In preparation for the district UIL academic meet in April, students will attend an invitational meet in Canton Saturday. Students attended the invitational in Palestine January 27 and earned 2nd place as a school.
In Computer Science, the team placed first in the meet. Individually, Luke Cruce and Preston Scott tied for first in with Eashan Kalyanji third, Anderson Cruce fourth, Noah Hoskins fifth, and Jack Bean sixth.
“The team did really well,” computer science teacher Davin Davis said. “They swept every top place individually and scored 882 points while the second place team had 65 points. They’ve been working harder this year because the two charter schools we go against at region have been getting closer to beating us each year.”
Spelling placed first as a team, with team members Yahir Yepz, Austin Smith, Deyla Morgan, Alyssa Winters, and Tevin Eam, Yepez placed first, and Smith placed fifth. In Science Lydia Morgan, Laiken Carlson, Anderson Cruce, and Bailey Holland placed 1st as a team. Individual awards for Biology, Chemistry, and Physics went to Lydia Morgan first in all three, Carlson second in all three, and Cruce placed fourth in all three.
“Uil Science is off to an amazing start this year,” science teacher Cheryl Stone said. “I’m very impressed with all my students’ work ethic; especially the freshman. I am proud that these students are fighting to get a spot on the 8 person team for district and a chance to repeat as District Champs! Go Eagles!”
In individual events, Eashan Kalyanji placed first, Preston Scott second, and Aiden Adams third in Computer Applications. Austin Smith placed fifth in Ready Writing. In Persuasive Speaking, Evelyn Fulchs placed third, and Cole Coufal placed sixth. Informative Justin Johnson placed first in Informative Speaking.
“Eashan, Preston, and Aiden did great,” computer applications teacher Misty Rhoden said. “I love working with them. We love this competition!”
Literary Criticism placed second as a team with Lydia Morgan, Anna Moyer, Kynzee Payne, and Devin McNeil; Moyer placed individually.
“I am so proud of all the students for showing up, studying, and doing their best,” English teacher Kathie Maciel said. “We have a great group of freshman and returning students.”
Journalism placed third as a team with individual awards going to Tiffany Jauregui, second in News Writing; Mayrin Espinoza third in News Writing; Jauregui, third in Feature; Espinoza, fifth in Feature; Bethany George, fifth in Editorial; Blake Phillips, sixth in Editorial; Callie Morgan fifth in Headline. In Copy Editing, Tiffany Jauregui placed 3rd and Mayrin Espinoza placed 6th.
“I think the UIL Editorial Writing team teaches me how to appropriately express my thoughts and build an argument for my opinions,” sophomore Blake Phillips said. “I think the actual event is fun and that Mrs. Maciel does a good job teaching and preparing us.”
