Academic Rodeo

Academic Rodeo

Saturday, September 26, 2026

Denise Craig, Chairman - deecraig76@gmail.com

Location : Chapel Hill Elementary, Chapel Hill ISD, 1069 CR 4660, Mt. Pleasant, Texas

Sponsored by:

Pediatric Clinic, P.A.
Northeast Texas Pediatrics
American National Bank
Homeland Title Company
Mt. Pleasant Chamber of Commerce

General Information:   

All registration for events will go through the school the student attends.  To register for an event, contact your school coordinator and they will register your student for the event.  Participants for ALL EVENTS must be registered by Friday, September 11, 2026, with their school. 

All essays and posters will be collected from each school on Friday, September 11, 2026. ESSAYS and POSTERS will not be returned, please make copies prior to pick up by the Academic Rodeo representative. 
 

Because of time constraints, students will only be allowed to participate in the science fair and one other event.  

The deadline to notify us for special needs modifications is Friday, September 11, 2026.
 

NEW LOCATION: Chapel Hill Elementary, Chapel Hill ISD, 1069 CR 4660, Mt. Pleasant, TX

Winning Posters, Essay and Science Projects will be displayed at the Academic Rodeo booth in the Civic Center for the duration of the fair. Awards for ESSAY, POSTER, AND SCIENCE FAIR will be announced at the Fair’s Opening Ceremony, Wednesday, September 30, at 6 pm.  

The pick-up time for posters, essays and science projects is Sunday, October 4, 2026, between 2:00 - 3:00 pm at the Civic Center.  All projects not picked up will be discarded.

Recognition for Coaches: Please include coaches' names when registering participants.  They will receive tickets to the fair at registration for the event. 

Schedule: 
Location:  Chapel Hill Elementary, Chapel Hill ISD, 1069 CR 4660, Mt. Pleasant, Texas

Science Fair
Grade          Arrive/Set up        Present
3^rd & 4^th              9:00 am             9:30 am
5^th & 6^th              10:00 am          10:30 am
 

Storytelling (Grades 2-3)

2nd Grade    1:00 - 2:15 pm

3rd Grade     2:30 - 3:45 pm

Oral Reading (Grades 4-6)

4th Grade     4:00 - 5:15 pm

5th Grade     5:30 - 6:45 pm

6th Grade     7:00 - 8:00 pm

Math, Speech, Spelling Contests

2nd Grade      1:30 - 3:00 pm

3rd Grade       3:00 - 4:30 pm

4th Grade       4:30 - 6:00 pm

5th Grade       6:00 - 7:00 pm

6th Grade       7:00 - 8:00 pm


 

CONTEST GUIDELINES

Storytelling  - Contest Coordinator: Jamie King

 Open to grades 2 and 3

This event will be designed to follow the UIL Storytelling rules.   

1. Contestants in the second and third grades shall listen to a storyteller read a brief story (between 600 and 1100 words long) only once, and then retell that story in their own words before a judge or judges.

2. Face & hand expressions ONLY.  NO costumes or props!!!

3. There is a time limit of 5 minutes per contestant

4. Schools are responsible for selecting top 3 candidates in each grade. (NO ALTERNATE)

5. All contestants should arrive 15 minutes early for their contests.

6. Each contestant will be assigned a number.

7. An adjustable podium can be provided.

8. Small children should be left out of the speaking room.  Audience members will be allowed to enter and exit between speeches.  Room will be cleared after each grade level.

9. There will be three judges and a person to greet and register each contestant.

10. First place in each contest level will receive a $30 Award, Second place will receive a $20 Award, and Third place will receive a $10 Award. Winners will also receive a ribbon.

11. Each participant will receive an entrance ticket to the fair.

12. Winners will be announced immediately following the judges' decision in the designated area.

Oral Reading - Contest Coordinator: Jamie King

Open to grades 4-6

This event will be designed to follow the UIL Oral Reading Rules.

1. Students in grades 4, 5, and 6 read a selection of poetry. Each selection may be one poem, a cutting of a poem, or a combination of poems. The same selection may be read in all rounds, but different selections are permissible. Selections must be published although the poet may be unknown or anonymous.

2. Face & hand expressions ONLY.  NO costumes or props!!!

3. The time limit for each contestant is 5 minutes.

4. Schools are responsible for selecting top 3 candidates in each grade. (NO ALTERNATE)

5. All contestants should arrive 15 minutes early for their contests.

6. Each contestant will be assigned a number.

7. An adjustable podium can be provided.

8. Small children should be left out of the speaking room.  Audience members will be allowed to enter and exit between speeches.  The room will be cleared after each grade level.

9. There will be three judges and a person to greet and register each contestant.

10. First place in each contest level will receive a $30 Award, Second place will receive a $20 Award and Third place will receive a $10 Award.  Winners will also receive a ribbon.

11. Each participant will receive an entrance ticket to the fair.

12. Winners will be announced immediately following the judges' decision in the designated area.

Essay Contest   -   Contest Coordinator: Tara Bird

Open to Grades 3 - 6  

Grades 3-4:     100 to 200 words (must not be over 200 words) 
Can be written in Spanish for Grades 3-4 
There will no longer be a separate contest for Spanish essays. 
All essays, Spanish and English, will compete in the same Grade level contest.  

 Grades 5 – 6:     200 to 400 words (Must not be over 400 words)

1.  Essays should be on notebook paper in pencil or ink.  No typing.

2. Essays should be written during class time if possible.  Essays will be graded per STAAR criteria.  (Introduction, body and closing.)  Essay may be narrative or expository.  As part of the writing process, teachers may edit the student submissions.

3. Write the student's name, grade, school, parent/guardian's name and address on BACK of each essay.  For homeschoolers, please include a name and phone number for contact information. (Information must be on the back.)

4. Write the word count at the bottom of the essay. 

5. ESSAYS WILL NOT BE RETURNED.  Copies of the essays should be made before the collection date if your campus deems necessary.

6. First place winners of each grade level will receive $30 Award, Second place will receive $20 Award and Third place will receive $10 Award. Winners will also receive a ribbon.

7. Each participant will receive an entrance ticket to the fair.

Math Contest   -   Contest Coordinators: Robert and Cindy Perryman

1. Each team must be accompanied by a sponsor from the school.

2. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Grade Teams will consist of 4 students in the same grade level in which their team will compete.

5th and 6th Grade Contests will consist of 4 students each. Each student will compete as an individual.

3. We will do our best to meet the special needs of our participants.  Please contact the contest coordinators (Robert Perryman, robertperryman@yahoo.com or Cindy Perryman, cindyperryman@yahoo.com) to discuss testing accommodations by September 11, 2026.  Test will be provided in Spanish if requested by September 11, 2026.

4. TESTING **Teams arriving after the scheduled time will not be allowed to compete. **

a) This test will be written.

b) TEST QUESTIONS-Participants should prepare for their current grade level TEKS.

Second Grade - Addition and subtraction problems including single /double digit and double/double digit equations, number patterns, greater than and less than, and story problems.

Third Grade - Up to triple digit addition and subtraction, story problems, money, sequencing, time, place value.

Fourth Grade - Up to triple digit addition and subtraction, up to double times single digit multiplication, up to double digit division, story problems, fractions, rounding, time, place value, sequencing, measurement, geometry and anything from third grade list.

Fifth Grade - Up to triple digit addition and subtraction, up to triple digit division, 4-digit multiplication, measurement, rounding, time, ordinal numbers, money, place value, word problems and anything from 3rd & 4th grade lists.

Sixth Grade - Median, mode, mean, & range; PEMDAS, Geometry including Measurement, Algebraic Reasoning, Percentage/Ratio, Adding, subtracting, multiplying, dividing whole numbers, fractions, & decimals, improper/mixed numbers, GCF/LCM and anything from previous grade levels.

c) Each team member will receive Test A, B, C or D.  These tests have identical questions, the questions will be in a different order.

d) Each team will have one of each test.

e) Participants will be given 20 minutes to answer as many of their 60 questions as possible. Each correct answer is worth one (1) point.

f) Questions will be:  fill in the blank, short answer or mathematical solutions.

g) No calculators allowed.

6.  TESTING SITE

a) Test packets will be given to each team member upon check in...DO NOT OPEN PACKET UNTIL TOLD TO DO SO.

b) Packets will include the member's test, scratch paper and pencils.

c) Participants will write on the test - - Only legible answers will be accepted.

d) There will be no talking during testing - - all participants will remain in testing room until test is finished.

e) Four judges will monitor and grade the test.

f) One sponsor/coach per team must be in the testing site during testing.  Parents and friends are allowed to wait in the Chapel Hill Elementary Gym.

g) Grading should take approximately 20 minutes, at this time all teams, coaches, parents and friends need to be in the Chapel Hill Elementary Gym for the announcement of the winners.

h) Individual scores will not be provided.

*** During the test if a participant is caught cheating or talking, the test will be taken up and no points will be awarded. ***

7.  The First Place team will receive $30 award, Second place will receive $20 award, and Third place will receive $10 award. Winners will also receive a ribbon.

8. Each participant will receive an entrance ticket to the fair.

Poster Contest   -   Contest Coordinator:  Amy Hinton

1. All students in each eligible grade level (Grades K-6) can submit entry into the Poster Contest.  

2. The posters should be Titus County Fair related.  

3. Grades K-6 poster size 8 1/2' by 11' only. Posters that exceed or fail to reach size specifications will not be judged. Participants may use watercolors, crayons, markers, colored pencils or paints.  

4. Neatly print the student's name, school and grade level on the BACK of each entry.  Posters without this information will not be judged.  For homeschoolers, please include name and phone number in the contact information. DO NOT put the student's name, grade or school information on the FRONT of the poster. 

5. First place winners of each grade level will receive a $30 award, Second place will receive a $20 award, and Third place will receive a $10 award. Winners will also receive a ribbon.

6. Each participant will receive an entrance ticket to the fair.

7. Winners’ pictures will be taken following each announcement.

8. Posters may be used for publicity purposes for either the Academic Rodeo or the Titus County Fair.

 

Science Fair   -   Contest Coordinator:  Eric Lunsford

The science fair is open to all students in 3rd grade through 6^th grade. 

Please note the change in the schedule for the Science Fair. 

Science Project Information: All participants and parents need to read and understand the information before beginning their projects. Follow the link below to view information about science fair projects. The link is also available on the website.

EMBED: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGTjcbNcP4/l-EIrIrcLvhFgpScHVzybg/view

Important Date & Times:

Science Fair Project Set up and Presentation Times: 

Speech Contest   -   Contest Coordinator:  Erika  Lunsford

A maximum of 3 contestants from each grade may be selected by each school.

 1. Grades 2-4 Time Limit: 1-2 Minutes
     Grades 5-6 Time Limit: 3-4 Minutes

2. Face & hand expressions ONLY.  NO costumes or props!!!

3. Schools are responsible for selecting top 3 candidates in each grade. (NO ALTERNATE)

4. All contestants should arrive 15 minutes early for their contests.

5. Winners will be announced immediately following the judge’s decision.

6. Each contestant will be assigned a number.

7. Contestants may use notes.  SECOND graders may read their speech.  Contestants should be able to present their speeches without help.  If a contestant receives help, (through mouthing the words, hand gestures, etc.), it could result in point deductions. 

8.  Speeches may be given in Spanish in 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades.  (Please indicate it will be a Spanish speech on your entry form.)  This is NOT a separate contest.  All contestants will compete with their grade level.

9. There will be a time penalty of one (1) point per second over/under the time limit.  Limit twenty (20) points. 

10. There will be monitors at the door and holding rooms for contestants.

11. An adjustable podium and a speaker system will be provided.

12. Small children should be left out of the speaking room.  Visitors/Listeners will be allowed to enter and exit between speeches.  The room will be cleared after each grade level.

13. There will be timekeepers, door monitors, three judges, and a person to greet and register each contestant.

14. First place in each grade level will receive a $30 award, Second place will receive a $20 award and Third place will receive a $10 award. Winners will also receive a ribbon.

15. Each participant will receive an entrance ticket to the fair.

Spelling Bee   -    Contest Coordinator: Carrie Hefner 

Schools are responsible for selection of the TOP TWO STUDENTS in each GRADE.

Spelling lists are accessible online and may be printed.  Schools should make extra copies as needed.

Winners announced immediately following each contest. Ribbons and prize money will be given in the area designated for awards.

1.  Each student will spell one easy word for warm up.

2. Each student will stand, walk to the designated area, repeat the word to the announcer, then spell the word.  When the student is finished, repeat the word so that the announcer knows he/she is finished.

3. A student may have the word repeated once.

4. A student may ask for a sentence using the word before they begin.

5. Please discuss Homophones!  For Example:  Blue and Blew.  Remind the student to ask for a sentence.

6. Any student may repeat the spelling of the word twice as long as the sequence of the letters is not altered and they begin at the first of the word.  If the sequence of the letters is altered, it is considered a misspelling, and the student is out of the competition.

7. There will be a designated area for the students to sit once out of competition.

8. When the contestants are reduced to two, and one misspells a word, the other contestant shall spell the same word.  If the second contestant spells that word plus the next word on the announcer's list, the second contestant is the winner.

9. There will be door monitors.  Visitors/Listeners will be allowed to enter and exit between each contest.

10. Because of time constraints, the announcer and the judges have the right to move to the next list of words whenever they deem necessary.  Please have your students study their grade level list and the next grade level list.

11. First place in each grade level will receive a $30 award, Second place will receive a $20 award, and Third place will receive a $10 award.  Winners will also receive a ribbon.

12. Each participant will receive an entrance ticket to the fair.

  List of individual winners under Fair Results 2023.   2023 Academic Rodeo Sweepstakes Winners K - 2nd         Annie Sims 3rd - 4th       Corprew 5th - 6th       Chapel Hill     





 

2020 Academic Rodeo did not take place.

2019 Academic Rodeo Sweepstakes Winners
K - 2nd          Sims
3rd - 4th        Brice
5th - 6th        Chapel Hill

K - 2nd          Sims 3rd - 4th        Brice 5th - 6th        Wallace2018 Academic Rodeo Sweepstakes Winners

 

K - 2             Sims 3rd - 4th       Sim 5th - 6th       Wallace2017 Academic Rodeo Sweepstakes Winners

 

2016 Academic Rodeo Sweepstakes Winners

K - 2             Sims 3rd - 4th       Chapel Hill 5th - 6th       Chapel Hill 7th - 8th       Mt. Pleasant Junior High




2015 Academic Rodeo Sweepstakes Winners

K - 2           SIMS 3rd - 4th     SIMS 5th - 6th     WALLACE 7th - 8th     CHAPEL HILL JUNIOR HIGH

 

2014 Academic Rodeo Sweepstakes Winners

            K-2 Tie   Brice              &            K-2 Tie  Harts Bluff

           3rd - 4th  Sims                        5th - 6th  P E Wallace        

            7th and 8th MPJH