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THE PT POST: PTISD NEWS

PTISD CELEBRATES 
YOU MATTER DAY 
ON FEBRUARY 4

Pine Tree ISD recognized and celebrated its students, parents, teachers, staff and community during the 1st annual YOU MATTER Day on February 4.  The district-wide celebration was a culmination of a year long initiative set in motion during the Fall Convocation led by noted educator and author Angela Maiers who was the key speaker for the event.

District campuses and district departments showed their appreciation to their students and staff with special recognition throughout the district.  

The day long event celebrated the wonderful students, teachers, staff and community in ways that said YOU MATTER to PTISD!

        
PTISD'S CORY FATHERREE
WINS EAST TEXAS TALENT CONTEST

Pine Tree's Cory Fatherree is a very talented performer. PTISD takes a closer look at this exceptional PTISD team member.



PTISD: When did you first start singing?

CF: I began singing when I was very young at church. My grandmother had a great voice and I stood beside her in the pew and would sing along to the old hymns her favorite hymn and she would sing it often was "The Lilly of The Valley". 

PTISD:  Who was a major influence in your life?

CF:  The major influences in my life was first my grandmother for taking me to church and introducing me to music. Then when I got older my youth Pastors wife Stephanie White who was the church music director began to help me develop and expand my voice. She pushed me to extend my range and take risks in style and embellishment. She also introduced me to more gospel music like Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, BeBe and CeCe Winans, and Andra� Crouch.

PTISD: Who inspired you to sing?

CFI believe that my inspiration came from many people. Seeing people from my church get up and minister from their hearts about Gods love, grace and the blessings in their lives inspired me. I felt a desire to minister and tell people about Christ through music. My heart began to develop a burden to tell people about Christ and to give Him the Glory and Honor he deserves for the great things he did and does everyday in our lives through music. So many people have contributed to and inspired me to be who I am as a singer.

PTISD:  Have you competed in other talent shows?

CFTalent shows never really were my thing. I watched American Idol and the Voice and America's Got Talent but I never really felt like competitions were my thing. I had many people tell me that I should compete but I never did until 2012. My family went to Disney World and at the Hollywood Studios Park they have "The American Idol Experience". After a lot of begging and pushing I decided to give it a try. Well long story short I ended up singing to all the Disney parks via television, and to about 1200 people in the studio competing against 3 other contestants. They were all very good. It came down to me and another guy. I was ready to shake his hand and tell him congrats on the win but they called my name. I won! It was a great experience and I had so much fun. I won a Golden Ticket which was a pass to skip all the lines and producers and perform for the celebrity judges for American Idol. The funny thing is that I was too old I was 31 and the age limit for the show is 28. I also competed recently in East Texas' Got Talent which was sponsored by KETK and the Breeze radio station. It was a video submission contest. The prize was a VIP pass at the America's Got Talent audition in San Antonio. I submitted a video and waited for a phone call. about 2 weeks after submission I received a call that I had won the contest. They paid for gas and a hotel stay. I also got to do a TV interview on KETK Live. It was fun and a great once in a lifetime experience.

PTISD:  What was your experience like  trying out for America's Got Talent?

CF: I tried out for America's Got talent after I won the East Texas Talent Contest and received the VIP pass and accommodations. The experience was amazing! The pass allowed me to bypass all lines and be one of the first people to be called to compete. I arrived at 8:00 (after people were lined up since 3:30ish) I walked in, registered, they set me in a large room, I was called with in about 45 minutes to audition, and I was done at about 9:45. The audition was very organized. I enjoyed every minute I was there. The best thing about the entire experience was getting to hear and see all the talent that came literally from around the world. There was a singer from England. There was an African tribal drum line from Africa. There was a violinist from Asia. It was just amazing getting to be around all that talent. I had a blast! Now I'm just waiting for a call.


PTISD: What lessons did you learn from your experience?

CF: I think the lessons I took from this and needed to learn was "Be Confident", and "Don't feel ashamed when people give you praise and tell you how good you did". I struggle with those two things the most. I never felt like I should deserve any recognition for singing. I almost felt ashamed when someone told me I did well. Singing is a talent that God blessed me with! He deserves the Glory not me! But I began to realize that if you are chasing after God's will and using what He has given you then its OK to feel good when someone tells you , "you did an amazing job". Realizing that helped my confidence. I was never an on the spot singer, but as we walked along the Riverwalk after the audition people would see my audition number and begin a conversation with me and it always ended with them wanting me to sing. It is still something I will probably always struggle with but as I look at what I have been given as a ministry I can use my talent as an opportunity to inspire and move others. 
PTISD HOSTS LEADERSHIP LONGVIEW

Pine Tree ISD was host to the Leadership Longview program at the high school on February 12.  Pine Tree participated in Leadership Longview's Education Day.  Greeted by the PTHS Leadership class, the thirty class participants enjoyed a catered meal by the PTHS  Culinary Arts students, a program on College/Career Readiness by Tony Tipton as well as a tour of the CTE programs.  Dr. TJ Farler presented a district overview.   

Special guest presenters that day included Adrian Knight from Region 7 and Steven Snell, Superintendent, Spring Hill ISD and Andrea Mayo, Deputy Superintendent, LISD.



OCTOBER 2014 PIRATE PRIDE 
AWARD WINNERS


Mary Cravey Primary



Cynthia Mashke
Elementary



Stephanie Bowman
Intermediate

Dennis Powers
Middle 

Becca Brannon  Junior High

Tina Luman
High School

Lori Meagley
ExCEL

Cody Key
P.A.C.E.

Karen Phillips
Central Office

Vicki Gilliland
Child Nutrition

Diane & Brandi Donnell
Transportation

Ricky Martin
Facility Services


PTISD once again participated in the 2014 Stuff a Bus Campaign sponsored by Longview Transit.
      
Special thanks to the following students, campuses,departments and sponsors who assisted and contributed to this year's campaign:

* Junior High 
* Intermediate 
* Central Office
* High School Leadership & Sponsors Coach 
   Mike Darby and Caitlin Rutledge

The campaign filled 2.5 buses full of donations with Pine Tree receiving the most donations from the three school districts who participated.  

The total contribution was over 500 donated goods!  Way to go Pirates!  

SPIRIT NIGHT AT THE CORNER BAKERY 

It was all about Pine Tree Spirit at the 2015 Spirit Night on January 27 hosted by The Corner Bakery. Pine Tree supporters came out for this annual event. PTEF was presented with a check for $204 from Corner Bakery! Special thanks to all who supported Spirit Night 2015!
  
PTJH EXCELS AT ZONE COMPETITION 

Pine Tree Junior High's production of Step on a Crack was given the rank of Alternate Play at zone competition. Three students won individual awards. Congratulations to the following students and to the entire cast and production crew.

Alexis Allen, All Star Tech Award
Halie Couch, Honorable Mention All Star Cast Award
Ashly James, All Star Cast Award

 
PTHS DEBATE TEAM SHOWS WELL 
AT DISTRICT MEET

The Pine Tree High School Debate Team competed in CX District on February 3 in Mt. Pleasant. Arthur Dixon and Ezekiel Hernandez placed 3rd. This place assisted the team to move to an alternate position for state competition in Austin on March 20.  Congratulations Arthur and Ezekiel!


 
PTHS SENIORS MAKE COLLEGIATE COMMITMENT

Three PTHS seniors signed and made a commitment to play at the following colleges on National Signing Day February 4.

Mason Hayes signed with Trinity Valley Community College
Quay Ward and Alfred Dixon signed with Texas Lutheran University

Congratulations to this outstanding seniors!

Alfred Dixon
Mason Hayes
Quay Ward

Pine Tree Post: Your Source for PINE TREE District News

Dr. TJ Farler, Superintendent of Schools
www.ptisd.org
903-295-5000