Echoing the 18th Century, Skyline High School looked like a scene from Hamilton, one of Broadway’s most recent musical phenomena. Elementary students paraded through Skyline’s gym wearing tailcoats, frock coats, prairie dresses, and colonial soldier costumes as they participated in the 2023 Lone Star Challenge program in early May.
More than 500 students competed in the Lone Star Challenge competition which is a scholastic contest wherein their mastery of a theme-based topic is revealed as they compete against hundreds of other students in nine-member teams.
With the theme, 18th Century America: From Colonization to Independence, students were tested in literature, social studies, mathematics, and science.
After a full day of testing, the points from all events were tallied and schools were ranked according to overall scores. With 71 schools competing for the top spot, this year’s overall winning team was from Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy.
“The kids had a blast during the challenge, and it was great to see their hard work throughout the months shine at the end,” said Elizabeth Holguin, Sudie Williams Lone Star Challenge coach.
A unique aspect of the Lone Star Challenge is the tradition to conclude the day with a fun parade of costumes and school signs aligned to the selected Lone Star Challenge theme, leading into the team Super Quiz.
The costume parade was filled with smiling faces and looked like a 4th of July celebration which echoed 18th Century motifs with colorfully decorated signs that read, Liberty or Death, No Taxation Without Representation, and Raise Your Flag to the Birth of a Nation.
“Preparation for this contest is a considerable feat and a lot of hard work,” said Erika Guzman-Escobedo, Student Activities Coordinator. “Being able to see all this excitement take place in Skyline’s gym, only serves to reaffirm that all the hard work put forth was so worth it. I was thrilled to see all the happy faces of students who attended the Lone Star Challenge event this year.”
During the awards ceremony, awards were given in the following categories: overall top-scoring teams, best dressed, best team sign, and best-dressed coach. Award highlights are below.
Overall Top three teams in Group A:
- First Place: Sudie L Williams TAG Academy
- Second Place: Willam B Travis Academy for the Talented and Gifted
- Third Place: Solar Prep School for Girls
Overall Top three teams in Group B:
- First Place: PTAA – North Dallas
- Second Place: Lakewood Elementary
- Third Place: Mockingbird Elementary
Best Dressed Coach:
- First Place: Larry G Smith & Anderson
- Second Place: Foster & PL at Sam Houston
- Third Place: Solar Prep for Girls & Macon
Best Dressed Team:
- First Place: Maple Lawn & PL at Sam Houston
- Second Place: Cochran & Arcadia Park
- Third Place: Solar Prep for Girls & Solar Prep for Boys
Best Team Sign:
- First Place: Kahn & Moreno
- Second Place: PTAA North Dallas & Stemmons
- Third Place: Cochran & Truett
