Pine Tree News

Black History Fact Finding Contest

vechols — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:28:52 +0000

In celebration of Black History Month, Pine Tree High School is conducting a Black History Fact Finding Contest. Each day a question about individuals and events related to the heritage of African Americans are read during announcements. During lunch, students will submit their answers and their name on a piece of paper to Assistant Principal, Mr. Harold Jackson. The names of students with correct answers will be entered for the daily drawing. Some of the prizes include Hollywood Theater tickets, free 1/3 pound SmashBurger coupons, and Starbucks coffee. On March 1st, an announcement of the grand prize winner of the Black History Fact Finding contest.

Lessons Learned are the Focus of Laws of Life Essays

vechols — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:12:53 +0000

By Angela Ward award@news-journal.com
View article at Longview News Journal web page

A variety of events — from participating in sports to going on mission trips, to helping grandparents or facing challenges as diverse as fires and mental illness — have helped local teens learn the laws by which they intend to lead their lives. The winners of the 14th annual Laws of Life essay contest were honored at a dinner Tuesday evening at LeTourneau University in an event sponsored by the Longview News-Journal and the university.

The overall first-place winner, Austin Gray, of Sabine High School, wrote about the lessons his father taught him while playing golf, which apply to much more than a game on the greens. The second-place winner, Josh Hood, of White Oak High School, wrote about the friendship he formed while on a mission trip to China and the importance adoption has played in his family’s life. Students who received Excellence in Writing Awards at the dinner are: Bradley Jones, Christian Heritage School; Alyssa Arrington, Gilmer High School; Preston Green Jr., Longview High School; Rachel Schulik, Pine Tree High School; and Hailey Bowen, Union Grove High School. They each received $1,000 scholarships.

Tom Stamper, publisher of the Longview News-Journal and president of East Texas Community Newspapers, said he was impressed with the skills of the students. All students who participated in the contest are juniors in high school. “These students have shown an extraordinary ability to write about important events in their lives,” Stamper said.

124 Medals Awarded to Pine Tree High School Band Students: 70 Qualify for State Competition

vechols — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:54:39 +0000

Saturday, February 3rd was an exciting day for the Pine Tree High School Band. Members of the Pride met at Sabine High School for the annual UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest. Students that qualified will have the opportunity to compete at the Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest at the University of Texas in Austin on Saturday, May 28. Solo and Ensemble events in band, choir and orchestra are scheduled in all 28 UIL Music Regions. Students earning a Division One Rating at the region competition are eligible to advance to the UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest traditionally hosted in Austin on Memorial Day Week-end.

BY THE NUMBERS:

124 students received UIL Solo and Ensemble medals,
88 student ensemble members received medals,
48 ensemble members in 9 different ensembles qualified for state by earning a first division in a class one ensemble, and
22 soloists qualified for UIL State Solo and Ensemble Contest.
36 total solo medals (16 instrumental soloist and 5 twirlers) qualified for state UIL by performing a class one solo by memory

Soloists must play a Class 1 solo by memory and receive a Division 1 to qualify; ensemble members must play a Class 1 ensemble and receive a Division 1 to qualify.

Flute Solo – 1^st Division Medalists:

Samantha Donnell State Qualifier
Callie Nelson
Sara Timmons

Clarinet Solo – 1^st Division Medalists:

Megan McNaney
Morgan Walters
Bass Clarinet Solo – 1^st Division Medalist:

Kaylah Knight

Trumpet Solo – 1^st Division Medalists:

Rebecca Griffith
Tyler Helms, State Qualifier
Jacob King
Chris Turner

French Horn Solo – 1^st Division Medalists:

Hannah Ashby

Trombone Solo – 1^st Division Medalists:

Nickolas Schaetz State Qualifier
Davin Siu State Qualifier
Thomas Judkins

Euphonium Solo – 1^st Division Medalists:

Alfred Dixon
Danny Grant              State Qualifier
Colin Ramsey             State Qualifier
Joseph Schaetz          State Qualifier

Tuba Solo – 1^st Division Medalists:

Rachael Smith
Kalvin Fitzpatrick
Ezekiel Hernandez

Snare Drum Solo – 1^st Division Medalists:

Tanner Latus State Qualifier
Reese McKinney State Qualifier

Keyboard Percussion – 1^st Division Medalists:

Shelby Hart                State Qualifier
Austin Horton            State Qualifier
Joshua Jenkins           State Qualifier
Beth Jones                  State Qualifier
Zach Schaetz              State Qualifier
Brandon Watson       State Qualifier
Peyton Varner

Piano Solo – 1^st Division Medalists:

Davin Siu State Qualifier

Twirling Solos – 1^st Division Medalists:

Michelle Davis                       State Qualifier
Rebecca Griffith                     State Qualifier
Callie Nelson                          State Qualifier
Caroline Smith                       State Qualifier
Erin Whittenberg                  State Qualifier

ENSEMBLES:

Flute Trio
Melissa Hammonds
Dreama Reese
Haley Russell

Flute Quartet
Angela Bradshaw
Allison Garrett
Emily Mumford
Victoria Reese

Flute Quartet
Sarah Kingsley
Stephanie Lopez
Chloe Slocum
Edith Zavaleta

Saxophone Quartet -State Qualifier
Alexis Bailey
Jillian Fobell
Madison Garcia
Shelby Knoll

Saxophone Quintet -State Qualifier
Grant Carrington
Liza Latham
Lindsey Mallory
DeAnna Whitehorn
Jason Zhang

Woodwind Quartet – State Qualifier
Samantha Donnell
Megan McNaney
Sara Timmons
Morgan Walters

Clarinet Choir -State Qualifier
Lindsay Brown
Alex Cormier
Kaylie Hartman
Kaylah Knight
Dezmond Thomas
Ariel Wayne
Erin Whittenberg

Trumpet Trio
Samantha Methias
Gaby Perez
Ashlyn Whyte

Trombone Trio -State Qualifier
Stormie Duncan
Thomas Judkins
Nickolas Schaetz

Euphonium Trio -State Qualifier
Danny Grant
Colin Ramsey
Joseph Schaetz

Tuba/Euphonium Quartet
Alfred Dixon
Ezekiel Hernandez
Ulises Perez
Takanya Redden

Tuba/Euphonium Quartet
Kalvin Fitzpatrick
Brandon Jackson
Kyle Russell
Troinisa Thompson

Brass Choir -State Qualifier
Hannah Ashby
Lane Jordan
Rebecca Griffith
Jacob King
Chris Turner
Davin Siu
Rachael Smith

Percussion Ensemble-State Qualifier
James Delling
Shelby Hart
Beth Jones
Reese McKinney
Emily Oliver
Zach Schaetz
Peyton Varner
Brandon Watson

Percussion Ensemble-State Qualifier
Austin Horton
Joshua Jenkins
Tanner Latus

Twirling Trio -State Qualifier
Michelle Davis
Caroline Smith
Erin Whittenberg

Jazz Ensemble
Petar Badzic
Alexis Bailey
Samantha Donnell
Stormie Duncan
Danny Grant
Rebecca Griffith
Tyler Helms
Austin Horton
Joshua Jenkins
Thomas Judkins
Jacob King
Lindsey Mallory
Reese McKinney
Joseph Schaetz
Davin Siu
Chris Turner
DeAnna Whitehorn

55 Medals Earned by Pine Tree HS Choir: 30 Students State Bound

vechols — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:25:42 +0000

This past weekend the PTHS Choir, under the direction of Melody and Clint McMullen, competed in the Region 4 Solo and Ensemble Contest at Marshall High School. The High School group entered 75 events and brought home 55 First Division Medals, 30 of which will advance to State UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest on Memorial Day. “Please help in congratulating these students on a job well done,” exclaimed director McMullen.

The following students earn a 1^st division on a solo:

Signore Taylor

Irene Hartley

Gloria Gonzalez

Amie Harris

Sarah Wood

Alyssa Hamby

Tori Gannon

Cameron Oswald

Tyran Jones

Trenton Vaughn (state bound)

Steven Mick

Alex Ball (state bound)

Brenna Toole (state bound)

Madeline Jonah

Shea Robinson (state bound)

Jasper Foster

Jennilee Pelofske (state bound)

Ashlyn Mayhall (state bound)

Brittany McGuire (state bound)

Darby Ball

Colby Townsend (state bound)

Morghan Parker (state bound)

Denise Lopez (state bound)

The following students earn a 1^st division on an ensemble

Makenzie Mullins

Karla Hernandez

Chrissy Johnson

Signore Taylor

Daniella Pulido

Alejandra Martinez

Gloria Gonzalez

Victavia Butler

Sarah Orr

Justice Washington

Brittany Patton

Wynter Speer

STATE BOUND ENSEMBLES:

Alyssa Green

Brittany McGuire

Rebekka Price

Kelsey Sanders

Darby Ball

Alex Ball

Hunter Hopkins

Steven Mick

Ashlyn Mayhall

Denise Lopez

Shea Robinson

Yolene Romero

Justin Stroman

Trenton Vaughn

Trevor Barker

Tyran Jones

Denise Lopez

Morghan Parker

Marquisa Pirotek

Brenna Toole

Pine Tree Alum: Organ Recipient Shares Story-Builds Awareness

vechols — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:17:10 +0000

By Charlotte Stewart cstewart@news-journal.com Longview News-Journal
View article at Longview News Journal here.

By the numbers

113,028 people are on a list waiting for an organ
18 people will die each
1 organ donor can save up to 8 lives
In 2010, 62% of living donors were women. The statistic is reversed for deceased donation.
In 2010, 67% of all deceased donors were white, 16% were black, 13% Hispanic and 2.3% Asian.
As of December 2011, the national waiting list was made up of 45% white, 29% black, 18% Hispanic, and 7% Asian.
More than 100 million people in the U.S. are signed up to be a donor.www.organdonor.gov

In 2007, James Johnston was a senior at Pine Tree High School, active in hockey and tennis, and looking forward to heading off to college at Oklahoma State University. In the summer of 2008, he did just that. He hadn’t been at school long when he started having abdominal cramps, feeling tired and passing blood in his urine.

“He had always been a healthy kid, so active,” his mother, Susan Johnston, said. “Even when he was under the weather, he just plowed on.”

But this was more than just under the weather. The college freshmen went to the college clinic and was treated for a urinary tract infection. Realizing the illness was more than just a UTI, the urologist sent him to a nephrologist, doctors who specialize in treating kidneys.

“When the nephrologist got my test results, they were so bad that he sent the police in Stillwater (Oklahoma) to find me,” James Johnston said.

When the doctor couldn’t reach the student, Susan Johnston explained, he called her, too.

“I knew that his sister was staying with James, so I called her and told her to drive him to Oklahoma City right away.”

The mother quickly packed a few bags and took off, too. His father, Norman Johnston, was working in Houston and flew in the next morning. At 18, Johnston was in severe kidney failure. He was diagnosed with Alport syndrome, which according to the National Institute of Health, is an inherited form of kidney inflammation (nephritis). The disorder is uncommon and most often affects men. Women can pass the gene for the disorder to their children, even if they have no symptoms. Hearing loss is also a symptom of Alport syndrome, Johnston said as he removed his hearing aid.

Dialysis

Johnston would not recover from his kidney failure, the doctors told him, and would need a transplant. Until then, he would have to go on dialysis. According to the National Kidney Center, dialysis is a process that removes wastes, chemicals and extra water from the body, and although most people are familiar with the type that is done at a center, there is also a way it can be done at home. Peritoneal dialysis uses the lining of the abdomen, or belly, to filter the blood. This lining is called the peritoneal membrane and acts as the artificial kidney. The person getting this type of dialysis must be hooked up to a machine for up to 12 hours every day.

“It’s a lot of work,” Johnston said.

“And it takes a lot of dedication and responsibility,” his mother interjected. “He really grew up.”

Blushing at the compliment, the son objected. “Don’t say stuff like that,” he said.

“Well, I’m really proud of you,” she said, becoming emotional for the first time during the nearly hour-long interview. “He really stepped up. He had been a typical 18-year-old boy, but, he looked after himself. He grew up.” Even with the dialysis, Johnston was a very sick young man.

“I was tired,” he said.

“Not just end-of-the-day tired,” his mother added. “But absolutely bone weary tired — like having the flu, but all the time.”

The student stacked his classes on a Tuesday/Thursday schedule so he could keep his medical appointments during the rest of the week.

“That did not work well,” he said, adding he was too fatigued to stay awake during his last class.

He said he felt that he had no alternative but to drop that semester. “But, I went back in the spring semester,” he added quickly. It was during spring break of 2010 that it became impossible to continue to peritoneal dialysis due to an infection. The student had little choice but to start hemodialysis at a center. Even though he took the treatment faithfully three times a week, Johnston often found himself sick and always found himself tired.

The transplant

Johnston’s family watched as his health failed. Doctors would not consider either parent as a possible match for a donor because of various health problems each has. “His sister hasn’t had any children, and because pregnancy is hard on the kidneys, doctors didn’t want to consider her for a match. And James wouldn’t let her, anyway, in case she wanted to become pregnant later,” Susan Johnston said.

“It didn’t seem fair, him being like that,” said Helen Hill, Susan Johnston’s sister. “James is a wonderful young man, really special. He is quiet, but very, very brave.” A stay-at-home mom in Fort Worth with three young boys of her own, Hill talked about watching her nephew suffer for so long and feeling not merely happy, but also grateful to be able to help him. So she decided to donate one of her kidneys. She said her husband had been supportive of her decision from the beginning.

“And my sons adore their cousin James — they were so excited. They thought it was a good idea for mommy to give James a kidney so that he would not have to go on that machine anymore.”

On Jan. 9, Hill was lighter by one kidney. “Oh, I’m great, 95 percent back to normal,” Hill said in a telephone interview Friday. Johnston said he felt better the “day after surgery than I had felt in a long time.”

Donation

Both donor and recipient have a message for the public. “I am not talking about this because I want for the world to know my story. I never talk about it,” Johnston said while giving his mother a look and adding, “although everyone seems to know.” “I am talking about it because there are so many people waiting for a kidney, so many people on dialysis year after year … Some literally dying.

“People talk about cancer and heart problems — it gets a lot of publicity. And it should. Those are serious illnesses. But kidney failure is a serious illness, too. So, my point is that I am trying to raise awareness.”

Hill made the same point.

“I’ve heard of people who give kidneys to people they’ve never even met, and I know James,” she said through tears. “People should consider donating a kidney because it makes such an incredible difference in a person’s life.

“People don’t like to talk about what to do if they die, but really, everyone who can should consider becoming an organ donor. I can’t stress the importance it can make in a life — in many lives.”

People considering becoming a living kidney donor can get more information at www.kidney.org.

The government has a website for people considering becoming any kind of donor at www.organdonor.gov.

PT School Board Approves 2012-13 District Calendar

vechols — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:36:56 +0000

The Pine Tree ISD Board of Trustees approved the 2012-2013 school district calendar at the February Regular Board Meeting. Click here to view the calendar on the District Web Page. Click on the 2012-13 Calendar link.

2012-2013 Calendar Important Dates and Holidays:

August 16-17 – District Professional Training

August 20-27 – Staff Days

August 23 – Campus Meet Your Teacher Day

August 28 – First day of School

September 3 – Labor Day Holiday for All

September 12 – Early Release for Students / Professional Training Day

October 15 – Early Release for Students / Parent Conferences

November 19-20 – Student Holidays / Staff Comp. Days

November 21-23 – Thanksgiving Holiday

December 20 – January 2 – Winter Holiday

January 3 – School Resumes

January 18 – Early Release for Students / Professional Training Day

January 21 – End of First Semester / Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday

January 22 – Start of Second Semester

February 13 – Early Release for Students / Professional Training Day

March 11-15 – Spring Break

March 29 – School Holiday

May 27 –Student Holiday / Staff Days

May 31 – Last Day of School / Senior Graduation

June 3-4 – Bad Weather Days / Staff Work Days

PTHS Students Awarded in Skills USA Competition 2012

vechols — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:23:38 +0000

The following Pine Tree HS welding students competed at district Skills USA competition Friday and Saturday and qualified for the state competition with either their projects or hands on skills held on Feb. 3-4, 2012.

All of the students will be going to the state competition in March under the direction of instructor, Mark Thomas.

View more photos.

Patrick Valles 1st welding singles competition
Corbin Eichhorn 2nd welding singles competition

1st Team fabrication competition
Aaron Norman, Nathan Norman, Justin Zillm, and

3rd Team fabrication competition
Daniel Horn, Reggie Kin, and Dylan Roberts

Project competition:
Roman Duke-blue ribbon state qualifier
Daniel Horn- blue ribbon state qualifier
Greg Balint- blue ribbon state qualifier
Reggie King-blue ribbon state qualifier
Steven Harris & Dylan Roberts-blue ribbon state qualifier
Aaron Norman, Nathan Norman, & Justin Zillman-blue ribbon state qualifier & best of show
Sean Maples, Roman Duke, & Victoria Jones-blue ribbon state qualifier & best of show

View Longview News Journal article.

PTISD Celebrates Career and Technical Education Month

vechols — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:14:31 +0000

VIEW photos of the month’s events – click here.

Pine Tree ISD Career & Technical Education Department will be holding its first annual Career Tech Open House from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, on the high school campus in the Pirate Center. The open house will allow students of all ages to explore career tech programs offered through the Pine Tre CTE department which offers a wide variety of programs such as automotive technology, cosmetology, business technology, welding, early child care, teaching careers, construction, health careers and media arts.

Students and faculty in PT join others across the nation during the month of February to celebrate Career and Technical Education month. This year’s theme is CTE: Careers Through Education. CTE Month^TM provides an opportunity to demonstrate how CTE educates students to be college- and career- ready and prepares them for high-wage, high-demand career fields.

Throughout the month, Gail Dobbs, Coordinator for CTE is working with department instructors to build awareness about the program and courses. CTE Month kick-off began with a Cupcake Battle provided by the school’s culinary arts classes. Fashion Design activities were held in the HS cafeteria, and daily CTE facts were provided in the announcements.

The CTE Advisory Board, which involves community business owners, postsecondary educators, and economic development leadership also meets this month on the campus to discuss ways that businesses can work with the school. The board meets twice a year to discuss opportunities and gain a better understanding of ways to work successfully together.

Dobbs says that helping students explore their interests is the first step in finding a college and career path. Students at PT Junior High explore career options through a variety of courses. Through a web-based program called Career Cruising, students narrow the field for personal interest and are guided into a Program of Study for their High School classes.

According to the US Department of Education, 97% of all high school students in the nation take at least one CTE course. One-third of college students are involved in CTE, and as many as 40 million adults engage in occupational training. Reports indicate that several decades ago, students with only a high school diploma could find good paying jobs, but that is no longer the case. “Our mission is to provide our students with rigorous, relevant and hands-on education that will equip them to succeed in their chose fields.

Pathways for a successful high school and postsecondary education is the goal,” says Dobbs. “As students work with their counselors, they develop a road map for their high school career and beyond. Together we will help our students uncover their passion and turn it into a successful career.”

The Pine Tree Foundation recently reorganized its focus to incorporate grant funding for increased Career Technology experiences. “CTE plays a pivotal role in the effort of making our students competitive,” said Superintendent TJ Farler. “A strong CTE program is not only pivotal in preparing a well-educated and skilled workforce, but it also opens doors for a wide range of careers that our students will face in this century.”

CTE is a major part of the solution to myriad national economic and workforce problems, such as high school dropout rates, a weakened economy, global competitiveness and massive layoffs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly one-third of the fastest growing occupations will require an associate’s degree or a postsecondary vocational certificate.

Recent research published by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce shows that 4.7 million new workers will be needed by post-secondary certificates and credentials, such as those which can be obtained at [School name/Program name] by 2018, but we will fall short of meeting that demand. At a time when job opportunity is so critical, CTE programs in every community are ensuring students are adequately equipped with the skills to successfully enter the workforce.

For more information, contact Gail Dobbs, CTE Coordinator, PTISD, 903-295-5031 gdobbs@ptisd.org. Twitter @PineTreeCTE.

PTHS Students Salute WW II Veterans

vechols — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:51:21 +0000

By Christina Lane clane@news-journal.com

View article here- Longview News-Journal

Pine Tree High School students are about to ask their elders, “Where Were You in ’42?”

In their “USO show,” Pine Tree students will swing dance, fox trot, waltz and — in some cases — sing to 1940s-era music while wearing costumes and hairstyles reminiscent of the decade.

“This program is designed for the World War II generation,” sponsor Terry Barrett said. “But the kids are getting so much history from it.”

photo by Michael Cavazos, LNJ

At a time when it is estimated that 1,000 World War II veterans die each day, Barrett said it is increasingly important to share stories of that generation with the younger generation so they can pass it on.

Pine Tree ISD will present its annual “Where Were You in ’42” show at 6:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Fredonia St. Cost is $5, and tickets can be purchased at the door.

This year’s “Where Were You” will feature a Texas theme, focusing on Texans who made significant contributions to the war effort.

Students researched the era, including people, costumes and music.

“World War II is my favorite point in history, so I was excited to do it — not so much the dancing, but the history and getting in touch with the older generation,” said Pine Tree High School senior Daniel Fincher.

Fincher and fellow senior Haley Simpson are first-time dancers in the annual USO show.

“At first we had no idea what we were doing, but it’s gotten a lot more fun,” Simpson said.

She said the most challenging dance would either be the waltz or the foxtrot because they have more steps. Their swing dance has fewer steps but features more stunts.

“The first practice was really rough,” Fincher said. “We were really clumsy. Once we got the hang of it, it became way more fun. I’m actually kind of excited about practice now.”

With this being Barrett’s last year with Pine Tree — she’s retiring — she wants the show to end on a high note. The show brings a smile to the faces of those who remember the World War II era, Barrett said. In the past, students have even been saluted by former servicemen.

“It gives our students a chance to see these people in a different light, and it gives them a change to see our teenagers in a different light,” Barrett said.

Longview News Journal Features Leadership: Tanner Carroll

vechols — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:44:26 +0000

Photo by Michael Cavazos, LNJ

My name is: Tanner Carroll

I volunteer at: I volunteer at many places through our leadership class at Pine Tree High School. We have worked with the Longview Police Department’s Blue Santa program, Longview Regional’s Senior Circle group, Good Shepherd’s A Fair of the Heart, Texas Oncology’s Life Beyond Cancer Foundation, Carter Blood Care Blood Drives (four per school year), “Dancing with the Stars,” “Where Were You in ’42?” — and Relay For Life.

I volunteer there because: I volunteer there because the Pine Tree leadership class is great for teaching life skills that will be used beyond college. With leadership, I get the chance to work with many other organizations such as Operation Appreciation, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and World of Wonder, as well as meeting many great people in the business world.

I’ve participated for: I have been a member of the leadership class for two years (Mrs. Barrett only takes juniors and seniors).

Positions held: I am the Leadership/student body president. I am the chairman for the DASH (Drugs, Alcohol, and Safety) Committee.

What’s coming up: Leadership’s next big event is “Where Were You in ’42?” which is a two-hour USO show set in the 1940s. It will be held Friday and Saturday.

Other organizations that I am involved in include:

Boy Scouts – I am an Eagle Scout from Troop 618 of Longview

Mobberly Baptist Church

Texas Bank and Trust Student Board

Pine Tree Crime Watch

My family members: Are my parents, Ramey and Debbie Minze Carroll

About me: I am from Longview — born and raised. I attend Pine Tree High School, Class of 2012.