The Computer Science UIL team delivered a masterclass in excellence at the Grand Oaks Invitational Meet. Their remarkable performance, marked by sweeping victories across both written and programming events, was not just a display of technical prowess—it was a testament to self-driven ambition, strategic thinking, and the undeniable power of teamwork.
In the Novice Written Event, freshman Aubrey Ames surged to the top with a first-place finish. Her performance was distinguished by both accuracy and depth of understanding. Reflecting on areas for growth, Ames remains focused on continuous improvement.
“After seeing my recent performance, I know that my main focus needs to be working on learning even more of the subject matter so I can answer more questions and build harder programs,” Ames says.
Close behind, Daniel Corley claimed third place, with Miguel Hernandez securing sixth—an impressive trifecta that showcased emerging talent.
The momentum carried seamlessly into the Advanced Written Event, where upperclassmen demonstrated their command of complex algorithms and data structures. Daniel Hoffmaster’s second-place finish highlighted his analytical precision, while Max Dean and John Lezama followed with fourth and sixth place, respectively, each reflecting the team’s depth of expertise. For Max, one problem stood out—not for its surface simplicity, but for the layered complexity beneath.
“The most challenging problem that I faced during the meet was solving for a variable, such as the equation 3x + 7 = 10, and printing the output,” Max says. “Although this problem may appear simple on the surface, it has several layers of complexity. My approach is to break the question down into its key parts. Once able to divide and conquer, I could tackle simple problems step by step until I had fully completed the problem.” He says.
Mental endurance proved just as critical as technical knowledge. The relentless pace of a 40-minute written exam followed by a grueling two-hour programming contest demanded sharp focus—a challenge Dean attributes to the strength of his team’s cohesion.
“Anyone can come to a meet and want to win medals, but it takes the ability to know that your teammates have your back,” he says. Working towards a common goal together helps me stay focused for the team’s benefit because I know that my teammates are doing the same.”
In the Novice Programming Contest, The Byters—Ames, Corley, and Hernandez—claimed first place, blending technical precision with seamless collaboration. As Ames prepares for the upcoming Tomball Memorial meet on February 21, her commitment to growth remains unwavering.
“I’ve been practicing with old tests, and I plan to work hard on studying things I didn’t know on those old tests,” She says.
In the Advanced Programming Contest, The Generics—comprising Dean, Lezama, and Jack Peterson—secured second place with strategic problem-solving that highlighted their synergy under pressure. Not far behind, the team DAD—Hoffmaster, Daniel Bachman, and Aidan Lam—clinched third, proving that consistency and communication are just as vital as coding skills.
For Max, competing in UIL Computer Science has been transformative, shaping both his academic trajectory and future aspirations.
“Competing in UIL Computer Science has helped me learn to further apply what I’ve learned at Tomball’s rigorous courses and demonstrate my knowledge to compete at a high level,” He says. “It has also helped me understand how I can use my academic knowledge in a professional setting and reinforced my interest in pursuing a degree and career in the Computer Science field.”
The Computer Science team has forged its path—driven by passion, fueled by peer mentorship, and anchored in resilience. Their triumph at Grand Oaks isn’t just a victory on paper; it’s a narrative of self-leadership, determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
