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Destiny Carter and Chad Walker both signed on Monday to play collegiate sports. Carter signed to play soccer at Paul Quinn College in Dallas, and Walker signed with Southwestern Assemblies of God University in Waxahachie to play football.
By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD
Renda Garner, the distance learning director at TVCC, was sworn in Monday night as an Athens ISD School Board trustee, Place 6. Garner replaces David Freeman, who chose not to seek re-election having served as a board member for 15 years.
“Every issue we’ve ever had as a board, you’ve found some angle to address it we hadn’t thought of,” said Board President Rob Risko. “Your wit and wisdom will be missed.”
“I know the school district is going to go far,” said Freeman. “You’ve got a good leader and a good board.”
Also re-elected to additional three-year terms with no opposition were Eric Smith, Place 5, and Bob Spears, Place 7. Spears has served 15 years as a trustee, and Smith has served seven years non-consecutively.
Athens High School Band Director Rusty Lay was honored at Monday night’s Athens ISD board meeting in recognition of having led the “Pride of the Hornets Band” to 10 consecutive years of earning the coveted UIL “Sweepstakes Award.”
“He exemplifies everything that is good about public education,” said AISD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims.
“I appreciate very much you recognizing the work we’ve put in,” said Lay, “but I can’t accept this alone. It takes a team. … I couldn’t do it without a lot of help.”
Pictured (front, from left) are Superintendent Blake Stiles, Lay and Board President Rob Risko. (Photo by Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)
Athens High School senior Tyler Harris signs with Hill College Wednesday to be a team roper with their nationally recognized rodeo program. Pictured seated with Harris is Hill College Athletic Director and Rodeo Coach Paul Brown. Family members standing are (from left) Steve Harris (father), Birdie Harris (grandmother), Jodie Babb (grandmother), Trent Harris (brother), Katie Harris (mother), and Larry Babb (grandfather). Harris was a state qualifier in 2015 for the Texas State High School Rodeo Association (Region 4) in team roping. He qualified again this year and will compete in Abilene in June. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)
By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
Mike Coston’s last public appearance as the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce came Tuesday afternoon as he helped preside over the Farm & Ranch Tour luncheon at the Cain Center.
By Tuesday night, he was gone.
Coston tendered his resignation effective immediately Tuesday, according to multiple city officials.
Chamber Board Chairman Steve Barksdale told the Athens Daily Review: “(Tuesday) afternoon our president of the chamber, Mike Coston, tendered his resignation effective immediately to pursue other career opportunities. The executive board accepted his resignation. Mike has brought financial stability to our chamber. We all have been blessed by the numerous programs he brought to us over the past year and half.”
Coston joined the Athens Chamber in August 2014 after being CEO of the Texas Longhorn Breeders Association of America and the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce.
Those wishing to reach the Athens Chamber can call Chamber Secretary Kristina Jacobson at 903-675-5181.