Albany students excel at regionals

By Melinda L. Lucas

An Albany High student qualified to advance to the UIL State Academic Meet in Austin after placing in the top three at the Region 2 Academic Meet in Denison last Friday.

A total of 10 local students advanced to the regional academic meet, which was held April 25-26 in Denison, with several placing in the top six and receiving medals.

Sophomore Kylee Bennett was the gold medalist in the News Writing contest to earn a return trip to the state meet.

Charli Trail, a freshman, was fifth in the same event, and also earned a fifth place in Editorial Writing. 

Senior Avery Everitt was fourth in Editorial Writing.

Holden Sanchez, also a senior, brought home a fourth place medal in Computer Science.

“I am very proud of their performance,” Computer Science sponsor Matthew Howard said.  “They competed well and landed the sixth highest team score for Regional 2A.

Sophomore Adrian Wren and junior Marcus Valfre were team members along with Sanchez.

Jonathan Coody, John Birkla, Landon Kreitler, and Jayce Tinkle were also among the regional academic competitors.

“Jonathan missed placing in Science by just two points,” UIL sponsor Rick Davis said. “We had four students earn five medals, and our journalism team once again carried on the Albany High School UIL academic legacy.”

Davis commented that the state qualifier is a sophomore, and the students who earned two medals are only freshman.

“I’m really proud of the three journalism kids,” sponsor Donnie Lucas said. “We earned enough points to be the runner-up for the journalism team award and received a plaque.”

He commented that Bennett was surprised by her win.

“Regional is the largest group of competitors with 24 students in each event who place first through third in their district contests,” Lucas said. “Now Rylee will compete as one of the top 12 in the state.”

Lucas said that he was very pleased with Trail’s two fifth place finishes as a freshman.

“And Avery is the alternate for our region,” Lucas said. “This was her fourth year to qualify for regional in journalism events, and she advanced to state her sophomore year.”

Rylee Bennett will compete in Austin on Monday, May 19 on the campus of the University of Texas, with results announced at the awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. that evening.

“It has been another good year,” Davis said. “I was very proud of all our kids who went to regional and gave it their best shot.”