Sophomore Kori Adair and junior Trevor Ferril competed Monday, May 21 in Austin at the State UIL Academic Meet, bringing home two medals for their efforts. Adair placed fourth in feature writing and Ferril placed third in headline writing.
This was Adair’s first and Ferril’s third year to compete in UIL journalism. Ferril was an alternate to the state competition last year. Canyon was the only 4A school to have two students place in the top six at the state meet this year.
“Kori and Trevor did a great job representing Canyon,” said Laura Smith, Canyon High journalism teacher and UIL coach. “We were in the running for the journalism team championship and came in third overall. At this level of competition, their results are deserving of recognition.
Smith said she’s learned through the years of competitions to celebrate each state trip experience and to enjoy the moment in Austin.
“I’ve had truly excellent writers never progress this far or compete as a freshman or sophomore and not make it back,” Smith said. “Getting through district and regionals in the top three at each level in what can be a subjectively judged contest is tricky. I’m so proud of the consistent and outstanding work of these two students.”
Adair is a sophomore and a member of the Journalism 1 class.
“I’m extremely fortunate to have had the chance to go to state,” Adair said. “Placing fourth makes it even better. If anything, this was a good experience to see what I need to work on for future competitions.”
Only 12 students from each conference compete in each event and only the top 1% of student UIL journalists in Texas make it to the state meet, according to state UIL journalism director Jeanne Acton.
“The challenging thing about UIL is that, the farther you go in the contest, the more talented your competition is,” Adair said. “Once you make it to state, you’re surrounded by really good writers who want to place first just as much as you do.”
Ferril, copy editor for the school newspaper, also said he realized his competitors were accomplished writers.
“Mrs. Acton said at the start, if you’re nervous then whoever is sitting next to you probably is, too,” Ferril said. “When I was in my own competition I didn’t feel any nerves at all really. Though I did jump a little when there five minutes left, and I couldn’t think of a main head line on the last prompt.”
Ferril said that he felt his entries were solid after sharing with Smith what he wrote.
“Later on after verification she told me that I had made the top six,” Ferril said. “She already knew the results but figured it would be more fun to just leave it at that.”
The awards ceremony was held at 8 p.m. after a full day of competitions.
“My heart started pounding when they got to 4A headlines,” Ferril said. “I was just listening, hoping my name wasn’t the next one called out as she went up the list from sixth to first. At the same time, I was a little more excited each time she avoided my name.”
Ferril said he was pleased with the eventual results.
“As much as I would’ve liked to have won, I think third place is still pretty awesome,” Ferril said. “I’m definitely going to try again next year.”
