WELCOME HOME VIETNAM VETERANS! Yellow Ribbon Campaign’ Heralds Local Visit by THE WALL THAT HEALS
A Yellow Ribbon Campaign has been launched in anticipation of THE WALL THAT HEALS Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and Mobile Education Center coming to Sulphur Springs November 4-7, 2021. In support of this ‘welcome home’ event for our nation’s Vietnam-era veterans, the Yellow Ribbon Campaign was created so that companies and individuals could show visible support as the event date nears. Anyone who wishes to have a share in sponsoring TWTH by way of the Yellow Ribbon Campaign is encouraged to contact event organizer Mandy Kennedy at 903-243-2206 or see sponsorship forms below.
It is with great honor and pride that the Hopkins County Veterans Memorial in partnership with the Sulphur Springs I.S.D. and City of Sulphur Springs will host THE WALL THAT HEALS on November 4-7, 2021 at the Sulphur Springs High School Track.
The three-quarter sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., along with a Mobile Education Center, will arrive in Sulphur Springs on Tues., Nov. 2nd escorted by Patriot Guard Riders, Law Enforcement, and Fire Department Personnel, and will be welcomed by Citizens participating in a Yellow Ribbon & Banner Campaign.
This year 2021 has been nationally designated as the year to “Welcome Home America’s Vietnam Veterans”. We are hopeful that you will help us do this very thing – in the way only Hopkins County, Texas can!
Anyone who wishes to have a share in sponsoring TWTH by way of the Yellow Ribbon Campaign is encouraged to contact event organizer Mandy Kennedy at 903-243-2206 or see sponsorship forms below.
COMMUNITY SPONSOR FORM
PREMIUM SPONSOR FORM
Sulphur Springs City Manager’s Report – Oct. 5, 2021
Marc Maxwell presented the following monthly city manager’s report to Sulphur Springs City Council during their regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021.
COVID-19 RESPONSE –The Delta variant wave of COVID-19 seems to have peaked. The number of active cases in Hopkins County decreased 36% since our last meeting with 240 active cases as of October 3. There are 18 patients in the COVID unit at the hospital Monday (and 15 Tuesday), down 7 from last month.
SENIOR CITIZENS BUILDING – We are waiting for the steel market to normalize.
SAPUTO SEWER MAIN – This project is nearing completion. The contractor hired to bore under Interstate 30 has equipment and materials on site, but he has not begun boring yet. This is the last segment of the project. I should be able to report completion at our next meeting.
This $750,000 sewer project is funded entirely by a grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture. The new main will supplement an older undersized main. The path of the new main begins at Saputo and continues under the interstate. It then continues South for 3,500 feet before connecting to an existing trunk line. The new main has a 15-inch inch diameter. This grant is made possible because of a $50 million plant upgrade at Saputo and their cooperation with the Texas Department of Agriculture. Without their cooperation this project would not have been possible.
COLLEGE STREET – Work has begun on the project. The Capital Construction Division is installing new sewer main in the 200 block of College Street.
CLAIMS – We did not have any workers compensation claims or liability claims in September. We did have one liability claim for a broken window. The claimant states that a city mower threw a rock into their automotive window. A claim has been submitted to TML.
REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES – Finance Director Lesa Smith will present a report of revenues and expenditures.
RUNWAY/TAXIWAY REHAB – This $1.9 million project is in progress. 90% of the project cost is covered by a TxDOT grant. The project is approximately 75% complete, and we expect the contractor to finish by mid-November.
All the concrete and asphalt surfaces on the operations side are being completely rehabilitated and the ramp is being significantly enlarged.
STREET IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM – One additional street segment was paved in September, Texas from Lee to Industrial. Two segments remain: League from Bellview to Pampa, and Lee from Davis to Broadway. The contractor, Texana Land and Asphalt, plans to be completed by Thanksgiving Day. The following highlighted streets have been completed:
Miscellaneous
Elsewhere around the city, employees:
- Repaired 244 potholes.
- Replaced various street signs and warning signs.
- Hauled street sweeping spoils to the landfill.
- Made 3 extensive street repairs following utility repairs.
- Conducted 12 building inspections, 8 electrical inspections,15 plumbing inspections, 3 mechanical inspections and issued 18 building permits
- Responded to 272 fire/rescue calls, including 2 structure fires and a vehicle fire.
- Performed preventative maintenance on 68 fire hydrants.
- Performed 14 fire inspections.
- Responded to 196 animal control calls while achieving a 76% adoption rate.
- Made 8 felony arrests in the Special Crimes division.
- Responded to 27 accidents, wrote 476 citations, recorded 35 offences and made 41 arrests in the Patrol Division.
- Treated Wastewater to a monthly average total suspended solids reading of .86 mg/L.
- Performed preventative maintenance on several items at the water treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant.
- Repaired 11 water main ruptures.
- Unstopped 17 sewer mains.
- Replaced 13 water meters.
- Washed 75,000 feet of sewer mains.
- Treated 174 million gallons of potable water.
- Flushed 36 dead end water mains.
- Pressure washed sidewalks on Connally and Main Streets.
- Checked out 3,139 items from the library plus 817 e-Books.
Lady Cats Volleyball Goes 2-0 During Two Game Home Stand
The Lady Cats volleyball team fought hard until the finish, sweeping the Mount Pleasant Lady Tigers at home on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
The win gives Coach Bailey Dorner’s squad a 2-0 record during their two game home stand.
Sulphur Springs persevered all the way to the finish, even though Mount Pleasant never gave up.
Coach Bailey Dorner’s team rode the momentum created by seniors Brooklynn Burnside and libero Parris Pickett (19 digs, two aces in the victory over the Lady Tigers) all the way to a tight 25-22 set one win.
Burnside finished with 19 kills, two aces and one dig and block in the victory over the Lady Tigers.
“Brooklyn is extremely coachable,” the Lady Cats head coach said about the senior. “She will constantly take feedback, and improves from game-to-game, even from year-to-year.”
Coach Dorner said Burnside is excited and loves to play the game of volleyball and is super fun to watch play.
Set two proved to be more of the same, as even though Mount Pleasant lead early in the second, and proved to make things interesting late by going on a 7-1 scoring run that put the Lady Tigers within one at 20-19, Sulphur Springs pulled away scoring five straight to take a big 25-19 set two win over Mount Pleasant.
The second set saw scoring from offensive aficionado Burnside as well as Myssiah Dugan, Peyton Hammock and Kaslyn Hurley.
The aforementioned Lady Cats have “got some athleticism [and have] some fire about them,” Coach Dorner said.
The head volleyball coach said all her athletes have been great and have been playing really well and as a team.
Even though the visiting Lady Tigers built up a quick lead early in set three at 7-2, realizing a sweep was upon them, Sulphur Springs never relented, tying it up nine times with the final one coming at 18-18.
From there, it was all Lady Cats all the time as even though Mount Pleasant Coach Melody Herron called a time out as Sulphur Springs scored three straight to go up 21-18, it did not matter as the Lady Cats scored four more after the fact to end the match on a 7-0 run.
Sulphur Springs scoring 10 of the game’s final 13 points en route to a 25-18 set three, 3-0 sweep of the Lady Tigers.
“In that third set we tend to get comfortable,” Coach Dorner said about her team taking 2-0 leads over opponents. “We typically tend to struggle serving right out of a timeout, but it was good to see them do something that doesn’t happen a lot,” the Lady Cats coach said.
The sweep over Mount Pleasant is the second victory and sweep for the Lady Cats over the Lady Tigers this season, giving Sulphur Springs a clean sweep over Mount Pleasant on the season.
The win gives the Lady Cats volleyball team a 19-12 overall record (5-2 district).
Next up, Coach Dorner and her program will be back on the road for two straight games in their toughest stretch of the season; on Friday Sulphur Springs will be in Texarkana taking on Texas High (7-0 district), the number one team in District 15-5A, and next Tuesday they will be in Marshall taking on the Lady Mavs (5-2).
Friday’s match-up will be at 4:30 P.M beginning with the varsity teams followed by JV and freshmen.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
Chamber Issues Final Call For Cooks To Register For Stew Contest
By Butch Burney
This is the last chance for stew cooks to get their registration forms in for the 52nd Annual World Championship Hopkins County Stew Contest, sponsored by Alliance Bank, Alliance Bank Financial Services and Galyean Insurance. The contest will be Saturday, Oct. 23, at Buford Park.
We have almost 140 pots of stew already registered, but we have room for more, if you get your registration in soon.
Come by the chamber office or send us an email and we will get the registration form to you. We are expecting a big turnout for this year’s event, so be sure and get your spot. Our cooks’ meeting will be Tuesday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m.
We will have the north and south sides of the park open for cooking, along with a vendor market. We are expecting a fully open stew.
Speaking of stew, tickets are now available online, at the Chamber office and at local. The cost remains the same as in the past, $6 for all-you-can-eat stew and $10 for take-home quarts.
In addition, we have Stew+75482 tumblers at the office for $20, stew mugs for $15 and T-shirts will be available soon.
Business After Hours
Join us Tuesday, Oct. 12, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber office for a Business After Hours mixer hosted by Neighbors of Sulphur Springs magazine. There will be refreshments to enjoy and business men and women to socialize with. You don’t have to be a Chamber member to attend Business After Hours..
Wall That Heals
The Wall That Heals, the Vietnam Veterans replica memorial, will be in Sulphur Springs Nov. 4-7, at the Sulphur Springs High School track. The three-quarter sized replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., along with a Mobile Education Center, will arrive in Sulphur Springs on Tues., Nov. 2, escorted by Patriot Guard Riders, law enforcement, and fire department personnel, and will be welcomed by citizens participating in a Yellow Ribbon & Banner Campaign.
This year 2021 has been nationally designated as the year to “Welcome Home America’s Vietnam Veterans,” and organizers are hopeful that local citizens will help do that with the Yellow Ribbon & Banner Campaign.
Below are the links for Hopkins County to sponsor The Wall That Heals and participate in The Yellow Ribbon Campaign. For more information, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, see:
Facebook: The Wall That Heals, Sulphur Springs, TX
Main Street Uncorked
Main Street Uncorked Wine and Music Festival is set for 1-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, in downtown. There will be Texas wineries, local vendors and great music. Music will be by Matthew Fiock, Lincoln Goodman and Twisted Whisky.
Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com.
Help A Child Benefit
The annual Help-A-Child Benefit keeps getting bigger and better. The 14th annual event is set for Saturday, Oct. 16, and will feature a chili cook-off, auction, livestock show, brisket cookoff, Dutch oven cobbler and corn hole competition.
All money raised will go toward Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, foster families and Northeast Texas Child Advocacy Center.
The livestock show starts at 9 a.m., followed by the ag mechanics show at 11 a.m. and chili, brisket and Dutch oven cobbler is served at 11:30 (for $10). The auction begins at 12:30 p.m. and corn hole competition at 1:30 p.m.
Call Wade Bartley at 903-348-1878 for more information.
Halloween Activities
Woods of the Dead, benefiting Operation Victor Echo Tango, is open every Friday and Saturday in October from dark to midnight at 2779 CR 2426 in Como.
The Second Annual Halloween Screamfest is hosted by VR Social, located at 317 Spring Street, from Oct. 25-31. The events will include an outdoor horror movie marathon, a ghost glow bike ride to Coleman Park, dead walking on the square, and a Halloween pet photo booth. The Screamfest benefits Let Love Live animal rescue sanctuary.
Ribbon Cutting
Chillax, located at 1707 South Broadway Suite 9, hosted a ribbon cutting Friday, Oct. 1. Please help us welcome them to the community.
CO323 Designs will host a ribbon cutting at noon Friday, Oct. 8, at their location, 309 Industrial Drive East. Please join us for that celebration.
Divorce Rates Drop as Pandemic Continues
By Johanna Hicks, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Family & Community Health Agent, Hopkins County
As Family & Community Health Extension Agent for Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, an article recently caught my eye. I am a strong advocate for traditional marriage relationships. Strong marital relationships lead to strong families and strong families lead to strong communities. The article was part of an e-newsletter from National Association for Relationships & Marriage Education (NARME), and written by Bryan Salamone, lawyer. He stated that the first few months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, divorce lawyers across the country saw an uptick in filings, with more couples feeling the strain of quarantine and deciding to call it quits. However, year-to-year data shows that fewer people are filing for divorce in 2021, suggesting that one side effect of the pandemic is a decrease in dissolved marriages.
There are a number of factors that may have contributed to the drop in divorces after the early-pandemic increase. The decline may be a reflection of the strength of the relationship that people had when the pandemic began. In an April 202 survey, nearly 30% of married couples said that the pandemic was driving them closer to divorce. They felt the strain of lock-downs, homeschooling, working from home and social distancing, leading them to want to get out of the marriage rather than spend a lockdown with their spouse.
Meanwhile, some couple grew closer during the pandemic. After weathering it for the first few months, they found themselves in a better place in their relationship a year later. In putting the world on pause, the pandemic afforded married couples the opportunity to focus more on what was and was not working in the marriage and to try to overcome the challenges together. I offer Twogether in Texas marriage education workshops from time to time.
The following advice is beneficial in growing stronger as a couple:
- Look for the good in your partner and give him/her a compliment
- Take time to listen to each other.
- Listen to understand – not to judge.
- When issues arise, avoid blaming each other and seek solutions.
- Give your relationships the same priority and attention you gave it when you were dating.
County-Wide 4-H Sponsored Food Drive
Every year during National 4-H Week, Hopkins County 4-H Clubs unite to provide a community service project. This year, they voted to implement a food drive during the entire month of October, with proceeds staying here in Hopkins County. We welcome donations of non-perishable food items. They may be brought to the Hopkins County Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 1200 West Houston St. (next door to the Southwest Dairy Museum), between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday. If you cannot make it during those hours, call us and we’ll work out a time – 903-885-3443.
We have already received five boxes of food and hope for many more!
Closing Thought
Personalities do not determine marital success – hearts do.
– Jeff McElroy
Contact Johanna Hicks, B.S., M.Ed., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, P.O. Box 518, 1200-B West Houston St, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75483; 903-885-3443; or [email protected]
Happenings at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center
There’s fun and activities all year round for local senior citizens to take advantage of. Besides seasonal parties and birthday-of-the-month get-togethers, There’s exercise, educational fun and meeting new friends! We’d love for you to share in the fun at 150 MLK Drive!
The Tai Ji Quan class has started new session. If you come you will learn all the basic moves. Karen Moseley is a certified instructor. She will have you moving with the rest of the class in no time. Classes are Monday and Thursday from 10:45 – 11:45.
The Happy Scrappy Card Class is having a challenge. If you attend and bring a friend you will receive a nice prize. You will have so much fun learn to make greeting cards and meeting new friends. Class is every 1st Monday at 1:30.
BINGO is so much fun and keeps your mind sharp. We have guest callers ever Wednesday and Friday. Come early, get some coffee, visit with your friends or make some new ones. BINGO is every Wednesday and Friday at 9:30. Don’t miss out.
Rummikub is a Fun Game that will help keep your mind going. It just takes a few minutes to learn to play the game. We play Rummikub every Thursday (except the 4th) at 1:00.
BUNCO is a fast fun dice game. We have lots of laughs while playing the game. If you don’t know how to play we will teach you. If you can roll a dice then you can learn to play. It is fun and easy. Bunco is played on the 4th Thursday at 1:00 p.m.
Line Dancing is a good form of exercise. You get to exercise, learn some new dance moves, listen to some good music and have fun with some friends. Line Dancing is every Tuesday at 1:30.
Art and Painting Class is a great way to learn some new skills or hone some old ones. Vera Allen is a skilled artist that will have you painting in no time. You won’t believe what you could do. All the equipment is provided for you. Art and Painting Class is Every Tuesday at 10:00
Chair Yoga is a great way to Lower your blood pressure, Ease your stress, Helps you Sleep better, Get better balance, Ease your back pain and Builds your Bones Chair Yoga is Every Monday and Thursday from 11:45 – 12:45
Craft Workshop is a fun class to learn a new craft each month. Leslie Forshee will bring something new and exciting every month for you to have fun learning to do. Bring a Friend and Learn something new together. Craft Workshop is every 3rd Monday at 1:30
Shawls of Love is a group that meets and makes Shawls, Caps, Lap Blankets and other items for people with Cancer or that are on Hospice. If you like to knit or crochet please come see what it is all about. Stacey Wetzel with Sulphur Springs Imaging Center sees that every item is delivered to someone in need. Shawls of Love meets on the 4th Monday at 10:00 AM.
42 is a Domino game that is the “National Game of Texas” If you don’t know how to play they will teach you. You will get to show off your skills at a 42 Tournament that is held 3 times during the year. 42 is played every Wednesday at 12:30 and on the 1st Saturday of the month at 1:00
Wildcats Team Tennis Senior Night Versus Marshall Cancelled
Wildcats team tennis Coach Tony Martinez said the Marshall Mavericks could not field a team and as a result have forfeited their match with Sulphur Springs.
The two teams were originally slated to meet Monday, Oct. 4 at the Tennis Center, but Coach Martinez knew going into the match-up that the Mavericks would have trouble fielding a team.
He said during the Oct. 2 edition of the coach’s show that they would only be able to put a few players out on the court due to COVID-19, so the Wildcats coach said he planned on giving JV and freshmen players some real-time action.
Unfortunately, though, Coach Martinez confirmed over text on Monday, Oct. 4 that the match-up would have to be pushed to Wednesday or Thursday to best allow the Mavericks to be able to put something together in time for a match-up, the final regular season competition for team tennis before Bi-District.
Even worse for the Wildcats, Marshall confirmed to Coach Martinez Tuesday morning that they could not make it work, between struggling to field a team due to illness and conflicting schedules between the two schools and as a result the final match for Sulphur Springs has officially been ruled a 1-0 forfeit for Marshall.
Now, Wildcats team tennis will shift their focus to the winner of John Tyler and Whitehouse, who played Tuesday night to determine who will get the #1 and the #2 seed.
The Bi-District, or first round of playoffs is set to take place on Oct. 13.
KSST is proud to be the official Wildcat and Lady Cat Station. We broadcast Sulphur Springs ISD games year round live on radio. When allowed, we also broadcast games via our YouTube channel.
$24,639 Collected During First Week Of 2021 HCUW Campaign
A total of $24,639 of the $150,000 goal was collected during the first official week of the 2021 Hopkins County United Way campaign.
Although only half a dozen were able to stay for the entire meeting, several HCUW campaign workers stopped by before or sent the donation packets they’d collected with other volunteers to the first campaign report meeting Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021.
“We’re really excited, for this to be the first meeting and have done so well and so many donations are already in at this point. Great job, everybody,” HCUW 2021-22 Campaign Chair Kristy Moseley said Tuesday morning after all donations received through the 9 a.m. had been counted.
Campaign volunteer Carolyn McKinney said as she visited the different potential donors she made a point to show them the 18 local nonprofit agencies allocated a portion of the 2021-22 campaign goal of $150,000. She said the feedback she’s received has been positive, with more than one noting how good it is to know the funding collected in Hopkins County will remain in the county to benefit local residents.
McKinney noted several local businesses who again have faithfully contributed to HCUW, including Lee’s Hallmark, Janitorial Supply, Chad Cable and Texas AgriLife Extension Office. She was excited to see one of the contributors gave larger than the goal for this year.
To all contributors, McKinney said “We just want them to know that we are so appreciative for their donations.”
She noted she can be available to assist any campaign workers, if they can’t to pick up packets, if they will let her know.
Campaign volunteer Tim Glenn said all of the packets he’d been assigned had been delivered. Winburn Milk, he noted, continues to support for HCUW by once again faithfully giving to the campaign.
Linda Galligher collected donations from J. Brian Allen, Don Clayton, Hall Oil Company, Powers & Blount, Broadway Smiles – Dr. Praveena Seetharam Shetty, and Smith & Smith Law Firm.
Kayla Price Mitchell and Markeda Fischer collected donation packets from Professional Land Title Company, Gloria Mitchell Insurance, and Preuss Flecker and Associates, HCUW Executive Secretary Susan Berning noted.
Packets were also turned in for Linda Christian for Dr. Lawrence, Larry Crowson for Lou Nell’s, and Tina Phillips for Hometown Auto. A donation from John Berning Farmers Insurance also was among the first week’s count.
HCUW too received a grant from Farmers Electric Charitable Foundation. HCUW has applied for several years and is very appreciative to receive the grant, Berning explained.
Joel Tiemeyer also turned in donation packets from UPS, City of Sulphur Springs, News-Telegram, Edward Jones-Financial Advisor Chris Voorheese and West Oaks Funeral Home, Moseley reported. East Texas Line-X, Interstate Body, Mattheson Gas, M&F Western Products, Circle E Western Store, Commercial Glass & Mirror also contributed, Moseley reported.
“It’s very exciting. We are doing great, guys,” Moseley said. “We’ll get the rest of our packets in and see where we are next week. Thank you all for your hard work.”
“Thankful, so, so much,” Berning added.
Those who wish may make donations or learn more about Hopkins County United Way and the 2021-22 campaign via the organization’s website, https://hcuw.org, and Facebook page.
The next campaign report meeting will begin at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, at Texas AgriLife Extension Office. Campaign report meetings will be held at 9 a.m. each Tuesday in October, as well as Wednesday, Nov. 3 and Tuesday, Nov. 9, if needed to reach the $150,000 goal to help all 18 agencies allocated funding.
Forage Quality Should Be Matched To Animal’s Nutritional Needs Before Feeding
By Dr. Mario Villarino, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
According to Texas A&M Agrilife Extension forage specialist Vanessa Corriher, one of the first considerations when purchasing hay is that it should be based on individual animal requirements. For optimal production, forage quality should be matched as closely as possible to the nutritional needs of the animal. Low quality forage can result in reduced animal performance and increased supplemental feeding costs. Whereas, with hay of sufficient quality, little or no supplementation will be necessary to meet the animals’ nutritional needs.
Keep in mind that not all forage or hay is created equal. There is great variation between forages and nutrient content can vary dramatically even within a particular type of forage. Several factors influence hay quality, such as maturity (time of harvesting), forage species and variety, fertilization, temperature, leaf to stem ratio and weather at harvesting/baling.
Regardless whether you are buying hay or feeding with the hay you raised, it is a good idea to test the hay to determine what, if any, supplementation will be needed when the hay is fed. When collecting samples, a good practice is to sample approximately 10% of the bales from a particular cutting or load using a hay probe. Often times, a hay probe can be borrowed from your county Extension office. Samples should be taken from bales that would represent hay from the entire field. After taking samples from the bales, combine the samples and remove a portion to send off for analysis.
Crude protein content is the most common thing people think about when testing hay. While crude protein content is important, a good estimate of TDN (total digestible nutrients) is as important and, in many cases, more important than crude protein. There is a multitude of both commercial and university forage labs around the country.
Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Soil, Water and Forage Testing Laboratory does offer forage analysis as a service out of College Station, Texas. For additional information on forage testing or available forage labs, contact your local beef cattle or livestock specialist or a ruminant nutritionist.
Now is the time to get a nutrient analysis of all available hay and forage. Sort your cattle based on their nutrient requirements. Properly match available forage and hay to the different groups of cattle and make sure their nutrient requirements are being met. Feeding cattle is never cheap but producers with information about what they are feeding can be more efficient.
To promote hay testing and support regional youth students, the Hopkins County Hay Show is currently requesting hay samples to enter into the 2021 Hay Show before October 8, 2021. Hay samples will be tested for TDN and protein for free as part of the contest process. Hay samples can be submitted at the Hopkins County USDA office. Winners will be announced October 21, 2021, at Hopkins County Regional Civic Center.
For more information on this or any other agricultural topic, please contact the Hopkins County Extension Office at 903-885-3443 or email me at [email protected].
Buildings to be lit up in Blue at all 13 Texas A&M University System Campuses for World Teachers’ Day
Oct. 05, 2021
Buildings to be lit up in blue at all 13 Texas A&M
University System campuses for World Teachers’ Day
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Blue lights will once again shine bright on Texas A&M University System campuses across the state Tuesday in recognition of World Teachers’ Day. The 11 universities in the A&M System, the RELLIS Campus in Bryan and the Texas A&M University Health Science Center (Texas A&M Health) will illuminate a total of 30 iconic buildings and landmarks.
“We hope everyone takes notice and thinks about how critical teachers were not only to their own lives, but also to our collective future,” said Elaine Mendoza, of the Texas A&M System Board of Regents. “The Texas A&M University System is proud to graduate more fully-certified teachers than any public university system in Texas and, most importantly, recognizes educator preparation as one of the most significant contributions we can make to our great state.”
World Teachers’ Day was conceived by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, in 1994. The day provides the occasion to celebrate the teaching profession worldwide, take stock of achievements and draw attention to the voices of teachers who are at the heart of efforts to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind.
Graduates from education colleges at Texas A&M University System campuses are highly sought-after because they are so well prepared, said Chancellor John Sharp.
“Our graduates are sought after by school districts all across Texas because they know our students are getting the tools they need to be ready on Day One in the classroom,” Chancellor Sharp said. “We prepare teachers to be able to make the world a better place, one child at a time.”
The theme for this year’s World Teachers’ Day is “Teachers at the heart of education recovery.” All 11 universities in the Texas A&M System will, via social media and other online efforts, be encouraging their communities to consider the contributions teachers have made to provide remote learning, support vulnerable populations, re-open schools and ensure learning gaps are mitigated.
The buildings and landmarks to be illuminated in blue are:
- The Performing Arts Center, the three fountains in Garvin Lake, Talbot Hall and Memorial Stadium at Texas A&M University-Commerce;
- The Jack K. Williams Administration Building, the Harrington Education Center, Albritton Bell Tower and the dome of the Academic Building at Texas A&M University;
- Trailblazer Tower, the Vergara Planetarium and the front of Killam Library at Texas A&M International University;
- College Hall and the Leaders of the Pack statue at Texas A&M University-Kingsville;
- The Building for Academic and Student Services at Texas A&M University-Texarkana;
- The Momentum Wave at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi;
- The tower of Founders Hall at Texas A&M University-Central Texas;
- The Clock Tower in the Central Quad area at the Texas A&M Galveston campus;
- The Original Texans sculpture and the Haywood Spirit Tower on the Charles K. and Barbara Kerr Vaughn Pedestrian Mall, and The Eternal Flame monument in Victory Circle at West Texas A&M University;
- The Smokestack at Tarleton State University;
- The Wilhelmina R.F. Delco Building and John B. Coleman Library at Prairie View A&M University;
- The Torre de Esperanza, the fountain at the intersection of University and Jaguar Way and the Central Academic Building at Texas A&M University-San Antonio;
- The top floor of the Texas A&M Health Dental Clinic and Education Building in Dallas;
- The Health Professionals Education Building and Medical Research & Education Building at Texas A&M Health in Bryan;
- The Texas A&M Health Discovery Tower and EnMed Building in Houston;
- And the entrance to The Texas A&M University System’s RELLIS Campus in Bryan.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/tamusystem on Facebook or Twitter to see them all lit up in blue.
About The Texas A&M University System
The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation with a budget of $6.3 billion. The Texas A&M System is a statewide network of 11 universities; a comprehensive health science center; eight state agencies, including the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and the RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M System educates more than 151,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts each year. Systemwide, research and development expenditures exceed $1 billion and helped drive the state’s economy.
