(Seguin) — Seguin ISD’s youngest elementary school is celebrating a decade of learning. Students and staff on Monday not only sang Happy Birthday to the 10-year-old campus but they celebrated with 600 gold, white and black Matador cupcakes. Choosing to celebrate on Nov. 11, was also in honor of the school’s namesake Oralia R. Rodriguez who celebrates a birthday on that day.
School Principal Robert Arriola, says it was important for the school to celebrate not only the history behind the campus but the learning that happens each and everyday in its classrooms.
“We are taking this opportunity to go ahead and celebrate what’s been sort of a legacy of Rodriguez for the last 10 years obviously in honoring Ms. Oralia Rodriguez who today she would have been 103-years-old. Today is actually her birthday, Nov. 11 and so we wanted to take the opportunity to actually celebrate her birthday at the same time we celebrate our 10 year anniversary. So you know, two in one and really remembering what Rodriguez has done in an impact for the Seguin ISD for the last 10 years. We are still a young campus compared to other campuses across the district but sometimes, we need to take that moment to take a pause, look back and look at those 10 years and celebrate that with the kids,” said Arriola.
As part of the celebration, Arriola invited the former principals of the school. They include Mrs. Yomeida Guerra who served the role for the first two years followed by Allison Seidenberger who currently works at Jim Barnes Middle School.
Guerra says she was honored to have been a part of helping to open the school and remembers all the preparations that went into making sure it was ready for its first batch of students.
“Ten years ago when we opened Rodriguez, this was a cutting edge school. It was so exciting. It was so new. It’s the most beautiful school in the district — well maybe not anymore because Seguin High School is up but it’s gorgeous. It was amazing. Dr. (Irene) Garza let me bring gosh, I think it was five people from Koennecke, five! And, I’m like, ‘I need more.’ She goes ‘no, you have to hire everybody’ so it was good. It was amazing. I loved it. It was very bittersweet to leave Rodriguez and the families to go to the high school but I loved being in the Seguin ISD,” said Guerra.
The campus first opened its doors to students on Aug. 24, 2010. Oralia Rodriguez “taught in Seguin from 1944 until 1955 and then from 1956 until her retirement in 1969.” Oralia, the daughter of a migrant “farm worker” is described as always having high expectations for her students and a strong belief in education.
The 10 year birthday celebration will continue throughout the year and will conclude with the school’s annual Cinco De Mayo celebration in May.