High school students in the Laredo Community College TRIO Upward Bound program won big during the 27th South Texas Upward Bound Academic Bowl held at Coastal Bend College in Beeville, Texas.
The annual contest showcases young scholars as they compete for awards in a variety of categories, including artistic expression, poetry, mathematics, spelling, science, persuasive speaking, ready writing and more.
LCC Upward Bound students garnered 27 trophies out of 68, winning roughly over one-third of the awards, more than any other Upward Bound program in the contest, UB director Gerardo Martinez noted.
Participating programs from Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend College, South Texas Community College-Roma, Texas State Technical College-Harlingen, and the University of Texas-Pan American also attended.
Martinez said that Kimberly Mirela (Martin H.S.) impressed contest judges with her high-stepping hip-hop dance routine, earning her the top spot in artistic expression. Kesia Rodriguez (Martin H.S.) won 2nd place with a stunning flamenco performance. The singing duo of Helen Alonzo (Nixon H.S.) and Karina Davila (United H.S.) won 4th for their heart-rending performance of “Angel of Mine.”
In the area of poetry, LCC won the top three spots. The winners were Laura Campos (Nixon H.S.), 1st; David Colunga (Martin H.S.), 2nd; and Chelsea Chavez (Nixon H.S.), 3rd.
Budding mathematicians from LCC’s Upward Bound program also scored big at the bowl; trophies were awarded to the top ten contestants. In Mathematics I, Joanna Buitron (Nixon H.S.) won 2nd, while Luis Almeida (Alexander H.S.) earned 3rd and Judy Gutierrez (Martin H.S.) won 6th. Sean Guerra (Martin H.S.) won 1st in Mathematics II, followed by Eduardo Rangel (Nixon H.S.) at 2nd, Mark Villarreal (Nixon H.S.) at 8th and Ricky Castro (Martin H.S.) at 9th.
In spelling, Carmen Leija (United South H.S.) competed with 90 other students to capture 1st place. Other LCC students who placed in the top 20 and earned a trophy were Mara Verino (United H.S.), 4th; Alejandro Garza (Cigarroa H.S.), 7th; Lorie Zamarripa (Nixon H.S.), 8th; Cassandra Vega (Martin H.S.), 12th, Victoria Puente (Martin H.S.), 14th; and Selene Solis (Nixon H.S.), 16th.
In the college bowl category, LCC won 2nd. This marks the second year in a row that the squad, composed of Guadalupe Cadena (United H.S.), Christopher Juarez (United H.S.), Myles McCluer (Alexander H.S.), Mario Galvan (Alexander H.S.) and Christian Gallardo (United South H.S.), brings home the trophy.
In persuasive speaking, trophies were given to the top five contestants. LCC garnered some honors thanks to Veronica Madrigal (Cigarroa H.S.), 4th; and Angelo Flores (United H.S.), 5th.
Awards were given to the top 10 participants in Science I and II categories. From LCC, Jonathan Alonzo (United South H.S.) earned 7th in Science I. In Science II, Rafael Ruiz (United South H.S.) won 5th, Jose Samuel Tobias (Martin H.S.) garnered 7th and David Nuñez (L.B. Johnson H.S.) secured 10th.
Along with competing in academics, LCC Upward Bound students displayed their sportsmanship skills on the volleyball court to win 2nd place. The spikers included Melissa Cruz (L.B. Johnson H.S.), Erika Riojas (L.B. Johnson H.S.), Carmen Leija (United South H.S.), Lorie Zamarripa (Nixon H.S.), Christine Aguilar (Martin H.S.), Sean Guerra (Martin H.S.), Eduardo Rangel (Nixon H.S.), David Colunga (Martin H.S.), Angelo Flores (United H.S.), Jessica Mexicano (L.B. Johnson H.S.), Veronica Madrigal (Cigarroa H.S.), Laura Campos (Nixon H.S.), Brenda Santos (United H.S.), Vanessa Cadena (United H.S.) and Stephanie Ortega (Alexander H.S.).
“I am very proud of all of the students who represented the LCC Upward Bound program at the Academia Bowl,” said Martinez. “All of them, along with our faculty and staff, worked very hard to prepare for this important contest. Their dedication demonstrates their commitment to the program and to each other.”
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Upward Bound is for first-generation college students whose parents do not hold a four-year college degree. Students also may qualify if they come from an economically-disadvantaged family.
Enrollment is underway for eighth-, ninth- and tenth-grade students who care to join this free and exciting learning experience. For more information, call the Upward Bound program by calling 721-5238 or 721-5240.
Students in LCC's Upward Bound program proudly display the trophies won at the recent academic bowl.
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