Jack Burdock Imagine the excitement of receiving news your writing just earned a first place ranking at a state competition. That is just what happened to ninth grader Jack Burdock, Riviera ISD student. When asked about his interest in writing, Jack responded, “Writing is a good way to get out the ideas that cloud my head and a distraction from the everyday turmoil of life.”

Jack participated in a short story and poetry contest through the Kingsville Woman’s Club (FLAIR Department).

He competed at the school level against other Kaufer High School students in the 9th-12th grade. After winning first place at the school level, Jack’s poem “Outside Herself” went on to compete at the area level and then on to state.

Jack is the first high school student from Kaufer High School to win at the state level in this particular writing contest. After winning the first place state title, Jack’s poem continued on to compete at a national level. In addition to Jack’s poem, “Outside Herself” being part of a competition, his poem was also read at the Woman’s Club South Texas District Convention in March. “Outside Herself” deals with domestic violence, which was also the theme of the March convention.

Jack aspires to one day be a published author. In addition to writing poetry, Jack’s ongoing project is a novel. “It’s really tough to type up a whole novel, but I feel a sense of accomplishment every time I complete a chapter.”