S-T Drama Club Previews OAP

Cody Coker and Will Stridde prior to their startling transformation.

The S-T ISD Drama Club had the audience in stitches at Thursday's One Act Play performance of Leading Ladies by Ken Ludwig. The story centered around two British actors who go to improbable lengths to swindle a not-quite-dying old lady out of her money. After learning the old lady's long lost "sons" were really "daughters" well... you can imagine where the story goes from there.

The cast in order of appearance included Lyndsi Pace as Meg Snider, Robert Brown as Duncan Wooley, Cody Coker as Leo Clark, Will Stridde as Jack Gable, Stephanie Leal as Audrey, Jessica Cochran as Florence Snider, Josh Davis as Doc Meyers, and Bobby Henshall as Butch Meyers. Participating backstage were Stage Manager Jessica Hall, Caterer Jamie Boemer, Stage Crewmember Beth Gonzales, Sound Technician Breanna Hinds, and Lighting by Kamy Kimball. Hollis Stubenthal and Travis Weaver served as alternates.

Special credit goes to Director Mrs. Pam Keeton, and "Seamstresses Extraordinaire" Mrs. Kathy Head and Mrs. Ordena Keeton. The cast and crew also thank Mrs. Head and Mrs. Keeton for the beautiful costumes, Mr. Domingo Garcia for set construction, Mrs. Holubec and the staff and faculty of S-T ISD for their support.

S-T ISD will perform the play during District OAP competition, Thursday, April 2, at Coastal Bend College.

S-T ISD Students Excel in First Round of TAKS Testing

There is plenty of reason to celebrate in the Skidmore-Tynan ISD. The district is applauding the results of this year's Reading TAKS test for students in the third, fifth and eighth grades.

Superintendent, Dr. Brett Belmarez, reports all three grade levels met the standard of achievement with an 85 percent or higher passing rate during the first round of testing.

"Our third graders overall had about a 91-percent passing rate and 38-percent of those were commended," said Belmarez, "So we're pretty pleased with that performance." Fifth grade had an 87-percent passing rate with 34-percent achieving commended performance. Eighth graders scored perfectly. 100% passed the test and 54-percent received commended performance. “Tremendous performance,” said Belmarez.

Belmarez says the district is celebrating the success of those students achieving commended performance.

"Many make the biggest deal out of whether a child passes the test or not and certainly that is our first concern. We want our young people to experience success so we appreciate good passing rates, but the TAKS test is a test of minimum standards and minimum skills. So we really like for our kids to have more than just a minimum background. The District wants students to be able to perform at levels that allow them to earn that commended performance. This level of performance (commended) means that students are not just meeting minimum standards, but they are mastering the material at a pace that allows them to excel in later grades. These commended performance levels are very good and we're very proud of that fact," said Belmarez.

Most of the success behind this year's reading test lies directly with the teachers. Belmarez says that Skidmore-Tynan staff members continue to do their part to help each child at each grade level master the state mandated test.

"Our teachers spend a great deal of time educating students and teaching students to apply these learned skills in a daily context. I am proud to be a part of a school system that delivers top-notch results from the early grades all the way through to graduation. This is a great start to academic score performance for this year," said Belmarez.

The reading portion of the TAKS was administered to students during the first week in March.

Walmart Gang Shooting Hoax Resurfaces in South Texas

The Caller-Times reports a hoax email initiated in 2005 has resurfaced and is causing a minor panic in the area: Wal-Mart text message threat similar to previous hoax. Read more about the hoax email in the Snopes.com story Wal-Martyred.

Warner Completes Basic Training

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times reports Corey B. Warner has graduated from Airforce basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Corey is the son of Kevin and Tracy Warner of Beeville and is a 2008 graduate of S-TISD.

Local Grad Proud to Be a Marine

2007 Skidmore-Tynan ISD graduate Amanda Doubrava is featured in the Department of Massachusetts Marine Corp League news story, Still Fighting the Fight.

Elementary All A Honor Roll

The following S-T ISD elementary students made the fourth six-weeks All-A Honor Roll:

First Grade: Brandon Aguilar, Alyson Bennett, Conner Favre, Skylar Hall, Sebastian Menchaca, Taylor Pena, Donoyon Perez, Clayton Garza, Avea Gonzales, Noemi Gonzales, Madison Gonzales, Drayden Haggard, Kiersten Magana, Tres Ortiz, Hailey Rivera, Caleb Vickery, Nathaniel Gutierrez, Edward Soto.

Second Grade: Jesse Sabala, Samuel Benavidez, Matthew Carnes, Madeline Dougherty, Bryna Gonzalez, Kayla Rutkowski, Megan Haggard, Cotton Loya, Tyler Salinas, Cole Terry, Storm Toelken, Alyssa Arroya, Stephen Moreno, Matthew Nelson, Daniel Tyrone.

Third Grade: Timothy Leafty, Katriena Ables, Mackenzie Clark, Kennon Wishert, McKayla Rocha, Melanie Wolf.

Fourth Grade: Randi Pace, Vincent Flores, Casen Conn, Jonathan Carrillo, Felicia Ortiz, Kylie Wallace, Grace Calvert, Cullen Hughes, Jette Polasek, Cassie Reyna.

Fifth Grade: Juan Luna, Sarah Colle, Kati Stroman, Trenton Dragon, Sydney Baker, Nick Rayburn, Malyssa Casner, Melanie Martinez.

Boys All-District Basketball Picks

Congratulations to the following Skidmore-Tynan athletes named to the District 30-AA Boys Basketball All District teams: 1st Team All-District Connor McCarn (unanimous); 2nd Team All-District Cody Chambers; and Honorable Mention Gavin Vandever and Zach Hall.

Schmidt Receives Houston Livestock Show Scholarship

The Signal congratulates Alexis Schmidt, recipient of a four-year $15,000 Area Go Texan scholarship. The scholarship is part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s annual commitment to Texas students of more than $10.9 million in scholarships and educational programs.

Signal Hot Off the Press

In this month's issue: Ladycats Area Champs, Mengers MVP, Grimes Coach of the Year, S-T Soloist and Ensemble Advance to State, Rodriguez Retires from Postal Service, 4.0 GPA Places Dragon on UNT Presidents List, Hightowers Reopen Chisholm Cafe, A Proud Grandmother, Petrus High School Heisman State Finalist, and Bobcat & Ladycat Sports Pics.

Subscribers check your mailbox or pick up a copy at Papa's Market.

Little League Bake Sale Saturday

Bobcat Little League is holding a Bake Sale Saturday, March 7, from 8:00 a.m. to noon at Papa's Market. If you missed early registration, you can sign your child up during the sale. Player registration fees are $35 for the first child and $20 for each additional sibling. Birth certificates and proof of residency are required at registration. The league is also accepting applications for volunteer coaching positions. For more information, contact Ronnie Olivares at 542-9139.