(C) El Paso Matters.org This story was originally published by El Paso Matters.org and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Class of 2024 graduate seized opportunities for college, career readiness at Pebble Hills High School in Socorro ISD [1] ['Special To El Paso Matters', 'Learn More About Socorro Independent School District', 'El Paso Matters', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Coauthors.Is-Layout-Flow', 'Class', 'Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus', 'Display Inline', '.Wp-Block-Co-Authors-Plus-Avatar', 'Where Img', 'Height Auto Max-Width'] Date: 2024-06-06 When Telmar Munge-Ewane moved with her family from Maryland to El Paso her freshman year in high school, she found a world of new opportunities as a Pebble Hills Spartan. Although Munge-Ewane spent her first year remotely learning in Pebble Hills Early College High School because of the pandemic, she was thrilled to explore her interests in dance, biomedical sciences, and other extracurricular activities when in-person learning resumed in her sophomore year. “I just feel like they have so many opportunities here that they never had where I used to live in Maryland, like the early college program,” said Munge-Ewane, who earned college credits toward a biomedical sciences degree and an EKG technician certification through a partnership between El Paso Community College and Socorro ISD. “Other activities like dance and cheer, we didn’t have that in Maryland, so I just think that gives me many opportunities to really express myself.” Munge-Ewane is one of more than 47,000 students in Socorro ISD who are taking advantage of endless opportunities to achieve success now and in the future. SISD has innovative programs, courses, and extracurricular activities to give students a comprehensive educational experience with highly qualified SISD educators who assist all students to achieve their highest potential. Many SISD students, like Munge-Ewane, graduate with college credits, workforce certifications, associate degrees, state/national accolades, and scholarships that give them a head start to success in life. Despite the challenges of moving from the East Coast to West Texas, Munge-Ewane, an aspiring doctor, found herself thriving at Pebble Hills. She joined the early college student council, explored her interest in a medical career in the HOSA Future Health Professionals program, and got involved in the Spearette dance team, allowing her to express her love for dance. Munge-Ewane joined the cheer team in her senior year and formed close bonds with her teammates. She also discovered a new passion for performing stunts at football games in Socorro ISD. “It’s amazing to have all these opportunities,” Munge-Ewane said. “I feel like having that environment and having the ability to talk to our counselors and Ms. (Melissa) Gardner, our assistant principal, I think really helped me feel safer and more comfortable in this school environment. I never really felt that way before. And it just makes it like a positive space for every student to be included and involved, and just to do everything that you want to do and to pursue in life.” Munge-Ewane co-founded the Black Student Union at Pebble Hills High School in 2023 with the aim of building a stronger sense of community among minority students. The BSU has more than 30 members and its goal is to create a safer and more inclusive environment where students can discuss their concerns and learn about different cultures. The organization is open to all Pebble Hills High School students. “Telmar is very determined in being well rounded,” said Pebble Hills High School teacher Eric Williams, who also sponsors BSU. “She wants to be impactful in that aspect. She wants to have a say, have a voice; she wants to be heard, not only for herself, but be a voice for her peers.” Munge-Ewane’s decision to explore a career in healthcare was greatly influenced by her parents and sister, who are health care providers. She joined her school’s biomedical sciences program to see if this was the right path for her. Her experience in the EKG technician program this spring solidified her decision to pursue a medical career and become an obstetrics and gynecology doctor. The EKG technician program is a semester-long Career and Technical Education course as part of a partnership between SISD and EPCC that prepares students for entry-level EKG technician jobs after they earn their certification. “I chose biomedical as my endorsement, and I absolutely fell in love with it!” said Munge-Ewane, who hopes to attend Texas Tech University or Penn State University in the fall. Williams said he believes Munge-Ewane will achieve her dream of becoming a doctor, especially after seeing her balance her studies and extracurricular activities.”There’s no doubt in mind,” Williams said. “Especially that she can manage everything she has on her plate, and Telmar doesn’t just manage it, she excels at it. I think she will be able to do that when she focuses on just medicine.” Socorro ISD is all in to assist students to be as successful as Munge-Ewane. The district provides endless opportunities for all students, including free Pre-K for three- and four-year-olds, innovative elementary academies, free college classes, advanced academic academies, advanced career and technical training, award-winning fine arts, championship athletics, state-of-the art technologies, and world-class facilities. SISD welcomes all students to enroll and seize their opportunities for academic excellence. Registration is open for all new and returning students in grades Pre-K through 12th for the 2023-2024 school year at www.sisd.net/enrollment. [END] --- [1] Url: https://elpasomatters.org/2024/06/06/class-of-2024-graduate-seized-opportunities-for-college-career-readiness-at-pebble-hills-high-school-in-socorro-isd/ Published and (C) by El Paso Matters.org Content appears here under this condition or license: Creative Commons CC BY-ND 4.0 International. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/elpasomatters/