Taft High School (Texas)

Taft High School is a public high school located in the city of Taft, Texas, in San Patricio County, United States and classified as a 3A school by the UIL. It is a part of the Taft Independent School District located in east central San Patricio County. In 2013, the school was rated "Met Standard" by the Texas Education Agency.^[2]

Extracurricular activities

Taft participates in numerous activities mostly as part of University Interscholastic League in District 30 2A, after being realigned from District 30 3A following the 2003-2004 school year. Taft is the second largest school in District 30, behind George West High School. It is also has a branch of the National Honor Society and an active Student Council.

Sports/athletics

Through UIL Taft participates in football, cross country, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, track and field, and golf. Taft also participates in powerlifting through the Texas High School Powerlifting Association attending the state competition many times over the past decade. The varsity basketball team has been state ranked for the past two years.

Current Athletic Director: Pete Gujardo

Girls Coordinator: Tasha Wilson

Taft achievements

• Thomas Putnam attended the State meet in powerlifting finishing 4th.
• Daniel Badillo attended the state meet in powerlifting finishing 6th.
• DJ Castro reached state for cross country 1999 & 2000 and track in 2001.
• Michael Castro reached state for cross country 2005 and track 2005 & 2006.
• Taft Football goes to play-offs since 13yrs. Class of 2007.
• 2008-09 Varsity Basket Ball team receives All District 10-0.
• Eric Luera receives MVP 1st All District for 08-09 school year.
• Taft Football goes to play-offs since 2006-2007 school year. Class of 2010.
• Taft football becomes district champs in District 2A-16.

Academic competitions

Taft participates in the majority of UIL events led by Ms. Mary-Jean Wolter for over 14 years. In 2006, the UIL Team placed 3rd overall at district competition in Falfurrias with six advancing to regional competition. Sarah Bailey and Lee Dykes came within points of advancing to state in Computer Applications and Computer Science respectively. In 2007, the team placed 4th overall at district competition with four advancing to regionals in eight events.

Computer science

The two year district champion(2005,2006) Computer Science team also competes in hands-on Texas Computer Educator Association competition. In 2007 Lee Dykes and Thomas Putnam qualified for the state TCEA Programming competition. The team of Lee Dykes, Thomas Putnam, and Amanda Harbison competed in UIL 2A South Regional Competition in 2006 and the team of Lee Dykes, Thomas Putnam, Joel Reyes, and Domingo Hiracheta will compete as wildcard in the same competition in 2007. Lee Dykes was District champion in 2006 and received 2nd in District 2007 competition following the previous state champion. He advanced to state with 3rd at the regional level.

In 2008, Domingo Hiracheta also advanced to State level in TCEA as a one-man team, behind a three-man team from Port Aransas, as well as placing third individually in Computer Science Regionals for UIL, qualifying for State.

Robotics

In 2007, Taft High School participated for the first time ever in the BEST Robotics competition. Led by Domingo Hiracheta, the first-year rookie team swept the competition floor, winning the Regional Finals by 200 points. The team won a whopping five trophies, among them the Rookie Team of the Year, and Most Agile Robot.

Theatre

The school plays host to an active drama team which holds an annual talent show and participates in one act play competition. In 2006, Ariana Cancino was also selected to be part of the 2006 All-State one-act play crew. Many years the team travels to the spring Texas Educational Theater Association Theaterfest conference. The theater teacher that is currently serving Taft ISD is Amber Campbell.

Band

Taft High School Band marching in Governor Dolph Briscoe's inaugural parade, 1973

The "Band with Pride", Taft High School Band had received 21 consecutive UIL sweepstakes, until the 2006-2007 school year,which entails receiving a first division rating in marching, concert performance, and sight reading. Most years it attends three Battle of the Bands-style pre-UIL competitions. Band members are also encouraged to participate in try-outs for All-Region, All-State, and All-State Jazz bands created by the Association of Texas Small School Bands. Every third year the band travels to Florida to perform in Walt Disney World's Magic Music Days.

Winterguard

Meisha Hinojosa, Director

The band includes an active winter guard that has placed in state competition in recent years with many of its members also placing in State Solo and Ensemble competitions.

In 2007-2008, The Taft Ultimate Impact Winterguard Won State In The Novice Red Division. (300) In 2008-2009, The Winterguard Won State In Scholastic A. (Bring Me To Life)

References

External links

• Taft Independent School District website
• Greatschools.net