Mrs. H's Corner

"Keep Your Head to the Sky" - Earth, Wind & Fire

My thoughtful husband, MR. H., dedicated this song to me at one of the most difficult times in my life - my doctoral experience. Truly, it gave me strength to persevere then and even today in light of all that is happening in our world. I passed the song and its meaning to our AGUILA Graduates this past Saturday - June 13th, at our Annual Honors Convocation. The song’s meaning is about:

Staying Optimistic, Faithful and Focused on your goals – even in difficult times.

The song represents:

• Faith and Spirituality in seeking purpose and PEACE
• Resilience in reminding us to never let bad things keep us down – we must keep lifting our hands and heart in HOPE
• Self-Worth and Potential – your possibilities are limitless – you are the driver. As Mr. H. states, “The World is YOUR Oyster – YOU pluck your pearl!”

I asked students to recall our Symposium lesson from last summer – to embrace GRACE:

• Gratitude - Truly be sincere in appreciation – going beyond a ‘thanks’
• Resilience - Work on your strength in your ability to recover – bounce back.
• Aspiration - Develop YOUR goals
• Courage - “To have courage for whatever come in life – everything lies in that” St. Teresa of Avila
• Empathy - Above all, make a difference – help others and Pay it Forward

I added

• Kindness - It’s contagious and important to model to others
• Respect - Showing respect for one another is key to creating a better world

Huge congratulations to the 2026 graduating

Aguila seniors!

Your hard work, resilience, and soaring spirit have brought you to this monumental achievement, and you should be incredibly proud of your journey. As Eagles, you are built to fly high, and this graduation marks the moment you officially spread your wings to take on the world.

Summer Symposium is just around the corner!

Supporting a cause like AGUILA's mission to help kids thrive is both impactful and rewarding. By contributing to their Amazon wish list, you can play a vital role in providing the necessary resources and supplies that will aid in the development and success of the children they support. Every item on the list has been thoughtfully selected to ensure it meets the specific needs of the kids, ranging from educational materials to everyday essentials. Your contribution, no matter the size, can make a significant difference in creating a nurturing and supportive environment for these young individuals. By coming together as a community, we can collectively uplift and empower the next generation, helping them to reach their full potential.

Natali's Column

💰 Summer Cash: How to Get Paid and Stay Paid

Summer is finally here, which means more free time and—if you’re playing your cards right—some extra cash. Whether you’re clocked into a formal seasonal gig, keeping it as a part-time job into the school year, or just hustling on the side with babysitting, lawn mowing, or dog walking, having your own income feels great.

But let’s be real: between gas, fast food, and hanging out with friends, inflation is hitting hard right now. It is incredibly easy to watch your entire paycheck vanish in one weekend.

So, here is a challenge for you this summer: Enjoy the fruits of your labor, but don't let your wallet hit zero.

The "Out of Sight" Money Hack 💸

Say you make $100 dog sitting this weekend. Instead of figuring out how to spend all $100, try the 75/25 Rule:

The Move: Immediately put at least $25 into savings.

The Mindset: Tell yourself you only made $75. That $25 is "out of sight, out of mind"—consider it already spent on your future self. If you want to save more, even better, but set a strict minimum for yourself and stick to it.

Why Start Now?

Being mindful of your money isn't about depriving yourself; it’s about being intentional. When you think about your purchases and know where your cash is actually going, you build serious financial muscles.

Building healthy money habits right now means that when it's time to actually "adult," you'll be ahead of the game instead of stressing out over bad spending habits.

Your Summer Goal: Work hard, have fun, and make sure your savings account grows along with your tan. ☀️



Ways to give!

BECOME AN AGUILA ANGEL

For just $20 a month, you can become a beacon of hope for our AGUILA students in grades 6-8, lighting the way towards their bright futures! Developed by our very own AGUILA Alum and dedicated educator, Ramon Carranza, the AGUILA Academy is not just a program—it's a launchpad for success, guiding students through the intricate paths of high school, college admissions, scholarships, and ultimately, the careers of their dreams. With a customized curriculum that fuels their AIM (aspiration, inspiration, and motivation), your monthly contribution is like planting seeds of ambition that will blossom into leadership. So why not take a step forward and support AGUILA. Join us in this transformative journey and wear your AGUILA T-Shirt with pride, knowing that your generosity is nurturing the leaders of tomorrow!

AGUILA Academy

Bring College and Career Readiness Directly to Your Middle School in 2027 with AGUILA Academy

As educators, we all share a common goal: preparing students for success beyond middle school. The transition from middle school to high school is one of the most important periods in a student's educational journey, and early exposure to college and career opportunities can make a lasting impact.

The AGUILA Academy Middle School Program was created to help scholars in grades 6–8 build the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to thrive in high school, prepare for college, and explore future careers. By partnering with schools, AGUILA brings engaging, hands-on college and career readiness programming directly to students on campus.



For more information about AGUILA Academy and partnership opportunities, please contact Sophie Bejarano at MsB@aguilayouth.org.

ShopRaise

Whether it’s shopping for daily essentials like groceries, buying furniture for your home office, or even booking your next trip, the ShopRaise app lets you raise funds when you shop for your cause online. Now you can turn your everyday shopping into support for AGUILA at no additional cost to you.