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(NEWCASTLE ISD | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Six of Newcastle’s seven UIL students pose for a photo before traveling to Austin for their state meet. The state tournament took place May 19-20. Shown in back from left to right are Cason Ford, Lucas Owen and Benjamin Burk. Shown in front from left to right are Camren Mallory, Alba Adame and Mattie Dollar. -
(NEWCASTLE ISD | CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) The Newcastle UIL calculator applications team poses with their awards after becoming state champions Tuesday, May 20. Shown from left to right are Cayden Rogers, Cason Ford, Courtney Bozeman, Benjamin Burk and Mattie Dollar.
Several scholars from Newcastle High School made their hometown community proud. After months of planning and preparation, seven UIL competitors from Newcastle traveled to Austin to compete in the state academic meet.
The competitors in question were Alba Adame, Benjamin Burk, Mattie Dollar, Cason Ford, Camren Mallory, Lucas Owen and Cayden Rogers.
These students competed in a variety of events in different categories like math, journalism, speaking and writing events Monday and Tuesday, May 19-20.
The team came home with fresh gold to put into their illustrious trophy cabinet. Both the mathematics team and calculator applications teams became three peat UIL State Champions.
Freshman standout Ford led the way by placing in all three mathematics events and finishing as the calculator applications champion.
This was especially fulfilling for Ford as it was the main event that he was trying to sharpen his skills for heading into the tournament.
“I definitely wanted, out of all of them, calculator (applications) the most,” Ford said. “That was my main goal.”
Others like Adame placed fourth in the news writing event as well as competing in the editorial event.
Everyone ultimately had a chance to show their skills that they had been enhancing for this moment all year long according to team leader Courtney Bozeman.
Bozeman said that those who compete in these events participate in rigorous training that starts in August and runs through the entirety of the academic year.
“At the beginning of the year we’re going to focus heavily on number sense,” Bozeman said. “Then we add in calculator applications, that’s all about speed and accuracy. By October, we’re taking tests everyday.”
However, in order to keep from burning out, the students in the program do a good job of keeping their training fun and competitive.
“The constant competition (with)... Ashleigh Taylor was probably a big motivator for me as well,” Burk said.
These athletes push each other to be better by wanting to surpass each other in a friendly way, according to Bozeman.
This program not only allows its competitors a chance at yearly success though, it also gives them a chance to learn enhanced skills that will propel them into their future academic lives and potentially careers after school.
Burk plans to move on to Texas Tech University in order to major in business and finance.
Lucas Owen said he plans to attend Oklahoma State University to pursue a degree in aerospace engineering.
Others, like senior Mattie Dollar and Adame, who is a junior, spoke about how they each were thinking about going down a path in nursing and the latter also might consider a career in journalism.
Each of these students claimed that the skills they’ve attained through their time in the UIL program, as well as through their competitive nature they’ve channeled working together, will help propel them to success in the future.
While some are graduating, those like Adame and Ford look to be leaders for the next young scholars to come onto the team.
