The Port Aransas UIL academic team of 21 students took the regional championship April 13 in Brenham, besting more than 70 other schools at the meet. Many of those students appeared before the Port Aransas Independent School District Board of Trustees on Thursday, May 10, to be recognized for their accomplishments. From left, back row: Gina Burgess, Ashley Hoffman, Nicole Sanchez, Patricia Stievo, Kasey Reed, John Eggleston, John Sanchez, Stephanie Meagan Jones, Greg Anderson, Elaine Franco, Clark Smith, teacher and academic coordinator Laurie Barello; middle row, from left: Sarah Armanovs, Minda Willner, Evan Arnold, Seb Tugwell; front: Brett Brogan. Not pictured: Matt Dunton, Heather Conner, Mel Fordyce, Caleb Richardson and Leah Matthews. Eight students earned a team second place and an individual second at state competition May 3-5 in Austin.

STAFF PHOTO BY DAN PARKER