🎉🏴☠️ Pine Tree DECA Earns Top Honors at District 5 Conference! 🏴☠️🎉
Pine Tree High School’s DECA chapter earned top honors at the District 5 Career Development Conference, held on January 9, 2026, in Pittsburg, Texas. Competing against 13 schools, the largest showing the district has seen in recent years, Pine Tree students demonstrated exceptional skill, professionalism, and preparation across a wide range of business and marketing events. In addition to multiple individual and team achievements, the Pine Tree DECA chapter was recognized with a Community Service Award, highlighting the chapter’s commitment to leadership and service beyond competition.
As a result of their strong performances, the following students qualified to advance to the DECA State Career Development Conference:
🏅 State Qualifiers
• Leyton Nguyen – Accounting Applications
• Bryanna Herrada & McKinley Dunlap – Apparel & Accessories Marketing
• Zoey Bowers – Business Finance
• Elmer Mondragon – Business Services Marketing
• Sandra Briones & Makenna Griffin – Business Law & Ethics (Team Decision Making)
• Kiley Salser & Nolan Sharp – Entrepreneurship
• Ashlyn Dunn & Stanford O’Quinn – Financial Consulting
• Joseline Torres – Food Marketing
• Ahnylan Whitaker – Hotel & Lodging Management
• Julian Ibarra – Human Resources Management
• Emily Willadson – Personal Financial Literacy
• Aaliyah Sedberry, Evolet Rodriguez & Maria Rodriguez – Project Management: Community Awareness
• Maxwell Crochet – Restaurant & Food Service Management
• Clark Medin – Sports & Entertainment Marketing
• Hailey Alexander & Valeria Arroyo – Travel & Tourism (Team Decision Making)
Pine Tree High School’s DECA chapter earned top honors at the District 5 Career Development Conference, held on January 9, 2026, in Pittsburg, Texas. Competing against 13 schools, the largest showing the district has seen in recent years, Pine Tree students demonstrated exceptional skill, professionalism, and preparation across a wide range of business and marketing events. In addition to multiple individual and team achievements, the Pine Tree DECA chapter was recognized with a Community Service Award, highlighting the chapter’s commitment to leadership and service beyond competition.
As a result of their strong performances, the following students qualified to advance to the DECA State Career Development Conference:
🏅 State Qualifiers
• Leyton Nguyen – Accounting Applications
• Bryanna Herrada & McKinley Dunlap – Apparel & Accessories Marketing
• Zoey Bowers – Business Finance
• Elmer Mondragon – Business Services Marketing
• Sandra Briones & Makenna Griffin – Business Law & Ethics (Team Decision Making)
• Kiley Salser & Nolan Sharp – Entrepreneurship
• Ashlyn Dunn & Stanford O’Quinn – Financial Consulting
• Joseline Torres – Food Marketing
• Ahnylan Whitaker – Hotel & Lodging Management
• Julian Ibarra – Human Resources Management
• Emily Willadson – Personal Financial Literacy
• Aaliyah Sedberry, Evolet Rodriguez & Maria Rodriguez – Project Management: Community Awareness
• Maxwell Crochet – Restaurant & Food Service Management
• Clark Medin – Sports & Entertainment Marketing
• Hailey Alexander & Valeria Arroyo – Travel & Tourism (Team Decision Making)
What an outstanding weekend for Pine Tree Middle School 6th Grade Robotics!
Our teams competed at the Greenville “Love at First Build” Robotics Competition, where 32 teams participated and all six PTMS teams advanced to the Teamwork Finals after finishing in the top 20. What an impressive showing!
🏆 Team Results:
🔹The Goonies, driven by Aeden Villa and Jorge Avila and loaded by Oswald McFadzean won first place along with their alliance from another school, giving them the teamwork champion award and qualifying for state.
🔹Billy Bob Jr. and their alliance finished 3rd (Gray Davidson, Elias Estrada, and Devany Alanis)
🔹Da Nuggies placed 4th (Jude Holder, Karson Dollison, Jaxon Haddad, Isaiah Rosborough, and Myles Taylor)
🔹The Band Nerds and Alvin and the Chipmunks (Braylee Davis, Joseph Valencia, and Emily Sarinana) teamed up for a 5th place finish.
🔹Paw Patrol secured 9th with their alliance (Adam Cisneros, Jordan Neal, and Jaxton Dyess)
In addition to team awards, several PTMS teams earned state invitations based on their high skills scores, including Da Nuggies, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Paw Patrol.
Previously this season:
🔹Billy Bob Jr. and The Goonies had already qualified for state.
🔹The Band Nerds won the Teamwork Competition in Rockwall to secure their state spot. (Cross Warren, Martin Amaya, Lillian Schwenn, and Jorge Patino)
🔹Robotics? We Thought This Was Lunch earned the Excellence Award in Sulphur Springs, also qualifying for state (Coleman Green, Cailani Stephens, Koko Krauss, Evie White, and Jillian Knight)
With these accomplishments, seven PTMS teams have now qualified for the state competition this year! Congratulations to our Pirates on an exceptional year in robotics!
Our teams competed at the Greenville “Love at First Build” Robotics Competition, where 32 teams participated and all six PTMS teams advanced to the Teamwork Finals after finishing in the top 20. What an impressive showing!
🏆 Team Results:
🔹The Goonies, driven by Aeden Villa and Jorge Avila and loaded by Oswald McFadzean won first place along with their alliance from another school, giving them the teamwork champion award and qualifying for state.
🔹Billy Bob Jr. and their alliance finished 3rd (Gray Davidson, Elias Estrada, and Devany Alanis)
🔹Da Nuggies placed 4th (Jude Holder, Karson Dollison, Jaxon Haddad, Isaiah Rosborough, and Myles Taylor)
🔹The Band Nerds and Alvin and the Chipmunks (Braylee Davis, Joseph Valencia, and Emily Sarinana) teamed up for a 5th place finish.
🔹Paw Patrol secured 9th with their alliance (Adam Cisneros, Jordan Neal, and Jaxton Dyess)
In addition to team awards, several PTMS teams earned state invitations based on their high skills scores, including Da Nuggies, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Paw Patrol.
Previously this season:
🔹Billy Bob Jr. and The Goonies had already qualified for state.
🔹The Band Nerds won the Teamwork Competition in Rockwall to secure their state spot. (Cross Warren, Martin Amaya, Lillian Schwenn, and Jorge Patino)
🔹Robotics? We Thought This Was Lunch earned the Excellence Award in Sulphur Springs, also qualifying for state (Coleman Green, Cailani Stephens, Koko Krauss, Evie White, and Jillian Knight)
With these accomplishments, seven PTMS teams have now qualified for the state competition this year! Congratulations to our Pirates on an exceptional year in robotics!
Congratulations to Brayson Woods on being named Padilla Poll Coaches 2025 All-State
4A Division I – 3rd Team Linebacker 🏆
Despite missing all of pre-district and playing in just 6 games, Brayson still put up big-time numbers:
• 101 tackles
• 15 TFLs
• 2 forced fumbles
Extremely proud of his growth and leadership this season. Excited to see what you do in the next chapter.
Keep working, stay humble, and put God first in everything you do.
🏀 Bi-District Playoff Game 🏀
🆚 Mabank
🗓️ 2/24/26
📍 Herrington Patriot Center(UT Tyler)
⏰ 8:00pm
🎟️ Tickets will posted at a later time
We will be the Home Team
#BTB #BuiltNotGiven🏴☠️🏀
🆚 Mabank
🗓️ 2/24/26
📍 Herrington Patriot Center(UT Tyler)
⏰ 8:00pm
🎟️ Tickets will posted at a later time
We will be the Home Team
#BTB #BuiltNotGiven🏴☠️🏀
Congratulations to Pine Tree juniors and competitive writers Mitchell Eggerman and Keith Fowler. Mitchell placed 2nd and Keith placed 3rd in the Texas Eastman Black History Essay and Oratorical contest hosted by the Connect group of Texas Eastman.
The goal of the contest is to recognize Black People who have impacted a STEM field. Students submit an essay. The top five essays are chosen and those students are invited to the Eastman campus to deliver a speech. Essay and oratory scores are combined for ranking. Mitchell was awarded $1000 and Keith was awarded $750.
Mitchell wrote about Kara Branch, a chemical engineer from southeast Texas who founded the Black Girls Do Engineer organization that creates space and opportunities in a field heavily dominated by men. Mitchell is a UIL journalism and Ready Writing competitor, the editor of the school newspaper, The Cutlass, a Buc, a competitor on the CTE Audio and Visual team, and a member of the golf team.
Keith wrote about Dr. Gladys West, the inventor of the Global Positioning System (GPS). Keith is a member of the Technology Student Association (TSA) and a student in the PTHS CTE program, and a member of the PTHS Leadership group.
Pictured are Deputy Superintendent Jonathan Eggerman, students Mitchell and Keith, and Superintendent Steve Clugston.
The Pine Tree Lady Pirates had another successful season! 🏀
For the second year in a row, they fought their way to the playoffs. A special shoutout to Head Coach Cal Goss and the coaching staff for their leadership. We are proud of this team and the way they represent Pine Tree.
For the second year in a row, they fought their way to the playoffs. A special shoutout to Head Coach Cal Goss and the coaching staff for their leadership. We are proud of this team and the way they represent Pine Tree.
🏴☠️ HISTORY MADE 🏴☠️
Congratulations to Pine Tree Boys Basketball on making history with 12 district wins the most in program history! Special shoutout to Head Coach Brandon Rodgers and the coaching staff for the impact they made on our players.
🏀The season is not over yet and you have until 10:00am TODAY! to order your playoff shirt.
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfTGB54QZ4.../viewform...
Congratulations to Pine Tree Boys Basketball on making history with 12 district wins the most in program history! Special shoutout to Head Coach Brandon Rodgers and the coaching staff for the impact they made on our players.
🏀The season is not over yet and you have until 10:00am TODAY! to order your playoff shirt.
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSfTGB54QZ4.../viewform...
🛠️🚀 Family STEM Night! 🚀🛠️
Join Pine Tree PTO for a hands-on Engineering Challenge where families will work together to build a catapult!
📅 Tuesday, February 17
⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 Primary Cafe
This fun, family-friendly event is open to families from Primary, Birch, and Parkway. The challenge will take about an hour—are YOU up for it? 💡👨👩👧👦
We can’t wait to see what your family creates!
Join Pine Tree PTO for a hands-on Engineering Challenge where families will work together to build a catapult!
📅 Tuesday, February 17
⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 Primary Cafe
This fun, family-friendly event is open to families from Primary, Birch, and Parkway. The challenge will take about an hour—are YOU up for it? 💡👨👩👧👦
We can’t wait to see what your family creates!
💛 Pine Tree ISD is Hiring Nurse Substitutes! 💙
Do you have a heart for caring for students and supporting our campuses? 🌟 We’re looking for dependable Nurse Substitutes to serve our Pirate family at Pine Tree Independent School District.
If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact our Lead Nurse, Jaclyn Melton ,at jmelton.ptisd.org or visit
www.ptisd.org/page/substitutes
Do you have a heart for caring for students and supporting our campuses? 🌟 We’re looking for dependable Nurse Substitutes to serve our Pirate family at Pine Tree Independent School District.
If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact our Lead Nurse, Jaclyn Melton ,at jmelton.ptisd.org or visit
www.ptisd.org/page/substitutes
🏆 Birch Elementary & Parkway Elementary Earn Statewide Honor Roll Recognition 🏆
Pine Tree Birch Elementary and Pine Tree Parkway Elementary have been named to the 2025 Texas Honor Roll by Educational Results Partnership.
The annual program recognizes top-performing schools based on STAAR data released by the Texas Education Agency. Schools selected demonstrate strong academic performance, sustained growth, and success in closing achievement gaps among student populations.
This year, 1,076 schools and 84 districts statewide earned Honor Roll distinction, representing approximately 15 percent of schools and 14.5 percent of districts in Texas.
Pine Tree Birch Elementary and Pine Tree Parkway Elementary have been named to the 2025 Texas Honor Roll by Educational Results Partnership.
The annual program recognizes top-performing schools based on STAAR data released by the Texas Education Agency. Schools selected demonstrate strong academic performance, sustained growth, and success in closing achievement gaps among student populations.
This year, 1,076 schools and 84 districts statewide earned Honor Roll distinction, representing approximately 15 percent of schools and 14.5 percent of districts in Texas.
Join us for Pine Tree ISD Expedition 2026 on Thursday, February 12th from 6:00–8:00 PM at the Maude Cobb Convention Center!
Come see what Pine Tree ISD has to offer. Enjoy student showcases, watch performances, explore hands-on learning, visit our job fair, and learn about volunteer opportunities.
Bring your family, invite a friend, and experience the future of Pine Tree ISD.
Come see what Pine Tree ISD has to offer. Enjoy student showcases, watch performances, explore hands-on learning, visit our job fair, and learn about volunteer opportunities.
Bring your family, invite a friend, and experience the future of Pine Tree ISD.
Pine Tree ISD invites families and community members to attend Expedition 2026 on Thursday, February 12 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Maude Cobb Convention Center (100 Grand Blvd.).
Experience an exciting evening featuring student demonstrations and performances, opportunities to connect with students and staff, and time to meet district administrators. Learn how to get involved through volunteer opportunities, and explore future pathways at our job fair.
Come celebrate student learning, community, and the future of Pine Tree ISD. We can’t wait to see you there!
https://youtu.be/rdABW8sn8T0?si=hsxZdqJOMY6iBvh-
Experience an exciting evening featuring student demonstrations and performances, opportunities to connect with students and staff, and time to meet district administrators. Learn how to get involved through volunteer opportunities, and explore future pathways at our job fair.
Come celebrate student learning, community, and the future of Pine Tree ISD. We can’t wait to see you there!
https://youtu.be/rdABW8sn8T0?si=hsxZdqJOMY6iBvh-
¡Acompáñanos en Pine Tree ISD Expedition 2026!
Pine Tree ISD invita a las familias y a los miembros de la comunidad a asistir a Expedition 2026 el jueves 12 de febrero de 6:00 p. m. a 8:00 p. m. en el Maude Cobb Convention Center (100 Grand Blvd.).
Disfruta de una noche emocionante con demostraciones y presentaciones de estudiantes, oportunidades para conectarte con estudiantes y personal, y tiempo para conocer a los administradores del distrito. Aprende cómo participar a través de oportunidades de voluntariado y explora opciones para tu futuro en nuestra feria de carreras y empleo.
Ven a celebrar el aprendizaje estudiantil, la comunidad y el futuro de Pine Tree ISD ¡esperamos verte allí!
https://youtu.be/MmfXsMw_NAU?si=IXrO6aHIwicSvFHc
Pine Tree ISD invita a las familias y a los miembros de la comunidad a asistir a Expedition 2026 el jueves 12 de febrero de 6:00 p. m. a 8:00 p. m. en el Maude Cobb Convention Center (100 Grand Blvd.).
Disfruta de una noche emocionante con demostraciones y presentaciones de estudiantes, oportunidades para conectarte con estudiantes y personal, y tiempo para conocer a los administradores del distrito. Aprende cómo participar a través de oportunidades de voluntariado y explora opciones para tu futuro en nuestra feria de carreras y empleo.
Ven a celebrar el aprendizaje estudiantil, la comunidad y el futuro de Pine Tree ISD ¡esperamos verte allí!
https://youtu.be/MmfXsMw_NAU?si=IXrO6aHIwicSvFHc
📣 Cheer Tryout Interest Meeting!
Interested in trying out for cheer? Join us Monday, Feb. 9 from 6:00–7:00 PM in the PTHS Cafeteria.
Both parent and student must attend in order to be eligible to try out.
Interested in trying out for cheer? Join us Monday, Feb. 9 from 6:00–7:00 PM in the PTHS Cafeteria.
Both parent and student must attend in order to be eligible to try out.
Join us tonight! Pine Tree ISD Presents: 8th Annual Black History Program “100 Years of Celebrating Black History” This special evening will feature student performances, powerful presentations, and meaningful moments of reflection and celebration.
📅 February 4
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Pine Tree High School Theater | 1005 W. Fairmont Street
🚪Doors open at 6:00 PM
Enjoy refreshments prepared by culinary and 9th–10th grade life skills students in the reception area before the program begins.
📅 February 4
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Pine Tree High School Theater | 1005 W. Fairmont Street
🚪Doors open at 6:00 PM
Enjoy refreshments prepared by culinary and 9th–10th grade life skills students in the reception area before the program begins.
Due to inclement weather and icy road conditions, all Pine Tree ISD district offices and campuses will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28th. Please continue to monitor district communication channels for additional updates.
👏 Congrats to Kaitlynn, Channing, and Douglas, Pine Tree HS Audio/Video students, on earning 2nd place in the MADD PSA video contest! Their powerful video showed positive, drug-free ways teens can manage stress and earned them a $500 prize!
Here is their entry - https://youtu.be/wJbwt0xwrcw
Here is their entry - https://youtu.be/wJbwt0xwrcw
Five PTHS juniors have been selected to participate in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) program. Sponsored by Rotary International, these students were chosen for their leadership potential, school involvement, and academic achievement. They will attend the RYLA camp in January, where they will network with fellow juniors from the region and further develop their leadership skills.
The students chosen are, from left to right: Kendal Weiss, Jala James-Hawkins, Morgan Rue, Liv Brannon, and Kenedi Weiss.
The students chosen are, from left to right: Kendal Weiss, Jala James-Hawkins, Morgan Rue, Liv Brannon, and Kenedi Weiss.
❄️Due to inclement weather, all Pine Tree ISD district offices and campuses will be closed tomorrow, Tuesday, January 27th.
Please continue to monitor district communication channels for any additional updates.
Please continue to monitor district communication channels for any additional updates.
❄️Due to inclement weather and icy road conditions, all Pine Tree ISD district offices and campuses will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 26th.
Please continue to monitor district communication channels for any additional updates.
