May 23, 2008

Hogg ‘Incredible Individual’

MIDLAND – Henry Beth Hogg of Sanderson won the “Incredible Individual Award” from the Area Agency on Aging here last week. Hogg was honored for her contributions to the promotion of Terrell County. Thirteen Terrell County residents attended the Senior Celebration at Midland County Horseshoe to support the winning nomination. Hogg’s son and daughter-in-law Johnny and Lorna Hogg of El Paso arrived to the surprise of the honoree. Her sister, Lee Harris of Fort Stockton and Lee’s daughter Lee Edwards of Kermit, were also among the cheering crowd. The day, which began at 5:15 a.m., was filled with booth exhibits, information, manicures, bingo, blood pressure checks, music, entertainment and lunch. “Terrell County Government would like to nominate Henry Beth Hogg for the ‘Incredible Older Individual’ award,” her nomination reads. “This 86-year-young lady is involved in many organizations here in Sanderson, Texas. “She is president of our Sanderson Arts and Education Alliance whose goals include the bringing of cultural events to town for our local residents, young and old alike, and organizing our Prickly Pear Pachanga each year,” it reads. “This event highlights our designation as ‘Cactus Capital of Texas’ complete with a gala dinner, silent auction and cactus contests in native plants, photos, container gardens and food items containing cactus. ‘This requires a lot of coordination and Ms. Hogg is right in the middle of it all,” the nomination notes. “She always has her dinner tickets sold and finds time to secure silent auction items. “Ms. Hogg is also very active in the Pecos Trails Group. This includes driving out of town for meetings,” it reads. “She is always looking for ways to promote our town in rural West Texas. “In addition, she is president of our local Historical Commission,” the nomination states. “This group makes others aware of our local county museum and the many preserved historic items located there. ~ Boosters officers resign SANDERSON – Band Boo-ster President Lindy Stumberg and Vice President Corina Castro both resigned at the meeting this week in a dispute over selection of the band scholarship. Davis Stumberg was the only senior meeting criteria but some felt he was not deserving of the $1,000 scholarship. After much discussion, it was decided that Davis would receive a $500 scholarship. The Boosters set aside $1,500 for students interested in attending band camp this summer. Interested students should submit a request in writing to Laura Galvan to qualify. Booster officers said the request should be submitted as soon as possible. Lowering the scholarship will allow a little money for repairing broken instruments and other costs. There is still a vacancy in the position of band director to replace Tom Torres, who resigned earlier this year. School Board members indicated they are close to filling the vacancy but no decision has been reached. Cathy Lawson was named acting Booster president to finish out the year. Back Softball league under way SANDERSON – The Sanderson Softball League met this week to elect officers and start the season. Marco Fuéntez will serve as new president, vice president will be Mark Dominguez and Sue Black will serve as treasurer. The first game will be June 5 and games will continue until July 19. There will be a meeting at 6 p.m. at the pavilion on Thursday, May 29, and all rosters must be turned in by then. The league is considered ”semi-coed” because there must be at least two women on the field at all times. An automatic out will be assessed in lieu of the two women players on the field. The women will use a ladies’ softball while the guys will swing at a “slow pitch” core 44 ball. Each team must carry a 16- person roster but exceptions will be made for company teams. As of press time there were four teams. Players cannot be younger than incoming freshmen. There will be no switching teams during the season and visitors may play only with the consent from the opposing team. All games will be played with a 1-1 pitch and have an hour time limit. The “mercy” rule will be in effect. If one team is ahead by 15 points after four innings or 10 points after five innings of play, the team ahead wins and the game is called. No metal cleats will be allowed and a pinch runner must come off the bench and not be in the lineup. Alcohol is prohibited on the field, in the dugouts and around the bleacher area. Profanity will not be tolerated. Games will be start at 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and game two will begin at 8:45.p.m. Volunteers are needed for announcers and other ancillary duties. Each player will need to chip in $5, to be collected by the coach for first-place shirts at the season’s end. The Sanderson Softball League is sponsored by the Cactus Health Services Wellness Program, which promotes healthy choices through activities such as water aerobics, Cocina Classes and a walking program, partnered with the Terrell County Extension Office. There will be a concession stand and citizens are encouraged to enjoy a hot dog and support the league. Mike Sanchez reminded participants to “play fair and respect one another. Let’s be good role models and teach good sportsmanship to our youth – as well as some adults.” Back ‘Granny’s Guesthouse’ hit by fire SANDERSON – Fire caused minor damage to the popular “Granny’s Guest House” at Fourth and Kerr here last week. “Workers were putting a new roof on and they had hot tar on the porch,” owner Mary Nell Hinkle said. “They were using a blow torch.” Fire damaged the roof and part of the attic. The interior suffered some smoke and water damage, she said. “Luckily, the back porch did not catch on fire,” Hinkle said. “Our house on third is being re-roofed at the same time.” The guesthouse fire did damage the ceiling, there was smoke damage inside and “a little water damage,” she said. Back Three place in Spanish Fair ODESSA – Noemi Nuñez placed first in Extemporaneous Reading-Spanish II Division at the annual Spanish Fair here last week. Ernestina Gonzales brought home a second place win in the Spanish II Division Spelling Bee and Julianna Larrinaga placed third in the Spanish I Division Spelling Bee. Other participants included Andy Milstead and Valeria Orozco. Students competed in UIL-like events except they are all in Spanish. Back Cavness to celebrate 90 years MARATHON – A reception next week will mark the 90th birthday of Sam Cavness of Marathon. His wife Patsy said there will be a reception from 2 to 5 pm. Saturday, May 31, at their home at 208 N. 4th here. “Please come and wish him a happy birthday,” she said. Back New Piñon grant sought SANDERSON – The Terrell County School Board agreed Monday to seek a $447,032.31 grant from the Piñon Foundation of Oklahoma City for technology equipment and other items. The board removed one request from the list for $80,000 to upgrade the lighting at the auditorium stage. “I’m not really comfortable with that one,” School Board President Ada Lee Robbins said. She said the lighting was part of a proposal in the $14 million bond issue approved last year and, even if it were included in the Piñon grant, work could not be accomplished until the high school building renovations scheduled for later. Superintendent Gary Hamilton said Piñon grants have been used for teaching assistants, technology equipment and other items. “The kids have really benefited from tutoring sessions we’ve had,” he said “One girl’s reading level increased by four grades because of the one-on-one attention” provided by the teachers aides. “It has been a wonderful, wonderful Godsend to us,” he said. “The ‘smart boards’ we have gotten, they helped pay for most of those.” Smart boards are computer-controlled white boards that can be manipulated by teachers or students while classmates watch the action. Board members indicated a need for a set of rules for the new tennis courts, just completed last week behind the high school building. That project was the first to be completed under the bond issue. Hamilton said architect Monty Hunter of Odessa was “pretty well finished on his drawings” for the secondary school building, an extension to the existing junior high building. The tennis court lighting should be set to turn off every night at midnight and items such as skateboards and other wheeled vehicles should be prohibited along with pets and other animals. Athletic Director Mark Dominguez was asked to prepare some rules to be posted for use of the courts. The courts are designed not just for students but for anyone in the community that wants to use them. Dominguez said he was “real pleased” at the athletic programs in the school this past year. And he said students continue to get praise for their behavior on field trips and others. The board agreed on an “evaluation instrument” for annual critiques of the superintendent. Board members were to turn in this year’s evaluations by June 2. And the board discussed certifying school employees to give classes such as CPR and bus training so that could be accomplished in house. Hamilton said the school recently paid $370 for CPR training and instructors can get $500 for teaching a course. He suggested Dominguez be trained to provide bus training, both for commercial drivers licenses and Texas Education Agency certification. Back

“She lead this group to obtaining markers for veterans of the Civil War buried in our local cemetery showing their service to our country,” it notes. “She has also lead this group to secure the first official Texas Historical Marker to be located in Terrell County and is currently working on getting several Terrell County Historical Markers. “Our Fourth of July old timers celebration held on our courthouse lawn is a result of Ms. Hogg’s organization efforts,” the nomination says. “This is a great time for current and former Terrell County residents to get together to reminisce. Prizes are given to those coming the farthest, the oldest, the person with the most grandchildren, etc. “This organization is often done by our Ms. Hogg,” the document reads. “It can almost be guaranteed that if there is a historic or meeting concerning the promotion of our town, Ms. Hogg will be there with her notebook to take notes as well as contributing her thoughts on the subject. “If you are interested in intriguing stories, just ask her about Rosie the Riveter – she is the real thing and will be more than willing to share her experience with anyone wanting to listen,” it notes. “She is never still and inspires others of all ages to get up and get active in their community. Her actions speak volumes. ~ Tiny bugs identified as ‘thrips’ SANDERSON – Spraying for mosquitoes and other pests was to have started in Terrell County this week, wind con-ditions permitting. But there may be more than just mosquitoes gnawing on residents’ flesh. Several people have complained to the News Leader recently they have been bothered by tiny insects, des-cribed as being yellow and smaller than a gnat, that have bothered them while working in the yard or playing sports. The tiny animals apparently are “thrips,” described by Wikipedia as “tiny, slender insects with fringed wings.” They are also known as storm flies, thunderflies, thunderbugs and corn lice. “Thrips species feed on a large variety of sources both plant and animal by puncturing them and sucking up the contents,” Wikipedia says. “A large number of thrips species are considered pests because they feed on plants with commercial value.” Some species of thrips feed on other insects or mites and are considered beneficial, while some feed on fungal spores or pollen. Some 5,000 species have been identified. “In the right conditions, many species can explode in population and swarm everywhere, making them an irritation to humans,” Wikipedia says. “In addition to acting as a crop pest, these insects may also enter the home and distress inhabitants by their presence.” “Thrips are tiny insects which have piercing mouth parts that can do damage to most any plant,” U-SPRAY, Inc., of Lilburn, GA, says in a copywrited story. “If given the chance, they will take advantage of garden species as well as common landscape vegetation spread-ing disease and causing damage,” the U-SPRAY article says. A few thrips can easily go unnoticed, it says. A large infestation can decide the local plants are not enough to eat and “once they start stinging people and pets, you will surely know they are present.” It is generally believed that local populations will take on a color similar to that of the plant they are mostly feeding upon. “Though plants are generally where they want to be nesting, water and high moisture seem to be more important,” U-SPRAY said. “It is not uncommon for local activity to be centered around some area in the landscape that is holding water.” County Judge Leo Smith said notices were posted around town and the two people who asked to be notified when spraying is to take place have been contacted. “Everybody else has wanted us to do it,” Smith said. Spraying will be done in the evenings when wind conditions permit, he said. Back Culture Club elects slate SANDERSON – Page Mitchell has been installed as the new president of the Sanderson GFWC Culture Club. She was installed by TFWC Western District President Kathy Traveland of Pecos. Other officers include Lindy Stumberg as first vice president, Christine Hinkle as second vice president, Nancy Henderson as secretary and Bobbe Mitchell as treasurer. Also, Melissa Farley is historian, Becky Norris is corresponding secretary and Martha Allen is reporter. The action came at the club’s annual meeting last week at which members discussed projects for the upcoming term. They include the July 4 ice cream contest, Sybil Savage Scholarship, National Honor Society entertainment dinner and holiday bazaar. Other projects include Cactus Health Services fundraisers, literary projects and books for children graduating from kindergarten, public library and a proposed style show for the benefit of the scholarship program. Back Junior High readers take trip SANDERSON – Sixth grader Mason Blackmon posted 438.8 points to pace the Sanderson Junior High Accelerated Reading team to a high of 2,136.7 points last week. Seventh grader Ryan Johnson posted 223.1 points and eighth grader Taylor Roberts scored 162.2 points Second-place honors went to seventh grader Dryden Baker with 174.7 points and sixth grader Daniel Luevano with 167.2 points. They were among eight students on the end-of-year trip to Fort Stockton. The Accelerated Readers had to obtain 100 points each to qualify for the trip, where they went to the Annie Riggs Museum and ate at the International House of Pancakes. “After this we went Stockton’s Entertainment Center to bowl, play putt-putt golf and we went to the game room.” Sponsor Pam Deaton said. “After having pizza at lunch, everyone enjoyed a movie.” Also on the trip were Daniela Garza, Jalen Chriesman and Kayla Fuéntez. Back McCain wins student vote SANDERSON – If it were up to Sanderson Elementary students, John McCain would be the next President of the United States. Fifth grader Santiago Gonzalez III conducted an election with students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade. “The ballots were counted and the results came in with the winner of the election being John McCain with 42 votes,” Santiago wrote. “Hillary Clinton came in 2nd with 25 votes and Barack Obama got 12 votes. “The teachers cast their ballots too,” he wrote. “For the teachers, it was a tie between John McCain and Hillary Clinton. “They both got 8 votes and Barack Obama got 1 vote,” Santiago wrote. “The children enjoyed the election. “Santiago hopes he can do this next year when he’s in sixth grade,” Santiago wrote. Back Youth baseball on now SANDERSON – The month of May spells baseball in most of the US and Sanderson hasn’t missed the action. In T-ball, the Braves, coached by Thelma Calzada, Dale Stratton and Lizette Ramirez, have won four games. The Rangers, coached by Mark Dominguez, Chip Zuniga and Wayne Truesdell, have won one game. In Little League, the Diamond Backs, coached by Marco Fuéntez, John Pierce and Jacob Benavidez, have won three games. The Cubs have also won three games. They are coached by Adam Portillo and Wayne Truesdell. Next games will be Tuesday, May 27, and Thursday, May 29, beginning at 5 p.m. Parents night and the awards ceremony will be May 29. Back Area team wins game of 3 on 3 GRANDFALLS – Sanderson Teacher and Coach Trisha Nichols recruited senior Hannah Black and headed for a 3 on 3 basketball tournament here where they came home with a first-place victory. They teamed up with Nichols’ cousin Brittni Blagrave and Brittni’s friend Ashli Stockton, both of Ackerly Sands, Nichols’ home town. There were eight teams participating in the girls division and Nichols and the girls beat Monahans for the championship. There will be a 3 on 3 tourney here tomorrow, May 24. Back Chance Litton graduates SAN ANTONIO – Chance Wade Litton graduated from The University of Texas Health Science Center here with a degree in Doctor of Dental Surgery last week. He received his undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s University here with a BA in Biology. Chance also was commissioned as a Captain in the US Army. He will attend a year residency in advanced education in general dentistry at Ft. Jackson in Columbia, SC. After completion of this study, he will serve as an Army dentist for four years.  Chance is the son of Steve and Renie Litton of Stonewall and grandson of the late Gene and Ginette Litton of Sanderson. Back Silt, sand and sediment clog river By R.M. GLOVER MNL Editor BIG BEND – Silt, sand and sediment are choking the Rio Grande, creating islands and broad banks of exotic vegetation that are slowing the water flow of the river. BBNP Superintendent Bill Wellman is working to implement natural methods to clear the intrusions and help claim what is left of this once great river. Projecting slides on the screen during his lecture to the Sierra Club last week, Wellman compared a 1955 photograph of a vegetation free and clearly channeled Rio Grande at the mouth of the Santa Helena Canyon to a recent shot of the same place, where a small green forest of non-native salt cedar and giant cane grew over and around an easy sloped, slightly trickling Rio Grande. “The Rio Grande is flowing at one sixth of historical levels,” Wellman said. “The river is unable to move the silt, sand and sediment. We’ve had an 8 1/2 foot buildup of silt since 1991.” Salt cedar, also known as Tamarisk and giant cane, are non-native exotic plants that act as sediment traps. “The river banks have become extremely stabilized by the exotic vegetation,” Well-man said. The clogging of the river essentially slows the flow, eliminating the braided nature of the old river, creating a single, deeper channel. There are places between Fort Quitman and the Rio Conchos where the river does not flow at all. As the population in the west boomed, both in the US and in Mexico, the demand for hydro-electric power and water also increased. Two major dams were completed in 1916, Elephant Butte in New Mexico on the Rio Grande and La Boquilla in Chihuahua on the Rio Conchos, a river that flows into the Rio Grande at Ojinaga, Coah. Today, the dams are considered a major part of the slow-flowing Rio Grande problem, each taking billions of gallons of water out of the confluence each year. The domestic and industrial water needs of the booming two million plus population of the El Paso-Juarez metropolitan area is another factor endangering the river. A third problem is the farming below El Paso-Juarez where water-thirsty pecan groves and onion farms stay wet with flood irrigation systems. The Rio Grande at this point looks more like one of the many skinny irrigation canals zig-zagging throughout the area. “The question is, what can we do with what’s left of the river?” Wellman asked. “Dam operators like steady flows,” Wellman said. “We’re having conversations with people who control the river’s flow, trying to get them to mimic something closer to the natural flow of the river. “We need major releases to coincide with the monsoons – so we can move silt – not the steady trickle they’re giving us now,” he said. “Our compacts with Mexico specify a certain quantity of water but give no time constraints.” Doing what he can politically upriver is one thing but closer to home at the Big Bend, Wellman is focusing on the water-guzzling, sediment-trapping intruders, salt cedar and the giant cane. “We can chop down the salt cedar and the giant cane but it’s expensive and takes a long time,” Wellman said. The new attack plan for the salt cedar is to release the salt cedar beetle, an insect found in Kazakhstan and the surrounding Central Asian region. They hope to obtain an 85- percent control factor on the tree, utilizing the beetle’s healthy appetite for the tree’s leaves. “These beetles grow exponentially and once they eat most of the trees, most will die,” Wellman said. “They will almost starve to death before they’ll eat anything else.” The Park Service presently has the beetles in cages along release sites on the river. They expect to release them into the wild in early fall. “It may take five or ten years for the beetles to do their job,” Wellman said. Controlling the giant cane is almost a bigger problem according to Wellman. In the past, burning the giant cane and then treating the reduced biomass with herbicide was one way of getting rid of the cane. An old fashion method, recently done at a national heritage site near Yuma, AZ, produced “excellent results,” Wellman said, but the labor-intensive, shovel-dig operation was very expensive. Bulldozing is another option but Wellman said that is “more manipulative than we like to do in a national park. Ideally, we want to use the river as our bulldozer. “Giant reed doesn’t have the roots that the Tamarisk has,” Wellman said. “If we can get the flow higher, cave in the banks, we can get it down river.” The Rio Grande, like most rivers in the western US, are puny compared to their former size, before the mass migration toward the Pacific that all started shortly after the Civil War when the telegraph and railroad lines connected east with west. Today, we are left with remnants. Restoration to former glories, except in certain places, is almost impossible. What do we do with what we have left is key and people like Bill Wellman will continue to seek the answers. Back

“She can often be found at local school sporting events wearing her orange and black and her many school buttons in support of our local school system,” the nomination reads. “Before you ask, yes, she knows these kids, their parents, and their parents’ parents by name. “Only wish there were more like her living here in Sanderson, Texas,” it says. “We are truly blessed with her presence and involvement in many aspects of our community.” Back Danell, Davis top SHS grads SANDERSON – Danell Graham has been named 2008 Sanderson High School valedictorian and Davis Stumberg is salutatorian. Graduation will be at 8 p.m. Friday, May 30, in the High School Auditorium. Danell, the daughter of Perry and Monica Graham, won the Daughters of the American Revolution award this month. She was secretary of the National Honor Society, varsity cheerleader all four years of high school, was in UIL, basketball, tennis and track and was listed in “Who’s Who in American High Schools.” Other achievements include being a delegate to Girl’s State and a HOBY delegate. She also has been involved in the community 4-H program, serving two years as treasurer and two years as president. Danell was voted “most likely to succeed” by her teachers. She to attend the University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa with a major in biology and minor in chemistry before transferring to Texas Tech for the medical training to become an anesthesiologist. Davis, the son of Forrest and Lindy Stumberg, was senior class, vice-president of the National Honor Society, Boys State representative, HOBY ambassador, co-captain of the high school cheerleading squad and a national cheerleading champion, captain of the basketball team, band drum major, regional track qualifier, was listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students and named “most likely to succeed.” Davis will be the head lifeguard this summer at the Terrell County swimming pool. He plans to attend UT Permian Basin this fall on a cheerleading scholarship and major in business management. He wants to eventually own his own business as an entrepreneur. Back Taylor, Ashley top SJHS students SANDERSON – Taylor Roberts was named valedictorian at Sanderson Junior High School this week and Ashley Hagelgans was named salutatorian. Taylor, the son of Travis and Katie Roberts, was on the “All-A” Honor Roll all five of the five six-week periods of the current school year and posted the highest average in seven classes and accelerated reading. He was student council president and a member of the National Junior Honor Society. Taylor won a third place honor at the Big Bend Regional History Fair and was a medalist at the state fair. He participated in football, basketball, tennis and track and had perfect attendance. Ashley, the daughter of David Hagelgans and Laura Ochoa, was a junior high school cheerleader and participated in cross country, track and basketball. She also placed in numerous UIL events. Back Two new Game Wardens due SANDERSON – When Game Warden Dan Waddell transferred from Terrell County to Willacy County in South Texas earlier this year so he could be closer to his family, Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife said he would be replaced by two new wardens. Those officers are scheduled to start work in Terrell County early next month. Saul Aguilar and Kenneth Stannard graduated from the Game Warden Academy a week ago and are in process of moving to Sanderson. Aguilar, of Corpus Christi, will bring his wife Marcy and three children, Isaiah, 5, Gabriella, 3, and Adam, 1. Isaiah will start next fall in the first grade. Stannard, 24, is single, the son of Bill and Susie Stannard of San Antonio. He graduated from UT San Antonio with honors, receiving a bachelor degree in criminal justice. “They had some ‘comp’ time and administrative time and they will be using that to get moved,” TDPW spokesman Scott Davis said. “They ought to be in the field around June first.” Waddell was in Terrell County for more than two years. “Dan did a good job or I wouldn’t have transferred him,” Game Warden Director Col. Pete Flores told the News Leader. ”Wardens are required to stay a minimum of two years before they transfer.” He said Waddell wanted to go home to the lower Rio Grande Valley and he was allowed to transfer because of his “good performance.” Region One Director Maj. Steve Whiteaker of San Angelo said the two wardens are because the Texas Legislature has ordered a “beefing up” of border counties. Back Honor students take trip ALPINE – Members of the Sanderson High School and Junior High School National Honor Societies visited the Museum of the Big Bend here this week. “The Culture Club always treats the National Honor Society to a trip and this year we included the Junior National Honor Society as well,” organizer Becky Norris said. Museum Curator Matt Walker gave a tour of the museum and told about its history. Then the group ate dinner at the Reata Restaurant. NHS members on the trip included Danell Graham, Davis Stumberg, Hannah Black, Jacob Benavidez, Vicky Busch, Jessica Garza, Darren Seidel and Carver Tate. Taylor Roberts represented the JNHC. Gina Garza sponsored the high school students and Principal Jerry Garza and Counselor Junior Calzada represented the junior high school. Also on the trip were Sue Black, Tammy Ramsey, Lindy Stumberg, Margaret Farley and Kenn and Becky Norris. “We just had a good time,”Becky Norris said. Back Texas history reproduced in wax SANDERSON – Sanderson teacher Tami Carrasco invited the town to see just how well we knew our state with the Fourth Annual “Wax Museum” Monday. The junior high school history classes researched and dressed up as characters in history and visitors tried to figure out who was who. Junior High Salutatorian, Ashley Hagelgans portrayed Bonnie Parker, Bill Johnson played the role of Tex Avery, Daniela Garza was beautiful as Mary Kay Ash while Kayla Fuéntez posed as Sandra Day O’Connor. Golfer Lee Trevino was portrayed by Ryan Johnson, Sourabh Bhakta played Dan Rather and almost everyone guessed that Michael Dillard was Judge Roy Bean. Isabel Rivera played Belle Starr, Dryden Baker was revealed as Willie Nelson and Shawn Stegall posed as Audie Murphy. Taylor Roberts portrayed the legendary Roger Staubach, George W. Bush was London Camacho while Abraham Orozco did his best Bill Pickett. Melissa Gonzales was Cynthia Ann Parker, Ashley Barron was Lady Bird Johnson and Howard Hughs was played by Chris McDonald. Robert Montalvo became George Foreman, Mason Blackmon portrayed John Wesley Hardin, Daniel Luevano played the part of Sam Houston and Jalen Chriesman took the field as Nolan Ryan. Visitors were served cookies and punch and some found out they didn’t know their state as well as they thought. Back Cactus Chat: Visitors come in with summer By KIM RAPP News Leader Production Manager SANDERSON – Gennie Merrifield & Martin Esqueda had visitors last weekend. Daughter Marie Ramirez & Sean Amaro came calling. Marie is currently attending Odessa College studying to become a radiologist. Sean is currently living in Fort Stockton with parents Roselinda & George Sanchez. County Extension Agent Mark Carroll received a blessing Sunday when he baptized his second grade twins Luke & Lauryn. The First Baptist Church recognized the twins’ membership by way of Baptism. Emily Wilson is home for the summer. She is the daughter of Rita Rodriguez and graduated SHS in ’07. Wilson has made it through her first year at Johnson County Community College in Kansas City, KS, where she is studying education and plans to become a teacher. Also here for a visit is Olivia Espinoza who graduated SHS in ’06. Espinoza is the granddaughter of Virginia Mendoza of Sanderson and was only here for a few days. Espinoza has just finished her sophomore year at Palo Alto College in San Antonio where she is majoring in business management. Travis Armstrong of Fort Stockton traveled to Waco recently totting along a BBQ trailer pit he made in Industrial Technology class at Fort Stockton High School. He is the son of Rosco & Maribel Armstrong and grandson of Mike & Gerry Armstrong of Sanderson. Travis won first place and best of show at the State finals. Fort Stockton has held onto the State title for all 3A schools for four years in a row. Back