Lily Garza (Student on the right)
The summer after Lily’s ninth grade year was a low time in her life. With a 2.25 grade point average, she wasn’t doing very well in school and wasn’t really interested in academics or school activities. She found herself following others when what she really wanted was to be her own person. When she heard about AAMA’s George I. Sanchez Charter School, she thought she would take a look and see if it met her need for change. Her perception of the school before her visit was that it was only for kids who were pregnant or had been kicked out of other schools. What she found was a close-knit student body with faculty and staff who paid attention and didn’t “close out” students’ concerns.
“At GIS, you can go to any staff member for help,” Lily said. “They are like family and, like the motto says, they really do help people.”
Lily said three GIS faculty members have been particularly helpful to her. “Mr. Wong is strict and determined; yet he inspires me to have confidence in myself and pushes me to do better.” Wong, who teaches math and science, is faculty advisor for the National Honor Society and coach of the academic team, both activities in which Laura has participated.
“Mr. Hardt is very open-minded and has expanded my horizons,” Laura said. Hardt teaches social studies, coaches the girls’ soccer team and is faculty advisor for Club Cultural. He also has organized the first student trip to Washington, D.C. in the spring of 2006. For many students, the trip will be their first opportunity to travel outside Texas and to fly.
Lily also gives counselor Ms. Pena high marks for her work with students.
“Ms. Pena is just great,” Lily said. “She listens to my concerns and personal issues in a non-judgmental way and offers the best advice.”
Lily has many dreams – to travel, to study communication at the University of Texas and to pursue a career in broadcast journalism. Ultimately, she wants to help children, although she’s not sure yet how she will do that. Already she has achieved one goal she set for herself – Lily is ranked 10th in her class and has brought her grade point average up to 3.5.
President of the senior class, Lily still worries about her grades and not living up to her potential. Ed Socha, director of the GIS Early College program has no such worries.
“Lily is an outstanding student and will graduate from GIS with 26 hours of college credit,” Socha said. “She has the ability and determination to achieve whatever she dreams.”
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