BHS Social studies team — Pictured are Coach Penny Leake, Ian Zavadil, Nicholas Brown, Nicholas Zaragoza and Jordan Cole Wilborn. The Bishop High School Social Studies team had another successful year in UIL Academic competition. The Civil War was the topic of study this year.

Students had to adequately answer 40 questions based on The Civil War by Bruce Catton, document based questions, and general knowledge questions.

At district competition in Santa Rosa, they placed first as a team with Nicholas Zaragoza, Jordan Cole Wilborn, Ian Zavadil, and Nicholas Brown placing first, second, third, and fourth, respectively.

The first place team advanced each member to Regional UIL competition, where they competed against some of the brightest minds our region has to offer. At region, Nicholas Zaragoza placed third overall, qualifying him for state competition scheduled for May.

“I’ve always been confident that Nick would advance to state, so I’m not surprised, just very proud,” Coach Penny Leake said.

At state competition, the competition grew noticeably harder. Nicholas tried his hardest and while he did not place within the top eight, he competed against some of the smartest minds in the state of Texas.

“I’m still in shock from that test,” said Nicholas Zaragoza a few days back from competition. “It was the hardest test I’ve ever taken,” Zaragoza said.