The last two years have been hard on everyone. The bad news is what gets passed around the most but it’s important to share good news stories to keep a balanced view of things. The Eagle’s Eye is highlighting a few people in each issue who make Akins special. Akins staff and students have been doing their best to help out students like Gear Up.

Joshua Moreno

Joshua Moreno is the Akins facilitator for a program called Gear Up, which is a grant-funded organization that focuses on helping members of the Class of 2024, which are sophomores this year. Moreno said Gear Up is designed to “help [students] be successful in their classes but also to explore college and career options.”

Although Gear Up is mainly focused on helping sophomores, they also assist anyone that needs tutoring and they allow any students to join them in the college visits. In addition to that, they help with counseling and are happy to get to know students and create a connection. Gear Up is a good program at school that makes a difference with various opportunities, including field trips.

Ivy Bell

Ivy Bell is the Restorative Justice Coordinator at Akins. She helps students when they need a safe place or just someone to talk to, which is something that a lot of people need especially in a year like this one. Bell offers support for students who are having conflict with someone in and/or out of school.

Bell stated that she is available for “every single person on campus including staff.”

Some students may not feel comfortable talking to someone at home or a teacher about conflicts, but Bell always has her office door wide open. You can find her in Room 231 or help students near the main entrance. For the people who aren’t ready to talk in person or if you have questions, you can contact her via email at [email protected]. Bell has continued to make a difference for everyone around her.

Trinity Garcia

A student who is standing out this year is Trinity Garcia, a junior who is on track to graduate this year with the class of 2022. She had completed her math credits her sophomore year and was able to take two online classes at Garza to be able to graduate early.

“I had the credits for it so I decided to go ahead and pursue it,” Garcia said.

Although graduating as a junior is very impressive, Garcia said it also comes with challenges.

“I was not aware that I had to catch up with all the seniors [regarding the applications] to college and having my essay ready,” she said.

In addition, she is applying to Texas State and hopes to one day be an architect. Akins has its pros and cons but it’s what makes Akins what it is now. These people and everyone on campus make up the heart of Akins Early College High School.

If you have anyone in mind that makes Akins special please contact The Eagle’s Eye newspaper at [email protected].