Twenty- seven Fairfield High School students attended the Tyler Junior College UIL student conference on September 7. This workshop taught them about several different UIL events they compete in.

   “Today was a good start for the freshmen and our UIL teams,” journalism and literary criticism sponsor Kathie Maciel said. “I’m very pleased with the turn- out; I know this was a busy weekend.”

   Students were there for seven different events: journalism, literary criticism, CX debate, science, mathematics, number sense, and prose/ poetry. Each event has its own workshop, and these workshops are normally taught by the test writers themselves. 

   “I’m glad I came today,” freshman Payton Botelha said. “I was able to learn about how CX debate is run and the format of it.”

   Students participating in CX debate, mathematics, number sense, and science attended the conference for the first time this year. 

   “The seniors and junior Robby Walia stepped up to escort underclassmen to different events,” Maciel said, “so we were able to attend workshops for seven events in all.”

   UIL hosts four student conferences in different regions at the beginning of the school year. These conferences are intended to let students learn about their events.

   “I got to learn more about the UIL I wanted to do and what’s on the test,” freshman Johnathon Thomas said. “It was a fun trip.”

   Thirteen freshmen, eight sophomores, one junior, and five seniors attended these conferences. They left Fairfield at 6:45 a.m. and did not return until 3: 15 p.m..

   “I’m glad I came today,” Walia said. “There was a lot of information, and I feel more prepared for my debates.”

   Sophomore Allison Sanchez attended the Literary Criticism workshop. The workshop was taught by Literary Criticism state director Mark Bernier.

   “The lecture was really good and educational,” Sanchez said. “I feel somewhat prepared to take the test.”