At the September board meeting, the board of trustees at Pine Tree Independent School District surprised Cathy Shipp with the district's Bravo Award.

Shipp thought she was there to help present the school board with the Heritage Award and the Regen Stiles Teaching Excellence Award plaques that will be hung in the administration building. But this year's Bravo winner turned out to be Shipp, who is the executive director for the Pine Tree Education Foundation.
"I was really surprised," Shipp said. "I had no idea they were going to do this, but it was very special because the foundation board has worked extremely hard.

"We've had ambitious goals. It's been lot of fun and a lot of hard work. But I have a great board to work with. The only reason I have the Bravo is the backing of the board."

Shipp is credited with helping develop the nonprofit group three years ago. Her diligence also has enabled the foundation to raise $45,000 in teacher grants, according to PT Education Foundation President Judy Stiles, who nominated Shipp.

Shipp worked closely with the foundation volunteers to coordinate events such as the Chick-fil-A Rally Round Your School, the "Best of the Best" fine arts presentation, and the Beacon Awards banquet to recognize Pine Tree students and staff.