Back-to-back wins highlight Albany’s programming talent
Guest Writer
Matthew Howard
Albany ISD’s recent back-to-back District wins in the UIL Computer Science contest are a triumph worth celebrating, a testament to our students’ grit and talent. That comes on the back of winning the Wylie Valentine Classic and outscoring teams from San Angelo Central and the Abilene LIFT. Even so, as one of our champs gears up for Regionals, he voiced a worry that’s all too human: what if we don’t make it to State? It’s a legitimate concern. Only the top three individuals and the first-place team (plus a wild-card second-place team) advance from Regionals to join the 100-150 state-level competitors. But here’s the thing: these young men have already stepped up and succeeded at something only 0.05% of Texas students will even take a swing at. Win or lose at Regionals, our community should rally around them for reasons that go beyond trophies.
These students, part of the 3,000 to 4,000 who compete statewide out of 5.5 million Texas students, are doing something extraordinary. They’re tackling a grueling mix of a written exam and hands-on Java programming, skills that mirror real-world demands in a nation where 300,000 to 500,000 programming jobs go unfilled yearly. Their work isn’t just about beating other schools; it’s about building a future. Every line of code they write, every algorithm they master, is a step toward closing that gap; reducing our reliance on the 200,000+ H-1B visa holders who fill U.S. tech roles annually in the place of our own children. That’s not small potatoes; it’s a big deal for Albany and America.
Even if Regionals is the end of the road this year, their impact ripples outward. These young men are proving that Albany ISD can nurture talent capable of competing with 1,400 Texas high schools. They’re inspiring peers, showing that coding isn’t just for the big cities. It’s for us, too! Their 0.05% participation rate might seem tiny, but it’s important. These young men are among the few who step up, honing skills that could land them scholarships, jobs at tech giants, or the skills to create their own innovations and businesses. As an example, our current team captain is solely responsible for coding, from scratch, the scoreboard software Albany ISD uses in the sports broadcasts each week. No other school or organization has this software. That’s pride we can all share, State meet or not.
Winning District twice running is no fluke. It’s hours of practice, teamwork, and resilience. Whether they advance past Regionals or not, they’ve already won by pushing themselves and representing Albany with excellence. Their efforts plant seeds for more students to join, growing our program and our town’s reputation. So, let’s cheer them on, not just for where they might go, but for what they’ve already accomplished. These young men are our next generation of programmers, problem-solvers, and leaders. They are shaping a brighter future for our country where our children are taking the reins, and I could not be more proud of them.
