Raquel Peña Elementary School
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Raquel Peña Elementary School
Our school was named for Raquel Peña, a longtime
BISD educator. Ms. 
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July 31, 2008 |
Name nominated to school board |
| Aug. 19,2008 | School officially named by school board |
| Oct. 29, 2008 | Ground breaking |
| Oct. 06, 2009 | Building approved by school board |
| Oct. 08, 2009 | -Open House - Parent Orientation |
| Oct. 12, 2009 | -First day of classes at new building |
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We're from Pena Elementary Pena White Wings all the way Our Alma Mater has the very best, Teachers who love us and care.
We've got Pena White Wing Spirit . Flying high with lots of pride Pena White Wings, high achievers Striving for the best, We'll be forever true to you! written by Judi, J.Rod, Rodriguez To the tune of Yankee Doodle Dandy |
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White Wing Dove |
Colors |
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 Lime Green& Khaki
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Raquel Peña was fifth of seven children born to Don Adolfo Reno Peña and Doña Maria de Leon Peña. She was born in Brownsville, Texas on March 21,1915 and was a life-time member of La Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana Mexicana on Jefferson Street. Her parents were founding members and builders of the original church building. Miss Peña is remembered as a very strong and dedicated family member, devoted to her church, an active member of her community and a proud member of the United States Navy, but most importantly, as an excellent and dedicated teacher. Since a child, she became a leader in her Sunday School classes, later becoming a Sunday School teacher, superintendent, director, choir member, Vacation Bible School director, as well as the activities director throughout her life. She was also a member of the Eunice Society for Women. Her Sunday School students, such a Judge Benjamin Euresti, Jr and Lawyer Ernesto Gamez, Jr. and BISD Police Chief Oscar Garcia can relate many stories and the many lessons they learned when they were involved with Miss Peña's activities. Miss Peña remained single all her life, devoting herself to her profession and her church. She took her students, her nieces and nephews under her wing. Her nieces and nephews were automatically enrolled in her class at Annie S. Putegnat. Her niece, Judi J. Rod) Rodriguez fondly remembers taking her aunt to the various graduation ceremonies, where she would take her class roster and check off those who had been her students and were in the graduating class - always over 85%. Mrs. Gracie Saenz de Peña and her brother, Samuel Saenz, Jr. recall the many summers Miss Peña loaned their family her personal copy of the Child Craft Books so they could have reading material over the summer. Samuel, a top student in her class of 1954-55 states, "She taught us discipline and inspired us to have dreams and to explore the world beyond our community. She knew all our parents, meeting them at PTA meetings, and our parents respected her. Miss Peña always had the reputation of being an excellent teacher." Other students, like BISD Board President Rolando Aguilar recall the many field trips Miss Pena planned to help them relate to the classroom lessons. All of her students will proudly claim to have been the smartest and the most well-behaved students in school, because Miss Peña made sure of that with her strong disciplinarian expectations. This discipline was inherited from her mother at an early age but reinforced in her as a member of the United States Navy. After attending Washington Park School, Brownsville Junior High, Brownsville High School and Brownsville Junior College, Miss Pena transferred to Southwest Texas Teachers' State College in San Marcos where she earned her Elementary Education Bachelors' Degree. After graduation in 1941, she came back to Brownsville and began teaching at East Brownsville Elementary School, now Reynaldo Longoria Elementary. In 1944 she decided to become a Navy Wave, something she was extremely proud of, having served as a Yeoman 3rd Class, Drill Instructor until August, 1945 when she received an Honorable Discharge at the end of World War II. She enrolled at Texas A & I in Kingsville and received her Masters' Degree before returning to Brownsville to teach at Annie S. Putegnat School until her retirement in 1979. She was actively involved in any and every activity that was undertaken at ASP. Her creativeness, her dedication and her leadership skills always helped with their successes. She was a born leader, an organizer, a no-nonsense individual who believed that everyone could succeed. Her favorite mottos were instilled in her students and her colleagues. "If you don't try, you'll never know!" "If you are going to do something, do it right the first time. That way you won't waste time doing it over and over."
Throughout her community she was fondly remembered by members of her Girl Scout Troop. Mrs. Carolyn Fernandez Parker recently returned to her niece a book Miss Peña had loaned her when she was her troop leader. Miss Peña left an impression on her, just like she did the many families that she visited throughout her community. She and her two eldest sisters, Alicia and Aurora, would visit homes, carrying the word of God to them and inviting them to church. Miss Peña was known by her school community as "La Maestra Professora Raquel Peña" with total respect and loyalty. Parents were her prime supporters. "This was always an honor for her family and so she became my hero and my mentor," says her niece, Judi Rodriguez. "I knew, at age 3, that I wanted to be just like her and I tried to emulate her in my classroom throughout my 42 years with BISD. My life dream was to see a school bearing her name and on August 19, 2008, my dream became a reality." "My new dream now is that the White Wings at Raquel Peña Elementary School, soar with pride, just like she wore the White Wings on her Navy uniform. May the White Wing students create a legacy, just like my aunt created and left her legacy for you to follow," stated her niece, Judi. Submitted by Judi Rodriguez - Oct. 2009
On March 27h we
celebrated the Dedication of our school, Raquel Peña Elementary.
Parents, students, faculty and staff as well a members of our
communty all helped us to honor Ms. Raquel Peña, a
longtime BISD educator. |
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