Pine Tree ISD elementary robotics teams earned three awards at the Region 7 Robotics Design Competition after submitting entries in November 2025.
The competition entries were created by fourth-grade Gifted and Talented pullout classes from both campuses. Birch Elementary’s team entry, Solar Flow, and Parkway Elementary’s team entry, Moonlight Mechanics, were recognized during the competition awards announced this week.
Students participating in the projects included:
George Richards, Tilden Rutkowski, Lorelei Sage, Piper Samples, James Shore, Kylin West, Camden Jackson, Jordan Cates, Esteban Anders, Abel Briones, Sophia Dinh, Landon Dodson, Benson Dong, Vera Lynn Drew, Everett Holcombe, Eliana House, Nicholas Houser, Lynnon Johnson, Zelda Jones, Dakota Kellam, and Josiah Martin.
The Region 7 Robotics Design Competition includes multiple judged components that allow teams to earn awards in several categories. Pine Tree ISD teams received three awards overall for their entries.
The competition entries were created by fourth-grade Gifted and Talented pullout classes from both campuses. Birch Elementary’s team entry, Solar Flow, and Parkway Elementary’s team entry, Moonlight Mechanics, were recognized during the competition awards announced this week.
Students participating in the projects included:
George Richards, Tilden Rutkowski, Lorelei Sage, Piper Samples, James Shore, Kylin West, Camden Jackson, Jordan Cates, Esteban Anders, Abel Briones, Sophia Dinh, Landon Dodson, Benson Dong, Vera Lynn Drew, Everett Holcombe, Eliana House, Nicholas Houser, Lynnon Johnson, Zelda Jones, Dakota Kellam, and Josiah Martin.
The Region 7 Robotics Design Competition includes multiple judged components that allow teams to earn awards in several categories. Pine Tree ISD teams received three awards overall for their entries.
🎓 Mark your calendars! Join us as we celebrate the Pine Tree High School Class of 2026 at Graduation Ceremony on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 8:00 PM at Pirate Stadium.
Join us tonight for the Pine Tree High School Band and Jazz Ensemble!
On Saturday, May 9th, the students in the Pine Tree HS Band performed prepared solos for an audience and judge. The judges selected 9 students to perform in the first annual Solo Finalists Recital sponsored by the band boosters.
Join us for the Finals Concert Recital on May 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pine Tree Road Auditorium.
Join us for the Finals Concert Recital on May 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pine Tree Road Auditorium.
The Pine Tree High School Band would like to announce the Drum Majors for the 2026-2027 marching season.
The candidates were asked to perform on their instrument, do in person interviews, and do an extensive audition for a judge. The Pride selected three students to lead them for the upcoming season.
Mae Shen, an oboist that will be a senior next year; Emmalynn Edge, a saxophonist who will also be a senior; and Lexi Peery a clarinetist that will be a junior next year were selected as the Drum Majors.
The Pride is coming off of a highly successful season, by qualifying to the UIL Open Class Syate Marching Contest and earning the UIL Sweepstakes award for Marching, Concert and Sight reading; it has set the stage with momentum for next fall.
Pictured left to right:
Lexi Perry, Emmalynn Edge and Mae Shen - Drum Majors for The Pride 2026-2027
Congratulations to our 2026-2027 Band Leadership Team
🎨 PTHS Artist Joslyn Silva Featured at the Tyler Museum of Art
The ’22nd Annual High School Art Exhibition’ features work by high school students from all across East Texas, the exhibition highlights young artistic talent while celebrating the role played by area art educators.
Student, Joslyn Silva has her artwork currently on display at the High School Art Exhibition in Tyler, TX. Her artwork is titled "Sunrising Flowers" and is made with prismacolor.
She says "I used Prisma colors to make this artwork. Sunflowers are my favorite flowers, I feel they are very symbolic to being able to depend on others in dark times. I also picked a purple background to help make the yellow sunflowers pop and grab the viewers eye."
Her work will be on display from March 22nd to May 17th.
The ’22nd Annual High School Art Exhibition’ features work by high school students from all across East Texas, the exhibition highlights young artistic talent while celebrating the role played by area art educators.
Student, Joslyn Silva has her artwork currently on display at the High School Art Exhibition in Tyler, TX. Her artwork is titled "Sunrising Flowers" and is made with prismacolor.
She says "I used Prisma colors to make this artwork. Sunflowers are my favorite flowers, I feel they are very symbolic to being able to depend on others in dark times. I also picked a purple background to help make the yellow sunflowers pop and grab the viewers eye."
Her work will be on display from March 22nd to May 17th.
Pine Tree Middle school students, Genesis Tovar and Alaina Brooks, received 1st and 2nd place at the Northeast Texas Poetry Contest at Region 7!
🎨 Join us for the Parkway Annual Art Show Tonight!🎨
🗓️ May 7 | ⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Parkway Elementary at 601 Pine Tree Pkwy
Enjoy student artwork from across the district, an art walk, live performances, a silent auction, and fun hands-on art activities! Plus, food trucks will be on site.
Bring your family and come support our talented students! ✨
🗓️ May 7 | ⏰ 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 Parkway Elementary at 601 Pine Tree Pkwy
Enjoy student artwork from across the district, an art walk, live performances, a silent auction, and fun hands-on art activities! Plus, food trucks will be on site.
Bring your family and come support our talented students! ✨
Leah Neff and Jasmine Grimaldo are among just 12 East Texas Student Council seniors selected to receive a Texas Association of Student Councils District 4 Scholarship, recognizing their outstanding leadership and dedication.
PTHS Leadership has been recognized as a Texas Association of Student Councils (TASC) Outstanding Student Council and has received the Sweepstakes Award.
The Outstanding Student Council award is a testament to PTHS Leadership's exceptional performance in Leadership organization, specific project areas, participation in TASC programs, and an administrator's evaluation. Moreover, Sweepstakes Councils must demonstrate excellence in the areas of:
Pride and Patriotism
Energy and Environment
Drugs, Alcohol, Safety, and Health Awareness
Community Service.
Additionally, for its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that improve the school and community, Pine Tree High School Leadership has been recognized as a 2025-26 National Gold Council of Excellence by the National Student Council (NatStuCo). The NatStuCo program is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
PTHS Leadership and Student Council is sponsored by Caity Rutledge and Kyle Burns.
The Outstanding Student Council award is a testament to PTHS Leadership's exceptional performance in Leadership organization, specific project areas, participation in TASC programs, and an administrator's evaluation. Moreover, Sweepstakes Councils must demonstrate excellence in the areas of:
Pride and Patriotism
Energy and Environment
Drugs, Alcohol, Safety, and Health Awareness
Community Service.
Additionally, for its exemplary record of leadership, service, and activities that improve the school and community, Pine Tree High School Leadership has been recognized as a 2025-26 National Gold Council of Excellence by the National Student Council (NatStuCo). The NatStuCo program is supported by its parent organization, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP).
PTHS Leadership and Student Council is sponsored by Caity Rutledge and Kyle Burns.
Big congratulations to Team Billy Bob Jr., the first-ever Pine Tree Middle School team to qualify for the VEX World Championship! 🎉🤖
The team, made up of Elias Estrada, Gray Davidson, Devany Alanis, and Evie White,.had an incredible experience competing on the world stage and performed strong in their first matches. Along the way, they partnered with teams from Turkey, Canada, China, North Carolina, California, and North Dakota, building teamwork, problem-solving skills, and new friendships from around the world.
Between competition rounds, they kept the robotics excitement going and even got to watch a perfect score in the Elementary School Finals! To wrap up an unforgettable trip, the team enjoyed a visit to the St. Louis Zoo.
What an amazing accomplishment and experience for these students as they represented PTMS on the global stage! 💙💛
Congratulations to PTJH CTE Teacher Stacie White for being named the East Texas Experienced CTE Teacher of the Year and the PTJH Career Lab for receiving the East Texas CTE Showcase of Excellence Award by the Career and Technical Association of Texas East Texas Area Membership.
Both Mrs. White and the junior high career lab will represent East Texas this summer for state-level award interviews.
Both Mrs. White and the junior high career lab will represent East Texas this summer for state-level award interviews.
Congratulations to PTHS senior Dustin Cole on earning a $1,000 CIEF-Dallas-Fort Worth scholarship!
A fourth-year Carpentry student, Dustin has demonstrated outstanding leadership and skill, including serving as Construction Manager at the CIEF Design Build Competition and interning with Pine Tree ISD Maintenance and Facilities in summer 2025.
Dustin plans to attend TSTC to pursue a career as a lineman and in construction, with a goal of leading his own crew.
We are proud of his hard work and dedication. Join us in congratulating Dustin on this well-earned achievement!
A fourth-year Carpentry student, Dustin has demonstrated outstanding leadership and skill, including serving as Construction Manager at the CIEF Design Build Competition and interning with Pine Tree ISD Maintenance and Facilities in summer 2025.
Dustin plans to attend TSTC to pursue a career as a lineman and in construction, with a goal of leading his own crew.
We are proud of his hard work and dedication. Join us in congratulating Dustin on this well-earned achievement!
🏴☠️ Talk about a night full of teamwork, laughs, and a little friendly competition!🏴☠️
Pine Tree staff came together Monday night for our Hoist the Colors “Feats of Strength Relay” a fun challenge designed to build unity, camaraderie, and a little campus rivalry. Teams of 8 tackled everything from rolling hotdogs and throwing footballs to answering academic questions, marching a tuba 40 yards, scoring soccer goals, and finishing with a 40-yard sprint carrying the Pine Tree colors!
It was such a fun way to bring Pirates from across all campuses and departments together.
🏆Bragging rights go to Pine Tree High School for taking home the championship! 🏆
Pirates drop your pictures from "Feats of Strength Relay" in the comments 👇🏻
Pine Tree staff came together Monday night for our Hoist the Colors “Feats of Strength Relay” a fun challenge designed to build unity, camaraderie, and a little campus rivalry. Teams of 8 tackled everything from rolling hotdogs and throwing footballs to answering academic questions, marching a tuba 40 yards, scoring soccer goals, and finishing with a 40-yard sprint carrying the Pine Tree colors!
It was such a fun way to bring Pirates from across all campuses and departments together.
🏆Bragging rights go to Pine Tree High School for taking home the championship! 🏆
Pirates drop your pictures from "Feats of Strength Relay" in the comments 👇🏻
Do you enjoy:
• Captivating performances?
• Students dramatically pointing into the distance?
• Arguments that are actually well-researched?
• Dessert? (Be honest, this is the real reason.)
Then clear your calendar TONIGHT at 6:00 PM and make your way to the Pine Tree High School Little Theater for our:
Speech, Debate & Interp Showcase aka: “Speak Easy & Eat Sweet” (we’re clever like that)
Our students have been hard at work perfecting pieces that will make you laugh, think, gasp, and possibly question reality for a moment—in the best way. You’ll see a little bit of everything:
Dramatic Interpretation (bring tissues… or don’t, live dangerously)
Humorous Interpretation (yes, actual laughter encouraged)
Debate (civilized chaos, but with evidence)
Speaking events (they’re better at words than most adults—we said what we said)
BONUS: There will be dessert in the lobby afterward, because we believe in rewarding excellent listening skills.
Admission is FREE (because we love you), but donations are happily accepted (because we also love funding things).
Pine Tree HS Little Theater | 6:00 PM Tonight!
Come support these incredible students—you’ll be glad you did, and your evening will instantly become 73% more cultured.
Hope to see you there!
— Pine Tree Speech & Debate
(Where students argue professionally so you don’t have to)
• Captivating performances?
• Students dramatically pointing into the distance?
• Arguments that are actually well-researched?
• Dessert? (Be honest, this is the real reason.)
Then clear your calendar TONIGHT at 6:00 PM and make your way to the Pine Tree High School Little Theater for our:
Speech, Debate & Interp Showcase aka: “Speak Easy & Eat Sweet” (we’re clever like that)
Our students have been hard at work perfecting pieces that will make you laugh, think, gasp, and possibly question reality for a moment—in the best way. You’ll see a little bit of everything:
Dramatic Interpretation (bring tissues… or don’t, live dangerously)
Humorous Interpretation (yes, actual laughter encouraged)
Debate (civilized chaos, but with evidence)
Speaking events (they’re better at words than most adults—we said what we said)
BONUS: There will be dessert in the lobby afterward, because we believe in rewarding excellent listening skills.
Admission is FREE (because we love you), but donations are happily accepted (because we also love funding things).
Pine Tree HS Little Theater | 6:00 PM Tonight!
Come support these incredible students—you’ll be glad you did, and your evening will instantly become 73% more cultured.
Hope to see you there!
— Pine Tree Speech & Debate
(Where students argue professionally so you don’t have to)
🎤 PTHS Choir Pop Show 🎶
Join us on May 1st at 7pm in the PTHS Theater for the PTHS Choir Pop Show "Variety Hour"
Come support the choir and say farewell to our '26 seniors!
$5 entry fee - cash only
Join us on May 1st at 7pm in the PTHS Theater for the PTHS Choir Pop Show "Variety Hour"
Come support the choir and say farewell to our '26 seniors!
$5 entry fee - cash only
🌺🎉 You’re Invited! 🎉🌺
Join us for our Cinco de Mayo Cultural Program as we celebrate music, dance, poetry, history, and Hispanic heritage across our district!
📍 Pine Tree Junior High Gym
🗓 Tuesday, May 5
⏰ 6:30 PM
Come enjoy an evening filled with incredible student performances and a celebration of culture, community, and pride.
We hope to see you there! 💃🎶
Join us for our Cinco de Mayo Cultural Program as we celebrate music, dance, poetry, history, and Hispanic heritage across our district!
📍 Pine Tree Junior High Gym
🗓 Tuesday, May 5
⏰ 6:30 PM
Come enjoy an evening filled with incredible student performances and a celebration of culture, community, and pride.
We hope to see you there! 💃🎶
Pine Tree High School’s CTE Audio/Video students Douglas Palmer, Channing Johnson and Kaitlynn Minor recently had an incredible opportunity to work alongside industry professionals as Alan Weiss Productions came to PTHS to recreate their award-winning video from the Mothers Against Drunk Driving Texas Power of You(th) Teen Video Contest.
Our students got the chance to see what professional video production looks like up close from filming to storytelling and be part of the process as their original work was recreated on a national level.
In addition to recreating the video, the production team also filmed “man on the street” interviews for Teen Kids News, a nationally distributed student news program, and captured behind-the-scenes footage showcasing the work our students are doing in Pine Tree’s Audio/Video program.
Douglas , Channing and Kaitlynn won second place it the The Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) Texas 2025 Power of You(th) Teen Video Contest, is a statewide competition designed to engage high school students in raising awareness about the dangers of underage alcohol and cannabis use. They were presented a $500 check.
Our students got the chance to see what professional video production looks like up close from filming to storytelling and be part of the process as their original work was recreated on a national level.
In addition to recreating the video, the production team also filmed “man on the street” interviews for Teen Kids News, a nationally distributed student news program, and captured behind-the-scenes footage showcasing the work our students are doing in Pine Tree’s Audio/Video program.
Douglas , Channing and Kaitlynn won second place it the The Mothers Against Drunk Driving® (MADD) Texas 2025 Power of You(th) Teen Video Contest, is a statewide competition designed to engage high school students in raising awareness about the dangers of underage alcohol and cannabis use. They were presented a $500 check.
State medal winners with a rating 4 at STATE VASE 2026
Ava Velasquez - Freshman
Saray Hernandez - Freshman
Out of 32,000 artworks entered into VASE this year, only 2,154 advanced to state. Students who receive a rating 4 at the state event are awarded with a state medallion and will be named an All- State Artist by the Texas Art Education Association and VASE. Their artwork will be featured on the VASE website.
The high school art teachers and the Pine Tree ISD Art Department are extremely proud of these two talented ladies. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication.
Ava Velasquez - Freshman
Saray Hernandez - Freshman
Out of 32,000 artworks entered into VASE this year, only 2,154 advanced to state. Students who receive a rating 4 at the state event are awarded with a state medallion and will be named an All- State Artist by the Texas Art Education Association and VASE. Their artwork will be featured on the VASE website.
The high school art teachers and the Pine Tree ISD Art Department are extremely proud of these two talented ladies. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication.
