Follow us online for additional activities, videos and pictures
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs
"Creating a Vision"
Essay Competition 2015
WRITE IT! GEAR IT! LIVE IT!
Thank you to all the GEAR UP IV Students who participated in the 2015 Essay Competition WRITE IT! GEAR IT! LIVE IT! The Students winners were celebrated during an Awards Ceremony on June 20th, 2015. This year, students were invited to write about any of the following three topics:
1) Describe a circumstance, obstacle or conflict in your life, and the skills and resources you used to resolve it. Were you successful? What lessons did you learn from this experience? How has GEAR UP IV helped you with your goals?
2) What are Three Major ways you have contributed to your community where you have shown leadership or initiative and what difference do you want to make in the world? How has GEAR UP IV helped you with your goals?
3) Considering your lifetime goals, discuss experiences you are proud of and how your current and future academic and extra-curricular activities might help you achieve your goals. How has GEAR UP IV contributed towards meeting your goals?
Congratulations to the following winners!!!
Are you ready to LIVE IT!???
1st. Place
Trip to San Francisco, CA to participate in the 2015 NCCEP/GEAR UP Youth Leadership Congress on July 18-23, 2015 (10 Students).
|
District |
High School Name |
Student Name |
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
Eagle Pass High School
|
Angelica Garza
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
Eagle Pass High School
|
Daniel Garcia
|
|
Jim Hogg ISD
|
Hebbronville High School
|
Olivia Garcia
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Juarez-Lincoln High School
|
Melanie Gomez
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Angel Guerrero
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Jaime Rivera
|
|
United ISD
|
J.B. Alexander High School
|
Melissa Garcia
|
|
United ISD
|
United High School
|
Daniel King
|
|
United ISD
|
United High School
|
Iliana Cantu
|
|
United ISD
|
United South High School
|
Martha Espinoza
|
2nd. Place
Ivy League Tour : Harvard University, MIT, Brown University, Yale University, Princeton University among others on August 9-14, 2015 (30 Students).
|
District
|
High School Name
|
Student Name
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Andrea Osuna
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Ariana Contreras
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Cleotilde Padilla
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Esmeralda Garza
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Francisco Garcia
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Maria Dariela Sanchez
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Michelle Lucille Aguilar
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Nataly Sanchez
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Nayeli Longoria
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Xitlalli Cervantes
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
Eagle Pass High School
|
Janell Garza
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
Eagle Pass High School
|
Sergio Martinez
|
|
Freer ISD
|
Freer High School
|
Makayla Cantu
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Jimmy Carter Early College High School
|
Alissen Danisse Moreno
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Ashley Marie Romero
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Brianna Viveros
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Jullisa Gomez
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Kayhla Joann Bautista
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Vicente Sanchez
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Thelma R. Salinas STEM Early College HS
|
Guadalupe Lucero Castillo
|
|
Laredo ISD
|
Laredo Early College High School
|
Paloma Quiroga
|
|
Laredo ISD
|
Martin High School
|
Donna L Gonzalez
|
|
Laredo ISD
|
Martin High School
|
Jokabeth Castaneda
|
|
United ISD
|
J.B. Alexander High School
|
Cassandra Victoria Ruiz
|
|
United ISD
|
United High School
|
Dante Angel Briones
|
|
United ISD
|
United High School
|
Jorge Enrique Lopez
|
|
United ISD
|
United South High School
|
Brisa Gutierrez
|
|
United ISD
|
United South High School
|
Elizabeth Rodriguez
|
|
United ISD
|
United South High School
|
Jesus Mendoza
|
|
Webb CISD
|
Bruni High School
|
Marco Antonio Perez
|
3rd. Place
Out of State Tour - UT, Baylor, University of Oklahoma, University of Tulsa, University of Arkansas (Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma Tour) on August 3-6, 2015 (70 Students).
|
District
|
High School Name
|
Student Name
|
|
Benavides
|
Benavides Secondary School
|
Erestina Vela
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Juan Gildardo Mata
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Kasandra Esparza
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Laura Novel
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Rocio Elida Elizondo
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Sydney Gloria
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
C. C. Winn High School
|
Victor De La Garza
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
Eagle Pass High School
|
Abigail Ruiz
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
Eagle Pass High School
|
Alejandra Rueda
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
Eagle Pass High School
|
Fernanda Gonzalez
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
Eagle Pass High School
|
Hirom Alarcon
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
Eagle Pass High School
|
Lizette Cabello
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
Eagle Pass High School
|
Rolando Gonzalez
|
|
Eagle Pass ISD
|
Eagle Pass High School
|
Thery Cardenas
|
|
Freer ISD
|
Freer High School
|
Chelsea Medina
|
|
Freer ISD
|
Freer High School
|
Emory Flores
|
|
Freer ISD
|
Freer High School
|
Jordan Cantu
|
|
Freer ISD
|
Freer High School
|
Krishna Patel
|
|
Freer ISD
|
Freer High School
|
Perla Reyes
|
|
Freer ISD
|
Freer High School
|
Sara Alaniz
|
|
Freer ISD
|
Freer High School
|
Xaverya Dominguez
|
|
Jim Hogg ISD
|
Hebbronville High School
|
Lily Victoria Montemayor
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Jimmy Carter Early College High School
|
Emily Edith Torres
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Aaron Michael Zambrano
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Abigail Salazar
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Adrian Lopez
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Alexis Reina Jimenez
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Andrew Puente
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Brenda Lee Ramos
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Carolina Naely Gonzalez
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Claudessa Aylinee Bazaldua
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Dilan Adolfo Guerrero
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Eliseo Rodriguez
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Jaclyn Nicole Noyola
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Jannel Miliany Alaniz
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Jose Antonio Nanez
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Juan Alberto Alvarado
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Juan Jose Castro
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Karen Cande Rios
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Nathaniel Baldemar Torres
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Omar Isai Gonzalez
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Priscilla Hilario
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Rogelio E Garza
|
|
La Joya ISD
|
Palmview High School
|
Sarahi Zavla
|
|
Laredo ISD
|
Dr. Leo G. Cigarroa High School
|
Karina Daniela Rojo
|
|
Laredo ISD
|
J.W. Nixon High School
|
Andres Ivan Lopez
|
|
Laredo ISD
|
J.W. Nixon High School
|
Deborah Teresa Galvan
|
|
Laredo ISD
|
J.W. Nixon High School
|
Hailey Marie Chagolla
|
|
Laredo ISD
|
J.W. Nixon High School
|
Monika Alejandra Rodriguez
|
|
Laredo ISD
|
J.W. Nixon High School
|
Ozziel Cardenas
|
|
Laredo ISD
|
Martin High School
|
Diana Laura Parra
|
|
Pearsall ISD
|
Pearsall High school
|
Bernadette Rendon Guerra
|
|
United ISD
|
J.B. Alexander High School
|
Amanda Hope Zepeda
|
|
United ISD
|
J.B. Alexander High School
|
Guillermo Andres Escobar
|
|
United ISD
|
J.B. Alexander High School
|
Joo An Rim Kim
|
|
United ISD
|
J.B. Alexander High School
|
Kevon Pascua Afraee Karahroodi
|
|
United ISD
|
J.B. Alexander High School
|
Pola Hannan Kuri
|
|
United ISD
|
J.B. Alexander High School
|
Rebecca Alicia Martinez
|
|
United ISD
|
J.B. Alexander High School
|
Vanesa Puente
|
|
United ISD
|
United High School
|
Austin Tres Aleman
|
|
United ISD
|
United High School
|
Chelsea Marie Cantu
|
|
United ISD
|
United High School
|
Eddie Ramos
|
|
United ISD
|
United High School
|
Jacklyn Marie Reyna
|
|
United ISD
|
United High School
|
Leslie Michelle De Leon
|
|
United ISD
|
United High School
|
Marcela Lynn Sager
|
|
United ISD
|
United High School
|
Vanessa Aileen Valle
|
|
United ISD
|
United South High School
|
Adriana Marquez
|
|
United ISD
|
United South High School
|
Andrea Miranda
|
|
United ISD
|
United South High School
|
Jenniffer Valdez
|
|
Webb CISD
|
Bruni High School
|
Kassandra Inocencio
|
Group Picture by School
Eagle Pass ISD - CC Winn High School
Eagle Pass ISD - Eagle Pass High School
Freer ISD - Freer High School
Bruni HS - Benavides HS - Hebbronville HS
La Joya ISD - Jimmy Carter ECHS
La Joya ISD - Juarez-Lincoln HS and Thelma Salinas STEM ECHS
La Joya ISD - Palmview High School
Laredo ISD - Martin High School
Laredo ISD - Nixon High School
United ISD - Alexander High School
United ISD - United High School
United ISD - United South High School
The winning essays were selected by TAMIU administrators and instructors. Special thank you to our judges: Dr. Conchita Hichey, Dean of the Office of University College; Virginia Watkins, Instructor; Lilia Patricia Cantu, Instructor; Ann Hoey, Instructor; and Monica Thorpe, Instructor.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Essay Contest Details
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2015 ESSAY COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED.
THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING!!!
The Deadline for 2015 will be 11:59 PM Central Standard Time, May 3, 2015
ALL ESSAYS SHOULD SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
1) Describe a circumstance, obstacle or conflict in your life, and the skills and resources you used to resolve it. Were you successful? What lessons did you learn from this experience? How has GEAR UP IV helped you with your goals?
2) What are Three Major ways you have contributed to your community where you have shown leadership or initiative and what difference do you want to make in the world? How has GEAR UP IV helped you with your goals?
3) Considering your lifetime goals, discuss experiences you are proud of and how your current and future academic and extra-curricular activities might help you achieve your goals. How has GEAR UP IV contributed towards meeting your goals?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RULES AND GUIDELINES:
1. Essay should be 1000-1500 words in length.
2. Essay must be submitted between April 15, 2015 and 11:59 PM Central Standard Time, May 3, 2015.
3. Submit your Essay using the following link: Essay_Competition. Only the first 500 essays will be considered. Registration is now closed!
4.All essays must be the original work of the student whose name is listed on the submission form. Plagiarism will result in immediate disqualification. All sources, including articles you have written, must be cited.
5. Attach a copy of your original work in English on the designated topic, which should include a comprehensive list of sources consulted. You must write on one of the topics provided; essays on other topics will not be accepted. Please title your essay.
6. Do not place your name or your school's name on any of the pages of the essay. Only the registration form should include this information.
7. Essays MUST be submitted in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format. Essays submitted in any other format will not be considered.
8. Your essay will be disqualified if it does not meet the requirements or is submitted after the submission date of 11:59 PM Central Standard Time, May 3, 2015.
9. Student must be a current TAMIU GEAR UP IV student (10th Grade) and must have proper documentation to travel within the U.S.
10. You will be notified if you are the winner in May or June 2015. The names of winners will be posted on GEAR UP IV Social Media website and at the School's GEAR UP IV Office.
11. Submission of essays constitutes permission for TAMIU GEAR UP IV program to post, reproduce and/or print winning essays on different media, including social media.
12. Your essay will become the property of the TAMIU GEAR UP IV Program once it is submitted, and will not be returned.
13. The decisions of the judges are final. See Essay Rubric.
14. Student must participate in a PSAT Boot Camp during Summer of 2015 and/or during Academic Year 2015-2016 at their school when available.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ESSAY SUBMISSION AND GOOD LUCK!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRIZES
1st. Place
Trip to San Francisco, CA to participate in the 2015 NCCEP/GEAR UP Youth Leadership Congress on July 18-23, 2015 (10 Students).
2nd. Place
Ivy League Tour : Harvard University, MIT, Brown University, Yale University, Princeton University among others on August 9-14, 2015 (30 Students).
3rd. Place
Out of State Tour - UT, Baylor, University of Oklahoma, University of Tulsa, University of Arkansas (Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma Tour) on August 3-6, 2015 (100 Students).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2015 ESSAY COMPETITION RUBRIC
-
ESSAY (60 PTS). See Essay Rubric.
-
PSAT Scores (20 PTS)
-
ACT Scores (10 PTS)
-
Qannection usage (5 PTS) - Minimum 2hr in 2015 Spring Semester.
-
Followed Guidelines (5 PTS).
Total Possible Points: 100 PTS.
ESSAY RUBRIC
|
|
12 |
9 |
6 |
3 |
|
Development |
Ideas presented in the essay are well-developed but not wordy; analysis is clearly and fully supported; cogent examples are provided; the essay leaves no questions unintentionally unanswered |
Most analysis and ideas are satisfactorily developed. Examples are usually provided where appropriate.
|
Development is inconsistent; some ideas are left unaddressed. Little analysis, few examples provided |
Development is thin and spotty. Ideas are not supported by analysis or examples |
|
Organization |
The essay is thoughtfully and effectively organized; its organization may or may not be of a recognizable “standard” but it works to effect the purpose of the essay |
While the essay is clearly, even carefully organized, its structure may not be the most effective presentation of the material |
The essay has a recognizable, perhaps formulaic, organization, but the structure bears no obvious relationship to the purpose of the essay |
The essay is not clearly organized. |
|
Je ne sais quoi |
This essay made me say “Wow” |
The essay made me say “pretty cool” |
The essay made me say “okay” |
The essay made me say “Boring” |
|
Style |
The essay exhibits a perhaps distinctive written style whose diction and tone are clearly suited to the purpose of the essay. |
The voice is academically or professionally appropriate, but not necessarily tailored to the essay. |
Diction and tone are unsophisticated and inappropriate. |
“The first reason is…” |
|
Mechanics |
While it may not be mechanically perfect, the essay contains no distracting mechanical errors |
The essay contains a few distracting mechanical errors (in usage, spelling, punctuation, etc.) |
The essay has several distracting errors that interfere in the communication of ideas |
The paper is riddled with errors that impede understanding |
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education