Whiz Kid: Jaquelin Ortiz Snags Medal at Academic Decathlon

Whiz Kid's Name: Jaquelin Ortiz

Age: 13

Whiz Kid's School:

Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Second place medal winner in literature at Academic Junior High Decathlon.

Whiz Kid's Goal: "I want to be somebody who can achieve," Ortiz said. "When I go on to college I want to major in international relations or be a lawyer,  I want to really get out there and make a name for myself."

Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: "Jaquelin is one of the sweetest eighth graders that we have," said St. Ignatius Regional Development Director, Kathleen Fitzpatrick. "She’s always available to help, comes down and asks if there’s anything she can do for you. All around, she’s just a really nice girl."

Ortiz read three books in preparation for the individual literature event at the decathlon: The Warrior Heir, The Wizard Heir, and The Dragon Heir.  Additonally, she also studied information about the books' author Cinda Williams Chima.

"I was late reading the books because there was a long wait for them in the library, so I just decided to buy the first book," Ortiz said. "I am quite a fast reader. One book would take me two days to read and I would also write notes to remember.  One of my notes was one of the questions, so I knew it right away. It was a big help to do that."

Ortiz said there were a lot of students in the competion who placed, so a series of short answer tie breaker questions were administered.

"Jaquelin Ortiz is a beautiful young lady that has developed across the board into a kind, gentle, enthusiastic student," said St. Ignatius Principal,  Sister Georgette Coulombe.

Ortiz said she got a rush when they called her name to recieve the second place medal at the competition.

"When I got home I looked at my medal and I was staring at it the whole time," she said.

Ortiz said,"I got second place. I couldn't believe it really happened. I was like wow, I can’t believe it."