A simple extra credit assignment turned into an enlightening experience at this year's Texas Teen Book Festival at Southwestern University in Georgetown. Twenty-six Roosevelt High School students were recognized for personal essays they wrote about what community means to them. Those students were invited to attend the festival and had the opportunity to participate in a Young Adult (YA) author roundtable discussion at the conference.
Senior Kaitlan Gil-Najarro was one of the Roosevelt students recognized for their essays on community.
"The first thing we got to do was attend a winner's sit-down with authors and most of the audience was Roosevelt kids, so that was pretty cool," said Gil-Najarro. "I want to major in computer science but I also want to write a book, preferably fiction. My biggest takeaway was just to keep writing and keep going."
While Gil-Najarro plans on majoring in computer science in college, her passion for writing is stronger than ever. She says much of that desire stems from the support and encouragement she received from Roosevelt English teachers.
"My English teachers have been so supportive about what I want to do," said Gil-Najarro. "Honestly, they're just a lot of fun to be around. They're great teachers and I enjoy learning from them and being in their classroom."
The Roosevelt teachers who encouraged students to enter the contest were Javier Cavazos, Natasha Christian, Erika Melero, and Isabel Quintanilla.
Recognized students include: Jennifer Almogela, Kayli Bastoe, Maya Brown, Travis Byrd, Sasami Caven, Alicia Daughtery, Haley Blanca Davila, Hendrix Andrew Duke, Frieda Farias, Alexis Frigo, Monique Garcia, Kaitlan Gil-Najarro, Whitney Hicks, Legaci Lee, Andrea McDonald Rodriguez, Kyra Miles; Giovanna Moreno, Caitlin Newville-Warner, Maegen Oudie, Karla Pensabe Toache, Elena Polo, Layah J. Solis, Ahmad Soueidan, Regina Tamez, Soupharuady Vongsouvanh, and Adonte Wilkerson.
