Teams studying for district UIL meet

By GARRETT BLACK/Staff Writer

            Even though 150students have worked since the beginning of school to prepare for the 21 academic contests, only 58 will get to compete at the district meet March 27 and 29.
            Sponsored by the University Interscholastic League, contests areas include literature, social studies, science, math, writing, speaking, and computer science.
            The competitions are not even the most grueling part for some of the competitors.          “I listen to heavy metal and I do hard warm-ups to fill the answers faster I really don’t need to prepare though,” senior Ben Roberts said about his math contest strategy.
            The group has already competed in practice meets and the Texas Shootout.
            “I want to win more,” Roberts said.  “Every day I strive to win. I’m a winner and winners do what they want.”
            The district team members are determined by scores during practice.
            “It’s not particularly fun to get on a school bus at 5:30 on a Saturday morning, but we have lots of kids who do it,” UIL coordinator Pat Brittain said, “These kids are so impressive, and their work ethic is amazing, but we try to have a little fun on these trips, too”
            Everyone has goals for the UIL competitions, mainly to win, but Roberts has a totally different motivation. 
            “I want to be the best there is, the best there was and the best there will be.”
            Mrs. Brittain said Ben is not the only team member with a huge goal.
            Even though he’s joking, (he is Ben after all), he doesn’t speak for the whole team,” she said.  “We have a team full of people who want to be the best.  Their coaches and I are thankful for every one of them.”