2150 Cypress Creek Road, Cedar Park, TX 78613
(512) 435-8300 phone (512) 435-8305 fax
University Scholastic League (UIL) Academics offers competition in speech and academic subject areas as well as in debate and one-act play. Invitational tournaments are held on Saturdays at high schools in our area. Each contest usually has a team of four members participating at the meets. To participate students need to go see the coach for that event and come to practice. We are looking for a few good people in all events.
UIL COACHES
| Joni Patterson | Accounting | 8553 |
| Linda Ziemann | Calculator Applications | 8568 |
| Joni Patterson | Computer Applications | 8553 |
| Galen Goodreau | Computer Science | 8351 |
| Dawn Azbill | Current Issues | 8420 |
| Jennifer Wood | Literary Criticism | 8560 |
| Linda Ziemann | Number Sense | 8568 |
| Linda Ziemann | Mathematics | 8568 |
| Jerry Blake | One-Act Play | 8504 |
| Jennifer Wood | Ready Writing | 8559 |
| Leigh Houston | Science | 8469 |
| Dawn Azbill | Social Studies | 8420 |
| Jennifer Wood | Spelling | 8397 |
| Jim Tarvin | Journalism | 8543/8548 |
| Dawn Azbill | Debate | 8420 |
| Dawn Azbill | Speech Events | 8420 |
UIL Academic Events:
Accounting- The contest focuses on the elementary principles and practices of accounting for sale proprietorship, partnerships, and corporations, and includes bookkeeping terminology, the work sheet with adjustments, income statement, balance sheet, trial balance, account classification, journalizing, posting, bank reconciliation, payroll, and other items related to the basic accounting cycle.
Calculator Applications- The contest includes calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, roots, powers, exponentiation, logarithms, trigonometric functions, and inverse trigonometric functions. In addition to straightforward calculation problems, the contest includes geometric and stated problems similar to those found in algebra, geometry, and trigonometric textbooks, previous contests, and League materials related to the contest.
Computer Applications- Computer Applications focuses on word processing speed and accuracy, computer skills in database and spreadsheet, and integration of applications. Skills tested include formatting copy, mail merge, headers/footers, editing, proofreading, spreadsheet, graphs/charts, and integration of all applications.
Computer Science- The Computer Science Contest challenges high school students to gain an understanding of the significance of computers as well as the details of programming, to be alert to new technology and information, to gain an understanding of the basic principles as well as knowledge of the history and philosophy of computer science, and to foster a sense of enthusiasm about the discipline and field.
Current Issues and Events- the contest focuses on a basic knowledge of current state, national, and world events and issues. "Current Events" are defined as those, which have occurred during the current school year. The contest consists of questions, which will be posed, in such a way as to allow for objective grading and an essay question that all participants are required to answer.
Literary Criticism- The contest requires knowledge of literary history and of critical terms, and ability in literary criticism. Students are tested over material on the reading list, required to select the best answers involving judgement in literary criticism, and analyze literary passages not on the reading list. A tiebreaker is required in which the student must write a short essay dealing with a specified topic about a short literary passage.
Mathematics- This contest is designed to test knowledge and understanding in the areas of Algebra I and II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Math Analysis, Analytic Geometry, Pre-Calculus, and Elementary Calculus.
Number Sense- Number Sense involves a 10-minute, 80-question mental math test covering all high school mathematics courses. Short-cuts need to be developed and practiced in order to compete and finish the test.
Ready Writing- In this contest, students write expository compositions. They are given a choice between two prompts, each an excerpt from literature, publications (past and present) or speeches. Expository writing explains, proves, or explores a topic in a balanced way, allowing the argument and the evidence given to be the deciding factor in the paper. The composition is judged on interest, organization, and correctness of style.
Science- The purpose of the Science Contest is to challenge high school students to do a wide range of reading in biology, chemistry, and physics, to gain an understanding of the significance of experiments rather than to recall obscure details, to be alert to new discoveries and information in the areas of science, to gain an understanding of the basic principles as well as knowledge of the history and philosophy of science, and to foster a sense of enthusiasm about science and how it affects our daily lives.
Spelling and Vocabulary- The UIL Spelling and Vocabulary contest promotes precise and effective use of words. The three-part contest consists of multiple choice questions of proofreading and vocabulary and words that are written from dictation. Eighty percent of the words on the test are listed in the UIL publication WordPower, which is based on the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, third edition. The vocabulary-building and spelling components of the contest are important complements of the high school academic curriculum and are indicative of vocabulary words contained on standardized tests such as SAT, PSAT, and ACT.
Journalism- The journalism program consists of four contests: news writing, feature writing, editorial writing, and headline writing. The purpose of the League's journalism program is not so much to train students to become professional journalists but rather to stress critical thinking, writing and thinking skills that will be useful in college and beyond. It also teaches the basics of communication necessary later in life to intelligently consume information provided by the media.
News Writing- The news writing contest teaches students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly, and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. Emphasis is placed on mechanical and stylistic precision, lead writing, use of direct and indirect quotes, and news judgement.
Feature Writing- The feature writing contest teachers students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly, and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. Emphasis is placed on mechanical and stylistic precision, lead writing, use of direct and indirect quotes, news judgement, and the ability to write descriptively.
Editorial Writing- The editorial writing contest teachers students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly, and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. Emphasis is placed on mechanical and stylistic precision, lead writing, use of direct and indirect quotes, news judgement, and the ability to think deeply, to compare and contrast and to argue or defend a point of view persuasively.
Headline Writing- The headline writing contest teachers students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly, and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. Emphasis is placed on the ability to discern key facts and to write with flair and style in order to tell and sell a story.
CX Debate- Cross Examination Debate trains student sot analyze a problem, conduct thorough and relevant research, and utilize principles of argumentation and advocacy in presenting the most effective case for or against a given proposition. Debate provides invaluable training in critical thinking, quick responses, defending worthy ideas and attacking invalid ideas. It teaches students to tolerate other points of view. Debate exists only in democratic societies, and no democratic society can exist without debate.
Lincoln-Douglas Debate- Lincoln-Douglas debate provides excellent training for development of skills in argumentation, persuasion, research, and audience analysis. Through this contest, students are encouraged to develop a direct and communicative style of delivery. Lincoln-Douglas debate is a one-on-one argumentation, in which debaters attempt to convince the judge of the acceptability of their side of a proposition. One debater shall argue the affirmative side of a resolution, and one debater shall argue the negative side of the resolution in a given round.
Extemporaneous Informative- The purpose of this contest is to stimulate an active interest in current affairs at the state, national, and international levels, and to teach the student to present extemporaneously in a clear and impartial manner the facts about a subject as they appear in the best available sources of information. This contest is an exercise in clear thinking and informing the public on the issues and concerns of the American people. The objective is to present information in an interesting way, and an attempt should be not be made to change the listener's mind beyond presenting the information.
Extemporaneous Persuasive- This contest trains students to analyze a current issue, determine a point of view, and organize and deliver extemporaneously a speech that seeks to persuade listeners. The objective is to reinforce the views of listeners who already believe as the speaker does, but even more so, to bring those of neutral of opposing views around to the speaker's belief or proposed course of action. This contest should especially appeal to those who have a strong argumentative urge and who wish to advocate reforms or outline solutions for current problems.
Poetry Interpretation- The purpose of this contest is to encourage the student to understand, experience, and share poetry through the art of oral interpretation. The goals of this contest are to encourage the contestant's exploration of a variety or literary selections, and to enhance the performer's and audience's appreciation of literature through the performer's interpretation of the work.
Prose Interpretation- This contest encourages the student to understand, experience, and share prose works through the art of oral interpretation. It encourages the contestant's exploration of a variety of literary selections and to enhance the performer's and audience's appreciation of literature through the performer's interpretation of the work.
One-Act Play- The aims of the One-Act Play Contest are: