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Malakoff wins “Gold Leadership Circle Award”

circleBy mvhannigan

Malakoff ISD Superintendent Randy Perry announced today that the school district has been presented the Texas Comptroller’s “Gold Leadership Circle Award” for the fourth straight year.

The award recognizes “local governments across Texas that are striving to meet a high standard for financial transparency online.”

As both a reporter and a taxpayer, I appreciate when officials make it easy to follow the money, and Malakoff ISD has scored the highest marks for transparency for four consecutive years.

“Congratulations to Business Manager Mary Ferguson and the business office for this distinction,” Perry said. “I am thankful for all of their hard work. Great things are happening at Malakoff ISD.”

According to the Texas Comptroller’s website, Eustace ISD is the only other Gold Circle award winner, and EISD has earned the award at least three straight years.

Malakoff High School: ‘No longer about providing just the basics’

MalakoffPress release from Malakoff High School

Malakoff High School is busy working towards its preparation of students for their future success.

“High school is no longer about providing just the basics. It’s about making sure our students are college and workforce ready,” Principal Daniel Barton said.

In order for students to have the opportunity to gain university credit, the campus has added Advanced Placement classes in Psychology, World History, Government, and Calculus.

“This is an excellent chance for students to prepare to succeed at a major university,” counselor Laurie Boze added.

Malakoff High School also offers numerous dual credit courses with Trinity Valley Community College, such as College Algebra and Statistics, Biology, English, and History. These classes grant students the chance to gain college credit along with required state credits. In addition to these courses, there are several certifications available for students to earn such as a Certified Nurses Aide or Microsoft Office Specialist.

Boze has also opened a career center at the high school this year. This center is open to students to obtain scholarship applications, college and career information, and obtain SAT and ACT preparation materials. There are also two computers available to students who need to complete college or workforce applications, scholarship applications, college and career research, or to register for the SAT, ACT, or THEA.

“We are excited about the opening of the career center as it assists in achieving our vision at Malakoff High School: Developing superior 21st century leaders and thinkers in a global society,” she said

Additionally, Kenneth Hancock and Brent Watkins, Ag Science and Construction Trades instructors, became certified members of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to provide students the opportunity to gain certification. Students in journalism class are using the newest software available to create the Tiger yearbook and will head out into the workforce and to college with InDesign experience. Students are also able to take an Animation class that gives them experience in graphic design.

For added exposure to college life, several trips are planned for students to visit nearby colleges and universities. Students will have the opportunity to visit schools such as Mary-Hardin Baylor, The University of Texas at Tyler, Stephen F. Austin State University, Trinity Valley Community College, and Baylor University.

Malakoff High School is dedicated to the preparation of its students for the future. They are committed to student success.

HCLS Results: Breeding Rabbit Show

HCLS Results: Breeding Rabbit Show

Grand Champion (Best of Breed) went to Trey Salazar, 9, of Happy Days 4-H. He attends school at Cross Roads ISD.
Grand Champion (Best of Breed) went to Trey Salazar, 9, of Happy Days 4-H. He attends school at Cross Roads ISD.

Mini Rex

Junior Buck

  1. Madison Himes, Cross Roads 4-H
  2. Trey Salazar, Happy Days 4-H
  3. Katelyn Smith, Cross Roads 4-H
  4. Jodi Costlow, Mabank FFA
  5. Brittany Davis, Mabank FFA
  6. Makayla Arnold, Cross Roads 4-H

Senior Buck

  1. Makayla Arnold, Cross Roads 4-H (Best Opposite)
  2. Kaylee Baker, Cross Roads 4-H
  3. Courtney Hancock, Cross Roads 4-H
  4. Maggie Shelton, East Texas Young Riders
  5. Gentry Weatherford, Happy Days 4-H
  6. Laura Ashley Childress, Cedar Creek 4-H
Reserve Grand Champion (Best Opposite) went to Jodi Costlow, 13, of Mabank FFA. She is pictured with her father, Cary.
Reserve Grand Champion (Best Opposite) went to Jodi Costlow, 13, of Mabank FFA. She is pictured with her father, Cary.

Junior Doe

  1. Trey Salazar, Happy Days 4-H (Best of Breed)
  2. Makayla Arnold, Cross Roads 4-H
  3. Meghan Cook, Happy Days 4-H
  4. Trey Salazar, Happy Days 4-H
  5. Claire Spivey, Cross Roads 4-H
  6. Abbie Cates, Horizon 4-H

Senior Doe

  1. Samantha Smith, Horizon 4-H
  2. Ben Smith, All American 4-H
  3. Amelia Veros, All American 4-H
  4. Justin Evans, Frankston FFA
  5. Makayla Arnold, Cross Roads 4-H
  6. Ashley Lofton, Horizon 4-H

Californian

Junior Buck

  1. Allison Dowell, Cross Roads 4-H
  2. Samantha Smith, Horizon 4-H

Senior Buck

  1. Alex Wogerer, Cross Roads 4-H (Best of Breed)
  2. Alex Wogerer, Cross Roads 4-H
  3. Alyssa Wogerer, Cross Roads 4-H
  4. Macey Crabtree, Happy Days 4-H
  5. Sara Spivey, Cross Roads 4-H
  6. Savanah Calhoun, Chandler 4-H

Junior Doe

  1. Allison Dowell, Cross Roads 4-H
  2. Allison Dowell, Cross Roads 4-H

Senior Doe

  1. Samantha Wogerer, Cross Roads 4-H (Best Opposite)
  2. Alyssa Wogerer, Cross Roads 4-H
  3. Samantha Wogerer, Cross Roads 4-H
  4. Tanner King, Cross Roads 4-H
  5. Meghan Cook, Happy Days 4-H
  6. Christopher Childress, Cedar Creek 4-H

Holland Lop

Junior Buck

  1. Leo Varos, All American 4-H
  2. Jodi Costlow, Mabank FFA
  3. Molly Nutt, Cross Roads 4-H
  4. Laynee Spivey, Happy Days 4-H
  5. Jacie Palmer, Frankston FFA
  6. Jessica Moore, Horizon 4-H

Senior Buck

  1. Jodi Costlow, Mabank FFA (Best of Breed)
  2. Molly Nutt, Cross Roads 4-H
  3. Leo Varos, All American 4-H
  4. Sydney Harris, Cross Roads 4-H
  5. Haley Durden, Happy Days 4-H
  6. Daniel Stanley, HappyDays 4-H

Junior Doe

  1. Megan Hartin, Horizon 4-H (Best Opposite)
  2. Macy Mills, East Texas Young Riders
  3. Jessica Moore, Horizon 4-H
  4. Jodi Costlow, Mabank FFA
  5. Amelia Varos, All American 4-H

Senior Doe

  1. Matthew Stanley, Happy Days 4-H
  2. Jaden Evans, Fankston FFA
  3. Ashly Loftin, Horizon 4-H
  4. Jarrett Riley, LaPoynor FFA
  5. Jodi Costlow, Mabank FFA
  6. Bayleigh White, Cross Roads FFA

Netherland Dwarfs

Senior Buck

  1. Shiann Moore, Frankston FFA (Best of Breed)
  2. Tabatha Crook, LaPoynor FFA
  3. Carolina Billingsley, Frankston FFA
  4. Melody Avalos, LaPoynor FFA
  5. Kayla Pizaad, Frankston FFA

Junior Doe

  1. Laura McClelland, LaPoynor FFA

Senior Doe

  1. Tabatha Crook, LaPoynor FFA (Best Opposite)
  2. Tabatha Crook, LaPoynor FFA
  3. Jaden Evans, Frankston FFA
  4. Caroline Billingsley, Frankston FFA
  5. Melody Avelos, LaPoynor FFA
  6. Ashley Loftin, Horizon 4-H

All Other Breeds

Best of Breed in the AOB Class was Cullen Jones, 8, of Frankston FFA. The Best Opposite was Sarah Davis, 11, of Happy Days 4-H.
Best of Breed in the AOB Class was Cullen Jones, 8, of Frankston FFA. The Best Opposite was Sarah Davis, 11, of Happy Days 4-H.

Junior Buck

  1. Brittany Fiem, Mabank FFA
  2. Libby Calvin, Eustace FFA
  3. Catelin Jones, Frankston FFA
  4. Daniel Stanley, Happy Days 4-H

Senior Buck

  1. Cullen Jones, Frankston FFA (Best of Breed)
  2. Ashley Loftin, Horizon 4-H
  3. Lydia Brown, Frankston FFA
  4. Brittany Johnson, Brownsboro FFA
  5. Emily Dowling, Frankston FFA
  6. Ashley Loftin, Horizon 4-H

Junior Doe

  1. Sarah Davis, Happy Days 4-H (Best Opposite)
  2. Breanna Fuller, Eustace FFA

Senior Doe

  1. Karlie Watson, Happy Days 4-H
  2. Landon Spivey, Happy Days 4-H
  3. Chloe Park, Mabank FFA

Doe and Litter

  1. Trey Salazar, Happy Days 4-H
  2. Macey Crabtree, Happy Days 4-H
  3. Trey Salazar, Happy Days 4-H
  4. Casie Spivey, Outdoor Sports

Get ready for summer fun at Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center April 6

By Larry Hodge, TPWD

The annual Outdoor Fools Day event at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens has two goals: To let you know what’s out there to enjoy, and to teach you how to do it.

Do you want to go camping? Kayaking? Fly-fishing? Cook gourmet campfire meals? Or maybe birding is your thing, or archery, or just learning about the animals that live in our woods and waters.

Outdoor Fools Day will help you develop your skills and increase your knowledge in all those areas—not by listening to someone talk about doing them, but by doing them yourself under the direction of a skilled expert.

Staff from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s State Parks Division will show you how to set up camp. Fly-fishing experts will help you tie a fly and catch a rainbow trout with it in TFFC’s casting pond, and then a park ranger will help you clean it and cook it.

How to eat it you will have to figure out for yourself.

If learning to shoot a bow and arrow is on your list, the Lone Star Bowhunters will show you how and let you practice target shooting at life-size replicas of deer, turkeys and feral hogs. They also offer free copies of The 10 Best Spotting Scopes of 2018 Reviewed: The Definitive Guide for your future outdoor endeauvors.

Other stations will let you construct and shoot off a paper-and-duct-tape rocket using compressed air; sample tasty foods cooked in a Dutch oven; see fish swimming in a glass-bottomed stream; touch a variety of salt-water creatures; see skins, tracks and skulls of predator and prey animals and learn how tracking dogs are used to locate wounded game.

In addition, live animal displays will let you get up close to reptiles and raptors. Wildlife on the Move will present reptiles from around the world at noon and 3 p.m. and give anyone who dares the chance to touch a 14-foot snake. The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center will present a raptor show at 1:00 p.m. and also conduct walk-around displays on the grounds. Regularly scheduled dive shows in which a diver hand-feeds fish will take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Outdoor Fools Day is sponsored by Wulf Outdoor Sports; Schneider Electric; FutureMatrix, Inc.; Citizens National Bank; First State Bank; Red Hat Rentals; Aaron’s Sales and Lease; Best Western –Royal Mountain Inn; Holiday Inn Express – Athens; Super 8 – Athens; Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Friends of TFFC. The biggest towable tube is one more wonderful type of activity.

The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is located at 5550 F.M. 2495, about four miles east of Athens. Outdoor Fools Day will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All events are included with paid admission, which is $5.50 for adults, $4.50 for seniors and $3.50 for children ages four through 12. For more information call (903) 676-2277 or visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/tffc.

Lady Cardinals have a little extra motivation going for them

Coach Elena Lovato
Coach Elena Lovato

By mvhannigan

If the Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals’ first win in the NJCAA national tournament Tuesday seemed a little too close for comfort, it could be because the ladies have been making things look so easy the past month.

The Lady Cardinals fell behind by double digits early before coming back to beat Weatherford yesterday, 75-70, and the difference was one possession for much of the last minute of play. It wasn’t an easy win.

But this is for a national championship and wins aren’t going to come easy.

Head Coach Elena Lovato says her team is ready for the challenge.

“We know we didn’t play great in game one,” she told me in a Facebook conversation. “Let’s chalk that up to experience and move on to the next game. I know for a fact this crew is not satisfied with just being here.”

Lovato said the team also has a little extra motivation going for it.

“We want to leave a legacy in Athens because Athens has been so good to us,” she said.

The coach said local support is reaching the team all the way in Kansas.

“It is amazing how much love and support this group of girls and I feel,” she said. “We received a few text messages and tweets from fellow coaches, athletes, and people in the community who watched the game online together.”

TVCC fans also travel well and are a force themselves in Kansas.

“The atmosphere in that gym yesterday was great,” Lovato said. “We were blessed to have a large number of Lady Card diehards that made the trip to Salina this year. Also, its pretty awesome that we have an administration that supports our athletic department so much. The cheerleaders and band were amazing.”

Next up for the Lady Cards is Blinn 1 p.m. tomorrow. This will be the fourth time the two teams have played this season, with TVCC winning all three previous meetings.

“We are going to leave it on the floor each and every night not just for each other, the school, the tradition, but for the fans – the people who have invested so much interest, care and love for this program,” Lovato said.