Sullivan Makes Appearance on HBO
submitted by Laura Jordan

David Sullivan (1996) recently appeared on HBO's Big Love: Episode 2. It was a very short scene almost half way through the episode, but this is not David's first appearance on television. He also recently appeared on the television sitcom, Joey.

Big Love is a controversial HBO series about a modern-day Utah polygamist who lives in suburban Salt Lake City with his three wives, seven children, and a mounting avalanche of debt and demands.

2002 Graduate Named Cheerleader
submitted by Debbie Carter

Spring Hill graduate Christen Carter has been selected as cheerleader at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. Christen is a senior English major at SAGU and was a 2002 graduate of SHHS.

Drill Team Expecting Big Changes
submitted by Rachel Rowan of the Pacesetters

The Pacesetter Drill Team is expecting big changes in the upcoming year. Since establishment the organization has not been open for freshmen to try-out, but recent approval has allowed all high school students to try-out for the Pacesetters, including the up-coming freshmen, the eighth graders.

Being a member of Pacesetters has some academic benefits and is an excellent class to consider in high school. Pacesetters have a required class that meets 4th block on “A” days and they receive both a P.E. and fine arts credit. Many in the community did not realize that the drill team meets as a class and they receive two academic credits towards graduation. Another benefit is the girls can participate in other activities such as band and athletics. Mrs. Reagh works very close with the coaches to plan schedules and performances. In addition to practicing in class the team works after school on “B” days.

The Pacesetters perform at every football game and pep-rally, but their year doesn’t end there, they go on to perform at an annual competition, the Gussie Nell Davis Classic at Kilgore College, the PTA talent show, basketball games, and a Spring Show.

To become a member of this organization it helps to have previous dance experience, which is offered by Tempe Kirby on Tuesday mornings. With Mrs. Reagh having her dance certification dance technique is continually taught in the Pacesetter class throughout the year. Many beginners have become very successful in this organization. What makes a member really successful is having a good attitude and willingness to work hard.

For those interested, there will be a mandatory meeting on May 1st and at least one parent of every student must attend. For those students and/or parent who attend this meeting there will be a mandatory workshop on May 5th and the 8th through the 10th. Line try-outs will be held on May 11th. For further information contact D’Lee Reagh at 903 759 4404 or dreagh@springhill.esc7.net.

One-Act Play Successful at Competition
submitted by Kathy Fisher

The Spring Hill High School Theatre Department competed in the District UIL One-Act Play Competition at R. E. Lee High School on March 28, 2006. Joanna Capehart and Justin Comer were named to the District Honorable Mention All-Star Cast, while Samantha Howes, Erin Magerl, and Blake Smith were named to the District All-Star Cast. Their play, Amber Waves, was selected to advance to the UIL Area One-Act Play Competition, held on April 8, 2006 at Chapel Hill High School. Erin Magerl received a place on the Area Honorable Mention All-Star Cast and Justin Comer received a place on the Area All-Star Cast.

Theatre Department Final Performance & Mini-Camp
submitted by Kathy Fisher

The SHHS Theatre Department is proud to announce the final performance for the 2005-2006 school year. Premiere II will be presented to the public on Friday, May 19, 2006 at 7:00pm in the SHHS Little Theater. Admission is free, but donations to the Theatre Department will be accepted. Premiere II is an evening of original short plays written, directed, and performed by Theatre Production Students. Last year’s Premiere was a lot of fun for the audience, so don’t miss Premiere II.

Additionally, the SHHS Theatre Club will be hosting the 4th annual Theatre Mini Camp for current 3rd – 6th grade students on Saturday, May 20, 2006. Information will be sent home soon with students.

Accouting, Math-Science Teams Qualify for Regionals
submitted by Pat Gatons

Spring Hill High School competed at the District 16AAA UIL Academic Meet held on March 31st on the campus of TSTC-Marshall. Spring Hill qualified 12 individual students and 5 teams in 8 different events.

Regional qualifiers include:

*ACCOUNTING
Brittany Callas - 1st
Kelsey Pyle - 2nd
Brittany Chapman -4th
1st place team
*CALCULATOR APPLICATIONS
Brian Bass - 1st
Zach Barnhart - 2nd
Michael Bass - 4th
Caleb Engelke - 6th
1st place team
*MATHEMATICS
Brian Bass - 3rd
Zach Barnhart - 5th
2nd Place Team (regional wildcard entry)
*NUMBER SENSE
Brian Bass - 1st
Zach Barnhart - 2nd
Michael Bass - 3rd
1st Place Team
*SCIENCE
Zach Barnhart - 1st, Top Chemistry, Top Physics
Jason Graham - 3rd
Brian Bass - 4th
1st Place Team
*LITERARY CRITICISM
Erin Magerl - 2nd
*SPELLING & VOCABULARY
Tawney Offutt - 3rd
*READY WRITING
Brian Bass - 2nd

Others who placed for Spring Hill at the district level were:

Krystle Nichols - 6th in Computer Applications
Zach Barnhart - 5th in Computer Science
Hayden Henry - 6th in Editorial Writing, 6th in Headline Writing
Melissa Collier - 5th in Feature Writing
Ashley Herrin - 6th in Headline Writing
Daniel Cameron - 5th in Literary Criticism
Joanna Capehart - 4th in Prose Interpretation
Melissa Thompson - 4th in Spelling & Vocabulary

Spring Hill teams also placed second in the following contests and are the alternates to regional:

Computer Science
Literary Criticism
Spelling & Vocabulary

The regional academic meet will be held on Saturday, April 22nd, on the campus of Texas A&M University-Commerce. Students who place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd individually, or are members of a 1st place team, advance to the UIL State Academic Meet held on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin the first weekend in May.

Congratulations to all who participated!! We ask you parents to encourage your children to become involved with UIL academics so that we can have an even better showing next year.


Spring Hill Bands Make History
submitted by Mike Barnes

This Spring, for the first time in school history the Blue Brigade had two High School Concert Bands compete at the UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest. Both ensembles earned a 1st Division and received the Sweepstakes Trophy.

The students auditioned for each group in the fall and then were able to challenge for chair position through December. Each ensemble met during 1st Block. The Symphonic Band, under the direction of Randy Kiser, met at the High School Band Hall and the Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Mike Barnes, met at the Junior High Band Hall. Each ensemble played different music well above the requirements for the 3A classification.

When asked about the performance, Sophomore Kelsey Krupa said, "It's always a fun experience to go to contest. It's also a relief to finish because we've worked so hard for so long and finishing with a Sweepstakes made all of our hard work pay off. I thought it was one of the best performances we've had of this music. We played even better than in the rehearsals."

Some of the Symphonic Band Judges comments were: "Very nicely played. This was very musical. Great performance. Thanks for a job well done." Darrin Jolly from Mabank. "Nice rhythmic feel. Very accurate pulse in this band. Good clean articulation. This band is fundamentally sound in all areas. Outstanding technique and pulse." Jim Childers. "Nice March style. Overall well done. Very pretty sounds, good balance and shaping. Great flutes and saxophones. This is a very musical ensemble. I am impressed by the fine teaching and performance level exhibited by this group. You are doing a fine job. Congrats to students and teachers." Val Rose from Nederland.

Before the Wind Ensemble Performance one of the judges, tongue in cheek, asked Mr. Barnes, "hasn't anyone told you that Spring Hill is a 3A Band and isn't required to perform 5A music?" When asked about the performance Mr. Barnes said, "the students were in top form. It was really cool to look at their faces during the performance and see the smiles. They knew they were performing well. I've been doing this for 16 years and thought I had experienced it all. However, after we played the concert judges came and asked me for a copy of the recording. That was very flattering."

Some of the Wind Ensemble Concert Judges comments were: "Really great band sounds. I am so pleased to get to hear such good concepts, super technique and outstanding musicianship. Great horn solo in Salvation is Created. Armenian Dances...WOW! I have always wanted to hear your band in person. Thank you." John Young from Wills Point. "Great job on the march. Thanks for the next level of your achievement. Great performance on Salvation. Armenian...simply wonderful. Lots of really great players. Nice solos, especially oboe and alto sax. Thanks, this was very enjoyable! Keep raising your standards of superiority." Darrin Jolly from Mabank "Great sound on this grand march. I really enjoyed hearing this. Bravo Trombones. Salvation is Created...Amen! Very musically done. Armenian Dances...My gosh folks! You play really well. This is the fun part of being in band. Thank you for working so hard to prepare for this performance. I really enjoyed it! Congratulations to you and your fine directors!" Denny Whitley from White House.

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