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17 Interns Make the Magic Happen at UIL
By Lauren Kelley, UIL Intern | Wednesday, November 02, 2016 11:01 AM
This semester 17 interns are hard at work at the UIL state office. The University Interscholastic League welcomed 10 new interns with seven interns returning for another semester. UIL interns help with the daily upkeep of their respective departments and also assist at UIL State events.
Academics
Katarina Antolovic, a Theatre intern, is returning for her third year here at UIL. In high school Katarina competed in LD Debate, Congressional Debate, Informative and Persuasive Extemporaneous, and Current Issues and Events.
Legislative Council Approves Rule Changes Including Pitch Count Limits
By Kate Y. Hector, Media Coordinator | Wednesday, November 02, 2016 10:27 AM
During the October Legislative Council meeting, UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt responds to a question as Raymondville ISD Superintendent Johnny Pineda, the Council Chair, listens. Pineda completed his term as chair at the end of this meeting.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
The University Interscholastic League Legislative Council met Oct. 16 and 17 to make decisions on proposed rule changes in UIL academics, athletics, music and policy.
In athletics, the Legislative Council approved a proposal to establish a pitch count limitation in baseball. High school pitchers will be limited to no more than 110 pitches per day, junior high pitchers will be limited to no more than 85 pitches per day. Days of rest between participation will be required based on the number of pitches thrown. If approved by the Commissioner of Education, this rule change will be effective immediately.
Also in athletics, the Council approved an amendment to the language for the 6A football home field advantage pilot program. The change gives home field advantage to the team with the higher district finish in the first round of the football playoffs
Select the OAP That is Right for Your Students, Your School
By Luis Muñoz, Theater Director | Thursday, October 27, 2016 9:48 AM
Producing quality theatre begins by selecting plays of literary value and theatrical merit. The theatre teacher is responsible for choosing scripts worthy of the educational experience involved. If English students must study the best literature, so must theatre students and theatre audiences be exposed to the best dramaturgy. Theatre is a reflection of life. When students experience superior plays written by outstanding authors, they learn, through character exploration, of the physical, mental and emotional development of the human personality, of people’s motives, reactions, standards and ideals, all of which enriches the students’ lives and helps them gain poise, social understanding, self-awareness and self-esteem.
Plays worthy of presentation in secondary schools are plays which may be accorded a place in dramatic literature. Such plays are legitimate teaching tools for expanding the literary, theatrical and social horizons of the students, challenging the talents and artistic abilities of the participants and offering a vital and important message of social and redeeming value to the adolescent and adult community. Such plays help fulfill the objective of aesthetic education.
- “A Play for All Seasons”
It is important that you ask yourself a simple question when making play choices, and it’s not, “What?” The question that really has an impact is, “Why?” It is important to understand that the selection of material not only has an impact on your program but on theatre education as a whole. Are we doing this particular title to make a point, to satisfy a personal desire or to give our students a positive educational experience?
Survey Details how Speech and Debate Bolsters Students’ Confidence
By Dr. J. Scott Baker, assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin | Wednesday, September 21, 2016 9:37 AM
Regina Wells Jennings teaches at Jersey Village High School in Houston. Colin Malinak teaches at Saint Mary’s Hall in San Antonio. Both Regina and Colin are young speech and debate coaches with a bright future leading their students in forensic competitions. They are both exceptional coaches as well as human beings. I know — I helped coach them in high school.
I don’t say this to take any credit in their success. Their accomplishments are about them, not anyone else. I say this to provide two specific examples of former teens, unsure of their individuality and ability, who became leaders by finding their voice in interscholastic speech and debate activities. Regina and Colin are not alone.
Through a 2015 national survey of speech and debate coaches, educators address multiple concepts regarding student development through participation; one of those issues is student confidence. Texas coaches discuss benefits of confidence using terms such as “voice,” “ambition,” “self-advocacy” and “willingness to try new things.” Texas coaches reflect on how their students’ confidence grew through speech and debate experiences, just as it did for Regina and Colin.
Former UIL Athletes Compete in Rio Olympics
By Chris Schmidt, Public Affairs Representative | Monday, August 29, 2016 1:59 PM
Olympic competitors are some of the most talented and well-trained athletes in the world, so it’s no surprise that many of them were successful high school student-athletes. Several former UIL State champions made waves representing Team USA during the 2016 Rio Olympics. Several even medaled at the games.
The following is a rundown of how former UIL state medal winners fared at the 2016 Olympic Games:
Camille Adams, Houston Cypress Woods HS: Adams was the fastest swimmer in the Conference 5A 500-yard freestyle event, winning gold at the 2010 UIL Swimming and Diving State Championships. At Rio she placed fourth in the 200-meter butterfly finals, only .7 seconds from a spot on the medal stand.
State Spirit Pilot Recognizes ‘Full Spectrum’ of Friday Night Lights
By Lauren Kelley, UIL Intern | Wednesday, August 24, 2016 1:10 PM
UIL is the first state to hold a “Game-Day” style state competition where squads are given game scenarios and expected to choose and perform the right cheer for the scenario.
Photo by Photo courtesy of Action Moments
350 schools. 4,000 students. Bigger than the UIL State Track Meet, and one of the biggest UIL events so far. And it wasn’t just the size of the event — no meet could match the amount of school spirit at the inaugural UIL State Spirit Pilot this past spring.
“Coaches and teams were just over the top,” Assistant Athletic Director Traci Neely said. “They never really realized what it would feel like to compete and get a medal and how their communities would treat them when they returned from competition.”
UIL is the first state to hold a “Game-Day” style state competition where squads are given game scenarios and expected to choose and perform the right cheer for the scenario.
Journalism Round-Up: Information to Start the New School Year
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism and ILPC Director | Tuesday, August 23, 2016 11:19 AM
And just like that it’s 2016-17. It’s hard to believe how fast time flies. When I started at UIL in 2004, I was pregnant with my first child. This morning, I dropped Charlie off at middle school. Middle school. Crazy.
Time is flying, and so are journalism teachers. Your lives are crazy busy, and yet every year, you manage to inspire your students to create amazing media. I am in awe of you, and I suspect this year will be no different.
As we start the year, I wanted to make sure I give you all of the information you could possibly need or want (plus a little more).
New School Year Starts with Changes in Speech and Debate
By Jana Riggins, Speech and Debate Director | Tuesday, August 23, 2016 10:57 AM
Change. That’s often an overwhelming word teachers hear repeatedly when they reenter the school building after being gone for the summer months. Students show up for the first day of class and they feel the changes too. It’s not just the new clothes and supplies they may have purchased for school; there are new buildings, new teachers, new courses and bell schedules and always, new classroom procedures.
At UIL, you will find changes too. But rest assured, some things haven’t changed. The calendar for UIL speech competitions has not altered. Congress regional competitions are still Nov. 1-15, and the State Meet is Jan. 9-11. CX Districts still begin the first school day in January and end mid-February. CX State Meet is March 13-14, 2017 for Conference 1A-3A and March 17-18, 2017 for Conference 4A-6A at the University of Texas at Austin. Ignore superstition and book your hotel rooms now because the Capitol City is popular during spring break.
Academic Team Gears Up for SACs
By Lauren Kelley, UIL Intern | Tuesday, August 23, 2016 10:38 AM
Each year, UIL hosts four Student Activity Conferences (SAC) to provide information to students, academic coordinators and coaches about contest preparation, demonstrations, performances and contest administration. The conferences feature lectures and presentations from UIL contest directors, college professors and high school teachers.
The SACs for 2016 are:
Sept. 17 at West Texas A&M, Canyon
Sept 24 at Texas A&M at Corpus Christi
Oct 22 at the University of Texas at Austin
Nov 5 at the University of Texas at Arlington
55 Schools Competed at State Mariachi Festival Pilot
By Lauren Kelley, UIL Intern | Tuesday, August 23, 2016 10:27 AM
The State Mariachi Festival pilot was held at Southwest High School in San Antonio.
This past spring the UIL Music Department brought together students from across the state to celebrate the rich history and culture of Mexico through the UIL State Mariachi competition.
“In 2007, UIL began offering mariachi as a medium ensemble on the region level, but there was no advancement to a state event,” Director of Music Dr. Brad Kent said. “We felt like the next step was to create a state event to help continue the growth and development of mariachi programs in our schools.”