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Robotics Makes Debut as Sanctioned Contest for 2018-19
By Lauren Kelley, UIL Intern | Wednesday, November 01, 2017 3:23 PM
Energy Institute High School in Houston competes in a FIRST division contest.
Photo by David Trussell
If approved by the Commissioner of Education, robotics will be an official contest beginning in the 2018-2019 school year. For the last three years, the contest was a pilot program.
“Robotics is unique in several respects, in particular that we are working with two robotics organizations – BEST Robotics and FIRST Robotics,” David Trussell, robotics director, said. “Competition happens through the qualifier meet structures established with those organizations, so there are no separate UIL district or regional meets for robotics.”
Then, teams that do well in those qualifier meets have the opportunity to earn an invitation to the UIL Robotics State Championships.
Council Approves Mariachi as Official UIL Contest
By Lauren Kelley, UIL intern | Wednesday, November 01, 2017 3:18 PM
After being a pilot contest for two years, the UIL State Mariachi contest will be an official UIL State competition beginning in the 2018-2019 school year if approved by the Commissioner of Education. The UIL Legislative Council approved the contest at its meeting on Oct. 16.
“UIL began a category for mariachi in 2007, but up until 2015-2016 the event was only held on the region level,” Music Director Dr. Brad Kent said. “Because of the growth and development of this activity in our schools we felt like the time was right to expand to a state level event.”
Kent says the contest is unique compared to other UIL music contests.
Official Notices - June 2017
By | Wednesday, July 12, 2017 4:55 PM
The State Executive Committee issued the following penalties.
Official Notices - February 2017
By | Friday, February 17, 2017 3:50 PM
UIL Academics – High School Spelling and Vocabulary
The definition of a word is the determining factor for the correct spelling. Alternate spellings based on etymological information of the word is not acceptable.
The State Executive Committee issued the following penalties.
Executive Director’s Passion to Write Fuels 2 New Books
By Lauren Kelley, UIL Intern | Thursday, November 03, 2016 11:19 AM
It’s dark outside. The night is soft, quiet — calm. At three in the morning, most people have a couple more hours until their day begins.
But in one house, a light is already on.
UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt’s day has begun.
“I get up early in the morning to write,” he said. “I’ll write for a couple of hours, then go back to sleep for an hour and then come to work.”
Breithaupt is authoring a series of books on the technical aspects of basketball.
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.