Melissa High School Academic UIL has been named the 2026 UIL Academic District Champions, marking an outstanding achievement for Cardinal students. Competing at the UIL District Academic Meet, MHS earned 18 Regional Qualifiers along with 10 individual and team District Champion titles. Students demonstrated excellence across a wide range of events, advancing to the Regional level in Accounting, Calculator Applications, Computer Science, Copy Editing, Current Events, Informative Speaking, News Writing, Number Sense, Persuasive Speaking, Poetry Interpretation, and Prose Interpretation.
MHS having also been recognized as the 2026 District Champions is a distinction that reflects more than success at the district academic meet. This honor highlights the continued growth and dedication of students across the entire UIL program, including the progress of the One Act Play program and the outstanding performance of the Cross-Examination Debate team, which has already competed at the state level. Together, these accomplishments showcase the depth of talent and commitment across multiple academic and performance disciplines.
Melissa ISD UIL District Coordinator, Kyle Brenner spoke on the success of these MHS students, “This championship is a celebration of brilliant young minds and dedicated teachers working together towards a common goal. I am so proud of each and every person who had a hand in this accomplishment."
“I couldn’t be prouder of our students and coaches for winning the UIL Academic District Championship,” added Melissa High School Principal Marcus Eckert. This achievement reflects countless hours of preparation, teamwork, and dedication to academic excellence. Their success represents the very best of the Cardinal Way—hard work, heart, and pride in learning."
The Melissa High School Academic UIL students will compete, once again, at the Regional Academic UIL competition, which will be held at Walnut Grove High School on April 24-25, 2026.
Congratulations to all the UIL participants and the teachers who helped these Cardinals train for the meet. Best of luck at Regionals!
UIL Academic Results
Accounting - Coached by Ashley Anderson
Karunya Thirumalasetty - District Champion/Regional Qualifier
Peter Chambers - 3rd Place/Regional Qualifier
Calculator Applications - Coached by Jill Hare
Aneesh Thoram - 2nd Place/Regional Qualifier
Gautham Valavala - 4th Place
Oshitha Naguboina - 6th Place
Computer Science - Coached by Kyle Brenner
Nathan Goodman - District Champion/Regional Qualifier
Sai Rishi Kancharapalli - 6th Place
Copy Editing - Coached by Karla Romero Paramo
Sam Dixon - District Champion/Regional Qualifier
Current Events - Coached by Kyle Brenner
Paziliya Alim - 2nd Place/Regional Qualifier
Sage Gillen - 4th Place
Hayden Maynard - 6th Place
Editorial Writing - Coached by Karla Romero Paramo
Sam Dixon - 5th Place
Headline Writing - Coached by Karla Romero Paramo
Ally Eckert - 6th Place
Informative Speaking - Coached by Brenden Dimmig
Sage Gillen - District Champion/Regional Qualifier
Keagan Brenner - 3rd Place/Regional Qualifier
Paziliya Alim - 5th Place
Lincoln Douglas Debate - Coached Brenden Dimmig
Aden Cruse - 2nd Place
Ayan Bhardwaj - 3rd Place
Deacon Laber - 6th Place
Mathematics - Coached by Jill Hare
Aneesh Thoram - 4th Place
Peter Chambers - 4th Place
News Writing - Coached by Karla Romero Paramo
Sam Dixon - 2nd Place/Regional Qualifier
Number Sense - Coached by Jill Hare
Ian Dawson - 2nd Place/Regional Qualifier
Peter Chambers - 5th Place
Persuasive Speaking - Coached by Brenden Dimmig
Pradnya Chakka - District Champion/Regional Qualifier
Tanya Prashanth - 2nd Place/Regional Qualifier
Skylar Scott - 3rd Place/Regional Qualifier
Poetry Interp - Coached by Aubrey Lee
Mackendra Quartey-Papafio - 2nd Place/Regional Qualifier
Allison To - 3rd Place/Regional Qualifier
Bhavishya Devireddy - 6th Place
Prose Interp - Coached by Aubrey Lee
William Davidson - 2nd Place/Regional Qualifier
Colby Lanz - 6th Place
Ready Writing - Coached by Kyle Brenner
Demilade Omiyale - 6th Place
Spelling - Coached by Callie Barge
Shivashish Dahal - 4th Place
Overall
District Champion Accounting Team (Regional Qualifier)
District Champion Calculator Applications Team
District Champion Current Events Team
District Champion One-Act Play
District Champion Speech & Debate Team
Computer Science Team - 2nd Place
Mathematics Team - 2nd Place
Number Sense Team - 2nd Place