From the Desk of the Principal:

Welcome back for another GREAT YEAR at Spring Hill High School!!

We have really had a good start. Our students are really doing a great job adapting to our new schedule. It has really given us a lot of flexibility. Also having pep rallies in the morning has kept us from feeling like we were losing a half day of instruction every Friday  afternoon.

We have several new faculty members this year. We have Chris Peurifoy teaching Teen Leadership, Angela Lambert in English, Lacy Sears in Spanish, Allison Gillentine in Science,  and Jennifer Pritchett in Theater and Speech.  I believe we are very fortunate to have been able to add all of them to our staff.  I would like to mention that Tara Alexander (English) has been seriously ill and unable to teach so far this year. I would like for you to keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

This year we are emphasizing two of the three words from last year. These words I believe are the key to our success in all areas. Those words are Respect and  Responsibility. Please help us remind students of the importance of each word.  We had really good TAKS scores. Our students have done a great job so far of obeying rules and respecting each other and their teachers. I really appreciate it.

We are looking forward to a great school year where academics will be the name of the game!

Bobby Watkins
FROM GOOD to GREAT - “It takes everyone.”

SHHS Salutes Two Outstanding Students with Nominations for the Wendy's High School Heisman Award
submitted by Paige Childers

Spring Hill High School's Garrett Methvin and Kayla Williams have been honored with nominations for the prestigious Wendy's High School Heisman Award. The program, awarded in conjunction with the collegiate Heisman, celebrates the achievements of the nation's top high school seniors both in and out of the classroom.

The Spring Hill High School coaching staff nominated these two promising leaders for their academic aptitude, athletic talent, and exceptional commitment to their school and communities.



Students Attend Boys State Summer '08
submitted by Traci Wallis

Nine local boys attended the 2008 Texas Boys State in Austin, Texas, June 7-13. Two junior class representatives from area high schools were recommended last school year by their school’s administration to attend. In the selection of boys as citizens of Boys State, merit and ability alone are the basis for selection.  Only boys with outstanding qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty and service to their schools and community are considered. The boys are then chosen by the local American Legion board. Texas Boys State 2008 Representatives from Spring Hill were Luke Wallis and Ryan Shafer. Representatives from other area schools, along with American Legion sponsor, Neal Ranne, are also pictured in the photo.  

Twenty-eight thousand young men nationwide are enrolled annually in the program.  Approximately 730 delegates attended at the Texas level.  They experience government in a practical sense by actually participating in it.  Boys State is a leadership action program which teaches government, its structure, and proves that “government is just what you make it”.  Democracy must have citizen involvement.  The American Legion sponsors this program with that objective in mind.  The Legion feels that if this government “…of the people, by the people, and for the people…” is to continue, the burden of the task must rest squarely on the shoulders of this next generation.

Texas Boys State has been in existence since 1935.  The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors a similar program for young ladies called Girls State.  All expenses are paid for by the American Legion Post 140 in Longview.  All of the “Staters” are housed in a single dorm, Jester West, at the University of Texas in Austin.  Boys State is one of the largest camps hosted by the University each summer.

Texas Boys State is an experience to remember for a lifetime.   For many that have attended in the past, it has been the springboard to careers in public service.  President Bill Clinton was a delegate for Boys State from Arkansas and went on to the National level where he was able to shake hands with President JFK.  For some, it has been an opportunity to develop friendships, camaraderie, and to share experiences in a common fraternity that extends long after the “on-site” program ends.

The boys are encouraged to run for “office” while they are down in Austin.  Luke Wallis ran and won a position as state Senator.  Hunter Skoog of Pine Tree was county delegate, city scribe, and All-Boys State Softball team.  Humza Khan of Hallsville won a position in the House of Representatives and was Chairman of the Law Enforcement Committee.  Jesse Norris of White Oak was mayor of Roberts City. 



Students/Teachers Benefit from New Technology
submitted by Laura Jordan

Thanks to a grant from the Spring Hill Education Foundation, the high school is benefitting from new software in its business department computer labs. This Vision6 software allows the instructor to take full control of student computers to show demonstrations on the students' desktops. It also allows the teacher to assist a single student who may be struggling with an assignment, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the rest of the students' desktops. The teacher may also lock-out Web browsing and other computer activity that is not necessary for the day's lesson, allowing for a more focused learning experience. The instructor's machine controls the lab, and miniature screenshots of each student machine are displayed on the teacher computer at all times.

The high school is also benefitting from other technology grants from the Spring Hill Education Foundation, including new high-speed printers, ceiling-mounted projectors, and drawing tablets for graphic arts.



What is Teen Leadership?
submitted by Chris Peurifoy

Teen Leadership is a program in which students develop leadership, professional, and business skills.  They learn to develop a healthy self-concept, healthy relationships, and learn to understand the concept of personal responsibility.  They will develop an understanding of Emotional Intelligence and the skills it measures, which include self-awareness, self-control, self-motivation, and social skills.  Students will develop skills in public speaking and communication and an understanding of personal image.  They will develop an understanding of the concept of principle-based decision-making.  They will develop an understanding of the effects of peer pressure, will develop skill to counteract those effects, and will develop problem-solving skills.  They will develop an understanding of the principles of parenting, enabling them to become better family members and citizens.  They will also develop an understanding of the need for vision in goal-setting, personally and professionally.



Choir News
submitted by Laura Langham

Seven Spring Hill students are currently working on all-region mixed choir auditions. The auditions will take place September the 27th in Mount Pleasant. These students have to prepare five pieces of music and sightread. It is a difficult task because the music is hard and it takes alot of time to prepare. If selected for the All-Region mixed choir, these students are eligible to compete at the next level and can eventually compete for All-State choir. There are also several students working on treble all region choir auditions.

We are still looking for good singers for next semester. Choir is open to anyone who likes to sing. A Cappella Choir is by audition only, but we are looking for several good men. The only requirements are that you have to audition, willing to work hard, and  must be able to sing.  



New AP Class at Spring Hill
submitted by Lisa Gathright

Spring Hill High School is proud to begin a new AP class this school year.  AP Biology began this fall with 13 students stepping up to the challenge.  AP Biology is a college level biology course which emphasizes content as well as lab skills. The content of the course is decided by the College Board.  Twelve AP Biology labs are required and some very specialized equipment is needed to complete the labs. Students will be sequencing DNA, doing titrations, water quality tests, and many other activities as part of the AP Biology curriculum. A special thanks to the Spring Hill Educational Foundation for awarding the science department a $1000 grant to help off set some of the initial start up cost.



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 sixth 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 third year the club is offering non-traditional colors as well as traditional colors. This year the buyers are able to choose from royal blue, black, carolina blue, and safety green. This sales project will help fund numerous activities throughout the year as well as raise money for individual scholarships. Sales will run the first half of October. Students on all campuses will be notified of the sales dates. Individuals in the community who wish to order can contact the club sponsor, Fran Scott, from the district website.