Following all their hard work, last year’s Aledo High School UIL participants described their experience after the campus was awarded the Lone Star Cup.

The Lone Star Cup is the combined effort of 497 students who competed in athletics, arts, and academics for the winning prize. With 104 points, they won the Class 5A Lone Star Cup. Principal Micheal Martinak expressed his Bearcat pride.

“This award is about more than just winning—it’s about the culture of excellence we’ve built together,” Martinak said. “It validates their efforts across academics, athletics, and the arts, while also reinforcing the idea that success comes from balance, perseverance, and collaboration.” It represents how the campus comes “together to create something bigger than ourselves” according to Martinak.

Sophomore Bryar Sapp believes that the “community aspect of it was just so unforgettable.” After participating in the One-Act play Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead as Tragedian, Sapp said: “Just feeling the energy in the room and stepping onto that competition stage for the first time, it’s just so amazing. I don’t think I would change anything.”

Along with teamwork, the award reflects a campuswide dedication. Junior flute player Mia Hernandez describes her diligence in band. “It’s a lot of work to make our show look good and sound good, but it was worth it,” Hernandez said. “To me, the Lone Star Cup is just kind of a symbol that our hard work really does pay off.”

This coming year of UIL promises hard work across academics, athletics, and the arts. Senior first baseman Jackson Loos plans to have the same mindset as last year. “Coach Barry always says we have a target on our back, and we’re gonna get everyone’s best,” Loos said. “That’s just gonna be even more true this year knowing we’re trying to defend the state title.”