Top 10 Spotlight: Christi Garza Focused on Sports, Academics

Sports has been a big part of Christi Garza’s life since elementary school, but she is ready for the next chapter.

Garza, the oldest of three children to Los Fresnos CISD teachers Jesse and Valerie Garza, is among the Top 10 graduates at the Los Fresnos High School Class of 2016.

Christi started playing basketball at the Los Fresnos Boys’ and Girls’ Club when she was in the third grade.

“My parents pushed me to be in sports and for a while, I was really horrible. I thought they were torturing me. But then I developed a love for it, especially basketball. Since then, sports have been a big part of my life.”

Christi ran track in middle school, and was a member of the Lady Falcon track team as a freshman. She was a regional qualifier in three events as a freshman.

In basketball, she was a member of the Lady Falcons’ varsity since her sophomore year. But knee and shoulder surgeries during the season limited her to playing only a few games.

“That was really tough on me, that I couldn’t play very much basketball during my senior year,” she said. ” I am used to practicing basketball three times a day. But I loved it. I know I’m not going to go anywhere in basketball as a future, so I have focused on my education and my grades.”

Christi has been a member of National Honor Society and Junior Women’s Service League, and competed in the American Mathematics Competition (AMC).

“My dad has been a math teacher ever since I was small,” she said. “I felt like I excelled more in math and science more than any other subject.”

Her love for mathematics has helped her decide to pursue a degree in mechanical or architectural engineering. Because both of her parents are veterans – her mother was in the Navy and father was in the Marines – she considered enlisting in the officer program with the Navy.

She plans to attend Texas A&M University-Kingsville, “because they have really good engineering program and to stay close to home and family. “I don’t want to miss out on my little brothers as they grow up. I want to be part of their lives too.”

Christi hopes to design bridges and skyscrapers, and possibly land a government job after college. She is also interested in being a part of the Engineers without Borders USA program, that help poor countries all over the world.

Christi knows she is a role model to her younger brothers, especially her youngest brother in first grade. She encourages them maintain high academic standards.

“I get mad at them if they don’t push themselves,” she said. To her younger brothers and others, she has strong advice. “If any obstacle comes your way, always do your best to overcome it. Nothing should ever deter you from the goal that you’ve set for yourself.