Submitted by Student Activities Department
Over 2,000 elementary school students visited Skyline High School to participate in the spring University Interscholastic League A+ competition.
Hosted by the Student Activities Department, the annual competition provides elementary students the opportunity to compete in various academic events, including:
- Chess
- Puzzles
- Creative writing
- Dictionary skills
- Listening
- Maps
- Graphs and charts
- Number sense
- Ready writing
- Science
- Social studies
- Spelling
- Storytelling
High fives and encouraging words could be seen and heard throughout Skyline High School as the students walked in and out of the competition sites throughout the day.
Support from coaches fosters a love of learning and competition that creates memories students take with them into their adult lives, said Itzel Davis, UIL coach at Celestino Mauricio Soto Jr. Elementary School.
“I did UIL in my district back in the 2000’s and I still remember being in ready writing and dictionary skills,” Davis said. “I remember winning my trophies and the sense of accomplishment I felt. I remember everything about these experiences, and I only did it in middle school and high school. One of the reasons I wanted to teach was for fun learning experiences like these.”
The relationships she builds with students throughout the year are some of her favorite parts of the program, said Allison Varner, a UIL coach from Mount Auburn S.T.E.A.M. Academy.
“Many times our one-on-one time is spent with students who are behind, but this gives us an opportunity to meet and engage with students who are on track as well,” she said.
