BY SYBRINA IRACHETA

Spanish teacher Peggy Costales was happily awarded Teacher of the Year in the World Languages department for her excellent teaching. Costales is very proud to receive such an award and to be representing her department.

Costales has been a very dedicated teacher here at West Covina High School for 40 years. Costales started and will soon be ending her career here as a Bulldog. Costales’ career first started here as a Drama director for 12 years and was later asked to do what she never thought she would love so much, be a Spanish teacher.

“I love it. It was the best thing that ever happened,” said Costales.

What Costales will miss the most are her students. “Students make me laugh,” said Costales. Having students come in to her classroom with full smiles, enthusiasm, and energy brightens her day. Also, she will miss the little things that go unnoticed such as the students staying out late doing sports, painting posters for clubs and rallies, all that show spirit and love for the school. Mrs. Costales will also miss the Nirvana-like, “The Smell Of Teen Spirit” in her room.

Costales’s journey started at Cal State L.A., with a major in English and a minor in Drama and Spanish. Throughout college, she really enjoyed and found a love for the Spanish language and culture after taking a school trip as a senior to Ensenada, Mexico. It was very different and unique and everything in her wanted to keep the language going. “Speaking Spanish was never in my background, making me very appreciative,” said Costales.

Leaving her colleagues will be most difficult, as she has built many friendships that will last a lifetime and will always cherish them. “When they say home of the Bulldogs, this is very much my home,” said Costales.

Costales is proud to spend her 40 years of teaching here at WCHS and happily retiring with many new things to come. To all of her students now and in the past, Costales would like to tell all students, “Si Se puede.”