Sports Pics - Ladycat Softball vs. Three Rivers

Teammates congratulate Liz Torres for an "over the fence " home run. -- Photo by Rob's Digital Photography.

See more photos of Friday's Softball and JV Baseball games courtesy of Rob's Digital Photography.

Sports Pics - Baseball vs Taft

The Bobcats celebrate another run scored in Tuesday's 10-7 win over the Taft Greyhounds.

Click here for JV and Varsity game photos at Shutterfly.com. Professional photos by Rob's Digital Photography are also available.

Trustees Approve Hiring Incentive, Updates to Policy Manual

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Skidmore-Tynan ISD was held March 26, 2007 in the S-T ISD Board Room.

Trustees gave special recognition to members of the Boys and Girls All-District basketball teams, students placing 1st in February's Bee County Junior Livestock & Homemakers Show, and winners of the 2007 Visionarios art contest.

Discussion items addressed in the meeting included a review of the May 2007 Bond Referendum, an overview of the 2007-2008 Budget, and proposed TASB salary compensation plan scenarios for 2007-2008

Dr. Belmarez offered special thanks to the custodial/maintenance staff for their work over Spring Break, reported on the potential use of Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice workers for improvements to seating at Bobcat Stadium, and updated Trustees on potential locker-room improvements to the old gym.

Action items on the evening's agenda included:

Consideration and Possible Approval of the Supplemental Duty Pay Schedule for the 2007-2008 School Year. This item was approved as recommended by Administration.

Consideration and Possible Appointment of Election Judges and Maximum Number of Election Clerks. Trustees approved the appointment of Election Judge Christine Soto, Election Judge Alternate Cathey Brown, and Early Voting Ballot Board Judge Diana Taylor. Trustees later approved Early Voting Clerk Pat Hartman, and Alternate Early Voting Clerk Cheryl Bennett, in a specially called April 2, meeting.

Consideration and Possible Selection of Textbooks for Use in School Year 2007-2008. This item was approved as recommended by Administration.

Consideration and Possible Action on the Reimbursement Resolution for the Proposed May 2007 Bond Referendum. This item was approved as recommended by Administration.

Consideration and Possible Action to Authorize a Hiring and Retention Bonus in Critical Shortage Teaching Areas as Established by the Commissioner of Education. Trustees approved a $5,000 bonus to be distributed over 2 years to newly hired teachers meeting the NCLB definition of “Highly Qualified” in the fields of secondary math, composite science, and secondary special education.

Consideration and Possible Approval of Washer/Dryer Purchase for Athletics. This item was approved as recommended by Administration.

Consideration and Possible Action to Review Updated (LEGAL) and Act On the (LOCAL) Policy Recommendations from the TASB Policy Review Seminar and February Special Board Meeting. Trustees reviewed and approved the policy recommendations with minor revisions.

Consideration and Possible of Personnel Recommendation(s). There were no Administrative Recommendations at this time.

The next meeting of the S-T ISD Board of Trustees is scheduled Monday, April 16, 2007, at 6:00 p.m. following a special 5:00 p.m. public information meeting on the upcoming bond election.

S-T ISD Offers Sign-on/Retention Bonus for Select Teaching Positions

Skidmore-Tynan ISD now offers a $5,000 sign-on and retention bonus for certified teachers in the fields of secondary math, composite science, and secondary special education. To be eligible for this bonus applicants are required to meet the NCLB definition of "Highly Qualified."

At its March Regular Board Meeting, the Board of Trustees approved the administrative recommendation for this measure in an effort to recruit and retain staff members in these critical shortage teaching areas. The financial measure spreads the $5,000 over a two-year period with payments issued at the beginning of each of the two years. This positive action speaks volumes for the District's efforts to secure quality staff in subject areas that have experienced statewide shortages.

Skidmore-Tynan ISD encourages appropriately certified individuals to apply for current and future job openings in these and all teaching fields. Current openings can be found on the district's website at www.stisd.esc2.net

Schmidt Named District 31-2A Newcomer of the Year

Skidmore-Tynan sophomore Alexis Schmidt has been named "Newcomer of the Year" in District 31-2A Girls basketball. Making the All-District First Team were: senior Emily Mengers, sophomore Ashley Scott, and sophomore Courtney Vandever. Sophomore Devon Wilder was named to the All-District Second Team. Congratulations Ladycats. With so many outstanding sophomores, it looks like we can look forward to many successful seasons to come.

Save Jace Team Roping Benefit

Click image to download PDF of Benefit Flyer.

The Save Jace Team Roping Benefit will begin with books from 7 to 8 a.m. and roping to start at 8:30 a.m., on Saturday, March 31, at the Broken Spur Arena, Hwy. 359 and FM 70 in Sandia. All proceeds will go to the family of Jace Sandoval to help with his fight against cancer. Prizes will be awarded and entry is $5 for spectators. A show and dance will follow the roping. Food and drinks will be served all day. Call J.D. at 944-8700, Roy at 944-3001 or email savejaceteamropingbenefit@yahoo.com.

Schirmer, Carabajal Place 1st in CBC Art Contest

Left: Scarred Beauty by Stephanie Schirmer. Right: "The Duke" by Brian Carabajal.

Artists from 13 area high schools submitted work for the annual Coastal Bend College Visual Arts Division High School Art Competition.

S-T's Brian Carabajal earned first place for his pencil drawing titled "The Duke." Stephanie Schirmer earned first place for her three-dimensional piece, “Scarred Beauty.” Also representing S-T ISD in the competition were John Trevino, 2nd place Collage; and Roxy Ramirez, 4th place Collage.

More than 250 entries from 13 area high schools are on display in the Simon Michael Art Gallery, located in the Frank Jostes Visual Arts Building in Beeville. The exhibit will run through March 30. The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, call 354-2322.

Bobcat Relays Results

By popular demand, we present local results of the Friday, March 9, 2007 Bobcat Relays. The boys placed 1st overall in the meet and the girls placed 3rd behind Taft and Odem. The Signal thanks coach Joseph Grimes for providing the following list of winning student athletes.

Boys Results

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Triple Jump
Garrett Vandever 4th, 36’ 4 ½”
Long Jump
Adam Perez 5th, 17’ 7 ½”
Cody Chambers 6th, 17’ 5 ¾
Shot Put
David Barrientez 2nd, 42’ 10”
Discus
Cory Markham 3rd, 119’ 11”
Jonathan Murphey 5th, 112’ 3”
Pole Vault
John Boscamp 5th, 9’ 6”
400m Relay
Skidmore-Tynan A Matt Brown, Clint Isaacks, Cory Markham, Jeremy Johnson 1st, 44.41
Skidmore-Tynan B Matt Martinez, Adam Perez, Eric Maciel, Cody Chambers 3rd, 47.51
800m Run
Jairus Yzaguirre 1st, 2:09.87
Isidro Luna 6th, 2:24.28
110 High Hurdles
John Boscamp 3rd, 18.09
110m Dash
Matt Brown 2nd, 11.15
800m Relay
Matt Brown, Clint Isaacks, Cory Markham, Jeremy Johnson 1st, 1:32.44
400m Dash
Lee Juarez 2nd, 55.25
Cody Chambers 3rd, 55.61
300 Hurdles
John Boscamp 6th, 49.27
200m Dash
Jeremy Johnson 1st, 22.83
Adam Perez 5th, 24.97
Jaime Salinas 6th, 25.02
1600m Run
Jairus Yzaguirre 1st, 5:05.53
Isidro luna 6th, 5:28.23
1600m Relay
Lee Juarez, Matt Martinez, Cody Chambers, Jairus Yzaguirre 2nd, 3:50.26

Girls Results

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Triple Jump
Jessica Cochran 3rd, 30’ 4 ½”
Jennifer Casarez 6th, 27”
Long Jump
Jennifer Casarez 5th, 13’ ½”
High Jump
Rachel Mengers 4th, 4’6”
Shot Put
Liz Torres 1st, 34’ 7 ½”
Kathy Mireles 2nd, 31’ 5 ¼”
Jamie Burns 6th, 28’ 4 ¼”
Discus
Alexis Schmidt 1st, 86’ 11”
Alex Gonzales 2nd, 81’ 3”
3200m Run
Ashley Doubrava 5th, 17:19
400m Relay
Courtney Vandever, Simone Adkison, Amanda Boscamp, Vicky Lopez 1st, 54.92
800m Run
Rachel Mengers 3rd, 2:46.86
100m Dash
Simone Adkison 1st, 13.64
Amanda Boscamp 3rd, 13.79
Vicky Lopez 5th, 13.84
800m Relay
Courtney Vandever, Simone Adkison, Amanda Boscamp, Vicky Lopez 2nd 1:59.09
400m Dash
Jessica Cochran 4th, 1:10.27
Rachel Mengers 5th, 1:12.44
200m Dash
Jessica Cochran 5th 30.49
1600m Run
Ashley Doubrava 6th, 7:15.56

Sport Pics - Baseball vs Refugio

Catcher Mark Cuellar sets up for a pitch from Bobcat ace Ricky Gutierrez.

The Bobcats took the lead early in Tuesday's game versus Refugio. After two Bobcat runs scored in the 1st inning, a mid-game rally by Refugio left the Bobcats with a four run deficit - extended to five runs with a Refugio homer in the 6th inning. Final score: Refugio 9 - Bobcats 4.

Click here for Refugio game photos at Shutterfly.com

New Addition to Museum Collection

The item above, originally belonging to the late Justina Petrus, was donated to the Skidmore Historical Society by Robert Sugarek and Grace Petrus-Smith.

It is obviously an advertisement for "H. R. Michalke Furniture and Crockery" but can you guess its purpose? It hangs on the wall and has two sandpaper-like strips on either side of a small 2" cup. A label or metal plaque appears to be missing from the bottom portion of the item. Give up? Mrs. Smith says the little cup held matches, which were struck on the two sandpaper strips - most likely for lighting the "Oil, Gas, and Garland Stoves" advertised on the plaque.

Old Dogs - New Tricks

Coastal Bend College Continuing Education provides a variety of services to the community. Training for employees, workshops and seminars, day camp for kids, travel and non-traditional classes are offered through Continuing Education in class and online.

CBC Continuing Education can contract with local businesses to provide specialized training in a variety of areas such as computers, law enforcement, communication, nursing and food service management, among others.

Professionals can learn new skills or recertify with courses offered through Continuing Education. Participants can choose between classroom and on-line delivery and can earn professional credit for completed work. Many of the classes offered are in the evenings or weekends.

CBC offers a seminar on basic Laser and Optical Technology on April 16, 17 and 18 in Beeville. An advanced seminar on Laser and Optical Technology is scheduled for April 19 and 20.

SkillPath, a globally recognized leader in business and professional training, has contracted with Coastal Bend College to offer two seminars. Both will be held on the Beeville campus.

Life-long learners can take part in on-going classes at CBC. Special topics range from personal investment to belly dancing. Avocation classes are also offered in areas such as motorcycle safety, arts and crafts, yoga and specialty food preparation. Upcoming courses include personal financial investment with Kelly McNeese, a 10-hour course on April 12, 16, 19, and 23, 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Beeville campus.

SEARCH stands for Seniors Engaging in Arts, Recreation, Culture and Hyperspace. SEARCH is a special program focusing on providing enrichment opportunities for participants in a wide variety of activities. Activities include field trips to sites of interest around Texas. Tours to the Bob Bullock Story of Texas Museum, Texas historical sites, museums, the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, archeological digs and bird watching are offered. Special exercise classes with seniors in mind also offered. SEARCH travelers head to New York City March 22-25. South Pacific Wonders, an 18-day visit to Australia and Fiji begins on June 5.

Children can sign up for Kids’ College, a summer program that explores a variety of youth-oriented activities. Sign up for Kids’ College is in May.

For more information on Continuing Education course offerings, call (361)354-2419.

S-T Cheerleader Tryout Results

Cheerleader tryouts were held Thursday, March 8th. Superintendent Dr. Brett Belmarez reports "Coach Stephanie Gain and the girls performed very well throughout the tryout process."

Your 2007-2008 cheerleading squad is composed of: Celina Acosta, Kathy Mireles, Stephanie Leal, Angelica Soto, Alexis Lopez, Lilly Hernandez, Kristen Gonzales, Amanda Moreman, Carisa Whitehurst, and Kristina Cavazos. We look forward to seeing these talented girls cheering our boys to victory next football season!

Sports Pics - Varsity Baseball

Richard Torres takes a few cuts in the on-deck circle at Thursday's rescheduled Odem baseball game.

The Bobcats suffered their first District loss of the season Thursday, March 15. The Odem Owls came out on top 13-4 in a game that left lots of Bobcat runners stranded on base. Click here for game photos at Shutterfly.com. We've also posted photos from Friday and Saturday's Ingleside tournament.

In Memoriam: Eliseo Garcia

Eliseo Garcia of Skidmore died March 8, 2007 at age 101. Mr. Garcia was a retired construction worker and a Catholic.

Mr. Garcia is survived by seven daughters, Herminia Lara and Dora, Sara and Guadalupe Gonzales, all of Skidmore, Baudelia Henson of Corpus Christi, and Lucia Garza and Lorenza Salinas, both of Beeville; four sons, Arturo Camargo of Kentucky, Adolfo Camargo and Jose Garcia, both of Beeville, and Daniel Garcia of Bloomington; 54 grandchildren; 147 great-grandchildren; 53 great-great-grandchildren; and a great-great-great-grandchild.

Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, March 11, at Trevino Funeral Home, Beeville. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Monday, March 12, at Immaculate Conception Church with burial to follow in Skidmore's Evergreen Cemetery.

In Memoriam: Johnny Castaneda

Johnny Castaneda of Papalote, died March 6, 2007 at age 29. Mr. Castaneda was an electrician and a member of the Pentecostal faith.

He is survived by his wife, Diana Baca of Beeville; a daughter, Mariana Rodriguez Castaneda of Beeville; two sons, Andy Baca and Daniel Martinez, of Beeville; his parents, Paula Soto Castaneda and Arturo Castaneda Sr. of Papalote; three sisters, Ide Shaulis and Darlene Castaneda, both of Papalote, and Teresa Fuentes of Skidmore; two brothers, Joshua and Arturo Castaneda Jr., both of Skidmore; and his grandmothers, Anastacia Soto of St. Paul and Maria Castaneda of Skidmore.

Prayer services will be held at 7:30 p.m., March 8 and March 9, at Trevino Funeral Home in Beeville. Services will be at 2:30 p.m. March 10 at Trevino Funeral Home with burial to follow at Skidmore's Evergreen Cemetery.

Sports Pics - Varsity Baseball vs. George West

Second baseman Chris Hall and shortstop Richard Torres congratulate Ricky Gutierrez on another strike-out in Tuesday's 3-2 win over George West.

Click here for more photos of the George West game at Shutterfly.com or view professional photos by Rob's Digital Photography.

S-T Elementary All-A Honor Roll

Congratulations to the following S-T ISD elementary students who earned a place on the 4th six weeks All-A honor roll.

KINDER (E’s)
Jonathon Alvarez, Alyssa Arroyo, Samuel Benavidez, Brendan Boales, Madeline Dougherty, Bryan Gonzalez, Megan Haggard, Monica Landaverde, Cotton Loya, Bubba Moreno, Justin Landgrebe, Laikyn Lopez, Amber Puente, Thomas Puentes, Anavey Rodriguez, Jesse Sabala, Tyler Salinas, Storm Toelken, Daniel Tyrone

1st Grade
Katrina Ables, Bryce Baker, Alyssa Bennett, Antonio Chockair, Wyatt Daughtry, Michelle Flores, Taylor Gallagher, Shannon Hall, Timothy Leafty, Evelyn Magyer, Joseph Medrano, McKayla Rocha, Jonathan Serrano, Kristian Sims, Catrina Soto, Vanessa Vega, Chesi Vial, Logan Williams, Kennon Wishert, Melanie Wolf

2nd Grade
Grace Calvert, Ana Casas, Rush Hoelscher, Mariah Lawson, Amber Moreno, Felicia Ortiz, Randi Pace, Jette Polasek, Kylie Wallace

3rd Grade
Sydney Baker, Sarah Colle, Gabriella Gonzales, Juan Luna, Melanie Martinez, Kati Stroman, Nichoals Wagner

4th Grade
Sarah Casas, Rebekah Colle, Sal Soto

5th Grade
India Aguilar, Caleb Davis, Cameron Pace

Submitted by Jennifer Chambers