By: Carolina González 10A
It is no secret to anyone that our school is changing, moving towards the future with innovation and creativity. This transformation has had many noticeable effects on the school not only when it comes to the alteration of the teaching methodology, but also on the physical plant. Apart from the new floors, tables and chairs, one clear example is the new innovation classroom located in the school´s second floor.
Often referred to as the “Ingenious Lab”, this classroom was inaugurated last year as the headquarters of the Ingenious project and has since remained a meeting point for students working on science, technology or even math classes. However, it has not always been as modern as it is today. Long before laptops and erasable white-board walls, this room was filled with big, bulky computers. As a matter of fact, it wasn't even called Ingenious lab. Its original name was once Patricia Silva Computer Lab. Most high school students remember its old name, but I am afraid its memory will probably fade as time goes by; that is, only if we let it go.
Why is the name Patricia Silva so important?
Patricia Silva was a math teacher in the school several years ago. She dedicated her life to education, and she is actually the reason why the computer lab ever existed: she was the first one to take the initiative of including informatics as a part of the school´s curriculum. Without her, who knows what would have happened with technological tutoring in the school. She died in 1999, but her mark remains. Sadly, most students don't know about it, and they go by the Ingenious Lab without knowing its story.
My sister, who graduated from the school in the year 2000, has told me she remembers what a great teacher Patricia was. She used to be an example for everyone by virtue of her loyalty and social leadership. She used to say that “one must die in order to live”, teaching her students that they would live forever in the hearts of those they positively impacted.
As Patricia once said:
“Our feet are made to roam life. Act out of personal conviction; believe in yourself, in your strengths and capacities. Let your thoughts and feelings guide you; keep your dreams and ideals alive. Remember your mistakes and never make them again. Learn from the errors and triumphs of those around you. Trust God and your heart, never forgetting those who loved you and have helped you. Achieve your goals; express your feelings without fear and when you talk, do it with confidence. Live life fearlessly as you have a lot to learn and discover. Make sure you share your experiences and knowledge with others as you learn, for sooner or later you will receive what you once gave.”
Let us never forget the wise words of this woman, and let her memory remain alive in our hearts even as years fly by. Maybe, if we are lucky, even preschoolers will remember her name when they get to high school.
