Chapel Hill students went to compete in a Pentathlon on Thursday, January 25 at the East Texas State Fair Grounds. Although our teams did not place, a few young men and women placed in individual performances. Students will continue to compete and be recognized by the Academic Rodeo on February 28.

Students that attended were: senior Ezra Patterson, juniors Armando Sanchez, Jesus Villerreal, and Alexus Miley, sophomore Mackenzie Ibarra, and freshmen William “Brady” Bagwell, Hope Shumake, and Jeffrey Reazin. Teachers Lalitha Krishnan and Samantha Butler were both coaches for the students.

“It was a great team experience,” said Miley. “We did everything from individual written tests, to team quiz bowl and engineering build. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed the opportunity to compete with my fellow friends.”

The students competed against 16 local East Texas teams from varying high schools, including REL, TK Gorman, ETCA, Palestine, Kilgore, Arp, Lindale, Mineola, Edgewood, and Halsville. All Chapel Hill students competed in five events including written tests, quiz bowl, and an engineering build. The teams built a bridge and a weaponized remote control car to attack and capture a castle.

“It was an overall enjoyable experience,” said Villerreal. “We learned how to cooperate together. I enjoyed the individual science events most because it is my strong suit. I had a lot of faith in myself and my team.”

Jesus Villerreal placed 2nd individually in Biology and Ezra Patterson placed 3rd individually in Chemistry.

“It is a fun and challenging competition between schools,” said Patterson. “Great for those with general knowledge in math, science, and engineering concepts. I enjoyed it and the fact that it comes with the opportunity of a scholarships. I look forward to many more academic competitions that are coming up.”