With a spike in membership in the UIL literary criticism team, junior Amber Furlow heads the team as the new captain as students prepare for the competition season.
“I was initially nervous as to how the new members would respond as I am the only returning member,” Furlow said. “It’s been exciting to see how this unique group takes on challenges and how tight-knit we have become in such a short amount of time.”
Last year, 2024 graduate Joshua Wheeler led the team, and Furlow was tasked with managing the UIL as it quickly grew in popularity. Last year the group – dubbed the Lit Critters by Wheeler – lacked enough members to even fill the allotted places on the competition team; now there are more than they are able to foster.
“With UIL competitions there is a limit with how many people can compete, unfortunately, and so we do kind of have a max capacity” sponsor Alexis Spencer said.
The group has regular practices throughout the year, accompanied by practice meets with other schools. Preparation doesn’t end there, however – especially for Furlow. As captain she is tasked with creating and distributing the study materials other members use in their spare time.
“As their coach, I really just kind of facilitate,” Spencer said. “My captain is really who leads the charge, so Amber kind of organizes most things.”
Ultimately, this preparation is not only lucrative in respect to the team’s abilities, but imperative to their success. The Lit Critters have high hopes for placement at the upcoming competitions.
“With how Amber is talking where she goes ‘yes, we are 100% going to state’ I think we’re pretty competitive,” new member junior Calvin Byrd said.
Furlow is projected to maintain her duties as captain for the remainder of her high school career. The team hopes to recruit younger members, as all of the current Lit Critters are set to graduate in 2026.
“I feel as though there is not a shortage of underclassmen in Lit Crit because they simply aren’t interested,” Furlow said. “Rather, due to the fact that they are just unaware of all the opportunities that academic UIL has to offer them.”
