SSHS Football QB Coach Comments on Spring Football
Wildcats Football QB Coach Says Spring Football is Very Important for His Varsity Signal Callers
The Wildcats’ football team has two players vying to be the starting varsity quarterback during spring workouts. They are Junior to be Kaden Walker, who is 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, and senior to be Noe Ponce. Wildcats Quarterback Coach Mike Meador said he expects big things from Wallace. He said Wallace will surprise people how fast he can run when he has to. Coach Meador called Ponce a savvy player and a gamer who can make plays. Both players have strong arms. Coach Meador said Ponce may also play as a defensive back, a slot receiver and perhaps as a punter. He said spring football is very important for both quarterbacks who lack varsity experience. Coach Meador said they are learning reads and are developing a deeper understanding of the offense. He said spring football may well be more important for quarterbacks than any other position on the team. Coach Meador also has a couple of players competing for JV quarterback. He likes both Ty Stroud, who played some on the JV last year and Matthew Sherman, who got reps as the freshman team quarterback last season after Stroud was moved up to the JV after injuries to Wallace.
Dairy Festival Parade To Feature 1st Calvary Division Band, Clydesdales
The Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade will feature two unique entries as part of the 60th anniversary celebration.
Coming to town to participate in the June 8 Dairy Festival Parade will be the famous Budweiser Clydesdales, Dairy Fest Board member and Parade Chairman David Watson said Thursday afternoon.
The team will arrive in Sulphur Springs the week prior to the parade, and will be out and about in the community, according to Watson.
This will be at least the second time the famous draft horses have participated in the Dairy Festival; they also joined in the parade in 2014.
Hopkins County Dairy Festival Board member David Watson announced the Budweiser Clydesdales will participate in the annual Dairy Festival Parade on June 8. The team will arrive during the week and make appearances around town.
Special guests marching in the parade will be the 25-member 1st Calvary Division Band from Fort Hood, Watson said.
This group’s mission is to “provide mission command of assigned Music Performance Teams that perform music in support of III Corps and 1st Cavalry Division to instill in our forces the will to fight and win, to foster the support of our citizens, and to promote our national interests at home and abroad.
The 1st Calvary Division Band has a rich history that dates back to the 1850s. The “First Team Band” has participated in the war efforts in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, as well as operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia.
First Calvary Division Band from Fort Hood is scheduled to march in the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Parade on June 8, Dairy Festival Board member and Parade Chairman David Watson announced Thursday.
The parade will also feature entries displaying the Dairy Festival queens celebrating the 60th, 50th, 40th and 25th anniversaries of their crowning, along with all of the usual floats and rides featuring local royalty, dignitaries, groups and others in celebration of the dairy industry.
For additional information about this year’s Dairy Festival Parade, including how to enter, contact David Watson at 903-439-5020 or stop by Coldwell Banker Watson Company, located at 1600 South Broadway St. in Sulphur Springs.
The Hopkins County Dairy Festival kicks off June 7 and continues through June 15. This year’s theme is Over the Moon in Dairyland.
Sulphur Springs High School Band Banquet Highlights
SSHS Band Director Spencer Emmert Says Awards Were Highlight of Recent Band Banquet
The highlight of any Sulphur Springs High School Band Banquet is announcement of major awards for senior band members. The banquet took place last Thursday (May 2) at the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center with more than 270 people in attendance. The top award, the John Phillip Sousa Award went to Peyton Baugh, a band drum major. The Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, a national award, went to Brayden Fisher, who was also a drum major. The Director’s Award, also a National award, went to Maddy Ray. The Double Duty Award went to Evan Rushing, who marched at halftime while also playing football for the Wildcats during the game. Band Director Spencer Emmert said Rushing plans to enter the Navy after graduation. Tuba player Isaac Lamb received the Rex Wilemon Award. Emmert said Lamb was going to attend Henderson State University in Arkansas as a music major. Emmert and former Band Director, the late Charles McCauley, were both Henderson State grads. Emmert said for a second year top marchers in the band received the Golden Foot Award. Named for a second year was senior Travis Pundt. Other winners were junior Elizabeth Lopez, sophomore Jorge Santacruz and freshman Jakson Medelline. Named Outstanding Juniors in the band were Elizabeth Lopez and Zack Phillips. Outstanding Sophomores were Zoie Ward and Cameron Beard. Outstanding Freshman were Anayeli Delacruz and Matthew Sherman. Emmert also said there were two Outstanding Service Awards. Star Country’s Jordan Owens, a former Wildcat Band member, was recognized as the band’s halftime announcer and KSST’s Don Julian and Channel 18’s Doug Haston were recognized for their media coverage of the band.
* RFL Update: Teams Can Start Setting Up, Survivors Can Pick Up Shirts Starting At 2 p.m At The ROC
Relay for Life Tri Counties-Texas will be held Friday, May 10, rain or shine — just at a different location and with an abbreviated schedule.
With predictions of rain for the next 48 hours, RFL Committee members Thursday afternoon made the decision not to cancel this year’s big event, but to move it about a block off Celebration Plaza inside The ROC, 115 Putman St.
Event Chair Gina Giguere said they decided to err on the side of caution, so people won’t have to be out wet in cooler temperatures Friday night. This year’s RFL will also end at midnight as opposed to 2 a.m.
Cancer survivors who have not picked up their purple survivor shirts can do so at the ROC starting at 2 p.m.
Teams will be able to set up starting at 2 p.m. as well. Teams who need electric power are reminded to bring power strips and power cords.
Entertainment will begin at 6 p.m. and continue until about 11:30 p.m., when things begin wrapping up with the Glow Parade, Fight Back and Closing Ceremonies. The final ceremony is “a time to commit to take action and help lead the fight for a world free from cancer,” to celebrate accomplishments and unify for work yet to be done.
As is custom, the National Anthem will be sung, followed by a prayer around 6:50 p.m. Friday, May 10. Two very special events each year include the survivors and caregivers laps, which start at 7 p.m., and the luminary ceremony which begins at 9 p.m.
All cancer survivors are welcome to participate in the opening lap; many community members find the parade of individuals are applauded as they pass for their courage and battle with cancer. Anyone who is or has ever battled cancer is considered a survivor, whether the day of diagnosis or decades in remission, and all are invited to participate in RFL at no charge.
The luminary ceremony is held as a symbol of hope for a cure, with each light shining in honor of a life touched by cancer. They may be dedicated to a loved one lost, someone currently battling, or anyone who’s overcome cancer. Often, they are decorated with names and messages for the people they’re dedicated to. A moment of silence is held to remember the loved ones the lights are dedicated to.
A special area will be set up to show love and support to cancer fighters, with snacks, fellowship and encouragement at no charge for survivors.
Community members from Hopkins, Franklin and Wood counties are welcome and encouraged to stop by The ROC throughout the night, to visit with RFL teams and to show support for cancer survivors, battlers and caregivers.
A silent auction will begin at 6 p.m. and close at 11 p.m., with funds going to the American Cancer Society.
Among the night’s entertainers will be The Moonlight Twang Band and Shannon Oaks Worship Band. Special activities will include at 8 p.m. a Mr. Relay Disney Princess Pageant, in keeping with the night’s ”
This year’s theme is “Wish Upon A Cure” Disney theme, according Giguere. at 8 p.m. and Minute to Win It Games.
Those who want to help can do so by supporting RFL teams as they raise funds for the American Cancer Society for patient care programs, spread awareness and help fund research for a cure. Stop by RFL Tri Counties-Texas Friday and make donations at the various team “campsites” inside The ROC; donate online to a specific individual, team, the event or ACS; make luminary donations; or donate at the event.
As of 4 p.m. Thursday, 164 participants on 20 teams had raised $24,147.02 of $50,000 goal for ACS.
For additional information, call Gina Giguere at 903-573-2064, Holli-Von Sawyer at 903-348-6752 or Dubb Williams at 903-243-6165.
Lady Cats Softball, Wildcats Baseball Begin Next Rounds Of Playoffs
Wildcats Baseball and Lady Cats Softball Resume Playoff Action on Thursday Game Day
Playoff action resumes this week for Wildcats’ baseball and Lady Cats softball on this game day Thursday (May 9).
The Wildcats open their best two out of three Area round series against Joshua Thursday at 7 p.m. at Prosper. The Wildcats won their bi-district series against Hallsville last week, two games to zero, at Mike Carter Field in Tyler. Joshua topped Mesquite Poteet in a bi-district series that went the limit winning a game three last Saturday to advance, two games to one. The Wildcats, number four in their district, have won seven games in a row, many of them in come back fashion. They are 17-10 for the season. Joshua was the number three team in a very tough district. Max Preps has Joshua 21-9 for the season. Both the districts represented in this series still have a lot of teams playing. The Wildcats District 15-5A has three of their four playoff teams alive and all four District 14-5A teams are still playing. KSST Radio will bring you the Wildcats and Joshua beginning at 7 p.m. The game will also be videotaped for replay later on Channel 18 on Suddenlink Cable.
The Lady Cats’ softball team is playing a best two out of three regional quarterfinal series against former district opponent Hallsville. Game one is Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Grand Saline. The Lady Cats swept past Whitehouse in bi-district and Midlothian in Area. Hallsville defeated Lindale in a one game bi-district contest and then took two out of three from North Forney last week. The Lady Cats are 26-6 for the season. Max Preps has Hallsville with a 32-3 season record. As district opponents last season, the two teams split two games with each team winning on the road.
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Carissa Carter, Maddie Millsap Named SSHS Valedictorian, Salutatorian
Carissa Kay Carter and Maddie Ruth Millsap were honored at a reception Thursday morning as the top students at Sulphur Springs High School.
Carissa Carter achieved the honor of valedictorian with a 4.33095 grade point average. Carter has achieved many music and academic UIL honors while attending SSHS. She was a Texas Music Scholar and competed in the State Solo and Ensemble contest her first two years of high school, was an All-Region Band member her freshman through junior years, and an All-Region Choir member her sophomore year.
Carter also has the distinction of being a member of the state champion literary criticism team all four years of high school as well as placing sixth individually her sophomore year, second her junior year and third her senior year. She also competed in calculator applications all four years of high school. Carter also was involved in Key Club all four years of high school and band her freshmen through junior years. Key Club she said gave her the opportunity to help others, something that’s important to her. Outside of school, she also sang in the Haystack Choir her freshman through senior years. Carter plans to attend Texas A&M University-Commerce, where she’s been admitted to the Honors College, with the goal of going on to medical school to become a dermatologist. She said being a dermatologist would allow her to help others medically and to help boost their self-esteem. Carissa’s parents are Jacqueline Carter and Ron Carter.
Sulphur Springs High School 2019 valedictorian Carissa Carter and salutatorian Maddie Millsap
Maddie Millsap earned the second ranking in her class with a 4.25122 GPA.
The salutatorian considers among her honors being in the top 10 percent of her class. She has been very active in extracurricular activities. Millsap played on the varsity volleyball and softball teams, and named Academic All-District in volleyball and softball. She also received Volleyball Honorable Mention.
Millsap was active in National Technical Honor Society, Key Club and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She has served as president of both the National Honor Society and Hi-King Klub. She also works at a local clothing store. Millsap said her involvement in these activities allowed her to serve in leadership roles, which makes her interested in one day becoming the CEO of a company.
After graduating SSHS, she plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington. She received the Bright Star Scholars award and has been awarded a few other scholarships to apply toward her studies as well.
Maddie is the daughter of Brad and Lisa Millsap.
Sulphur Springs Letter Carrier Food Drive Saturday
Help #StampOutHunger on Sat, May 11, 2019. Place a bag (or bags) of non-perishable food by your mailbox for your letter carrier to take to a LOCAL food pantry!
The Food Drive is held each year on the second Saturday in May. Whether donations are left in special bags or plain bags, all are gladly accepted.
Specific questions regarding the Food Drive should be directed to NALC Director of Community Services at 202-662-2489.
Identity Of Deceased Released From Wednesday’s Fatal Crash
Hamilton Green, 57, of Sulphur Springs was confirmed as the deceased from the vehicle crash at Broadway and Wildcat Way Wednesday morning. The other occupant of the vehicle, a 49 year old Sulphur Springs woman, remains in the hospital in stable condition.
The investigation into the crash, which involved a sport utility vehichle and an 18-wheeler is ongoing.
According to Sulphur Springs Police Interim Chief Jason Ricketson, authorities were notified at 8:08 a.m. May 8 of a crash involving a sport utility vehicle and an 18-wheeler in the South Broadway Street-Wildcat Way intersection.
The truck driver was not injured in the crash. Both the 57-year-old Sulphur Springs male passenger and 49-year-old Sulphur Springs woman in the SUV were transported to CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs. The passenger died later Wednesday morning at the hospital. The woman has remained in the hospital, where she was reported to be in stable condition.
