SSHS Band Earn Straight One’s
Wildcats Bands Get Straight One’s At UIL Contest and Earn Sweepstakes
It’s been a very good week for the Wildcats’ band program. On Tuesday, the non-varsity band, called the Concert Band, attended the Spring UIL Contest and earned the highest score of 1 for their on-stage concert and for sight reading. Wildcats Band Director Spencer Emmert said it was only the fourth time in history for the Concert Band to earn straight 1’s. On Wednesday the Wildcats’ varsity band or Wind Ensemble went to Mount Pleasant and earned straight 1’s for concert and for sight reading. Coupled with the straight 1 scores for the band in the fall Marching Band UIL Contest, the band qualified for Sweepstakes. Emmert called Sweepstakes one of the most coveted UIL awards and the most coveted in music. Emmert believes this is only the second time in school history for the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble to both earn Sweepstakes. He is researching it. Emmert said sight reading is always stressful, not only for students but also for the band director. He said he is given a long piece of music he has never seen before and has three minutes to go over it. Then he said he gets about seven minutes to discuss the music with the band and another three minutes to sing parts of it to them. Emmert said the band students have to react to a lot of the new music on their own. The Sulphur Springs Middle School Bands go to the UIL Contest on Friday at Pleasant Grove. Emmert said next the band would be working on their part of the upcoming Fine Arts Showcase.
Jury Selection Cancelled
Jury selection scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday, April 8, in the County Court At Law with Judge Clay Harrison has been cancelled. Jurors do not need to appear, according to Hopkins County Clerk Tracy Smith.
Motorists Cautioned To Watch For Pavement Work On SH 19 In Emory
Local motorists who regularly travel on State Highway 19 south into Rains County will want to make note of and plan to drive more attentively through Emory starting April 22,when work to repave a portion of the highway in Emory begins.
Contractor Richard Drake Construction anticipates completing this project in about five working days, weather permitting, TxDOT officials said. The target date for completion of this project is April 26, according to a press release from Tim McAlavy, TxDOT Paris District Public Information Officer.
The contractor’s crews will remove the existing asphalt pavement, then apply a new top layer of asphalt pavement on State Highway 19, extending from its intersection with US 69 to North Street, bordering the Rains County Courthouse Square in Emory.
McAlavy urges motorists who regularly travel in this area in Rains County during the paving work to pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and to reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. He also recommends motorists avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
For more information, contact [email protected] or (903) 737-9213.
Lady Cat Softball Game Review
Lady Cats Softball Offense Returns in a Big Way Against Texas High
Lady Cats Softball Coach David Carrillo asked his team if they were ready to step it up Tuesday night (Apri 2) against Texas High at Lady Cat Park. Team members answered in the affirmative and then went out and stepped it up. After getting only three hits in a loss to Mount Pleasant last Friday night, the Lady Cats collected 16 hits Tuesday night in a 15-5 ten run rule game. Coach Carrillo said the team’s mindset was that they might have to outscore a good hitting Texas High team. For awhile it looked like that might be the case as the Lady Tigers only trailed 7-5 at one point. Coach Carrillo said lead off hitter Kelsey Wallace set the tone with a home run. He said Brinklee Driver also had a good game. And then there was Sierra Smith. Coach Carrillo called her the complete package Tuesday night with 6 RBIs, a grand slam home run and with several ESPN style defensive plays. He also praised pitcher Bailey Haggerty for shutting down the Lady Tigers after their five run inning to make it a 7-5 game. Coach Carrillo noted Texas High did not score another run. He said the Lady Cats needed to shore up some things on defense. The Lady Cats completed the first half of district play with a 4-1 reord. They open the second half by hosting Royse City Friday night. Coach Carrillo said they have pitchers and hitters that present a challenge. He also said the Lady Bulldogs will be tough because they are fighting for their playoff lives. Coach Carrillo said the Lady Cats can clinch a playoff spot with a win Friday. He also wants another crack at Mount Pleasant and he wants his team to go into that game with only the one loss they have right now.
Lady Cats Golf Update
Lady Cats Golfer Mariam Tran Finishes Second at District, Qualifies for Regional
After finishing second at the District Tournament to a senior last year, Lady Cats’ golfer Mariam Tran was hoping for a district championship this year. A move in player at Texas High ended up taking first. Tran finished second again but gets another trip to the Regional Tournament. Tran shot 82 on Monday (April 1) and 81 and Tuesday (April 2). She had two double bogeys Monday and was 8 strokes out of first place. A four over par first hole Tuesday put her way behind. Coach Whitney Spigener was impressed that the sophomore did not allow the bad hole to ruin her whole round. Coach Spigener said Tran played the next 17 holes in just 5 over par. Tran will play at the Regional Tournament at Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club on April 22-23 with her sights on qualifying for the State Tournament. Two other Lady Cats also played at the district tournament Monday and Tuesday at Paris Country Club. Addison White shot 112 and 113 for a two day total of 225. Charleigh Potts shot 116 and 113 for a 229 total.
SSHS Wildcat Golf Update
Wildcats Golf Overcomes Flu Bug to Finish Second, Qualify for Regional
Wildcats Golf Coach Chris Owens was extremely proud of his team for the way they pulled together as a team overcoming adversity to qualify for the Regional Tournament at the District Tournament Monday and Tuesday (April 1-2) at Paris Country Club. Coach Owens said he found out for sure early Monday morning that two of his players could not play Monday due to the flu. He said he had to pull Mason Burgin out of a class and get him ready to play. Burgin was not expecting to play and had not played for some time. He responded with a 94 After day one Monday, the Wildcats were tied with Mount Pleasant for second place at 317. On Tuesday Kip Childress and Grant Mohesky were able to play and play they did. Coach Owens said both players shot their best round of the year. Childress shot 79 and Mohesky an 85. The Wildcats took second place by 25 strokes. The Wildcats were led by Carter Lewis who won the District Tournament with rounds of 70 and 71. Coach Owens said Lewis sank two ten foot putts for par. Lewis won the tournament by two strokes. Coach Owens called him as cool and calm adding Lewis played the best he’s ever seen him play. Colton Bench shot 78 and 73 to finish fifth in the tournament. Coach Owens said Bench would be named First Team All-District along with Lewis. Andrew Escobar shot 75 and 82. Mason Burgin came back with an 86 on Tuesday. The Wildcats play at the Regional Tournament April 24-25 at Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club. Coach Owens said he is hoping for good health and good weather.
Wildcat Baseball Looking Ahead
Wildcats Baseball Coach Hoping for Turn Around by Team
For the most part, Wildcats Baseball Coach Jerrod Hammack sounded like a broken record Wednesday morning after a 7-2 home loss to Lindale Tuesday night (April 2). He called it same old, same old. He said the Wildcats seem to be finding ways to lose games rather than making ways to win. He did have one new take. Coach Hammack is not sure he has ever been part of a team that committed eight errors in a game until Tuesday night. He said due to errors, Wildcats pitching did not allow a single earned run. Coach Hammack said many of the errors occurred on play that were not all that hard. He said bad things continue to happen when the Wildcats get runners in scoring position. He said he tried a safety squeeze but the batter could not get a bunt down. The result was a strike out. There has also been a lack of key hits. He said the current team is not performing at a level everyone is used to. Coach Hammack said all they can do is to keep working to get better. He said he hopes a turnaround happens quick. Time is growing short for the Wildcats, 2-6 in district play. Just seven district games are left to play. The next chance for the Wildcats to begin to turn things around is Friday night at Lindale.
SSHS One Act Play Fails To Advance
SSHS One-Act Play Does Not Advance at Area Competition Tuesday
The Sulphur Springs One-Act Play, Jules Verne Eats a Rhinoceros, did not advance at Area competition Tuesday (April 2) at Mabank High School. SSHS Director of Theatre Arts Lesha Woodard said her kids put on a great performance Tuesday. She said the students have improved with each performance through district, bi-district and area competition. Ms. Woodard said it’s just a subjective thing with judges. She said there was no clear thing you could put your finger on to explains why the play did not advance. Ms. Woodard said brief written critiques from judges and one oral critique all scored the play from good to excellent. She said they enjoyed the play but just did not advance it. Ms. Woodard said she was very proud of her kids. She said they did a good job especially since the play was changed all along the way. Ms. Woodard said Rachel Bramlett and Chase Berry won acting awards at every level. Also Hagen Hunt and Anthony Arroyo. Tre Ransom won a tech award for Area. Previously tech awards went to Lucia Yanez, and Kennedy Dicus. It was the second year for the SSHS One-Act Play to make it to Area. Ms. Woodard wants to make it further next year. She said her seniors will be putting on a play in May based loosely on Alfred Hitchcock’s 39 Steps. Ms. Woodard said the play has been reverse gendered so females are playing male roles and vice versa. Ms. Woodard added she is considering doing The Addams Family as this fall’s musical.
2 SSHS Students Place at State HOSA Contest
Two Sulphur Springs High School were recently recognized for placing at the State Health Occupations Students of America competition.
“Attending the state level competition is a first for us in a very long time – at least in my tenure. We are very proud of these individuals and know that they will continue to advance even further in the future,” said Jenny Arledge, Sulphur Springs High School director of college and career readiness, and career and technical education.
Vanessa Velez Lopez placed sixth in the state for interviewing skills, just one spot away from advancing to nationals in Orlando, FL., according to HOSA sponsor Lacie Stracener. The student qualified for state by placing second at the area contest.
Adam Ost was also recognized for placing 17th in the state in the medical laws and ethics contest.
Raydon McCormack and Janiya Gatlin also represented SSHS at the state HOSA event, along with sponsors Stracener and Brynn Smith.
“We are beyond proud of these students for making it to the state level in competition this year as it is a first in Sulphur Springs High School history,” Stracener said.
Sulphur Springs High School student Vanessa Velez Lopez placed sixth in interview skills at the State HOSA contest. Also pictured is SSHS HOSA sponsor Lacie Stracener.
the medical laws and ethics competition at the State HOSA event. Also pictured is SSHS HOSA sponsor Brynn Smith.
