TWENTY-TWENTY-TWO
U A
NIVERSITY
Valedictorian
Kirsten Garcia
Salutatorian
Rashad Mims II
CADEMY
Patriots
is the daughter of Rey and Lorie Garcia . She is a part of the National Honor Society , and was a Junior Rotarian for the month of March . Additionally , she participated in the East Texas High School Big Idea Challenge held at UT Tyler , reaching the final round , and the GLOBE program . She also volunteered in the Patriot Pal Pipeline and the East Texas Food Bank . She was student of the month , and received multiple A Honor Roll and all A ’ s all year medals . Kirsten is a dual credit scholar and will receive a STEM endorsement upon graduating as well as the Valedictorian Scholarship awarded by UT Tyler . She attends First Baptist Church of Palestine and has worked as an independent book editor . Hobbies include crocheting , beading , and embroidery . Kirsten plans to attend The University of Texas at Tyler to major in Mechanical Engineering and become a Mechanical Engineer .
Rashad is the son of Rashad and Deonta Mims . He has a 4.5 GPA and is a leader in a few clubs at University Academy : Black History Club President , Sports Club President , STCO President and 12th grade Treasurer . He is a member of Chess Club , National Honor Society , Class Council , and Junior Ambassador Society and UT Honors Program . Rashad has received a few scholarships : UT Honors Scholarship , Rotary Scholarship , Palestine Community Theatre Scholarship , and Top 25 % Scholarship . He has volunteered in tutoring , assisting the elderly during COVID for 2 years for Pilgrim Hill Baptist Church and Grant Chapel AME , working in the community during a Palestine flood for 2 weeks for Anderson County , and assisting in the highway trash pickup for National Honor Society . He was able to intern with Judge Michael Davis . Rashad will attend UT Tyler to major in Civil Engineering & Law and plans to become a Patent Attorney .
30 | Class of 2022 | PALESTINE HERALD-PRESS