On August 8th, El Paso High School saw its last day with its Student Activities Manager Lindie Serna before she moved to her new job in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
“I’m going back to the classroom as a family consumer science teacher. But this time I’m going to teach in a middle school atmosphere,” said Mrs. Serna.
She moved after she decided that the S.A.M. position was no longer beneficial for her lifestyle. She now teaches Family Consumer Sciences at a middle school in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
“I don’t think there’s a person on this campus that wouldn’t recognize my work ethic and how hard I put in for this job, but it’s just not a sustainable pace for me and my family anymore. My children need a mom and this isn’t really a job that I can be an active mom because I spend more time with my high schoolers than my own kids. So it’s just a really vital time during my own children’s life where I have to make a decision.” said Mrs. Serna when asked why she was leaving the job.
Mrs. Serna worked at El Paso High for a total of 17 years. Before taking over the S.A.M. position, she worked as a Family Consumer Sciences teacher. She took over the job in 2016 and was officially the S.A.M. for six years.
“When I came to High School I saw the S.A.M position, and I was just floored. I couldn’t believe she got paid to plan. So it’s like, that’s gonna be my job one day, but it took 10 years for her to leave,” when asked why she got the job 10 years into her stay at El Paso High.
Mrs. Serna was a vital part of the El Paso High community. She had a great connection with the students and faculty.
“She’s in charge of everything. So it’s gonna be really hard for us to let that go because she ran the whole school, all the events, Eve of the E so it’s really sad to see her go, but I know that it’ll help us, you know, grow and be more independent,” said Raina Porras the Student Council Vice President.
Her loss will not only be felt by the students, but administrators alike.
“I’m upset about Mrs. Serna’s departure. Not only was she my friend, she was also an incredible asset to the school. She loved EPHS and was a miracle worker when it came to enhancing our school’s culture and putting on amazing events that made our students’ high school experience so memorable,” said El Paso Highschools’ Campus Teaching Coach, Kelly Watts.
Currently, there is no S.A.M., so the responsibilities have fallen onto the shoulders of the Student Councils’ top members and the school’s administrators.
“Mentally, it feels like we’re gonna have more responsibilities, but we already do a lot. So I feel like it’ll be exactly the same with a new person.” said Student Council Officer Olivia Guzman.
Although the students are nervous, they are ready to take over and continue planning and working on making student activities as successful as possible. Fortunately the Student Council will not be alone in this process. Alongside the Council, school Administrators have also been shouldering some of the responsibilities left behind.
“We have an incredible admin team who works together on all campus events and they are all helping with everything regarding school events,” said Mrs. Watts.
Currently, no substitute for the position has been found, but staff and students alike are hoping for someone capable of occupying the job like Mrs. Serna.
“We’re hoping that we find a person that cares about the students and wants to make their high school experience a happy one filled with good memories, a person who is interested in being an integral part of the foundation of our El Paso High Tigers’ school culture and traditions as well as our faculty team.” said Mrs. Watts.