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Journalism Skills Help Find Answers on Peanut Allergy Journey
By Jeanne Acton | Thursday, August 13, 2009 12:05 PM
Our peanut journey started more than a year ago.
When my two-year-old son was diagnosed with the allergy, I went a little nuts. Yeah, I know — the play on words is a little much, but it is the truth.
You may remember I wrote a column documenting my slip into insanity and my transition back to reality. The bottom line was, his life-threatening diagnosis reminded me to keep life in perspective.
Since that column, I’ve had numerous calls and well wishes from journalism teachers across the state.
You really are an amazing support group.
Since I shared the initial diagnosis with you, I wanted to share the latest news. My little guy is almost free from his peanut/nut allergy.
It’s been a long journey and a somewhat expensive one but definitely well worth it.
A+ Academics: Reminders to Start the New Year
By David Trussell | Thursday, August 13, 2009 12:03 PM
Not only do summers in Texas seem to get hotter every year, they also seem to get shorter, at least in terms of having a break between school years. It hasn’t been that long ago that we were wrapping up 2008-09, but here we are with a new school year already upon us. Following are some important items to keep in mind as you begin your preparations for this year’s A+ competitions.
Registration
Every school that participates in the A+ Program must register with the state office every year. This is how we keep our contact information current, and how we are able to send you a complimentary copy of the new A+ Handbook. You can find the online registration form at www.uil.utexas.edu/academics/aplus. With online registration, you can search for your school, view the information we have on file and send us only any changes that are needed (new UIL coordinator, new principal, etc.). You also receive an immediate confirmation that your form has been received, as well as a follow-up e-mail a few days later.
The deadline for participation registration is Nov. 15. If your school is in an ISD with at least one UIL member high school, there are no separate membership fees for A+ participation. If you do not have a member high school, contact the UIL office for membership information.
No Major Changes For Music This Year
By Richard Floyd | Thursday, August 13, 2009 11:59 AM
The UIL Music Program continues to operate in a relatively stable environment resulting in few rule changes for the 2009-2010 school year. In fact, only six rule modifications impact our music competitions. None of the rules are prohibitive and for the most part the rule changes are intended to create new options within the UIL music contest structure.
EXPANDED OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN MORE THAN ONE MUSIC CLASS. Beginning this year a student enrolled in multiple instrumental music classes may participate in the group representing each class provided the student is performing on a different instrument. For example a student who plays clarinet in the varsity band and wishes to learn to play saxophone and enrolls in a non-varsity band class to do so would be eligible to go to UIL contest with both groups. The same would be true for a string student enrolled in two string orchestra classes. [See Section 1102 (b)(1)(B)].
OPTION TO ZONE AREA MARCHING BAND CONTEST. By action of the Area Executive Committee and approval of the State Director of Music, the Area Marching Band Contest may be zoned to reduce travel for participating schools. A minimum of five bands must compete at each contest site, and one band per each five bands competing will be certified for advancement to the state contest. This accommodation has been made primarily for Area A because of the extensive travel conditions in the western part of the state. [See Section 1106 (j)(6)(A) and (B)]
Review Precautions Before Starting Your Season
By Traci Neely | Thursday, August 13, 2009 11:58 AM
The brutal Texas temperatures just won’t let up, but that doesn’t keep the cross country season from starting. By the end of August, runners will be ready in time for the first meets of the season.
Practice for most high school cross country athletes continues through the summer months, which does tend to help prepare student athletes for the heat and humidity in August and September. Heat stress and heat stroke are extremely serious conditions. The chances of heat stress or stroke can escalate for an athlete during a practice session or during a long meet day. Coaches, athletes and parents must be proactive in regards to hydration, rest and recovery in order for this season to be successful.
Another serious issue that comes to mind when I think about the cross country season is training safely. Coaches can easily overlook or take for granted that athletes know how to train safely on the roads and in the parks. Every cross country coach prior to the training season should address the safety issues concerning how athletes are required to train.
Cross country participation has inherent possible dangers because most training takes place off campus. Coaches should make every attempt to train their runners in a familiar environment. During my coaching years, the following list of guidelines helped me secure a safe running environment for all athletes.
Lessons from the Past Help Shape UIL’s Future
By Charles Breithaupt | Thursday, August 13, 2009 11:54 AM
The UIL Centennial Committee began planning for the celebration of the 100th birthday of the UIL nearly two years ago. The first stage of this celebration was a student leadership conference held in conjunction with the UIL Legislative Council summer meetings. The highlight of the conference and the Council meetings was the presentation by these students we called the Elite 100.
The Elite 100 was made up of 100 of the best and brightest students in our state. Nominated by their principals, these students represented those who currently participate in UIL activities. Their presentations to the Council were significant and served the purpose of opening a dialogue regarding the direction of the League for the next century.
Listening to the desires of our students is an important step in assuring that our activities remain viable. After all, these activities belong to the students. While school leaders sponsor and administer extracurricular activities, if students are not interested in what we offer or how we run them, we risk losing their participation.
The students of the Elite 100 expressed gratitude for the activities already offered. They suggested several new activities as well as modifications to the processes of current activities.
UIL Kicks Off Centennial Anniversary With Student Conference
By Chris Schmidt | Wednesday, August 12, 2009 12:23 PM
In June, 100 student leaders from across the state descended on the University of Texas campus to attend the UIL Elite 100 Conference and to kick off the centennial anniversary for the League.
Softball State Championship Tournament
By Staff | Thursday, June 04, 2009 7:25 PM
After scoring in the seventh inning to win the game 1-0, the Brock varsity softball team celebrates the victory over Elysian Fields. The girls came into the State Tournament with a 29-8 record. Brock beat Hallettsville 3-0 in the 2A championship game on Saturday, June 6.
Photo by Mary Mendez
Photos from Softball State Championship Tournament
Softball State Championship Tournament
By Staff | Thursday, June 04, 2009 12:38 PM
During the bottom of the ninth inning of the 4A semifinal game, an Angleton player attempts to score on a squeeze play against Azle High School.
Photo by Mary Mendez
Photos from Softball State Championship Tournament
Athletic Directors Add 2 Graduations to State Track Meet
By Jeanne Acton | Thursday, June 04, 2009 10:54 AM
At the State Track Meet this year, about 80 Texas students did more than just compete in their event.
They also graduated.
Because of the H1N1, formerly known as Swine Flu, the State Track was rescheduled from May 15-16 to June 5-6. With the postponement came conflicts. Big conflicts.
Some students had to choose between graduation and competing at the State Track Meet.
But the two new UIL assistant athletic directors, Sheila Henderson and Traci Neely, who are in charge of the meet, were not happy that students had to make that choice.
It just didn’t seem fair to them.
Feature Speaker, Mother Shine at Academic State Meet
By Jeanne Acton | Monday, June 01, 2009 12:45 PM
Photo by Jeanne Acton
If you missed the UIL Academic State Meet this year, you missed something special.
If you asked the teenage girls, that something special was 27-year-old Jared Padalecki, star of Supernatural and former regular on Gilmore Girls. He was our feature speaker this year.
Rather than attempt to describe his looks in detail. After all, I am pushing 40 and don’t want you to think I’m a cougar, so I’ll simply state the facts. He is tall. He is lean and muscular, and he is tanned.
Not surprisingly, he’s been selected to two or three “sexiest celebrity” lists.
The girls and several of the advisers and a couple of the judges went all jello over him.
In fact, he was so intimidating that I wasn’t sure if any student was going to snap out of the star-struck state to ask a question. Luckily, Jared is an easy-going guy, and he quickly put the crowd at ease.