S&S Middle School celebrated the accomplishments of its University Interscholastic League (UIL) academic competitors during the UIL Awards Assembly held Tuesday, May 19. The ceremony, led by Principal Karen Lombard and UIL Coordinator Caitlyn Tynes, recognized students for their hard work and success throughout the UIL season. Students were presented with plaques, medals and ribbons honoring both individual and team achievements.
Fifth grade students earned several impressive awards across multiple events. In Ready Writing, Autumn Hickerson earned 2nd place individually. The 5th grade Art Smart team placed 2nd overall and included Marcela Rivas, Zalara McClusky, Autumn Hickerson, Carsyn McCauley, and Marina Guinac. The Dictionary Skills team of Zalara McClusky, Carsyn McCauley, and Autumn Hickerson also earned 2nd place. In Music Memory, Aubrey Hickman placed 3rd individually, while the team of Aubrey Hickman, Kassidy Wright, Xander Nichols, Gemma Cripe, and Marlee Bowles earned 3rd overall.
Sixth grade students also had a strong showing at UIL. Avery Heidleberg earned 1st place in Editorial Writing and 1st place in Ready Writing. The 6th grade Art Smart team of Zalara McClusky, Carsyn McCauley, and Lila Walters placed 2nd overall, while Zalara McClusky earned 3rd place individually in Art Smart. The Chess team of Wyatt Parkin, Emma Grant, and Skylar Voyles placed 3rd overall. In Dictionary Skills, the team of Zalara McClusky, Wyatt Parkin, and Carsyn McCauley placed 3rd overall.
Seventh grade students continued the success with several outstanding performances across multiple UIL events. Lily Evans earned 2nd place in Ready Writing, 1st place individually in Dictionary Skills, 3rd place in Maps, Graphs & Charts, 1st place in Mathematics, and 1st place in Science. The 7th grade Dictionary Skills team of Lily Evans, Carsyn Conaway, and Addison Lein captured 1st place overall. In Chess, Jay Carney earned 2nd place individually, while the team of Jay Carney, Dorrian Gendron, and Blair Bennett placed 2nd overall. The Listening Skills team of Mackenzie Beauchamp, Lily Evans, and Addison Lein earned 1st place overall, with Mackenzie Beauchamp placed 3rd individually. In Music Memory, Bella Martinez earned 2nd place individually and Lainey Yocum placed 3rd individually, helping the team of Bella Martinez, Lainey Yocum, Micah Fuller, Bentley Clark, and Lily Morrow earn 2nd place overall. The Number Sense team of Dorrian Gendron, Jorge Valenzuela, and Lily Evans placed 2nd overall. In Social Studies, Karsyn Mowery earned 2nd place individually, while the team of Karsyn Mowery, Jay Carney, and Lainey Yocum earned 2nd place overall.
Eighth grade students also earned numerous UIL honors across a variety of academic events. Nguyen Phan had an outstanding showing, earning 2nd place in Spelling, 1st place individually in Chess, and 2nd place individually in Number Sense. The 8th grade Chess team of Nguyen Phan, Caden Courville, and Alayna Simpson placed 2nd overall. The Art Smart team of Emma Schnitker, Emmy Muscle, Emeree Baze, Adilynn Young, and Addi Clark earned 3rd place overall. The Dictionary Skills team of Alayna Simpson, Whitley Mitchell, and Emeree Baze placed 2nd overall, while the Listening Skills team of Cash Keller, Jarred Melton, and Sheldon Jackson earned 3rd place overall. In Mathematics, Kinslee Richardson earned 2nd place individually, helping her team of Nguyen Phan and Bryce Rains capture 1st place overall. The 8th grade Music Memory team of Kabri Branton, Abigail Brubaker, Neelie Reed, Samantha Kennedy, and Everett Perez earned 1st place overall, with Kabri Branton and Abigail Brubaker each receiving individual honors. The Number Sense team of Nguyen Phan, Kinslee Richardson, and Jenna Kennedy also earned 3rd place overall.
The UIL Awards Assembly highlighted the dedication, preparation, and academic excellence of S&S Middle School students throughout the school year. Students were recognized not only for their individual accomplishments, but also for the teamwork, perseverance, and commitment that contributed to another successful UIL season for the Rams.