A PERFECT TEAM – The Lady Colts junior high volleyball team are from left to right, Coach Nitra Woods, Libby Hernandez, Capri Garlick, Micella Grano, Serena Arenas, Bianca Cardoza, Krystal Aguilar and resting is Julia Ramirez. The girls didn’t lose a match all year.

THE GREAT PUMPKIN – Marathon Elementary students have grown vegetables in their garden behind the school. Now they have a crop of Pumpkins just in time for Charley Brown’s Great Pumpkin to come calling. Tonight is Halloween, you know.

FUND RAISERS – The Marathon ISD Board of Trustees honored the volunteers who worked with kids in the Marathon Public Library's 2008 Summer Reading Program, Texas Jubilee. Shown from left were Arlene Griffis, Eula Mae Colmenero, David Townsend, Carol Townsend, Shirley Rooney, Carol Henthorne, Hal Henthorne and Laverne Avery. Not shown were Steve Griffis, Sky Townsend, Ashley Canales, Don and Jackie Boyd, T.J. and Traci Joyner, Mary Baxter and Luc Novovitch. Superintendent Conrad Arriola said the board appreciates the efforts, which help bridge the gap between spring and fall semesters.

LEADERSHIP – Several area people attended a Leadership Big Bend class last week at Sul Ross University. Among those present were, from left, Susan Celaya, Bill Wellman, Adrian Billings, Sally Schaefer, Jay Umphlett and Belle Peña.

YOUNG SMOKEATER – Marathon Elementary School Fourth grader Jeremy Ramirez put out a fire with an extinguisher this week. Dave Yim of the Big Bend National Park Fire Department gave him some pointers to point the suppressant on the blaze.

DROP IN – Marathon Elementary students got an up-close and personal look at a US Border Patrol helicopter this week. It was “Red Ribbon” week, emphasizing drug awareness on the nation’s campuses.

AND 50 MORE? – Mike Barclay of Alpine was honored recently for completing half a century of legal service. He reminisced with the News Leader about some of the cases he was involved in.

SPECIAL SPEAKER – Arlene Griffis hugs James Evans, photographer extraordinaire and chronicler of people, places and things of the Big Bend area.  He was the guest speaker at the Marathon Library luncheon held last Sunday, and presented a multimedia presentation of his work.

TOUR GUIDE – Former Marathon resident Bill Smith showed the Sanderson Chamber of Commerce an early design of a Walking and Driving Tour booklet he is working on. Tammy Ramsey inspected the work. The Chamber is developing a list of points of interest to provide to visiting tourists. Smith said a booklet format would work better than a brochure because it would provide more room for information. Smith happens to be the brother of Marathon icon Shirley Rooney.

photo by Jason Hennington

SCHOLAR – Sul Ross State University math major Jesus Hermosillo of Presidio received the Charles and Julia Matthews Scholarship from President R. Vic Morgan, right. Also pictured was Mathematics Department chair Dr. David Martin.