Twelve students from Milford high school competed in the UIL academic meet on March 27 and 28 at Navarro College. Tapley Strange, sophomore, advanced to the regional competition in prose.

“I’m excited about going to regionals again this year,” stated Strange. “I really like my prose selections this year and hope to make it into the finals at regionals.”

The University Interscholastic League (UIL) competition has a broad range of categories in which a student can participate. There are competitions in technology, drama and stage, speaking events, writing events, several math events, as well as those in other core curriculum areas such as history and science.

This competition allows students to interact with other participants and develop skills that students will use in the classroom and society. UIL awards scholarships to certain participants who make it to the state level.

“I’m proud of each one of our students who participated this year,” stated Principal Marilee Byrne. “UIL helps to shape our kids in areas not taught in the classroom such as leadership abilities, debating and thinking, and also how to lose or win with grace and humility.”

The UIL regional spring meet will be April 24-25 at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. The next step is the state meet for those who advance.

Not only did Milford students represent their school in the academic area, they displayed athletic abilities at the district UIL track meet April 7 in Axtel. The boys were named district champions and the girls were runner-up.

All Milford relay teams advanced to Area. There were also individual students who advanced to the area UIL meet which is held in Rice on April 16. The first four places advance. Chasity Waits placed first in discus along with Ashley Ross, first, in shot put. The boys also had several individuals who placed. Jamaar Davis took first in the 200 dash and fourth in long jump. Lee Smith also placed in the 200 dash as fourth. Jade Nagle took third in the high jump. Scott Kelley placed second in the 300 hurdles and fourth in the 110 hurdles.

“I’m pleased with our kids,” stated Coach Ronny Crumpton. “We cut our 4×4 time by 34 seconds; that’s outstanding! My boys did a fantastic job coming in first in both of their relays, too. Most of our kids are sophomores; I can’t wait to see what they will do at area.”

The relay teams consisted of Ashley Ross, Ra’Tara Singleton, Tapley Strange, and Jalessa Hightower for the 400 and 800 relays; Tapley Strange, Laura Harvey, Taylor Garza and Ashley Ross in the 1600 relay. The boys ran the 400 and 1600 relays. The team consisted of Jamaar Davis, Derek Williamson, Jamie Johnson, and Lee Smith.