Cormack, Cotter medal at state UIL competition

By Melinda L. Lucas

Both Albany competitors at the State UIL Academic Meet came home with medals last Friday in journalism events.

This was the first time since May of 2019 that the state meet was held in person at Austin. In 2020, the meet was cancelled altogether due to the shuttering of schools at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2021 contest was held remotely due to the virus.

Senior Susie Cormack took fourth place in the News Writing contest out of the field of 12 writers in Class 2A. She qualified for the event after taking third at the Region II contest in April.

Sarah Cotter, also a senior, placed fifth in Editorial Writing among the 2A contestants, advancing from the regional meet with a second place finish.

“I was really happy to make it to state and medal, especially since I am majoring in journalism in college,” Cormack said. “I put a little pressure on myself to medal, but the contest wasn’t what I expected. It was really laid back and everyone was friendly, which created a good atmosphere and allowed me to relax.”

Cotter said she felt the stress of competiting.

“It was exciting to get to state my senior year and get to experience that level of competition,” she said. “It was nerve-racking during the competition, but I worked to stay calm to come out with a medal at the end. That was a great way to end my UIL career.”

Both girls have competed in UIL journalism events throughout their high school years and are both editors for the school newspaper, The Lions Roar.

“I am really proud of both the girls for getting to state and for earning medals,” journalism sponsor Donnie Lucas said. “They both went to regional competition last year and just missed advancing. This was a great way for them to end their high school journalism careers.”

Cormack is planning to major in journalism at the University of Colorado in Boulder in the fall, while Cotter will be attending Texas A&M University majoring in business.