Ethan Garza participated in the 2008 Future Problem Solving Program International Conference held May 29-June 1 at Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan. He was an international finalist in the Individual Community Problem Solving competition.
Awards are presented to the top two individuals in the international contest. Students from the United States join others from Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand and Singapore who have demonstrated outstanding problem solving skills in their respective categories. All of the participants in the International Conference gained admission to the competition by having earned Grand Champion, State Champion, or State At-Large Champion honors.
In April, Garza was selected as the State At-Large Champion and represented Texas with his project, “Operation: HONOR – Helping Those Who Have Defended Our Country.” While Garza’s project was not one of the top two at IC, he says that being a finalist in the competition was a once-in-a lifetime experience.
“I feel like I did a good job, and I don’t have any regrets,” says Garza.
“I did my best to promote VFW Post #8625 and to have people from all over the world see their pictures and understand that they have courageously given their all for this country gives me an indescribable feeling.”
“Operation: HONOR” focused on the declining status of Veteran’s of Foreign Wars Post #8625 which had fallen from its civic pedestal and was no longer one of the focal points of Sinton. According to Garza, the Sinton community was neglecting to confer the much deserved respect to the vital organization. The VFW’s aging membership is also a factor; the group, admittedly, is often physically incapable of performing many of the community activities in which it had previously participated. The purpose of “Operation: HONOR” was to increase support of the VFW Post #8625 so that this honorable association can regain its positive standing in the community.
“I wanted to bring this group of citizens back into the public eye and I feel that I’ve accomplished that to a certain extent,” adds the incoming high school senior. “Yes, I enjoyed every step leading to the competition both at State and Internationals, but my main objective was to help the members of VFW Post #8625 and the Ladies Auxiliary. They have been there for me on many occasions in the past, and they were there for our country when they were called into action.”
“The competition phase of ‘Operation: HONOR’ is over, but my desire to help the veterans is not. I’ve grown to love them,” concludes Garza. “I want to continue to do all I can for this important Sinton organization and I hope that others will be more proactive by joining the VFW or Ladies Auxiliary in the near future.”
Garza, a 17-year-old honor student at Sinton High School, was coached by Mrs. Maggie Gibson and Mrs. Marty Garza. Students were judged on various components which included a six-page write-up, the display board, a 5-minute video, a scrapbook and an interview, all detailing the project.
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Captions:
Pic #1: Ethan Garza received numerous compliments from visitors during the CmPS Fair where guests had the opportunity to see all of the Community Problem Solving displays. Here, Ethan visits with New Jersey CmPS Coach Karen Rosnick who would like her team to collaborate with Garza on a similar project in Plainsboro, New Jersey.
Pic #2: Ethan Garza, the Texas At-Large State Champion in Individual Community Problem Solving, is pictured with his project at the International Conference held at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan.
