(Seguin) — Summer vacation doesn’t have to mean a break from learning, at least not for area students at Seguin Youth Services.
These students all summer long have been experiencing hands-on learning and all while stepping back into an unforgettable time in history.
Their summer learning recently culminated in public presentations before an audience of Seguin community members who gathered to hear more about what the students had learned and who helped judge their special projects.
Area students at Seguin Youth Services got the opportunity to meet community leaders from SPD and even Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen prior to giving their presentations. Photo by Lizz Daniels
Cassandra Gonzales, Seguin Youth Services academic coordinator, was the teacher in charge of the projects and knew they needed to find topics that would generate curiosity.
“This year, this summer we decided to do the topic of World War II,” said Gonzales. “So, we had the kids research different topics and ones that we thought could really impact their learning, and just other topics I thought they would be excited about.”
Students began by choosing different topics from World War II, including Pearl Harbor, Anne Frank, Code Talkers, and more. Once topics were selected, the hard work began. Students did countless hours of online research concerning their project, but they didn’t stay stuck inside.
Thanks to generous donations to Seguin Youth Services, students were able to take trips to the Houston Holocaust Museum and the National Museum of the Pacific War, located in Fredericksburg.
“So, all summer we have been taking them to see the vehicles and planes that they used from the first world all the way up to what they are using now,” said Gonzales. “We also went to the Pacific Museum in Fredericksburg, which of course, we got to see the midget sub, which they were so excited to actually see these things that they see on their computers and in the pictures that they are printing out. They actually got to take pictures in front of it.”
With the school year fast approaching, Seguin Youth Service’s role will adapt to help students as they set foot back in school buildings throughout the area.
Gonzales says the center does a lot to help at-risk students, including helping with academics.
“We do social skills, we do team building, and I’ve actually started doing some schooling with the kids this past year during COVID,” said Gonzales. “We help them with homework. If they’re having problems in school, we go into the schools, make sure the principals and counselors know what’s going on. And, honestly, love them like family. I think that’s so important for these kids that are usually at-risk.”
Awards for student presentations were gifted by Brian Scott, Terry and Ralph Boeneke. The Boenekes donated at additional $1500 to Seguin Youth Services on top of the awards. Photo by Lizz Daniels
On the day of the big presentation and judging event, students anxiously awaited their turn to speak. With Seguin Mayor Donna Dodgen, the Seguin PD, and photographers in the room, kids appeared as nervous as if they were auditioning for their big break on American Idol. But despite, being scared, every single one of them stood up in front of a room of strangers and educated their guests about World War II.
Students also took audience questions and showed off their handmade posters about their topics. Helping to fuel some of those questions were Seguin Youth Services Director Sheryl Sachtleben, and SYS Prevention Coordinator Marcos Saenz.
For Gonzales, the best part was witnessing her students grow as people.
“The best part, I have to say was seeing how much they grew and came out of their shells, and they were able to articulate well, and they learned so much on the topics,” said Gonzales. “As a teacher, that was so amazing to me because, like Sheryl said, they can answer questions probably from everybody’s presentations because we actually sat and shared what we were learning. And they knew. They watched everything. They saw some survivor stories from the concentration camps, and they were honestly moved by that, so to see that we’ve gotten this generation to learn about something that happened so long ago, but was so important in American history, I think that would be the best thing for me as a teacher.”
Winners included Zariah Wilson (first place), Edgar Vallejo and Alex Jiminez (second place) and Anthony De La Garza and Angelina Herrera (third place). Photo courtesy Sheryl Sachtelben.
Presentation winners were awarded gift cards from $50 to $200 for first place, donated to by Game Warden Brian Scott, and Terry Boeneke. Terry and Ralph Boeneke also presented students with a $1,500 donation to celebrate their successes.
As World War II slips further into history each year, those in the audience say they are at least thankful that the events of that time will continue to live on in the memories of these Seguin students who spent a summer exploring the past.