Computer science and journalism students placed among the best in Class 5A at the academic UIL state competition in Austin on Friday, May 4.

Computer science won second place as a team for the second straight year, with freshman Mark Wen placing second and senior Sam Bell, last year’s state champion, tied for third place.

“[UIL state] was a really cool experience,” Wen said. “I was on a team with three other seniors, so as a freshman, it was really something special. I got second place, which I think is a really great achievement, especially as a freshman. I’m aiming for first the next three years.”

In journalism, sophomore Kelsey Carroll won fourth place in feature writing. Senior Hannah Ortega won third in headline writing. Ortega said it was “special” to make it back to state with Carroll after both qualified, but didn’t place, in feature last year.

“This is my first state title, and I’ve been doing UIL events since sixth grade,” Ortega said. “It was just very fulfilling, and I’m proud of how everyone did.”