From the Desk of the Principal:

This year is really going by fast; it seems like only yesterday that school got underway.  We want to offer our Congratulations to our band; they received a Division I rating at the UIL marching contest at Mt Pleasant. We are extremely proud of them.   Our football team is moving right along toward a place in the State Playoffs.  Our cross-country teams are having an outstanding season so far and will have their District Meet Monday October 22nd.

Our students and teachers are doing a great job in the classroom!! Every day I see a great deal of teaching and learning in our school, and I’m very proud of that.   Report cards will be coming out November 1st.  The first nine weeks ends October 26th.  Be sure to ask your student about the report card.

I want to remind you about the PROactive Panthers group that Kim Droege has formed.  It is a great group, and I would encourage you to attend their next meeting which will be held in the Library of our school on October 29th, 7:00 – 8:00. The subject is underage drinking and drug use.  You are welcome to bring your student with you.

Bobby Watkins, Principal SHHS

Spring Hill Fall Tennis
submitted by Holly Ford

The Spring Hill tennis team experienced a successful 2007 fall season.  After practicing all summer, the team soundly defeated Gladewater in a match that took place before school began with a score of 15-4.  The team, led by seven seniors, defeated Mt. Pleasant 16-3 on September 22.  The Panthers’ only loss of the fall came the next weekend to Wills Point; the score was 5-13.  On October 6th, the Spring Hill netters claimed a 10-9 victory over Van.  Later that day, they also defeated Longview 14-5.

Coach Ford:  “Besides tennis, most of these athletes are currently involved in another sport or activity such as band or cheerleading, so I appreciate their commitment.  Playing a fall tennis schedule has certainly strengthened our program.”

Team members include:

College Board Regognizes AP Scholar
submitted by Kayla Lindsey

CONGRATULATIONS to class of 2007 graduate Brian Bass for being named an AP Scholar.  The College Board designates this honor to students who score a 3 or higher on 3 or more AP Exams.  Way to go Brian!!

The Pack
submitted by Matt Trammel of the Panther's Paw

You can find them directly in front of the band and right beside the Pacesetters. They do not sit, they are never silent, and they do not rattle. They are The Pack.

The past two years the Spring Hill student section has grown immensely and for the most part because of a few young men refusing to sit back and not express themselves at sporting events. Some say that The Pack was founded a few years ago, but the noticeable change occurred last year. That change has now set in, and the enthusiasm isn’t going anywhere, in fact it is increasing.

If you were to attend a Spring Hill sporting event three years ago, you would typically see students spread out through the stands talking to their friends, not really showing very much interest in the game itself. Almost every sporting event had become merely a social event for most students. But last year seniors Josh Hall, Cole Tomberlain, Drew Sabin, and Jordan Knight took initiative and did their best to gather students together into one area of the stands to join collectively to show their fervor for their hometown team. At first it was a challenge to stand out and be different for these seniors, but as time progressed more students were fascinated by the passion being shown by the members of The Pack. With each game The Pack grew larger and larger, eventually a great majority of the student body was involved.

That blueprint has carried over into this year. As one group of seniors has moved on, a new, fresh group has stepped in to carry on the custom that has been set. These new “Pack Commanders” include: Seniors Stephan Tarpley, Jeff Chandler, Chris Lee, and Michael Secord. All of these seniors play different sports so not all can lead The Pack at the same time. Stephan Tarpley and Jeff Chandler both play varsity basketball, but do not play football so they are the Pack Commanders during the football season. In contrast, Chris Lee and Michael Secord play football, but not basketball so when basketball season rolls around, Critter and Michael will get their turn at leading The Pack. This current football season The Pack has picked up right where it left off, still continuing to grow from its already large size. The Pack now is tightly squeezed in the home stands where it resides between the band and Pacesetters and will probably eventually outgrow that area.

The Pack has done their job so far this year, being considerably more enthusiastic than even last year’s group, having more chants and even making trashcan drums with the letters “P-A-C-K” on them. The Pack looks to continue its growing passion through the rest of the football season and straight into the basketball season.

YBA Sweatshirt Sale
submitted by Fran Scott

Young Business Associates is an organization with the goal to provide service opportunities and help working students reach their goals. This club is made up of full-time students who also work part-time jobs. It is the club for members of Diversified Career Preparation - the work program. Fund-raisers help raise money for activities and service projects for the community, local businesses, and school. For the fifth consecutive year YBA has sold Spring Hill sweatshirts. Every year sweatshirts change in style, design, and colors, with the students running the project as a business and creating the original designs. For the second year the club is offering non-traditional colors as well as traditional colors. The buyers are able to choose from royal blue, black, white and dark brown. The design has the words Spring Hill on the front and Panthers down the left sleeve. This sales project will help fund numerous activities throughout the year as well as raise money for individual scholarships. Sales run through Friday, October 19.

Heather Seahorn Represents SH at Yamboree
submitted by Laura Jordan

The daughter of Jerry and Stephanie Seahorn, Heather Seahorn, represented Spring Hill at this year's Yamboree in Gilmer. Each area school selects one representative to reign as duchess at the festivities. Heather participates in volleyball, softball, and track, and she is a member of the Spanish Club. She also is active in her church group with various community service projects. Heather's future plans include attending Baylor University and majoring in pediatrics.

Spring Hill's 1st Debate Tourney a Success
submitted by Jennifer White

On September 29, Spring Hill hosted the 1st Annual Fall Tournament for Debate. We had a great turnout for the first year.  Thirteen schools participated, and over one hundred students were competing.  A special "thank you" is due to the faculty and the PTA for their support.

NHS Holds 34th Induction Ceremony
submitted by MaryLou Berlin

The Alpha Centauri Chapter of the National Honor Society held its 34th induction ceremony on Sunday afternoon, October 21st in the high school Little Theatre.  Twenty-two students who have shown excellence in scholarship, leadership, character and service were honored.

Chapter President Sarah Veralli opened the induction with information on our local chapter’s charter in October 1974 and the first induction ceremony in April 1975.  She and other chapter officers Winston Manley, Jessica Searcy and Chris Lee presented speeches on the four areas of National Honor Society.

Following the induction ceremony, high school principal Mr. Bobby Watkins congratulated the students for their accomplishments. Senior NHS members honored the new members, families and friends with a reception in the high school library.