Western Hills Theatre Students Earn Honors at UIL Event.

The stage may not have led to the next round of competition, but Western Hills High School theatre students still brought home recognition for their work.

Under the direction of Theatre Arts Director Joshua Mata, the Cougars recently competed in a UIL theatre event and earned medals in several categories. Chris Glenn and Isabelle Woods were recognized for their acting performances, while Donte Richards received honors for sound technology.

For Mata, the night meant more than rankings. The bigger takeaway was the dedication of the cast and crew who committed themselves to telling a story on stage. Support from former students who returned to cheer on the team also stood out as a reminder of the strong community surrounding the program.

While the competition season may have wrapped up for this production, the theatre department is already turning its attention to the next show. Students are preparing for a new adaptation titled Dracula: Scattered Writings, with creative stage elements already in the works.

For the Western Hills theatre program, the medals were a welcome recognition. The real win came from the teamwork, creativity, and the continued energy of students who keep the stage alive.