Porter, Tanton, Dodd And Thornton Are Named Forrest Gregg MVPs At Assembly Thursday Night
At the SSHS Awards Ceremony Thursday night, the annual Forrest Gregg MVP Awards and the James Cameron Fighting Heart Awards were announced for Lady Cats and Wildcats. Wildcats Football Offensive Coordinator Matt Young announced the Forrest Gregg MVP’s. For the Lady Cats, winners were SaDavia Porter and Autumn Tanton and for the Wildcats, Austin Dodd and Landon Thornton.
Porter excelled in both basketball and track. As a senior Porter was named the district Defensive MVP in basketball. She has also been making a mark for three years in track. Porter excelled in the 100-meter dash, 200-meter dash and as a member of the 4×100-meter relay team. Porter finished sixth in the 100-meter dash at the State Meet last week. She holds the school record in the 100-meters and 200-meters and was a member of the record holding 4×100-meter relay team. Porter will run track in college at UT-Arlington.
Tanton excelled in volleyball and basketball. In volleyball, Tanton was twice named an All-State middle blocker, was first team all-district and was selected as the district Player of the Year. Tanton was also first team all-district in basketball. In the classroom, Tanton achieved Honor Graduate status and is in the top ten percent of her class. Tanton will play college volleyball at Oklahoma Wesleyan.
Austin Dodd was a standout in football and in baseball. He was called a dynamic play maker in football and an exceptional center fielder in baseball. Dodd was named first team football all district as a receiver and safety. He too is in the top ten percent of his high school class. Dodd will play college football at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Landon Thornton was a standout in cross country and track for the Wildcats. Thornton was a two time cross country MVP. He also ran at the state meet in cross country. Thornton went to regional in two events in track. Thornton will run cross country in college at UT Tyler. Thornton also ran for office competing for a spot on the Sulphur Springs City Council as an 18-year old earlier this month.
Haggerty, Baier, Willis and Tyson Are Named James Cameron Fighting Heart Award Winners
At the SSHS Awards Ceremony Thursday evening, Wildcats Athletic Director Greg Owens announced this year’s recipients of the James Cameron Fighting Heart Award. Winners for the Lady Cats were Bailey Haggerty and Abbi Baier and for the Wildcats Keaston Willis and Landry Tyson.
Haggerty, a Lady Cats’ softball pitcher, was described as a person of character and a competitor and fighter who always answered the call. She excelled despite personal tragedy in her life. Haggerty was twice a district MVP and is the all time winningest pitcher in Lady Cats’ history. Haggerty will attend college at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Abbi Baier has earned the nickname of Puma for her driven competitive nature. She was a three sports participant in high school playing volleyball and softball and running track. Baier was all-district in volleyball and softball. Track is really where she made her mark. Baier holds school records in the 300-meter hurdles, 100-meter hurdles and as a member of the 4×100-meter relay team. As a sophomore, Baier finished fifth in state in the 300-meter hurdles. Baier will run track in college at Southeast Oklahoma State.
Keaston Willis was called a great human being with a strong work ethic that sets him apart. Despite a severe ankle injury this year during district play, Willis returned for the playoffs and helped lead the Wildcats to the State Basketball Tournament. Over four years Willis got all-district, all-region, TABC All Star and All-State recognition. He is the all time leading scorer in Wildcats history and holds the school three-point record. Willis will play basketball in college at The University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio.
Landry Tyson was called an outstanding, respectful young man and an extremely hard worker. Tyson excelled in football and track and he also participated in powerlifting. Tyson was named an all-district wide receiver. Tyson qualified for regional track meets for two years and was the high point athlete at the district meet this year. Tyson will be an honor graduate as a member of the top ten percent of his graduating class. Tyson will play college football at Texas A&M-Commerce.
Armed Forces Day 2019
A single Hopkins County Marine Corp League Detachment member will post the 2019 Armed Forces Day poster at the foot of the large United States Flag at the center of Celebration Plaza. The poster will be similar to the one posted on Peace Officers Day, minus the wreath. The poster will be on display all day Saturday weather permitting.
The MCL will also work with the Hopkins County Military Coalition to present the color at the Branded Ranch Rodeo. The rodeo will be Saturday evening at the Hopkins County Civic Center in Sulphur Springs, Tx.
SSHS Seniors Awarded More Than $3.3 Million In Scholarships, Awards At Ceremony — Part 1
More than $3.3 million in scholarships, military and other monetary rewards were presented to seniors at the Sulphur Springs High School Awards Ceremony Thursday evening, May 16, at SSHS Auditorium at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
Top graduates, UIL scholars, students who have earned Medical Assistant Certifications, Forrest Gregg MVP and James Cameron Fighting Heart Award recipients were also recognized during the program.
The exact total value of awards could not be figured because the amounts of some scholarships and awards were not announced at the event.
Several students received multiple awards, and some received scholarship offers from multiple schools and groups.
Chase Crouch, for example, will have his pick of at least five college. He was awarded a total of $366,000 in scholarship offers, including $20,000 from Colorado State University, $20,000 from the University of Wyoming Honors College, $82,000 from New Mexico State University, $120,000 from Southwestern University and $124,000 from Cornell College.
Valedictorian Carissa Carter and Salutatorian Maddie Millsap were each awarded Paris Junior College J.A. Love Estate scholarships for being the top students in their class.
The first year of Carter’ tuition will be paid for her to attend any state university or college as the valedictorian.
Carter also received a $2,000 Rotary Club scholarship, an $80,000 Honors Scholarship and an $11,000 Presidential Scholarship from Texas A&M University-Commerce.
Millsap also received a $32,000 Bright Star Scholars Recipient scholarship from the John and Deborah Gillis Foundation, to be paid in increments of $4,000 per semester for up to eight consecutive semesters, and can be applied to graduation school fees, if she attains her bachelor’s degree in less than the traditional four years.
Also receiving $32,000 Bright Star Scholars awards from the Gillis Foundation were Jennifer Lopez-Cervantes, Madelyn Ray, Rhett Reid and Landry Tyson.
Craig Johnson also presented Rotary Scholarships in the amount of $2,000 to Madelyn Ray and Caitlyn Williams.
Some of the biggest awards went to students enlisting in the United States military. Overall, an estimated $1,260,000 in benefits were awarded to seven seniors. U.S. Army SSGT Matthew Nix noted each is eligible to receive $150,000 in Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits for school as well as 150 free semester hours once they are out courtesy of the Texas Hazelwood Act.
Joining the U.S. Army to serve in the infantry are Mason Arnold and Cason Churchman, as a preventive medicine specialist is Angela Brown, and to follow his older brothers into the Rangers is Noah Sells. Recognized for their intended commitment to the U.S. Marine Corps was Colton Allen, who plans to serve in security forces; and to the U.S. Navy were James Evan Rushing and Haylie-Marie Whorton.
Tabbed to receive Sgt. Tanner Higgins Memorial Awards upon completion of basic training were Cason Churchman, a $300 award; Colton Allen, $700; and Sells, $1,000.
Students also received at least $383,000 in athletic scholarships.
Awarded football scholarships were Austin Dodd and Landry Tyson to for Texas A&M University-Commerce, D’Corian Young Trinity Valley Community College, Damian Dugan Hardin Simmons, Jose Rodriguez Louisiana College, and Jermond Bryant-Amos and DQ Pitts RPA College.
Kaden Argenbright was awarded a baseball scholarship to play at Henderson State University.
Receiving basketball scholarships were Keaston Willis to play for Incarnate Word University and Xavier Cork Western Carolina University.
Autumn Tanton and Lexi Whisenhunt were awarded scholarships to play volleyball at Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Receiving track scholarships were Sadavia Port for the University of Texas at Arlington, Abbi Baier for South Eastern Oklahoma State and Abbi Beggs for Indiana State.
Carter Lewis received a golf scholarship from the University of Texas at Tyler.
Dodd, Porter, Tanton and Landon Thornton were announced as the Forrest Gregg MVP Award recipients.
Baier, Willis, Tyson and Bailey Hagerty were named James Cameron Fighting Heart Award recipients.
Another special award presented at the program was the Helen Ewing Ditto True Grit Award. The $1,000 cash award is given to a student who exhibits true grit, positive traits, makes the most of what he or she has, and has a strong value system. Dylan Jester was nominated for the award by SSHS staff.
Alyson Vaughn was presented the Spirit of FCCLA Cash Award in the amount of $100 by Debbie Stribling.
These are only a few of the scholarships and awards announced Thursday night for seniors. Additional information and images from the program will also be posted at www.KSSTradio.com. Stay tuned to KSST radio and Channel 18 for programming saluting Sulphur Springs seniors.
CHRISTUS Stroke Team Offers Free “Stroke Awareness Lunch and Learn” at noon Wednesday May 22
Within ongoing efforts to become designated a “Primary Stroke Center”, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital of Sulphur Springs has begun an Acute Stroke Program. Facilitating this program is a special “Stroke Team” of professionals who can assess and assist persons experiencing stroke symptoms at the hospital Emergency Room. Because time is so important to stroke victims, this team can mobilize quickly for emergency intervention and treatment. The public is invited to meet the team and Neurologist M.D.Vicas Pandey during a ‘Stroke Awareness’ Lunch and Learn free event on Wednesday May 22 at 12 noon. During a KSST Morning Show interview, we learned more from RN Byron Prince, Stroke Team Leader and ER Director, and RN Cassidy Cameron, Stroke Team co-ordinator.
There are two types of stroke. The Hemorrhagic Stroke results from a burst blood vessel causing bleeding in the brain. The more typical Ischemic Stroke is caused by a blood clot blocking the vessel. The Stroke Team can address both types,and most occurrences can be treated right here in the local hospital. According to Cameron, more strokes involving young people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s have been documented in recent years. And according to Prince, during the month of April 2019, of the 18 patients seen with stroke symptoms, only three of these had to be transported to the Tyler CHRISTUS Health ‘Comprehensive Stroke Center’. Gaining the designation of “Primary Stroke Center” will be a ‘gold seal of approval’ and an important step for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital in Sulphur Springs.
Everyone is invited for a healthy lunch and valuable information at the Lunch and Learn on noon on May 22 in the Plaza Conference Center’s first floor classroom, located across from the hospital’s front entrance.
‘Chicks For Charity’ Non-Profit Makes SS Symphony League it’s Final Recipient
Chicks for Charity, a 501c3 non-profit charity organization operating in Hopkins County, has officially been dissolved as of May 16, 2019. This follows Chicks donations of several thousands of dollars which have made a large impact upon worthy local causes since it’s 2010 inception. The non-profit had fulfilled it’s usefulness to the community, after organizers sought others to volunteer for leadership positions. During the final meeting, the collective group of organizers and officers voted to dissolve, end the quarterly meetings, and devote themselves to other interests in their individual lives. In a press release sent by charter member Mandy Kennedy, information about the final donation was explained.
“Chicks voted to give this last donation to the Sulphur Springs Symphony League. This is the 501c3 non-profit that puts on the Symphony on the Square for July 4th, helps purchase instruments for Symphony Orchestra students in need, and sponsors the Dallas Symphony Orchestra performance for the entire 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students every year. They’ve been nominated several times, but this is their first time to receive the winning votes. If you were not with us, please make your check out to “S S Symphony League” and mail it to 13 Jennifer Lane 75482. We will be presenting the donation in two weeks and would like to have all the checks by then”.
Mandy went on to add, “on behalf of the Team Leaders, thank you ALL so much for supporting Chicks for Charity Hopkins County these many years! We’ve done GOOD WORK ladies – and many people in need have benefited as a result of your generosity and shared love for community. I personally appreciate each of you for your willingness to share your time and money so faithfully for so long!! It’s been a sweet pleasure to be on your Team!! Have a wonderful Summer!”
This is the original 2010 mission statement of the Hopkins County Chicks for Charity organization. OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE: To reach out and help our communities by finding 100 or more women to each contribute at least $50, four times a year to collectively give at least $20,000 annually to local charities and non-profit organizations here in Hopkins County, Texas. The idea is to keep our contributions and support local so as to have a direct and immediate impact that we can all personally see, right here in our communities. OUR ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: Sandra Baucom, Peggy Dietze, Dee Elliott, Lequida Jennings, Mandy Kennedy, Jane Sargent, Sher Sevier, Pennye West.
Jefferson Man Jailed On Dallas County Warrant
A traffic stop by Cumby police early Thursday morning resulted in a 42-year-old Jefferson man’s arrest on a Dallas County forgery charge.
Cumby Police Sgt. Ray Embro reported stopping a Chevrolet Aveo at 1:51 a.m. May 16 on Interstate 30 west at mile marker 108 for defective taillights.
On contact, the driver was identified as 42-year-old Brian Scott Greenhill of Jefferson. A records check showed Greenhill to be wanted by Dallas County authorities on an outstanding forgery of financial instrument charge, Embro reported.
Consequently, Greenhill was jailed on the warrant. The vehicle was released to the passenger, a licensed driver, Embro noted in arrest reports.
Greenhill remained in the county jail Friday morning, according to jail reports.
I-30 Traffic Stop Results In Recovery Of Stolen Trailer and Mower, 1 Arrest
Sulphur Springs Police arrested a 33-year-old Jonesboro, Arkansas man early Thursday morning after he was found in possession of a cargo trailer that’d been reported to Arkansas authorities as stolen. Investigation later Thursday by Sulphur Springs Police revealed a mower in the unit also had been reported stolen.
Sulphur Springs Police Cpl. Chris Rosamond reportedly stopped a Ford F250 pickup and cargo trailer about 2:45 a.m. Thursday because the trailer didn’t have a license plate and the unit crossed the fog line around the 124 mile marker on Interstate 30.
Rosamond noticed a John Deere Zero Turn lawn mower in the bed of the truck as he approached. The trailer was also loaded with new appliances and merchandise, according to Sulphur Springs Police Sgt. Jason Reneau.
Rosamond, a seasoned officer, reported he received “deceptive responses from the driver,” which coupled with the loaded truck and trailer raised his suspicions, so he began investigating, according to Reneau.
Rosamond reportedly received permission to search the vehicle and trailer. A records check using the cargo trailer’s vehicle identification number showed it had been reported to Benton, Arkansas authorities in 2017 as stolen, Reneau said.
Reyes allegedly told police he bought the trailer about a month ago from an individual in Memphis. He reportedly had in his possession a certificate of origin for the trailer, but it was not registered to him, according to police reports.
Consequently, 33-year-old Heriberto Reyes of Jonesboro, Arkansas was arrested at 3:25 a.m for theft by possession of stolen property valued at $2,500 or more but less than $30,000, according to arrest reports.
Police impounded the truck and trailer, and were still inventorying the items on them Friday morning.
Police later Thursday contacted Big Tex in Benton, Arkansas regarding the trailer, and learned credit cards or information had been used fraudulently in order to obtain trailers from the business, according to Reneau.
An initial check using the mower’s ID numbers came back clear. However, a call by SSPD Sgt. Detective David Gilmore to John Deere revealed the Zero Turn Mower was one of 10 in a trailer reported stolen from Memphis, Tennessee in January, Reneau said Friday.
If the remaining items are determined to not have been stolen, they will be returned to Reyes, according to Reneau.
Reyes was released from the county jail later May 16 on $5,000 bond on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
Tira News for May 16, 2019
By Jan Vaughn
Regina Payton spent a few days with her mother, Martha Payton. She mentioned that her brother and sister-in-law, Brad and Virginia Payton, were coming for a visit on Sunday, along with an aunt and uncle.
Our son, Delayne Vaughn, of Waco, was here on Saturday and Sunday. We enjoyed visiting and playing games.
On Sunday, many of Chip’s family members met at Posey Baptist Church and honored Grace Vaughn for Mother’s Day. Also, Andy Wright, recognized Polly Ferrell, Vera Mae Glossup, and Grace for their dedication to the church and to their families through the years.
After the service, Grace (98 years-old) wanted to ride the motorcycle with her son, Jim Vaughn of Broken Bow, Oklahoma, to our house for lunch. Also joining us for lunch were Liz Steinsiek and Delayne, Tiffany, Kenden, and Jaidyn. Chip, Tiffany, Jaidyn, and I attended the Baccalaureate service at North Hopkins School that evening.
Yvonne Weir, Brenda Allen, Regina Taylor and I met at Roma’s in Sulphur Springs on Tuesday for a belated birthday lunch for Yvonne.
The Aiguier Cemetery Association will hold their annual meeting and pot-lunch lunch on Sunday, June 2, in the North Hopkins School Cafeteria. Everyone will gather to share a meal around noon, with a brief business meeting to follow. Donations to the cemetery fund are always needed and appreciated. Contributions may be mailed to the Aiguier Cemetery Association, c/o Peggy Beck, 332 CR 3620, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
I always need and appreciate input from my friends to help keep me informed of news in our community. If you have any news pertaining to Tira residents, past or present, please contact me, Jan Vaughn, at 903-438-6688 or [email protected].
