The University Interscholastic League announced the appointment of Treva Dayton as academic director to fi ll the position after the retirement of Bobby Hawthorne on Aug. 31. Dayton previously served as the UIL’s director of speech and debate and elementary and junior high from 1990 until 1997, when she took a job with the National Federation of State High School Associations. When Dayton returned to Austin in 2003, she said it was perfect timing as the position of director of elementary and junior high academics was open.
“It was my good fortune that the position was open when I came back,” Dayton said. “(Former elementary and junior high director) Rhonda Alves and her family were relocating to Pennsylvania at the time, and she took a teaching job there. It’s amazing how when one door closes, another one opens.”
When the door opened for Hawthorne’s position after he announced his retirement, Dayton applied because of her belief in the good that UIL academics brings to young people.
“I really am passionate about the entire UIL academics program,” she said. “I’ve worked with the elementary and junior high aspect, and this position gives me an opportunity to get involved with the whole program. I have the opportunity to work with a great staff of people across the entire academic program, from journalism to theatre to speech and debate.”
No stranger to UIL activities, Dayton’s experience with the opportunities the UIL offers goes beyond the full-time positions she’s held at the League. Dayton was a speller at her elementary school and as a student at Waco Robinson High School, she participated in speech, theatre, debate, marching band, solo and ensemble, basketball, volleyball and track.
Because of the effect that UIL activities had on her personally, one of Dayton’s main goals as academic director is to promote the UIL academics program.
“This year we are going to develop materials for schools and academic coaches to promote the UIL academics program, especially in urban schools where we see less participation,” Dayton said.
“We also want to develop ways that people can fi ll out all forms online like we have for the academic spring meet and expand our use of technology to different areas.
Another area we will focus on will be promoting the (Texas Interscholastic League Foundation) scholarship program.”
After attending the University of Texas at Austin and earning her bachelor’s degree in speech communication, Dayton received her teaching certifi cate and taught speech, theatre and English for nine years.
She said her experience working in the classroom helps her relate directly to the academic coaches she works with.
“Being a teacher helps enormously because I have a real perspective of working in the trenches,” Dayton said. “I loved teaching and motivating kids and I am drawn to people who do that because I sill have a lot in common with them.”
In her position as academic director, Dayton will work to meet her goals of improving technology, promoting UIL academics in schools with consistently low participation numbers and working to keep contests consistent throughout the state.
“Good things that were done in the past decade can be built on,” she said.
“And I look forward to that.”