Thursday, February 6, 2025

Optimists name January Young Texan and Texanne

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AZLE — The Azle Optimist Club named Azle High School seniors Ethan Alcala and Chloe Jones as its Young Texan and Young Texanne for the month at a Jan. 17 meeting.

Ethan Alcala is the son of Mark Alcala. He is ranked 36th in the senior class with a grade point average of 100.67. Alcala is interested in pursuing a career in accounting and finance. He attends Castle Hills Baptist Church, enjoys fishing and is varsity captain of the Azle High School football team, which he said is his biggest accomplishment.

“This goal looked nearly impossible for me after I suffered a knee injury my sophomore year that required surgery and getting seven screws to hold my knee and growth plate in place,” Alcala said in a recommendation form. “The recovery time for this surgery was approximately six months and took away my sophomore season putting me at a disadvantage compared to all of the other players. However, instead of letting the injury dash my hopes; I let it fuel my hard work and discipline eventually leading me to success on and off the football field.”

Academically, Alcala is most proud of earning eight college credits by the time he graduates high school. He describes himself as respectful, hardworking and passionate. Among his strengths, Alcala said he is a good hands-on learner, a numbers person and attentive to details. He described his impulsiveness as one possible weakness.

Chloe Jones is the daughter of Rhonda Jones. She is ranked 32nd in her class with a GPA of 100.9. After high school, Jones hopes to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees in athletic science. Jones is proud of being able to succeed in OnRamps college level courses and remaining a dependable player for her coaches and teammates.

“My greatest personal quality could be that I'm dependable and always there ready to do what I'm asked,” Jones. “A weakness I have is getting too involved in something and expecting others to put in that same amount of effort. I look to overcome this by stepping back and by seeing how they do it.”

She describes herself as amicable, diligent and energetic. Jones has been secretary, vice president and president of the AHS chapter of HOSA-Future Health Professionals. She also placed seventh at state last year as part of the school’s criminal justice team.