Academics News
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Original Lit Crit State Director Dies at 82
By Jamie Oberg, UIL Intern | Wednesday, May 14, 2014 12:37 PM
Dr. Fred Tarpley was the first state director for the Literary Criticism Contest.
Dr. Fred Tarpley, the first state Literary Criticism Contest director and driving force behind the contest, passed away on March 1 at the age of 82.
Tarpley graduated from high school at 16, received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M- Commerce) and a Ph. D. from Lousiana State University in 1960. He was a professor at Texas A&M, Commerce from 1957 until his retirement in 1992 and was named Professor Emeritus of Literature and Languages in 2004.
In the early 1980s, Tarpley “instigated the Literary Criticism contest and provided an opportunity that students had not had before,” said Treva Dayton, former UIL Academic Director. “The literary criticism contest is the perfect example of his constant willingness to give.”
Academic State Meet Brings in the Best
By | Tuesday, May 13, 2014 3:17 PM
Thousands of students compete at the Academic State Meet each year.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
The UIL State Academic Meet is set to start Monday May 19 and wrap up in the wee hours of Wednesday, May 21. Thousands of competitors and academic coaches will descend on the University for the meet.
Academic Director David Stevens said he is looking forward to the state meet because it’s his time to reconnect with coaches and students.
Last-Minute Review Prior to Spring Contests
By Dr. David Stevens, Academic Director | Monday, February 24, 2014 4:23 PM
District meets are just around the corner, and many schools are already entering students online. Remember that your entry is due in the online system at least 10 day prior to your contest, unless your District Executive Committee has set an earlier date.
Academic coordinators entering their school’s contestants need a UT EID but do not need to be authorized by our office. Be careful to type students’ names correctly. Use upper and lower case, and enter last name first, followed by first name. Proof for correct spelling. Don’t use initials unless a student actually prefers initials to a name. Whenever possible, enter substitutes in each event. They will appear on the contest roster as eligible to compete if a replacement is needed.
Coordinators, remember to do another eligibility check before competition! If substitutions must be made, anyone not listed on the original entry, as either a contestant or alternate, must present certification, signed by an administrator, that they are eligible to compete. A substitute form is posted on the UIL academic web page, but a letter signed by an administrator is also acceptable.
Critic Gives Suggestions for Oral Interp Categories
By Jana Riggins, Speech and Debate Director | Monday, February 24, 2014 1:37 PM
New oral interpretation literary categories for 2013-14 present the challenge of exploring not only fresh literature that performers have never encountered or performed in the past, but they also require of contestant and coach a very careful study of the category description.
The descriptor provided in the Constitution and Contest Rules is critical to understanding the goal of the category. Before beginning to look for literature, you should ask yourself: “What is the intent of this category?” You will find the purpose stated in the paragraph that introduces each of the prose and poetry categories.
Let’s take a journey through Category A of Prose. I invited a critic that judges frequently on the tournament circuit and who serves on our State Prose and Poetry Advisory Committee that designed the new categories to weigh in and share her perspective on the performances she has evaluated thus far at invitational tournaments. I believe Phyllis Tucker’s comments will be helpful, and I encourage you, after reading her observations, to evaluate your own or your students’ performances in light of her comments.
Adviser Speaks Up for Journalism Classes
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Monday, February 24, 2014 1:22 PM
Sometimes I think I may be the luckiest person in the world with my job. I work with amazing, flexible, intelligent, passionate teachers. I have the privilege of interacting, and sometimes even teaching, some of the brightest young journalists in the U.S. And every once in a while, I even have time at my job to brag about some of our dedicated colleagues.
It’s time for bragging.
Several years ago, Andrea Negri interned with me here at the League. She was dependable, knowledgeable and driven. The perfect intern. After graduating, Andrea made the leap into the world of advising high school journalism, and quite quickly, started to develop an impressive resume.
Since walking into her job at Alief Hastings High School five years ago, Andrea has taken students to the UIL State Meet, attended state and national conventions, become an active member of TAJE (Texas Association of Journalism Educators), judged for UIL and ILPC, run several district meets, assisted with a regional UIL meet, motivated her students to produce solid publications and the list goes on.
TILF Scholar, Former Academic State Competitor Takes on New Role in UIL
By Jan Ross Piedad, UIL intern | Monday, February 24, 2014 1:10 PM
Michael Donaldson's passion for UIL started in elementary school and continued throughout his years in public school. After competing in more than four events at the state level in high school and receiving a TILF scholarship, Michael is now an intern for the academic department.
Photo by Jan Ross Piedad
Sitting nervously in a second round of internship interviews last summer, incoming freshman Michael Donaldson attempted to describe his philosophy about the University Interscholastic League.
“UIL is a bridge to success for students,” he said, “And the people who lead them are the lights, but there are pillars—that’s what holds up the bridge—and those are the people you don’t know about. Those are the interns.”
Those words got him the job, and now Michael is one of those pillars, a strong support for the organization’s success.
First State Congress Meet Held in January
By Jamie Oberg, UIL Intern | Monday, February 24, 2014 12:41 PM
Jose Guardiola from Gregory-Portland High School addresses the current issue during finals at State Congress. The finals were held at the Texas State Capitol.
Photo by Jeanne Acton
This January, UIL hosted the inaugural championship for Congress, a pilot program within the speech and debate umbrella. The preliminary rounds took place at the University of Texas at Austin and the final round took place in the Texas Capitol building.
Congress models the legislative process of democracy, specifically, the United States Congress. Within this mock legislative assembly competition, contestants draft legislation (proposed laws and position statements) submitted to the tournament, and they research the docket of bills and resolutions dealing with real-world social and political policies prior to the contest to prepare their speeches. At the tournament, students caucus in committees, deliver formal discourse on the merits and disadvantages of each piece of legislation and vote to pass or defeat the measures they have examined. Parliamentary procedure forms structure for the discourse, and students extemporaneously respond to others’ arguments over the course of a session.
Let’s Grow Our Program to Allow All Students to “Take on Life”
By Luis Muñoz, Theatre Director | Friday, December 13, 2013 1:16 PM
At this festive season of the year, I know that many of you are looking for that perfect “play for all seasons” that will be the very best production in the history of OAP. I urge you to get ALL of your students involved in your theater program. Diversity extends far beyond color and reaches into the every facet of our student body. The character of Artie Abrams (featured on the television show “Glee”) has sparked discussions among actors and audiences alike. I would like to ask, “As directors, are we meeting the needs of all of our students?”
In the last few years, more directors have involved exceptional students in their programs. Last year I saw students on crutches, with wheelchairs, using interpreters and with limited or no vision on stage.
Gear Up for the Academic Race and the Changes Ahead
By Dr. David Stevens, Academic Director | Tuesday, December 10, 2013 9:40 AM
On your marks. Get set. Go.
The bustle of the holiday season, the anticipation of a long holiday break and the spring meet competition season are upon us. They always arrive quicker than anticipated. Below are some details to help prepare for this race and upcoming changes that are being considered.
Enjoy the taper. This is the decreased running before a race that allows your body to recuperate, rebuild and be fresh for race day. The holiday break is a perfect time for that. Non-stop training and full preparations will soon begin.
Busy Fall Leads into Even Busier Spring as Student Congress Comes to State
By Jana Riggins, Speech and Debate Director | Tuesday, December 10, 2013 9:30 AM
Students preparing to participate in Student Congress take their oath of office from District Clerk Cheryl Potts — Education Service Center 10.
This has been an exciting fall with new prose and poetry categories, Super Conferences and a brand new pilot contest, Congress! There’s not a single moment of downtime as we challenge students with new experiences and to greater heights in our annual events. All of these opportunities develop the critical skill of communicating.
The skills that students learn through speech and the personal attributes young people develop through instruction in communication theory prepare them like no other opportunity. Regardless of the journey they choose professionally, they need communication skills to be successful. Regardless of their cultural background, educational training or environment, being adept at communicating with others one-on-one, in small groups and in corporate teams is essential. All humans are engaged in relationships on different levels. To be successful in those relationships, knowing how to communicate is the ultimate skill for a progressive and happy life.