Middle school learning thrives Lea Naranjo, standing, science interventionist, assists students with the science program. Students pictured from left are Olga Suazo, Kristen Sanchez, Monica Riviera, Monique Zarate, Eloy Medina, Justin Wickham, Israel Villarreal and Pablo Carrion. Picture if you can students wanting to learn Galileo’s theory, Newton’s Law of Motion, algebra, literary terms, research paper formats and writing letters to students in other states. No, these are not college freshmen students; they are students at Memorial Middle School in Kingsville.

These junior high students, seventh and eighth graders show enthusiasm for challenging classes and many have the opportunity to receive high school credit while a junior high student. Pre-AP, advanced placement courses, is available to the students in subjects such as math, science, writing, and reading. If the students pass the algebra 1 end of the year exam, they will receive high school credit. This year 33 students are enrolled in Algebra 1. Last year 25 students in the Alg. 1 passed the exam and the year before that 22 students passed the test.

Students work on a reading lesson with Sandy Allen, English language arts teacher. Pictured from left are Catherine Gonzalez, Brenda Carrillo, Jon Angel Cantu, and Takiva Harris. “We have many students who are enthusiastic about learning,” said Joe Mireles, Memorial Middle School principal.

“We have great kids here,” he said. “They are respectful and well behaved.”

The school schedule has nine class periods. All students are enrolled in both a writing class and a reading class and also take two math classes.

Mireles, who has been principal at Memorial MS three years, praises his teachers and staff.

“We have professional learning communities empowering our teachers,” he said. “Everyone has input here.”

Joe Mireles, principal. Memorial MS, with 526 students and 40 teachers, projects a clean, safe environment as visitors tour the facility. (Located at 915 S. Armstrong, the school was established in 1908. KISD was established in 1908.) The school has three 42-inch high definition screens and 59 cameras located inside and outside the facility that monitors activities.

Technology availability offers both teacher and students enhanced academic success. All the teachers have laptops. The brand new Living with Science lab contains 21 student computers. Lea Naranjo was hired last December as a science interventionist. She was sent to school science labs in Houston. The young, energetic teacher has handwritten 200 vocabulary science words posted on the walls for students to familiarize themselves with and make it easier for them to grasp science concepts. The vocabulary words are written on both a junior high and high school level.

Ashley Price, seventh grade pre-AP writing teacher, works with students Mikayla Flores and Felipe Marquez. Students also from left are Crystal Perez, Rebecca Patterson, and Samantha Gonzalez. “Basically, I tutor the kids with the Living with Science program,” said Naranjo who has a biology degree from Texas A&M University- Kingsville.

While visiting the class it was obvious the students liked going into the science learning center, and the eighth graders shared their favorite science topics.

“It is colorful here and you learn more,” said Kristen Sanchez, a straight A student. She likes to study about the rock cycle erosion.

“I think this is very interesting,” said Israel Villarreal commenting about the appearance of the science lab. “I like to study about the Newton Laws of Motion.”

Band director Raymond Mendez conducts the seventh and eighth grade honors bands. “It looks like we have the dictionary here and this helps us a lot,” said Pablo Carrion.

He liked to study the human body. “There are mysterious things about the body.”

Walking down the hall to the Pre-AP seventh grade class, the teacher, Ashley Price, is sharing information with the students who will be participating in a Snail Mail Relay. All the seventh graders in four Pre-AP classes and three regular classes will be writing letters to other seventh graders throughout the U.S.

While visiting another class taught by Sally Lopez, the students were working on the computers. Lopez, a tech teacher, was reviewing the steps in keying a research paper on the proper format.

Jessica Smith, seventh grade pre-AP math teacher, assists students with their assignments. Pictured from left are Daniel Sendejo, Fernando Martinez, Johnson Le, and Alex Ramirez. The junior high students can also participate in the beginners, concert, honors and symphony band. The athletic classes include weightlifting classes that help students improve their agility, strength endurance and conditioning, according to Dino Gutierrez, the Middle School Coordinator for boys. He is in charge of all the boys’ athletic sports that include football, basketball and track. Desiree Martinez is the Middle School Coordinator for all the girls’ sports and basically they parallel the boys athletic program. Tennis and golf are also other sports activities.

Memorial Middle School participates in a Gear Up program whose focus is to prepare students for college. This school year some of the students visited TAMUK, Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi and some colleges in San Antonio.

The junior high school students can also become involved with the Student Council, Civil Air Patrol, choir and the chess club.

A new organization known as the Student Advisory Group was recently organized.

The focus of the group is to present ideas to continue maintaining and enhancing a positive learning environment and will also focus on the beautification of the campus.

Sarah Garcia, a seventh grade student, was the brainchild of this idea and suggested it to Mireles.

Mireles said he really liked being a principal at the junior high.

“There is not a day that goes by that I do not want to be here,” said Mireles who has been with the Kingsville Independent School District 16 years.

Some of the students who were learning to write thank you notes expressed their gratitude to Mireles. These are excerpts from the thank you notes.

“I just wanted to let you know how grateful I am that you are my principal. I appreciate all the things you have done for this school and the wonderful way in which you think of your students. You have made my two school years here the best! I will also miss you very much when I go to high school. If there is anything I can ever do to be a better student please let me know!” (written by Bailey Benys).

Alexandra Quinones stated these words in her thank you note:

“Thank you for being a great administrator to our school and for supporting me in everything I do. I somehow find the courage to explore new things when I know you will be proud of me no matter what the turn out might be. I’ve accomplished great things during the two years I have been here at Memorial and you are by far one of the many reasons why I’ve had so much motivation to do so. You have taught me that if you believe in something and you put your mind to it that you can succeed.”

It is obvious from these notes and other student comments, Memorial Middle School has bragging rights on the campus and their principal.