Mount Pleasant High School 2026 graduates, Brissia Alvarez and Evelyn Hernandez, have been named to the UIL All-State Journalism Staff. To qualify, students must have earned a minimum of 50 points by participating in UIL contests at invitational, district, regional and state meets, as well as ILPC and similar journalism contests at the local, regional, state and national level. To earn 50 points in one school year is no easy task. The UIL named 211 students representing 73 schools from across the state to the 2026 All-State Journalism Staff.

“I am so proud of Brissia and Evelyn and the honor of being named to the UIL All-State Journalism Staff,” said MPHS Journalism instructor and UIL Journalism Coach, John Whitten. “They have poured into the UIL Journalism program throughout their high school years and have been a huge part of the success that we have enjoyed, capped with a fourth-place finish in news writing by Brissia at the UIL State Meet in May. They are the first students to achieve this honor since I have been a UIL Journalism Coach, and they have set the bar for our expectations and hopes in our program. This is a very deserving honor for both Brissia and Evelyn and all they have accomplished.”

Alvarez now attends The University of Texas at Austin majoring in Biochemistry. Hernandez also attends UT Austin pursuing a degree in Advertising.

Photos:

1. Brissia Alvarez

2. Evelyn Hernandez