Events / CHS Sponsors:

 

Calculator Applications:	Sponsor: TBA	UIL rules (.pdf)
Calculate this: Add your math skills to a college application, standardized test or resume, and success might just be the result. Math is power in today’s job market, so multiply your potential by trying out this problem-solving contest. The contest includes calculations involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, roots, powers, exponentiation, logarithms, trigonometric functions and inverse trigonometric functions. In addition to straightforward calculation problems, the contest includes geometric and stated problems similar to those found in algebra, geometry and trigonometry textbooks, previous contests and League materials related to the contest.		Texas Competitive Math site

 

Computer Applications:	Sponsor: TBA	UIL rules (.pdf)
For the ‘tech’ generation: Become technologically savvy while testing your word processing, database and spreadsheet skills. You’ll become familiar with the finer points of computer skills such as formatting copy, editing, creating charts and integrating applications. Computer Applications focuses on word processing speed and accuracy, computer skills in database and spreadsheet, and integration of applications. Skills tested include formatting copy, mail merge, headers/footers, editing, proofreading, spreadsheet, graphs/charts, and integration of all applications.

 

Computer Science:	Sponsor: TBA	UIL rules (.pdf)
Bill Gates used to program computers in his spare time, and apparently he did something right. Get your start in computer science by learning the details of Java programming, and try your hand at writing some programs of your own. The Computer Science Contest challenges high school students to gain an understanding of the significance of computation as well as the details of Java programming, to be alert to new technology and information, to gain an understanding of the basic principles of computer science, and to give students a start in one of the most important fields of the Information Age.		Texas Competitive Math site

Cross Examination:	Sponsor: Carl Apollo	UIL rules (.pdf)
If you’ve never shied away from an argument and you have a zest for winning, give Cross-Examination Debate a try. As part of a two-person team, you will prepare your stance on a particular policy in advance and then face an opposing team in competition. You’ll have to think on your feet to defend your ideas. Cross-Examination Debate trains students to analyze a problem, conduct thorough and relevant research, and utilize principles of argumentation and advocacy in presenting the most effective case for or against a given proposition. Debate provides invaluable training in critical thinking, quick responses, defending worthy ideas and attacking invalid ideas. It teaches students to tolerate other points of view. Debate exists only in democratic societies, and no democratic society can exist without debate.

Current Issues & Events:	Sponsor: Craig Bunch	UIL rules (.pdf)
You’ll go around the world in 40 multiple-choice questions as you test your knowledge on current state, national and global events. Watching news shows will pay off when you answer the essay question at the end and take a closer look at one current event. The contest focuses on a basic knowledge of current state, national and world events and issues. The contest consists of 40 multiple-choice questions and an essay that challenges students to understand not just what is happening in the world today, but why and how it’s happening and what it means to us as citizens of the United States.

 

Editorial Writing:	Sponsor: Mary Ueland	UIL rules (.pdf)
Have you ever won a medal for simply writing down your opinion in an organized way? In editorial writing, you’ll take a stand on a controversial school issue and back up your stance with facts and examples. This contest teaches students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly, and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. Emphasis is placed on mechanical and stylistic precision, lead writing, use of direct and indirect quotes, news judgment, and the ability to think deeply, to compare and contrast and to argue or defend a point of view persuasively.

Feature Writing:	Sponsor: Mary Ueland	UIL rules (.pdf)
If you’ve got a knack for developing a story, this contest is for you. You’ll be provided with the facts and quotes you need, and then it’s up to you to piece together a journalistic feature story your readers will remember. The Feature Writing Contest teaches students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly, and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. Emphasis is placed on the same writing skills as in other UIL journalism contests, as well as the ability to write descriptively.

Headline Writing:	Sponsor: Mary Ueland	UIL rules (.pdf)
Put the finishing touches on the news as you decide what’s most important about six news stories and top them off with headlines. The challenge is to be creative in your word choice and adhere to the word and line counts as you write tomorrow’s headlines. The contest teaches students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly, and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. Emphasis is placed on the ability to discern key facts and to write with flair and style in order to tell and sell a story.

 

Informative Speaking:	Sponsor: TBA	UIL rules (.pdf)
This contest is all about watching the clock and knowing your material. You’ll draw a current event and have 30 minutes to comb through files you’ve collected throughout the year. Then you’ll present a speech that informs your audience on all aspects of the current event you’ve researched. The purpose of informative speaking is to stimulate an active interest in current affairs at the state, national and international levels, and to teach the student to present extemporaneously in a clear and impartial manner the facts about a subject as they appear in the best available sources of information. This contest is an exercise in clear thinking and informing the public on the issues and concerns of the American people. The objective is to present information in an interesting way, and an attempt should not be made to change the listener’s mind beyond presenting the information.

 

Lincoln-Douglas Debate:	Sponsor: Carl Apollo	UIL rules (.pdf)
In this one-on-one values debate, you’ll prepare to argue for and against a given resolution. After researching the topic in advance, it will be up to you to make arguments that defend your point of view and debunk invalid claims from your opponent. Lincoln-Douglas debate provides excellent training for development of skills in argumentation, persuasion, research and audience analysis. Through this contest, students are encouraged to develop a direct and communicative style of delivery. Lincoln-Douglas debate is a one-on-one argumentation in which debaters attempt to convince the judge of the acceptability of their side of a proposition. One debater will argue the affirmative side of the resolution and the other will argue the negative side of the resolution in a given round.		LD Debate Master List

News Writing:	Sponsor: Mary Ueland	UIL rules (.pdf)
In this contest, you decide what’s fit to print as you make your way through a set of facts and quotes, and pick out what’s important. You’ll work on deadline for the newspaper as you create a cohesive story that inquiring minds have a right to know. The News Writing Contest teaches students to read critically, to digest and prioritize information quickly, and to write clearly, accurately and succinctly. Emphasis is placed on mechanical and stylistic precision, lead writing, use of direct and indirect quotes, and news judgment.

 

Number Sense:	Sponsor: TBA	UIL rules (.pdf)
Ten minutes is all it takes to find out if you have good number sense. You’ll work with your coach and team to develop and practice shortcuts to solve the mental math test and still beat the clock. Make sense? This 80-question mental math contest covers all high school mathematics curricula. All answers must be derived without using scratch paper or a calculator.		Simply Number Sense site! Texas Competitive Math site Dr. Numsen home page

 

Persuasive Speaking:	Sponsor: TBA	UIL rules (.pdf)
Similar to informative speaking, in this contest you have 30 minutes to review your research files on a particular current event and come to a conclusion to argue about that topic. The goal of your speech is not just to present relevant information, but to convince your audience that your position is solid. This contest trains students to analyze a current issue, determine a point of view, and organize and deliver a speech that seeks to persuade listeners. The objective is to reinforce the views of listeners who already believe as the speaker does, but even more so, to bring those of neutral or opposing views around to the speaker’s beliefs or proposed course of action. This contest should especially appeal to those who have a strong argumentative urge and who wish to advocate reforms or outline solutions to current problems.

 

Poetry Interpretation:	Sponsor: TBA	UIL rules (.pdf)
In poetry interpretation, you’ll choose a selection that fits in the given category to present to an audience. This contest emphasizes literary analysis through expressive oral reading. The purpose of this contest is to encourage the student to understand, experience and share poetry through the art of oral interpretation. The goals of this contest are to encourage the contestant’s exploration of a variety of literary selections, and to enhance the performer’s and audience’s appreciation of literature through the performer’s interpretation of the work.		Very comprehensive list of resources!

 

Prose Interpretation:	Sponsor: TBA	UIL rules (.pdf)
Those with a flair for expressive oral reading have a chance to combine their passions in this event. You’ll select a piece of prose in a given category, then carefully explore the art of expressing it orally before an audience. This contest encourages the student to understand, experience, and share prose works through the art of oral interpretation. It encourages the contestant’s exploration of a variety of literary selections and enhances the performer’s and audience’s appreciation of literature through the performer’s interpretation of the work.		Very comprehensive list of resources!

 

Ready Writing:	Sponsor: Becka Bowen	UIL rules (.pdf)
Ready, set, write! If you like to make your own path, this contest is for you. A short prompt will provide the inspiration for your creative ideas as you explore a topic or prove a point. Students write expository compositions that attempt to explain, prove or explore a topic in a balanced way, allowing the argument and the evidence given to be the deciding factor in the paper. Students are given a choice between two prompts, each an excerpt from literature, publications or speeches. The essay is judged on interest, organization and style.

 

Science:	Sponsor: TBA	UIL rules (.pdf)
Forget just memorizing facts, because the science contest is all about the importance of experiments and scientific discoveries. Your knowledge of biology, chemistry and physics will help you select the correct answers on this 60-question multiple-choice test. Individual awards are given in each subject area, so even students who have not yet taken all the science courses can excel! The Science Contest challenges students to read widely in biology, chemistry and physics, to understand the significance of experiments rather than to recall obscure details, and to be alert to new discoveries and information in the areas of science. It is designed to help students gain an understanding of the basic principles as well as knowledge of the history and philosophy of science, and to foster a sense of enthusiasm about science and how it affects our daily lives.		Texas Competitive Math site

 

Social Studies:	Sponsor: Becka Bowen	UIL rules (.pdf)
If your interest lies in movements, wars, history, and politics, this contest will give you more than enough material to explore. The contest requires you to apply your understanding of history and culture through multiple-choice questions and an essay. The Social Studies Contest requires students to expand and apply their knowledge of governmental systems; historical trends, movements and eras; and the physical setting of the earth, particularly as it applies to cultural environments. Each year the contest focuses on a selected topic area, and a reading list is provided.		Article on the genesis of the contest

 

Spelling & Vocabulary:	Sponsor: Dennis Isbell	UIL rules (.pdf)
Whether you’ve already aced the SAT verbal section or you could use some extra practice, this contest keeps you focused on the details. By the end, you may be correcting your teachers’ spelling and using words your coach has never heard. Spelling & Vocabulary promotes precise and effective use of words. The three-part contest consists of multiple-choice questions covering proofreading and vocabulary, and words that are written from dictation. The vocabulary-building and spelling components of the contest are important complements to the high school academic curriculum and are indicative of vocabulary words contained on standardized tests such as SAT, PSAT and ACT.		Click here for an amazingly cool S&V site! :)

 

One-Act Play:	Sponsor: Carl Apollo	UIL rules (.pdf)
Before you pack up your bags and shuffle off to Broadway, try out the League’s One-Act Play contest. You’ll have the chance to work with other actors and people interested in technical theatre at your school to produce a theatrical production. You’ll get a chance to take your show on the road and compete against other schools and you might just make it to the state competition. Many of Texas’ best theatre and film professionals participated in this contest while in high school. The aims of the One-Act Play Contest are to satisfy the competitive, artistic spirit with friendly rivalry among schools, emphasizing high quality performance in this creative art; to foster appreciation of good acting, good directing and good theatre; to promote interest in that art form most readily usable in leisure time during adult life; to learn to lose or win graciously; and to increase the number of schools which have adopted theatre arts as an academic subject in school curricula.