Valentine Senior Jaci Garcia on the steps of the Capitol in Austin.
Photo provided by VISD
By Coach Lonnie Flippen
Valentine Senior, Jaci Garcia, travelled to Austin for the state UIL meet last Friday. Jaci was an alternate in Current Issues and Events and in order to have an opportunity to compete, she had to attend. As luck would have it for the top three regional competitors, all made the trip and Jaci did not compete.
Jaci had been selected as an honorary page to State Representative Pancho Nevarez arriving at the Capitol at 8:00 a.m. Friday morning to serve in that capacity only to find that the Legislature was on recess and Representative Nevarez had returned home for the weekend. Jaci was still able to learn a few things about how the political process works at the State level. She participated in different activities throughout the morning while touring the annex of the State Capitol.
Jaci returned home early Saturday morning to pack her bags for San Angelo and the regional golf tournament. Jaci is competed as a medalist of District 9A on Monday and Tuesday. She played herbest round of golf and she shot 112 finishing 18 out of 68. She returned to school on Wednesday and will travel to Austin again on Friday to compete in the State History Fair.
All of this “travel practice” will help her prepare for the trip of a lifetime that she and he sister, Jessie, along with Frances Sanchez take as the Valentine Jr./Sr. Travel Class departing in early June. The girls, along with their sponsor, Mrs. Dawn Houy, will travel to Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii for several weeks.
Congratulations Jaci! You have made Valentine School, the community, your parents, and teachers very proud of all you have accomplished during your High School career. We know your future holds great things in store for you.
