On March 28, 2025, Jesuit Dallas competed in UIL District 7 academics competition at Berkner High school. The Jesuit teams brought home historic wins and placing top ten in each category with many qualifications to Regionals. They had to face three Irving schools: Irving, Irving MacArthur, and Irving Nimitz.
Results: https://postings.speechwire.com/r-uil-academics.php?conference=6&district=7&seasonid=17
Jesuit Math Team:
Joseph Bui ’28; Ryan Tian ’27, Christian Raju ’27, Noah Farhenbruch ’27, Vincent Brancaccio ’26, Yifan Hou ’26, Bennett McPhaul ’26
Calculator Applications
The Calculator Applications test involves solving 70 questions split into 35 numerical problems, 21 word problems, and 14 geometry problems with efficient control of their calculator. As the problems arise, the difficulty ramps up from basic geometry to differential and integral Calculus.
Taking this arduous task, the team consisting of Joseph Bui ’28, Ryan Tian ’27, and Vincent Brancaccio ’26 placed first, fourth, and fifth respectively, tremendously placing first as a team with a score of 347 crushing Irving MacArthur’s score 193. They placed first as a team and qualified to Regionals.
Math
Given forty minutes, students attempt to solve 60 math problems ranging from Algebra I to AP Statistics level work. Each question being in multiple-choice style in some word problem or geometric analysis, this contest fosters strong, critical thinking and boasts a diverse range of topics ready to eager any young mathematician.
Competing in this contest are Yifan Hou ’26, Ryan Tian ’27, Bennett McPhaul ’26, and Vincent Brancaccio ’26. Respectively, they placed first, third, eighth, and ninth with a total of 226, taking home first place as a team and qualifying to Regionals.
Number Sense
While a simple contest conceptually, the Number Sense test is a brutal 80 questions done within 10 minutes, from simple arithmetic to large and complex equations. All done mentally, knowledge of math tricks, understanding of the topics assessed, and residual practice are critical to success.
Accomplishing this feat, Jesuit won first place and qualifying to Regionals in Number Sense as a team with Joseph Bui ’28 placing third, Vincent Brancaccio ’26 placing fourth, and Noah Fahrenbruch ’27 finishing fifth, and Christian Raju ’27 finishing fifteenth with a total score of 143
Literary Criticism
This test consists of four parts: Knowledge of Literary Terms and Literary History, knowledge of the UIL Reading list (differs year to year), Ability in Literary Criticism, a Tiebreaking Prompt if needed. This daunting task tests students’ knowledge in the profound scope of literature from western literary canon to British literary history and their analysis of the topic. Remembering and interpreting dramas, novels, and poems offer greater insight to these events and thoroughly explore their comprehension, an excellent test to Jesuit’s English skills.
Anthony Castro Navarro ’27 placed third and qualifying to Regionals, Bennett McPhaul ’26 placed seventh, and William Wayne ’26 tied for ninth, placing second as team with a score of 125.
Ready Writing
Just as it sounds, this contest requires writing an expository composition between two prompts, often from literature works, speeches, or other publications, within two hours.
Bennett McPhaul ’26 placed second and Jake Chostner ’25 placed third, both qualifying to Regionals.
Spelling and Vocabulary
This contest consists of 30 multiple-choice vocabulary questions done in fifteen minutes following a spelling test over 70 random words pronounced aloud. Another 20 words are tested as a tiebreaker.
Andrew Finger ’27 placed second with a score of 48 and qualified to Regionals, and Beck Berry ’26 placing fourth with a score of 31.
Conclusion
After this momentous District competition, Jesuit hopes to continue its success following the Regionals event on April 26th at Prosper High School.
“Jesuit entered a record number of competitors in the UIL Academics District competition this year, thanks to the direction and willingness of our coaches — Mr. Maddox, Mrs. Gordon, Mr. Nava, Mr. Nielson, and myself. All of the coaches were very pleased with the outstanding results at the District Meet and believe our chances at Regionals look promising. The qualifying participants are working diligently to make their mark at Regionals. Hopefully, next year, we can enter more students by adding new events to our repertoire.” – mS. FARRELL
