Ten students competed on the UIL academic team at the Westwood Winter UIL Tournament, Feb. 9.

The Literary Criticism Team, consisting of Eliciano Delgado, Anuja Mohapatra and Shannon Black, took first place. Mohapatra also won fifth place in Ready Writing. Kristina Jingling won first place in feature writing.

“Winning this past competition has made me feel more prepared for district,” Jingling said. “I’m confident that the academic team will do awesome.”

Anthony Martillotti placed second and Grant Britton placed fourth in Social Studies. The Social Studies team is currently planning a trip to NASA in Houston, to get hands-on experience in space exploration, the topic this year.  Britton also placed fifth in the Persuasive Speaking.

“I am happy with getting second place,” Martillotti said. “I think one reason I did good is because I’ve been interested in space exploration since I was younger.”

Kimberly Sullivan won sixth place in Poetry Interpretation. Sierra Hernandez and Tre’mesia Thompson both advanced to the semifinals, Hernandez advanced in Interpretation and Thompson in Lincoln Douglas Debate.

This was the last meet in preparation for district.

“I thought we did well,” UIL Academic Director Pamela Bowmer said. “[For]A lot of people that went it was their first time.”