The Accounting Contest is an hour-long contest consisting of 80 – 100 questions that focus on the elementary principles and practices of accounting for sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations, and may include bookkeeping terminology, a worksheet with adjustments, income statement, balance sheet, trial balance, account classification, journalizing, posting, bank reconciliation, payroll and other items related to the basic accounting cycle. There is an accounting class and some after school practices.

Coach: Mrs. Martinez, sylvia.martinez@wyliebulldogs.org

The Calculator Applications contest involves a thirty minute test comprised of 70 mathematical problems that are solved with a handheld calculator. Calculations involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, roots, powers, exponentiation, logarithms, trigonometric functions, inverse trigonometric functions, iterative solutions for transcendental equations, differential and integral calculus, elementary statistics and matrix algebra. In addition to straightforward calculation problems, the contest shall include geometric and stated problems similar to those found in recently adopted high school algebra, geometry, and trigonometry, pre-calculus and calculus textbooks, previous contests, and UIL materials related to the contest. This contest is practiced as part of the Investigative Math class.

Coach: Mrs. Martinez, sylvia.martinez@wyliebulldogs.org

The Computer Science contest challenges students to study a broad range of areas in computer science and has both an individual and a team component. Competition consists of a 45-minute written exam for both components, along with a two-hour programming contest for teams.

At all levels of competition, individual places are determined solely by written exam scores. All contestants compete for individual honors at all levels of competition. Individuals placing first, second and third advance to the next level.  For the team component, the team’s top three scores on the written exam are added to its score in the programming session to produce an overall team score. First-place teams advance to the next level of competition

Java is the programming language. The Computer Science I/II classes will help prepare you for this event. 

Coach: Mr. Vann, john.vann@wyliebulldogs.org

The Current Issues & Events contest focuses on a basic knowledge of current state, national, and world events/issues. There are 40 multiple choice questions and one essay. The essay is intended to assess the competitor's ability to synthesize and evaluate information and present it in an informed manner. 

The multiple choice test and the essay will cover important domestic and international issues, events, and personalities. Topics tend to (but do not always) fall in to the following categories:

• War & Conflict

• International

• Domestic

• Economics

• Science / Technology / Environment

• Education / Awards / Honors / Media / Deaths

• Texas 

This contest is practiced as part of the UIL Literary class.

Coach: Mrs. Harrison, kendall.harrison@wyliebulldogs.org

There are two essay competitions that provide exciting opportunities for students to explore the contributions of historically underrepresented groups to the history and culture of Texas. With a focus on original research and the use of primary sources, students are encouraged to look to their own communities in finding topics for the essays. 

Both competitions are open to all students in grades 9-12 attending UIL member high schools. All entries submitted according to contest guidelines will be evaluated by experienced judges. State finalists will be selected from the entries submitted for each competition. Students selected as state finalists will be considered for state awards and have the opportunity to have their work added to the historical record of the state of Texas. All students selected as state finalists will also become eligible to apply for TILF scholarships; the TILF program provides dozens of scholarship opportunities each year.

Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition:

Founded in 1995 as an event sponsored by The University of Texas at Austin, the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition moved to its new home with UIL Academics in 2011-2012. The competition provides students an opportunity to explore the contributions of African Americans to Texas history, as well as honoring the legacy of its namesake, Barbara Jordan. The theme of the competition is "African Americans in Texas: Past and Present."

Latino History Essay Competition:

Founded in 2011 by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at UT-Austin, the Latino History Essay Competition has found a new home with UIL Academics beginning with the 2012-2013 school year. In its initial year the competition was open to students in South Texas; beginning with 2012-2013 entries will be accepted from students statewide. The theme of the competition is "historical and cultural legacies of Latinos in Texas history."

Coach: Mrs. Kirby, holly.kirby@wyliebulldogs.org

There are four different film categories in which you can enter an original piece. The four categories are: Narrative Film, Documentary Film, Digital Animation, and Traditional Animation. Narrative and Documentary films should be 3-7 minutes in length and Animated films should be 30 seconds to 3 minutes. The listed times include any credits.

Coach: Mr. Shoemake, christopher.shoemake@wyliebulldogs.org

There are five Journalism contests students can enter: Copy Editing, Editorial Writing, Feature Writing, Headline Writing and News Writing. You must enroll in the Newspaper class to participate in these events.

Copy Editing teaches student the vital skills of proofreading and editing to create accurate, clear and succinct writing. Emphasis is placed on the ability to find and correct grammatical, spelling, punctuation, AP style and factual errors.

Editorial Writing 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, news judgment, and the ability to think deeply, to compare and contrast and to argue or defend a point of view persuasively.

Feature Writing teaches student 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 other UIL Journalism Contests, as well as the ability to write descriptively.

Headline Writing 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.

News Writing 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.

Coach: Mrs. Gilreath, kathryn.gilreath@wyliebulldogs.org

The Literary Criticism Contest is a ninety-minute test in which the competitor's familiarity with the concepts associated with literary analysis and the authors and works that represent English-language literary history is assessed. Students will need to study the Handbook of Literature as well as be familiar with the chosen novel, drama, and selection of poetry that changes each year. This contest is practiced as part of the UIL Literary class.

Coach: Mrs. Kirby, holly.kirby@wyliebulldogs.org

This contest includes a 40 minute multiple-choice exam with 60 questions. The contest is designed to test knowledge and understanding in the areas of basic mathematics, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, Math Analysis, Analytical Geometry, Pre-Calculus and Elementary Calculus. This contest is practiced as part of the Investigative Math class.

Coach: Mrs. Martinez, sylvia.martinez@wyliebulldogs.org

The Number Sense contest is a 10 minute, 80 question mental math test covering all high school mathematics courses. Shortcuts need to be developed and practiced in order to compete and finish the test. This contest is practiced as part of the Investigative Math class.

Coach: Mrs. Martinez, sylvia.martinez@wyliebulldogs.org

In the Ready Writing contest, students are given two hours to write an expository essay. They have a choice between two prompts, each an excerpt from literature, publications (past and present), or speeches. Expository writing explains, proves, or explores a topic in a balanced way, allowing the argument and the evidence given to be the deciding factor in the paper. The composition is judged on interest (60%), organization (30%) and correctness of style (10%).

Coach: Mrs. Jordan, rachel.jordan@wyliebulldogs.org

The purpose of the Science Contest is to challenge high school students to do a wide range of reading in biology, chemistry and physics, to gain an understanding of the significance of experiments rather than to recall obscure details, to be alert to new discoveries and information in the areas of science, to 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. The contest consists of a two-hour objective test with 60 questions – 20 from biology, 20 from chemistry and 20 from physics. This contest is practiced as part of the Investigative Math class.

Coach: Mr. Weatherman, scott.weatherman@wyliebulldogs.org

The Social Studies Contest consists of 45 objective questions and an essay. Students are expected to master primary reading selections, as well as specific documents, and to be familiar with general-knowledge social studies concepts and terms. Each year, the contest focuses on a different topic area and a reading list that is provided by UIL. This contest is practiced as part of the UIL Literary class. Summer practice and after school practice are offered.

Coach: Mr. Dowell, garrett.dowell@wyliebulldogs.org

Each year, the UIL Spelling and Vocabulary Contest is based on a different vocabulary list provided by UIL and consists of a three-part test:

Part I:  A fifteen-minute section of 30 multiple-choice items focused on vocabulary and proofreading, and...

Part II & III:  The hand-written spelling of 70 words pronounced aloud to contestants, as well as a tiebreaker section of 20 additional pronounced words.

This contest is practiced as part of the UIL Literary class.

Coach: Mrs. Kirby, holly.kirby@wyliebulldogs.org

The UIL speech program consists of events divided into three basic skill categories: debate, oral interpretation and extemporaneous speaking. Students are permitted to enter two events in speech, and Cross-Examination Team Debate. 

There will be Saturday tournaments in which you will be required to participate.

The available contests are as follows:

(1) Debate. (You must enroll in the Debate class.)

(A) Cross-Examination Team Debate

(B) Lincoln-Douglas

(2) Interpretation.

(A) Prose Interpretation

(B) Poetry Interpretation

(3) Extemporaneous Speaking.

(A) Informative Speaking

(B) Persuasive Speaking

Coaches: Mrs. McMillan & Mr. Shoemake

leianne.mcmillan@wyliebulldogs.org & christopher.shoemake@wyliebulldogs.org

The UIL One-Act Play contest is a competition where similarly sized Texas schools present an 18-40 minute play and may be adjudicated by a panel of three judges or a single judge. The contest is held on a single day and open to the public. There are six possible levels of competition: Zone, District, Bi-District, Area, Region, and State. At each level of competition a judge awards individual acting awards as well as selecting three productions to advance to the next level of competition up to the Regional Level where only two will advance to the State Level. After the awards are announced a Judge gives an oral critique to each of the schools. High School One Act Play consists of actors, set design, and crew. After school practices will be required to participate.

Coach: Mr. Shoemake, christopher.shoemake@wyliebulldogs.org