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Anchorage Press Is Moving
By | Monday, December 06, 2010 9:54 AM
Anchorage Press Plays will become a part of Dramatic Publishing in 2011. During late December 2010, sales and operations of Anchorage Press Plays will be moved to Woodstock, IL, the home office of Dramatic Publishing.
Cleaning ‘House’: Holidays Offer Time to Organize, Prepare
By Dinah Menger, TMAA Vocal Vice President | Monday, December 06, 2010 9:44 AM
As all of us prepare for the holidays ahead, one of the best/worst things that must be done is cleaning and putting order to our homes in preparation for guests, family members and huge gatherings. This is not unlike our everyday lives in our rehearsal halls. The best atmosphere for success is one of order and ease in facilitating our daily rehearsals, events, contests and concerts. The act of “making ready” for our family or our students is a humble way of showing that their presence is important to us. As a teacher or as an adjudicator, it merits keeping this humility in mind. Ego has no place in this process. Aren’t we lucky to teach and adjudicate in the music arena? Our jobs are to create and nurture the finest of arts and to make sure that this purest art form stays intact and keeps ringing for generations-long after we are gone. I am reminded of a great story that one of our school guidance counselors shared with our faculty.
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle... a battle that goes on inside every person. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is BAD; it is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, greed, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other wolf is GOOD; it is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith.” The grandson pondered these words for a moment and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”
Official Interpretation
By Mark Cousins, policy director | Friday, November 19, 2010 10:21 AM
Official State Executive Committee Interpretation of section 1270 (b), Soccer Plan, of the UIL Constitution and Contest Rules:
A school that is currently classified as 2A could participate in UIL Soccer provided it had previously been classified as a 3A school and was participating in the UIL Soccer Plan in the school year preceding the reclassification and realignment as a 2A school.
UIL Donates T-Shirts to Non-profit Organization
By Julianne Coyne, UIL Intern | Friday, November 19, 2010 10:00 AM
Brooke Keeler, athletic administrative associate, helps load the donated T-shirts to Eastside Community Connection.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
UIL recently donated approximately 790 shirts to Austin Eastside Community Connection, a non-profit in East Austin.
UIL had more left over shirts than usual from various UIL events from the last year.
“The main reason we chose to donate these shirts to Eastside Community Connection is because our office resides in East Austin, and this interaction facilitates a connection to our community,” said Brooke Keeler, who helped lead the project. “It’s run mostly by UT students, so the organization has a university connection as well.”
Preparing for State Marching Band Contest is a Year-Round Job
By Richard Floyd, Music Director | Thursday, November 18, 2010 8:52 AM
It’s the first weekend in November and busloads of band students from across Texas converge on San Antonio for the UIL State Marching Band Contest. By the time the lights go out on Tuesday evening, approximately 18,000 spectators and 10,000 band students will have occupied the Alamodome and celebrated one of the premier marching band events in the nation.
As one might assume, this event doesn’t magically unfold in a 48-hour period of time. It involves months of careful planning and behind the scenes preparation. In fact, plans are already underway for the 2011 A-AA-AAAA event. Step by step, each piece of the puzzle will be laid in place to ensure that every detail of this monumental event is commensurate with the high quality of music performances that are the hallmark of this competition.
At this point in time, the Alamodome is already reserved for this event through 2018. Thus the UIL has a long-term commitment with this venue for the State Marching Band Contest. Shortly, room reservations for judges, contest officials and support personnel will be secured for 2011.
Support for West Orange-Stark HS Poured in After the School Lost its Football Quarterback
By Meri Elen Jacobs, Yearbook/Newspaper Adviser at WO-S HS | Wednesday, November 10, 2010 9:13 AM
Talking to the local news stations, West Orange-Stark senior Donisha Mosby expresses her thanks for the support that the high school received after Reggie Garrett's death. West Brook High School students hold chains in the background that were made for WO-S to hang on their fences at the home games. "It was amazing and emotional to see all those chain links for Reggie," Mosby said. "It was good to see everybody come together in our time of need."
Photo by WO-S junior Alayna Jacobs
They came in boxes and garbage bags — green and gold linked to red and baby blue, black and red linked to purple and white. Many came with notes on every individual link — “RIP Reggie Garrett,” “112%,” or other supportive messages. Some arrived with long messages and others with drawings fit to be in an art contest.
The support was overwhelming.
Elementary schools, middle schools and high schools all over the state from El Paso to Marshall, Bridgeport to New Braunfels sent paper chain links to hang around the football field for the first game after the West Orange-Stark Mustangs lost our senior quarterback, Reggie Garrett, on Sept. 17.
Mesquite Superintendent Elected New Legislative Council Chair
By Julianne Coyne, UIL Intern | Tuesday, November 02, 2010 10:16 AM
At the Legislative Council meeting in October, Garland Superintendent Curtis Culwell thanks and honors outgoing Chair Rick Reedy, the superintendent of Frisco ISD for his service and dedication to UIL. Mesquite Superintendent Linda Henrie was elected by the council to follow Reedy as Chair.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
At the October UIL Legislative Council meeting, the Council elected Dr. Linda Henrie, superintendent of Mesquite ISD, to serve as the Chair for this term. Her vice chairs are Alton Frailey, superintendent of Katy ISD, and David Foote, superintendent of Dalhart ISD.
Henrie, who joined the Council in 2004, said she hopes that she will be a positive influence on the Legislative Council.
“The Council has a tradition of strong leadership from outstanding staff and Council membership,” Henrie said. “My goal is to continue that and build upon the many successes that have already been achieved.”
Because she’s well-versed in UIL policies and procedures Henrie will do an outstanding job, said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt.
Moving Forward in Speech: Council Approves Computers for Extemp
By Jana Riggins, Speech Director | Tuesday, October 26, 2010 12:10 PM
The Legislative Council passed a staff proposal to allow speakers to use computers in the extemporaneous speaking preparation room under guidelines established by UIL. If the Commissioner of Education approves the amendment to the C&CR, the rule change will go into effect next school year.
Careful study of this issue has been ongoing. As soon as it became evident that computers in debate could be smoothly implemented statewide and most importantly, without negative results, I felt computers in extemp would be inevitable, but I was cautious. Maintaining the educational value of our contests and the particular skills they develop is of utmost importance, and I knew there were additional issues inherent in the extemporaneous speaking contest that would have to be considered.
Initially, I dialogued with college coaches in Texas and nationally, since collegiate forensic organizations already allow extemp speakers to use computers. As the National Catholic Forensic League took the bold step to include computers at their national high school tournament, I contacted the president of NCFL to discuss their rules and in the aftermath of their inaugural tournament, to examine any problems with implementation. The Catholic League officials were very positive about the change.
Tips for Current Issues & Events Contest
By Tom Ray, CI&E State Director | Tuesday, October 26, 2010 11:59 AM
As you begin to plan for the Current Issues & Events invitational season and district meet, I would like to share some thoughts with you.
First, let me congratulate you for participating in this event. I know how valuable academic competition has been in my life. My UIL experience began in 1984 competing in team debate and extemporaneous speaking. I was a typical debater— totally consumed by debate.
One day, my coach told me that I was going to compete in extemporaneous speaking, or “extemp” in speech jargon. She told me that I was going to give a speech over a random current event and that I would have 30 minutes to learn about the topic and write and memorize the speech. I thought the woman was a complete nut job!
OAP Enrollment Hits Record Mark
By Luis Munoz, Theatre Director | Tuesday, October 26, 2010 11:55 AM
Enrollment in the 2010-11 One-Act Play Contest has reached an all-time record enrollment of 1223. In 2007 we had 1205 schools. I want to thank all of the schools who enrolled and verified their entries in a timely manner.
The UIL Legislative Council passed two amendments to the Constitution and Contest Rules on Monday, Oct.18. Both of these changes will take effect August of 2011.