Age: 18

Grade: 12

Event: Editorial Writing

How long you've been competing in UIL: Four years

What's the most challenging/nerve-wracking thing about your event: The most nerve-wracking thing is probably the last five or six minutes of the contest, when I still have two major points to make, so my pencil is burning a hole through the paper and my handwriting is degenerating into incomprehensible slashes as I race to beat the clock.

First thing you'll do when you win: I'll do a back flip in stunned ecstasy because that would surely mean a lot of money for college.

Past honors in the event: First place at district in 2005, third place at district in 2006 and 2007, second place at district this year, regional qualifier all four years, and third place at region this year.

Extracurricular activities/other UIL events: In UIL academics: Science and Headline Writing. Outside of academics: basketball and multimedia.

College plans: I plan to attend the University of Texas at Austin and major in journalism.

Birthplace: Midland, TX

One thing your parents, a sibling or even a best friend might not know about you: I believe in the existence of alien life in the universe.