By Blanca Gonzaelz

Jeff Davis High School



    On September 16, the Jefferson Davis High School Panthers made history. They were one of six HISD high schools who made the list of recognized schools by the Texas Education Agency.

    Anticipation and excitement filled the halls as Davis principal, Jaime Castaneda, students and staff were ready to celebrate their newest accomplishment. Castaneda held a pep rally as a way of thanking and congratulating students and staff for their achievement.

    “I want to see more purple!” shouted Castaneda.

    The students responded with loud cheers. There was even a deejay that helped to liven the mood. Castaneda purchased purple shirts for every staff and student - “Jeff Davis, TEA Recognized 2008-2009” on the front and “We Believe” on the back.

    “I graduated from Jeff Davis High School in 1975 and have always believed Davis had the potential of achievement,” he said. “I always believed Davis students had the ability to achieve great things.”

    In 2000, Davis went from last to first in the number of students receiving college scholarships – out of the 27 HISD high schools. In his fourth year as principal, Castaneda said he is expecting even greater accomplishments from the graduating class of 2010.

    “Working at the school you graduated from makes it that much more special. That’s why I take such a big interest in the kids because I want Davis to be the best high school in the world,” the principal said with a smile.

    Castaneda said he wants to hire better teachers, bring more programs to Davis and raise the expectations for students.

    “I want them to prepare for the real world and to pursue their education regardless of difficulty,” he said.

    In fact, Davis High School set a goal for an 80 percent graduation rate with 50 percent of graduates entering college.

    “Under no circumstances, take no for an answer,” he encouraged students. “Anything is possible.”

    Gonzalez is a senior at Jefferson Davis High School and is a member of the Houston Chronicle high school journalism classroom.