INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUAL – Henry Beth Hogg of Sanderson was honored as the “Incredible Individual” by the Area Agency on Aging last week. Hogg was recognized for her promotion of Terrell County including leadership of the Sanderson Arts and Education Alliance, Pachanga, Historical Society, Fourth of July events and many others.

TOP JUNIORS – Taylor Roberts was named valedictorian for Sanderson Junior High School this week. Ashley Hagelgans is salutatorian. Among his honors, Taylor boasted the highest grade average in seven courses and accelerated reading. Ashley excelled in UIL and sports and was a junior high cheerleader.

HOUSING BOOM – Ray and Donna Cantu of Pipe Creek are building 360-sq-ft. cedar cabin on Lamon Sivil’s land in Dryden. They plan to sell or rent it to hunters or others needing a small place to stay. “It looks so nice we might buy it,” Ray Cantu said. He said they may also build some homes in Sanderson. “We like the people here,” he said “They are so friendly.”

READING CHAMPS – Top readers at the Sanderson Junior High School Accelerated Reading championship last week were, from left, Taylor Roberts, Ryan Johnson and Mason Blackmon. Eight readers won a trip to Fort Stockton where they visited the Annie Riggs Museum, played games and ate pizza.

FUN OF READING – Sanderson Junior High School Accelerated Reading champions visited Fort Stockton and the Annie Riggs Museum last week. They were, from left, Daniel Luevano, Dryden Baker, Mason Blackmon, Taylor Roberts, Jalen Chriesman, Daniela Garza and Kayla Fuéntez. Not shown was Ryan Johnson.

 SCHOLARSHIP – Wal-Mart Assistant Manager Brandon Rowe presented a $1,000 scholarship to Danell Graham of Sanderson recently. Danell was also named valedictorian for the 2008 graduating class from Sanderson High School and was voted “most likely to succeed.” She plans to attend UT Permian Basin to major in biology and minor in chemistry on the way to a career as an anesthesiologist.

GRADUATE – Trisha Montalvo, daughter of Richard and Paula Montalvo of Sanderson, graduated from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin this month with a Bachelors degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Special Education. Presenting the degree was college President Dr. David Watts. Trisha is also teacher certified to teach EC-12 in Physical Education and Special Education. She plans to teach in the fall but will pursue a Masters degree in counseling this summer. 

I'M WATCHIN' YOU – Isabel Rivera portrayed Belle Starr at the annual wax museum last week at the junior high school.  The museum is designed to teach the students with a little fun mixed in.

COURT IN SESSION – The six new tennis courts behind the existing Sanderson High School building was the first project to be completed under a $14 million bond issue approved last year. New summer rules for use of the court are currently being prepared.

BEST IN STATE – Travis Armstrong, grandson of Mike and Gerry Armstrong of Sanderson, won first place and Best in State with his BBQ trailer at the State finals of the Technology Student Association in Waco recently. Travis traveled with the Fort Stockton High School Industrial Technology classes that held onto the state title for all 3A schools, winning it for the fourth year in a row.

FORMER GLORY – The Rio Grande through Big Bend National Park was much grander in wetter years. It’s been extremely dry in recent months but the big river also has to contend with silting and sediment as well as non-native plants that have choked the flow in many areas.