Capital Conference Presenter Bios
2025 Capital Conference Presenter Bios
**Indicates former Sponsor Excellence Award winner
Luis Alaniz is a dedicated educator and current journalism co-coach. He teaches Professional Communication, Interpersonal Communication, and Public Speaking. Luis served as a UIL academic coordinator before taking a hiatus and returning as a coach. He holds a BA in Mass Communication, an MA in Communication Studies, and is completing his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Luis's extensive experience and academic background have been pivotal in fostering effective communication skills and supporting student journalism initiatives.
Jonathan Albor is the 2A, 2023 Poetry State Champion, and CX state medalist. He is a Junior at the University of Incarnate Word studying Theatre Education. He has consulted for 1A and 2A in CX, Congress, and Interpretation, producing state medalists at the 2A level.
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.
Kara Barbee has over 20 years of experience in education as theater teacher and 14 years as a successful speech and debate coach. She currently serves as the Head of the Fine Arts Department and UIL Coordinator at Clyde High School, where she also teaches theater, directs mainstage and one-act play productions, and coaches Prose / Poetry. Under her leadership, students have earned multiple regional appearances in OAP 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 is the new high school Current Issues and Events state contest director and is entering his 10th year as Social Studies contest director. 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 years he has served as UIL academic meets director for five district and two region meets annually. During the past sixteen years Mark has enjoyed the direct interaction with students and academic coaches that comes with being state director of Literary Criticism (2008-2025).
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 twelfth year as Contest Director. If you hadn't noticed before, Linda loves words!
Cindy Berry- After 30 years in the classroom, I retired four 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. Story telling was the contest, yet little did I know I’d still be writing, coaching 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 Slidell High School, where the only businesses in town are the post office, which is manned two hours a day, and the volunteer fire department. In my spare time I’m baking wedding cakes, many for former students, 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.
Alyssa Boehringer is UIL Journalism Director and ILPC Director. She taught journalism at her alma mater McKinney High School for 16 years where she coached UIL journalism and ready writing and advised some combination of broadcast journalism, yearbook and online news. She is a winner of ILPC’s Edith Fox King Award, TAJE’s Trailblazer Award and JEA’s Medal of Merit. In 2017, JEA named her National Broadcast Journalism Teacher of the Year.
Lee Branson has supported UIL Academics as a science coach, coordinator, and a district administrator. As a coach and coordinator, he led his program to two state championships. As an administrator, he has built a welcoming program for 2nd-12th graders at Pine Tree ISD. He understands the importance of administrative support in building a program that best benefits students with longevity.
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.
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.
Katie E. Cross began performing in community theatre when she was seven years old. She attended Blinn College and graduated with an associate degree in theatre and transferred to Texas State University and graduated in 2011 with a BFA Degree in Theatre Education. Ms. Cross served as the Coordinator for Dorm and Student Life for the Texas State University Summer High School Theatre Camp From 2011-2016. After graduating she taught at a variety of campuses across Texas. She graduated in May 2019 with her Master’s Degree in Theatre Directing from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. She competed in OAP on the 3A, 5A, and 6A levels and made appearances at the regional level. She currently is the Educational Director for Covenant, an audio, video and lighting integration company. In her free time she directs and performs in the Houston Area.
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.
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 was named a Distinguished Alumni for the Fain College of Fine Arts at Midwestern State University.
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.
Chad Flisowski coached speech and debate and was academic coordinator for 12 years at Port-Lavaca-Calhoun and Galveston-Ball HS. He coached numerous invitational, district, and regional champions and state and national finalists. He is an NSDA diamond coach. He was the topic author of the 2011-12 national policy topic on “Space.” He is currently a special programs teacher in Pasadena ISD.
JP Fugler is a National Board Certified speech and debate teacher at Lindale High School. During his 13 years in the classroom, he has been named Secondary Educator of the Year by both Lindale ISD and the Texas Speech Communication Association. He was also a finalist for the H-E-B Texas Rising Star Educator Award twice as well as the recipient of The Kennedy Center/Stephen Sondheim Inspirational Teacher Award. JP has coached UIL state champions in LD Debate, Congressional Debate, Informative Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, and the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Contest.
Nancy Garza is an elementary music teacher at Brookhollow Elementary in Pflugerville, Texas. In fifth grade, she begged her father to join the Ready Writing team so that she could be better prepared for writing in college. (She had a crush on a boy.) Forty-one years later, she is still involved with Academic UIL but as a coach and campus coordinator. Her people include a husband and two sons.
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.
Stephen Green is the journalism adviser and UIL Coordinator at Caney Creek High School in Conroe, and president-elect of the Texas Association of Journalism Educators. His students have brought home hardware at all levels of UIL. Plus, he’s more than a bit of a dork when it comes to writing and journalism.
Gail Herman teaches AP English at Sulphur Springs High School. She has had many state champions in Spelling and Vocabulary, Literary Criticism, Ready Writing, Journalism, and the Essay Competitions. She also writes and edits for Virtual Challenge Meets.
John Grimmett is a director, writer, and educator. Currently the Head Theatre Director at Alvin High School and the Lead Theatre Teacher for Alvin ISD, John is also the chair of the K-12 Committee and serves on the Board of Directors for the Texas Educational Theatre Association.
Maribeth Harlow is the District Counselor for Medina ISD. She has coached multiple state medalists and a state champion. She has taught in small schools (1A-4A) and recognizes the challenges faced at those levels. She holds a master's degree in Theatre from Texas A&M Commerce and is a TTAO-certified contest manager and adjudicator.
Kathy Harper is an English teacher and College and Career Transition Coordinator at Olney High School. Since 1990, she has coached UIL teams in a variety of events and has taken students to the state level in Editorial Writing, News Writing, Feature Writing, Headline Writing, Ready Writing, Literary Criticism, Current Events, Informative Speaking, and Prose Interpretation. She currently coaches Prose and Poetry Oral Interpretation. A graduate of Midwestern State University, Mrs. Harper has spent her career serving students in Class A and 2A schools.
Tonya Harper is the Fine Arts Coordinator for Whitesboro ISD after 27 years directing at both the high school and middle school levels. She has had great success at every level and has also had the not-so-great successes at those levels as well. She believes in the OAP process and loves working with directors to give possible insight that comes from new eyes on a show or new ideas to consider and explore when preparing for a theatrical production.
Gail Herman has been an English teacher and UIL coach at Sulphur Springs High School for over 40 years. She has had numerous individual and team state champions in various events and is a recipient of the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award. She has also presented at UIL Student Activities Conferences. She has served as a College Board consultant and is an AP Reader for the English Language and Composition Exam. She edits Literary Criticism tests for Virtual Challenge Meets and is involved in developing the Copy Editing test.
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.
Barbara Ixba is the Speech & Debate Coach at Westlake High School in Austin and has coached at various high schools for 14 years. Her students have won UIL State Championships in Informative and Persuasive Extemporaneous Speaking and qualified for UIL State Finals in all Speech events. Oral Interpretation is her absolute first love, as she was a UIL State Silver Medalist in Prose during her high school career.
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.
Jackie Kana Hello! I am Jackie Kana, the current head director at Ingram Tom Moore High School in Ingram, TX.
I have a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Texas A&M and am currently finishing up my 8th year of teaching in mostly Title 1 schools. I also serve on the executive committee for the TxETA K12 as the secretary and will finish my term this coming Fall.
From color guard to One Act Play, I have had a hand in everything because I want our kids to enjoy as much as they can. I truly believe that teachers, especially fine art teachers, are a lifeline for so many students across the state of Texas. We are nothing without our connections, so make sure you make them as often as possible!
Lani Caffey is the proudest member of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Class of '04 and has served as an educator for eleven years. She currently teaches at Olney High School where she coaches CX, LD, Congress, and Extemporaneous Speaking and teaches AP World History, AP Psychology, and US History. She has advanced numerous students to the UIL state meet including medalists in CX Debate and Informative Speaking.
Becky Arndt Key currently teaches science at Robinson High School and serves as an A+ Science consultant. She has almost 20 years of teaching experience in various levels of Biology, Chemistry, IPC, and Physics.
James Kingsmill has 30 years of experience in education. The majority of his career has been teaching and coaching debate and teaching professional communications and communication applications at Galena Park ISD and Dayton ISD. Currently he is teaching professional communications and coaching debate at Katy Paetow High School.
Sabrina Laurent is a veteran STEM educator with 17 years of experience, currently teaching AP Computer Science, AP Physics, and Robotics at Olney High School. She has led students to state-level success in UIL Computer Science, Science, and BEST Robotics, including a 2A state championship team and individual CS champion. A 2006 Texas A&M graduate, she is also a national Build-A-Plane champion coach and 2018 Air Force Association Teacher of the Year.
Sherry Livingston is the business teacher and has served as Academic Coordinator for the last three years at Olney High School. Since 2012, she has coached UIL teams in several events and has taken individual students and teams to the state level in Accounting. She currently coaches Accounting, Current Events & Issues, and Social Studies. A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Mrs. Livingston has spent 26 years serving students at Olney ISD after a career in the business world.
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.
Delta McFarland is a Computer Science teacher at Needville High School. She has taught for 42 years and plans to keep on teaching. Her passion is exposing students to the world of Computer Science and to help with that exposure she has created a four year program of Computer Science at her high school. She has been sending students to State since 2003 where she has won several State championships.
Amy Medina holds a BFA in Theatre from Southwest Texas State University and brings 27 years of teaching experience in theatre education. Throughout her career, she has taught both high school and junior high students, most recently serving in Magnolia ISD. She also serves as the Middle School representative on the UIL Advisory Board
Madison Millsap teaches honors English at Sulphur Springs High School. A state champ in Literary Criticism herself, she now coaches Social Studies, Current Issues and Events, and Journalism. Her students regularly compete and earn medals at the state meet, including several first-place finishers. She also writes for Best of Texas and edits for Virtual Challenge Meets.
Dr. Shyamal Mitra, state contest advisor for Computer Science, is an Associate Professor of Instruction in the Computer Science Department at UT-Austin. Dr. Mitra holds a BS in Physics from Calcutta University, an MS in Astronomy from Osmania University and an MA and PhD in Astronomy from UT-Austin. He has worked with UIL Computer Science for 17 years.
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.”
Lori Oglesbee taught high school journalism to more than 4,000 students over 35 years. Those students won awards at the regional, state and national levels making their programs one of the top in the country year after year. Oglesbee was Texas Journalism Teacher of the Year in 2005 and the Journalism Education Association National Yearbook Adviser of the Year in 2009. She is now the Education Ambassador for CADY, but also cans jams and relishes and crochets blankets.
Tim Orsak has 32 years of education experience, but not as a traditional classroom teacher. He earned a B.S. in Mathematics from Texas Tech University in 1991 with a M.S. in Statistics from Texas Tech in 1993. Then he earned a M.S. in Managerial Science from the University of Texas in Dallas in 2000. He started his work experience in 1994 with Dallas ISD as a Research Statistician, then quickly transitioned to the Operations Manager for the Evaluation Department. Tim returned to his hometown as Chief Financial Officer and is currently with Olney ISD as their Chief Financial Officer. He holds certifications for 8-12 Mathematics, Principal, and Superintendent. Tim currently serves as the senior high school director for the Texas Mathematics and Science Coaches Association and is actively involved in the Baylor County Junior Livestock Show Association. Tim and his wife Tracy have three children and one sweet granddaughter.
Cheryl Painter is the Head Theatre Director and Fine Arts Department Chair at Rouse High School and has been a teacher, director and designer in the Austin Area for over 20 years. She holds a BFA in Theatre with a Specialization in Directing from Texas State and a MA degree in Theatre from Texas A&M Commerce. She works professionally as a Director and Designer in Austin,TX and is a company member for both Capital T Theatre and Hyde Park Theatre. She has served on the UIL Theatre Advisory Board and the Texas Educational Theatre Association Board as the K12 Chair and works at Tal’s Summer Theatre Camp at Baylor University. She was awarded the TxETA K12 Educator of the Year for 2025. She is always working to make Theatre Education better for students all across the state. She is a product of a Texas high school Theatre program and loves the community and confidence that Theatre builds.
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.
Travis Poe taught high school Theatre for 36 years, 35 at Barbers Hill High School, where he and the Theatre program have appeared in 33 Regional and 19 State contests, being named State Champions on five occasions and placing 2nd or 3rd on eight other occasions.
Poe has served on the UIL Advisory Committee and is also a Past President/CEO of TxETA. Honors include being named McLennan Community College Outstanding Alumnus; TxETA Founder’s Award and UIL Sponsor Excellence Award. In 2021 Barbers Hill named Travis Poe the Secondary Teacher of the Year and renamed the BHHS Theatre “The Travis Poe Center for the Performing Arts.”
Marsha Pool- Over the course of 4 years of high school, 47 years teaching and two retirements, Marsha has been actively involved with UIL from participant to coach and director, and judge in many events. She has taught 6-8 ELA, English I-IV, PreAp English 1 and 2, Art I-IV and AP Art History. She is presently teaching 8th ELA and Art I and II in Trinidad ISD and sponsoring JH Prose and Poetry and Ready Writing . She presently serves the North Texas area as a district, regional and a State Ready Writing judge. Her third retirement is somewhere down the road.
Ann Marie Priolo (Annie) has dedicated 39 years to Sharyland ISD (and has taught for 42+!), currently serving as the Math Department Chair at Sharyland Advanced Academic Academy (SA3). Her three children thrived in Sharyland schools, and she now enjoys 10 grandchildren. Before SA3, she spent 29 years at other Sharyland campuses, including coordinating the UIL/TMSCA programs. Holding multiple degrees and certifications, she actively contributes to various school committees and advises numerous student organizations. Passionate about her students' achievements, she considers her work a privilege, with UIL holding a special place in her heart.
Cole Rickman serves as the Austin ISD Production Supervisor. He has supervised the UIL One-Act Play State meet contest for numerous years. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with All Level Teacher Certification from Texas State University. He has worked professionally in professional theatre in design, tech, stage management and education.
Carter Ridge is the Theatre Director at Navarro High School with 11 years of teaching experience. A 2014 graduate of Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, Carter has directed multiple productions that have advanced to the UIL One-Act Play Region level. She brings a wealth of experience as a workshop leader for Texas Thespians and has served as UIL Staff for One-Act Play contests from District to State. Carter is passionate about student-centered theatre education and is excited to share practical, proven strategies to help you elevate your rehearsals and classroom experience.
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.
Dr. Greg Roach has 34 years of experience in the kid business. Prior to a career in education, he worked as an oilfield roustabout and as a Detroit Diesel /Allison Transmission mechanic. Dr. Roach earned a B.S. in Mathematics from West Texas State University in 1991, an M.Ed in Education Leadership from Midwestern State University in 1998, and a Ed.D in Educational Administration from North Texas State University in 2005. His work experience began in 1991 with Big Pasture ISD, teaching 7-12 mathematics and high school physics. The next 20 years were spent with Seymour ISD as a mathematics/physics teacher, 7-12 assistant principal, 5-8 principal, and high school principal. The last 11 years were as Superintendent for Olney ISD. Currently, he serves as Superintendent Emeritus for Olney ISD and will be retiring in December of 2025. Dr. Roach holds certifications for 7-12 Mathematics, 7-12 Physics, Principal, and Superintendent. Dr. Roach and his wife Nancy have been married for 48 years. They have three children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
Jonathan Robertson is retiring at the end of 2025-26 with 42 years of TRS service. His secret to any success is the redhead named Angie walking these halls, their 8 grandchildren, and the power of prayer. He serves as the Sudan High School Academic Coordinator, coaching 10 UIL events from OAP to Computer Science.
Brittney S. Rodriguez is the Chief Operating Officer of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, leading operations, communications, legislative strategy, and industry engagement across Central Texas. She brings over two decades of experience in leadership, crisis management, media, and community engagement, and also leads Grit + Pearl Public Relations, a Latina-owned communications firm. Her background includes work with the Texas Legislature and the Office of the Attorney General, supporting diverse industries through strategic outreach and advocacy. A West Texas native and St. Mary’s University graduate, Brittney balances her professional commitments with travel, nature walks, and time with her two English Labradors.
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.
Daniel Rosales has taught for 16 years and been an Academic Coordinator for 5 years. He has taught at Bel Air High School, Franklin High School, and Jefferson High School and coached speech and debate for TFA and UIL Prose and Poetry. He has also coached Cross Country and Track. Daniel currently is the Coordinator for Academic Competitions in El Paso ISD.
Rodrigo Sanchez is an enthusiastic educator currently contributing to the C3 program at Midland College. Prior to his current position he taught theatre at Midland High School where he also served as the UIL Film sponsor. Rodrigo co-directed 3 shows that advanced to the OAP state meet, including the 2023 6A OAP state winning play. A graduate of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and a first-generation college student, Rodrigo is passionate about the process of learning and aims to instill a sense of wonder in his students. He serves as the UIL as an assistant film contest director, OAP contest manager and adjudicator.
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.
Ivan Silva is an experienced high school teacher with over a decade in education. He teaches AV production, Professional Communication, Journalism, and education courses. Currently, Ivan serves as the UIL coordinator and co-coach for journalism at his high school, having previously been a UIL A+ coordinator. Ivan holds an Advertising-Public Relations-Journalism BA, an MA in Communication Studies, and is completing his doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. His extensive experience and dedication have been instrumental in developing successful journalism programs that foster student engagement and creativity.
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!!
Heather Soltero The Texas Speech Communication Association has been serving teachers in Texas since 1923. As one of the top organizations for speech teachers across the state of Texas, TSCA brings a fresh look at strategies in and out of the classroom.
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.
Tyler ‘Sully’ Sullivan is a three time state champion coach. Served four years as Coordinator for Waller High School, finishing the top 10 sweepstakes all four years and three of those years were top 5. Having over twelve years of experience in the UIL world, his focus has always been building the culture and family atmosphere, then the rest will come.
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.
Curt Taylor teaches Computer Science and a variety of other courses at Wall High School and is honored to be a 2024 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award recipient. Over the past 15 years he has coached to the UIL state meet 13 Computer Science, 9 Computer Applications, 4 Digital Animation, 2 Traditional Animation, 5 BEST Robotics, and 2 Congress groups and has had the experience of forming programs and courses for several of these at the two small schools where he has taught.
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.
Larry White, UIL state contest director for Number Sense, retired after 26 years in public schools and 8 years at Angelo State University. 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. He has served as a state contest director for more than 20 years
Sam White has been a theatre teacher at Paradise High School for the past four years and is the Technical Director for Theatre Off The Square in Weatherford.
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- 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.
Andy Zapata is a co-founder of Texas Math and Science Coaches Association (TMSCA) and serves as a UIL state contest director and A+ test writer. He taught in the classroom for 43 years including in Azle public schools and sponsored UIL math and science competitions for 40 years, coaching numerous individuals and teams to the UIL state meet.
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.