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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.
Helpful Reminders to Help the Athletic Year Run Smoothly
By Darryl Beasley, Assistant Athletic Director | Tuesday, August 31, 2010 1:59 PM
One thing coaches can appreciate is a school year free of surprises. The last thing a coach needs is to be blindsided with new forms, new rules or changes in general. It’s vital to have routines in place. To eliminate some of those surprises and to help coaches keep those routines running smoothly, here are some helpful topics to review.
Eligibility for Student/Athletes for the First Six Weeks
During the last six weeks in spring, you should have considered checking credits of your athletes to ensure eligibility for the first six weeks of school. This should have been done for the sports (football, volleyball or individual sports) starting before or during the first six weeks of school.
Eligibility for the first six weeks is as follows:
In grades nine and below, students must have been promoted from the previous grade. If a student fails to meet the Student Success Initiative (SSI) grade advancement requirements applied to the TAKS reading and mathematics tests, the Grade Placement Committee (GPC) could determine if a student advanced through this process would be considered as “promoted” or “placed” for purposes of academic eligibility for the first six weeks.
Hawthorne Collaborates on Football Stadium Photo Book
By Julianne Coyne | Tuesday, August 31, 2010 12:06 PM
Former UIL academic director Bobby Hawthorne is at it again.
This time, he’s compiled the text to a new book published by UT Press, “Home Field: Texas High School Football Stadiums from Alice to Zephyr.” The book offers photos of nearly 80 high school football stadiums and quotes collected by Hawthorne.
After Busy Summer, Changes are on the Horizon for OAP
By Luis Munoz | Monday, August 30, 2010 2:33 PM
I pray that all of you have had a wondrous and enlivening summer break. Some of you stayed home, some traveled, some directed and some acted. It was so good to keep up with you and yours through your phone calls, emails and the ever-enlightening Facebook posts. What a barrage of messages, babies, new profile pics, old profile pics, Farmville, gifts, pokes, surveys, quotes and pictures. From Mark Twain to Mark Pickell, they have all been interesting.
I had the pleasure of working with the Texas Thespians All-State Cast and directing another group of high school students at the Texas Tech Theatre Camp. I also had the opportunity to attend the International Thespian Society’s Festival at The University of Nebraska at Lincoln and be around 3000 students from across the nation and a few other countries. I congratulate Clint Cottom, Bryce Ballew, Toby Drake and the cast of Piece of My Heart from Tomball High School on an outstanding production. It was moving, beautifully staged and well-acted. I also congratulate Marilyn Miller, her colleagues and the Cypress-Creek company on their production of Pippin. I enjoyed the “private concert” at your rehearsal. I wish I had been able to stay and see their production but I had to return to Texas for the TETAAO summer meeting. Denison High School wowed the crowds with ZFX Flying Effects show. Round Rock High School also represented us with a production of This, Uh, Body. All of you made Texas proud. I was inspired, and the importance of our work with the youth of our state was reaffirmed.
All in the Family: Gearing Up for the New Year
By Jana Riggins | Friday, August 27, 2010 1:18 PM
Even in the triple digit dog days of summer that linger over Austin, I feel a sense of excitement about school bells ringing again! There’s nothing like the opening week of school when colleagues renew relationships with other faculty members, students arrive to newly-painted walls, waxed floors and colorful bulletin boards alive with news of what is to come. Everyone feels the synergy!
It is especially exciting to me this year because my son Matthew takes the reigns of his very own classroom. Helping him move in and set up his room took me back down memory lane of when my husband Johnny and I started our teaching careers. Ironically, Matt will begin his career just a few miles from where his dad did, oh so many years ago. With a personality that parallels that of his father, somehow I know he will touch as many lives in an undeniable way just as Dad did. And that makes me proud. What a noble profession teaching is! Who changes the world more?
He’s not the only Riggins joining the teaching ranks. His brother Josh begins his student teaching at Anderson High School in Austin this fall, along with coaching athletics. The first day of summer strength camp when he bounced into my office to say, “They called me “Coach, Mom!”, I fought back tears as I asked, “How did that feel?” and his voice enthusiastically resounded, “G-R-E-A-T!”