JCCS Student Spotlight: Carlos
The Juvenile Court and Community Schools student representative on the San Diego County Board of Education for February was Carlos, a senior at SOUL Academy.
Carlos was selected as student representative because of his growth, energy, leadership skills, and determination to graduate high school.
Principal Theresa Fox says that Carlos welcomes new students to the school and often gives tours to prospective students and parents. He also enjoys serving as emcee during school events like a recent Design Jam art show.
Carlos attends school full time and also holds a part-time job as a busser. Through the school, he’s enrolled in driver’s education, the ACCESS program, and a college course at Palomar College.
Counselor Jessica Pena says that Carlos makes her laugh every day.
“He brings a smile to my face when I see him," she said. "It’s been such an honor to see how much he’s grown in the last few years. He faces his challenges head on and is always willing to try new opportunities."
Carlos shared during the Board of Education meeting that he hadn’t always been a great student. He had fallen behind at his previous school, but found the environment and teachers at SOUL Academy provided the individual help and resources he needed to succeed.
“The school helped me get glasses, an ID, and a bus pass to get to and from school, and provided me the chance to look at the PACT (Professional Automotive Career Training) program at Miramar College so I can continue to use my knowledge to become a mechanical engineer and work on cars,” he explained.
At the Board of Education meeting, he thanked the school staff as well as his mother and girlfriend for their support.
Each month, the San Diego County Board of Education recognizes a student from Juvenile Court and Community Schools at its regular meeting.
|
|
|
More to explore
The San Diego County Board of Education is accepting online applications for student board members now through Feb. 1 on the SDCOE student board member webpage.
Alicia McBride, an SDCOE teacher in the Juvenile Court and Community Schools East Region, was recently honored by the San Diego County Credit Union as part of its Classroom Heroes program.
The Juvenile Court and Community Schools student representative on the San Diego County Board of Education for November was M’Niya, a senior at San Pasqual Academy.
The Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission selected Mara Madrigal-Weiss, executive director of student wellness and school culture for the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), as its chair for the third consecutive year.
The San Diego County Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution endorsing November 2023 as National Native American Heritage Month.
There are many local scholarship and contest opportunities available for students in San Diego County. Check this page often for updates.