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The University Interscholastic League (UIL) has named Orangefield High School teacher Misty Bellard as one of its 15 of the best UIL sponsors in Texas as the 2021 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award winners.

According to the UIL:

During her 23 years as an academic coach, Misty Bellard has had 19 total students qualify for the Computer Applications State Contest, with two of them winning a state championship. She has coached students in Accounting, Spelling and Vocabulary, and was a basketball, softball, and volleyball coach. Bellard has been the UIL Academic Coordinator for Orangefield High School for the past 15 years. She has hosted four District Debate Meets and the District Academic Meet twice.

“Competition is a vital part of life,” Bellard said. “My hope for the students that compete for me in UIL Academics is that they grow in confidence, ability, and a passion for learning. My passion is to teach my students that hard work pays off; failure will prepare them to adjust and perform better the next time.”

The winners were selected by a panel of judges in the areas of academics, athletics, and music from nominations submitted by school principals and superintendents across the state.

The award, now in its 31^st year, was created to identify and recognize outstanding sponsors who enable students to develop and refine their extracurricular talents to the highest degree possible within the education system.

“Coaches and teachers have such a difficult job, and they go beyond the call of duty to serve as UIL sponsors, coaches and directors,” said UIL Executive Director Dr. Charles Breithaupt. “UIL events function and thrive on the dedication and immense effort from sponsors like these. On behalf of the UIL, I commend these outstanding educators.”

Each winner will receive $1,000 and a symbolic memento from the UIL in recognition of their outstanding achievements in the pursuit of educational excellence through interscholastic competition. The League continually strives to strengthen and promote the role of extracurricular activities in Texas through programs like the UIL Sponsor Excellence Award.

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