Education-Henderson County Now

TVCC to Offer Hip Hop Dance Class During Spring Semester

By Jayson Larson/TVCC Public Information

It’s time to get your groove on – for credit.

For the first time, Trinity Valley Community College will offer a Hip Hop dance class beginning in the Spring 2015 semester. The class will be held Monday evenings from 6-8 p.m. and will be taught by Sarah Cadungug, assistant choreographer for the TVCC Cardettes.

This first class is being offered for males only. Cadungug said she and Cardette Director Darla Mansfield began talking about offering a Hip Hop class last spring when they noticed a large number of male dancing groups at a competition attended by TVCC’s Showgirls. Continue reading “TVCC to Offer Hip Hop Dance Class During Spring Semester”

AHS Speech & Debate Team Competes in Austin Tourney

Pictured, from left, are True Head, Michael Pulver, Matthew Hernandez, Megan Withers, John Baldwin and Dusty Rhodes.

Press release

On Dec. 5 and 6, members of the Athens High School Speech and Debate Team competed at the University of Texas TFA Tournament, one of the largest tournaments the team has attended this year. There were a total of 1,400 competitors representing more than 20 states.

All of the students competed very well at this tournament. Matthew Hernandez and True Head finished the tournament with three wins and three losses in the Championship Policy Debate division. It was not enough to advance, but it was enough to move Head up to a level of Distinction in the National Speech and Debate Association Honor Society.

John Baldwin advanced to double octafinals in JV Lincoln Douglas debate with a record of three wins and only one loss. That put Baldwin in the top 32 in his event. Dusty Rhodes, Megan Withers and Michael Pulver competed in the tournament as well. The team is coached by Nicole Cornish.

TVCC Teaming Up with AEDC, Chamber on Seminar Series

By Jayson Larson/TVCC Public Information

The Trinity Valley Community College Small Business Development Center and the Athens Economic Development Corporation are once again teaming up to offer training and resources aimed to put aspiring or existing business owners a step closer to success.

The SBDC and AEDC will offer a high-level “Going Into Business/Building A Winning Business” seminar over seven sessions beginning Tuesday, Jan. 20. The seminar will continue each Monday, concluding on March 2. Each seminar will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. This year, the Athens Chamber of Commerce has joined the effort as a co-sponsor.

The goal of the class – which will be limited to 18 participants – will be to generate a business plan to aid a local start-up or to draft a thorough proposal for expansion of an existing business. This will be a fast-paced program and will require contact with an SBDC business advisor regularly outside the class. Continue reading “TVCC Teaming Up with AEDC, Chamber on Seminar Series”

Mabank Student Places First in UIL Competition

Mabank ISD student Trinity Wennerstrom placed first in a recent UIL art memorization competition. Competitors were quizzed on 15 pieces of art and were required to use proper grammar and punctuation to advance to the finals in January.

By James Robertson

Mabank student Trinity Wennerstrom placed first in a preliminary UIL art memorization competition. She will now advance to the district and regional competition in January.

During the competition Wennerstrom and other competitors were required to memorize several pieces of art and take a test on them. She was required to use proper grammar, punctuation, and name the artist and title of the piece of work shown.

Mary Wennerstrom, her mother, says that she not only placed first in the competition but also received a perfect score.

Competitors were required to test on 15 portraits during the event held at the Mabank Administration Building. During the finals they will all be tested on 41 portraits, again following the same criteria.

“The competition was tough and challenging, but it was fun,” the first place winner declared.

Wennerstrom said that her daughter has a passion for the arts, both visual and musical.

“Trinity has a very creative mind,” said Wennerstrom. “She is very good at it and I expect her to place high at the big one as well. She will definitely represent MISD well.”

AISD Superintendent Stiles Feels He’s Exactly Where He Was Meant To Be

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

Blake Stiles began training for his job as Athens ISD superintendent when he was in elementary school. Of course, he didn’t know it at the time. Stiles’ mother was the secretary for the high school principal and the athletic director. His father was a firefighter who worked 24 on, 24 off.

“When I was in elementary school, on the days my dad was at work, I’dTride the bus to the high school and hang out there, usually with the principal in his office,” said Stiles. “He’s one of the biggest reasons I’m in this today. … He was my every-other-day dad.” By the time Stiles was in the seventh grade, he had a career plan established: become a teacher and coach, and eventually move into administration.

After graduating high school in his hometown of Quinton, Okla., Stiles earned a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern State University, where he met his future wife, Claudia Williams. Continue reading “AISD Superintendent Stiles Feels He’s Exactly Where He Was Meant To Be”