Top 10 Spotlight: Whitney Ortiz Will Always Have Her Sax

Regardless of the career path Whitney Ortiz chooses to take, she knows she will always have something for the rest of her life: her saxophone.

The Los Fresnos High School Top 10 student has played the sax since she was in the sixth grade. The daughter of Adan and Ann Ortiz, Whitney credits her father for developing her love of music. He also plays saxophone.

“My dad pushed me into it, and I enjoyed it,” Whitney said. “I always knew that I would end up playing the sax. He plays jazz more and less classical so I’ve learned a lot of different types of music to play. Playing sax is something I can do the rest of my life.”

Whitney is a member of the LFHS Marching Band, and has been named to the All-Valley Band several times. She also has numerous awards and ribbons from her band competitions.

Yet her most prestigious award came last May at the State UIL Academics Meet. Whitney was one of the four-member of the LFHS Literary Criticism team that won the state championship. She didn’t join the team until the UIL regional meet.

“I didn’t know what Lit Crit was until then, but I have enjoyed it ever since,” she said. “It’s a lot harder than most people think and it’s really challenging. Some think it’s a simple English test. There’s a lot of obscure facts that you need to know to do well.”

For example, Lit Crit participants are expected to know about North American and European romanticism and realism. They should also know about Pulitzer Prize winners and Nobel prize winners.

“This year, I’ve been involved with the group since the start of the year, and its been a lot more fun.”

it’s been a lot more fun since I’ve been involved all year with them.

The team is returning to the state meet in Austin next week.

Whitney has also been active with the Los Fresnos High School’s Rio Grande Valley Linking Economic & Academic Development (RGV LEAD) club, which consists of students whose job is to retrieve information on developing leadership skills that will set the mold for successful individuals in the future. RGV Lead students serve as ambassadors for school and district events.

She knows that she is classified as an auditory learner, a learning style in which a person learns through listening. An auditory learner depends on hearing and speaking as a main way of learning.

 

“I just learn it in class,” Whitney said. “It’s hard of rme to sit still for a long time. Studying at home and reading at home is not as beneficial for me as it is to learn it in class.”

Whitney plans to attend Texas State University and major in Microbiology. “I’ve been interested in science since I was little and Texas State has a good program where undergraduate students can do research.”

She knows that is she is a different type of learner who balances her study time.

“I don’t believe in stressing too much. I now that a lot of people make really good grades and stress themselves out and that makes it no fun. I learn a lot better in class – that works for me. It’s important to learn and enjoy learning. Do your work and finish your work and make sure you know it, but don’t stress yourself out.”