SAN ANGELO, Texas — San Angelo ISD announced Wednesday that Central High School senior Gracie Barker won first place for ready writing in the UIL Academic State Meet held May 5-7, 2022, at The University of Texas at Austin.
Barker and fellow CHS senior Caroline Anderson represented the school at the state competition after qualifying to advance from the UIL Regional Meet. Both students have competed in UIL Academics throughout high school. Barker competes in ready writing, speech and other UIL events; and Anderson competes in biology, mathematics and science.
Barker has frequently placed high in ready writing contests, including first-place finishes at both the district and regional meets earlier this year, the SAISD said in a press release.
In ready writing, students write a composition after choosing from two prompts provided by UIL. Students must plan, draft and submit an engaging, well-developed essay that connects in some way to their selected prompt, within a two-hour time frame.
Writers must be able to think deeply about important ideas and express their thoughts in a way that impresses the judges.
Central High School English Department head and dual-credit/advanced placement English
teacher Molly Swets recognized Gracie’s writing talent and was excited to learn of her accomplishment, but not surprised.
“I have never seen Gracie daunted by a timed writing task. She quickly forms her position and a basic outline and then has time to dig deeply into the topic,” Swets said in the release. “Also, Gracie has a unique approach to every essay topic. She wants to choose a position that others would not be able to pull off because she can!”
CHS Speech and Debate Coach Coby Evers echoed Swets’ sentiment, “Gracie not only has intelligence, but speaking skills, analytical skills, and effort. She’s one of the best I’ve ever had the pleasure of coaching.”
In addition to Barker’s state championship, Anderson, who entered the state competition as the top scorer in biology at the regional level, also posted a solid result against top-notch competition. Anderson has been a competitor on several CHS UIL Academic teams, including mathematics and science.
Coaches and teachers frequently praise Anderson for her work ethic and her down-to-earth nature, the release said.
CHS Principal Bill Waters said of the two state competitors, “They represent some of what is great about Central. These kids are amazing, and they make you proud to be an educator.”
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