In May, Hays High senior Taylor Cooper earned the incredible distinction of Outstanding Performer at the UIL Texas State Solo and Ensemble Competition at the University of Texas at Austin. Of the 100,000 who participated at regional UIL music contests and the 25,000 musicians who performed at TSSEC, only two to three percent of the solo performances are recognized as outstanding. Taylor became the third Hays High choir member to receive this honor, the first since 2015.