Red, white and blue flooded the auditorium entrance as students and teachers celebrated their passing scores on the United States History End-of-Course Exam. On Nov. 15, sections of the Coral Gables Senior High School campus were reserved for the students commemorating their academic victory. Attending teachers were thrilled to once again be commemorating students who passed the EOC, as they prepared the decorations and venue.
From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., seniors who passed their US History EOC the previous year were invited to attend the annual celebration, congratulating them on their dedication and achievement. Participants were excused early from their third period and made their way down to the auditorium for the opening presentation.
“About five years ago Mr Diaz and I were trying to motivate the kids to perform better in the class. It started with a small pizza party celebration for the students, and it has evolved to the big celebration we now have every year. The kids really appreciate it and seeing how much it means to them is a main reason why I teach. Mr Diaz and I support each other in the classroom trying the best we can to teach our kids,” Mrs. D’alemberte said.
Mrs. D’alemberte began the ceremony acknowledging the pride she felt for her students, recognizing their effort to pursue a passing score. She announced that the students received the highest Gables passing rate in the past fifteen years and the crowd erupted in cheers, thrilled with the results. Other speakers included Mr. Diaz and Principal Balboa who provided students with their kind remarks, proud to be admiring the students’ achievement.
“Every class Mr. Diaz gave us a powerpoint on a different topic about our class. The slideshows helped because many of us were able to take a lot of notes, memorizing the information. He also talks a lot to us which really helps me, because I am a visual and auditory learner. I did better than I thought I would at the beginning of the year and I’m happy I passed,” senior Gabriela Sanchez-Rodriguez said.
Directly following the introduction, students who received a five on the EOC exam were gifted a custom US History crewneck. Similarly, every student with a passing score received a long sleeved shirt with the title “All Star” expressing their accomplishment.
“The shirt design was a surprise with my face on the shirt, and I thank Mrs. Dalemberte, Mrs. Camacho, Mrs. Santamaria, and the staff for putting the celebration together,” Mr. Diaz said.
The master of ceremonies began raffling prizes for students, every student faced an equal opportunity to win prizes, which included tickets to graduation, tickets to senior picnic and multiple chipotle gift cards. Winners went up to receive their award next to US mascot Uncle Sam who was celebrating with students throughout the event.
“Since the celebration has been around, I’ve always helped out with the backdrops for students to take photos, prizes for raffling and the whole set up. I think the fact that other students see the celebration as a fun event makes them want to strive to do better in the class to be part of the event the following year,” Mrs. Camacho said.
The festivity reached its pinnacle as students exited the auditorium and enjoyed an hour and a half of games and food. Participants waited in line for complimentary chicken tenders and fries from 3-Island G’s Mobile Cuisine, a food truck providing lunch for the day. Students lined up behind the US backdrop to take photos, capturing memories with their classmates.
“My biggest struggle is to teach kids that they’re not here to work, but to learn. I don’t assign them busy work, but I do tell my students that their assignments are tools for their knowledge and if they learn to use them right, they will be master craftsmen,” Mr. Diaz said.
Grateful for their day of recognition, students played many games including tic tac toe, connect four, and Jenga with their friends, relaxing throughout the event. The event concluded as students returned to their seventh period class after second lunch.
Teachers work to continue uplifting their students by means of student recognition, celebrating their phenomenal scores. The event provides a goal to work towards, as students taking the class look to be a part of the celebration next year.
