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Dance Like Nobody’s Watching
By Dr. Brad Kent, Director of Music | Monday, March 10, 2014 12:37 PM
Dance like nobody's watching.
This is a phrase we often hear when we are encouraged to be uninhibited and to express ourselves. But why do we need this reminder? I am often inspired when I see my daughters “dance like nobody’s watching” or do anything “like nobody’s watching.” They have not yet acquired the learned behavior of fearing someone else’s judgment. Therefore, they typically “perform” their best.
At some point we adults learn this element of fear that inhibits us from doing our best. Human beings can be very judgmental by nature, so as we get older, this fear becomes firmly baked into our psyche. Sometimes we are on the giving end of it, and sometimes we are on the receiving end of it. But most agree that when not handled properly this fear becomes a roadblock to achieving maximum results in performance. Yes, we cannot do our best without a defined system of preparation, but we can maximize our performance potential in the moment by letting go of fear. For instance, the performer must know that in order to achieve nirvana in a performance he or she must truly let go of any concerns and know that those concerns serve only to inhibit the performance.
Last-Minute Review Prior to Spring Contests
By Dr. David Stevens, Academic Director | Monday, February 24, 2014 4:23 PM
District meets are just around the corner, and many schools are already entering students online. Remember that your entry is due in the online system at least 10 day prior to your contest, unless your District Executive Committee has set an earlier date.
Academic coordinators entering their school’s contestants need a UT EID but do not need to be authorized by our office. Be careful to type students’ names correctly. Use upper and lower case, and enter last name first, followed by first name. Proof for correct spelling. Don’t use initials unless a student actually prefers initials to a name. Whenever possible, enter substitutes in each event. They will appear on the contest roster as eligible to compete if a replacement is needed.
Coordinators, remember to do another eligibility check before competition! If substitutions must be made, anyone not listed on the original entry, as either a contestant or alternate, must present certification, signed by an administrator, that they are eligible to compete. A substitute form is posted on the UIL academic web page, but a letter signed by an administrator is also acceptable.
Critic Gives Suggestions for Oral Interp Categories
By Jana Riggins, Speech and Debate Director | Monday, February 24, 2014 1:37 PM
New oral interpretation literary categories for 2013-14 present the challenge of exploring not only fresh literature that performers have never encountered or performed in the past, but they also require of contestant and coach a very careful study of the category description.
The descriptor provided in the Constitution and Contest Rules is critical to understanding the goal of the category. Before beginning to look for literature, you should ask yourself: “What is the intent of this category?” You will find the purpose stated in the paragraph that introduces each of the prose and poetry categories.
Let’s take a journey through Category A of Prose. I invited a critic that judges frequently on the tournament circuit and who serves on our State Prose and Poetry Advisory Committee that designed the new categories to weigh in and share her perspective on the performances she has evaluated thus far at invitational tournaments. I believe Phyllis Tucker’s comments will be helpful, and I encourage you, after reading her observations, to evaluate your own or your students’ performances in light of her comments.
Adviser Speaks Up for Journalism Classes
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Monday, February 24, 2014 1:22 PM
Sometimes I think I may be the luckiest person in the world with my job. I work with amazing, flexible, intelligent, passionate teachers. I have the privilege of interacting, and sometimes even teaching, some of the brightest young journalists in the U.S. And every once in a while, I even have time at my job to brag about some of our dedicated colleagues.
It’s time for bragging.
Several years ago, Andrea Negri interned with me here at the League. She was dependable, knowledgeable and driven. The perfect intern. After graduating, Andrea made the leap into the world of advising high school journalism, and quite quickly, started to develop an impressive resume.
Since walking into her job at Alief Hastings High School five years ago, Andrea has taken students to the UIL State Meet, attended state and national conventions, become an active member of TAJE (Texas Association of Journalism Educators), judged for UIL and ILPC, run several district meets, assisted with a regional UIL meet, motivated her students to produce solid publications and the list goes on.
TILF Scholar, Former Academic State Competitor Takes on New Role in UIL
By Jan Ross Piedad, UIL intern | Monday, February 24, 2014 1:10 PM
Michael Donaldson's passion for UIL started in elementary school and continued throughout his years in public school. After competing in more than four events at the state level in high school and receiving a TILF scholarship, Michael is now an intern for the academic department.
Photo by Jan Ross Piedad
Sitting nervously in a second round of internship interviews last summer, incoming freshman Michael Donaldson attempted to describe his philosophy about the University Interscholastic League.
“UIL is a bridge to success for students,” he said, “And the people who lead them are the lights, but there are pillars—that’s what holds up the bridge—and those are the people you don’t know about. Those are the interns.”
Those words got him the job, and now Michael is one of those pillars, a strong support for the organization’s success.
Former UIL Music Director Wins ‘Oscar’ of the Band World
By Jamie Oberg, UIL Intern | Monday, February 24, 2014 1:08 PM
Even though former UIL Music Director Richard Floyd officially retired last year, his resume and list of awards continues to expand.
Floyd is a recipient of the National Band Association’s 2013 Academy of Wind and Percussion Arts Award (AWAPA). The nine-inch silver AWAPA award is considered to be the “Oscar” of the band world.
"Knowing personally many of the musical icons who have received the AWAPA Award in the past, I will have to say that I was emotionally stunned to learn I had been so honored,” Floyd said. “I have never considered what I do to be 'award worthy.’ I simply have tried every day to be a ‘positive force’ in the professional world in which I live and work. My goal remains to make the best music I know how and to make a difference in the lives of the students and colleagues around me."
17 Awarded Sponsor Excellence Awards
By Kate Y. Hector, Media Coordinator | Monday, February 24, 2014 1:03 PM
The University Interscholastic League is proud to recognize 17 of the best UIL sponsors in Texas as the 2013 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award winners.
A panel of judges in the areas of academics, athletics and music selected the winners from nominations submitted by school principals and superintendents across the state.
The award, now in its 23rd year, was created to identify and recognize outstanding sponsors who enable students to develop and refine their extracurricular talents to the highest degree possible within the educational system.
“The merits of interscholastic competition and student performance can only be achieved through the hard work and dedication of sponsors, coaches and directors like these,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “On behalf of the UIL, I commend these outstanding educators.”
First State Congress Meet Held in January
By Jamie Oberg, UIL Intern | Monday, February 24, 2014 12:41 PM
Jose Guardiola from Gregory-Portland High School addresses the current issue during finals at State Congress. The finals were held at the Texas State Capitol.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
This January, UIL hosted the inaugural championship for Congress, a pilot program within the speech and debate umbrella. The preliminary rounds took place at the University of Texas at Austin and the final round took place in the Texas Capitol building.
Congress models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress. Within this mock legislative assembly competition, contestants draft legislation (proposed laws and position statements) submitted to the tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare their speeches. At the tournament, students caucus in committees, deliver formal discourse on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. Parliamentary procedure forms structure for the discourse, and students extemporaneously respond to others’ arguments over the course of a session.
Let’s Grow Our Program to Allow All Students to “Take on Life”
By Luis Muñoz, Theatre Director | Friday, December 13, 2013 1:16 PM
At this festive season of the year, I know that many of you are looking for that perfect “play for all seasons” that will be the very best production in the history of OAP. I urge you to get ALL of your students involved in your theater program. Diversity extends far beyond color and reaches into the every facet of our student body. The character of Artie Abrams (featured on the television show “Glee”) has sparked discussions among actors and audiences alike. I would like to ask, “As directors, are we meeting the needs of all of our students?”
In the last few years, more directors have involved exceptional students in their programs. Last year I saw students on crutches, with wheelchairs, using interpreters and with limited or no vision on stage.
Leander ISD Makes History at State Marching Band Contest
By Mervin Malone, UIL assistant | Tuesday, December 10, 2013 10:02 AM
4A Conference Champion Vandergrift High School
Photo by Photo courtesy of Jolesch Enterprises
UIL music history was made this year at the State Marching Band Contest when the Leander Independent School District became the first Texas school district to take the top three spots in the 4A division.
Vandergrift High School won the title of Conference 4A State Champion title. Cedar Park High School, the reigning 4A State Champion, won second place, and Vista Ridge High School brought home third place.
“This accomplishment would not have been possible until about 12 years ago because UIL marching band advancement procedures did not allow for more than two bands from any Area Marching Contest to advance to State ” Dr. Bradley Kent, UIL music director, said.