This year, Monsignor Edward Pace High School recognizes both a teacher of the year, Cervantes Award recipient, and a student Cervantes Award winner. Jeffrey Sanchez received the Cervantes Award for Teacher of the Year, and Christopher Gonzalez, class of 2015, received third place in the Cervantes Outstanding Student Essay Contest.
Sanchez has worked at Pace for 23 years. He has worn many hats during his time there – track and cross country coach, class moderator, retreat and L.I.F.E. moderator, co-campus minister, announcer for sporting events, and English and theology teacher. He has enjoyed his years at Pace and was truly honored to receive this recognition.
“I enjoy the people who I work with to the point that I feel like they are my extended family,” he shared.
His daughter will be graduating from Pace next year, and he feels blessed to have her in an environment where they can participate in activities and mission work together. Gonzalez won third place for the Cervantes Outstanding Student Essay Contest for 2013.
The topic of the essay: As a young adult, how can I contribute to helping the people in a multiethnic society share common bonds? Gonzalez found this topic to be more than just an assignment; he was able to relate his own personal experiences in a multiethnic community in his essay.
As part of Pace’s Spartan baseball team for his third year, he has been exposed to a variety of cultures.
“It is natural to have a bond with teammates,” he said, “but having a bond with such a diverse group of players makes it even more unique. Not everyone can say they have this bond with others in school.”
Both Jeffrey and Christopher were honored at a reception Wednesday, October 23, along with other winners, family, and Pace High School Principal, Ana Garcia.