Closing my year as your PTA President, I want to thank everyone who has made it such a memorable and wonderful volunteer experience. It has been my pleasure and honor to serve all the members of Panther Nation, the schools in our pyramid, the parents and families, the teachers and staff and, most of all, the students. PTA works all year long to benefit every student at Paschal in so many ways.

As a result of all that hard work, the PTA distributed funds to a variety of teachers, coaches and staff in May. It is a great feeling to be able to fulfill a teacher request that will make his or her classroom a better place for students to learn. The PTA helped fund requests as diverse as tables for the Art room, to gear for the Wrestling team.

I want to introduce our new PTA President for the 2013 - 2014 school year: Dennis Johnson. Dennis served as PTA Treasurer this year and has served on many PTA Boards in different capacities. He is the father of two sons, one an incoming freshman and one a rising junior. I have been fortunate to know Dennis and his family since Kindergarten days at Lily B. He is hard-working, fun-loving, organized and will do an outstanding job.

Students, since this is my last Newsblast column, I have a challenge for you. The next time you are in the Paschal Hall of Honor outside the school Library, take a look at the plaques honoring outstanding Paschal graduates. Paschal has an amazing list of alumni, including an astronaut, a golfing legend, an Olympic Gold Medalist, an Oscar-winning musician, the first woman Mayor of San Antonio, a legendary sports writer, a U.S. Senator, a Governor of Texas and a Governor of Colorado. Think of those who have gone before you. And then ask yourself, "What can I do to someday join this wall of accomplished former students?"
 

Go forth and be proud to be called a Paschal Panther.

What's in Your Summer? PSAT/SAT Courses Open

Parents: If you answer "yes" to any of these questions:

• Do you get sad at the thought of your child having no reason to get up in the morning and therefore sleeping really late?
• Do you hate to think of how much your children will miss their wonderful Paschal teachers?
• Would you like for your children to continue learning and enhance their test taking skills?

Then sign up for the Paschal PSAT/SAT Summer Course! Come by Room 231 or go to paschalhs.org and download the registration form today; we still have room available.

Close UP 2014 Open to Juniors and Seniors

It's never too early to start thinking about Close Up! Each year, Paschal students travel to Washington, DC, to learn about our government and our history. The kids have an amazing week, and for some, it's the trip of a lifetime!

The students will learn specific details in September, but right now we know that we're traveling in late January. The trip is open to all juniors and seniors who have passed all of their TAKS and/or STARR tests, and the approximate cost is $1,700. If you're looking for a unique gift, this may be it! Questions? Contact Allyson Eaton: allyson.eaton@fwisd.org

PHS Band Brings Home 14 Medals!

Congratulations to our students who performed at the Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest! Our students earned more medals and higher ratings than any trip in recent memory, bringing home 14 medals and an overwhelming majority of our students earning either a 1st or 2nd Division rating. (A 1st Division at the Region contest in Crowley in February is considered a 3rd Division at state, so students have to perform at an even higher level in Austin to earn a top rating.)

Way to go, Paschal Band!!! It is also exciting to see that we had students in all four grades earn 1st Division ratings on Saturday. This shows the depth of talent that is being created in our program and that students are capable of great things when they set their mind to it.

Congrats to: