ALEX AMARO
Staff Writer
Maria de los Angeles Reyes, from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, was awarded Teacher of the Month for February at
Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS).
Interview with 2008-2009
“I feel great about receiving this. It is such an honor,” Reyes said.
Reyes attended Mary Hardin Baylor University, Ibero American University, University of Madrid and
Senior Class Vice President
Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has received a Bachelors
degree in Bible and Spanish and a Master’s degree in Spanish and Religious
Education. by Ismael Sandoval
Before Reyes started teaching at PPAS, she taught Spanish and Bible at Staff Writer
Valley Baptist Academy in Harlingen, Texas for thirty-two years. Eventually
she became an International Development Coordinator. Q: How does it feel to be Senior Class Vice
Reyes is currently a teacher and Dorm Director for PPAS and has been for
President?
three years.
A: It’s a good experience and
For Reyes, she simply likes the students at PPAS.
“I prayed to the Lord to come to a wonderful place like this [PPAS],” Reyes a great responsibility. It feels
said.
great.
She enjoys working at PPAS because the school is a unique place full of
photo by Sheree Flores
unique students and staff, Reyes said.
BIBLE INSTRUCTOR MARY REYES
Reading religious and fiction books, traveling, researching history on other
Q: What do you do as Vice
countries, writing poetry and writing a memoir about her experiences at Valley Baptist Academy are what Reyes
president?
enjoys if she has free time, she said.
Ever since she was a student, she has traveled to Europe. A: I help the president in
“I fell in love with traveling,” Reyes said.
every need and step up when
Every summer for twenty-eight years, Reyes has taken students to Israel and Europe. This year her some PPAS
the president is not available. Alex Amaro
students will go to England, France, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Greek Islands, and Turkey for 20 days.
“I will go to great lengths to further my students’ understanding of the teachings of the Bible,” she said.
Reyes describes herself as content, happy, inspirational, spiritual, busy and friendly.
Q: Is it hard to be the Vice
“Maybe someday I will visit my family in Mexico and go to Switzerland. I have done everything that I’ve ever
President?
wanted to do because of the Lord.”
Future artist chosen as student of the month A: No, not at all. It takes great responsibility and
time but it’s worth it.
and sad because I’m realizing
by Jimena Hernandez
how fast I’m growing up and
Staff Writer
Q: Why do you think you got elected?
it’s going to be very different,”
Griselda Duran, 17 year-
A: I think that I did a good job in my previous
Duran said.
old Senior, was selected as
photo by Jimena Hernandez
position.
“Pan Am helped me to be
student of the month for
more independent and interact
February, at Presbyterian Pan
Q: What else are you involved in?
with different people but also,
American School (PPAS).
I grew as a person and my way A: Well, I was the goalie for the soccer team, but
“It feels really good and makes
of thinking also changed. Now right now I’m only the vice president.
me proud of myself being student
I know how to value things in
of the month,” Duran said. quot;I GRISELDA DURAN
life,” Duran said.
have been working hard in my Q: Do you like being the Vice president of your
to give the best of her and never
She describes herself as a
classes. I pay more attention class?
give up.
persistent, friendly and creative
to this semester because it’s A: Yes, it is a great experience. It’s a good
She also enjoys drawing, person. Her favorite subject is
the last one.” Duran said. opportunity to help and contribute to the class.
painting, and hand-crafting. In art. Duran is very good at giving
Duran is from Matamoros,
her free time, she likes to read, advice, teaching and being
Tamaulipas, and the most
Q: Does it take a lot of your free time?
hang out with friends or paint. patient, she said. Duran sees
important things in life for her
A: Not at all. I don’t have much to do after school so
“What I like the most about herself in a few years working
are family and friends. She
it fits perfectly in my schedule.
being here at Pan Am is that I as an artist in a company or by
loves dreaming. Duran dreams
learn something new everyday. herself.
of studying Art at Texas A&M
I’m only a few days away from
University of Kingsville. One
graduation and I feel anxious
of her goals for college will be

4. opinions
4 March 15, 2009 Eagle X-Press
HOW DO YOU STAY HEALTHY?
Eagle X-Press
Staff
quot;I think positively and quot;I work out, sleep well and quot;I eat a lot of vegetables
drink a lot of water.quot; eat well.quot;-Javier Villegas, and sleep a lot.quot;-Hector
Kyoung Jea Lee, Senior Junior. Villegas, Sophomore.
Being healthy is mental, physical and emotional
Exercise, sleep and eat right for healthy living
by Paola Hernandez
Staff Writer
Being healthy for me means to be good in your classes and that will help
to yourself in different ways. It means be- and lead you to getting better grades.
ing good to yourself mentally, physically Since breakfast is essential, the most
and emotionally. important meal of the day to be exact
Kate Thompson, Editor-in-Chief
“Being It doesn't mean that we always have and the battery for the day, doctors
Sara Gonzalez, Managing Editor
healthy for
to be dieting or things like that but we reccomend to not skip it.
Paola Hernandez, Staff Writer
me means
should try to live healthy lives. We need Another recomendation that I
Sheree Flores, Staff Writer
to be good
to do our best to be good to ourselves can include is to try not to eat food
Olivia Pun, Staff Writer
to yourself
because we only have one life and it is portions that are larger than your fist.
Zian Rivera, Staff Writer
in different
too short to waste. If you start doing this, your stomach Hugo Aguilar, Staff Writer
ways. We
So, I am going to give you some size will increase and everytime you eat, Ismael Sandoval, Staff Writer
need to do
advice that can be easy to follow and at you will want more and more food. Kenia Mascorro, Staff Writer
our best to
the same time, you can feel better with Another important tip is to try not Tania Rodrigez, Staff Writer
be good to
Ilse Ibarra, Staff Writer
yourself. to go to the grocery store on an empty
ourselves
Samuel Lopez, Staff Writer
According to workoutforyou.com, you stomach because you will want and buy
because we
Jimena Hernandez, Staff Writer
should exercise at least three times per more food than you actually need.
only have
one life and week, a half hour per day and drink In my opinion, being healthy is like
Dr. James Matthews, President
it is too short two liters of water per day. By doing a cycle. If you drink enough water, you
Dr. Bobbi Stottlemyer, Dean
to waste.” this, you will have better circulation. will have a better digestion, if you sleep
Desiree Gutierrez, Adviser
Try to eat fruits and vegetables to have the eight hours that are recomended by
dgutierrez@ppas.org
-Paola
a better digestion and since they are rich the doctors, your grades will increase
Hernandez
in vitamins, you will have more powerful and your state of emotion will be good
Senior
P.O. Box 1578
defenses and less probabilities of and you will have a healthy life.
Kingsville, Texas 78363
getting sick with colds and the flue, etc.
361-592-4307
Your best bet is to sleep eight hours 361-592-6126 (fax)
per day, so you can be 100 % energized www.ppas.org

5. beyond 5
Eagle X-Press
March 15, 2009
Science class visits Baffin Bay for water samples
Carranza said.
by Olivia Pun
Following the protocols of hydrology,
Staff Writer
This fall, 14 seniors are taking some students of the group made a site map
Environmental Science class with Dr. Olga of the hydrology area that they studied at
Carranza. Instead of reading the book in Baffin Bay; some students were measuring
class everyday, this class is designed to study the water depth while others were doing a
in small group discussions, research about water transparency activity.
the environment, and conduct a lot of hands- quot;When they [the group measuring the
on activities and projects. water depth] were working, they dropped
On February 13, under the guidance of three weights into the water and Alex Amaro
photo by Olivia Pun
Carranza, the class went on a field trip to was trying to get them back but he couldn't,quot;
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CLASS IS
Baffin Bay. According to Carranza, the FILLED WITH HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES said Christa Gomez, 18-year-old senior.
class has just finished studying about the WITH DR. OLGA CARRANZA
Paola Escamilla, 17-year-old senior, said
atmosphere and is now starting on a new said Carranza, Chemistry, Pysics and that she had learned a lot on this trip about
topic, hydrology. She decided to take the Environmental Science teacher. water salinity and water pH and how to
class to Baffin Bay to get some water The globe protocols are designed by study a hydrology site.
samples. scientists at NASA. Students follow them quot;It was a great trip,quot; said Escamilla, quot;We
quot;Since our course's goal is to have as as a guideline to conduct experiments and learned a lot while we had fun at Baffin
many laboratory activities as possible and activities in their courses. Bay.quot;
we want these activities to be real life, quot;These protocols are used by students
the course follows the globe protocols,quot; all over the world and are very effective,quot;
Economic Crisis is affecting many countries in the world
by Tania Rodriguez Research officially declared that U.S economy had
Currency Rate entered to a recession. From January 2 to January
Staff Writer
Mexican Peso-15.95 22, the four largest U.S banks lost half of their value.
The global economic crisis is now the top American
America started the New Year in the middle of a
concern, affecting not only United States, but many Hong-Kong dollar-7.75
crisis greater than any other this country has passed
other countries around the world., according to Guatemalan Quetzal-7.89
through. The United States has lost 533,000 jobs in
npr.org. Americans are afraid that this recession could
Peruvian Soles-3.24 November 2008, the biggest monthly loss since 1974.
linger for years. Many families are worried, watching
Euros-0.784313725 Nearly 2 million jobs were lost. America lost more
their bills pile up and their savings disappear.
Costa Rican Colon-563.46 jobs last year than any other time since World War II.
“The economy is cyclical. Ups and downs
“I hope this financial crisis will be short lived but
occur in this cycle. Unfortunately we are South-Korean Won-1,407.06
with even the best estimates, it would appear we
now in a depression,” said Joshua Perkins,
will be affected for at least two years,” Perkins said.
Economics and Geography teacher. “This
The world’s economy has deteriorated significantly
Americans and countries around the world are
phase of the business cycle is marked by high
and the global recession will be deeper than before.
anxious and uncertain of what the future will
unemployment and decreased consumer spending.”
Beginning with failures of large financial
hold. Nevertheless experts say that as 2009 will be
Some of the countries most affected by the economic
institutions in the U.S, it evolved rapidly into
the worst year of the crisis, the next year will be
crisis which are now at risk of economical instability
a global credit crisis. On September 2008, the
better according to npr.org and the faith that most
are Canada, Mexico, China, South Korea, Germany,
subprime credit crisis reached a critical stage. The
Americans have in President Barrack Obama has
France, Russia, Ukraine, India, etc. Twenty-five
crisis kept going and continued to change, evolving
not been lost. Obama is planning to save or create
percent of the world’s countries don’t have enough
at the close of October into a currency crisis. On
over 2 million jobs.
financial means to soften the impact of the crisis.
December 1, the National Bureau of Economic

6. sports
6 March 15, 2009 Eagle X-Press
PPAS track places second at first meet of the season
by Samuel Lopez
“I was very happy be-
tian Ortiz, Hugo Aguilar,
Staff Writer
cause I participated in five
Presbyterian Pan American Gustavo Guzman and Erick
events and I got good re-
School´s (PPAS) boys and Moreno won first place in
sults even though this was
girls track team placed sec- the 1600-mile relay. Tania
my first time,’’ Lopez said.
ond at their first track meet Rodriguez placed second in
In shot put, Javier Ville-
of the season on February 28 the 800-mile run and Jimena
gas won second place and
at the Asics Javelina Relays Hernandez placed third in the
in discus, he placed first.
at Texas A&M Univer- same event. Ilse Ibarra placed
“I am very proud of my-
sity- Kingsville (TAMUK). fourth in the 1600-mile run.
self because I have been
“The first 200-meter-
At this meet, the track team
training very hard and did
had 25 participants. They - it was easy but the last
not expect to place,” said
have been training since the 100-meter, it was very
Villegas 17-year-old junior.
beginning of February. The difficult because I was
Coach Reili Cantu is
track team members partici- running against the wind,’’
photo by Israel Gomez
proud of her players and
pated in different events such said Israel Gomez, junior.
SENIORS GUSTAVO GUZMAN AND ERICK MORENO COMPETED IN
praises them often, she said.
as, 200 meter, 800 meter, Melisa Lopez placed third in THE 1600-MILE RELAY AT THE ASICS JAVELINA RELAYS TRACK
“I’m always encourag-
1600-meter run, 800 meter, long and high jump, second MEET ON FEB. 28 AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-KINGSVILLE
ing my athletes to do their
1600-meter relay, 300-me- place in 300-mile hurdles
best. It doesn’t matter if
ter hurdles, high jump, long and in 800-mile relay. In the to have improved from the
improvement,” Cantu said.
we lose or win. Only if
jump, shot put and discus. 1600-mile relay and 300-me- results from the first meet.
March 14 is the next sched-
we try our best and know
Juan Chavez won first place ter hurdles, she placed third. uled meet at Rivera High
there is always room for
in the 200-meter run Chris- School and Cantu expects
U.S. defeats Mexico, 2-0, in soccer game
by Hugo Aguilar
Staff Writer
On February 11, the United States soccer team defeated the Mexican soccer team with a solid
victory of 2-0. The match took place at the wind-whipped Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus,
Ohio.
The U.S. started winning with a left corner kick goal scored by Michael Bradley right before the
first half ended. The Mexicans were in disadvantage when their top defender and captain, Rafael
Marquez, was taken out of the game with a red card.
“The expulsion that brought the Mexicans down wasn’t fair,” said Alex Amaro, 18-year old-senior.
The U.S squad took advantage of that. So once again, the midfielder Michael Bradley scored with a
powerful 25-yard shot skidding under goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez and into the net for his second
goal. Finishing the game with a culminating victory of 2-0 over Mexico at this location for the third
time in eight years.
“Psychologically, there was a big advantage for the U.S team playing there,” said Javier Aguado,
17-year old-senior.
Bradley contributed with more than goals, making a great job as a midfielder that didn´t allow
photo provided by arroyosecofilms.com Mexico to generate much attack.
“Besides the goals, he was great breaking up plays and covering a lot of ground,” said Walter
Flores, 18-year old-senior.
THE UNITED STATES DEFEATED MEXICO, 2-0, IN A
The weather was a big issue, but not in the way everyone expected for a game in this part of the
SOCCER GAME ON FEBRUARY 11 AT COLUMBUS CREW
country during winter.
STADIUM IN COLUMBUS, OHIO.
“The weather affects the conditions of the field, they didn’t play as comfortable as they can play in
normal weather,” Aguado said.

7. campus life 7
March 15, 2009 Eagle X-Press
Seniors accepted to College
Calendar Happy
Birthday!
3/17-St. Patrick's Day by Sara Gonzalez
Staff Writer
3/18-3/19-Terra Nova (morning) Ivonne Mora, 3/17
The school year is almost over and seniors
Cesar Gomez, 3/18
3/18-3/19-Eagle Field Day (afternoon) from Presbyterian Pan American School
Jose Ibarra, 3/20 (PPAS) have been receiving acceptance
3/27-Career Expo
Veronica Vasquez, 3/23 letters from Universities and colleges.
3/30-Last Day for quot;Pennies for Patientsquot; Sergio Barrera, Ruben Garcia and
Hong Choi, 3/23
Gabriela Quiroga were accepted to the
4/1-ITP TOEFL Rafael Murguia, 3/25 University of Texas at Brownsville.
4/8-Progress Reports Due Javier Aguado, 3/31 “I’m waiting for the University of Texas-Pan
American to accept me, but the University of Texas
4/9-4/13-Spring & Easter Break Saddam Bello, 4/6
at Brownsville is my second option,” Quiroga said.
4/14-Classes Resume Cecilia Ruiz, 4/16 At Texas State Technical College in Waco, Jehu
Avila and Erick Moreno have been accepted.
4/18-Prom
Walter Flores, Griselda Duran and Elisa Godinez
4/22-Science Fair were accepted to Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Josue Rivera was accepted to the University
of Texas at San Antonio, Olivia Pun was
Banquet celebrates diversity at PPAS accepted to the University of Texas at
Austin and Daniel Villarreal was accepted to
Texas A&M University at College Station.
by Ilse Ibarra “I got really excited when I found out that I was
Staff Writer
accepted. I thought that it would be really hard
Presbyterian Pan American School (PPAS) held their annual International for me to get in and when I checked my status
Banquet on Friday, February 27 at the dinning hall of the campus. on the internet and read I got accepted, I just
quot;The banquet celebrated the diversity of students of different countries that are couldn’t believe it, but I’m really proud,” said
represented at the school and to promote world peace, now that the world is facing Villarreal,17 who will attend College Station and
is planning to major in Construction Science.
wars and chaos,quot; said Speech Teacher Paloma Gonzalez, who organized the
Han Sol Lee was accepted
photo by Ilse Ibarra
banquet.
FROM LEFT, PAOLA ESCAMILLA, to the University of Houston.
The food was prepared by the kitchen staff with help from some students who KARINA BELLO, ANA PAOLA
“When I saw that I got accepted, I thought
supplied recipes from their home countries. For example, pepian from Guatemala, MELENDEZ AND MELISSA LOPEZ.
that finally my hard work and my effort had
arepas and empanadas from Venezuela and gallo pinto from Costa Rica were served.
brought me the satisfaction that I wanted. I am
Students, Juan Manuel Chavez and Omar Rivera participated with a worship song. very proud of myself, and I am really happy,”
“I wanted to share something that has become almost all my life, God,” said Chavez. said Han Sol Lee, 19. “ I am waiting for other
This year a Fashion Runway Show was arranged by Bible Teacher and Dorm Director Mary Reyes. The girls Universities in Mexico and for UT- Austin,
modeled traditional customs from India, China, Mexico, and the United States. then I will decide on which one will I attend.”
“Being in the Fashion Show was a good experience because I was able to represent a little bit of my culture by Kyoung Jea Lee who was accepted to both
Baylor University and the University of Texas
wearing a Mexican dress. I felt satisfied with this event because it was the best International Banquet that I have ever
at Austin is still waiting for acceptance letters.
seen since my first year,”said Senior Paola Escamilla.
“I don’t want to go to Baylor or UT- Austin because
Martin Luther King’s quot;I Have a Dreamquot; speech was recited by junior Ana Paola Melendez. “Through his words,
I’m waiting on Princeton University or a University
he delivers a message of equality disregarding race and it inspired me to pursue his dream and make it a reality,”
in Chicago,” said Kyoung Jea Lee. “But I’m proud of
Melendez said.
myself because I got accepted into good colleges.”
As guests of honor, the visiting Ukraine students thanked PPAS for hospitality, friendship and look forward to Ellie Perez, the school’s counselor, is proud of the
coming back sometime. students and hopes they take their education seriously.
Kseniya Zinchenko sang a song about love in her native language and Dr. Barbara Stottlemyer, Dean of Students, “I’m proud of them because they have been
and Counselor Ellie Perez gave gifts to Ukraine students, representing a little bit of Texas with cowboy hats. working extremely hard to get to the colleges they
To close the banquet, Gonzalez prayed for peace and love for the nations. want to attend,” Perez said. “I wish they take their
education seriously and pursue their choosing
After the banquet the sophomore class sponsored a dance that took place in the Student Union Building (SUB).
career no matter what obstacles they may first
encounter.”

8. 8 entertainment
March 15, 2009 Eagle X-Press
Confessions of a Shopaholic guarantees a good laugh
by Ilse Ibarra
an offensive letter and begins writing
Staff Writer
consumer’s cautions of which she herself
Based on the novel “Confessions of a does not stand for.
Shopaholic” by Sophie Kinsella, this movie Bloomwood`s comparisons and descriptions
brings comedy and romance. of money management, take her to success
Rebecca Bloomwood (Isla Fisher), a and the admiration of her boss Luke Brandon
journalist in New York City, experiences an (Hugh Dancy). As her dreams are finally
obsessive need to buy things she doesn’t need coming true, she goes to even more hilarious
with credit cards that as a child she called and extreme efforts to keep her past from
“magic cards.” ruining her future.
By the time the magazine she was working Unfortunately our past will always be part
for closes, Bloomwood realizes that it is time of our future, proves to be correct when
to face the truth. She had ignored all her bank Derek Smeath (Robert Stanton), who is
bills and debts of several thousand dollars. chasing Bloomwood to pay her debt pays her photo provided by nitrolicious.com
Luke feels for her.
While she tries to find a new job to pay an unexpected visit.
This is not just another comedy movie, it
off her debt, she manages to get a job as an With the help of her best friend Suze
will help us to consider the financial crisis
advice journalist for a financial magazine (Krysten Ritter), her parents Mr. and Mrs.
the whole world is going through, learn
which is published by the same company Bloomwood (mother, Joan Cusack and
lessons on how to live our financial life and it
she had dreamed of working for--a fashion father, John Goodman) and Shopaholics
guarantees a good time to laugh.
magazine called Allette. anonymous, she realizes that shopping will
Luckily she obtains this job after mailing not bring her happiness or the love her boss
St. Patrick's Day celebrated all over the world
by Ismael Sandoval
Staff Writer
Saint Patrick’s Day is an annual feast day which celebrates Saint Patrick (385–461 AD), one of the patron saints of Ireland, and is generally celebrated
on March 17, according to Wikipedia. Even though sometimes it is celebrated on March 15 and two times in history (1940 and 2008), it was celebrated
on April 3.
Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated by Irish people mainly, even though many non-irish people are starting to celebrate it all around the world. It’s
themed around Irish things like the color green but orange is also accepted.
A St. Patrick's Day parade was first held in Boston in 1761, organized by the Charitable Irish Society. After this one, many others began to be held,
onebeing the New York City parade--the biggest and the longest all around the world.
Because sometimes it is the season of lent, some bishops grant indults so the people can eat meat on these days if it is a Friday. This Friday is known
as the “corned-beef indult” and if the holiday falls on Sunday, it is moved to the next Monday (March 18).
According to legend, St. Patrick used the shamrock, a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pre-Christian Irish. That is why it is the
plant of the day. And that is also the reason why people dress in green.
In 1903, the Bank Holiday of Ireland named it a national holiday and not only a religious holiday. Since then, kids don’t go to school or parents to
work.
According to oels.byu.edu/student/holidays/Stpatricks.html, some traditions include, wearing the color green to honor Ireland. If someone doesn’t
wear green, everyone else is allowed to pinch that person. But if you pinch someone who is wearing green, that person gets to pinch you back ten times.
Decorations often include shamrocks.