Lil’ 4’s Kids Club Director Letitia Conliff of Sulphur Springs Featured on “The View”, Receives Major Funding
Letitia Conliff who started Lil 4’s Kids Club in 2001
Seven years ago, this gracious woman decided to open her arms and her heart to the “inner city” kids in Sulphur Springs who had no “safe haven” or positive place to go after school. Letitia Conliff did not have a lot of money and really no place to open an after-school program, but she has done it anyway. At a small building she rents near downtown Sulphur Springs, she prepares and serves a light afternoon meal and snacks with the use of a crockpot, a microwave and a donated refrigerator. She and her volunteer mentors read and sing, play games and see that the children ages 5-17 study and get their homework. They show pride in the kids and teach practical life lessons, like teamwork and getting along together like a family. She dreams of taking the children on educational trips to show them the world beyond their home town.
For most of the seven years, Letitia has paid the rent and utilities from her own pocket and from various local donations she received. At times she was dismayed, but always prayed that the club could continue. As attendance began to grow to 50 kids at times, at times Letitia really needed extra help to keep the doors open for the boys and girls who arrived each afternoon. She admits that termination notices from utility companies often came to her mailbox, and that many mornings when she unlocked her building, she felt joyful when the lights came on.
In 2017, she decided to try GoFundMe to help raise some money for the organization. Recently, Whoopie Goldberg saw the GoFundMe video on You Tube and was impressed. Next thing you know, a film crew from The View was in Sulphur Springs at the 200 Fuller Street location, and Letitia was in New York on the set of the popular TV talk show. In response to the broadcast, three different organizations pledged $20,000 plus services and a nationwide grocery chain kicked in $10,000 plus shipments of food to be delivered weekly for a year.
Now, long-awaited assistance in on it’s way! The club will have a new fully-equipped kitchen, new heating and AC system, thousands of dollars worth of foods, skin and hair care products, backpacks and more for the children, plus funds to help with operating expenses. Letitia gives the glory to God for making it happen for the kids of Lil 4’s Kids Club.
Meet Dairy Festival Contestants # 4, #5 and #6, Cameron, Harley and Abbie
We’re counting down the days until the Hopkins County Dairy Festival Pageant takes place on Saturday June 16, 2018 at 7 pm onstage in the SSISD Auditorium inside the Civic Center. Let’s meet three more “dairy debutante” contestants!
L. to R. Contestants #4 Cameron Horton, #5 Harley McLarry and #6 Abbie Peckham
Contestant #4 Cameron Horton has proven her cow milking skills by winning the hands-on contest last weekend. Her ride in a hot air balloon was so exhilarating that she plans to crew a balloon festival in a nearby town later this summer with her brothers and parents. Now, Cameron will join her fellow contestants in the on-stage talent and evening gown competition. Her gown is sequined black and white with a full tulle overskirt, made by her stepmother. Her talent will be a song played on the electric guitar. After high school, she plans to purse a degree in Animal Science and hopes to become a Veterinarian. Her thanks go out to her sponsors Dairy Health Services and Dial Study Club for their support and help on ticket sales.
Contestant #5 Harley McLarry will demonstrate a unique talent, speed painting, in her bid for the title of Dairy Festival Queen. Her pageant gown is a slim mermaid style with black and gold sequins. Her parade float was themed “Tea Party” which her family and friends helped her design and construct. Speaking of family, she comes from an extended one and spends lots of time with them in the Cumby and Reilly Springs communities. Upon graduation, she plans to enter programs at PJC and Texas A and M Commerce leading to a career as an OB Stenographer. Harley sends out heartfelt thanks for the help and support from siblings, parents Johnrene McLarry and Sean McLarry, family friend Russell Taylor, and sponsors Carriage House Manor and Saputo.
Contestant #6 Abbie Peckham had never milked a cow before and has experienced stage fright at times, but competing in the Dairy Festival Pageant gives her a chance to sing, and she plans to do that for her talent competition. A singer from childhood, Abbie is now taking private vocal training and hopes to continue in UIL Solo and Ensemble contests during her Senior year in SSISD. She hopes to be a chosen contestant on American Idol someday, and it is her dream to attend The Juilliard School’s Vocal Arts program. She is also drawn to a career as a Pediatric Nurse. Her parents are Kate and Cameron Evans, and Bobby Peckham. Her sincere thanks is to Pageant Coach Patricia Chase and to her sponsors the Southwest Dairy Museum and CBJ Embroidery and Screen Printing.
Plan to enjoy the talent and the royal festivities on Pageant night as one of the eight contestants is crowned Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen 2018. Tickets at the door will be $10 at the SSISD Auditorium inside the Civic Center, 1200 Houston Street in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
School Board Notes Campus Improvements, Summer Activities, Action Items During June Meeting
New signs are being erected at Primary Schools and Douglass ECLC has a new sign with the correct spelling of the name of the school—Douglass. This information and more was presented to the Sulphur Springs School Board Tuesday night during their June session. Along with the signs, other physical changes are being made to buildings in the district as well.
At Lamar Primary School, additional parking area is being constructed along Milligan Street. At Bush Primary, four classrooms are being removed to make way for a gym. A plumbing project is underway at Bowie Primary. At Sulphur Springs Elementary School, new classroom carpet is in being installed and the kitchen floor has been opened for a plumbing project. Furniture from other campuses has been moved to the SSES. At the Connections campus, a sidewalk project is underway. The ceiling is being repaired in the high school gym.
Activities for students in SSISD continue this summer. Summer School currently has 117 students registered in grades K-4. The programs for those students include Dual Language Education, general education, and extended school year programs for those students who qualify.
At Douglass, meetings are in progress for students who did not meet passing standards for the May administration of STAAR math and reading. For EDGE, the athletic summer training program for student-athletes, 230 students are enrolled. YMCA program at the Middle School is active with activities and field trips for those enrolled. The gym at the Middle School housed the girls and the High School gym housed the boys during the Summer Work Camp program that painted 21 homes in Sulphur Springs. Summer school is also underway at the Austin Academic Center with 36 students in each of the two sessions per day.
The board voted to provide a turn-around for school buses delivering special education students and other large truck deliveries to the high school. The paved drive, at a cost of $76,000 will enable a better flow of traffic and provide a more efficient use of time for school employees.
With an upward adjustment, the an amended budget for the school year was approved. There were no changes to the Food Service or Debt Service but the general fund was increased to $39,088.979. The budget for the year began at $36,682,926 and was amended in February to $38,389,530. The increases to the budget were made due to construction and remodel at sports facilities and other locations.
The board conducted a budge work session Tuesday evening as they began to plan for the 2018-2019 school year budget needs.
Personnel changes were also made (See story here.)
Personnel Changes at SSISD Approved in June Board Meeting
Tuesday evening during the SSISD Board meeting, a number of personnel changes were noted. Among the resignations was Wildcat Defensive Coordinator Triston Abron. Abron’s replacement in the slot, Alexander Guerra, was hired. Nicolus Wiggins, Head Boys Soccer Coach and Science Teacher, also resigned. Other resignations, new personnel, and personnel changes are noted below.
Summer Contract- due to mid-term hire date
Kaley Williams Science Teacher High School
Resignations
Amanda Nabors Head Start 3 Teacher ECLC
Kori Reed Kindergarten Teacher ECLC
Kati Adair Grade 2 Teacher Bowie Primary
Carmen Contreras Grade 4 Bilingual Teacher SS Elementary
Amanda Fowler Grade 3 Teacher SS Elementary
Charlotte Wilson Grade 4 Teacher SS Elementary
Deanna Cousin SpEd/Math Co-Teach Middle School
Victoria Smith SpEd Aide Middle School
Triston Abron PE Teacher/Coach (Defensive Coord.) High School
Kayla Weir English Teacher High School
Nicholus Wiggins Science Teacher/Head Boys Soccer Coach High School
New Personnel
Alexander Guerra Defensive Coordinator/PE Teacher High School
Steve Proctor Band Administrative Assistant High School
Destiny Shumate SpEd Aide High School/Connections
LaTosha Utt Pre-Kindergarten Teacher Douglass ECLC
Sara Helms SpEd Aide Barbara Bush Primary
Mariah Kendricks SpEd Aide Barbara Bush Primary
Lanie Smith SpEd Aide Barbara Bush Primary
Lisa Sutterfield Grade 3 ELAR Teacher Bowie Primary
Patricia Aulbaugh Grade 3 ELAR Teacher Lamar Primary
Melinda Butts Kindergarten Math/Science Teacher Lamar Primary
Carolina Moreno-Alcantara SpEd Aide Travis Primary
Joanna Byrd Grade 4 ELAR Teacher SS Elementary
Ashley Jovanovich Grade 4 ELAR Teacher SS Elementary
Jamie VanWinkle Grade 4 Math & Science Teacher SS Elementary
Personnel Changes New position/campus Former position/campus
Angel McCoy Kindergarten SpEd Teacher/ SpEd Aide/SS Elementary
Barbara Bush Primary
Alma Ramirez Library Aide/Travis Primary Library Aide/Bowie Primary
Tiffani Contreras Grade 1 Math & Science Teacher/ Library Aide/Travis Primary
Travis Primary
Christine Rogers Grade 4 SpEd Self-Contained Teacher/ SpEd Aide/Douglas
SS Elementary
Four Sulphur Springs Middle School Students Participate in Envision’s Junior National Leadership Conference in D C
(photos and story) by Brandon Williams
Four Local SSMS Students Taking Part in Envision’s Junior National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
This summer, Jack Bain, Merrin Williams, Jocelyne Yanez, and Khira Young from Sulphur Springs, Texas, will join outstanding middle school students from across the nation to take part in a unique academic and career oriented development experience, Envision’s Junior National Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.
The Junior National Leadership Conference is one of the Envision family of programs that enable students to explore their interests and experience learning beyond the classroom.
These four local SSISD students were nominated by SSMS teacher, Melissa Peugh, for their outstanding academic, extracurricular, and leadership abilities among local students.
Envision’s Junior National Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. is a great opportunity for high-achieving scholars to get outside the classroom and see, through hands-on interactive learning, how to innovate and think creatively,” said Andrew Potter, the Chief Academic Officer for Envision. “These students, who have already proven themselves academically, will be challenged to work on real-world, student-created projects to bring their studies and career interests to life.”
Since 1985, Envision programs have served more than 800,000 students in more than 145 countries, with programs designed to help students develop the leadership, scholarship and career skills needed to succeed in today’s competitive college and career landscape.
Marine Corp League Prepares Iron Mike for Independence Celebration
The Hopkins County Marine Corp League donated their Tuesday morning to washing “Iron Mike”, their name for the statue of the soldier on Celebration Plaza at the Veteran’s Memorial. Preparations are underway for the Independence Day Celebration in Hopkins County. The celebration will being June 30th with the annual Sulphur Springs Symphony League Independence Concert. (See slide show below)
Meet Dairy Festival Contestants #1, #2 and #3, Kaitlyn, Cassidy and Alexis
This week on KSST Radio and Channel 18 TV, we will interview current Queen Jaci Reed and all eight contestants for the 2018 title of Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, in the order that they will appear on Pageant night. All the contestants entered as 17-year-old Juniors in local high schools, and all will be Seniors when school starts this Fall. Each is very excited about the Pageant on Saturday June 16 at 7 pm in the SSISD Auditorium in the Civic Center, and all have tickets for purchase. We started the interviews on Tuesday June 12 with the first three ladies.
L. to R. Kaitlyn Ferrill, Cassidy Winborn and Alexis Lopez
Contestant # 1 Kaitlyn Ferrill, daughter of Jeremy and Kristi Ferrill, enjoys being a member of the SSHS Marching and Symphonic Bands. She plays flute in band, and will play flute as her Pageant talent. For the Parade, her float featured a “pool party” theme and she says it was interesting transporting the float carrying an already-filled pool several miles to the Parade site! She also totally enjoyed the hot air balloon ride that evening. At the Pageant, Kaitlyn will model an evening gown in navy blue with glittering designs. She is appreciative to her sponsors Mothers Culture Club and Texas Farm Credit and her parents for all their help. During high school, she has a part-time job at Atwoods, and upon graduation from High School, she hopes to attend PJC for basics then transfer to pursue a degree in Psychology.
Contestant #2 Cassidy Winborn has been in dance instruction for 14 years, is a member of the SSHS Blue Blazes and FCCLA and competes in UIL events. Her two older sisters, Rachel and Anne-Marie, also entered the Dairy Festival during high school. Cassidy enjoyed the parade experience, the milking contest and both her hot air balloon rides during the first weekend of Dairy Festival. Her Pageant talent is dance, and for her evening gown, she and her mom, Jennifer Lansou, have hand-beaded chrystals onto her teal floral gown with train, for added sparkle. Her sponsors are Sulphur Springs Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram and The Propane Company. After high school, Cassidy plans to attend UT Tyler to study photography and to pursue a degree in Education.
Contestant #3 Alexis Lopez has served as SSHS Student Body President and is a Varsity Cheerleader. Her parents Angie and Juan Trevino and her brother Everett Jennings are among her biggest supporters during Dairy Festival, in addition to her sponsors Jay Hodge Chevrolet and the Texas Association of Dairymen. For the Parade, her family transported her amazing float all the way from Martin Springs to town, a slow 45-minute drive! Alexis is interested in a career as an anesthesiologist and is looking at two schools; UT Tyler and University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, because neither is too large or too far from home! On Pageant night, Alexis will model an evening gown with gold and black lace, and will do a poetry recitation for her talent presentation.
Meet all the contestants by listening to KSST Radio at 8:15AM each morning this week for additional interviews as part of the 2018 Dairy Festival coverage.
L. to R. Contestants #1 Kaitlyn Ferrill, #2 Cassidy Winborn and #3 Alexis Lopez.
Chicago Man Arrested for Drug Following Traffic Stop
A 2011 Chevrolet Silverado with no license plate on the back was stopped at the 119 mile marker on I-30 by a Hopkins County Deputy Monday evening at approximately 7:30 p.m. Inside the vehicle the deputy found cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana and two firearms and four bundles of U S Currency wrapped in rubber bands following a probable cause search.
Following the display of several signs of nervousness, consent to search the vehicle was requested and denied. A K9 free air sniff alerted on the pickup. Approximately 4lbs of suspected marijuana, a plastic bag containing suspected cocaine and another clear bag containing suspected meth were found.
Weston Davis Rose, 38, of Chicago, was arrested and is in Hopkins County Jail charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less that 1-gram; Possession of a Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1, more than 1-gram but less than 4-grams and Possession of Marijuana more than 4oz but less than 5lbs.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
