For the first time in 5A, Wylie High School competed in a UIL District meet—and with tremendous success. 5A is a much more competitive playing field compared to 4A; there are thousands of students vying to win competitions and with the resources to do so. Yet, despite the odds, Wylie prevailed in the District meet in Aledo, TX, with a total score of 686 points: 285 points above the second place team. Out of fourteen team competitions, Wylie placed first in six competitions. For a school new to large school, going to competition can be daunting; not only is the competition harder, but it’s difficult to evaluate your opponents. Nonetheless, Wylie triumphed and dominated nearly half of the competitions.

District results below-

However, success doesn’t happen overnight. Numerous students competing in their respective events have practiced and worked considerably to advance. I’m familiar with the amount of work and effort advancing demands.

In UIL Social Studies, the study material is vast. This year’s topic is the civil rights movement, a topic that covers an extremely broad aspect of our nation’s history. Material to study includes but is thirty-six Supreme Court cases, ten pieces of legislation, eighteen speeches and documents, and a book make up the study material for this year’s competition; however, within each of those pieces of legislation, each speech, and each case is a story of its own—all are catalysts for change. Knowing the basic elements of the material is barely touching on a subject that is so rich and deals with issues deeply rooted in our nation’s history.

Learning about the civil rights movement has revealed a darker side of American history that tends to be overlooked. The horrific assassinations, riots, and lynchings divided the American public to a great degree. The nation was restless—there was always a new story to capture the public. News of Emmett Till’s murder rocked America to its core. Stories of attempts to integrate schools such as the Little Rock Nine at Central High School, Autherine Lucy at the University of Alabama, and James Meredith at the University of Mississippi revealed the severity of opposition in the South. Continuous protest throughout the South showed the persistence and passion to achieve complete equality despite the violent mobs and law enforcement that tried to hinder their efforts. The civil rights movement demonstrates what people’s passions can fuel and provoke. It can break barriers, but it can also divide. It can show the good within, but it can also show the savage within. It can incite violence, but it can also show mercy. This event teaches you more than just history—it teaches you to challenge your perspective and see how it evolves. It’s pushed me to work harder than anything I’ve ever touched on.

Knowing how much work I’ve put in and witnessing how hard others have worked to get to where we are now, it’s obvious that the desire to do well and the passion for what we’re doing is strong within many that compete. Of those that competed at Regionals, Rushil Choutapalli (Calculator), Mattie Smith (Editorial Writing), Kobe George (News Writing and Poetry Interpretation), Anna Claire Boone (Poetry Interpretation),  and Tyler Roberts (Science) will compete at the state meet. Best of luck to those advancing!