PJC a National Leader in Student Success
PJC Regent Ginna Bowman speaking at a scholarship banquet in 2015.
Paris Junior College Regent Ginna Bowman recently traveled to the tenth annual Board of Trustees Institute to demonstrate to other colleges from around the nation how PJC is leading the way to further student success.
She, along with PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin, presented on a panel sharing what PJC is doing in the American Association of Community College’s Guided Pathways Project. The Greater Texas Foundation pays for trustees from colleges to attend.
“I was very pleased to know that we’re ranked among the leaders in the Pathways Program, which is sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,” said Bowman. “Everyone was very complimentary that PJC is a leader in getting this Pathways project started. Educating our students and seeing that they succeed is very important.”
This year the Trustees Institute focused on the role of college boards in enabling pathways to student success. Bowman and Anglin served on the panel, “How Boards are Creating a Climate for Change.” Also on the panel were Brenda Hellyer, Chancellor, and Dan Mims, Board Chair, of San Jacinto College, which has more than 23,000 students and is located in Pasadena, near Houston.
When selected to participate in the Pathways Project, PJC learned it was one of only 30 colleges nationwide and four in Texas – the other two are El Paso Community College and Alamo Colleges in San Antonio. PJC is the only college further north than El Paso or Houston to be selected, and the only rural college from Texas.
The Pathways project grew from research showing that too many choices produce indecision, procrastination, decision paralysis, and bad choices on the part of students. At its heart, Pathways is meant to provide a simplified set of options, with clear information on costs and benefits to help students make better decisions.
Colleges also help with reminders, assistance and feedback to keep students on track, and more clearly show students how what they learn will lead to success in future employment or further education that are important to the region.
“Dr. Anglin is very respected on her vision for this college and for our early participation in Achieving the Dream,” said Bowman. “I came back really pleased on how PJC is admired nationally for what we do and our innovations on behalf of students. We’ve got a long way to go, but we certainly are leaders in Texas and nationally in getting this project going. People are asking us questions on how to accomplish this goal. It was very encouraging.’
Bowman said she and fellow PJC Regent Louise Taylor also learned a lot from the many national experts at the conference on making this program – and PJC students – more successful.
Lady Cats JV Undefeated in District Play
A weekend tournament in Hallsville ended with Lady Cats Junior Varsity defeating Texas High 1-0 and secured the tournament championship and first place in the junior varsity district race. The JV Lady Cats remain undefeated in District Play.
The JV Lady Cats scored the only run in the championship game when Macee Hollins singled to centerfield late in the game against the Texas High pitcher some call the toughest pitcher in the district. Hollins was able to score shortly after off of a sacrifice bunt from Kate Potts. With stellar defense, the run proved to be the only run the Lady Cats would need to remain on top.
Lady Cats Edge by Texas High
The Lady Cats’ softball team picked up a huge district softball win on the road Friday night as they edge by Texas High, 4-3 in eight innings.
The Lady Cats opened the game with two runs in the top of the first inning. The Lady Tigers tied the game in the third. Texas High then took their first lead of the game with a run in the bottom of the fourth. It stayed that way until the Lady Cats tied the game in the top of the seventh. The Lady Cats went ahead, 4-3 in the top of the eighth and then retired the Lady Tigers in the bottom of the eighth to get the win.
Landri Bell opened in the circle for the Lady Cats. Sarah Womack pitched in relief and got the win. The Lady Cats outhit Texas High 13 to 8. The Lady Tigers made the only error. Womack and Brinklee Driver had three hits each for the Lady Cats. Kelsey Wallace had an RBI for the Lady Cats.
The Lady Cats are now 7-3 in district play and they are 23-5 for the season. They will play host to Mt. Pleasant at Lady Cat Park next Tuesday.
Texas High Remains Unbeaten at Wildcats Expense
The Texas High Tigers remained unbeaten in district play as they defeated the Wildcats, 8-0 at Eagle Stadium Friday night. It was the fifth straight district loss for the Wildcats who are now 2-6 in district play. They are 5-11-1 for the season.
The Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. They added three more runs in the fourth inning and two more in the fifth. The Wildcats managed only two singles against the Tigers J.T. Morgan, who struck out 13. Heston Golightly and Tyler Follis had singles for the Wildcats. Golightly started on the mound for the Wildcats and he took the loss. Mason Buck and Ryan Humphries also pitched.
The Wildcats will travel to Mt. Pleasant next Tuesday.
Gotcher Sentenced to Five Years Without Parole
Kerry La Terry Gotcher, 28, was sentenced Friday April 08, 2016, in Eighth Judicial District Court to five years in the Texas Department of Corrections for two third degree felony charges.
He was indicted in March of this year for possession of a controlled substance under 4-grams. In November of last year, Gotcher was indicted for delivery of marijuana—five pounds—in a drug free zone.
In the plea agreement, he will serve the entire five years without opportunity for parole.
Nine Wildcasts Named to All-District Soccer Team
Nine Wildcats were named to the All-District Soccer Team recently selected by the district’s soccer coaches. Midfielder Angel Tavera received a superlative as he was named Sophomore of the Year.
Making the First Team All District were defender Tanner Ramirez, forward Chris Espinoza, midfielder Gerardo Arellano and goal keeper Dakota Stalcup.
Making the Second Team All District were forward Scott Galarza and defender Julio Robles. Honorable Mention selections were defender Ignacio Orozco and defender Daniel Sosa.
Coach Andy Holt said he was pleased that the district’s coaches recognized the talent on the Wildcats’ team. He added the team had a good year earning third place in the district race, returning to the playoffs and playing Lufkin tough in the bi-district game. The Wildcats were mostly a young team and lots of them will be returning. Coach Holt said they would be senior heavy next year. He added some talented JV players would be challenging the returning players for starting jobs.
Sulphur Springs High School Band Takes Sweepstakes
A special year for the Sulphur Springs High School Band continued this week as the band wrapped up its 2016 concert season at the UIL Concert Band Competition in Mount Pleasant on Wednesday and Thursday. The varsity symphonic band earned straight 1 ratings in both stage performance and sight reading competition resulting in a Sweepstakes Award for the second consecutive year. The junior varsity concert band received a 2 rating in both stage and sight reading.
Sulphur Springs High School Band and Fine Arts Director Charles McCauley told KSST that one of the judges atthe competition told him that “He felt that was the best he had ever heard the Sulphur Springs band.”
“He may not be wrong. It was really good. We’ve had some good performances in the past, but yesterday was really special,” McCauley added. “I think our preparation really showed in the performance.” McCauley praised the support shown by all of the parents, family, and SSISD faculty who attended the competitions.
In addition to the Sweepstakes Award received on Thursday, the Sulphur Springs High School Band won two marching contests in 2015, had the most students make All-Region and Area Band since McCauley’s arrival at the school, and had the most students make 1st Division at solo and ensemble competition in McCauley’s 18 years as Band Director. “It’s been a really special year. We’re super proud of the kids…and the whole staff. It’s a team effort.”
57 Head of Livestock Recovered in Arrest of Ledesma
Franco Ledesma, 54, of Pickton, has been charged with the theft of 57 Head of livestock that have now been recovered by the Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office and more charges could follow according to County Chief Criminal Investigator Lewis Tatum. Ledesma is in Hopkins County jail charged with three counts of theft of livestock under $150,000 facing a total of $90,000 in bond. Ledesma will not be the only one charged, according to Tatum.
Moises Lopez aka Hector Santiago
On the night of April 6th, a dairyman made contact with individuals caught trying to steal cattle from his property. As they fled from the scene, the dairyman was able to gain the license plate number from the vehicle. He reported this to Hopkins County Sheriff’s officers. The next day, Tatum went to the Mt Pleasant address of the vehicle but no one was there nor did they arrive. He was told that the subject sought was on a dairy south of Saltillo. There Tatum found the vehicle. After interviewing Moises Lopez, who was using the alias Hector Santiago, it was found that Lopez had outstanding warrants. Lopez was booked into Hopkins County jail on the warrants out of Dallas County for possession of a controlled substance.
The following morning, Tatum was contacted by the land owner who had been talking to other dairymen in the area. They gave Tatum the location of the farm to which they thought the cattle had been taken near Pickton. Tatum said he was given permission to see the cattle in question by the resident at the farm. Tatum invited the dairymen to identify their cattle, which they did by the ear tags. A variety of ear tags on the cattle led to a successful sort and return of 17 head to one dairyman, 31 head to another, and nine (9) head to a third dairyman. At that time Ledesma was placed in custody. Ledesma has been charged with three counts of theft of livestock and Lopez will also be charged with the same according to Tatum.
Tatum stated that there are more cattle that have been stolen and he awaits the return of Special Ranger Tony Hurley to continue the investigation and search for the remaining cattle. Hurley is currently away from the area on another investigation. Tatum said that Hopkins County Deputies Corley Weatherford and Richard Greer assisted with the arrest of Ledesma and Lopez and the return of the cattle to their owners.
Water Quality Among Continuing Education Classes at the PJC – Sulphur Springs Center in April
Through a new course offered by the Paris Junior College – Sulphur Springs Center Department of Continuing Education, area residents will have an opportunity to help protect water quality.
The Texas Stream Team class, offered on Friday, April 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is a free citizen scientist program allowing volunteers to select a public waterway and monitor water quality monthly.
Stream Team monitors measure pH, dissolved oxygen, and other indicators for water quality in their favorite sites. The data collected supports academic research and serves as a de facto early warning system for water quality across Texas. Since 1991 more than 8,000 Texans have served on the team and helped to protect 191,000 miles of Texas waterways.
This and other courses will meet at the PJC – Sulphur Springs Center at 1137 Loop 301 East in Sulphur Springs. Call 903-885-1232 for more information or to reserve a place in a class.
The Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers – Initial teaches lifesaving skills for respiratory and cardiac emergencies and will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, April 8. The American Heart Association certifies the class, and has recently gone to a new program so there will not be recertification classes for the next two years.
Computer: Let’s Get Social teaches how to setup a Facebook account, define privacy settings and learn the risks. Have you wondered what Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram and Pinterest are all about? The class is scheduled for Friday, April 8, from 1 to 3 p.m.
Seniorific: Computer Essentials Level 2 – Internet teaches how to surf the Internet and search with ease after learning new tips and tricks. Learn how to save money on ink and paper while printing only what you need instead of print¬ing the entire website. The class will meet Tuesdays, April 19-26, from 4 to 5 p.m.
Computer Essential Level I is designed for people with very limited computer training. The student will learn basic computer tasks, using windows, proper mouse and keyboard techniques, computer lingo and “buzz” words. The class will meet Fridays, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, April 22-29.
QuickBooks Level I will be offered on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., April 22-May 6. This popular record keeping software assists small businesses in managing business income and expenses. The class also covers planning and creating a company in QuickBooks; managing basic files; working with customer and vendor transactions; and banking with the software.
