United South student takes top honors at UIL competition

Photo caption: State Contest Director Mark Bernier congratulates Vanessa Ortiz and her coach Argelia Ortiz moments after announcing results for the 29-5A Literary Criticism State Competition.

Returning 29-5A District Literary Criticism Champ, Vanessa Patricia Ortiz, took first place honors in the UIL state competition held at the University of Texas on May 8. Earlier, at regional competition, the United South High School valedictorian candidate, qualified for state by placing second in regional competition held at UTSA on April 24.

Ortiz is coached by Argelia Ortiz, English teacher at United South's Magnet School of Advanced Global Business and Technology. Angie Sanchez is the Magnet Dean at Untied South. David Canales is the school principal. Argelia Ortiz has been coaching UIL for about five years and has previously advanced to regional and state competition. This is the first year one of her students has won state.

In 2009, under Argelia Ortiz's guidance, Vanessa Ortiz took first place honors at the local district level, then advanced to state competition after placing third in regional competition. A junior then, Vanessa Ortiz finished tenth out of 27 competitors at the state level. This year Ortiz bettered last year's academic accomplishments by far. This year, Vanessa Ortiz placed first in district, second in regional, and now first in state competition.

Vanessa Ortiz plans to attend Trinity University in San Antonio where she plans to study medicine. Her proud parent Elia Ortiz has seen her daughter triumph in her high school career in worthy events: UIL-Academics, cross-country running and the Rotary 4-Way Speech Contest. Ortiz will represent all six Laredo Rotary Clubs in area competition on May 15 in Corpus Christi.