The Marble Falls High School Theatre program took home gold on Monday, May 18, in the 2026 UIL 4A One Act Play State Championship. This was the troupe’s first ever state championship win.
The Mustangs earned their first-place finish with their performance of “The Collective” by Jean Betts. The team took the stage on Monday night at the Austin Independent School District Performing Arts Center, facing off against performances from the other seven 4A state qualifiers.
Marble Falls actor Cameron Newell was also named best performer and outstanding performer of all the 4A state performances.
Marble Falls High School actor Cameron Newell was named best performer and most outstanding performer of all the 4A state competition. Photo courtesy of UIL
“Congratulations to the cast and crew of Marble Falls High School Theatre on an outstanding production of The Collective!,” reads a statement issued by the Marble Falls Independent School District. “Way to bring home the state championship to Marble Falls!”
The Mustangs’ win brings an end to a stellar season, with top performances at the district, bi-district, and regional levels leading up to state competition. The MFHS troupe has been on a roll for years, with 10 straight appearances in the playoffs and nine straight at regionals, four consecutive wins at regionals, and taking home silver in the 2025 UIL One Act Play 4A State Championship.
State champion cast
Bert: Cameron Newell
Bea/Helen/Mother Courage: Nina Garcia
Marilouise/Grete/Ensemble: Addison Dehorty
Bess: Elsa Vandiford
Ruth/Ensemble: Brixton Osloond
Lottie/Olga/Cathy: Raney Watson
Felix/Theatre Manager/Official 1/Heini: Evan Puga
Kurt/Ensemble: James Lawrence
Boy 3/Ensemble: Santiago Gaytan
Boy 2/Ensemble: Jayden Jayne
Official 2/Ensemble: Garrett Baertich
Marie/Heidi/Ensemble: Vivian Warren
Ensemble: Raul Moran
Jack the Ripper/Ensemble: Caylie Garay
Ensemble: Vivian Melton
Ensemble: Jennie Lynn Gage
Ensemble: Lance Rutland
State champion crew
Anthony Ruiz
Abby Kent
Ashlyn Gibbons
State champion directors
Jon Clark
Jordan Jones
Adam Goodman
dakota@thepicayune.com
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High school seniors across the Highland Lakes are prepping to cross the stage at graduation. Below are the dates, times, and locations of the commencement ceremonies taking place this week.
Times and locations are subject to change due to the possibility of impending inclement weather.
WHERE: Mustang Stadium, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls
editor@thepicayune.com
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Llano police are investigating the destruction of the Llano Trinket Box, a communal cupboard created by a local high school student to help share small treasures among the city’s residents. The recent vandalism has drawn considerable scrutiny, as the perpetrators are believed to have left a desecrated Israeli flag at the scene.
Llano High School student Kiley Sanders set up the Llano Trinket Box in the Llano Railyard District in early May. The box was open to the public, but on private property. Inside were several trinkets that could be taken and then replaced with other items by visitors.
“The reason I made this box is because I felt like Llano needed to have something fun for everyone,” Sanders wrote to DailyTrib in a response to questions. “I spent months on this project collecting trinkets and trying to make the box perfect.”
The box was reportedly smashed to pieces on the night of May 12.
Sanders shared a post on the Lake LBJ Broadcast Facebook page after discovering the remains of the box on May 13. In her post, she included photos of the vandalism, which showed an Israeli flag beside the pieces of the box. The flag appeared to have been burned. It also had the word “Die” written on it, and a swastika drawn on it. That post has since been removed.
Sanders said that she plans on putting up a new box.
“The box wasn’t up for a week before it got ruined,” she said. “But I won’t let a negative person ruin everyone’s fun.”
According to Llano Police Chief John Bauer, his department is looking into the vandalism as a criminal mischief case, but also investigating the possibility of a hate crime due to the inclusion of the Israeli flag.
“We aren’t taking this lightly,” he told DailyTrib. “If this is a prank or joke or trying to get even, this isn’t the correct way. That message has a lot of power behind it that can affect a lot of people in our community.”
Bauer explained that he and his investigators have identified persons of interest in the case and believe they could be high schoolers motivated by personal conflicts, and that the flag desecration could have been done for shock value.
“I would encourage family members to maybe speak to their kids about this topic,” he said. “Kids see these things on social media and don’t understand the gravity they have.”
Criminal mischief is normally a class C misdemeanor when the vandalism is valued at a loss less than $100, with a punishment of up to $500, but that charge and punishment could be increased if it is determined that it was a hate crime, or committed because of bias or prejudice.
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Kingsland Commons, a 50-acre mixed-use development, is moving forward following a groundbreaking ceremony held on Friday, May 15. Tragically, a business partner planning to open a Chicken Express location in the new development was killed in a multi-vehicle collision shortly after the groundbreaking.
The development, located near the northeast corner of the RR 1431 and FM 2342 intersection in Kingsland, has been on the books since 2025, and Chicken Express is meant to be its first tenant.
Fatal crash
Chicken Express developer Richard Hausman, a Kingsland resident, was killed on Saturday, May 16, in a three-vehicle crash on RR 1431 near Lookout Mountain in Kingsland, according to the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office.
A Texas Department of Public Safety preliminary investigation found that a Ford F-150 traveling eastbound on RR 1431 crossed into the westbound lanes for unknown reasons, first striking an Infiniti G25 before colliding head-on with a Volvo driven by Hausman. Hausman was pronounced dead at the scene, while his son, Aidan, was injured in the crash.
Hausman’s memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Burnet on Friday, May 22 at 11 a.m.
Hausman and his wife Rachael owned Chicken Express locations in Burnet and Llano and had planned to open the Kingsland restaurant as a new prototype design for the chain. At the May 16 groundbreaking, he said that construction would begin within eight to 10 days, with completion expected in November or December of this year.
It is unknown if Hausman’s death will impact the timeline of the Chicken Express project.
“Richard and Rachael have been longtime supporters of countless events and organizations through generous and quiet acts of service. Their impact on Burnet reaches far beyond business, they are woven into the fabric of our community. Richard helped make Burnet stronger,” read a social media post from the Burnet Chamber of Commerce.
Commons moving forward
The planned development for Kingsland Commons, which is expected to be fully built out in the next four years. Photo from Kingsland Commons website.
Development partner Gregg Miller said that infrastructure work is continuing, including roads, utilities and site preparation, after receiving approval from the Texas Department of Transportation for entrance roads and turn lanes to accommodate increased traffic.
“I can’t remark on Chicken Express,” Miller told DailyTrib. “But, we are moving forward.”
Miller said he expects the full buildout of the development to take about four years, with most tenants identified within the next year and a half.
“I think the whole project completion is probably 4 years to have everything built out. I think we will have everything sold in the next year and a half,” Miller said.
Under the development agreement, tenants are required to begin construction within one year of purchasing property.
“When you buy land, you have to build. You can’t just sit on it,” Miller said.
A market-style convenience store is expected to be the next tenant, with a closing anticipated in July. Additional tenants are expected to be announced in the coming months.
Kingsland Commons background
Originally introduced in 2025, Kingsland Commons is planned as a town square-style development featuring a central park surrounded by retail and restaurants, along with housing options including townhomes, apartments and single-family homes. Planned amenities include a splash pad, playground, amphitheater, walking trails, a water feature and a boutique hotel.
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Five people were killed in a three-vehicle crash on Sunday, May 17, in the 3100 block of South U.S. Highway 281 in Marble Falls.
The Marble Falls Police Department, with assistance from the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the crash at 4:59 p.m.
Based on the preliminary investigation into the incident, a black Nissan pickup driven by Antonio Lara, 80, of Lago Vista was traveling north on U.S. 281 when, for unknown reasons, it crossed into southbound traffic.
The Nissan first struck the rear side of a white BMW hatchback carrying Lance Benick, 29, Hannah Benick, 27, and their 8-month-old son, all of Austin. The BMW sustained minor damage in that crash and no serious injuries were reported.
The Nissan pickup, driven by Lara, then continued further into southbound traffic and collided head-on with a silver Hyundai hatchback occupied by Roxanne Mowrey, 50, Ron Dykes, 55, along with two girls, ages 3 and 5. Officials said the Hyundai was traveling in the inside southbound lane at the time.
According to MFPD, all occupants of the Nissan and Hyundai were killed in the collision.
“The Marble Falls Police Department extends its sincere appreciation to all assisting agencies, first responders, and the citizens of the Hill Country area who stopped to render aid to those involved,” reads a media release from MFPD. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the families and loved ones affected by this tragic incident.”
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Cottonwood Shores parks will soon include new picnic tables and barbecue pits built through a partnership with Marble Falls High School agriculture mechanics students.
The city provided materials, while the students completed construction as part of their structures, equipment, and practicum class under teacher Trey Hartsock. The finished pieces are expected to be installed in city parks in upcoming weeks.
“These are excellent additions to our parks and will add convenience for visitors,” City Manager JC Hughes said in a media release.
The collaboration is part of an ongoing partnership between the city and Marble Falls’ agriculture mechanics program that began in 2021. The agriculture mechanics program is part of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathway that provides students hands-on instruction in designing, building, and repairing equipment and structures.
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The verdant Hill Country spring was on full display in this moment captured on Friday, May 15. A lone longhorn took a break from chewing and locked eyes with the lens from among a field bursting with the iconic wildflowers of the Highland Lakes. This particular beast was seen from the highway on a ranch bordering Texas 71 near Horseshoe Bay. Staff photo by Dakota Morrissiey
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Over $600,000 in scholarships were awarded to 151 graduating Burnet High School students by the Hill Country Community Foundation on Thursday evening, May 14, at the annual Burnet Senior Scholarship Night. More than $1 million in scholarships were awarded to Burnet students over the school year.
Hill Country Community Foundation Director Keith McBurnett, who served for 12 years as the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District superintendent until retiring in June 2024, said that the scholarships would allow BCISD students to continue pursuing their dreams without burden.
“(These scholarships) reflect a community-wide commitment to investing in students and helping ensure that every graduating senior- whether pursuing a university degree, trade school, or certification program- has access to opportunities beyond high school,” McBurnett said. “The scholarships help remove barriers, support workforce development, and encourage students to pursue their goals while knowing their hometown believes in their future.”
An additional $90,000 in community development scholarships were gifted to recent graduates pursuing bachelor’s degrees at the event.
“The Foundation’s Community Development Scholarship provides support to Burnet High School graduates during their sophomore, junior, and senior years of college, with recipients receiving $2,500 per year,” McBurnett said. “This year, the Foundation expanded the program by doubling the number of recipients from 6 to 12 students, allowing support for even more Burnet graduates pursuing higher education.”
In conjunction with other local scholarship events, over $1 million in scholarships were awarded to BCISD students throughout the year.
The HCCF, founded in 1983 with the help of community pillars John Hoover, Cary Johnson, and Alvin Nored, awarded four scholarships totaling $2,000 in its first year of operation. It has since grown to raise more than $8.4 million for 4,886 students.
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Two Marble Falls High School students medaled at the state track and field meet on Thursday, May 14. Junior Madison Cuplin and sophomore Graham Goggans took home some hardware in three events after facing off against athletes from across Texas.
The Mustangs spent a long, hot Thursday at the 2026 UIL Track and Field 4A Conference State Track and Field Meet in Austin, competing at the Mike A. Myers Stadium on the University of Texas campus.
“We are so proud of these athletes not only for their accomplishments on the track and in the sand pits this season, but also for how they represented our community while earning all the medals,” reads a statement issued by Marble Falls Independent School District following the meet.
Brenda Gonzalez is the head cross country coach, head girls track and field coach, and the primary coach for long-distance runners at Marble Falls High School. She spent Thursday alongside Cuplin and Goggans, and hit home the gravity of the athletes’ stellar performances.
“It is impressive to get a medal in Texas,” Gonzalez told DailyTrib. “No matter the division, the quality and the talent is there.”
Cuplin
Marble Falls High School junior Madison Cuplin sends up sand at the state track and field meet on Thursday, May 14. Photo by Amir Torns
Cuplin competed in four events and medaled in two of them. She took eighth place in the girls 100 meter dash, and ninth in the girls 200 meter dash.
Triple jump
Cuplin took first in triple jump, an event also known as the “hop, step and jump” in which the athlete must perform a technical leap using a specific hop and step before launching as far as they can over a pit of sand. The distance is measured from the edge of a wooden take-off board on the runway leading up to the pit.
She hit 40 feet and 5.75 inches on her best out of six attempts to get gold, beating out the second-place finisher’s 39 feet 10.25 inches. The 4A state record for girls triple jump is 44 feet and 2.25 inches, achieved by Ychlindria Spears in the 2000-2001 academic year.
According to Gonzalez, Cuplin has jumped even farther on other occasions, with a personal best over 43 feet.
“(This result) just shows how hard she has worked,” she said. “Her work ethic, her attitude, her drive. And she still has another year (to compete).”
Long jump
Cuplin took silver in the long jump, but nearly got gold.
She tied for first, with both she and her opponent, Chiora Enyinna-Okeigbo, landing exactly the same max jump distance of 20 feet and 2.75 inches.
Under UIL rules, in the event of a long jump tie, the win goes to the athlete with the second longest jump in their series. Each athlete is given six jump attempts, with the best result counting towards their score.
Cuplin’s second farthest leap was 20 feet and .5 inches and Enyinna-Okeigbo’s was 20 feet and 1.75 inches.
Goggans
Marble Falls High School sophomore Graham Goggans pushes himself to the limit in the 800 meter run. Photo by Kyle Futrell
Goggans only competed in one event, but he made a big impression. The young Mustang was a wildcard pick in the boys 800 meter run, meaning he was not among the top eight qualifiers, but his silver-medal finish proved he belonged among the best in the state.
“With his commitment and his competitiveness, he knew he could medal,” Coach Gonzalez said. “We aren’t surprised.”
Goggans finished the 800 meter run in 1 minute and 55.2 seconds, about .63 seconds behind the first place time of 1 minute and 54.57 seconds.
According to Goggans’ mother, Tracy, he wrote a Bible verse on his arm for the race, Hebrews 12:1-3.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
“Consider him who endured such hostility against himself from sinners, so that you may not grow weary in your souls or lose heart.”
It runs in the family
Speed might be in the Goggans genes. Graham’s older sister, Bailey, was a Marble Falls track star as well, having been ranked in the top 10 U.S. high schoolers in the girls 800 meter run as a senior, in the 2020-21 academic year.
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