Students Earn Ribbons at Loy Lake

Twenty four Sherman High School FCCLA members participated in the annual Loy Lake Creative Arts Show. Students participated in the foods division by entering baked goods including, cakes, cookies, and pies. The following students earned both a purple and a blue ribbon which meant that their baked good was in contention for grand or reserve prize: Kayla Henderson, Heather Pace, Theresa Bowen, and Spencer Murray.

Students who earned a blue ribbon are Beth Turner, Summer Hayes, Theresa Bowen, and Lauren Bolin. Red ribbon winners are Clint Crow, Joshua Simpson, Alysia Hall, Stacie Collins, Sarah Lingo and Kelsi Stephens.

Other FCCLA members participating in the baked goods contest include Tracie Jay, Sarah Lingo and Larry Schores. Photography was a popular group with several students earning ribbons. Blue ribbon winners in photography include Spencer Murray, Katie Plyer, Alisa Roberts and Katie Hensarling. Red ribbon winners are Spencer Murray, Whitney Estes, and Ashley Rickerson, Sarah Lingo earned a white ribbon for her entry. In the Art division Alisa Roberts, "Open Hands" pencil drawing earned her a Grand Champion ribbon and placed her art work in the auction. Daniel Baca also earned a ribbon for "Fred" the basset hound.

Piner Band Earns Top Honors in UIL Contest

The Piner Symphonic 1 Band competed at UIL Concert & Sightreading competition on April 10 at Wylie East High School. UIL contests are held throughout Texas and are respected and recognized nationally because the standard for excellence is very high. Bands performing at UIL contest are required to compete in two separate categories. For the "Concert" portion, each band must play three selections from a state-required list of pieces of varying difficulty. For the "Sightreading" category, bands are asked to study and perform a piece neither the students nor the director have seen before. Each category has a panel of three judges who rate the band based upon the quality of their performance on the music.

The Piner Band received first-division superior ratings from all judges in each category of the contest, earning what is known as a "Sweepstakes" award.

Shown here are several members of the award winning band during an after school practice. The Piner band is under the direction of Mr. Mark Wallace.

UIL Sweepstakes Winning Piner Choir

On April 3rd the Piner select UIL 7th and 8th grade choir participated in the Region 25 Concert and Sight-reading Contest at Wylie High School in Wylie, Texas. These students earned straight superior ratings from all six judges and a beautiful Sweepstakes trophy! The Piner choir performed in concert the following three songs: "The King of Love" by Julie Knowles, "Will You Still Love Me?" by Patti DeWitt and "Night Song" by Hester.

The Piner students participating in the contest: (front) Courtni Williams and Brialey Collins, (first row) Briana Johnson, Christyn Henderson, Lydia Miller, Ashlei Ferguson, Karina Sanchez, Rachel Fair, Krista Edwards, Jordan Bardee, Abby Percell (middle row)Becca Johnson, Rebecca Braden, Courtney Bell, Danielle LaFoy, Meggan Plyler, Abby Bacca, Cynthia Lopez, Taryn Beauchamp, Lauren Fanning, Nicolette Carver, Ellie Gundersheimer (back row)Thomas Clarkson, Karen Martinez, Jasmina Munoz, Sarah Bailey, Drake Beamesderfer, Stacia Jones, Dani Jarvis, Michal Olmstead, Haleigh Cooper, and Yaressi Moran.

Accompanist for the performance was Sally Bursell. The Piner Choral Department is under the direction of Donneita Morriss.

FITNESSGRAM

Senate Bill 530 requires beginning with the 2007-08 school year, that the FITNESSGRAM physical fitness assessment be administered to all students in grades 3-12. It was developed by The Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research and is a research-based criterion referenced test.

FITNESSGRAM tests all students regardless of age, gender, or ability.

Students are encouraged to be self-aware of health-related fitness and take responsibility by setting personal fitness goals. When students focus on the process of doing their personal best, a more positive lifelong impact is achieved. Physical tests include trunk lift, shoulder flexibility, curl ups and push ups and a one mile run or walk. You may request a copy of your child’s physical fitness assessment by submitting a letter to your principal at the end of the school year. SISD believes by providing you and your child with this health-related fitness information, you can lead your child toward a healthy lifestyle. A healthy student is better prepared to learn and perform in all aspects of life. If you have any questions about the FITNESSGRAM Assessment, please contact Stacy Phillips, Elementary Physical Education & Health Curriculum Coordinator or Michael Turner, Secondary Education & Health Curriculum Coordinator (903-891-6421) or refer to http://www.FITNESSGRAM.net/texas/.

Shown here are Sherman High School students preparing to run/walk a mile during their FITNESSGRAM testing.

Riding, Singing and Chili

Much to the delight of parents and friends, these precious Jefferson preschoolers rode into the gymnasium on their stick horses and then commenced to singing a few Texas tunes. After the ridin’ and singin’ everyone moseyed on over to the cafeteria where chili and Fritos were served. Ye haw!

Shown here in their western best are Oscar Torres, Marco Lopez, Jacob Prado, Jaqueline Gandarra, Lizbeth Sanchez, Madyson Yarbrough, Madison Hernandez.