Students are encouraged to participate in enrichment opportunities. Academic success is often linked to involvement in programs that challenge the student.

Students who are involved in programs that emphasize leadership qualities are more likely to be successful in high school. Often these students go on to develop their leadership capabilities in post-high school programs.

Some clubs are open for anyone to just join in, while others require an application process; and some groups require enrollment in a designated class during the school day. Contact the sponsor for more information.

Activities at PTHS: Clubs, Teams and Societies

Academic Decathlon Team (ACADEC)

Prerequisite: Enrollment in Academic Decathlon class

Neda Morrow, coach: nmorrow@ptisd.org Heather Reynolds, ast. coach: hreynolds@ptisd.org The Academic Decathlon is a national contest between high schools composed of a team of nine students. The team must have members which represent 3 categories of students designated by grade point averages. Team members mu enroll in the Acadec class, and be able to attend practice sessions and meets after school and on weekends.

 

Accounting Team (UIL)

Prerequisite: Enrollment in Accounting class

 

Gail Dobbs: gdobbs@ptisd.org
The Accounting Team consists of students enrolled in PTHS Accounting class. Team members practice during class,
and must be able to attend competitions after school and on selected weekends during the spring semester.

 

Art Club

Mary Graham: mgraham@ptisd.org Caci Brinkley: cbrinkley@ptisd.org The PTHS Art Club provides a meeting place for all PTHS students who are talented and interested in visual arts experiences beyond those offered in the classroom. The student member does not need to be currently enrolled in an a class. The Art Club is a chance to let the members extend into the professional art world.

 

Band Auxiliary: Majorettes and Flags

Prerequisite: Enrollment in Band class and competitive try outs

Glenn Wells gwells@ptisd.org Blair Maxwell blairmax6@yahoo.com Bonnie Hull bhull@ptisd.org PTHS Band Auxiliary includes both majorettes and flags. Members of the majorettes and flags develop skillful technique, leadership, cooperation, self-discipline and sportsmanship. The team performs at sporting events, commun functions and competitions. Members are chosen through a tryout process in the spring and are enrolled in Band durin the school year. In addition to regular band rehearsals, team members attend regular after school practices throughou football season attend summer field camp, band camp and conduct a week long summer mini-camp.

 

BUCS

Mr. Gene Eitelman: geitelman@ptisd.org BUCS is an organization of well rounded young men who display quality character and enthusiasm. The students promote school spirit, especially at sporting events. Meetings are held once a week for the first two six weeks and the held on an as needed basis for the rest of the year. Students must complete an application, and interviews are conducted. Input from PTHS teachers is taken into consideration for selection into this club for young men.

 

Cheerleaders

Prerequisite: Competitive try outs and enrollment in Cheerleading class

Jana Taylor: jtaylor@ptisd.org Cheerleaders and spirit groups exist to promote good sportsmanship, good citizenship, and wholesome school spirit a are first and foremost representatives of their school. Members of these groups have a fundamental responsibility to play a leadership role in building teamwork and helping the school achieve its goals and objectives. Because of these responsibilities, members of the cheerleading squad will be expected to maintain a higher standard of behavior both o and off campus and academic achievement than that of their peers. Tryouts are held the week before Spring Break on Saturday. For details about the tryout competition, see the Cheerleader website. Varsity (11^th -12^th grade students, a Jr. Varsity (9^th – 10^th grade students), consist of minimum 10 and maximum 14 cheerleaders. Cheerleaders are expected to attend cheer camp during the summer for 3-4 days, and practice a week before camp. During the year students practice during a designated class period, and after school practices as needed.

 

Computer Applications (UIL)

Prerequisite: Enrollment in BCIS II class

Tracy Wells: twells@ptisd.org UIL Computer Applications is an individual competition in which only three students from each school district can participate. It involves using Microsoft Word, Excel and Access as well as the integration of these applications. Each student must use an individual laptop and printer (provided by PTISD) during the 30 minute competition. Pine Tree currently selects students from the course: BCIS II to compete in this competition because of the advanced level of knowledge required in BCIS as well as math.

 

Crime Stoppers Board of Directors

Prerequisite: Application and eligible grades

Officer Chris Bethard: cbethanrd@ptisd.org The Crime Stoppers Board meets to raise funds that are used as a reward for “tips” that lead to stopping crime, and to manage the Crime stoppers budget. Members vote on amounts to pay tipsters and for items that could be used to prevent crime on campus. Membership is by application and members must: keep grades above 70, not violate school rule or policy, and not violate City, State or Federal law.

Debate Team

Sandra Spears: sspears@ptisd.org

Prerequisite: Enrollment in Debate class

The PTHS Debate Team is an educational and competitive organization. Students must enroll in the debate class to participate. Debate teaches critical thinking, research, writing skills, persuasive communication, and the ability to see both sides of important issues. It also fosters leadership, citizenship, and self-confidence. Team members practice during class and after school; competitions may include weekend trips. Students may enroll beginning in ninth grade.

 

DECA -Distributive Education Club of America

Prerequisite: Enrollment in one of several Marketing classes

Kelly Thomas: kthomas@ptisd.org DECA is the student organization for Marketing Education. Students have the opportunity to develop leadership, social, civic and career skills in Marketing through participation in the club. DECA provides leadership conferences for students to attend to develop and enhance leadership abilities. Through DECA’s competitive events program, students may compete starting at the district level and advancing to the national level. Winners at the national level are awarded monetary scholarships. DECA activities provide many opportunities for students develop their skills in marketing careers. Meetings are before school, bi-monthly. DECA is open to any student who is enrolled in (or has already taken) Marketing Dynamics, Marketing Management and Marketing Yourself. Dues are required. It is $16.00 to join the state/national organizations. Visit http://www.texasdeca.org/what.html for additional information about the state organization. The campus club participates in a community service project each year such as serving food at the Highway 80 Rescue Mission; students usually take a field trip related to Marketing, as well as enjoy several social events.

Drill Team / PT Precision Dance Team

Cindy Martin: cmartin@ptisd.org

Prerequisite: Competitive Try Outs and enrollment in Dance/Drill team class

Members of the Precision Dance Team develop dance technique, leadership, cooperation, self-discipline and sportsmanship. The team performs at sporting events, community functions and produces a complete stage production in the spring. Members are chosen through a tryout process in the spring and are enrolled in the Precision Dance class during the school year. Team members practice during class, and must be able to attend some practices after school and on selected weekends during the year.

 

Family, Career, Communication Leaders of America -FCCLA

Linda Tenbrook ltenbrook@ptisd.org Sandy Williams swilliams@ptisd.org FCCLA is one of the largest career and technology student organizations in the United States. Established in 1945, it encourages personal growth and leadership development in teens through family and consumer sciences. Any student, through the twelfth grade, who is taking or has taken a course of family and consumer sciences can become a member.

Each year over 200,000 students join over 10,000 chapters in 53 state associations, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Students may participate in various projects related to the family, careers and community involvement. Visit the FCCLA website: www.fcclainc.org/. Contact the sponsor for details about meetings.

 

FCA -Fellowship of Christian Athletes

Coach Tim Russell: trussell@ptisd.org The Fellowship of Christian Athletes serves as a non-denominational Christian organization for student/ athletes. For someone wanting to join, we jokingly say that anyone that has ever even heard of a sporting event may join. Of course, all are welcome. Meetings are usually weekly at 7:30 am on Thursday mornings.

 

Foreign Language Club

Sharon Jennings: sjennings@ptisd.org The Foreign Language Club is designed to include all students with an interest in all languages taught at Pine Tree (Spanish, French, and German). It is not a requirement that you be currently enrolled in a Language class to join. Dues are $5.00. The purpose of the club is to make students more aware of other cultures through activities such as parties and projects. About 70 members usually join each year! It’s a lot of fun. The club only meets about 4 times per year, but the officers meet more often to plan. To run for an office in the club, an application is required.

 

HERO -Home Economics Related Occupations

Prerequisite: Enrollment in Home Economics Career Preparation class

Ann Mask: amask@ptisd.org The HERO Club (Home Economics Related Occupations) is comprised of students in the Home Economics Career Preparation work program classes. Members of the class participate in this club which meets during the class period. Students conduct officer elections during class and all meetings are held during class time. Students have jobs primarily in the Home Economic fields such as: foods, childcare, elderly care, housing, so projects for the club incorporate these skills.

 

Leadership Team of PTHS

Terry Barrett tbarrett@ptisd.org

Prerequisite: Application process and Enrollment in Leadership class

Leadership Team is a class that requires an application process. Only juniors and seniors are eligible to enroll in the Leadership class. Leadership students chair a variety of projects that are completed each year. In addition to attending class, students attend meetings which are held the first Monday of each month immediately following school, and complete projects which may occur after school or on weekends. The project committees, which include student council members, benefit the campus and community in a number of ways.

Longview Museum of Fine Arts Student Board

Mary Graham mgraham@ptisd.org The Longview Museum of Fine Arts (LMFA) Student Board members are selected by the high school art teachers to serve the Museum during the school year. Projects include helping with the Love Luggage project for Buckner Ministries, Breakfast with Santa, and the annual high school student art invitational. The students also help during the summer, assisting with elementary art classes and answering the phone, serving as greeters. They also help with an annual Spooky Art Show. Meetings are usually the 1st Tuesday of each month at the Museum at 4:30 pm. More information is available on the Museum website: http://www.lmfa.org/StudentBoard.htm

Math/Science Team (UIL)

Prerequisite: Enrollment in the UIL Math/Science class

Bonnie Edmund bedmund@ptisd.org The Pine Tree Math-Science team competes in Number Sense, Calculator, Mathematics, and Science contests on Saturdays from October to May. Number Sense emphasizes mental math agility. The Calculator and Mathematics tests require the use of deductive and analytical reasoning to solve applications of a wide variety of math topics from algebra, solid and plane geometry, trigonometry, calculus, and number theory. The Science test covers biology, chemistry, and physics. Through the competitions, the students greatly strengthen their problem-solving strategies and their test-taking skills. Team members practice during class, and must be able to attend competitions after school and on selected weekends during the year. Admission to the team is determined by instructor/counselor recommendation.

NHS -National Honor Society

Prerequisite: Application with eligible grade point average

Judi Fine: jfine@ptisd.org Mary Linda Tarnawa: mtarnawa@ptisd.org National Honor Society (NHS) is an organization devoted to acknowledging high school students who have excelled in four characteristics during their high school years: Leadership, Service, Character, and Scholarship. Any student who is a candidate for the PTHS Chapter of NHS must have attained a determined grade point average in their sophomore or junior year. Secondly, they must exhibit outstanding leadership qualities, character, and service during their years in high school. Once the student has become a member, they must retain their GPA and attend all NHS meetings as well as complete a service requirement during the school year. Applications for membership are available each year from the sponsor.

National Forensic League: Speech and Debate Honor Society (UIL)

The National Forensic League Honor Society promotes secondary school speech and debate activities and interscholastic competition as a means to develop a student’s lifelong skills and values, as well as the public’s awareness of the value of speech, debate, and communication education. Team members practice during class, and must be able to attend competitions after school and on selected weekends during the year.

Newspaper Staff – “The Cutlass”

Prerequisite: Enrollment in News Production class

Susan Duncan: sduncan@ptisd.org The newspaper staff produces the Cutlass, a student-run publication, which is published quarterly. The emphasis is news gathering, writing and page design using InDesign and Photoshop. The newspaper encourages diversity among its staff members. A strong staff has a balance of males and females, sports-minded and academic types, and people from different ethnic backgrounds; all students are encouraged to enroll. Working on the Cutlass teaches students about the democratic process and press rights and how to cover stories. As members of the working press, students have access to people and places on campus that others don’t. The newspaper, supported through advertising from the community, develops students’ marketing and business skills as the staff earns money to pay for the cost of printing. In addition to class work, students will interview, take photos and work after-school some to complete each edition. Students who wish to be on the newspaper staff may pick up an application from the publications room or from a counselor.

PALS – Peer Assistance and Leadership Students

Prerequisite: Application and enrollment in PALS class

Kay Hepler: khepler@ptisd.org Peer Assistance and Leadership Students, called PALS, is an organization intended to provide a field experience for young people who are interested in careers in education and/or service-related professions. Participants will be trained in a variety of skills that will enable them to assist others in having a more positive and productive school experience. Students work one on one with students in the 3^rd through 6^th grades, and help with small groups of Kindergarteners at the Primary campus. Group projects include: Relay for Life, Custodian Luncheon, Homecoming Carnival, Field Day, and Special Olympics. An application for joining the PALS is available in the main office and due during the month of March each year.

PT Express – Select Choir

Prerequisite: Audition and enrollment in the PT Express class

PT Express is a varsity choir of both men and women that is determined by audition with the representation of the group resulting in a balanced choral ensemble. PT Express performs throughout the community and in at least four concerts throughout the year. Participation includes contests and clinics with UIL and the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA). A student must remain academically eligible every six weeks in order to remain in PT Express. Students will be asked to attend rehearsals and events after school and on weekends.

Skills USA Club

Prerequisite: Enrollment in a Metal Trades of Welding class

Mark Thomas: mthomas@ptisd.org

Joel Laws: jlaws@ptisd.org SkillsUSA is a club for students who are enrolled in the Metal Trades or Welding class and are preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. SkillsUSA members develop into well-rounded people with technical, academic and employability skills that will help them get a job and have a successful career. Through club meetings, contests, leadership conferences and activities, students will be building these skills. Students who join are asked to pay a membership fee, will receive a membership card, and will be able to enter two competitions held each year. The club elects officers and meets once every two months.

Student Council Club

Terry Barrett tbarrett@ptisd.org Student Council (STUCO) is a club that is open to any high school student who wishes to participate. Membership is contingent upon participation in every aspect ... projects, monthly meetings, etc. Student Council meetings are held the first Monday of each month immediately following school. Members are expected to participate in projects which may occur after school or on weekends. The purpose of PTHS Student Council is to act as a liaison between the student body and the administration as well as good will ambassadors between the school and the community. Numerous projects held throughout the year benefit the campus as well as the community.

Tex-Jets

Bonnie Edmund bedmund@ptisd.org Tex-Jets is an organization for students who are interested in careers which emphasize the use of math and science. Guest speakers include engineers, computer analysts/programmers, pharmacists, and doctors. The speakers are encouraged to relate college studies for their profession and to describe the actual work in their fields. Competition includes the national Test of Engineering Aptitude in Math and Science (TEAMS test).

Texas Bank and Trust Student Board

Kathy Pepper kpepper@ptisd.org Juniors who are interested in business, banking and finance are invited to apply for membership on the Texas Bank and Trust Student Board which occurs during their senior year. Meetings are conducted periodically after school to discuss topics about banking and finance. Many benefits are included with membership in this prestigious program who recognizes outstanding seniors form Pine Tree High School. See Kathy Pepper in the counselor’s office for more details.

Thespian Club and International Thespian Society

Lauri Davis: ldavis@ptisd.org The Thespian Club is open to all PTHS students interested in theatre. Students earn points for every play that they are involved in and once they earn enough points, they are invited to join the International Thespian Society. The Thespian Society is an international organization and is a life-long membership that has benefits that extend far beyond the high school years. Like other clubs, officers are elected that serve annual terms and meet on a regular basis.

Yearbook

Prerequisite: Enrollment in Yearbook Production class

Susan Duncan: sduncan@ptisd.org The yearbook staff produces the Buccaneer, a student-run publication, which is delivered each year in May. As a part of creating the Buccaneer, students improve their skills in digital photography and photo manipulation, page design, advertising, marketing, editing and team work. Students can earn desktop publishing credit the first year on staff. This credit satisfies the state computer credit each student needs to graduate. After the first year, students receive yearbook credit for the class. The Buccaneer has won the state UIL Star Award for five consecutive years and the national Pacemaker award twice. They have been named Best of Show at state and national contests. The staff, which is chosen through an application process each spring, travels to state and national conventions to improve the students’ education in the field of publishing. All students are encouraged to enroll; applications and more information is available in the yearbook room or from the counselors. In addition to class time, students are required to take photos of after-school events and attend work nights before deadlines. The editors also schedule periodic meetings as items of business need to be discussed. Working on the Buccaneer staff enhances students’ creative and critical thinking skills and prepares them for college.

Z-Club

Debbie Boydstun: dboydstun@ptisd.org Z-Club is a young women’s service organization sponsored by the Zonta Club of Longview. The club is open to any Pine Tree Female student enrolled in the 10^th – 12^th grades. The requirements for membership include yearly dues and participation in student officer approved service projects that better the lives of women and children in our school, community and world. Monthly meetings are held after school. Opportunity to join Z-Club occurs once a year. Applications are accepted shortly after the new school year starts. An evening information meeting will be offered for potential applicants and their parents. Application packets are available during the meeting or afterward in the sponsor’s classroom. The student must have no lower than a 2.5 grade point average, provide 2 letters of recommendation and completed application, along with a scheduled interview with Zonta’s representatives. This is a great opportunity to help other people, make new friends, join in service and social activities as well as gaining great volunteer and leadership experience so needed for college admission. Anyone who needs more information should contact a current Z-Club officer, member, or their sponsor.