2024-2025 WHS CTE Students of the Month
Waco High School
January 2025 Senior CTE Student of the Month
Criminal Justice/Law
Criminal Justice Senior - Guadalupe Sanchez
My name is Guadalupe Sanchez, and I am currently a senior at Waco High School, pursuing an endorsement in Criminal Justice. Throughout my four years in the Criminal Justice program, I have gained extensive knowledge regarding the Constitution, Miranda rights, and a range of recent legal cases. This endorsement has proven to be invaluable, as an understanding of my rights will be essential in various important situations that may arise in the future. I would like to express my gratitude to my instructor, Mr. Baker, for his guidance and support. From a young age, I have been drawn to the field of criminal justice. The prospect of exploring new cases and laws has consistently inspired me. I am committed to pursuing my childhood aspiration by attending the University of Texas at Austin, where I will major in prelaw with a focus on children's family law. My primary objective is to assist children in escaping abusive home environments and addressing the issues of mental and physical abuse that they do not deserve. In my view, no individual should endure suffering, whether physical or psychological, due to the actions of others. I am dedicated to rescuing as many children as possible from these situations. Regardless of the challenges and sleepless nights I may encounter, I will remain resolute in my commitment to these children. I am prepared to apply the knowledge and skills I have acquired during my high school education to real-world scenarios, as I strive to realize my professional aspirations.
December 2024 Senior CTE Student of the Month
Business Marketing
Business Marketing Senior - Rachel Monrial
Starting a business has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. I’ve always envisioned running a bakery one day. My uncle, who owns his own business, has been a huge inspiration to me. I’ve always admired his success and the way he manages others. He has influenced me to become my own boss and money-maker. Becoming a student of the business pathway has helped me to become a future entrepreneur.
Taking the business pathway has been incredibly beneficial in many ways. It has helped me grow my knowledge in areas such as management, advertising, and marketing. I’ve gained valuable insights into what attracts customers and how to identify the right target market based on age and preferences. I’ve learned how to effectively pitch an idea, developing the ability to think on my feet and present a topic quickly. The experience of having a time limit to pitch my product to key decision-makers has taught me how to be concise, persuasive, and focused under pressure. Through creating scenarios and making decisions on how to improve situations in a business. Learning to budget my startup costs, as well as manage fixed and variable expenses, has been helping me become a better entrepreneur than I had imagined.
Being in the business pathway has significantly helped me in setting clear and achievable goals, whether they are long-term, short-term, or mid-term. I’ve learned how to break down my goals into smaller, manageable steps, which makes it easier to stay on track and measure progress. The pathway has taught me the importance of prioritizing my goals and recognizing the steps necessary to accomplish them. I now understand that balancing different types of goals is important to staying focused and motivated. The process has also helped me develop a better understanding of time management and how to allocate my resources effectively. Additionally, I’ve gained insight into how to assess my goals regularly to ensure I’m heading in the right direction.
As I continue on the business pathway, I am hopeful that all the hard work I’ve put into becoming a better entrepreneur will lead to a successful outcome for my future. Being a part of this pathway has helped me develop a mindset I never thought I would have. I now approach situations and challenges with a different perspective than those around me. My way of thinking is more strategic and focused on growth, setting me apart from others. I am confident that the skills and insights I’ve gained will guide me in achieving my goals. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to be part of the business pathway and for the growth it has inspired in me.
November 2024 Senior CTE Student of the Month
AAVTC (Video Production)
AAVTC (Video Production) Senior - Ivan Acuna
Video Production has taught me a lot about life as a student. It gave me a clearer perspective on how to use my skills in the real world. I have learned that practicing the simple things matters the most in Video Production and that the sky's the limit when it comes to filmmaking. At first, I questioned whether It was something I wanted to do, but now I know that this is what I truly love.
First, I want to thank God for making this possible, then I want to thank everyone who sees my hard work and dedication to this class, and my friends who helped me on my journey to realizing this is what I truly love doing. Lastly, I would like to thank my teacher, Mr. Burney, who has provided me with the equipment and lessons I needed to be successful in what I do today.
October 2024 Senior CTE Student of the Month
GWAHCA - Health Sciences
GWAHCA Health Science Senior - Marcus Coulter
Healthcare has had a profound influence on my life in several ways, shaping my perspectives and impacting my daily decisions. Growing up, I was always aware of the importance of maintaining good health, largely due to the experiences of my family and the healthcare professionals who supported us. Regular visits to the doctor and the emphasis on preventive care instilled in me the importance of a healthy lifestyle. This early exposure to healthcare taught me the value of regular check-ups, vaccinations, and maintaining a balanced diet, which are now integral parts of my routine.
Moreover, healthcare has influenced my educational and career aspirations. Witnessing the dedication and compassion of healthcare workers inspired me to consider a career in the medical field. The impact that doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals have on individuals and communities is profound, and I find the idea of contributing to this field both rewarding and motivating. This influence has guided my academic choices, leading me to take courses related to biology, chemistry, and human anatomy, and to seek out volunteer opportunities in healthcare settings.
Finally, healthcare has shaped my understanding of social responsibility and the importance of community health. The COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, highlighted the critical role of public health measures and the need for collective action to protect vulnerable populations. It made me more aware of health disparities and the importance of advocating for equitable access to healthcare services. This awareness has driven me to participate in community health initiatives and to support policies that aim to improve healthcare access for all. In essence, healthcare has not only influenced my personal health practices but also my broader outlook on life and my commitment to contributing positively to society.
September 2024 Senior CTE Student of the Month
Automotive
Automotive Senior - Anthony Moncrief
Hello, my name is Anthony Moncrief. I am a Senior at Waco High Automotive Academy.
This program has many opportunities for students to grow and learn through the training. I have learned many things over the years through my hands-on experience. Students will learn what cars need to function properly, and how to fix and diagnose them. Students will also learn to be more patient and have better problem-solving skills from working on cars and learning in class. We have yearly competitions for Skills USA where we can submit projects, and participate in quiz bowls and hands-on tests. Students will have the opportunity to test their skills in this competition against other schools and students. Students have a chance to go on to state and national competitions. The Automotive Academy allows students to have the opportunity to obtain ASE certifications if they pass the test. ASE certifications can help in finding a job and put you ahead of other people who don’t have ASE certifications. We have worked on a variety of things in automotive, ranging from cars and trucks to lawnmowers, and anything with an engine. Even if you don’t go into the automotive industry it teaches you responsibility, independence, time management, and teamwork, plus you can save a lot of money in the process.
This program is important to me because of the things I have learned, the people I have
met in the program, and my experience overall. I have dedicated the past 4 years to learning about cars and how to work on them. I love taking the cars apart and learning how they work and seeing what part does what. There was never a dull moment in automotive; we were always busy. When I first entered the program I knew nothing about cars, the most I knew was how to fill the gas tank and that's it. I've learned a lot from the excellent automotive teachers we have at Waco High, and they are always answering questions students have about cars and even going further and explaining why parts do this and that or why they made it that way. I’m thankful for the knowledge I've gained from this program, it helps me know what it takes to be successful in the future.