Competition for the district UIL title was neck-and-neck between Buffalo and Mildred last week, with the lead bouncing back and forth as different days of competition finished and results came in. With just one contest out, Buffalo was down by about 15 points. Three of the top four places in Persuasive Speaking, however, meant that the Bison team swept not just the Speech Team award, but the overall championship, as well, with 452.6 points to Mildred’s 434.

“We have upped our game this year, especially in the speech competition, by adding a class that focuses on competitive speaking,” UIL Coordinator Melonie Menefee said. “That along with the hard work and dedication of the students and the coaches, helped us take first place in a tough academic district.”

Buffalo claimed the district title for the first time since 2010 after three second-place wins in a row. The group took the three “big team” wins, including first place in Speech and Journalism as well as an advancing OAP. Academic event wins in other events, including a first place team win in Literary Criticism, added up for a victory as well as multiple regional qualifiers. Twelve students plus five alternates will be competing in at least 24 different events at that competition May 3.

“Since next year we are in a whole new district, it feels really awesome to say goodbye to this district as champions,” UIL Speech Coach Jill Henson said. “Our kids deserved this win!”