Local Students Shine at UIL Regional Academic Competitions, Several Advance to State
- Rita Shipp
- Apr 27
- 3 min read
Students across East Texas made their communities proud with outstanding performances at the recent University Interscholastic League (UIL) Regional Academic Competitions. From spelling and science to journalism and mathematics, participants demonstrated incredible skill, hard work, and determination.
Several students are advancing to the UIL State Academic Meet, while many others earned impressive placements that deserve full recognition.
Here’s how our local schools represented:
Buna ISD
Advancing to State:
Spencer Buchanan – 2nd Place, Headline Writing
Chloe Baker – 3rd Place, Spelling
Team Achievement:
Journalism Team – 7th Place Overall
Kirbyville ISD
Advancing to State:
Kennedi Smith – 3rd Place, Spelling
Notable Placements:
Destini Woodard – 4th Place, Ready Writing (Alternate to State)
Paisley Henderson – 14th Place, Spelling
Vincent Cole – 24th Place, Spelling
Nazareth Dubon – 39th Place, Spelling
Jacob Stanley – 41st Place, Science
Team Achievement:
Spelling Team – 3rd Place Overall
Broaddus ISD
Advancing to State:
Joshua Poore – 3rd Place, Number Sense
Notable Placements:
Laila Holloway – 4th Place, Number Sense (Alternate to State)
Trenton Sowell – 7th Place, Number Sense
Team Achievement:
Number Sense Team – 2nd Place Overall
San Augustine ISD
Advancing to State:
Miguel Mendoza – 1st Place, Computer Science Written
Josh Oglesby – 2nd Place, Computer Science Written
Alex Fabian – 3rd Place, Computer Science Written
Notable Placements:
Katie Parrish – 5th Place, Computer Science Written (Alternate to State)
Team Achievement:
Computer Science Team – Regional Champions (State Qualifiers)
Burkeville ISD
Notable Placements:
Annalise Black – 4th Place, Ready Writing (Alternate to State)
Lainey Hallford – 26th Place, Social Studies
Chester ISD
Notable Placements:
Calculator Applications Team – 7th Place Overall
Current Issues and Events:
Cutter Lowe – 23rd Place
Jesse Bittick – 23rd Place
Elizabeth Lopez – 28th Place
Lily Read – 38th Place
Mathematics:
Kaleigh Acrey – 12th Place
Cutter Lowe – 12th Place
Rex Gilzow – 20th Place
Gus David – 27th Place
Number Sense:
Kaleigh Acrey – 21st Place
Science:
Wyatt Roberts – 5th Place
Kaleigh Acrey – 10th Place
Kasen Citrano – 31st Place
Tegan Toler – 41st Place
Spelling:
Elizabeth Lopez – 22nd Place
Jacob Aiena – 22nd Place
Chesney Adams – 28th Place
Saydi Handley – 36th Place
Team Achievements:
Mathematics Team – 5th Place Overall
Science Team – 3rd Place Overall
Spelling Team – 7th Place Overall
School earned 5 points in Overall Sweepstakes
Hemphill ISD
Notable Placements
Literary Criticism:
Trinity Maldonado – 19th Place
Mathematics:
Ewan Mactaggert – 29th Place
Jeffrey Quinn – 34th Place
Jared Rosas – 35th Place
Spelling:
Carmen Gonzalez – 7th Place
Brailey Wallace – 8th Place
Trinity Maldonado – 29th Place
Joesiah Parks – 43rd Place
Team Achievements:
Spelling Team – 2nd Place Overall (Alternate to State)
Mathematics Team – 8th Place Overall
School earned 5 points in Overall Sweepstakes
Silsbee ISD
Notable Placements
Briana Glenn – 29th Place, Spelling (4A Region 3)
Livingston ISD
Team Achievements:
Journalism Team – 12th Place Overall (4A Region 3)
School earned points toward Overall Sweepstakes (18 Points)
Spurger ISD
Notable Placements
Literary Criticism:
Joshua Grissom – 22nd Place
Social Studies:
Isaac Donatucci – 10th Place
Zechariah Grissom – 13th Place
Team Achievements:
Literary Criticism Team – strong finish
Social Studies Team – competitive finish
From advancing to State to proudly representing their communities with high placements, every single student and team showcased perseverance, talent, and academic spirit.
The State UIL Academic Meet will be held in Austin on May 19, 2025, where our local champions will continue making East Texas proud!
Congratulations to ALL of our outstanding scholars, coaches, and schools — your hard work shines bright!
Information compiled from official UIL Region III and Region IV Academic Contest Results, courtesy of the University Interscholastic League. Written and compiled by Rita Shipp.
Photos Courtesy of Broaddus, Buna, Burkeville and San Augustine ISD.
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