Please also read the Expectations and Information page
What is UIL?
The University Interscholastic League was created by The University of Texas at Austin to provide leadership and guidance to public school debate and athletic teachers. Since 1909 the UIL has grown into the largest organization of its kind in the world. UIL helps to develop leadership, responsibility, and knowledge through practice and competition.
Why join UIL?
It is a great way to show off your knowledge and meet new people. If you are considering NJHS or NHS or other clubs/organizations, UIL is a great addition to your student resume. You also learn new skills, meet new people, and can win awards!
Who is allowed to join?
Everybody! Everybody and anybody who is a student on the HCMS campus (with an @eanesisd.net email address) is allowed to join who is in good standing, is passing, and has the determination, however, students should want to do well and want to learn more about the topic.
What does it take?
Dedication, Determination, and Discipline. Students do not need to be experts to tryout for teams.
When are tryouts?
Each coach sets up his or her own tryout time. Coaches will pass along this information to students who are interested.
How do I sign up?
In October, every student will have been sent an email with the sign up link. Students use this link to sign up.
How many students may compete in an event?
For all contests except for Art and Music Memory, each participating school may enter as many as three (3) contestants per grade level team in the district meet for each division. For Art and Music Memory, each participant school may enter as many as five for the event category. Each team is allowed one alternate if the coach chooses.
How many alternates can be named in one event from one school?
Hill Country Middle School allows for one alternate on the team to practice. On competition day, the alternate may not participate if the three other members are present. Alternates may be asked to participate in another event to help earn more points for the school. Students who have be displaced should find the UIL Coordinator and ask if they can test for another event if they would like to participate in some way.
Why are there alternate team members?
Alternates are a valuable part of the Hill Country UIL team. If a student who is supposed to test has an emergency, the alternate will be placed to test for us. Alternates are asked to attend the competition day, but they may or may not test. Students play a large role in determining the alternate of the team and how they would like the selection to be made. The coach of the team guides the team through the decision making process, but is not always the final say in the process.
May a student compete up in grade level?
Competing up a grade level is year-by-year and contest-by-contest (with one exception as noted below). At this year's meet, a 6th grader could compete in the 7th grade division of one contest and in the 6th grade division of another. That same student could also compete in the 7th grade division of that contest next year.
The only exception to this is the Science and II contests, where students are limited to one year of competition in each. A 6th grader who competes up into Science I this year would have to compete in Science II next year.
When are practices?
Each coach sets up his or her own practice time with the team. Students who make the team will be notified of these times.
For additional UIL specific information, please use the A+ Handbook button.