The DeSoto Eagle Eye

The only girl in auto tech, Shailla Sanson, demonstrates her skills on a student's car for the group's fundraise

The Automotive Technology Department students have started to work on cars. Remember the students do ‘all’ the work. Mr. Sheppard, the teacher of the department only supervises and helps the students we needed.

Unlike regular repair shops, it may take the students a little longer to do repairs. A full four-wheel brake change can take to 30-40 minutes.

“I can usually do a full four-wheel brake change in 30 minutes,” said Shalia Sanson.  If students don’t finish in time, they have someone else help them in the next class.

Keep in mind this is only available to students, teachers, and staff. Not the general public. So you can’t bring your mother or fathers cars to the Automotive department. The repair shop is not open 24/7 365 days a year. Mr. Shepard closes the shop from time to time in the year.

Each repair cost depends on the parts installed in your car. The shop chargers for parts, usually at about a 20% discount off of the list price. The shop are ready to perform oil changes, oil filter change, rotate and balance tires, replace belts and hoses, and service transmissions & differentials.

They don’t do full body repairs, they can only do repairs on things they have been taught, and the technology they have. “We can do body repairs, because we don’t have the technology in the class, and haven’t been taught how to do them,” said Shalia Sanson.

The Shop doesn’t extend credit to anyone. All repairs must be paid for on the same day that the work is done. They accept only cash and checks; checks must include your driver’s license number and date of birth.

If you have a car at the school, and would like to get it checked over, send a e-mail to Mr. Sheppard to see if his class can do the repair needed. You can also reach him by telephone, his extension is 3610, or 9-0726ext 3610 for our freshman friends.

The Desoto High School JROTC marching at the Veterans day parade at Downtown Dallas November 11 2011 : Photo by Pamela Vega

Reserve Officer Training Corps, or ROTC, is presenting their annual parade right before Veteran’s Day, November 10.

This parade is based upon showing endless appreciation for those who fought and still fight today; veterans, ROTC, and the fallen alike. It consists of bands, military training corps, weapons and veterans marching through downtown Dallas. “So, we have to march constantly to make sure we have a Honduras chance of winning.” Said Wilcox.

“We prepare for this long 2 mile walk by putting cadets in the same way that we would march in the parade.” Said Richard Grant, sophomore ROTC student.

At the same time it is also a competition among military training corps as said by Damarius Wilcox.

Honoring departed soldiers is of equal importance as those who have finished their fight. ROTC is sponsoring a fundraiser to put American flags on graves of the deceased.

“Half the money goes to sponsoring flags on gravesites.” Said Joanna Saldaña.

Hefty scholarships and getting your college degree is the force in ROTC as well as a student’s integrity and grades.

UIL competitions are in season.  Administrators are coaching and sponsoring different types of teams and grouping students to participate.

“They don’t need to know anything they just have to be prepared to work, “Ready Writing and Poetry Prose Interpretation teams coach Douglas Cox said. “Greatness comes from hard work. And I expect greatness from my competitors. We’re going to host the district competition here in DeSoto this year and I expect our competitors to own the podium so to speak.”

Including Mr. Cox, teachers are scouting hardworking students who are obligated to express their talents in these their UIL teams.

“Any UIL activity looks good on College Applications and many jobs require some sort of skill Microsoft applications, such as word, especially Excel, and some times even Access,” Computer Applications coach Terrence Williams said.

There are a great number of teams suiting many interests but all teams have a great gain in common. No matter what team, they all require dedication and pay off in cash.

Bria Johnson goes over her hours sheet. They record how many community service hours they have completed on this sheet.

FCCLA members discuss the committee groups that they will comprise of. The organization does community service for events from a kid’s carnival to helping senior citizens.

The Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, or for short FCCLA, is one of the newest after-school community service organizations to join the high school.

“It was actually here last year and the adviser did not return to school this year and so myself and Ms. Mosley Williams decided to start it over.” Said Mrs. DeAnna Donahue, one of the current advisers.

Just like the name suggests, FCCLA represents leadership and community service. This volunteer group has projects ranging from helping elementary schools, feeding the homeless and, most recently, adopting Eagle Dr to help keep it clean. Consisting of seniors to sophomores, FCCLA has plans for building a house with Habitat for Humanity, a can food drive for Thanksgiving and secret Santa for the holidays.

“The statistics show the more involved students are the less they are into trouble,” said Donahue. “So, we thought it would be a good org

nization to bring to DeSoto high school because it focuses on leadership and community service.”

Students with a required number of points they get from helping FCCLA give them a sure opportunity to get a letterman or just a patch. It builds their community service hours and not only does that look great on college applications but scholarships come into play.

“I think what makes it worthwhile especially when we’re doing our community service is to see the impact that the students have on the community and the ability to help people that are in need.” Said Mrs. Donahue.

FCCLA meets at 3:15 p.m. every other Thursday in Mrs. Donahue’s classroom in 2404 next to Culinary Arts.  Anyone can join. The fees are just $16 and the cost for a shirt is $8.