Police Arrest 2 Teens Allegedly Found With THC
Jalik O Kneal Cleveland 
Cason Obryan Goodson
Two Sulphur Springs teens were arrested early Friday morning after they were caught with THC, according to police reports.
Sulphur Springs Police Officer Zach Brown, in arrest reports, said they first caught his attention while he was on a call for service in the 600 block of Whitworth Street at 12:57 a.m. May 24. They were in a Ford F-150 pickup Brown reportedly noticed was failing to drive in a single lane. As the truck passed, Brown reported being able to smell a strong odor of suspected marijuana. He initiated a traffic stop; the pickup stopped at the Carter-East Beckham Street intersection.
On contact with the vehicle occupants, Brown alleged he could smell the suspected marijuana odor emitting from the vehicle. After identifying the occupants, Brown reportedly searched the teens and the truck. The officer found a vial of tetrahydrocannabinol in the pants pocket of the front seat passenger, 18-year-old Jalik O Kneal “Leek” Cleveland, and another vial of suspected THC in the driver’s side back seat, where 19-year-old Cason Obryan “Cawop” Goodson had been sitting, Brown alleged in arrest reports.
Consequently, both Cleveland and Goodson were arrested at 1:03 a.m. for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, a third-degree felony offense. The truck was released to the driver, arrest reports read.
Both Cleveland and Goodson remained in the county jail just before noon May 24. Bond was set at $10,000 each on the charge, according to arrest reports.
Emory Man Accused Of Trying To Falsify Urine Test
A 22-year-old Emory man was arrested Thursday after allegedly trying to falsify a urine test.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy Alvin Jordan was dispatched at 4 p.m. to the adult probation office to pick up the man, who was accused of trying to use urine in a pill bottle in his possession to pass a drug test, according to arrest reports.
Jordan took the Emory man into custody and transported him to jail, where he was booked on a charge of falsification of drug test results, a Class B misdemeanor offense, according to arrest reports.
He remained in the county jail Friday morning, his bond was set at $1,000 on the charge, according to jail reports.
‘Y’ Summer Day Camp Offered Through SSISD for Ages 5-12 Starting June 3
SSISD’s ‘Y’ Summer Day Camp for children ages 5-12 is being offered June 3 through August 2, 2019. The camp will be held 5 days per week from 7:30 am til 6p m at SS Elementary campus. Camp Swim,weekly field trips, snacks and lunch are included. Cost is $81 per week for Y members and non-members. For more details, contact 469-276-8421 or [email protected].
Ina Gore, 2012 Ms. Hopkins County Senior, Invites Public to Pageant on June 1 at 6pm
Ina Gore stays active with Psalm 100, a singing ministry she has shared with her husband Buddy Gore for almost 40 years. She also represents Hopkins County as the 2012 Ms. Senior Classic, and will appear at the Pageant set for Saturday June 1, 2019 at 6 pm in the Banquet Hall of the Hopkins County Civic Center. Admission is free. During the interview, Ina stated “we grandmothers and great-grandmothers might still cook, sew and garden, but that’s not all we are doing! Many senior ladies are advancing their educations, continuing careers in business, learning new, challenging skills and volunteering their extra time for the good of their community”. Ina is asking everyone to come and meet the ten contestants who represent the busy, vibrant and talented senior population of women in Hopkins County. By attending, the public is also helping celebrate “the changing face of aging”. Winners can advance to the Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant in the Metroplex. The local Pageant is open to local women age 60 and older.
Tough Final Projects
Students in the spring welding class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center were busy working on their finals project as the semester ended. The welding workforce program continues through the summer semester.
For more information about this program and registration for summer and fall semesters, call 903-885-1232 or go by the campus located at 1137 Loop 301 East.
K’Lah Skidmore, Maria Lara Recognized As Como-Pickton High School Valedictorian, Salutatorian
May 24, 2019 – K’Lah Skidmore and Maria Lara were honored this week as the top students in the Como-Pickton High School Senior Class of 2019.
K’Lah Skidmore, daughter of Lee Skidmore and Kris Brown of Pickton, graduates first in the class of 63 students Friday with a 3.8 grade point average. She has attended Como-Pickton CISD for 13 years.
The valedictorian has been active in sports, and involved in National Honor Society and FCCLA.
Skidmore was on the varsity cross country and track teams for one year. She was on the varsity volleyball and basketball teams all four years of high school and even received MVP and Defensive MVP awards, and was named Academic All State. She also served as captain of sports teams. She was involved with Little Dribbles, serving as an assistant coach.
Outside of school, she too was has gone on a mission trip and was a vacation Bible school helper.
Skidmore plans to attend LeTourneau University, where she will major in sports medicine. She already has 21 hours of college credit, thanks to the dual credit classes she has taken.
She was awarded a $64,000 LeTourneau University Founders Scholarship as well as a $500 Como-Pickton Little Dribblers scholarship, a $300 Como-Pickton PTO scholarship, and a $500 Como-Pickton Athletic Booster Club scholarship.
Skidmore credits her successes to hard work, trustworthiness, never giving up and being a problem solver.
Her advice to other students is to “Always try your hardest and make sure you have a good support system. Your support system will be the only people who actually care where you end up.”
Skidmore credits her dad as her biggest supporter.
“Dad always supported every decision I made and made sure I was where I needed to be,” she said.’
Maria Lara, daughter of Mario and Reyna Lara of Pickton, will graduate second in the Como Pickton Class of 2019 with a 3.79 GPA. She has attended CPCISD since Head Start.
The salutatorian has been involved and had leadership rolls in school organizations. She has been in FCCLA, Spanish Club, yearbook and National Honor Society through all four years of high school. She served as secretary of Spanish Club her sophomore year, class vice president her junior year and this year has been president of the National Honor Society.
Lara is excited to see what the future holds for her.
She plans to attend Paris Junior College to obtain an associate’s degree in nursing, then, later transfer to Texas A&M Commerce to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
“Ever since I was a young child my passion has always been assisting others and trying to improve the quality of life,” Lara said of her career plan.
She was awarded a $1,000 Como-Pickton Administrators’ Scholarship and a $300 Como-Pickton PTO scholarship to apply toward her future studies.
Lara credits her mother as her biggest inspiration.
“I could not thank her enough for all she has done for me. If it wasn’t for her support, I don’t know where I would be now,” she said. “I am proud to say that I will be the first one to graduate high school from my family due to the fact both my parents had the need to drop out at a very young age to help support their families. I will continue to work hard to make the person who gave me everything proud of me.”
She advises other students trying to be successful to “never give up.”
“Someone is always looking up to you although you may not know. Always stay positive although hard times arise throughout the journey; there is always a way out. From personal experience I know it can be difficult but with determination and willingness to move forward everything is possible,” the salutatorian said.
Both were recognized along with the other members of the top 10 seniors Monday evening during a special program in which they were encouraged to invite their parents and a special teacher who had an impact on them.
Also among the top 10 students having the highest cumulative averages were Kaylee Butler, third place; Daisy Camacho, fourth; Ernesto Murillo, fifth; Joey Walker, sixth; Kayleigh Brewer, seventh; Kobie Miller eighth; Jaden Coppedge ninth; and Lyndee Mitchell 10th.
The 10 students with the highest cumulative averages in their class were also recognized during the Senior Academic Awards Assembly Tuesday evening.
Books For Babies
The Kappa Omicron Chapter of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International in conjunction with the Gladys Alexander Chapter of the National Honor Society recently donated 362 story books to be presented to newborns at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs. Pictured left to right are Christi Couch, R.N.; Carissa Carter and Bracken Sant, NHS members; Gail Herman and Madison Millsap, DKG members; and Megan Cameron, R.N. Books for Babies is an annual project for these organizations.
Como-Pickton Seniors Honored At Academic Awards Assembly
Como-Pickton High School seniors were honored this week with awards, scholarships and honors during the annual Senior Academic Awards program. The Class of 2019 was awarded at least $170,600 in scholarships, at the annual salute of outstanding 12th graders.
Valedictorian K’Lah Skidmore was awarded a $64,000 LeTourneau University Founders Scholarship.
Kobie Miller was awarded a $40,000 Honors Scholarship and a $14,000 Christian Leadership Scholarship, both from East Texas Baptist University. Miller was also the recipient of a $500 Hopkins County Bar Association scholarship.
Presli Cummings was awarded a $4,000 First Year Leadership Class scholarship, a $5,000 Freshmen Tier 2 Scholarship, a $2,000 PTK Freshmen Scholarship and a $2,400 Carrie Middleton Holliday Endowment, all from Texas A&M University-commerce.
TAMU-Commerce Blue and Gold Scholarships in the amount of $5,000 went to Presli Cummings, Hannah Minick and Lyndee Mitchell.
Jinger Peeks awarded Dylan Wiggins and K’Lah Skidmore with $500 Como-Pickton Little Dribblers Scholarships; and awarded $100 C-P Little Dribblers awards to Jena Satterfield, Hannah Minick, Kobie Miller, Lyndee Mitchell and Kaylee Butler.
Dr. Greg Bower, Como-Pickton CISD superintendent, presented $1,000 Como-Pickton Administrators Scholarships to Alex Alonso, Kaylee Butler, Daisy Camacho, Dixye Degeurin, Maria Lara and Maria Mejia.
Como Mayor Darla Henry awarded $500 City of Como scholarships to Destiny Tadlock and Daisy Camacho.
Henry also announced K’Lah Skidmore, Kobie Miller, Presli Cummings, Kaylee Butler and Maria Lara as recipients of $300 Como-Pickton PTO scholarships.
Monica Tapley and Christie Phillips awarded $500 Como-Pickton Athletic Booster Club scholarships to Ernesto Murillo, Josh Martin, Kobie Miller and K’Lah Skidmore.
A few scholarships were given in memory of those who have made an impact on the community.
Tim Glenn presented Lyndee Mitchell a $2,000 City National Bank Scholarship in memory of Melvanda Smith. Patsy Evans presented Alex Alonso with the $2,000 scholarship given in memory of her son Clay Evans.
Michael Bowen announced Kayleigh Brewer as this year’s recipient of the $500 Lonnie Niblett Memorial Scholarship and Blaine Flemens as the recipient of a $1,500 NETLA Scholarship given in memory of Larry Spradlin. Christie Phillips assisted Autumn Bennett in presenting the $500 Addison Bennett Memorial Scholarship, given in honor of the former Como-Pickton student killed 5 years ago in a car crash, to Kaylee Butler.
Bowen also recognized Preslie Cummings as the recipient of a $500 East Texas State Fair Showmen Scholarship. Cummings and Kobie Miller each received a $1,000 Como-Pickton FFA scholarship. This award is funded through a stew and auction. Last year, FFA was able to award one scholarship; this year enough funds were raised to give two, Bowen explained.
Dixye Degeurin was awarded a $500 American Legion Scholarship and a $2,000 Brian Toliver Ford-Driving Dreams Scholarship.
Avery Vause received the $500 Load Trail Scholarship.
Honor Graduates and National Honor Society members were recognized during the program. This year’s 12th graders who donated blood at least twice or who had an adult donate to their credit received a red cord to wear at graduation, designating their commitment to helping others.
Students who were on the A and AB Honor Rolls too received certificates denoting the achievement, and students who earned the top scores in their courses were presented class awards from their teachers. Students who met requirements to attain industry recognized certifications such as for welding were presented certificates marking their achievements.
Amy Sprague, Breeanna Hicks Announced As NHHS Valedictorian, Salutatorian
Amy Sprague, daughter of Duane and Lisa Sprague, and Breeanna Hickks, daughter of Mindy Hicks, have been recognized as the top seniors at North Hopkins High School.
Five years ago, they were the top two students in their class in junior high, Hicks as valedictorian and Sprague salutatorian. Throughout high school their GPAs continued to be close.
Over the years, a rivalry developed between the two, but a friendly one, as each encouraged and challenged the other to do her best in and outside of class.
“We knew that we were gonna be pretty close,” Sprague said of their final rankings this year.
“I just don’t think we knew it was going to be that close. I was just like, oh I bet we’re going to be a point or so off. But, when she told me, I was like, that’s crazy,” said Hicks
And close they were. Only 0.001 of a point determined which would be valedictorian and which salutatorian of North Hopkins High School Class of 2019.
But, when all was said and done, Sprague’s final GPA was 5.155, making her this year’s top ranking student, and Hicks the second ranking student with a 5.154 GPA.
Future Plans
That
didn’t bother this year’s North Hopkins High School valedictorian and
salutatorian, however.
Both
have been admitted to the Honors College at Texas A&M
University-Commerce, where they will room together and, while
pursuing different career paths, continue to challenge each other to
reach harder and do her best.
Sprague plans earn a master of science in nursing, then work a few yeas as a nurse practitioner until she can apply to Doctors Without Borders.
The NHHS valedictorian said she learned of the organization a few years ago and views it as “such a great opportunity to go and serve the other people, people around the world.”
Sprague already has head start on college, having just received an associates of science degree from Paris Junior College. She said she her mom sat down one day to talk and decided she’d take advantage of the college courses offered while attending high school. She continued each year to take more classes and was able to graduate last week.
In addition to having her first year of tuition paid for being the top student, and other tuition and fees covered through the Honors College, Sprague also was awarded a $32,000 Bright Star Scholarship from the John and Deborah Gillis Foundation, payable in increments of $4,000 a semester up to $8,000 a year for four continuous years.
Hicks will plans to major in theater arts and minor in English, with a goal of becoming an high school teacher.
“I had several teachers in high school that really helped me find what I want to do, and I want to do that for other students,” Hicks said.
She’s been passionate about theater since she, her mom and cousins began getting together to attend “big Broadway shows in Dallas” when she was younger. When given the option to participate in theater in school, she knew it was something she wanted to do.
“It’s so much fun, because for a little bit you get to be somebody else, you get to wear cool clothes and you get to do things you would never get to do in your daily life. So, it’s just really fun to get to escape for a little bit,” Hicks said.
She said she has participated in One Act Play since seventh grade. Over the last two years, she’s earned accolades for her acting. He junior year she earned Best Actress at District and was named an Honorable Mention All Star Cast member at Bi-District OAP competition. This year, she was named to the All Star Cast at District and Honorable Mention at Bi-District.
In addition to the benefits awarded with the Honors College, Hicks also will receive a couple of other awards as well.
As the 2017-18 Hopkins County Fall Festival Cover Girl, Hicks will receive a $1,000 scholarship to apply toward her education.
She said being the Cover Girl, serving the community, attending ribbon cuttings and other social events has been a fun experience. It proved to be a good way to learn a more about Sulphur Springs, was a great opportunity to meet many people in the community. Competing in the contest and being the Cover Girl also helped her gain more confidence in herself while representing the community.
Hicks was notified last week she also will be the recipient of an Alliance Bank scholarship as well.
Sprague says she’s attended North Hopkins ISD since second grade, while Hicks has attended her entire educational career so far.
Hicks said while the idea of going to a different school is a little scary she’s excited to try something new, and is looking forward to fun new experiences.
Sprague says while Commerce is only about 9 miles from home, so moving won’t be that big of a change. She is excited to start the rest of her life, to see where it takes her.
Hicks said if given the opportunity, she’d definitely consider returning to North Hopkins ISD to teach, but isn’t opposed to the idea of living somewhere new either.
Looking Back
Both participated in sports until their sophomore year, then turned their interests elsewhere.
Each also was in Beta, FFA and UIL activities at school.
Sprague has been involved with both Beta and FFA since the seventh grade, serving as a FFA officer all four years of high school. She also had a goat, which she acknowledged was also a lot of work. She said it was fun while it lasted, but now that it’s over, she won’t miss it.
Hicks has been involved with FFA since eight grade, serving as a chapter officer all four years, including as first vice president until May 16, when she passed the torch to another NHHS student.
“Bittersweet because it was such a great experience, but it’ll be fun to have that be a part of my past experience and get to do something new. I’m excited for the new officers they’ll have fun,” the salutatorian said.
In FFA, Hicks raised chickens for five years, a process that’s interesting but a lot of work. She won’t miss having to tend chickens, she said.
Hicks also participated in chapter speaking and was on the chapter conducting team all four years.
Both students credit FFA Advisor Christin Daugherty for the lasting impact she’s had in her life.
“She helped me become such the involved individual that I am today. She helped me with all of my community service and teaching me public speaking. She’s just been such an inspiring role model,” Sprague said.
“She found me as a freshman and really pushed me. I am so glad she did. I would not be where I am right now,” Hicks said.
The salutatorian said theater teacher Jenifer Lucas had a similar impact on her life
“She found me in seventh grade, was like you can do this. She pushed me to do things I never would have tried before,” Hicks said.
She also expressed appreciation to art teacher Paulin Cowling.
“She’s just so great,” Hicks said. “I love Mrs. Cowling.”
Hicks, along with her friend and brother, are advancing to nationals in the Beta technology contest with a video they made focusing on this year’s them “Let Us Lead By Serving Others.” Their video focused on how it helps with leadership in high school.
Beta teaches students to lead by serving others, and they made a video centered on that theme and it advanced, Hicks explained.
Sprague was part of the new FCCLA chapter started at the school two years ago. This year, she competed at the state FCCLA level in recycle and redesign, with the chair she made out of books. She said that was especially useful at the regional contest; while others had to sit on the ground outside the door to the event, she was able to use her chair all day.
The idea, she was born of one of her passions and the need for her project to send a message regarding an issue of importance.
“Books have always been one of my secret pleasures. I love to read. I’m an avid reader. Then, once I started thinking about it, I wanted to make an impact on something. Once I started thinking about it, deforestation is a huge problem in our world. I wanted to have a saying like look what else you can do. You don’t have to throw away all of these products of wood,” Sprague said.
Sprague also participated in One Act Play this year as a cast member, helping advance the play from district.
Hicks has also been involved in academic UIL in prose and editorial writing, placing fifth in the latter.
The top students said their achievements came with hard work and determination.
Their advice to others students hoping to also be successful:
“Do the best that you can do,” Sprague advises.
“Make yourself a goal. That’s the most important thing, having something to work for. It comes with sacrifice, so you have to know what you’re willing to give up to know what you’re working towards. You give up things when your’e involved. We’re probably busy every other Saturday. Most high school kids probably aren’t willing to give up their Saturday. That’s something you have to think about when you make a goal like we have. It’s a commitment,” Hicks said.
