Friendship Games 2013

The Friendship Games took place at our school this year. It lasted three days, and during that short time, we took pictures of the soccer and volleyball games. Also, the cheerleaders made an outstanding performance. With the photos we took, we made a quick video. We won first place on both boys and girls on soccer. We also won second place on both girls and boys volleyball game.

Friendship Games: Boys Soccer

This video features the SCCS Boys Varsity Soccer team during the 20013 Friendship Games. We played three games in the normal round and won them all. The first match was against the ACS Cougars and the result was 4-0 for the Jaguars. In the second game, the Jaguars defeated the CCS Calvert 4-1. The last game of the normal round was against the AISB Phoenix and the Jaguars won the game with a result of 4-0. The final game against the CCS Calvert ended with a final score of 3-2 with the Jaguars earning the title of Friendship Games soccer champions once again! 

Friendship Games Video

Friendship Games Video Opinions of Athletes and Spectators

Collage of SCCS Girls Soccer and Volleball Teams

Collage of SCCS Girls Soccer and Volleyball Teams by Rodrigo Adriazola

Glimpse of SCCS

Poem: To My Junior Class

To My Junior Class

Fabiana Peña Feeney

Temporarily we reside in a location unknown

Not wanting to be traced down.

Afraid of the brute reality that undeniably lies ahead

Lies ahead of me, ahead of us.

We have stood together hand in hand for thirteen years,

Or so it seems.

The day that we are forced to let go rapidly

scurries its way to our present

Like a bike with no breaks moving in a vertical manner

 down a steep jagged mountain.

What should I be?

Who should I work hard to become?

These questions become our tongue twisters

As we have a hard time verbalizing them

 But they appear to be comfortably living

as one of our permanent thoughts.

Am I good enough for this? How far?

How far can my middle finger reach when

 I stretch out my arm; it feels like it could just detach

from my shoulder and levitate high up and

never stop rising. But is it high enough?

Low enough that it means nothing at all?

No one will take it seriously, not even I, will believe my own finger?

And what happens when I fill in the first miniature

 bubble with that lead #2. What will happen then?

 Because of this bubble will my future in some way

make a shift? Will it change?

Our lives have been reduced to a series of questions.

Every sentence I write uncertainty of whether a

question mark should go at the end is present.

Some things I am sure of but more that I am not?

I keep repeating “One test does not define my life.”

but then again, how many do? At the end of this fourteen-year

odyssey numbers will stand firmly besides our names.

These numbers will be part of who we are.

The reality is, my dear juniors,

that the numbers that have been added, subtracted,

divided and multiplied through the years in our school

 will make a lot of decisions for us.

And that makes me uneasy…

someone, actually something; making decisions for us.

But these numbers are ours.

We made them and added them and everything in between.

 I know that I have to assume responsibility

and I will do just that

 but the nerves are talking, the uncertainty

and the million of questions on my mind.

My dear junior class, I am afraid

 we are all rabbits in a forest full of wild cats.

  We have nowhere to go just yet.

No one seems to understand us,

when we try to utter the wretched tongue twisters

 we work so hard to forget.

Friendship Games

             

                After 3 arduous days of playing and cheering, Friendship Games are over. After many years, it was finally our turn to host the games. Trying to overcome last year’s defeat as overall champions to AISB, the Jaguar athletes were more than motivated, they were hungry for victory. During the 3 days of competition, with the help of our marvelous supporters and the great effort from our athletes we were victorious. We won the overall champions cup with two first places in soccer and two second places in volleyball, having more points than our opponents. Way to go Jaguars!

Rafael Sakuma

The SCCS Cancer Project

     One out of every three people on Earth will be affected by cancer in their lifetime. In Santa Cruz, Bolivia the statistics are higher since we have the highest rate of cancer in all of South America. Bolivia has the highest rate of cancer in South America, and out of Bolivia, Santa Cruz has the highest rate. In twenty years if we don't do something about cancer prevention and education, the statistics of one in three is going to increase: it is going to double! That means that almost everybody will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime... In Santa Cruz, Bolivia that statistic will be worse. That is why we formed the Santa Cruz Cooperative School Cancer Project: to help prevent this epidemic from occurring.

-Renee Gurley. SCCS Cancer Project Director

     This is a video that allows you to have a peek of what the SCCS Cancer Project is all about: who they are, what they do, and why they do it. Even though this club was initiated at the beginning of this school year, it is increasing in members and achieving marvelous things that the members never thought possible. This is a club that is eager to receive new members since the Centro Oncologico del Oriente Boliviano (the oncology hospital), does not get many volunteers as they would like. If you are interested in hopping on board this team of dedicated students, contact Mrs. Gurley at her classroom, and begin the journey to creating a healthier community.

-Maria Fernanda Flores

Introducing The Jaguar Journal Photo Gallery

We have made our own photo gallery with pictures where you can find images related to school and the Jaguar community. So far we have two albums; the first features various views of the campus, and the second album shows a glimpse of the new elective program.  We are planning to add more pictures soon, so click on the "Jaguar Journal Gallery" page on the right sidebar and enjoy our pictures!
                                  --Anna Reyes, Alexendra Velasco, and Vennessa Luna

Cancer Club Halloween Party

        The SCCS Cancer Club threw a Halloween party at the Instituto Oncologico del Oriente Boliviano. The hospital was beautifully decorated with spider webs, jack-o-lanterns, posters, balloons, and much more. These was also delicious treats and food such as cookies, candies, and cakes for the children and their parents to enjoy. The members of the club organized entertaining activities such as bowling and face painting and bought toys that all the children were eager to receive. Because everyone put so much love into everything they did, the party turned out perfect. The SCCS Cancer Club was able to make many children smile with joy and make SCCS proud, once again. 

-Stephanie Vidovic 

SCCS iPad Program: Going from Old School to New School

 Forget the heavy textbooks, the piles of papers, and the mess of pens and pencils in your backpack—at least if you’re in grades six through ten at SCCS. The school is experiencing a big change: The SCCS iPad Program. Beginning this year each student in grades six through ten are required to have an iPad. Talking to Ken Davis, Dean of Students and iPad Program Coordinator, reveals a lot more about the advantages, motivations, and purposes of the iPad Program.  Mr. Davis discussed the difficulties with textbooks and how the iPad has helped solve these issues: “Here in Bolivia it’s difficult to get textbooks.” He mentioned the issues with importing books from the States, the complications with replacing books, and the high expenses of obtaining textbooks. The iPad program helped solve all of those issues immediately. We can get all the books cheaper and downloaded right away,” Mr. Davis explained.  In addition, Mr. Davis has been hosting weekly meetings where teachers meet to learn and share new applications and uses for the iPads in the classroom.
This is just the start of our new school, and we look forward to the iPad program expanding and seeing where it goes in the future. 

Operation Smile At SCCS

Santa Cruz Cooperative School and Operation Smile are working together to improving the lives of children across the world. Operation Smile is a foundation that provides free surgeries to children who are born with a cleft palette. SCCS students are fully involve with Operation Smile: going to misions, working in the ExpoCruz, traveling to conferences, organizing bake sales, and raising money in various ways.

Click the link below to see the video that tells a little bit of Operation Smile’s history and SCCS’s participation. 

SEE THE OPERATION SMILE VIDEO!

-Francesca Colanzi

Enriching SCCS with Dedication, Passion, Writing and Art

Mrs.Talarico looking over her students' work. (photo by Fabiana P.F.)

"Art is what connects us to all the other areas of intelligence and development. Including people who are inclined to math, or any other field, art opens doors to everything, it gives you the possibility to develop other parts of the mind." – Mrs. Talarico. These are wise words from SCCS’s new art teacher Mrs.Talarico who has made the SCCS community thankful, for the dedication she possesses; and proud, for the many achievements she has acquired through the years.

Living most of her life in Bolivia, but born in Santiago Chile she calls herself a Bolivian. She received her college education in Europe and loves travelling especially when the voyages offer learning and growing experience. Recently going to Turkey she was marveled of the beauty and rich culture of the country. Nether less she feels she has embraced Bolivia and calls it her home. She even dared to say she was “tropicalized” and was “here to stay”.

When I questioned her about her job and why she had chosen to be an art teacher she simply said “I love my job” in such a manner that even if she had said something like “I love being a puddle of water” I would have believed her. Mrs. Talarico is a woman who is passionate about what she does and wants only to help young adults achieve their highest potential in all fields. She left it very clear that her choice in career was one of the best decisions she has taken.

It is widely known around school that Mrs.Talarico has received national awards for her works of poetry, but this humble writer doesn’t brag about the many children’s books she has published and the awards she has received for them as well.  When I asked where she gets inspiration she smiled and replied “the kids.” Being in an environment where she is able to help expand human minds she takes full advantage of her current position.

Mrs. Talarico has made SCCS richer this year with her encouraging words, kind actions and leading with example, example of someone who has perused her passion in life and is content with her decisions.

                                                                                                -Fabiana Peña Feeney

Teacher, Mother, Friend

Mrs. Skelly enjoying some family time (Photo provided by Mrs. Skelly)

   Scanning through all teacher names, one specific caught my eye: Mrs. Selena Skelly. I don't know why it interested me, but it did. I immediately asked her if she had some free time so I could interview her. She kindly accepted. Once I got to know her I was shocked; I never thought she'd have the life she does. I discovered she has two lovely children, who are located in the school's nursery during most of the day. When I first saw her, I thought "wow, she's really young and pretty!" I never thought she was a teacher and a mother, and I learned she is dedicated and excellent in her roles. With her blonde hair and light skin, I was surprised to find out she has actually lived in Bolivia for quite a while, nine years total. She came to Bolivia in 2004, and lived in Cochabamba: "I first went to Cochabamba to teach at Calvert. I really wanted to teach in Latin America."  Then I asked where she was before Cochabamba. "I was in Mexico for two years and before that in New York, and before that Colombia. I'm glad I came to Bolivia, I met my husband in Cochabamba. I got married in 2007, so we've been married for six years," she explained.

   Besides being a great mother, she is an excellent teacher who really puts effort into her job. The way she talked about teaching, you could tell she was very passionate about it. Her favorite subject is reading and writing. When I asked her to explain why, she responded with, "My favorite subject to teach would be reading and writing because I really enjoy teaching and being surrounded by children makes it even better. I enjoy that they are really interested in school, learning, I love how they ask so many questions and that they are curious." Her answer made me smile. Knowing a teacher loves her students is very touching. Not all teachers are known for liking their students. Mrs. Skelly takes her time showing kids how to do their homework, teaching them new things and it's refreshing to know some teachers actually enjoy their job to the fullest. I asked her if she had any challenges. "There are challenges. I think that the biggest challenge would be to make the class interesting and dynamic so that all students are staying focused because a lot of times students are getting bored and have a hard time staying on task." 

 - 
          To conclude, Mrs. Skelly is a wonderful teacher, mother and friend. She's loves kids and takes good care of them. She has shown the love and passion for her work. We are glad to have her here and we welcome her to our staff with a warm smile.                                                                                    - Vanessa Luna

Mrs. Silvana Moscoso: "I don’t think that I would like to be anyone else, no."

Mrs. Moscoso spreading the joy of books! (photo by Stephanie Vidovic)

Mrs. Silvana Moscoso is our new SCCS librarian coming from Santa Cruz International School. As a manner of welcoming her to SCCS we decided to sit down with her on a Monday afternoon at her office to ask her a few questions about herself, her past, and most importantly her new job at SCCS. By the end of the interview we had learned so much about Mrs. Moscoso that we felt like we had known her for years. We are extremely pleased to have learned so much about Mrs. Moscoso and her fascinating life.

How would you describe yourself?

"I am very eclectic. I’m different, yes, because there are no two that are the same. I try to follow and to do what I believe. If I ask something of anyone, my partner, my friends, my kids, or my students, I try to be a model. At the same time even though I think that I am very organized, I think there are things that are very important. Being respectful, being true to who you are and whom you believe you are more than anything, but respecting other people is the basis for everything. That’s what I ask from people and that’s what I try to give, as well."

Do you have any hobbies? What are they?

"I love to be at home. I love music, electronic music. The type of life that I have now doesn’t allow me a lot of free time, with four kids its kind of hard. I would like to be able to go out more and be in places where I can listen to music but usually that is super late and I have a small child. Hobbies would be cooking. I love to cook, I think that would’ve been my other choice of profession."

What made you want to become what you are and why?

"I don’t think I meant to become what I am [laughs], it was not intentional at first. The why I’ll tell you once I explain a little bit how this happened. I went as an exchange student to United States on my last school year. This was kind of a problem because I was graduating that year and I left in the middle of the year, so I wasn’t graduating with my class. When I came back, obviously my class had graduated already and I had to make for the tests and everything. I graduated out of classes and on the time that I had left I started doing some stuff around. I had a friend who graduated from this school and she used to be the library assistant while she was waiting to go study. She was leaving and she asked me to take her place while I was I was waiting to go study to Argentina. She said I would make some money, help the librarian and still practice my English. I agreed and that’s how everything started really because I came for a matter of months and I ended up staying 10 years. I got married, didn’t go to Argentina obviously, go study what I was planning. I had my first son and that’s when I started taking Education courses and went to university."

Why did you want to become part of the SCCS staff?

"Because I think there are things that I can offer to the children and to the middle and high school students. If I can give them a little bit of what I believe and help them feel and be better."

What do you like best about your job?

"To see the kids’ faces. I can’t even describe it. The look you receive after you have helped them in a way to experience something special, there is no money that can reward that. When I read stories to my little ones, they are just looking at me. They are in such a trans that when I look at their faces, it’s all that matters. It makes my day."

Tell us something unusual about yourself.

"I don’t think at this point there is anything that is unusual. Everything is so possible that it is not unusual anymore. Maybe, my tattoos are something that no one expects [laughs]. Besides that, I think I have a very young soul. Even for me now, it is very difficult to match the age I have with how I feel. It has always been like that."

Do you have any tattoos? What are they and what is the meaning behind them?

"I do, I have three! I have one on my left hip. That one was the first one and it is a black rose. All the tattoos I have contain some meaning. It’s not esthetic or it’s not meant to be pretty. Obviously, I look for it to be nice. The black rose means part of my life that was dark, but still beautiful in a way. Then, I went through a very hard process of self-evaluation, changing, and re-making of myself. This is when I did my butterfly tattoo, which is on the back of my neck, which means transforming. The last one I actually had it made like one or two months ago, it is a phoenix. It is on my lower back. A phoenix is a bird that comes alive from its own ashes. This to me symbolizes that when you change some part of you goes but some part of you comes back. You we’re not expecting so many tattoos! [laughs]''

Do you have an embarrassing story?

"I probably do, but I probably block them so I don’t remember [laughs]."

Who is the person you most admire, why?

"I think I would say Gandhi. He was able to transform and still is able to transform the way people want to achieve goals without harming anyone. Without yelling, without screaming, without being violent. I think that’s amazing."

What is your philosophy on life?

"Follow your dreams. It sounds very cliché, but it’s exactly what I believe. Not what you think you want, but what you truly want. There is something there that tells you what is right and what you want. Sometimes you try to make it rational and give sense and you change it because it’s not exactly what people are expecting. So, you leave that part of you that is true to who you want to be, aside. But if you follow that, it will never lead you to something bad. If you have a passion for making shoes, go ahead! Follow it! Everything you do based on that passion would come out perfect. Be true to yourself, I think my philosophy would be."

Do you find any difficulties with your job and what are they?

"Yes. I think that is part of the experience that I had probably on my destiny [laughs]. It is true; I am having a hard time with the high school, which I never had before. The last thing I wanted was to become a sergeant, but that’s what I am becoming become I wont let loose of what I believe is right. My job is to provide the people who use the library with a space where they can read, study, work in an English speaking school. I need people to follow those rules. What I feel is that I am being the bad guy because I’m asking the rules to be followed and I’m not going to let go. It is so hard to go every 5 minutes and say ‘’please speak English, please be quiet.’’ They look at you in a way that you can read their minds. But, that’s my job. I don’t want that relationship with the high school. That’s the right thing to do and I’m not going to change that just to please and to be nice. Tough Luck, for both because I suffer [laughs]."

If you could go back, would you change your life in any way?

"No. I am the result of the things that maybe at the moment were not right. So, no. I’m happy."

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

"I see myself working from home. Probably doing some of the stuff that I do know, but not as a full-time job. Then again, just as I say that, when I’m at home I miss this [job] too much. So, I don’t know. My dream is to work and live far away."

If you could be anyone else, who would you be?

"I don’t think that I would like to be anyone else, no."

--Stephanie Vidovic