The room filled with quiet tension as the projector flickered on, throwing rows of names across the wall. Senior Cesley Hunt leaned forward in her chair, barely breathing as she scanned the screen. It had been a long day of presenting, waiting and overthinking every word she said to the judges. She squeezed her friend’s hand, telling herself not to get her hopes up. Then she saw her name and for a second, everything around her faded before the realization finally set in.
“I nearly jumped out of my seat, to be honest,” Hunt said. “I nearly screamed.”
33 Teaching Internship students advanced to the state level at the Texas Association of Future Educators Area 11 competition, making it the highest number in program history. Next up is the TAFE state conference from Feburary 26 through 28 in Dallas.
The Area 11 competition was three days long, and students presented projects, performed speeches and competed in events in front of judges. Students competed in more than 40 projects, including lesson planning, impromptu speaking, children’s literature and public service announcements. Each student competes in a specific category, earning scores that determine whether they advance to the state level.
Teaching Internship instructor Debbie Reese, who has led the program for 25 years, said the results reflected months of determination and late nights.
“This is the highest year I’ve ever had that many students advanced to state,” Reese said. “These kids this year were really, really determined to make it to state.”
In the weeks leading up to the competition, Reese’s classroom became a constant workspace. Bulletin boards leaned against the walls, paper covered the floor and students stayed after school practicing presentations to fix details and help each other stay on track.
“It looked like a tornado blew up in here,” Reese said. “We’re working, working, working.”
Senior Carla Zagala competed in Children’s Literature Pre K Spanish, an event that required her to write and illustrate an original children’s book. She advanced to state in the event alongside junior Maria Valadez Muñoz.
“I decided it would be really fun to write a book,” Zagala said.
Zagala said self doubt followed her throughout the process, especially as a first year competitor juggling multiple events.
“I was really doubtful about the book because I just felt like I didn’t do enough,” Zagala said.
Freshman Lance Lassiter who was the only ninth grader at the competition, and he competed without being enrolled in the Teaching Internship class. Lassiter had previous experience competing TAFE during middle school, which helped prepare him for the pressure of the area competition.
“It definitely felt weird being the only freshman,” Lassiter said. “I felt like I had to kind of act older.”
Despite the pressure, Lassiter advanced to state in public speaking, surprising even himself.
“When I saw my name, I was in shock,” Lassitter said. “I was really surprised and happy.”
As the final names were announced, the room filled with cheers, hugs and a lot of relieved laughter. After weeks of stress, many students finally let themselves relax.
“You just get up in your head a lot,” Hunt said. “So seeing me and Carla advance to state, especially with all the blood, sweat and tears that we put into our project, it really just made me happy.”
Hunt advanced to state in Project Visualize Appreciation alongside her partner, Carla Zagala.
Reese said now she wants her students to stay confident and locked in as they prepare for the state tournament in Dallas. As Feburary 26 approaches, the students are practicing again, fixing small details and trying to keep their momentum going.
“My motto is concentrate and dominate,” Reese said.
