Newcastle Academic Team Captures UIL Honors

For a district with barely more than 100 students in its high school grades, Newcastle ISD keeps showing that academic excellence has no size limit.

A five-member Newcastle High School academic team returned from the University Interscholastic League State Academic Championships in Austin on May 18 with another impressive collection of medals, including a fourth consecutive state mathematics championship and multiple individual state titles.

Competing in Conference 1A, Newcastle earned 83.5 points at the UIL Academic State Championship meet, finishing fifth overall in the state behind Knippa, Jayton, Gail Borden County and Rankin.

Leading the charge was Cason Ford, who cemented his place among the state’s elite academic competitors. Mr. Ford captured the state championship in mathematics and repeated as state champion in calculator applications for the second consecutive year. He also earned a fourth-place medal in number sense, giving him three individual state medals in a single year.

Mr. Ford’s accomplishments helped power Newcastle’s mathematics team to its fourth straight state championship, an achievement few schools of any size can claim.

Joining Mr. Ford on the mathematics team was senior Alba Adame, who not only helped secure the team title but also earned a fifth-place medal in mathematics. Ms. Adame added another state championship to Newcastle’s trophy case by winning the UIL state title in news writing.

Lexi Gowens also contributed to the mathematics team’s success, earning a bronze medal with a third-place finish in mathematics competition.

The team’s success extended beyond mathematics. Senior Ethan Baker brought home a fourth-place medal in social studies, demonstrating Newcastle’s strength across multiple academic disciplines.

Newcastle also placed third in the state in calculator applications, further showcasing the school’s depth in academic competition.

The accomplishments are particularly remarkable given Newcastle’s size. Conference 1A schools have enrollments of 104.9 students or fewer in their top four high school grades.