From the Desk of Mike Gilbert:

More great news from the hallways of Spring Hill High School. As many of you know the students at Spring Hill High School are putting together a great year. Playoff Volleyball and Football Teams, District Champion Cross Country for the girls and Regional Qualifiers for both Boys and Girls, a Math/Science Team that is taking first place in every meet they attend, and now we can add to the list outstanding news from the Texas Education Agency about Gold Performance Awards.

The 2005/2006 AEIS report is out, and Spring Hill High School received 5 of 12 Gold Performance Awards. These awards represent outstanding achievement in the prescribed areas. Our awards were as follows.

Gold Performance in:

• Advanced Placement Test Results
• Percent Commended Performance on Social Studies TAKS
• Comparable Improvement in Math
• Texas Success Initiative (Prepared for Higher Education) in Math
• Texas Success Initiative in English/Language Arts
  

This is great information for the community to know that the students of the high school are getting a quality education. A special congrats to the faculty for the great work they have done to prepare our students for success!! This article could go on and on, as I could continue to brag about the students and faculty of Spring Hill High School. The year is going well, and I expect more good news from academics, co-curricular and extracurricular activities in the near future.

Go Panthers!!

As most of you know this will be my last address in the newsletter as principal of Spring Hill High School. On December 4, 2006 I will begin a new job as Superintendent of Schools at White Oak ISD. I have truly enjoyed the 16 plus years I have spent at Spring Hill. I will miss the daily interaction with faculty, staff and students, but I won't be far away. Thank you for all the support you have given to me and to everyone at the high school.

Spring Hill High School was a GREAT place before I came, a GREAT place while I was here and will be a GREAT PLACE after I am gone.

Michael E. Gilbert

A Fond Farewell to Mr. Gilbert
submitted by Various Faculty


The faculty at SHHS collectively believes that White Oak is getting a good superintendent in Mike Gilbert and that Spring Hill is losing an exceptional high school principal. His tenure here includes his stint as high school principal beginning in the fall of 2004, two years as Middle School principal, and eleven years as a teacher in the history and business departments at SHHS. During Gilbert's teaching days at SHHS, he also served as defensive coordinator for our football team and as head baseball coach. Various members of the faculty had the following comments regarding Mr. Gilbert's time here and his new opportunity at White Oak.

"Mr. Gilbert understands people. He has a unique sense of the needs of his employees and students. He is able to make everyone feel singularly important and special. Thank you Mr. Gilbert for all you've done for us and for our school. White Oak will be a better place because you are there." - Jeff Sims

"Thanks for being a leader who will listen and offer sound advice. May God bless you." - Coach Duncan

"Mr. Gilbert is a forward-thinking, open-minded leader who is firm, but fair. I especially appreciate his humble leadership and the way he builds up his faculty. His time with us (both as principal and as a teacher and coach) has made our district a better place." - Laura Jordan

"Mike, if you don't know how I feel about you by now, then it's too late. In my 12 years in education, you are the best principal that I have ever worked for, and I admire your genuine concern for all your students and staff. I feel blessed that our paths crossed even if for a short time. Thank you for all your guidance and support. White Oak is so fortunate to have you as their leader as you begin your new journey." - Tracy Dees

"I wish you the best of luck with your new job. You're going to be great; White Oak is very lucky." - Mindi Siegley

"Spring Hill ISD has been blessed to have you as a teacher, coach and principal. I have always appreciated your leadership as a teacher and a principal, and as a parent I thank you for the years you coached James. I hope White Oak realizes what an outstanding computer whiz they will be gaining. Your technology skills have increased tremendously in the last 10+ years." - Mary Lou Berlin

"In my 27 years in the field of education, I have worked under five principals, and Mr. Gilbert is hands down one of the very best administrators. Our loss is truly White Oak's gain." - Nancy Green

"Mr. Gilbert, Thank you for supporting the career opportunities of our students though encouraging and supporting the work program for juniors and seniors - Diversified Career Preparation. Not only do we offer a quality program with high standards set for our students, but we are able to provide school and business service projects for our community through our club due to your belief and high expectations in student success and professionalism at a young age. One example is allowing us to offer free income tax completion and filing in our computer lab for all working students on campus by working with the IRS as VITA volunteers. Thank you for allowing the program to offer non-traditional opportunities for Spring Hill students who want to work, earn credit for their work, and stay active in school activities. I appreciate you stopping by class to encourage my students on their work and activities. Thank you for supporting our program and joining me in setting and maintaining high standards for our coop program, which has given us an excellent reputation in the Longview area. Your support and encouragement has made this possible. Enjoy your new role as a Roughneck." - Fran Scott

"Mike's favorite quote from Rudy shows his character, 'There are two things that I know to be true...there is a God and I'm not Him.' " - Tammy Bailey

"When you were my son's teacher and coach, he greatly respected and followed you. When you became a principal, I had the privilege to work with you and developed the same admiration and respect for you. You are the epitome of all the admirable characteristics that make a great leader which is why you will always be missed at Spring Hill. Thank you for all you have done for the high school, this district, and each of us individually." - Sandra Baskin

"Mike Gilbert has blessed us with his professionalism, guidance, wisdom, and integrity. Our loss is certainly White Oak's gain!" - Debbie Carter

Mr. Gilbert begins his new duties in White Oak on December 4th. Spring Hill is currently searching for an interim principal to serve the high school for the remainder of the school year.

3A State Military Marching Band Champs

On Saturday November 4, the National Association of Military Marching Band held their annual Contest at Lobo Stadium. NAMMB has been in existence since 1982 and was formed to promote traditional military marching bands. Traditionally only the finest military bands in the state have chosen to participate in this highly competitive and extremely difficult contest. In it's 24 year history the contest has been held in various locations including Homer Bryce Stadium, Northwestern State University and Texas A&M's Kyle Field.

Because of the much higher standard at NAMMB, almost every band that participates in this contest has already earned a 1st Division at UIL Contest. (Over the years many bands that made a 1st Division at UIL went to NAMMB and made a 2nd or 3rd Division.)

This year, for the first time in school history, Spring Hill won Best Band in class 3A at the NAMMB contest. This is the highest honor a Military Marching Band can earn in the State. In addition to Best in Class the Spring Hill Band also received a trophy for Superior Performance.

Band Earns Sixth Consecutive 1st Division

The SHHS band also earned their 6th Consecutive 1st Division at UIL Marching Contest. They were the only band in the District to make a 1st Division and there were only 4 bands at the entire contest that earned a 1st division from all 3 judges. The contest was held on Thursday October 26 at Mt. Pleasant.

Barnes Invited to Participate in Olympic Band Tribute

Spring Hill Band Director, Mike Barnes, and the SHHS Band have been invited to be part of a Texas Band Tribute to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The SHHS program was chosen as it is considered to be a "leading Texas band."

This special series of concerts will performed by some of the finest high school, university and community bands in Texas. The concerts will be staged as part of the "Beijing Perform In Harmony - With Olympic Spirit" program of activities being held in the countdown to the Games.


YBA Paints Christmas Cheer and Orders More Sweatshirts
submitted by Fran Scott

The Young Business Associates, club for the work program DCP, are painting the local Dairy Queen and Midway Food Mart's store fronts for the holiday season. Students have an opportunity to learn an inexpensive advertising tool for business while learning a free-lance skill to help them earn extra income in the future. The service project is undertaken to promote sales and holiday goodwill for local businesses. Students create design ideas, present sketches to the managers, enlarge sketches to the glass dimensions, and paint with watercolors the outside glass of the businesses. Store products or sales are sometimes incorporated into the themes. The project allows for students to provide service to businesses, learn a life-long skill, be creative, and have fun while learning. A real plus is when other businesses call and offer free-lance jobs during the holidays.

The YBA recently placed a second sweatshirt order at the request of high school students. Many students decided one color was just not enough and ordered a second or third color. This year the club offered four colors of sweatshirts. Funds from sales help support service projects. YBA will be supporting several children this year by providing toys, clothes and shoes for Christmas.


Show Me the Money...and How!
submitted by Jeff Sims

Spring Hill Seniors continue their tradition of success in investing. Michael Bowdoin, Jerry Topel, Jake Crane, and Adam Meadows (Team 113) are competing in The Stock Market Game. They are deep into the ten-week competition that ends on December 8th. Each team entered gets a chance to invest $100,000 in cash, and have access to $100,000 in loans to invest in Stocks and Mutual Funds based on real-time pricing. The top three teams in each region win prizes and will attend a banquet in their honor. This year’s competition includes 194 teams from The Colony, Jasper, Carthage, and everywhere in between. Currently Team 113 is ranked first and will be honored by having their names published in the business section of Sunday’s Dallas Morning News on November 19th. Their portfolio is currently valued at $124,206. They are $10,500 ahead of their closest competitor, and are ahead of S&P 500 growth by 19.56% over the same period. This is the third year that Spring Hill students have entered this competition, and students have attended the awards banquet in both of the past two years. Congratulations to Team 113, and the legacy that you continue.


Business Wing Gets New Computers
submitted by Laura Jordan

Students in the High School business wing are enjoying new Dell computers, equipped with 3 GHz processors, 1GB RAM, 17" LCD monitors, optical mice, and new keyboards. Both labs run Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003.

Additionally, the BIMM (Business Image Management and Multimedia) lab was equipped with Macromedia Studio 8, which includes Dreamweaver 8, Flash 8, and Fireworks 8. These software programs will be used to teach students the cutting-edge technology used in Web design and graphic design in today's business world.

The equipment in the two computer labs had not been updated since 2001, and this equipment and software upgrade was made possible by a combination of budgeted funds and high school allotment money.


Spring Hill Students Excel in UIL Academics
submitted by Pat Gatons

Math-Science Team Wins Three Consecutive Meets

Led by seniors Zach Barnhart and Brian Bass, the 2006-07 edition of the Spring Hill Math-Science team has dominated its competition enroute to three consecutive meet championships. With victories at the Pine Tree, Hallsville, and Daingerfield meets, Spring Hill has established itself as a powerhouse in the East Texas area.

In each meet, senior Zach Barnhart has posted the highest scores among all participants (1A - 5A) in the number sense, calculator applications, mathematics and science contests. Following closely behind Barnhart is fellow senior Brian Bass who has recorded the second-highest totals for the team. Strong support is also provided by sophomore Michael Bass, and seniors Jason Graham, Joey Blakeley, and Shawn Davis. Other team members include junior Martin Puder, sophomores Adrian Parr and Amanda Harper, and juniors Gary Duncan and Derek Bennett. Each of these individuals has received individual medals/trophies for their performances at the contests.

The Hallsville meet featured a "Top Gun" competition where participants in all four contests had their four scores added together in order to determine the student who totaled the highest cumulative score. Among the top finishers were Zach Barnhart (1st), Brian Bass (2nd), Michael Bass (4th), and Jason Graham (5th).

The Spring Hill team will next compete in the 30th annual Spring Hill Math-Science Meet on December 2nd.

Spring Hill Students Place at Daingerfield Meet

Several Spring Hill students participated in the Daingerfield all-UIL practice meet on November 11th. Students competed in the accounting, literary criticism, prose and poetry, current issues and events, number sense, calculator, math, and science contests.

Winning individual trophies for their efforts were:

Zach Barnhart: 1st in number sense, 1st in calculator, 1st in math, & 1st in science
Jason Graham: 3rd in number sense
Joey Blakeley: 2nd in number sense & 3rd in calculator
Michael Bass: 1st in number sense, 2nd in calculator, 2nd in math, & 3rd in science
Gary Duncan: 1st in number sense & 1st in science
Derek Bennett: 2nd in math & 1st in science
Melissa Thompson: 2nd in accounting
Mitch Wright: 5th in current issues & events

In addition, the math-science team placed 1st in its division composed of fifteen 1A, 2A, and 3A schools.

Future meets featuring all UIL literary events include the Pine Tree and White Oak meets which will be held next spring. The District 15AAA UIL Academic Meet will be held the week of March 19, 2007.

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