News

State Level Elite

Regional journalism qualifiers write state bound chapter

By Miley Pinon and Frida Estrada

May 12, 2025

Raider Smiles. Smiling brightly at the camera, juniors Iratze Rede, Aliana Acuna, Miley Pinon and Frida Estrada take a picture at Texas Tech University after competing in the UIL regional competition. Cramming last-minute practices between the competitions, the girls prepared more than ever. “I loved being surrounded by my favorite people,” Acuna said. “I honestly felt a mix of emotions because I felt confident in some of my responses but I am so happy I accomplished one of my biggest goals.”

Photo by Vanessa Martinez

Rain pounds on the hotel windows as regional qualifiers lay their heads down after a long day of competing. A chiming cell phone rings through the quiet room. Junior Miley Pinon asks junior Aliana Acuna to answer, never expecting the news that awaited them. As Acuna stumbles to the phone, the bright pixels display a call from her journalism teacher; she slides the button to accept the call.

“You two just qualified for State!” journalism teacher Vanessa Martinez said.

Attention Grabbed. Putting their full attention on the journalist in front of them, the girls got the chance to meet Lucinda Holt at Texas Tech University. Holt engaged in a Q&A about her life experiences as a journalist. “It was fascinating to hear from someone who is doing exactly what I’ve always dreamt of,” Pinon said. “Holt provided a lot of tips and tricks behind print journalism and how dangerous it can be, it only made me more interested in the journalism path.” (Photo by Aliana Acuña)

On April 26, UIL regional journalism qualifiers travelled to Lubbock, Texas, before the sun had risen to compete in the regional competition for editorial, headline and news writing at Texas Tech University. Acuna and Pinon qualified for the state competition, taking place at the University of Texas at Austin, on May 19. The two qualifications solidified the team for the sixth overall ranking in the region with 22 points.

Accomplishing dreams required hard work and dedication from the competitors. Pinon carefully studied her Associated Press stylebook every night before bed to prepare for the high-stakes competition, refreshing her mind on the newest guidelines. Pinon knew what had to be done to qualify for regionals for the second time after taking a trip with the 2024 UIL journalism team in Lubbock, Texas, the previous year.

Selfie Mode. Raising the phone up high, squeezing into the photo, juniors Iratze Rede, Aliana Acuna, Frida Estrada, Miley Pinon and Journalism Teacher Vanessa Martinez aim to get the perfect angle. On their way to the campus of Texas Tech, they board their bus. “My favorite part was being able to get closer to the people on the trip,” Rede said. (Photo by Iratze Rede)

“I went to regionals for speech last year and learned a lot from rooming with the former UIL journalism team,” Pinon said. “State qualifying for editorial is something I never dreamed would happen, and qualifying makes me one step closer to achieving my dreams of being a professional journalist.”

Along with it being both Acuna’s and Pinon’s first year competing, junior Frida Estrada was another regional qualifier and first-time attendee, placing first in News Writing at the district meet. Experience at the regional level has conditioned Estrada to move forward with her goals, even if she did not advance to state.

“I felt a lot more pressure competing for news writing at regionals than at districts because everything felt much more professional and serious,” Estrada said. “Having this experience has prepared me for next year’s UIL. It has shown me the rights and wrongs of writing a news story, and it makes me excited for the upcoming year.”

The team’s experience and efforts continue to propel them forward. Only three students out of the four regions in Texas qualify for the state competition. The UIL journalism team had not qualified for state since 2022, but now, The Legend staff has made history with two state qualifiers in the same year.

Bookworms. Posing with books, juniors Frida Estrada, Aliana Acuna and Journalism Teacher Vanessa Martinez purchased their items at the local Barnes & Noble. Reading as an off-hobby, Estrada was ecstatic when they were heading to Barnes & Noble. “When I saw the store I was so amazed it’s so much bigger than the one back at home,” Estrada said. “I bought my most anticipated book, exploring the two story Barnes & Noble was so much fun.” (Photo by Miley Pinon)

“The fact that we’ve had two girls advance to state in the same year, which we’ve never done before, says a lot about the quality of our program,” Martinez said. “It prepares journalism students not just in the yearbook realm, but in the competitive realm too. I am super excited for the two girls who worked very hard for this.”

About the Contributors

Miley Pinon

Frida Estrada, Copy Editor

Frida Estrada is the copy editor for Aztec Gold Online News at El Dorado High School. She is a junior and she has been on staff for one year. The pages she covered was Fall Tennis, DECA, Varsity Girls Soccer,Winter Fest. If shes not out reporting shes loves journaling while listening to music and hangs out with her friends.

Iratze Rede, Photo Editor

PhotoIratze Rede is a first year index editor for The Legend Yearbook. This is her first year on staff. She loves playing volleyball, going to practices, hanging out with friends and listening to music. When she is not in practice, you can find her taking picture of games.

Aliana Acuña, Photo Editor

Aliana Acuna is the Head Photo Editor for the Legend Yearbook. This is her second year on staff. She hopes to cover band, student life, and to continue building up her portfolio. She enjoys cooking, coffee, and keeping herself busy with an activity. She’s always busy doing things around the school from I.B, to STUCO and wrestling!