CTE (career and technology) UIL Firefighting, EMT (emergency medical technicians) and Law Enforcement teams competed at the Regional Competition Dec. 7 hosted by the school. All teams won in multiple categories. Winning teams will compete at the state meet Feb. 22 in Houston.
“I was happy,” junior Leila Harvey said “Like, I love all my seniors and they are the closest to me. I am just generally happy, like, we all won.”
Firefighting competed in five events, each one advancing to state.
“I was in absolute disbelief, ‘cause I thought that our other team was going to get first and that we would have gotten second,” senior Wren Garner said. “That was just dead set in everyone’s mind, and then the fact that they didn’t win anything and we got first was insane to me. And I messed up so hard at bunker gear drills. I didn’t expect to place at all, so the fact that I get to go to state for that is incredible.”
EMT competed in one team event and won 1st in EMT Response.
“I was excited,” Harvey said. “I was actually finally happy for once in my life. Like, I know it’s sad but, like, I’ve never competed in anything, and I won something, and I and mom-proud.”
Law Enforcement competed in seven events, winning in four events from last year and two new events.
“I felt confused,” sophomore Paciencia Aguayo said. “I was like, ‘how did I win?’” Aguayo said. “Because I thought I messed up a lot but it also felt amazing because of the anticipation of the third, second and then first. It felt nice knowing that I was the best of, you know, all of them. I just didn’t feel like I was going to be good enough to make it to state and then knowing that I have made a lot of progress in the last week and then it paying off. It felt amazing.”
Originally, Texas Public Service Teacher Association (TXPSTA) Competitions were hosted in San Antonio, but due to budgeting issues the city was unable to host it, alongside the other surrounding schools. Wanting the CTE programs to compete, Law Enforcement teacher Michael Tatum and Firefighting and EMT teacher Ted Haviland seized this opportunity to bring the competition home.
“In September, when schools were asked if anyone wanted to volunteer, I thought, ‘Hey, we can totally do this!’” CTE Director Elizabeth Haviland said. “It is a two-year commitment for a school to host, and why not show off our wonderful school, students and community?”
Principal Paul Weinheimer expressed how much Badger Pride he was filled with knowing how many kids from the school wished to serve in such programs and how many local firefighters, EMS, police officers, state troopers and all kinds of public personnel came to such an important event.
“I didn’t really feel anything,” senior Darus Potts said. “ I mean, the only time I actually felt nervous was actually going into the event. Other than that, seeing all of them, I felt honored because they were there to watch their work, do their jobs that they’re already doing day to day 24/7.”
However, for the teams that competed it took more than only the CTE teachers to help them. Each CTE Program had some sort of leadership to help shape newer members.
“It’s incredibly important to have leadership in this program,” Garner said. “It’s essential to have a system or hierarchy. If I can’t get them to heel, Tony [Carey] can, and having students in charge gives our Fire 1s something to try for.”
Since each CTE Program lost many seniors from last year, current seniors work with one another in order to create a strong team.
“I am trying to create a team that can win and be proud of their own achievements,” senior Lena Jefferies said. “Previous years have been referenced, mostly to see if we are on track. Otherwise, I think that the team has greatly improved, even with the problem of having to have extra practices.”
Before competition, newer members were tested each day in their particular events to help train them, which helped them see just how much improvement they made in such a short amount of time.
“The teams have improved so much since the first practice,” sophomore Kirra Hunter said. “At the first practice, some of us didn’t even know how to handcuff, and I can say now that most of us can handcuff in under 30 seconds.”
However, practice wasn’t the only way to help the teams perfect their techniques and events. Words of critique and encouragement played a huge part in shaping the teams to go as far as they did.
“As one of the leaders, I try to use words of encouragement as much as possible because I look at as I was there once and knowing what is being done right helps just as much as to hear what needs to be improved,” senior Jonathan Harris said. “My teammates and I criticize one another in a way of trying to encourage growth and correct the mistakes that are seen.”
