Reflections and resolutions: Looking back and looking forward

By Carlos P., Kymberlin M. and Omar R.

Each year is full of good things as well as not-so-good things. CATS students and teachers reflect on the past year and offer advice.

The worst — but also the best

People experienced a number of challenges last year.

Tenth grader Nayeli O. said that the beginning of 2022 was hard because of the pandemic and not being able to see loved ones.

Senior Abygail S. said, “the worst part of last year would have to be entering 12th grade.” 

For science teacher Ms. Michelle Suarez, “the worst of last year was getting sick and missing a lot of school because that’s not always fun, but it is what it is.”

But good things happened, too. Ms. Suarez shared that not only did she get both her master’s degree and administration credential, she was also nominated for a teaching award. “I can’t pick just one,” she said. “So many great things happened.”

New Year’s Resolutions

The new year is a time to set a resolutions, which help people organize their goals and to accomplish them.

Freshman Andrew M. said, “I’m looking forward to joining the football team and exercising more.”

A goal for Nayeli O. is to pay more attention in class, while Ms. Suarez said, “I’m hoping to be more disciplined and more focused in all areas of my life, yeah discipline, focus.”

Junior Dayanara F. said, “I would like to finish the year off strong with my grades and stay on track on top of my grades.” She explained that, “I’ll feel good because during my sophomore and freshman year were pretty bad. I would slack off and I wouldn’t do anything.” But she thinks this year will be better.

For Mr. Rafael Romo, who leads the ACE program at CATS, his resolution is “to focus on my faith and family, continue to be present to my wife and kids and just really spend time with them, after work and in the weekend doing things with them.”

Mr. Romo also shared reason why his goals are important to him, saying,“They’re important to me because, like I said my family is everything to me, so I think that matters, my family, work, and everything else, but my family is my number one. I want to make sure that my kids grow up saying that my dad was always talking to me, giving me advice and I also want the same for my wife.”

Sharing the wisdom

Everyone needs help from time to time. Here is some helpful advice.

“Remember that your authenticity is really important, so what does it mean to be you and what makes you shine and following your heart as you find those things out is really cool,” Ms. Suarez said.

Abygail S. shared that “it does not matter if this is your first year at CATS, join as many clubs as you can handle.” She also added, “don’t get into any of the AP classes, and have fun with your last year.”

Last but not least, “follow your dreams,” said Nayeli O.