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.
Golf Tourney at SSCC Will Benefit D.A.R.E. and Law Enforcement Association
For over 20 years, the D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Awareness) program has educated and empowered school children attending Hopkins County school districts. Also doing it’s part, the non-profit Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association supports daily operations and special projects of the Sheriff’s office like Blue Santa, the annual Easter Egg/Cookout Event, the “Officer Down” project and D.A.R.E. to name a few. Now, reviving a popular fundraiser, a golf tournament is planned to benefit ongoing work by both organizations. Three members of local law enforcement visited the KSST control room during the Good Morning Show with Enola Gay, bringing information about the tournament.
Steve Shing serves as a Hopkins County Reserve Deputy, as Secretary for the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Posse, and as co-organizer of the golf tournament. Shing explained that it will be held at Sulphur Springs Country Club on Monday June 3, 2019 in a Scramble format with a maximum of 144 players in four-person teams. A hamburger lunch and registration begins at 12 noon with tee-off at 1pm. There will be trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners, as well as trophies for long drive and closest-to-pin contests. Various other contests will also be held throughout the tournament.
Kelly Wiser has been employed by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office for the past 8 years. Now D.A.R.E. officer, Wiser feels it’s the right time to revive the D.A.R.E. golf tournament tradition, because fresh support as well as funding is needed. D.A.R.E. offers substance abuse prevention education for students from kindergarten through 12th grade at their schools in a police-led series of classroom lessons. These lessons educate on how to resist peer pressure and live productive drug and violence-free lives. Sgt. Wiser feels strongly that D.A.R.E. education truly helps equip students to better face the influences of drug use and abuse. If you like to play golf and support a good cause, there is still room for a number of teams to sign up. Just call the Hopkins County Sheriff’s office at 903-438-4040.
Wade Sheets is an Investigator for the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Department and serves as President of the Hopkins County Law Enforcement Association. He has been employed by Hopkins County for the past nine years and feels it is a privilege. He said, “when I get up in the morning, I don’t think ‘I have to go to work today’, I actually feel ‘I GET to go to work today’ because we have a great organization. We’re a team. Sheriff Tatum is 100% behind everything that is good for the community, and encourages all of us to be, too”. Sheets also related that the fundraiser tournament will help provide for cost of materials and supplies required to continue the many successful community projects carried out by the Sheriff’s Office.
To sign up for the June 3 tournament, reach out to any of the officers mentioned above or Nancy de Castillo at 903-438-4040. Or you may contact Steve Shing by phone at 903-348-1991 or email at [email protected]
Affiliated Driving School for All Drivers Offered at Seniors Center on May 30
According to Karon Weatherman, local drivers can still sign up for the Affiliated Driving Class on Thursday, May 30th from 10:00 – 4:00 PM. This class is good for a Ticket Dismissal and 10% off of your Liability Insurance for 3 years. The Class cost: $ 15.00 for the Insurance Discount and $ 25.00 for the Ticket Dismissal. All Age Groups are Invited to attend. The location is the Seniors Center at 150 MLK Drive in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Weatherman encourages everyone to tell your friends about this excellent opportunity. Henry Barber is instructor and presents a lively session of learning. Please call if you want to take the class, at (903) 885-1661 Also, lunch will be available for $ 2.00 a plate.
