TAMUC Offers Summer Fun for Almost Everyone
By Laura Owens
Texas A&M Commerce is hosting their FALL New Student Orientation this summer. Students arrived on June 14th to find energetic upperclassmen who were eager to help them get started. Students experienced several informational sessions around the campus, took identification card pictures and set up accounts. The day ended with a rally in the auditorium and special interest sessions.
The day was filled with fun and camaraderie. New students were introduced to the TAMUC Mascot, Leo the Lion and the school spirit hand sign. Orientation Ambassadors -also known as the “O-Team,”entertained new students with several creative ways with skits, dance sessions and dance off competitions. Some of the speakers included: Student Government Association Representative; Grace Slayter, Dean of Students; Dr. Thomas Newsome, and University President & CEO; Dr. Ray M. Keck III.
Dr. Keck was very personable, telling students “Don’t hesitate to approach me, I like it! Getting to know you is exactly what I want.” He then proceeded to point to several students in the crowd saying, “I want to get to know you, and you, and you, and you too! Let’s all get to know each other this year!” Dr. Keck encouraged students to be
successful and to enjoy their time as they study at TAMUC.
Dez Turner, Junior at TAMUC and a Orientation Ambassador . Dez is currently pursuing a double major in criminal justice and sociology.
Kayla Green , a Orientation Ambassador loves helping others and performing in the skits at orientation.
KSST spoke with Avis Clark, TAMUC 1 Stop Shop Student Access Information Desk Receptionist, “We plan to have several Orientations this summer. Currently we are scheduled for June 21st and 22nd, June 29th and 30th, and July 5th and 6th.”
Avis Clark
There are many summer events happening at or through TAMUC :
June 16th Twin Oaks Farm for Experiential Learning (formerly known as the blueberry farm) opens at 9:00 a.m.
June 19th Finding Dory (the movie) will be showing at the MRC Pool 8:00p.m.
June 20th TAMUC Planetarium Show (Cosmic Adventure 1:00 & 2:00pm, & Dawn of the Space age 2:00pm)
June 27th TAMUC Planetarium Show (Robot Explorers 1:00 pm, & Astronaut 2:00pm)
June 28th VET NET Symposium – (Women in the Military) 8:00 a.m. in the Sam Rayburn Center, 2nd floor
July 10th Hairspray Group Trip to the Dallas Theatre Center in Dallas
July 13th TAMUC Planetarium Show (Secrets of Gravity 7:00pm)
August 11th Sundae Study Break – Ice cream in the RSC Atrium 11:00a.m.
- The University also has a full recreation center and swimming pool available most days included with the price of a gym membership.
Avis enthusiastically added, “If you would like to take classes in the Fall there is still time to sign up and attend an orientation. Just give us a call at 903 886 5000 or contact us online at www.tamuc.edu. We would love to help you get involved!”
Dinner Bell Menu For June 20th, 2018
DINNER BELL MENU
June 20, 2018
Community Partner
City National Bank
Menu:
Beef and Chicken Fajitas with traditional toppings
Pinto Beans
Seasoned Rice
Sopapilla Cheesecake
Butterscotch Pudding (no added sugar dessert)
Meal a Day Menu for June 18th-22nd
Meal A Day Menu
June 18th – June 22nd
Monday
Beef Patty with Roast Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Roll
Tuesday
Oven Omelet
Ham
Orange Slices
Blue Berry Muffins
Wednesday
Chicken Pot Pie
Pickled Beets
Broccoli
Thursday
Sour Cream Beef Enchiladas
Refried Beans
Chips and Salsa
Tossed Salad
Friday
Cheese Hamburger
Lettuce, Tomato and Onion
Pickle Spears
Pork-N-Beans
Potato Chips
2018 Senior Ice Cream Freeze Off: Sign Up Today!
PJC-Sulphur Springs: Math Anyone? Register for Summer or Fall
SOLVING PROBLEM PJC-Sulphur Springs Center math instructor Cynthia Steward helps Sierra Joiner of Sulphur Springs solve a math problem during her summer class. For information about registering for summer or fall classes, call 903-885-1232.
“Battle of the Badges” Blood Drive This Saturday in SS
First responders know how important it is to have a safe and abundant community blood supply. Carter Bloodcare is bringing a mobile unit to Sulphur Springs, Texas to be placed on the Jay Hodge Chevrolet lot on Saturday June 16, 2018 from 8am til 3pm. Members of law enforcement, fire and emergency teams will enter into friendly competition for the most donations of “the gift of life”, and invite the public to get involved. Anyone who donates blood on Saturday can “vote” for the first responder unit they wish in the friendly competition. All donors will receive a Battle of the Badges Local Hero T-shirt and a buy one-get one voucher to a Texas Rangers game. All types of blood are needed.
Donations of B Negative blood for a local 11-year-old leukemia victim, Hailey Geraci, can also be made at Saturday’s drive as well.
In a press release, Carter Blood Care informs that supplies of blood can run low during the summer months. Potential donors must weigh at least 110 pounds, feel well on the day of donation, and present a government-based photo ID when donating. Donors may be age 16 with parental consent, and persons age 17 and up may give independently. For more information, contact carterbloodcare.org
Queen Jaci Plans College, Career Onstage in Musical Theater, Business
She’s loved singing, dancing and acting all her life. Her first big break to fame was a local one, as the 58th Hopkins County Dairy Festival Queen, crowned in 2017. Jaci has absolutely loved the role, and hopes that the new Dairy Festival Queen will have as much enrichment and enjoyment wearing the crown as she has. Now, Jaci plans to take her singing, dancing and acting skills to school at the University of Central Oklahoma, located at Edmund, Oklahoma, to pursue a major and degree in Music and Musical Theater, with a minor in Business and Communications. After that, she hopes to get into the musical theater business or start her own company.
It is interesting to her how this plan formed. Early on she had been accepted at a Texas university, and had even arranged for housing there for the Fall 2018 semester. But in February 2018, she attended a TETA (Texas Education Theater Association) convention in Galveston where she came in contact with theater directors from all over the place. She received calls back from many, but the University of Central Oklahoma music department sounded just right. She went to visit the school and changed courses at that time. She feels it was a “God thing” because she had been praying about making the right choices and steps toward the career she was dreaming of.
Jaci thanks her mom and her dad, her grandparents and relatives for support through her Dairy Festival year and Senior year. Career-wise, she thanks all her local mentors in singing and stage, and especially Amanda Thompson Brandenburg, Josh Thompson and their mother Linda for guidance and encouragement during her high school years. Jaci is an only child as was her mom, and she does include having a family as part of her future, after getting her career grounded. Will we see her on the Broadway stage? She hopes so, as it’s “definitely part of my plan!” Good Luck, Jaci!
Jaci will make her final appearance as Dairy Festival royalty when she crowns the new Queen on Saturday June 16, 2018 at 7pm. The Coronation Pageant will be held inside the SSISD Auditorium at the Civic Center in Sulphur Springs. Tickets are $10 at the door.
SCU Serves Warrant Following Meth Purchase
During an investigation, Special Crimes Unit purchased Methamphetamine from Danny Joe Woodard, 31, of Sulphur Springs. A warrant was obtained and Woodard is now in Hopkins County Jail charged with Manufacture Delivery Controlled Substance Penalty Group 1 less than 1-gram, a State Jail Felony. His numerous arrests for illegal substances began in 2004 in Hopkins County.
An attempt to serve the felony arrest warrant began when SCU and the Sulphur Springs patrol division were unable to get anyone to open the door at Woodard’s home on Cottonwood Street. However, family members advised officers that he was inside the residence and provided officers with a key to the residence to make entry. Woodard was located in a back bedroom.
Accident Closes Highway 19N near FM 1537 Just Days Before 19N Coalition Forms
Traffic was routed around an accident Thursday morning on State Highway 19N near FM 1537. Northbound traffic on 19N was routed to the Mahoney cut-off. Two vehicles were involved in the accident that closed Highway 19 near the intersection.
Currently, residents in northern Hopkins County that often travel State Highway 19N are forming a coalition to seek more immediate changes to the roadway that combines both State Highway 19 and State Highway 154 connecting to State Highway 24 providing a route between Sulphur Springs and Paris. Some speed changes and other physical changes to the roadway are planned for the future. However, a number of accidents in recent years, several fatal, have prompted the immediate concern.
Highway 19N Coalition will have its first meeting June 19, 2018 at the North Hopkins School Cafeteria. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. According to organizers, they are seeking to unite the community to bring a safer road for the daily travel of residents in northern Hopkins County. Organizers have commend the efforts of Commissioner Precinct 4, Danny Evans. Evans term ends December 31st. In March, 2017, Evans served as a catalyst for conversation between the county and TxDOT regarding the roadway. In May, TXDOT announced they had concluded a detailed speed study on State Highway 19, from Loop 301 in Sulphur Springs to State Highway 24 in Delta County. After reviewing the results of the study, TXDOT has proposed a speed reduction pending approval from the Texas Transportation Commission. This proposal is on the agenda for the June commission meeting. Following TTC approval, TXDOT will install new regulatory speed limit signs.
The proposed speed limit reduction will lower the existing speed limit from 70 mph to 65 mph from Loop 301 to the Delta County line, and reduce the speed limit from 65 mph to 55 mph through Birthright. TXDOT also has two upcoming Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) projects on State Highway 19: The first project is set to let for bidding in May 2020. The project limits are from the Delta County line to SH 154 and will consist of extending and installing safety end treatments for cross drainage structures, upgrading bridge rail, and upgrading metal beam guard fence. The second project is set to let for bidding in August 2020. The project limits are from Loop 301 in Sulphur Springs to FM 1537 and will consist of extending drainage structures, upgrading bridge rail and metal beam guard fence, and installing a passing lane.
