Skidmore-Tynan High School - Bronze Medal

U.S. News & World Report has announced their picks for America's Best High Schools. Skidmore-Tynan High School was awarded a Bronze Medal, more details online.

S-TISD Again Named Top School by US News & World Report

For the second year running, Skidmore-Tynan ISD has received Bronze Medal recognition as one of the top rated schools in the nation.

The America's Best High Schools project is an annual report that identifies the country's top-performing high schools. The goal is to provide a clear, unbiased picture of how well public schools serve all of their students - from the highest achieving to the lowest achieving - in preparing them to demonstrate proficiency in basic skills as well as readiness for college-level work. The first-ever list of America's Best High Schools is the 2008 edition, which was posted online November 30, 2007. The 2009 edition was posted online on December 5, 2008 and the 2010 edition was posted on December 10, 2009.

Since U.S. News & World Report editors believe high schools are among America's most important institutions, adding America's Best High Schools to its "America's Best" series was a natural progression. Education drives our country's future. Recognizing schools that are performing well and providing them as models to other schools will inspire educators and communities to do better. Also, by sharing this information, parents across the country will be armed with information to help them make better-informed decisions about their child's education.

Writer Pens Book about Local Landmark

"I was inspired to write Corrigans’ Pool by my great love of American history, especially the Civil war era in which many of my ancestors fought on both sides," writes area author Dot Ryan. "I grew up listening to my paternal and maternal grandmothers’ stories, passed down from generation to generation, about life in those days. I knew early on that someday I would write historical novels about all eras of American history."

Dot Ryan was raised in Beeville and Skidmore and now resides in Corpus Christi where she is busy writing her second and third works of historical fiction. Read more in The Story Behind Corrigans’ Pool by Dot Ryan.

S-TISD Announces Ceremony to Honor Wayne K. DuBose

Skidmore-Tynan ISD has taken official action to name its newest gymnasium in honor of Wayne K. DuBose. Family, friends, former students, and the school district community are invited to a ceremony and official unveiling of the Wayne K. DuBose Gymnasium during Skidmore-Tynan ISD’s Homecoming Weekend. The ceremony will take place prior to the Homecoming Game on Friday, October 23, at 5:30 p.m., at the district’s Special Events Center.

The husband of Mavournee DuBose and the father of David DuBose of Austin and Jacque Kosmin of Dallas (both Skidmore-Tynan ISD graduates), Mr. DuBose served the district for 38 years as a principal, teacher, coach, club sponsor, photographer, and mentor. He voluntarily served Skidmore-Tynan ISD as a photographer and publicist for several years after his retirement from the district. He is a past-president of the Texas High School Girls Coaching Association and is in the Hall of Honor of the Coastal Bend Coaches Association.

For additional details or question please contact the High School Office at (361) 287-3426 extension 3000.

Son of S-T Graduate Competes in Junior Olympics

10 year old Kolton Allen, son of Skidmore-Tynan Class of 83' grad Kevin Allen and wife Georgia of Lexington Tx, and grandson of Rita Allen of Corpus Christi, recently qualified in the 3000 meter run for AAU Jr. Olympics Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa. You can view Kolton's other running accomplishments at Kolton's Running Page.

S-TISD Teacher Featured in Bee-Picayune Photo Contest Story

John Davis writes "There was a very interesting article in the Bee Pic recognizing our very own Amanda Stafford from STISD for her photography work. She is competing in the Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest." Read the full story on the Bee-Picayune website: Skill, patience, luck: Another rule of thirds in photography

Wallace Qualifies for World's Largest Junior High Rodeo

Skidmore-Tynan Junior High 8th-Grade student Hudson Wallace has earned a position on the Texas state Wrangler Junior High rodeo team and will be traveling with fellow teammates to Gallup, New Mexico from June 28th thru July 4th to compete at the 5th Annual Wrangler Junior High Finals Rodeo (WJHFR) in Tie-Down Calf Roping.

Hudson is the son of Trey & Roberta Wallace of George West, Texas and Clyde & Kristen Evons of Katy, Texas.

Gonzales Celebrate 50th Anniversary

Mr. and Mrs. Laugro Y Gonzales celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary June 14th. The couple was honored by family members with a dinner and a dance at the Chick-a-Saw. Laugro and Lupe Gonzales are blessed with 8 children, 23 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

Elementary 5th Six Weeks Honor Roll

First Grade: Nathaniel Gutierrez, Tres Ortiz, Caleb Vickery, Madison Gonzales, Avea Gonzalez, Noemi Gonzalez, Drayden Haggard, Brandon Aguilar, Alyson Bennet, Conner Favre, Callie Jernigen, Sebastian Menchaca, Taylor Pena, Donovon Perez

Second Grade: Jesse Sabala, Megan Haggard, Tyler Salinas, Cole Terry, Matthew Carnes, Madeline Dougherty, Kayla Rutkowski, Alyssa Arroyo, Stephen Moreno, Matthew Nelson, Daniel Tyrone

Third Grade: McKayla Rocha, Melanie Wolf, Katriena Ables, Mackenzie Clark, Jonathan Serrano, Catrina Soto, Kennon Wishert

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

Fifth Grade: Sydney Baker, Trenton Dragon, Melanie Martinez, Nicholas Rayburn, Mercedes Aguilar, Sarah Colle, Kati Stroman, Juan Luna

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.

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.

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.

Thanks to Head Start Teachers

I would like to take the time to Thank the Skidmore-Tynan Head start Teachers Mrs. Aguilar and Mrs. Perez for the great job they are doing. The kids love these two teachers. Sometimes the teachers do not get the credit they deserve. We as parents forget, not only are they teachers, but parents also. The parent committee is doing a great job. Just know that parents from the Skidmore-Tynan community support and Thank-you. -- Sincerely, Terri Gonzales

S-T Elementary 3rd Six Weeks All-A Honor Roll

1st Grade
Avea Gonzales, Madison Gonzalez, Tres Ortiz, Caleb Vickery, Brandon Aguilar, Alyson Bennett, Conner Favre, Sebastian Menchaca, Taylor Pena, Donovon Perez, Nathaniel Gutierrez

2nd Grade
Jesse Sabala, Tyler Bleibdrey, Madeline Dougherty, Bryan Gonzalez, Kayla Rutowski, Dani Alvarado, Megan Haggard, Tyler Salinas, Cole Terry, Alyssa Arroya, Stephen Moreno, Matthew Nelson

3rd Grade
Timothy Leafty, Alyssa Olivarez, Michelle Flores, McKayla Rocha, Melanie Wolf, KennonWishert, LC Henning, Katriena Ables

4th Grade
Jonathan Carrillo, Felicia Ortiz, Allyson Ruiz, Kylie Wallace, Mikayla Barnett, Vincent Flores, Randi Pace, Grace Calvert, Cullen Hughes, Jette Polasek, Cassie Reyna

5th Grade
Sarah Colle, Gabby Gonzalez, Whitley Rix, Ashley Vanecek, Sydney Baker, Trenton Dragon, Joshua Gonzales, Melanie Martinez, Juan Luna, Monserrat Nino, Bobbie Stowe

Submitted by Mich Ortiz.

Video of Gonzales TD Wins YouNewsTV Contest

S-T ISD was the lucky recipient of two $500 gift cards from the Sports Authority after video of Alex Gonzales’ 85 yard kickoff return won a national contest sponsored by KIII TV 3 and YouNewsTV. The video was submitted by “superfan” Keith Petrus who had no idea they were even holding a contest. Click here to view the story on the KIII TV 3 website.

S-T High School Recognized by National News Magazine

Skidmore-Tynan High School was recently named one of the nation's finest by the weekly news magazine U.S. News & World Report. Of 1,829 Texas high schools, S-THS achieved Bronze Medal status - one of just 151 to be awarded a Bronze Medal or better. Only 32 Texas schools were awarded Silver or Gold medal status.

"U.S.News & World Report—in collaboration with School Evaluation Services, a K-12 education and data research and analysis business that provides parents with education data on schoolmatters.com—analyzed academic and enrollment data from more than 21,000 public high schools to find the very best across the country. These top schools were placed into gold, silver, bronze, or honorable mention categories."

Read more at: America's Best High Schools.

Porter Crowned Miss Western Week

Congratulations to Skidmore-Tynan's Allison Porter who was recently named Miss Western Week 2009. Miss Porter earned the title at the Saturday, October 11 pageant at A.C. Jones High School Auditorium in Beeville. The annual event is sponsored by the Beeville Rotary Club.

Congratulations also to Skidmore-Tynan's Courtney Leonard who was 1st runner up in the Miss Teen Western Week competition. Click here for more Western Week pageant photos courtesy of Rob's Digital Photography. For more information and contestant photos, visit misswesternweek.org.

Elementary All A Honor Roll

First Grade
Nathaniel Gutierrez, Serena Holl, Jacob Brown, Alissa Garcia, Clayton Garza, Avea Gonzales, Madison Gonzalez, Drayden Haggard, Kiersten Magana, Tres Ortiz, Caleb Vickery, Brandon Aguilar, Alyson Bennett, Conner Favre, Jacob Gutierrez, Sebastian Menchaca, Taylor Pena, Donovon Perez

Second Grade
Alyssa Arroyo, Stephen Moreno, Matthew Nelson, Megan Haggard, Tyler Salinas, Cole Terry, Samuel Benavidez, Madeline Dougherty, Bryan Gonzalez, Kayla Rutkowski, Tyler Bleidbrey, Samantha Crawley, JT Edmiston, Ashley Gallegos, Bethany Keener, Amber Puente, Jesse Sabala

Third Grade
Katriena Ables, Kennon Wishert, Tristan Benavides, McKayla Rocha, Melanie Wolf, Timothy Leafty

Fourth Grade
Jonathan Carrillo, Felicia Ortiz, Allyson Ruiz, Kylie Wallace, Mikayla Barnett, Vincent Flores, Grace Calvert, Cullen Hughes, Aaron Laster, Jette Polasek, Cassie Reyna

Fifth Grade
Andrew Lockhart, Juan Luna, TrentonDragon, Melanie Martinez, Nicholas Rayburn, Sarah Colle, Gabby Gonzalez

Lions Punt Pass & Kick Results

Brady Bednorz keeps his eye on the ball during Saturday's Punt Pass & Kick competition. Click here for more Lions PP&K photos.

The Skidmore-Tynan Lions Club hosted its 18th annual Punt Pass & Kick competition Saturday, September 20th at Bobcat Stadium. The weather for the event could not have been more cooperative as children, parents, coaches, and Lions Club members spent an enjoyable Saturday morning punting, passing, and kicking around the ol' pigskin.

In the 7 year old division, 1st place went to Marcus Hinojosa, 2nd to Cole Terry, 3rd to Daniel Tyrone, and 4th to Branden Boales. Also participating were Peyton Schmidt, Alyssa Arroyo, and Melanie Wolf. In the 8 year-old division, L.C. Hennig took 1st place and Vanessa Vega came in 2nd. Brady Bednorz placed 1st among the 9-year-olds with Derek Rodriguez and brother Damien Rodriguez taking 2nd and 3rd respectively. In the 10-year-old division, Timothy Diaz came in 1st place, followed by Gadge Perez in 2nd, Amanda House in 3rd, and Joshua Lopez in 4th. Alexander Hernandez took 1st place in the 11-year-old division with Michel Huerta taking 2nd.

The Lions thank S-T ISD Athletics Director Adam Arroyo and his staff for once again helping to make the event a success. Thanks also to all the parents who chose to spend a beautiful Saturday morning supporting and spending time with their children.

S-T ISD a Recognized District

The 2007-08 official results and academic ratings have been released by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and for the first time in many years, S-T ISD has been named a "Recognized" District.

“The District is very proud that the great work of the students and staff is rewarded with this recognition,” said S-T ISD Superintendent Dr. Brett Belmarez. “Student performance success never occurs accidently. This is a result of students and professionals ‘keeping the main thing (student learning) the main thing’ in the midst of tough times and competing demands, and in employing top professionals to educate great kids. The bottom line is that good things like this happen to those who work hard at the correct goals.”

The Elementary School and High School also received "Recognized" ratings. The Junior High received an "Acceptable" rating.