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2010 UIL Regional Directors Meeting
By | Friday, October 15, 2010 9:37 AM
Photos and video from the September 27, 2010 UIL Regional Directors Meeting.
Blogging Renewed my Passion for Writing
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Thursday, October 14, 2010 11:05 AM
I started a blog.
There, I said it.
It’s not that I am ashamed, but it feels weird telling people about it.
It’s self-indulgent and probably needs some editing, but it’s been a pretty great experience so far.
At this point, you are probably wondering why I am making this confession.
I didn’t have to tell a soul.
I am sharing my little secret because writing the blog has relit my passion for writing.
Softball Pitching Distance to Increase to 43 feet in 2010-11
By Sheila Henderson, Assistant Athletic Director | Thursday, October 14, 2010 10:35 AM
Most softball coaches are aware that effective with the 2010-11 school year, the pitching distance will increase from 40 feet to 43 feet. I wanted to revisit this change to ensure that every coach is aware and prepared.
The pitching distance change was not a fly-by-night decision. The National Federation of High Schools Softball Committee debated and discussed the issue for more than 10 years, and two state associations (Florida and Oregon) experimented with the 43 feet distance for several years.
All UIL member schools must comply with this mandatory change. Many schools started preparing the fields for this change after the close of the 2009-10 season to help their athletes make the adjustment.
State Wind Ensemble Festival Provides a Unique Musical Opportunity
By Richard Floyd, Director of Music | Thursday, September 30, 2010 1:14 PM
The State Wind Ensemble Contest was established in 1976 as a part of the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest. During the years that followed, this event gradually evolved into the festival format that is in place today. It is now referred to as the State Wind Ensemble Festival (SWEF). It is viewed to be an educationally rewarding and positive experience for all participants. This year this prestigious event is scheduled for May 7.
Much of the success of this event has been attributed to the Clinician/Commentator component of the format. This feature allows each performing group to have a 30-minute post concert clinic/critique with a nationally recognized conductor/educator. The focus of the event is on the subjective, artistic elements of music performance rather than the objective, technical details that tend to dominate critiques in a totally competitive setting.
With the approval of the UIL/TMEA Music Advisory Committee and the UIL Legislative Council the event was modified in 2000 to what many would term a festival format. The intent of this revision was to build on the most successful elements of SWEF, which cultivate the positive aspects of making music for music’s sake rather than the attainment of an objective rating. In addition a listening component has been added to emphasize the very important value of becoming good audience members as well as accomplished performers.
Any Given Saturday: Judging Comments Critical for Educational Growth
By Ronnie, Rios, TMAA Marching Band Vice President | Thursday, September 30, 2010 12:57 PM
Think about loading up the car with the family, picking up grandma on the way to the stadium, snacking on homemade cookies, all while spending a beautiful day at your local marching band contest. Unfortunately, on any given Saturday, this picture could become tainted for marching bands and spectators alike if the adjudication process is flawed.
The judge’s decisions and comments absolutely do matter and they are the sole reason we are selected to serve as adjudicators. It is our responsibility to provide a positive commentary full of beneficial suggestions and musical growth opportunities for each performing group. Reward achievement like there is no tomorrow. We must always remember that our comments are a primary source for educational growth. The students, directors and parents deserve our best effort, and it is essential for the evolution of the activity.
Northcutt Retires After Almost Four Decades
By Stephanie Ramirez | Wednesday, September 29, 2010 8:45 AM
Former Executive Director William Farney, current Executive Director Charles Breithaupt and former Executive Director Bailey Marshall congratulate former Policy Director Bonnie Northcutt for her dedication and commitment to UIL for the past four decades.
Photo by Mary Mendez
For almost 40 years, the University Interscholastic League has been lucky to have Bonnie Northcutt as a part of its team. Reflecting on Northcutt’s tenure at the UIL, there is only one word that could describe her position at the organization: pioneer.
Northcutt grew up in the Texas Hill Country town of Barksdale with her five siblings. Her love and admiration for the UIL began when she was an elementary student participating in academic events. Then, Northcutt began playing tennis, basketball, volleyball and track. Her success and love for sports connected her even closer to UIL.
Legislative Council Set to Meet in October
By Julianne Coyne | Thursday, September 23, 2010 1:33 PM
Members of the Legislative Council, UIL Executive Director Charles Breithaupt and Policy Director Mark Cousins listen to speakers at the 2009 October meeting. Photo by Jeanne Acton
Each October, superintendents from around the state arrive in Austin for the Legislative Council meeting where they decide University Interscholastic League rule changes.
The year, the Legislative Council meeting will address proposals regarding reclassification and realignment, athletics, music and academics. The Council will meet Oct. 17-18 at Hilton Hotel in downtown Austin.
“The meeting will hopefully be pretty quiet this year,” Policy Director Mark Cousins said. “It doesn’t appear at this point that many contentious rules are up for discussion.”
Reclassification and Realignment
The Ad Hoc Committee on Reclassification and Realignment is recommending seven possible changes.
One of the proposed changes is to increase transparency by releasing selections made by schools, such as whether they play six-man or 11-man football or if they chose to “opt up.’”
4 Long-time Employees Retire from the League
By Julianne Coyne | Wednesday, September 15, 2010 1:11 PM
Pat Lindsay, Diana Cardona, Mary Rocha, Beverly Stein
Photo by Mary Mendez
Four women with a combined 96 years of UIL experience retired from the League in August.
Diana Cardona
Cardona is retiring from running the mailroom after working for the UIL for 29 years. She plans to use her retirement to read, do volunteer work and travel.
2010 All-State Journalism Staff Named
By | Monday, September 13, 2010 8:34 AM
Fifty-two students have been named to the 2010 All-State Journalism Staff. To qualify for the staff, students must have earned 50 points by participating and winning different journalism contests throughout the year. Students can earn points by participating in UIL invitational contests, UIL district, regional and state contests, as well as ILPC and similar type journalism contests.
‘A Whole New Mind’ Meets Texas Education Leaders
By Jackie deMontmollin, associate director of theatre education, The University of Houston | Thursday, September 02, 2010 1:06 PM
Arts Education had a tremendous day on Monday Jan. 26. Dan Pink, author of “A Whole New Mind, Why Right Brainers will Rule the Future,” “Free Agent Nation” and “Johnny Bunko, The Last Career Guide You’ll Ever Need,” spoke to a joint session of the Texas House and Senate Education Committees. The Senate gallery was filled with administrators, UIL staff, arts teachers and, refreshingly, a few interested students from all over the state of Texas.
Why were all of these “arts-minded” people gathered? Dan Pink, futurist, attorney, former White House speech writer for Al Gore and a self-admitted left-brained guy has a strong message for education policy makers: if education doesn’t prepare kids to think creatively, empathically and imaginatively, our kids will not be able to compete in the 21st Century workforce. And where do kids learn these abilities? Through the arts, of course!
Pink had a small army of business leaders testify after him in support of his point. An AT&T Executive explained to legislators that if two candidates were equal in qualification for job, he would choose the candidate with an arts background over the one without. Why? Because they have the ability to be flexible, to be collaborative and to be imaginative. He explained that we need to prepare kids for jobs that don’t even exist yet. We don’t even know the names of the jobs, but we know the skills that will be required … high touch, high concept skills that involve inventiveness, artistry and empathy. Pink and company explained that these are all skills that are developed through Arts Education.