Octavio Paz Junior High School
Teaching the youngsters in this community about how crucial it is to preserve monarchs overwintering sites and how privileged we are to host them, is more important than ever before. The forests in this region protect the core of the sanctuary “Sierra Chincua.” 

Because these students are older it was not necessary to go over the “lesson” about monarch life-cycle. Instead Estela and the students held a “top level”, long conversation about the challenges our region faces in many ways regarding conservation of our forests and other resources. 

The conversation continued while students received their letters brought by their Ambassador Monarchs.  They were really sensible and responsible in their thoughts and personal focuses. Estela believes that this coming generation may be the change to better preserve our environment. Octavio Paz Junior High is located in a community where hills, mountains and forests form part of the Sierra Chincua Sanctuary.

Mining was once a big industry, but the facilities have been closed for about 30 years now. Soon they will open again. Mining is done underground in this region. The mine tunnels run from Angangueo up to here.

Coming into the school it appeared to be break time. When Estela and Rocinante arrived, the Director of the school welcomed them and all the lessons from Journey North.

Youngsters received their Ambassador Butterflies but asked if they could bring their letters home to respond and decorate them in a very special way to be sent to their counterparts in the North!

During her time here, Estela had long, serious talks with the young boys and girls. They discussed monarch survival, the challenges of conservation in their region, and the marvels of the migration phenomenon monarchs represent.

Some of the donated books were English-language books.  Students at this level take English as a second language and the books were really welcomed by them and their teachers!

Students bid “Good-Bye” to Journey North!  This year 1,835 students received Estela in their schools and learned about monarch conservation! This school closed the 2015-2016 season getting Ambassador Butterfly and letter #1835!

Butterflies Received
This school received Ambassador Butterflies from the following U.S. and Canadian Schools:

Gale Elementary, Galesburg, IL
Charles Campagne School Library, Bethpage, NY
Charles Campagne School Library, Bethpage, NY
Forest Lake Elementary, Wantage, NY
Forest Lake Elementary, Wantage, NY
Dr. M. H. Mason Elmentary, Duluth, GA
Armand Bayou Elementary, Houston, TX
Westridge Elementary, West Des Moines, IA
Beechwood School, Mountainside, NJ
Rebecca Creek Elementary, Spring Branch, TX
The Shipley School, Bryn Maawr, PA
Enfield Elementary, Enfield, NY
Monomoy Regional Middle School, Chatham, MA
Seldens Landing Elementary, Leesburg, VA
Spring Hill Elementary, McLean, VA
Armand Bayou Elementary, Houston, TX
Hinesburg Community School, Hinesburg, VT
Armand Bayou Elementary, Houston, TX
Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro, MA
Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro, MA
Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro, MA
Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro, MA
Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro, MA
Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro, MA
Academy of Notre Dame, Tyngsboro, MA
Lockport Township High School, Lockport, IL
Crestline Elementary, Hartselle, AL
Crestline Elementary, Hartselle, AL
Crestline Elementary, Hartselle, AL
Crestline Elementary, Hartselle, AL
Girl Scout Troop #59027, Tarentum, PA
Crossroads Park, West Des Moines, IA
Watson Elementary, Rockville Centre, IA
Burnet Hill Elementary, Livingston, NJ
Burnet Hill Elementary, Livingston, NJ