Rio Grande City High School student Kasey Escamilla earned a top spot at the State Poetry UIL Competition held in Austin, Texas, earlier this month. The two-day competition took place at the University of Texas at Austin from May 21, through May 22.
"It was a really great experience. This was the second year I competed at state," said Escamilla who was also regional champion last year. "I placed second at regional competition [this year]. I wasn’t disappointed with the outcome. To be honest, I was proud of myself for even making it that far. I was the only student from my school as well as the district to make it to state. So that’s an accomplishment in itself."
Escamilla credits her accomplishments to the skill-building influence of her coach, Miss Arminda Garza, and her principal, Mr. Ricardo Saenz. "He actually went to several of my practices and helped me as well." She also express her sincerest gratitude to her mother. "[Thank you mom] for always supporting me ever since I started speaking events in 2nd grade."
Although poetry will always hold a special place in her heart, Escamilla explains she has more academic goals after gradation. "I plan to focus on my education from now on. I’ll be attending the University of Texas at Austin and majoring in psychology. Once I get my bachelors I hope to go to medical school and become a licensed psychiatrist."
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Kasey Escamilla, Coach Mindy Garza, Coordinator Armando Gutierrez.
