Cumby, Como-Pickton Students Earn Top Awards At NETLA Ag Mechanics Show
The NorthEast Texas Livestock Association Ag Mechanics Show featured 29 projects from six schools, some team and some individual projects.
Cumby and Como-Pickton students went home with the top awards presented at Tuesday’s event.
Grand Champion went to Cumby FFA members Fabian Camargo and Logan Miller for their hay bunker and Reserve Champion to Como-Pickton FFA members Jason Monk, Canyon Thomas and Braden Miller. Baylee Bowen, also of Como-Pickton FFA, won the Ag Mechanics Showmanship Award
Class awards were awarded in four class categories: farm, recreation, wildlife and farm shop categories.
The projects featured the work of students who have dedicated numerous hours over days, weeks and months to complete them.
Projects were as unique as the students building them, ranging from picnic tables, utility tables, TV tables, shadow boxes, fire boxes, hay trailer, a shadow box, deer feeder, handcrafted longbow, chuck wagon grill, entry gate, grills, hay squeeze shut and many other agriculture projects.
Some were crafted over time, some designed for functionality and others included intricate details or were customized. Some competitors were experienced, while others competed at the show for the first time.
KC DelCamp and Wiliam Sallee, Miller Grove 
Wyatt Poteet and Eli Hewitt, Miller Grove ISD 
Clayton Tackel, Miller Grove 
Bryce Perez (not pictured, Dalton Morgan), Como-Pickton 
Jacob Smith and Caiden Lewis, Sulphur Springs 
Cash Vititow, Sulphur Springs 
Angel Abrego and Shaden Cruz, Sulphur Springs 
Alayna Chapman, Maci Wright and Presley Cummins, Como-Pickton 
Eli Ham, Sulphur Bluff
For instance, Clayton Tackel, a Miller Grove student, made a picnic table and bench that he waterproofed. Atop the table is painted a Texas flag. The benches are ADA approved to make the bench easier for people in wheelchairs to get into and more accessible to all.
Como-Pickton’s Alayna Chapman, Maci Wright and Presley Cummins also put their own stamp on their picnic table. They went to great lengths to preserve the colors in the wood pieces they used to create in their glossy table, which features tractor seats shaped for a better fit and a metal tractor cutout below it.
However, the table constructed by Sulphur Springs’ Angel Abrego and Shaden Cruz was built more for utility than decoration.
Baylee Bowen crafted a wooden shadow box which has function as well as design; she plans to take it with her to cow shows to hold most of her tack. CP student Bryce Perez crafted a TV table from smaller pieces of wood put together in a zigzag specific pattern and a drawer at the bottom.
Then there’s Sulphur Bluff Eli Ham, who spent two months carefully crafting his longbow. The project started with 1x4s and required lots of time using multiple instruments to shape, sand and string it.
Of course those are only a few examples of the projects entered in the NETLA Ag Mechanics Show.
Lady Cats Soccer Team Ends First Half of District With 3-2 Record After Royse City Loss Tuesday
The Lady Cats Soccer Team lost to Royse City, 3-1 Tuesday night, February 25, at Gerald Prim Stadium.
The Lady Cats trailed at the half, 1-0, then fell behind 2-0 in the second half, got a goal to cut the deficit to 2-1 and were putting on some heat to tie the game when disaster struck. In a scrum in front of their goal, the Lady Cats were called for a foul in the box resulting in a game-changing penalty kick for the Lady Bulldogs.
The PK was beautifully blocked by keeper McKenna Gammill, but the result was a big rebound. Lady Bulldog Mayte Aguilar, who took the penalty kick, put a follow shot into the net. Only 4:30 was left and Royse City held off the Lady Cats for the 2 goal win.
Lady Bulldog Trinity Hernandez scored the first two goals for Royse City. Lady Cat Rebekah Stanley scored for the Lady Cats.
The Lady Cats end the first half of district play with a 3-2 record. Their season record is now 7-8-1. The Lady Cats begin the second half of district play at Greenville Friday night
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Wildcats Soccer Team Wins Second Straight Game In Overtime Edging Royse City, 1-0
The Wildcats Soccer Team squeezed by Royse City, 1-0 in overtime Tuesday Night, February 25, to end the first half of district play with a 4-1 record. It was the Wildcats second straight overtime win to narrowly avoid point robbing penalty kick shootouts.
Wildcat Omar Hernandez got the unassisted goal for the Wildcats. Hernandez recovered rapidly after it appeared he might have injured a knee last Friday against Texas High.
Wildcats Coach Alexi Upton said it’s good to be able to win close games. He said he was proud of the way the Wildcats fought to win the game.
The Wildcats improved their season record to 10-5-5. The Wildcats begin the second half of district play by hosting Greenville at Gerald Prim Stadium Friday night.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Lady Cats Softball Team Breaks Drought With A Flood Of Runs Winning 12-2 over Mineola
After a very slow start to the 2020 season for the Lady Cats Softball Team, things changed drastically Tuesday night, February 25, in a 12-2 win over Mineola at Lady Cat Park. The game was moved from Mineola because things were drier at Lady Cat Park.
After Mineola took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, the Lady Cats answered with 3 runs of their own. The Lady Cats scored in every inning and pounded out 14 hits. The Lady Cats played errorless ball.
Pitcher Addison Caddell got the win with a solid game in the circle. Caddell allowed 6 hits and 2 runs over 6 innings with 4 strikeouts and no walks; 54 of her 74 pitches were strikes.
Three Lady Cats had very strong nights at the plate. Grace Magnuson had 3 hits in 4 at bats, scored two runs and had an RBI. She also stole one of the Lady Cats’ five stolen bases. Kate Womack was 2 for 3 with a run scored, three RBI’s, two doubles and a sacrifice. Matti Smith was 2 for 2 with 2 RBI’s. Jadyn Harper was 1 for 2 with 3 runs scored and two walks. Colbria Harrison scored a run and had a sacrifice. Alli Fite was 1 for 3 with a run scored, a walk and an RBI. Caddell was 1 for 3 with two stolen bases. Braylea Brewer was 1 for 1 with a run scored. Nylah Lindley was 1 for 2 with a walk and a stolen base. Paris Pickett scored a run and had a walk. Sailan Adair was 1 for 2 with a run scored and an RBI. Addison DeSmet was 1 for 2 with an RBI. Aliyah Abron had a run and a stolen base.
The Lady Cats improved their season record to 2-4. They play next in a tough Allen tournament this Thursday through Saturday.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Wildcats Basketball Team To Face Red Oak In Area Game Later This Week
With Wildcats Basketball coaches watching, Red Oak won their bi-district game against West Mesquite Tuesday night, February 25, in DeSoto.
Red Oak, ranked #12 in Class 5A, will now play the Wildcats, the #10 ranked team in Class 5A, in an Area game later this week.
At last report late Tuesday, Wildcats Coach Clark Cipoletta said nothing was set in stone yet. Red Oak, the district champion of District 14-5A, was a perfect 12-0 in district and their season record is now 23-11. The Wildcats are 27-8 for the season.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Thursday Night at the Library
Please note the date this week of our last Hopkins County Reads program for our current book selections.
We will welcome Ken Hanushek, PJC History professor, to talk about past Olympic inspirational moments along with the wonderful book, Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown.
All this will happen at the library Thursday night February 27 at 6pm. Don’t miss it!
Everyone Counts In The US Census, Which Begins In March
It’s time for the U.S. Census. Everyone who lives in the United States is required by law to participate.
The Census Bureau is also required by law to protect all answers. Responses are only used to produce statistics; no personal information is allowed to be disclosed, according to the Census Bureau website.
The results of the U.S. Census 2020 are used to determine how much funding local communities receive for key public services.
“Correct apportionment of federal dollars for health, education, transportation, child and elder care, emergency preparation and response, public and social support programs of all kinds depends on complete and accurate age, population and other ethnic and demographic information gathered every 10 years,” Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom said in October, when the Commissioners Court signed a resolution calling for a Census 2020 Complete Count Committee.
“It’s very important to get a good count of the citizens we have,” because those counts impact grants as well as other state and federal programs and funding, Newsom noted.
Among the 132 federal programs impacted by on census data are:
- Medicaid
- Medicare Part B
- State Children’s Health Insurance
- Federal Pell Grant Program
- National School Lunch Program
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
- Head Start
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women,
Infants, and Children (WIC) - School Breakfast Program
- Low-Income Home Energy Assistance
- Unemployment Insurance
- Adoption Assistance
- Crime Victim Assistance
- Assistance to Firefighters Grant
- Community Development Block Grants/Entitlement Grants
- Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse
- Social Services Block Grant
- Career and Technical Education – Basic Grants to States
- Adult Education – Basic Grants to States
- Child Welfare Services State Grants
- Special Education Preschool Grants
- Family Violence Prevention and Services/Grants for
Battered Women’s Shelters Grants to States and Indian
Tribes - State Wildlife Grants
- Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities State Grants
- Child Abuse and Neglect State Grants
- Rural Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault,
and Stalking Assistance Program - Voting Access for Individuals with Disabilities – Grants for
Protection and Advocacy Systems
The Census is used for the allocation of representatives with the legislative bodies of the U.S. House of Representatives, the Texas State Legislature and within the Hopkins County voting districts.
The Census is also used in planning for future growth, development and social needs of Hopkins County,
In March, Texas households will begin receive mail from the Census Bureau explaining how to complete the 2020 survey. U.S. residents will have three options for reporting their information to the Census Bureau: respond online, by phone or by mail.
No permanent address? No problem. Even people who are experiencing homelessness are to be counted in the Census. From March 30 – April 1, the Census Bureau is scheduled to count people in shelters, at soup kitchens and mobile food vans, on the streets, and at non-sheltered, outdoor locations such as tent encampments.
April 1 has been designated as Census Day. Every home should have received an invitation to by April 1 to participate in the 2020 Census. Residents are asked to respond by that date.
In April, Census takers are scheduled to begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers also begin conducting quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate count.
Census takers are scheduled from May through July to begin visiting homes that haven’t responded to the 2020 Census to help make sure everyone is counted.
All information will be tallied, with apportionment counts delivered in December to the President and Congress, as required by law.
By March 31, 2021, the Census Bureau states will use census data to redraw legislative districts based on population changes.
State agencies are not only urging residents to participate but to encourage their family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to do so as well. For those who use social media, officials encourage them to use #ShapeYourFuture.
To learn more, visit the United States Census 2020 website or click here to view a sample copy of the Census
Wildcats Tennis Player Jonah Kirkpatrick Signs Letter With East Texas Baptist University Tuesday
Wildcats Tennis Coach Tony Martinez was afraid he might choke up while talking about senior Jonah Kirkpatrick, who signed a letter of intent Tuesday morning (February 25) to attend and play college tennis at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall. Coach Martinez said he began coaching Kirkpatrick in his first year playing tennis in the seventh grade at Sulphur Springs Middle School. Now Kirkpatrick is the captain of the varsity Wildcats Tennis Team. He’s been a varsity tennis team member for four years. Kirkpatrick says he has wanted to play tennis in college since the seventh grade. He learned more about the ETBU program at a showcase event in August. They liked him and gave him an offer which he accepted. Kirkpatrick says ETBU has a good program and he adds he’s excited to be a part of it. Kirkpatrick has excelled at both singles and doubles as a Wildcat. He says he may well continue to play both singles and doubles at ETBU but he says he prefers doubles. Kirkpatrick is currently matched with sophomore Jeauxleigh Cantu on the Wildcats highly successful mixed doubles team. They took first place at a John Tyler sponsored Tyler tournament on Friday. Kirkpatrick says Cantu is a solid player and a great doubles partner. He says she covers parts of the court he can’t get to and he notes they have each other’s back. Kirkpatrick has high hopes the duo will be advancing from district to regional and perhaps even state this season. Kirkpatrick likes the town of Marshall and especially the university there, He says he wants to become a tennis coach. Coach Martinez is not surprised by that. He says Kirkpatrick is always available to help younger members of the team. Coach Martinez says Kirkpatrick will do well at ETBU. He says he excels at all facets of tennis and is good at both singles and doubles. He says Kirkpatrick has good hands that tennis coaches are looking for.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Softball and Soccer are on the Schedule on Game Day Tuesday
The Lady Cats Softball Team and the Wildcats and Lady Cats Soccer Teams have games on this game day Tuesday (February 25).
The Lady Cats softball game scheduled for Tuesday evening in Mineola has been moved to a dryer Lady Cat Park. There will be a JV game at 5 p.m. and a varsity game at 6:30 p.m. The Lady Cats are off to a slow start going 1-4 in their own Sulphur Springs Tournament. Those games were moved to artificial turf in Grand Saline due to wet weather. Veteran Softball Coach David Carrillo is not one to hit the panic button due to the slow start.
The Wildcats Soccer Team is playing a district match at Royse City Tuesday. There is a JV match at 5:30 p.m. The varsity game will follow at 7:15 p.m. The Wildcats are 3-1 in district play and 9-5-5 for the season. This game marks the end of the first half of district play.
The Lady Cats Soccer Team hosts Royse City at Gerald Prim Stadium Tuesday night. There is a JV contest at 5:30 p.m. The varsity game is at 7:15 p.m. The Lady Cats are 3-1 in district play and 7-7-1 for the season. KSST Radio will bring you Lady Cats and Lady Bulldogs soccer from The Prim beginning at 7:15 p.m. The match will be videotaped for replay at a later date on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta Liked the Way the Wildcats Played Against Lufkin Monday
Wildcats Basketball Coach Clark Cipoletta admitted the Wildcats have been up and down lately but he said he was pleased to see the team he saw Monday night (February 24) in a 78-55 bi-district win over Lufkin at Tyler Junior College. He said they played at a high level that he knows they are capable of at both ends of the floor. Coach Cipoletta said the Wildcats were locked in and did a good job of executing the game plan He said he believes the Wildcats are a hungry group that wants to continue their journey and are doing things to do that. Senior Day Day Hall led the Wildcats with 34 points. Coach Cipoletta said Hall played out of his mind and he called him an amazing player. He said Hall had a well balanced game both inside the out and just made play after play. Coach Cipoletta said Hall put the team on his back and set the tone from the start. He also praised the other Wildcats for their roles in the win. Coach Cipoletta said he did not know if the Wildcats became bored with district play causing up and down play but he said he saw a different team last night. Wildcats Assistant Team Sean Coleman said he detected an edge to the Wildcats play Monday night he had not seen since successful tournament play. Coach Cipoletta and his staff will be scouting their next opponent Tuesday night as Red Oak, ranked #12 in Class 5A, plays West Mesquite at DeSoto.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
