Leander ISD is proud to announce that Rouse High School journalism adviser Shelby Nickells has been named a 2025 UIL Sponsor Excellence Award winner. The award celebrates only 15 sponsors across the state of Texas who enable students to develop and refine their extracurricular talents to the highest degree possible within the education system.
Nickells has coached UIL copy editing, news writing, feature writing, editorial writing, headline writing and ready writing for the past six years. She has built a consistently competitive journalism and writing program, producing district, regional, and state‑level achievers while leading and supporting the broader UIL academic program.
Since 2023, she has served as the UIL academic coordinator for Rouse High School and frequently assists at invitational meets by proctoring and grading journalism events.
“Shelby embodies everything we want an educator to instill in our students,” said Rouse High School Principal Vincent Hawkins. “Her passion, dedication, and remarkable talent reflect the very best of our profession. I wish every student had the opportunity to learn from Ms. Nickells.”
While Nickells did not originally plan to become a teacher, once she stepped into the classroom, she knew it was the right path. “Helping students develop a passion in the field of journalism is the best thing in the world,” Nickells said. “Seeing my students create beautiful work whether it be written, photographed or designed constantly amazes me. I wouldn’t trade the opportunity to train students for tomorrow’s newsroom for anything.”
In recognition of her achievement, Nickells will receive $1,000 and a symbolic memento from the UIL.
