United 9th grade campus students view solar eclipse

Posted Date: 04/08/2024

Hundreds of awestruck students at United 9th Grade Campus pointed at the sky as they witnessed the solar eclipse on Monday.

“It’s the first time I saw it. I was like, wow. It felt pretty special,” said 9th grader Mike Mendoza.

He and his other two friends - Jose Garcia and Jose Villarreal - said they felt like they were part of history.

The students wore protective eyewear, thanks to a Laredo Public Library grant that was secured in order to provide the safety glasses, according to Arlene Trevino, associate principal at the 9th grade campus. The Laredo Public Library reached out and the United 9th grade campus librarian jumped at the opportunity.

These glasses “actually came to us,” she said, The school received 334 glasses.

“It started with teachers who wanted to bring curiosity and knowledge to the campus … A lot of teachers were asking can we go buy some? I said, ‘Sure. Absolutely’,” Trevino said. Then the glasses came in from the public library.

The result was students who witnessed the solar eclipse, which reached 98.1 percent coverage here in Laredo. The cloudy conditions made it a bit difficult but when the clouds parted, students quickly put on their glasses and were amazed.

“A lot of our students are getting this opportunity,” Trevino said “It’s a great event, igniting their minds and knowledge. You’ve seen the expression on their faces.”

When students were asked what they would tell their future selves when the next total solar eclipse comes in about 20 years, Mendoza said he would be more prepared.

“I would tell myself to keep trying, don’t quit, don’t look back, look forward and keep your head up,” Mendoza said.