City recognizes student who won trip to see State of the Union address

By Laredo Morning Times

City of Laredo Mayor Pete Saenz recently recognized Anthony Garcia, a fifth-grade student from Dr. Henry Cuellar Elementary School, who won an essay contest at his school for an opportunity to attend President Barack Obama’s final State of the Union address as U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar’s guest.

 

The certificate Saenz presented to Garcia read: “For representing your family, your school and most importantly our city of Laredo as a future leader of our community at the State of the Union address delivered by President Barack Obama on Tuesday, January 12, 2016.”

 

Accompanying Garcia were his family, teacher and vice principal with the school.

Garcia, 11, was chosen out of 105 fifth-grade students at the school who participated in an essay-writing competition about positive habits that have made them a better leader, and why they wanted to see Obama’s address.

 

Out of the school’s four fifth-grade classes, the top three essays were chosen from each class. Twelve finalists were then interviewed and the top three candidates were further interviewed by UISD representatives.

“Out of all of them, Anthony did an incredible job, and won the spot,” said Melissa Shinn, principal at Cuellar Elementary.

 

Before his trip to Washington D.C., Anthony had never traveled out of the state. It was also his first time on a plane.

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