After having the 2020 district competition cancelled due to the pandemic, the UIL academic teams competed in a virtual pre-district practice meet on Sat. Jan 30, along with the Cross-Examination Debate district meet which occurred on Wednesday Jan 27th. Events included Number Sense, Calculator, Math, Science, Computer Science, Literary Criticism, Spelling, Current Issues & Events, Social Studies, Debate, and Journalism. The team coaches are Ty Whitworth, Jessica Otte, Amanda Engram, Elizabeth Godden, Haleigh Littleton, Virginia Foster, Benjamin Mosier, Lori Center, and UIL Coordinator Robert Walsh.

“I am just so happy that we are finally getting to compete,” Walsh said. “I look forward to district, where we should have a good showing.”

Sophomores Rylie Lenoir and Alexis Young placed 6th in their debate competition. The Social Studies team had a 4th place win for Edgar Gutierrez, a 5th place win for Alissandra Mendoza, and a 6th place win for Imani Muse resulting in their team placing 2nd overall behind Van High School. For Journalism, Katherine Adams place 6th in Feature Writing.

“I am really excited to compete in UIL this year,” Adams said. “With it being my first time competing, I did not have a very high expectation. However, I am so glad that my studying and practicing paid off and allowed me to earn a medal.”

This Saturday, students will come back to compete in a Hallsville virtual practice meet, at the high school, in preparation for the March 24th District Meet.