LCM has a reputation for doing well at UIL academic meets, with most competing students participating in more than one academic competition. Sophomore Wyatt Wilson is one of many, as he participates in mathematics, calculator, number sense, computer science and accounting. Wilson is advancing to Regionals in all categories except for accounting, and he will compete this Saturday at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches.
There are a multitude of UIL academic events, ranging from speech events to math and science events.
Some of these events are individual, and some are team based. For Wilson, both number sense and mathematics are individual events in which he placed first at the district competition. Computer science and calculator are team events that Wilson takes part in and both teams placed first at district competition. Wilson will be swapping number sense for computer science at Regionals.
As one would expect, the dedication and time it takes to fully put effort into five separate events is taxing, yet Wilson’s drive for success comes from a simplistic place.
“I enjoy them, and I enjoy the time I get to spend with most of the people competing alongside me,” Wilson said.
Despite each event being in separate categories, most of the events Wilson takes part in are test based.
Number sense is a 10-minute test where no non-paper calculations are allowed, and calculator is a 30-minute test of word and geometry problems. Math is a 40-minute test with 60 questions entailing anywhere from 8th grade to college level math, and computer science is a 45-minute written test and a two-hour collaborative programming session with two other teammates.
“Computer science practices every Monday and Thursday by taking a practice test and reviewing it afterwards to see what we don’t know,” Wilson said. “I tend to warm up for an event by going through a practice test just before it begins.”
A large part of a successful team at UIL events is the coaches.
“I love the coaches,”Wilson said. “I wouldn’t be able to learn nearly as much as I do without their guidance.”
