Category: Education

By Fernando Garcia

The Malakoff High School UIL Academics regional qualifiers will compete at the regional competition at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas on May 3. Nineteen, out of 31 students who participated at the district competition on Saturday, are advancing to regionals.

 The 19 students who are advancing to regionals placed either first, second or third, individually, or placed first as a team.  
“Our students have worked very hard to achieve success,” Karen Cook, Journalism coach, said. “I hope that this will encourage other students to participate.”

 Many of the participating students received first place, including Fernando Garcia for News Writing and Feature Writing, Raylee Stearman for Prose Interpretation, Kelsey Reynolds for Computer Applications, Maddie Walker for Spelling and Vocabulary, and Andrew Beheler for Computer Science. Felipe Reyes received second place for Accounting, Meaghan Morton for News Writing, and Clay Gaddis for Feature Writing. The Journalism team, the Spelling and Vocabulary team, the Accounting team, and the Science team all received first place, with the latter three advancing to regionals to participate as a team.

“The Academic UIL students demonstrated that hard work does pay off,” Chris Robinson, UIL Academic Coordinator, said. “I am extremely proud of all of these students and I am excited to see what they do in regional competition!”

The students have been preparing for their district competition since early in the school year. Those who advanced to regionals are continuing to prepare for their meet on May 3.

“We have to continue to practice and study to do well at regionals,” Kelsey Reynolds, UIL Computer Applications participant, said. “With our determination and hard work we are going to hopefully make it to state.”

((Fernando Garcia is a student at Malakoff High School.))

By Olivia Stanton

The Pride of Malakoff High School Band has definitely outdone themselves this year.

During their marching season, the band made a 1st division at every competition they attended. This landed them in the finals at the Area Competition. Out of about 20 bands, Malakoff came in 9th.

Unfortunately, they were unable to march again to compete for a spot at State because of thunderstorms. Nevertheless, they along with their band directors, Mr. Bentley, Mr. Dandridge, and Mr. Belew, are very proud of their accomplishments.

“I couldn’t be happier for them. They did so well and there is nothing I would ask for them to do better,” Mr. Bentley said.

During concert season, the band made straight 1s on stage and in sight-reading. Because of the band and directors’ dedication and time spent working on their music, they earned the highest award – the Class A Sweepstakes trophy.

The band will also be obtaining well-deserved, new uniforms for the 2014-2015 year. The uniforms will be custom made and they are all very thrilled about the new look. However, the uniforms are not just wanted, they are needed. The band will be gaining about 52 students next year and only losing seven. There are just not enough of their current uniforms to go around, but nobody is complaining about getting new ones.

Everyone is starting to notice a change in the Malakoff High School band, and it is definitely for the better. If they keep this up, they are sure to be the best band in the district.

((Olivia Stanton is a student at Malakoff High School.)