The Palestine High School Alumni Association annual membership and business meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Ben E. Keith Community Room.

Entertainment will be provided by eight All-State Palestine High School band students. Students participating include: Sara Bates, flute; Christi Haines, clarinet; Ashley Conner, contra clarinet; Ismael Valladares, French horn; Blake Williams, bass trombone; Travis Courson, euphonium; Jasper White, tuba; and Chris Chaillot, percussion.

Elections will be held to replace three PHSAA expiring board terms.

The PHSAA invites all Palestine High School alumni and all those interested in the Palestine schools to the meeting.

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The membership of Palestine High School Alumni Association will award four 2009 graduating seniors of PHS a scholarship in the amount of $1,000 each.

Those receiving the scholarships were: Teri Klauser, Whitnee Davis, Rosalinda Salinas, and Heather Wilbanks

Klauser is a member of the National Honor Society and has represented PHS in UIL Prose as well as the One-Act Play. She has contributed to her church and the community through her interest in Champions for Children and Relay for Life.

Davis is a member of the National Honor Society, and according to faculty members is a very hard working, dependable student. She plans to pursue a degree in nursing.

Salinas is a young lady much respected by her teachers as well as her peers. She has devoted her time and energy to raising school spirit. She has been active in fund raising in her community and her church. This young lady has high educational aspirations.

Wilbanks is a student whose diligence and helpful spirit has been very much appreciated by her teachers. She has been very generous in sharing her time for school and community projects. She has taken on the daunting task of Editor of the 2008-2009 Arc Light.

The mission for PHSAA is to support the students, faculty and administration to further strengthen the educational accomplishments of Palestine Independent School District. This organization is the vehicle that alumni use to give back to the school system that benefited them during their own years in PISD.

PHSAA welcomes anyone to become a member that cares to see a positive growth in PISD. There are four types of membership: Alumni, $25; Associates, $25; current PHS students, $10; and Corporate, $100 per year. Anyone can go online and print out a enrollment form by going to the web site, www.palestinehigh.com

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Palestine High School Alumni Association members plan to honor some of their classmates as a way to wrap up the group’s first year during its monthly meeting Friday.

The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday at the Ben E. Keith Community Room.

Those to be honored include Bill Bradley, who quarterbacked the Palestine Wildcats to the 1964 Class 3A state championship and went on to play at the University of Texas and professionally; and Curtis Fitzgerald, a member of the 1964 team and highly decorated combat helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War.

Bradley recently was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame in Waco, while Fitzgerald was honored by Congressman Jeb Hensarling, R-Dallas, in a special ceremony at the Palestine Public Library last spring.

Being able to recognize outstanding teaching taking place at the high school campus, and being able to raise scholarship funds to help send deserving students on to further their education rank as highlights for the group’s first year, current PHSAA president Timothy Triplett said.

“We have been really impressed with the quality of teachers recognized for the (Teacher of the Month) award,” Triplett said. “We have seen that behind the scenes that things are not as bad as the public may perceive. We’re most proud of recognizing teachers who are doing an excellent job for their students.”

One of the plans for the upcoming year is to expand the teacher recognition program to all Palestine ISD campuses, he said, and to help promote the positive aspects of the district statewide, including helping spread the word about the importance of the upcoming bond election.

Palestine ISD officials set May 9 as the election date for a proposed $64 million in facility improvements at the various campuses.

“I think the bond issue is absolutely critical,” Triplett said. “It’s essential to our economic progress and it benefits our students.”

In addition to highlighting their classmates, PHSAA members also will be choosing a new board of directors to serve during the upcoming year, according to Triplett.

Currently, there are 117 members, who attended Palestine High School at some point during their high school years; five associate members, people who were not students at PHS; and two corporate members.

The organization has raised nearly $10,000 to be used for scholarships and for the monthly teacher awards, Triplett said.
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Beth Foley

Members of the Palestine High School Alumni Association got a first-hand look at Palestine Independent School District’s campuses Thursday during a tour of facilities led by district superintendent Dr. Thomas Wallis.

The group of almost 15 visited Southside Primary School as well as Palestine’s middle and high school campuses, dialoging with Wallis to determine some of the district’s biggest needs.

“We are not on a jet ski in terms of our movement to make improvements — we are on a tug boat,” Wallis said. “It is going to take time for us to get where we need to be, but we are going to get there.”

Wallis explained that the district was currently in a reactive, rather than proactive, mode in terms of meeting facility needs on its campuses.

“Right now, there is so much to do, we cannot do it all,” the superintendent told the group, adding that his greatest concern was the safety of students and teachers.

“At Southside, we have more students in portable classrooms than in the main building,” he said. “Any stranger can walk up to those buildings; and the teachers have no way to call for help except for their personal cell phones.”

Wallis showed the group how gymnasiums on both the high school and middle school campuses had inadequate pull-out bleachers, which cannot be fully extended during basketball and volleyball games.

A lack of storage space for teachers, inadequate restrooms and fine arts facilities were also mentioned by Wallis as problem areas in the district.

“We cannot make any major changes to the facilities without having to bring an entire building up to code,” he explained. “And that just isn’t financially possible right now.”

Wallis was not without praise for the campuses, pointing out the reductions in student loitering and discipline problems as well an increased student recognition and achievements on the campuses.

“I have visited all classrooms on the campuses at least twice and I see a lot of learning going on,” he said. “There are no students loitering in the halls and the number of citations given out by the district officer has decreased drastically since school started.”

Wallis also mentioned the district’s free breakfast program, as well as the after school tutoring and Friday night school as a just a few of the positive things taking place in the district.

“There are a lot of good things going on here,” he said.

Thursday’s tour, according to PHSAA president Timothy Triplett, was a way to allow alumni and members of the community to see with their own eyes the needs and successes taking place at PISD.

“We hoped that those on the tour would gain an understanding of the physical condition of our schools,” he said. “And so that they can personally know what is going on at the campuses by getting a first-hand look.”

Triplett, who also works with the Palestine Economic Development Corporation, referred to a study being conducted on economic growth — a study that targeted education as a big need in the community.

“No matter what (the firm conducting the study) said, it all came back to education,” he explained. “The educational system, from kindergarten to college is central to positive economic development in Palestine.

“It is good for the kids, as well as the community and local businesses.”

Triplett explained that the PHSAA was currently forming subcommittees to work directly with the district in specific areas, such as facilities. Those interested in being part of one the PHSAA can visit www.palestinehigh.com.
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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com

Since the Palestine High School Alumni Association formed in January, members of the organization have remained busy fulfilling their mission “to support the students, faculty and administration to further strengthen the educational accomplishments of Palestine Independent School District.”

The group presented two student scholarships in May and, through their “Honor A Teacher” program, have awarded two Palestine Independent School District teachers with scholarships for their outstanding work with students.

The PHSAA’s next move is its first-ever annual meeting, set for 6 p.m. Friday at the Ben E. Keith meeting room in Palestine.

“We have over 140 members so far,” PHSAA board vice president Janis Burris said Monday. “We really want to grow our organization so that we can do more to help the school district.”

Friday’s meeting include three guest speakers, including PISD Superintendent Dr. Thomas Wallis, PHS band director Shawn Murphy and PHS student council member Sarah Bates.

“Dr. Wallis, representing the administration, will be giving insight on ‘where we were, where we are and where we are going,’” Burris said. “Murphy will be speaking on behalf of the teachers and PISD band, and Bates will speak on behalf of the student body.”

Also during the meeting, alumni will discuss its plans for the future, with the formation of several subcommittees for the organization already in the works.

“Current members and anyone interested in becoming a member are invited to attend Friday’s meeting,” Burris said. “Alumni, associate, student and corporate memberships are available.”

For more information on the PHSAA or to become a member visit www.palestinehigh.com
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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com

The Palestine High School Alumni Association recently honored a teacher for the month of October — the second recipient of the Honor A Teacher (HAT) Award from the PHSAA.

The October “HAT” Award recipient is Janice Magee, who was honored at the Oct. 24 football game against Brownsboro. Magee was selected as the second recipient of the award of $100 and a memento of the recognition.

Janice Hartley Magee, a 1979 graduate of Palestine High School, received her masters degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. This is her 10th year to teach, nine of them with PISD.

Magee teaches Geometry and Algebra at PHS.

"I have been married to my high school sweetheart (met in the halls of PHS) for 25 years," she said.

Her hobbies are reading, Bible study, spending time with her family, and helping students succeed. Her motto is: "Do not stop learning in life, and make it a joyous journey."

Joey Mason was the September recipient of the HAT Award from PHSAA.
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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com

The Palestine High School Alumni Association (PHSAA) recently honored PHS teacher Joey Mason as its first ever recipient of the monthly “Honor A Teacher” (HAT) Award, presenting him with a $100 check.

The HAT award is part of PHSAA’s effort to recognize and reward teachers who are going the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of students. It will be given each month to a teacher within the Palestine Independent School District who demonstrates dedication to students by attitude and action.

Mason, who has been teaching Social Studies for more than 10 years, teaches World Geography and coaches football and baseball at PHS. His motto in life is “You can fight a bear for a minute,” and his advice to students is “Always try your best.”

“Mason goes out of his way to make sure his students have everything they need to be successful,” a press release said. “He is an outstanding teacher — one that the PHSAA is proud to honor with the first HAT award.”

Mason’s wife, Michelle, teaches eighth grade science. They have one child and another due in six weeks.

The Palestine High School Alumni Association was formed this past year to “support the students, faculty, and administration to further strengthen the education accomplishments of Palestine Independent School District.”

The Association is open to all Alumni of Palestine High School and its Web site, www.palestinehigh.com, has extensive information on and for alumni, their activities, memories, fun facts and entertainment.
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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com

The Palestine High School Alumni Association had its first general meeting Jan.22. There was a good turnout of people, representing Palestine High School (PHS) class years from 1949 to 1971, and some who did not even attend PHS. William Reed, initiator of the idea to create the PHSAA and creator of the www.palestinehigh.com Web site, came from his present home in Houston to address the group with an inspirational message concerning his childhood in Palestine which he said was 'the best time of his life'. He challenged PHSAA to work to impact the lives of young people; to make their time in Palestine schools the best time of their lives.

He was accompanied by his brother Wendell Reed, from the 1956 graduating class, who made a special trip from his home in Denver, Colo. to attend the meeting.

Charles Harper, a retired teacher, also spoke on his experiences and how teachers can have such a major impact on the lives of their students. This further encouraged the PHSAA members and directors.

Those in attendance elected a board of nine directors who in turn selected officers for the coming year. The officers for 2008 are Timothy Triplett, president, Janice Bedre Burris, vice president, May Bradley Hoppers, secretary, and Lee McCain Brown,treasurer. The remaining five directors are Michael Dear, David Malloy, Sandra Durham Stephenson, Paula Bernard Trigg, and Bennye Reed Rice.

The mission statement of PHSAA is “to support the students, faculty and administration to further strengthen the educational accomplishments of Palestine Independent School District.” The directors and working groups will begin identifying the needs of the schools and will start the process of selecting projects where PHSAA can have a major impact by marshalling the resources of the PHS alumni and friends.

Those interested in getting involved may find more information at www.palestinehigh.com or contact PHSAA via email or mail (P.O. Box 3406, Palestine, TX 75802) or contact any officer or board member.

A second general meeting of members is scheduled for 1 p.m. May 17 at The Museum for East Texas Culture.

Through a series of circumstances a group of Palestine High School alumni were put together for a common cause – to give back to the school district that did so much for them.

In October, the group of 10 alumni gathered to form the Palestine High School Alumni Association (PHSAA) and with the help of PHS graduate and local attorney Mike Dear, the group recently filed for their 501c3 nonprofit status.

According to PHSAA president and 1969 PHS graduate Timothy Triplett, the idea for the nonprofit organization came from Houston resident William Reed, who attended Palestine schools for several years.

“Reed had seen a similar organization at Houston Independent School District’s Lamar High School and felt that something similar would be beneficial to Palestine,” Triplett said. “Reed saw how much that organization has done for the school and wanted to see that happen here.

“Apparently his years at PISD had a positive impact on him.”

Janis Burris, a 1958 PHS graduate and the organization’s vice president, said Reed “got the vision going” for the PHSAA by making initial contacts with PHS grads and starting a PHS alumni website.

“I had recently planned a class reunion and made a lot of contacts,” Burris said. Triplett had taken photos for a class reunion, and also was contacted by Reed to help start the organization.

In addition to Triplett and Burris, other PHS grads attending the PHSAA’s first organizational meeting included: Mike Dear, Mae Bradley Hoppers, Lee McCain Brown, Sara Nell Daly Bible, Judy Burgess, Sandra Stephenson, David Malloy, and Linda Gandy Smith.

As to it purpose, members developed the following mission statement: “to support the students, faculty and administration to further strengthen the educational accomplishments of Palestine Independent School District.”

“We want to give back to the school system that benefited us during our own years at PISD,” Triplett said. “And we want to allow other PHS alumni to do the same.

“We feel that there are many like us to have reached a point in their life where they are ready to give back,” he added. “Those are the people we expect to be energized and fully engaged in the PHSAA.

“We want to provide an avenue – a mechanism – for those who have the heart to do something like this but may not know how to channel their energy and get involved.”

Still in its formative stages, the group has scheduled an organizational meeting they hope will draw other local alumni into the group. The meeting is set for 6 p.m. Jan. 22 at Palestine High School.

“We hope that fellow alumni will come together and help us set goals for the PHSAA – to identify the needs of the school and create projects that will have an impact,” Triplett said. “We also want to marshal the resources of PHS alumni for those projects, whether it be time, expertise or funding.

“Most of those who will get involved with the organization are gainfully employed,” he added. “They may have skills, access to businesses or political contacts that may be of use to help the students and the school – to educate the students and to help teachers be teachers.

“We are at the very beginnings of this, so we aren’t sure where the PHSAA might go,” Triplett said. “The possibilities are endless.”

Burris agreed with Triplett’s statements, and has high hopes that many will attend the Jan. 22 meeting and offer their input.

“Getting people involved,” she said, “will help them see the many needs at PISD.”

According to Triplett, there are already several PHS classes that have their own websites. He hopes to get the word out to them as well, and possibly have them link their site from the PHSAA site, www.palestinehigh.com.

For more information about the Palestine High School Alumni Association or to RSVP for the meeting e-mail call Burris at 903-729-5240 or Triplett at 903-723-4000.
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Mary Rainwater may be reached via e-mail at mrainwater@palestineherald.com