SSHS Blue Blaze Spring Show Set for Weekend
This year’s Spring Show will be slightly unconventional but dazzling, nonetheless. Spring Show is a time to showcase the talent the Blue Blazes posses and the hard work the girls have poured into their routines. Blazes, Sparks, Blaze Buddies, and Crew Members all participate in Spring Show. In the past, the show has taken place in the Hopkins County Regional Civic Center Auditorium, but with construction at it’s peak, the show has been moved to the Sulphur Springs High School gymnasium. With the location shift, challenges arose such as the fact there will be no curtain and props won’t be able to be used on a much smaller stage, but the Blue Blazes are taking the changes in stride. The theme for this year plays off the reality of the situation with “There Will Be No Show” as their title.
Spring Show dates are April 29th and 30th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are currently being sold by Blue Blazes andwill be sold at the door. Seating is limited due to location change.
SSHS Students Qualify for State Academic UIL
SSHS UIL Regional Qualifiers
Both Sulphur Springs High School Academic UIL teams and individuals that qualified for the Regional Meet competed at Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, TX this past Friday and Saturday, April 22-23. Those teams and individuals who placed first through third qualified for the State competition.
The Spelling Team won first place team with Carson McIllwain placing first individually, Lydia Burleson and Mandy Eckhart tied for third, and Chase Charlton placed fourth.
The Literary Criticism team won first place team with Chloe Ross placing second individually, Patricia Parks placed fourth, and Jessie Allen placed sixth.
In Ready Writing, Lydia Burleson placed first and Patricia Parks placed sixth.
In Journalism, Steven Payne placed third in News Writing and Patricia Parks placed fifth in Editorial Writing.
Sulphur Springs High School won second place school behind Hallsville High for Sweepstakes at the Regional Meet. Nine students will compete at the State Meet in May at the University of Texas in Austin, TX.
University of Texas at Austin
Blackmon at State Golf Tourney
Wildcats’ golfer Brody Blackmon began play Monday morning in the State Class 5A Golf Tournament. It will continue through Tuesday at the Wolfdancer Golf Club located at the Hyatt Regency in Lost Pines outside of Austin near Bastrop.
Blackmon comes into the state tournament as the regional champion and district champion. He won both those tournaments at the Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club course shooting a two-round 140 each time. That’s four under par.
Blackmon has signed a letter of intent to play college golf at Ole Miss. We’ll have results for Blackmon as soon as we can get them.
Hospital Seeks Junior Volunteers
Hopkins County Memorial Hospital is now taking applications for the Junior Volunteer Program. A limited number of spots so please turn in applications by May 31st.
Junior Volunteers must be 14 years old or have completed the 8th grade. First come first serve basis, there are only a limited number of spots. Junior Volunteers are allowed to observe/volunteer in different areas of the hospital (Such as front desk, gift shop, business office, radiology, lab, OB, Memorial Clinic, etc.) Shifts are Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. with maximum of 16 hours per week.
If you are interested in the program or need further information, contact Sherry Moore or Lakan Johnson, please call 903-438-4462 . Orientation will be held Monday, June 13th from 9:00am-12:00pm in the Conference Room at the Memorial Medical Plaza.
Winnsboro Police Arrest Seven Over Seven Day Period April 18-24
Winnsboro Police were busy April 18-24 with seven arrests, investigated one accident, responded to 196 calls for service and issued 89 citations and 39 warnings.
On Monday, April 19, Billy Lindley, 39, of Winnsboro was arrested for driving while license invalid with a previous conviction.
On Friday, April 22, Maria Garcia, 36, of Winnsboro was arrested on two Franklin County warrants. Also arrested on Friday, Stephanie Ferguson, 50, of Winnsboro was arrested for an accident involving damage to a vehicle.
Christopher Russell, 30, of Lindale was arrested for driving while license invalid with previous convictions.
Three arrests occurred Sunday:
- Taylor Cunningham, 36, of Winnsboro was arrested for driving while license invalid with previous convictions.
- George Jacobs, 59, of Mineola was arrested for driving while license invalid with previous convictions.
- Chrystal Sims, 34, of Winnsboro was arrested on a Hopkins County warrant.
An accident involving a Nissan truck facing east on the parking lot of the Armadillo, 400 Broadway, and a Ford SUV parked facing North on the same parking lot occurred when the Nissan backed without safety striking the Ford causing damage. The Nissan left the scene of the accident.
Education Foundation Expo Features Eight Grant Winning Projects
SSISD Education Foundation Board members Gena Prickette, left, and John Campbell, right, with SSHS Art Teacher Dr. Phillip Dick.
Eight grant winning projects will be featured Wednesday during the 2016 Education Foundation Expo at the Hopkins County Civic Center. The Sulphur Springs Independent School District invites all local businesses and community members to join them for the Expo from at 11:30 a.m. until at 1:00 pm. Tickets are $15 for the event, which includes lunch provided by the SSHS Culinary Arts students.
The Expo will showcase the eight projects from the foundation grant winners that were awarded this school year. This is the first year to fund these grants. The district and foundation are excited to share these activities with the public. Teachers and students will display their projects to share with the community and will be able to answer any questions you may have.
To purchase tickets you can contact Marci Owens at 903-885-2153 ext. 1101 or email [email protected]. Tickets are also available at the door.
Lady Cats Open Bi-District Play at Home Thursday
Lady Cats softball begins playoff action Thursday, April 28th, with a best of three bi-district series against Corsicana. Thursday night, the Lady Cats host at Lady Cat Park at 6:30 p.m. and then travel to Corsicana for game two Friday night at 6:30. If a third game is needed, the two teams meet at North Forney High School field at 1 p.m. Saturday.
North Hopkins ISD Lone Finalist Choice Raises Questions
Dr. Darin Jolly was named lone finalist for the position of Superintendent of North Hopkins Schools during a board meeting this week according to a member of the North Hopkins School staff. Jolly was named to replace Donna George.
Darin Jolly, Ed.D.
However Jolley recently resigned under duress as Superintendent of Kenedy ISD after admitting blame in an effort to shield a student or students from being found to use a prohibited substance. In a statement by the Kenedy ISD board of trustees read by Edward Monson and recorded in the Karnes County newspaper and mysoutex.com, the web presence for Beeville Publishing, “Unfortunately… Dr. Jolly made some mistakes that have eroded trust in him to continue as a leader of the district. Specifically, Dr. Jolly failed to follow school safety procedures for reporting the circumstances surrounding students’ use of a prohibited substance in a timely manner, with intent of shielding at least one student from disciplinary action. He also did not accurately and truthfully disclose his knowledge of this incident when initially questioned about it by the board and its special investigator. Dr. Jolly has owned up to his mistakes and error in judgement, and offered his resignation. The board decided to accept his resignation because it believes that it is in the best interest of the district to do so.”
The investigation into Jolly’s actions by the Kenedy school board came about when “parents of Kenedy students expressed concerns over the way school district officials responded to a recent incident where students were found on campus intoxicated-under the influence of drugs or alcohol or a combination of the two,” according to mysouTex.com. According to the article in mysoutex.com, the sheriff in Karnes County said his office had received several calls from parents worried that the school district officials may have looked the other way in the case.
A call placed to North Hopkins School Board President Allen Joslin found him awaiting the results of a family member’s surgery. He plans future comments to KSST News regarding the choice of Jolly. Joslin did say the board is aware of the situation in Kenedy, “We looked into it,” he stated. Joslin says Jolly brings many essential aspects in many different areas that will contribute to the school district. Joslin said he would make a further statement at a later time. KSST will continue to follow this story.
Lady Cats Impressive on Senior Night
This time there was no Pine Tree rally. Last month in Pine Tree, the Lady Cats saw the Lady Pirates come back from a 7-1 deficit to defeat the Lady Cats. Saturday evening, the Lady Cats won in impressive fashion, 8-1 at Lady Cat Park.
Freshman Bricklee Driver drove in five runs with a two-RBI single and a three-run home run. The Lady Cats two seniors also came through big on Senior Night. Molly Johnston drove in two runs with a single and Sarah Womack was two for four with a run scored and an RBI. Hannah Crowson continued her hot hitting going three for three with a stolen base and three runs scored. Alyssa Abron scored two runs after walking twice.
Pitcher Landri Bell went four innings and got the win giving up five hits and only one earned run. Bailey Haggerty pitched the final three innings giving up four hits and no runs. Both pitchers struck out four. The Lady Cats wrapped up district play with a 10-4 record. The Lady Cats season mark is now 26-6. They are the district’s third seed in the playoffs. The loss knocked Pine Tree out of the playoffs as Texas High ended up in the fourth spot.
The Lady Cats most likely bi-district playoff opponent is Corsicana. That could change if allegations of wrong doing at District 16-5A district champ Lufkin prove to be true and if the infraction results in playoff disqualification after a UIL investigation. In that case, the Lady Cats could face a rematch in bi-district with Whitehouse, who they lost to last year.
Wildcats Suffer Saturday Loss to Hallsville
It went from feast to famine for the Wildcats in a 6-0 district loss to Hallsville Saturday afternoon at Eagle Stadium. After scoring 12 runs on 11 hits against Pine Tree Friday night, the Wildcats were shut out Saturday as they managed only two hits.
Cole Cooper and Mason Buck got singles. Hallsville scratched out two runs in the second, one in the third, one in the fifth and two in the sixth. They had only six hits. Tyler Follis took the hard luck loss allowing only three earned runs. The loss drops the Wildcats to 5-7 in district play and 8-12-1 for the season.
If the Wildcats win their last two games and Pine Tree loses their last two, the Wildcats could tie the Pirates for the fourth and final playoff spot. The Wildcats will have to defeat Longview and Marshall while Pine Tree would have to lose to Hallsville and winless in district Greenville.
The Wildcats will play Longview at Eagle Stadium on Senior Night next Tuesday at 7 p.m.
