Capital Conference Presenter Bios
2026 Capital Conference Presenter Bios
**Indicates former Sponsor Excellence Award winner
Richeler Aladin is an award-winning writer, director, and producer featured on CBS, KVUE, Austin Chronicle, and many other news outlets. Aladin is known for his award-winning directorial feature film Evinced, distributed by Gravitas Ventures and released on February 15th, 2022. Aladin produced, directed, cast, co-wrote, and co-edited this feature film at the age of 23. Comic Book Resources stated that Evinced is a "detective thriller delivered with refreshing earnestness if not a big budget." Upon its release, Evinced finished #3 in Thriller, #3 in Action Adventure, and #4 in New/Noteworthy on the trending list on iTunes. Aladin has also produced and directed award-winning short films Ms. Anita and The Masked 4, both sold to ShortsTV. The Masked 4 was selected to be screened on ShortsTV's editorial pick showcase. Aladin is a full-time lecturer at Texas State University, where he teaches film. He is also the associate producer for the film Hierarchy, which had a limited theatrical release and, on October 19th, 2025, was ranked #1 on the STARZ network.
Dr. Brian Anderson, UIL state contest director for Science (Chemistry), is an Associate Professor of Instruction at UT-Austin. He taught general chemistry courses at UT for 12 years and now teaches science to education majors as part of the UTeach program. Dr. Anderson has a B.A. in chemistry from Knox College, and an M.A. in marine science and Ph.D. in chemistry from UT-Austin.
Stacey Armstrong has been involved with UIL for almost 30 years and currently teaches Computer Science at Cypress Woods High School and is the UIL Academic Coordinator. Stacey has coached 9 individual state champions, 8 teams state champions, and 4 team runner ups in UIL Computer Science. Stacey was a sponsor excellence award winner in 2013 and also serves as the CEO of A+ Computer Science, providing UIL Computer Science prep materials for teams all across the state.
Kara Barbee has taught in all areas of educational theater, speech & debate for over 20 years. She currently serves as Head of the Fine Arts Department and UIL Coordinator at Clyde High School, where she also teaches theater, directs mainstage musical productions, and one-act play, and coaches Prose / Poetry. Under her leadership, students have earned multiple regional appearances in OAP, a recent State OAP appearance with a 1st runner up placement, and brought home numerous state medals in Prose, Poetry, and CX/LD Debate. Kara is passionate about helping students find their voice and thrive in performance-based competitions.
Andrew Bates serves as the high school state director for the Current Issues & Events and the Social Studies contests. He has been in education for over 20 years as a teacher, coach, coordinator, and administrator. He previously coached nearly 30 combined individual, team, and overall state champions in various events.
Kelsey Bates has been involved in UIL for over 10 years with competitors in A+ contests and high school contests. She's won state championships for individuals, teams, and a few overall state champions. In the past, she has written Virtual Challenge Meet tests for both the A+ Social Studies and A+ Maps, Graphs, and Charts. She will also be writing the A+ Social Studies tests this year.
Mark Bernier has taught English, philosophy, and history and has been involved with UIL academics in one way or another since 1987. For over twenty-five years he has served as UIL academic meet director for both district and region meets. During the past eighteen years Mark has been enjoying the direct interaction with students and their academic coaches that comes with being state director of Literary Criticism (2008-2026).
Linda Berrey- Before becoming UIL's Spelling and Vocabulary Contest Director, Linda Berrey coached this event for 20 years at Waxahachie High School. Besides these duties, Linda was also Co-Academic Coordinator. She is beginning her thirteenth year as Contest Director. If you hadn't noticed before, Linda loves words!
Cindy Berry- After 30 years in the classroom, I retired five years ago. And that lasted two months because UIL journalism is what keeps me coming back for more year after year. As a native Texan, my UIL career began in west Texas in the 70s in Mrs. Baker’s second-grade classroom. Storytelling was the contest, yet little did I know I’d still be writing, coaching, judging and telling stories 50 years later. Over the years I’ve been fortunate to coach kids to the region and state level regularly, currently serving as academic coordinator and journalism coach at Lindsay High School. In my spare time I’m baking wedding cakes, chasing grandkids, riding my bike and bargain shopping.
Dr. David Bixler, UIL state contest director for Science (Physics), is a professor of Physics and dean of the College of Graduate Studies and Research at Angelo State University. Dr. Bixler holds a B.S. in Physics and Mathematics from Tarleton State University, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Physics from Rice University.
Robert Blain is the UIL Coordinator at Aldine Carver Magnet HS in Houston. A veteran UIL coach and coordinator with State Qualifiers in multiple events, he treasures sharing the insights he's acquired through his career with new and veteran coaches alike. He also serves as Region Coordinator for Academic Decathlon and Academic Pentathlon.
Dr. David Bourell is the State Director of the UIL Calculator Applications Contest, a position he has held for almost 44 years. He is also the Temple Foundation Professor Emeritus in the Cockrell School of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. He is an expert on 3D printing. His first contact with the UIL was in high school solo and ensemble contests; he was an all-state French horn player. Applied mathematics won out though, and he became an engineer focusing on structural materials. Dave loves every aspect of UIL contest directing: writing tests, running meets, meeting coaches and students, interacting with staff, and traveling with his valued UIL peers.
Gary Brister is honored to be a 2024–2025 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award recipient. For over 30 years, I’ve served as an educator and theater director, coaching many UIL state speech qualifiers and leading multiple One Act Play companies to the state level, including first runner-up honors. UIL and OAP have been my passion for nearly three decades—more than just responsibilities, they are where I find purpose and fulfillment. I believe deeply in the impact of this work and remain committed to helping students grow into confident, capable leaders. My journey is also grounded in the support of my family, who share my love of learning and stand behind everything I do.
Eric Campbell has 30 years of experience in audio, lighting, and project management and specializes in building and strengthening technical theatre programs for K-12 schools. Since 1996, his career has been defined by a simple philosophy: always answer the phone. That commitment has made him a trusted partner for educators navigating everything from first-year program setup to complex production challenges. Driven by an owner's mindset and a genuine passion for student success, Eric finds his greatest reward in watching students rise to high-pressure technical challenges and own their craft. When he isn't improving theatre spaces, he's tackling home remodeling projects — always chasing the next opportunity to build something better.
Michael S. Murray Carreón serves as the Director of Advanced Academics for Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD in South Texas, where he oversees Advanced Placement, Gifted and Talented, UIL Academics, and other college and career readiness programs. With 25 years in education, he began his career as a music educator and spent 10 years as the Head Band Director at PSJA Memorial Early College High School before transitioning to district leadership in 2019. Michael holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Music Education from Texas A&M University–Kingsville and is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership with an emphasis in K–12 Leadership at Grand Canyon University. He is passionate about expanding academic opportunities for students and has led efforts to strengthen AP participation, college readiness initiatives, and a sustainable districtwide UIL Academics framework that promotes student achievement and academic excellence.
Erika Cooke is a 20 teaching veteran and has experience in UIL for most of those years. She has coached Social Studies, Current Issues and Events, and been an Academic Coordinator in a 6A school. Erika currently teaches AP history at Legacy High School in Midland.
Bonnie Crisp A retired Texas high school teacher, I have been in some way connected to the UIL Literary Criticism contest since 1987 - the pilot year. As the UIL coordinator at Wimberley High School for many years, I coached Literary Criticism as well as several other events. I am the co-author of several teaching guides for Advanced Placement English. Additionally, I wrote a novel, Hidden Springs, as well as study materials for the UIL Literary Criticism test including Lit Crit Master, Master Lists 2, annual Study Plans, Flash Cards, and Google forms (tests) for the Study Plans and Pulitzer and Nobel Prizes.
Joe Cuellar has taught all levels of mathematics—from Algebra I through AP Calculus—for 29 years at Santa Rosa High School, La Feria High School, and South Texas ISD’s Science Academy until retiring in 2020. Coached students in UIL Calculator Applications, Number Sense, and Mathematics contests. Mentored numerous individual state champions and state championship teams. Recipient of the 1998–1999 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award. Began competing in UIL as a sophomore at Zapata High School, winning the UIL Number Sense State Championship in 1974, 1975, and 1976.
Terri Davis teaches AP Language and Composition, AP Research, and English III at Pine Tree High School. She sponsors Ready Writing, Spelling, Literary Criticism, the Barbara Jordan Essay contest, and is the high school UIL Coordinator.
Dr. Jeff Day holds a Ph.D. in Theatre and an MFA in Directing and is currently completing an MA in History. With experience spanning over 150 theatrical productions, he has contributed as an actor, director, playwright, stage manager, dramaturg, and designer. In 2018, he was selected to attend the prestigious Playwriting Intensive at the Kennedy Center, where he further honed his voice as a storyteller. Outside the theatre, he is an avid chess player, ranking in the top 15% of players nationally, and enjoys backpacking, camping, and fitness. He is currently developing a historical screenplay about Col. Jimmy Doolittle, the iconic World War II aviator, blending his love of history and narrative into one soaring project.
Zachary Defrancis is the Social Studies, Current Issues and Events, and Speech and Debate coach at Sabine Pass High School. In the past 10 years, he has coached teams to 9 straight State championships in Social Studies and 3 straight in Current Issues and Events.
Christopher Dickson has over 30 years of experience in speech, debate, theatre, and academic competition. Throughout his career, he has served as both a speech and debate coach and a director of theatre, guiding students to success in UIL and other competitive arenas. Prior to his work in education, Christopher served in law enforcement as an officer and detective, ultimately rising to the rank of Lieutenant. During that time, he led and participated in training related to active incident response, bringing a real-world, practical perspective to emergency preparedness and safety. Christopher has earned numerous honors directing students in University Interscholastic League One Act Play, including multiple advancements to regional competition. In addition to directing, he regularly adjudicates and coaches high school and collegiate students in speech and theatre, helping them earn awards and scholarships. Outside the classroom and stage, Christopher enjoys cooking, playing the saxophone, writing, and traveling. He considers his greatest accomplishment to be his 28-year marriage to his wife and raising their two children.
Erika Diggs has been involved with FIRST since 2014, I competed on FTC and FRC teams as a student before graduating in 2018. Since then, I've volunteered across Texas, supporting FTC in the West & Panhandle, North Texas, and Central Texas (HOT League) regions. Raised by the core values of FIRST, I serve as a Head Referee because I love competition — and especially the moments when students confidently advocate for themselves. Watching students grow from their first match to their last is my greatest joy.
Shawn Duthie has taught Theatre and Speech at Holliday High School for 20+ years. He has coached individual State Champions in every UIL speaking event and advanced to the State Meet in One-Act Play. Shawn has received the Sponsor Excellence Award and serves on the State Advisory Committee for Prose and Poetry. Shawn has been named a Distinguished Alumni for the Fain College of Fine Arts at Midwestern State University, as well as the State and Regional NFHS Speech and Debate Teacher of the Year for 2026.
Dr. Rich Edwards is a professor of communication studies at Baylor University and has served as president of the American Forensics Association. He is the author of the Policy Debate Quarterly and the debate textbook, Competitive Debate: The Official Guide. Dr. Edwards has made invaluable contributions to high school debate and to UIL, serving as the Region 6A-II Speech Director and UIL state contest director for CX and LD Debate. He has been inducted into the National Federation Hall of Fame and elected to the National Speech and Debate Association Hall of Fame for his contributions.
Rachael Gomez serves as UIL State Contest Director for the Theatrical Design Contest. Before that she taught high School theatre around Texas for 30 years, primarily in the Rio Grande Valley. This is her 10th Contest year for High School Theatrical Design and her 2nd for the A+Middle School Theatrical Design Pilot Contest. She is particularly proud of the growth of this contest and the ever growing talents of the participants.
BK Goodman serves as the Director of Operations for Texas Thespians. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and his Masters in Theatre from Texas A&M University-Commerce. BK also serves as the Assistant to the Theatrical Design State Contest Director and as the OAP State Scenic and Properties Manager.
Kelly Gordon, coordinator for Borden County ISD, brings 35 years of experience in education, including 25 years dedicated to 1A and 2A districts with robust UIL programs. Her journey with UIL began in 1977 as a second-grade storyteller, sparking a lifelong passion for the organization and everything it encompasses. Over her career, Kelly has coached and coordinated at all levels across two different school districts. Her coaching portfolio spans numerous events, including Speech and Debate. As an academic coordinator, she has led teams to multiple elementary, middle school, and high school District Championships, as well as two Regional Championships and two State Championships. In the Current Issues and Events contest, she has coached both individual and team State Champions, Runners-Up, and Bronze medalists. Additionally, she has guided State Finalists in Prose Interpretation, UIL Congressional Debate, and CX Debate. For Kelly, UIL has always been a passion, and she finds immense joy in helping coaches and students discover their academic niche.
M’Liss Hindman is a speech professor and Director of Speech/Debate at Tyler Junior College as well as recipient of Outstanding Service for the Texas Speech Communication Association. Her forensic teams are dominant on the collegiate circuit, having been named the top community college squad multiple years at the national tournament. She serves as the UIL Prose/Poetry consultant.
Kim Hines taught and directed Theatre in a small remote town from 1998-2015. The program experienced some measurable successes, such as two State appearances and a State bronze, as well as Area qualifications every year. More importantly, though, the Theatre company produced some great human beings- several in education, some in medicine, a handful in professional Theatre, and most still in touch. That's the thing about OAP- the rich relationships it tends to build. Since leaving the Theatre classroom, Kim has filled the Theatre teaching gap in her heart by offering her experience as an adjudicator and clinician. During this time, her admiration for OAP directors, always very lofty, has just soared. Seeing OAP from the audience side and watching directors interact with their kids has been eye opening and heartwarming. Kim serves as Communicator Director for TxETA and as Treasurer for TTAO. She holds a BS in Psychology and an MA in Theatre, and she plans to pursue a degree in the field of Arts Education.
Bryan Honl is a theatre director at PSJA North High school with 35 years of teaching experience. His students have won state medals in all four film events, been state champions in all five Theatrical design events and have competed in multiple state One Act Play competitions over the years. Before moving to the high school, he began teaching as a middle school teacher where he was named a K-8 educator of the year for both his district and TxETA.
Cameron Hurta is a former state medalist in journalism and Ready Writing who now consults and judges across Texas, including at the UIL State Meet.
Amy Jordan has served as Texas Thespians Chapter Director since 2012. Amy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama, with an emphasis in Stage Management and Design where she also holds a Master of Arts degree in Theatrical Design and Theatre Education from Texas Woman’s University. She serves as the Stage Supervisor for State UIL One Act Play, a UIL One Act Play and Theatrical Design Judge, and Clinician each year.
Kinzy Kewley and Cody Beseda have been working together as a middle school directing team for the last 8 years. Together they have lead their program to a consecutive 7 district championships in a row with show such as Treasure Island, Harvey, Ada and the Engine and, most recently, Amadeus.
Becky Arndt Key is a science educator with more than 20 years of experience teaching Biology, Chemistry, IPC, Physics, and CTE courses. She currently teaches science at Robinson High School and serves as an A+ Science Consultant, supporting educators with practical, classroom-tested strategies that promote student success and engagement.
Dr. Bobby Leshikar is the Academic Coordinator at Ingram Tom Moore High School where he also coaches the Current Issues, Literary Criticism, and Debate teams. He has served as Academic Coordinator for over 15 years at 1A - 4A sized schools, where his school has won Overall District titles, and has taken students to State in Current Issues, Literary Criticism, Ready Writing, Headline Writing, and C/X Debate. He enjoys the challenge of building academic programs, and believes that students can do amazing things when they have adults who provide opportunities for them to be successful.
Charles Logston brings 15 years of coaching experience to his role as Regional Director for BEST of Texas Robotics. A former math teacher and UIL coach, Charles currently serves as an Innovation Lab Coordinator while also directing national, regional, and local robotics event operations.
Joe Lopez retired from teaching Technical Theatre in 2024. He taught Technical Theatre to High School students for 24 years through 3 schools and 2 school districts in San Antonio. In retirement, he has continued his love for theatre by beginning a consulting business to train theatre teachers to use their own equipment, designing lights for local community colleges, Tech Director for many OAP contests, and assisting with State Theatrical Design Contest.
Ryan Lovell has been a coach at Tascosa High School for 13 years. He currently serves on the UIL Congressional Debate Committee and serves as the President of the Texas Forensic Association. He previously served as President of the Texas Speech Communication Association.
Allison Martin is the High School Computer Science and Mathematics teacher and Academic Coordinator at Aspermont ISD, a 1A school district located in West Texas. With 17 years of experience in education and 11 years in the classroom, I am passionate about student success and academic excellence. For the past decade, I’ve proudly coached students to the state level in UIL Computer Science competitions. I also coordinate our district’s annual A+ Academic Junior High UIL Meet, fostering academic engagement and opportunity for students across the region.
Cliff McCurdy is a retired teacher of 40 years and has coached math for 20 years. He has taught classes from Algebra I up to BC Calculus. McCurdy has also coached state champion teams in 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A. He is now the state contest director for Mathematics.
Rory McKenzie has been coaching for 17 years, where he's coached 13 state champions in various speech and debate events. He is the UIL coordinator at Lindale High School where they've finished in the top six in the overall standings each year. More than anything he believes in the power of UIL Academics and Speech and Debate to help shape young people and provide them with life changing opportunities.
Erin Moore is a 33 year OAP veteran and the current President of Texas Educational Theatre Association. She has served as a Junior High OAP adjudicator, JH and HS OAP Contest Manager and has taught and directed at the 3A, 4A and 5A levels. Erin is a recipient of the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award. In addition to her classroom and directing work, she enjoys working with new theatre teachers and helping them grow to the their fullest potential.
Cody Morris is the founder of Pocket Coach Academy Whose Mission Is To Elevate Performance And Foster Greater Participation In Academic Competitions By Empowering Coaches And Students With Essential Resources. We Are Dedicated To Equipping Novice Coaches And Students With The Tools, Guidance, And Support They Need To Thrive, Thus Nurturing A Community Where Every Individual Can Achieve Success.”
Lisa Parker loves coming to UIL each day getting to work alongside the talented and dedicated UIL academic team. Her number one passion is helping Texas educators as she serves as the A+ Academics and Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Contest director.
Meghan Pavlicek, UIL state contest director for Science (Biology), is a professor at Blinn College, where she teaches general biology, microbiology, genetics, and anatomy & physiology. She holds a B.S. in Biology from The College of Idaho and an M.S. in Genetics from Texas A&M University.
Jana Riggins serves as the State Director for Speech and Debate. A 21-year veteran of the classroom at the middle school, high school and collegiate levels and coach of state champions, she has been recognized nationally by the National Federation of State High School Associations with the prestigious Citation Award for her contributions to interscholastic speech, debate & theatre and was named Texas Speech Teacher of the Year and Baylor University’s Outstanding Woman in Speech. She currently serves as Chair of the National Speech, Debate, Theatre and Academic Committee.
Alisa Ripley has spent 36 years teaching Fine Arts education in both private and public schools, primarily focusing on Pre‑K through 5th grade while also working with older students and undergraduates. She specializes in visual art instruction and elementary theatre, including writing original scripts that integrate social studies content. She helped establish a temporary nonprofit that brought art education to rural schools and secured grants that served four districts, including one that provided over 300 students with personal sketch pads and pencils. Many of those students are now adults working in the arts. She participated in a teacher exchange program with Mexico and was commissioned to create cross‑cultural art lessons based on that immersive experience. She also collaborated with the Texas Historical Society to develop classroom art lessons blending Caddo artistic traditions with modern techniques for use in schools and at Caddo Mounds State Park. She has served on the UIL A+ state Art committee for six years and is currently serving.
Paula Rodriguez is the UIL state theatre director since 2018. Her experiences in UIL, from directing in small and large schools, to adjudicating and contest managing, have taught her many life shaping lessons. She feels blessed to work with a team of UIL rock stars and that includes theatre teachers and students of Texas.
Ruben Rodriguez is the state contest director for Ready Writing, and is currently a Professor, Adjunct, at Austin Community College in the Integrated Reading and Writing Department and the English Department. He is also an independent contractor in ELA and AP Language. Ruben trains and works with ELA, Pre-AP, and AP Language and Composition Teachers throughout Texas and the United States.
Rodrigo Sanchez is a dedicated Theatre Director based in Midland, TX, with seven years of experience in educational theatre. A lifelong student of the art, Rodrigo's passion for theatre is matched by his love for costume design, reading, and film.
Julie Schniers is an award-winning keynote speaker, leadership coach, and culture consultant who helps leaders solve their toughest people problems. Winner of the 2025 Titan Award for Inspiring Leader of the Year and author of the Amazon best-selling Leadership Level-Up Journal, Julie brings bold storytelling, practical tools, and magnetic energy to every stage. With a Masters in Executive Coaching & Consulting and almost two decades of building teams, she has worked with organizations ranging from the U.S. Air Force to hospitals, corporations, and school districts. Julie was a former educator, UIL participant, academic coordinator and successful coach. She serves as the region academic meet director for Region II-A and was the 2013 recipient of the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award.
Ann Shofner taught at Tascosa High School in Amarillo for 36 years. She has served as President of the Texas Speech Communication Association and the Texas Forensic Association. A member of the Prose & Poetry State Advisory Committee, she is the State Contest Director for Informative and Persuasive Speaking.
Kimberly Sloane is the UIL Coordinator and Speech/Debate coach at Center High School. She has been a coordinator and coach at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels and coached almost every event at one point in the last 25 years. She has coached 130 students to UIL State including 49 medalists in CX, LD and congressional debate, prose, extemp, computer applications, ready writing, and journalism. She works hard to promote UIL at all levels in East Texas and was a 2020 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award winner. Kimberly is the owner of Texas Academics, a website focused on making hosting A+ competitions easier.
Gena Lea Smith, UIL Coordinator, Speech & Debate Coach, and Theatre Director from Van Vleck High School, has just completed her 34th year in education. She is honored, elated, and a bit flabbergasted to find herself among the UIL Sponsor Excellence award winners this year. Gena Lea absolutely loves teaching, coaching, and directing, and has been fortunate enough to qualify for OAP State four times, in 2010, 2015, 2019, and 2023, and has coached multiple State qualifiers in Student Congress, CX & LD Debate, and Extemp, with a few Current Issues and Events State kiddos tossed in for spice! Gena Lea's greatest accomplishments, however, are her 37-year marriage to Darve, her two children, Jordan Lea (Dago) and Trevor (Brooke), both of whom coach UIL events and direct theater, and her amazing granddaughters, the Peña Princesses, Nova and Esmeralda. Being their GG is the greatest role Gena Lea has ever played!!
Emily Sowell is the Speech and Debate Coach at Shelbyville High School, where she has led students to success for the last 16 years. Under her guidance, competitors have earned numerous state awards in congress, informative speaking, persuasive speaking, LD debate, and CX debate. Emily serves on both the UIL Regional Advisory Committee and the State Congress Committee.
Dr. David Stevens has been involved with UIL in some manner every year since 1976 when he tried out for the Storytelling contest at Rotan Primary School and didn’t make the cut. Since then, he has been a competitor, TILF scholarship recipient, UIL student assistant, theatre teacher, academic coordinator, fine arts director, and happily serving as the UIL director of academics since 2012.
Sue Jane Sullivan has spent 45 years coaching all UIL events except math and science at Borden County ISD and loves to continue to learn new things each year. Working together with students and colleagues in competitive academics and speech/debate has been on the great joys of my career.
Dustin Swatzell is a teacher at Vernon High School who has had the pleasure of coaching multiple UIL State qualifing Film students, including a State Champion in Narrative and a State Runner-Up in Traditional Animation.
Amberley Tanner has a M.A. in Performance from Texas Women’s University and a B.A. in Communications from the University of Texas at Arlington. Mrs. Tanner has been heavily active in UIL OAP, UIL Academics, TFA, and NSDA competitions since 1995. She has directed plays competing on every level from Zone to the State competition. Previously, she was a director and adjunct professor at Mountain View College in Dallas, Texas. Currently, Mrs. Tanner is the Director of Speech and Debate, DC Theatre Professor and Academic Coordinator at Steele Early College HS. She is a nationally recognized performer in Prose, Poetry, Dramatic, After-dinner Speaking and Duo interpretation. Mrs. Tanner is also a writer and her work has been performed nationwide. After directing for over 25 years, Mrs. Tanner is thrilled to be working as a clinician and adjudicator. The art of storytelling is a gift, and it is my sincere hope that all the performers see the great artistic value in bringing their play to life.
Deborah Tannert is a Professor at Texas State University in the School of Music and previously taught Elementary Music in Austin ISD for 29 years. She prepared students for participation in the Music Memory Contest while teaching in Austin ISD.
Raul Torres is a Robotics Advocate works for the RECF as a Senior Regional Support Manager for TX, and NM. Education comes from Univ. Texas El Paso along with training from Carnegie Mellon University the Nations Robotics Academy. Certified in VEX V5, VEX IQ, Tetrix, Lego, C++ in Text and Graphical. Taught Robotics, Engineering, Computer Science and Math for 15 YEARS. Was a VEX Robotics Coach, Mentor, Event Partner, Judge Advisor, Judge, Head Referee and Master Teacher for RECF Won CTAT CTE Texas Teacher of the Year 2022-23 Inducted into RECF Robotics Worlds STEM/Inspirational Hall of Fame.
Mark Tribett has been an educator for 31 years, having served as a substitute, instructional aide, teacher, central office staff, AP, and Principal. This has occurred across charters, ISD, private, and international schools. A debater in high school, he is currently the debate coach and principal at Dilley High School, conference 3A. Over the last three years, his school has been the speech and debate district champions and are enthusiastic to take on year four!
David Trussell, UIL state director for STEM activities, has served as a UIL state contest director for more than 25 years. He has worked with numerous contest areas in high school and A+ academics, including overseeing the launch of UIL Robotics in 2015.
Joe Varnell is a FIRST Senior Mentor (FSM) based in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. I've Involved with FIRST Robotics since 2009, I began as an FRC team mentor before expanding to support FLL and FTC teams. In 2012, I became a FIRST Technical Advisor (FTA) and later an FSM, working with teams across all FIRST programs and supporting teams and events throughout Texas, the U.S., and the FIRST Championships. In 2023, I retired from Lockheed Martin after a 40+ year software engineering career, allowing me to dedicate more time to mentoring the next generation of innovators.
Larry White, UIL state contest director for Number Sense, retired after 26 years in public schools and 8 years at Angelo State University. He coached slide rule, number sense, calculator, and mathematics teams for 20 years taking teams to state 18 of those 20 years. After retiring he was a member of the Texas State University Systems Mathematics for English Language Learners team for six years, followed by seven years on the Angelo State Texas Quality Grant program team. Beginning in 2002, he served 19 years as the state contest director for mathematics and starts his 25th year as the number sense director this year. He continues to be the assistant to the mathematics director.
Kay Whitton taught high school accounting for 25 years, brought students and teams to state 21 of those years and coached 10 state champions. Kay coached UIL Accounting, Spelling, Literary Criticism, and Social Studies and was the UIL Academic Coordinator for Jim Ned High School in Tuscola for many years. After retiring from teaching, Kay continued to coach the UIL Accounting Team at Jim Ned, and she also assisted area schools with their UIL Academic programs. She has presented at UIL Capital Conferences and UIL Student Activity Conferences for many years. As UIL Accounting director, Kay has a vision to assist UIL Accounting coaches in building, growing, and sustaining their own UIL Accounting programs by sharing coaching tips, strategies and motivational ideas.
Bradley Wilson is the publications adviser and instructor at Leander High School, Bradley Wilson received his doctoral degree in public administration after receiving undergraduate degrees from the University of Texas at Austin in biology and journalism. He is the editor of the national magazine, Communication: Journalism Education Today, for the national Journalism Education Association. In 2020, the Scholastic Journalism Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication gave him the David Adams Educator of the Year Award. He has received the Star of Texas from the Association of Texas Photography Instructors, the Trailblazer Award from the Texas Association of Journalism Educators, the Carl Towley Award from the Journalism Education Association and the Edith Fox King Award from the Texas Interscholastic League Press Conference.
Melissa Witt is a 25-year veteran speech and debate coach at Pine Tree HS in Longview, TX. She is an accomplished coach and enjoys working with other coaches to provide opportunities for growth for students and teachers.
Jacqueline Zepeda is a theatre teacher at PSJA North Early College High School. Jackie graduated from Trinity University and headed to L.A. to work in the movie industry for three years before returning to teach at her alma matter. She has been teaching theatre and coaching UIL events for 16 years. Jackie has been asked to present workshops on Theatrical Design, Prose and Poetry, Film, and One-Act Play at various UIL Capital Conferences, Student Activity Conferences, and at the TETA Convention. Year after year, Jackie has numerous students compete at the state level in various UIL events and she is a State Champion Coach in UIL Poetry, Prose, Film and Technical Design. Jackie's theatre department just won this year's Top Theatre Team UIL Championship in 5A.