Senior Morgan Knobloch and junior Maeley Herring competed in the state UIL meet May 24 at the University of Texas in Austin.

Herring placed third in news writing, and Knobloch won first in news, second in feature writing and first in editorial writing; the senior also received Tops of Texas for her editorial. The two combined to win the state championship for the journalism team.

“I couldn’t imagine a better way to end my senior year,” Knobloch said. “I’m so thankful for the opportunities UIL brought me and all the wonderful people I’ve become so close to through it. Winning Tops of Texas was a dream come true.”

At the regional meet April 22 and 23, the academic team placed fourth overall out of over 30 schools. The journalism team won the regional championship.

“I am extremely proud of my journalism team,” adviser Carol Cox said. “These girls have worked hard to prepare.”

Knobloch placed second in news writing, feature writing and editorial writing.  She also received fourth in ready writing and fifth in headline writing.

“Being on the newspaper staff has helped improve my writing skills,” she said. “I’ve written so many stories over the past four years. The experience has helped me a lot, and Ms. Cox has taught me how to be a better journalist.”

Junior Maeley Herring placed first in the news writing competition and fifth in feature writing.

“I was very thankful and excited to advance to the state competition,” she said. “This opportunity was a great experience, and I’m happy I got to go with Morgan.”

Just short of advancing, senior Brendan Wynne placed fourth in poetry.

“I’ve never not advanced at a contest so it’s a really sad feeling to know my last go round in high school isn’t going to contain a trip to state,” Wynne said.  “It didn’t end the way it was supposed to.”

Junior Guy Richardson received fifth place in the ready writing competition.

Senior Derrik Pollock individually placed sixth in computer science.

The computer science team placed third. The team consisted of Pollock, Joseph Crouse, Lucas Howell and Jeffrey Reeve.