As another year of UIL academic competition comes to a close, I’m extremely grateful for a number of reasons, not the least of which is making it through my first year as academic director more or less intact. But that wouldn’t have happened – nor been nearly as much fun – if it weren’t for all the great people I work with, both here in the UIL office and around the state. Jana, Jeanne, Luis and David each bring unique skills to the contests they direct and work as a team to support the entire academic program. Creative by nature, they respond to challenges with good humor, intense energy, dedication, intelligence and a thorough knowledge of the programs they direct. Besides that, they’re truly nice people.
Of course we hear from people who have complaints, but it’s really nice that we also hear from at least some people who just want to say “Job well done!” or “We had a great meet!” or “Please let our regional director know how much we appreciate the job that they do.” Our phones ring nonstop during district and regional meets with questions about rules or what to do when problems occur, but after things settle down, we often get emails about the good things that happened, too. So thanks to those of you who took the time to write – when things were right.
And thanks to all those who worked at district meets as hosts, judges, graders, timekeepers or runners, or who staffed hospitality, registration, tabulation, verification or the parking lot.
Special appreciation goes to our regional hosts, who work year-round on scheduling facilities and contest staff, training contest directors and communicating with participating schools and officials.
We are extremely fortunate to have such gracious hosts, who recognize the importance of the regional competition and are dedicated to providing the very best contest environments possible.
We’d also like to thank the countless people who contributed to making the 2006 Academic State Meet a successful one, despite problems created by thunderstorms. Rooms flooded, highway traffic was diverted to the service roads, alarms didn’t go off in hotels without electrical power, and to top it all, a major communication tower went offline, so many cell phones didn’t work! (My first state meet as director was not a dull one!)
But contests happened, awards were given, and state champions were named in every conference for every event. So thanks to all those coaches who graded contest papers, to the judges for speech, theatre and writing events, to the honor crews who worked long, long hours in service to others, and to the state directors who created the contest materials and ran the contests.
And thanks to the UIL staff who worked the registration and scholarships desks, printed and packaged materials, assigned judges, carted food and drinks for thousands of people, hung signs, answered questions, gave directions, took care of paperwork, entered results, delivered medals, kept smiling and cleaned up after the fact. Every department from our receptionists to accounting to printing plays a role in the Academic State Meet, and they did a tremendous job!
Thanks for all you do for kids, and have a great summer! ODDS AND ENDS or PLANNING FOR NEXT YEAR
The Capital Conference will be Friday and Saturday, July 7-8 at UT Austin. Participants must register online. You’ll find the link with additional information and the registration form on the academic web page. Cost is $50 until June 1, and $75 after June 1. It’s a great way to get ready for the new year, so we hope to see you there. Presenters and workshop titles will be posted on the web as they are finalized.
The 2006 Student Activities Conferences dates are posted on the web. We’ll be hosting at West Texas A&M in Canyon, Tyler Junior College, UT Austin and for the first time at Texas A&M in Corpus Christi. Choose the one closest to you, and bring your students, academic coaches, theatre directors and journalism advisers for a great day of UIL preparation. It’s free!
The 2006-07 Social Studies Contest topic is The Emergence of the American Nation, 1765-1791. The primary reading selection is 1776 by David McCullough. Check the web site for ordering information and the list documents that will also be used.
The Academic Committee of the UIL Legislative Council will meet June 13 in Austin to consider rules change proposals for academic contests.
If you would like to submit a rule change, please keep that date in mind and send us the proposal no later than June 5, as materials are sent to committee members prior to the meeting. Items passed by the committee are then considered by the full Council in October.