Announcement
Julisa Juarez
4 Time National Champion
Julisa Juarez became a four time race walk champion at the AAU Junior Olympic National Championship held in Des Moines Iowa this year.
The PSJA Liberty Middle School eighth grader had come back determined to win the gold medal once again but she knew it would not be and easy task. She and her team mates Gisela Flores, also of Liberty Middle School, and Itzel Gonzales of San Juan Middle School had dominated last years race when they finished 1st, 2nd and 3rd place respectively. Gisela and Itzel were to toe the line right along with Julisa and did not have any intensions of letting Julisa run away with the gold medal this year.
Gisela and Itzel pushed themselves exchanging positions in 2nd & 3rd place but neither was ever able to go around Julisa who proved to strong for the girls. Gisela finished in 2nd place and Itzel came in 3rd just as they had the prior year well ahead of all other competitors.
Julisa, besides being one of the top race walkers in the country in her age group, also excels academically. She has been in the top 10 percent of her class for the past three years and has perfect attendance. She has been commended on the Texas State exams and recognized by Duke University Talent I.D. program and the gifted and talented program extension. She furthermore has received numerous trophies in UIL. She has also been recognized in choir, theater and drama.
Julisa has committed her summers since 2012 to South Texas College Prefreshman Engineering program and also volunteers at Saint Anne Catholic Church in the music ministry and lector (proclaimer) ministry.
“I plan to continue with cross country, tennis orchestra and UIL in my freshman year but I will need God’s will, my parents’ support and Coach A.C. Jaime’s encouragement to fullfill my plan,” she said recently. She prays that her training in race walking and academic standing will gain her recognition to be offered a full scholarship to continue her education in a university as have other club members.
