“The first day that I walked into my ceramics class last year, I had no idea that I would someday end up being part of a competition, much less the winner of one.

I guess you could say that my passion for ceramics began when I first saw Mr. Escobedo throw a pot on the wheel. I thought that it was cool and it interested me, so I decided to ask if he would teach me. Happily, he said yes, but advised me to observe him first so I would have an idea of what I would need to do.

He then explained the process of how to make pots and later on in the week, I was making them too. I kept practicing and as time passed, I got better at making pots and entered my first ceramics competition in 2007 at the National Date Festival. I ended up getting 2nd place, but I was still happy and proud of myself.

This year, I chose to be in advanced ceramics because it I liked it and I wanted to compete in the National Date Festival one more time. Two weeks before the festival, I had no idea of what I wanted to present to the judges, I just knew that I wanted my piece to be big and, of course, impressive. I asked Mr. Escobedo for some ideas and he showed me pictures from some of his ceramic books. He encouraged me to make a vase in pieces, and so I did.

I first had to make two identical pots and cover them. Then, I had to make the third and last piece, the neck. When all the pieces got leather hard, I used slip, which is soggy clay, to “glue” the leather hard clay together. Once those pieces were connected, I did the same with the neck. I finally got all pieces together and got to trim some excess clay that was not needed.

Once that was done, I let my piece completely dry and gave it to Mr. Escobedo to fire in the kiln. I was ready for most important part of making a pot, the glazing. I wanted it to look old, or somewhat antique. Mr. Escobedo got me some special glaze. When you racoo fire it, smoke gets trapped in the cracks of the glaze and gives it an antique look.

When I entered my pot in this year’s competition, I really did not know if I was going to win or not. I was eager, as well as anxious, to go to the fair and check. I was happy when I saw I had I won Best of Class, but what really amazed me that I won Best of Show as well.

My hard work paid off and I couldn’t be any happier or more proud. Of course, I owe this great achievement to my teacher, Mr. Escobedo. He has given me so many ideas and has helped me so much since day one. He has taught me everything I know about ceramics.