"From tooling around in a shopping cart to attending Rice University!"

Adapted from: Jaime Castillo, San Antonio EXPRESS - NEWS, Monday, August 27, 2007.

"Brackenridge scholar set to make her mark at Rice University."

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS. "Since Ms. Citali Tapia was introduced here last spring, more than a few readers have asked what became of the 4 - foot - 9 - inch teenager who stands tall as the most recent valedictorian from Brackenridge High School.

"When we last checked in, Ms. Tapia was waiting to hear from such elite schools as Rice University, Swarthmore College, MIT and Harvard University.

"Well, today [Monday] is the day Ms. Tapia will enter her first class at ... Rice University.

"The budding civil engineer admits she was a bit disappointed at first about not getting into Harvard.

But there's a purpose for everything, the instensely religious scholar-to-be said in a telephone interview from Houston.

"After all, a free ride to Rice is nothing to feel sad about.

"The private school is paying for her books, tuitiion and room and board."

Ms. Tapia's parents are immigrants.

[These] Mexican immigrants who earned U.S. citizenship and now run a licensed child - care operation on the Southeast Side started as humbel as humble can get.

"During their early days in San Antonio, the Tapias, who didn't own a car, routinely ferried Citlali and her sister Yetlanezy, in a shopping cart across a busy intersection to an H - E - B and back to their apartment.

"An uncle once called the shopping cart the family's Cadillac, a remark which appears to drive the youngest Tapia to this day... "

A good read !!

"To contact JAIME CASTILLO, call (210) 250 - 3174 or e - mail jscastillo@express-news.net . His column appaers on mOndays, Wednesdays and Saturdays."