(This is an archive story, please refer to byline for author name)
By Robbie Hill
(Photo of Joselyn Ramos - Left, and her friend, Shivani Jariwala - Right)
Hard-working and diligence are two qualities in people that are hardly seen in today’s world. For Joselyn Ramos, however, she exceeds those qualities.
Ramos is in a variety of school organizations, such as TAFE, Hope Squad, soccer (manager), and most importantly, the yearbook staff. She has been a part of the staff for three years now. This year, she is editor in chief. Being editor in chief has many responsibilities and tasks that must be fulfilled.
“So many things go into being an editor, but my tasks are to reach out to people, photograph, write, edit, create spreads, and make sure everyone is where they need to be.” Ramos said.
After the 2020-2021 school year, she spent some of her time during the summer working on the yearbook. Being the well drawn-out book that it is, it is of high importance that every aspect of the book is perfected.
“Hard work goes into the book, Ms. Koke and I end up spending countless hours on the book and we build the book from scratch.” Ramos said.
For the 2020-2021 school year, there were many challenges that the yearbook staff had to overcome. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to cover critical school events that needed a spotlight in the yearbook itself.
“Last year was a crazy tough year to produce a yearbook.” yearbook advisor Cathy Koke said.
The 2020-2021 yearbook staff was small in numbers. Not many had signed up for it, lacking the number of people needed to keep the work consistent. Despite all of these difficulties, Ramos helped them prevail.
“She really took ownership of it and made it happen.” Koke said. “She is a true leader.”
Many people see their bosses and managers as sometimes overruling and critical. Ramos, however, is the opposite. While executing her work as editor in chief, she ensures that her job is done in a manner that everyone can appreciate. Her effect on others while working with the yearbook staff is always admirable.
“Joselyn is a ray of sunshine.” Koke said. “She is motivated and brings an energy into the room that is infectious.”
Ramos gained a lot of inspiration from her sisters, who were former yearbook staff members and editors themselves. Using her inspiration, she remained with the yearbook staff and took ownership of it.
“They (her sisters) are my ultimate inspirations and have guided me my whole life.” Ramos said. “I stayed because Koke always gave me support in the most difficult of times.”
Outside of yearbook affairs, she takes part in other extracurriculars. She is an officer for TAFE (Texas Association of Future Educators), a manager for the boys soccer team, and a member of Hope Squad since it was first introduced.
“Coach Z and the boys always managed to make me feel so welcomed and a part of a team no matter if I was completely unathletic.” Ramos said.
TAFE is an organization that helps prepare future educators for what will come when it comes time for them to use their skills in the workforce. They work with communication skills, portfolios, and other ways that help make an influence on people, particularly their future students. Ramos, particularly, takes charge of their social media posts and works with education awareness within the school, and lastly, competing with the organization.
“When TAFE was presented to us we were completely on board with her (The advisor, Maggie Howard), and we were so excited to begin.” Ramos said.
Overall, Ramos is known to be a kind, caring, and dependable leader among many. Wherever she goes, people admire her generosity and positive attitude.
“Joselyn is creative, empathetic, authentic, hard-working, positive, kind and always willing to help anyone.” Koke said. “She goes above and beyond what is expected of her."