LHISD Earns Top 10 Finish in Statewide UIL Lone Star Cup Standings

LIBERTY HILL, Texas — Liberty Hill ISD is celebrating a top-10 finish in the final 2025 University Interscholastic League (UIL) Lone Star Cup standings for Class 5A, tying for 10th place out of more than 250 public high schools across Texas.

The University Interscholastic League Lone Star Cup, awarded in partnership with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance, recognizes Texas public high schools for outstanding achievement in academics, athletics, band, and fine arts. Schools accumulate points throughout the year based on their performance in district and state-level competitions. 

This year, Liberty Hill High School earned 80 points, tying with Dallas Highland Park and placing alongside some of the most competitive schools in the state.

‘'We are so proud of this accomplishment for all of our students and staff,” said Interim Superintendent Travis Motal. “This great moment is a testament to their time and dedication to our LHISD vision, where we want students to be champions in academics, character and community.”

The UIL Lone Star Cup recognizes excellence across a broad spectrum of UIL-sanctioned activities, including academics, athletics, fine arts, and other competitive programs. From football and cross country to one-act play, robotics, band, and academic contests, Liberty Hill ISD students consistently performed at a high level across the board — and it showed in the final standings.

“The Lone Star Cup measures more than just wins and losses. It celebrates balance, preparation, and pride in everything we do,” said Justin Carrigan, LHISD Athletics Director. “Together, we are not just competing; we are setting the standard for what it means to be champions in every sense of the word.”

Our fine arts programs made a strong impact this year, with standout performances in theater, visual arts, film, and band all contributing to our overall success. These achievements reflect a district-wide commitment to creativity, expression, and artistic excellence.

"Fine arts programs foster creativity and promote excellence in individual and group performance,” said Luis “Chico” Portillo, LHISD Director of Fine Arts. “These programs help to build well-rounded students. It is clear our students and teachers continue to achieve a high level of success.”

This recognition is about more than rankings. It’s about the effort we see from students and staff every single day—in classrooms, on practice fields, and performance stages.

“Finishing in the top ten of the Lone Star Cup is a tremendous honor and a true reflection of the hard work, dedication, and talent of our students, coaches, teachers, and sponsors,” said Bryon Ellison, Liberty Hill High School Principal. “At Liberty Hill High School, we take great pride in pursuing excellence in academics, fine arts, and athletics, and this recognition shows the strength of our well-rounded programs and the commitment of our entire Panther community.”

We didn’t bring home the top trophy this time, but finishing in the top 10 in 5A is no small feat, especially in a fast-growing district like ours. It’s a powerful reminder of what we’re capable of when we focus on the whole student experience.

As we gear up for a new school year, we’re proud to carry this momentum forward. The Lone Star Cup points to past success, but more importantly, it reinforces our commitment to Building Champions in Academics, Character, and Community.