Age: 18

Grade: 12th

Event: Feature Writing

How long you’ve been competing: 1 yr.

What’s the most challenging/nerve-wracking thing about your event: It's really hard to keep all of my thoughts on the same track. I tend to over think things so I usually have to tone it down a bit so my paper is what the judges are looking for.

First thing you’ll do when you win: Probably laugh, cry, jump up and down, then I'll call my momma.

Past honors in the event: 2nd at District and 1st at Regional

Extracurricular activities/other UIL events: I participated in persuasive speaking and placed 5th at District; Cross Country, Art, and One-Act (Drama)

College plans: I will be attending the University of Oklahoma in August, Majoring in Art History, and now due to my success in Feature Writting I'm looking at a Minor in Journalism.

Birthplace: Sweetwater, TX

One thing your parents, a sibling or even a best friend might not know about you: To psyche myself up for something (One-Act, Cross Country, U.I.L.) I dance to music in my head to work out all the nervous jitters and just be a little silly, I think being too serious isn't always a good thing.

MySpace or Personal Web page link: www.myspace.com/whitneyortega