SSISD Concludes 2021 Competitive Academic UIL Season On Positive Note
Despite what has proven to be a rather unusual and challenging year, Sulphur Springs ISD concluded the 2021 competitive academic UIL season on a positive note, campus and district sponsors report.
The most challenging and, for some, most disappointing aspect of this year’s academic UIL was adapting competitions and readying students to compete in most events virtual this school year – another result of COVID-19 precautions established by UIL to allow students to compete while minimizing potential exposures and large gathers while meeting state and federal health guidelines.
While some grade levels’ attempts to test their knowledge against theirs from other school districts failed, some
SSHS UIL
“I am very proud of our students and coaches for their efforts in putting together a high-quality team during a most unusual year. Most of our meets this year were presented in a virtual format due to COVID restrictions. The virtual meet experience was interesting. We hosted our first SSHS virtual meet in late February and it seems that we provided a nice experience for most schools. Because of the virtual format we were able to host schools as far away as Pharr San Juan Alamo. We had a grading day for the writing events that turned out well. We look forward to next year in the hopes that we can return to live events,” Sulphur Springs High School UIL coordinator Gerald Grafton noted.
SSHS began UIL competitions in the fall, with a virtual BEST robotics competition – 16 students competed this year in UIL robotics. Then, the UIL Congressional Debate team competed in a face-to-face format at Region 8 ESC. While neither team advances, they performed well, Grafton noted.
The SSHS Film team advanced to the second level of judging, and the OAP advanced to bi-district competition, while AllieGrace Woodard was named the State Champion in the Hair and Make-up Contest. In essay contests, Harley Archer was not only a state finalist in the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay competition, but was also named the state Latino History Essay champ, while two other writers were state essay finalists and three ranked in the top 5 the state in essay competitions.
SSHS was ranked second overall at both the Hallsville and Sulphur Springs Virtual Invitationals in February, finished second to Hallsville at District UIL competition and fourth overall at regional academic UIL competition, then had five students medal at state. The SSHS literary criticism team was once again named the state champion, with team members shutting the competition out of the top four awards in the event. Valedictorian Matthew Harper medaled in three events, and earned his second individual state championship title in literary criticism.
SSMS UIL
Sulphur Springs Middle School UIL Campus Coordinator Jeffrey Denton reported SSMS students also had a “great year,” finishing third overall for sweepstakes behind host Hallsville and Pine Tree. Each grade level also finished third overall, and students came home with multiple first and second place individual and team medals. Overall, the SSMS students received more than 60 medals for placing first through sixth place in their events, and had 20 teams finish first through third at this year’s district meet.
The students have put in a lot of practice and work, which will ready them for competition at the high school level as they advance from middle to high school, Assistant Superintendent Josh Williams pointed out.
SSMS Academic UIL Results
Elementary UIL
Due to a number of factors, including COVID-19 and winter weather, the Sulphur Springs elementary students weren’t able to compete against other schools this year. That did not dampen the youngest SSISD UIL competitors’ enthusiasm for competition, so the SSISD coaches and administrators from all five campuses serving the second through fifth graders put there heads together and figured out a workable method to allow the primary and elementary students to compete this year. During the first week of March, each campus hosted UIL events for their students as scheduled permitted.
“Student tests and performances from the 27 events were collected, graded, judged, and verified at Sulphur Springs Elementary by the five campus coordinators,” Sulphur Springs Elementary Academic UIL Coordinator Sasha Posey reports. “With 206 students and 46 coaches/coordinators involved, we had more participation than ever in UIL this year! Although SSISD was unable to compete against other school districts, our UIL season never lost momentum as coaches adhered to the competitive nature of the program and challenged students to demonstrate their mastery of specific skills.”
The campuses then hosted UIL award assemblies for second and third graders on April 8 and for fourth and fifth graders on April 9 at SSES, with the programs streamed on Facebook Live so that parents could view them. UIL students enjoyed a special lunch with pizza delivered to their school on assembly day. All elementary UIL participants received a ribbon; students who placed were awarded medals and bragging rights among their peers across the SSISD campuses, Posey reports.
“In recent years, SSISD has won 1st place in the elementary UIL competition. Although SSISD did not compete against other districts this year, the elementary UIL coaches and students continued placing emphasis on academic events by practicing weekly with students, targeting specific skills, and forming final teams. We expect our elementary program to generate enthusiasm for academic UIL, thereby increasing student participation that will continue into our middle school and high school programs. This, in turn, will increase SSISD’s statewide competitiveness at the high school level,” Posey notes.
Coordinators for the primary campuses where second and third graders competed in UIL events included Joe Boedigheimer, Joanna Foster, Dustin Morgan, Ana
Ramirez.
2nd Grade Academic UIL Results
3rd Grade Academic UIL Results
4th Grade Academic UIL Results
5th Grade Academic UIL Results
Barrett, Martinez confirmed as Yantis ISD Valedictorian and Salutatorian
A Special thank you and congratulations to Yantis HS 2021 Valedictorian Brooke and Salutatorian Sarahi for joining us this morning on KRVA/KSST!
“It was a pleasure talking with both these incredible young ladies. They both are extremely talented and have very bright futures ahead of them!” Savannah Everett of KRVA said.
Valedictorian Brooke Barrett, is the daughter of Jimmy and Stacey Barrett, and has two brothers.
Throughout high school Brooke has been actively involved in FFA, Beta Club, and Student Council. Her true passion has always been for FFA and agriculture. During her time in FFA she was honored to serve in leadership positions such as Yantis FFA president, Mineola District student advisor, and Area VI FFA vice president.
After graduation, Brooke will be attending Tarleton State University in the fall, majoring in agricultural services and development with a concentration in ag education. She hopes to eventually work as an agri-science educator and FFA advisor.
Salutatorian Sarahi Martinez is the oldest daughter of Josefina Loredo and Marcelino Martinez.
During her free time she enjoys drawing and painting portraits. Throughout her high school career she has participated in Student Council, Beta Club and many academic UIL events.
After high school she plans to go to Tyler Junior College on the Presidential Honors Scholarship for medical office management. She has always taken an interest in the medical field and decided she would make the most out of her skills in the medical administration sector.
Brittany Christian Named Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Paris Junior College
Paris Junior College welcomes new head women’s basketball coach Brittany Christian. While she officially starts on June 1, she was introduced to a group of fans and fellow staff and coaches on Monday, May 17, 2021.
“Coach Christian is a great addition to the PJC athletic program,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “We welcome her to Paris Junior College and look forward to the years ahead.” Christian comes to PJC after serving as assistant women’s basketball coach at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Ind. Prior to that she was assistant coach for two seasons at Delaware State University, where she was part of a resurgence of their program which was among the top 75 recruiting class in the country.
“Thank you, Dr. Anglin and Coach Foy for the opportunity,” Christian said. “What I want to build here is a high character, high quality program. My bio shows I’ve been to many different levels of basketball and the thing that I really love about junior college basketball is this transition period. I really feel good about impacting young women to be able to move on to their next step in life and beyond. I’m excited to build a brand of basketball that you are going to love to see and to be highly competitive and be successful.”
Before Delaware State, Christian spent the 2017-2018 season as the head coach at Northwest Kansas Technical College, a National Junior College Athletic Association Division I school. She led the Mavericks to a 20-11 record and top-25 national rankings in multiple statistical categories.
Christian spent the 2016-2017 season as an assistant coach at Northwest Kansas Technical College. She was named the 2016-2017 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Junior College National Assistant Coach of the Year and a WBCA 30 Under 30 honoree after helping lead the team to its best season ever with a 28-2 overall record.
Her prized recruit at Northwest Kansas, Tran Brown, holds the school’s single-season points record and was among the nation’s top scorers. Christian also recruited the school’s career scoring and rebounding leader, Juliet James.
The previous season, Christian was an assistant coach at Northwest Kansas. She was named 2016-17 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Junior College National Assistant Coach-of-the-Year and a WBCA Under 30 honoree after helping lead the team to its best season ever with a 28-2 overall record.
From 2013 to 2015, Christian was an assistant coach at Cheyney University. In 2012 and 2013 she was an assistant coach, then interim head coach, at Frostburg State University in Maryland.
She began her coaching career as an assistant at St. Paul’s College in Virginia and later served as a graduate assistant coach/assistant to the athletic director at Virginia State University.
The native of Baltimore, Md. graduated from Baltimore Polytech High School and played college basketball for four years at St. Paul’s College in Virginia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2009. Christian earned her Master’s in Sports Management from Virginia State in 2012.
Paris Junior College — located in Paris, Texas, about 100 miles northeast of Dallas — has been a part of the Lamar County community since 1924
Paris Junior College offers Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degrees, as well as Certificates of Proficiency in technical/workforce fields. The college has expanded its academic curriculum through the years to encourage associate degree and university transfer candidates. Since establishing its first vocational program — jewelry and watchmaking in 1942 — the college has been aggressive in adding technical/workforce programs that will benefit students entering the workforce.
The campus of 54 tree-shaded acres includes 20 major buildings and residence halls and provides students a unique and pleasant environment for learning.
Paris Junior College also operates centers in Sulphur Springs, Texas, and in Greenville, Texas.
Vision
To be the educational provider of choice for the region.
Mission
Paris Junior College is a comprehensive community college serving the region’s educational and training needs while strengthening the economic, social and cultural life of our diverse community.
Lady Cats Softball Shut Out by Lovejoy in Game 1 of Regional Semifinals
The (Lucas) Lovejoy Leopards scored early and often, beating Sulphur Springs in Rockwall on Wednesday, May 19 by a score of 7-0.
The Leopards jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first after Crimson Bryant, starting pitcher for the Lady Cats, gave up a triple.
Shortly thereafter RF Grace Magnuson dropped a fly ball that allowed Lovejoy to cross home to take the aforementioned 1-0 lead.
While no runs were scored by either team in the second inning, Lovejoy found their groove in the third.
A single by the Leopard lead-off batter in the inning set the tone for the top of the third as three batters later, Hannah Harvey, 2B for Lovejoy, homered to left field to make it a 3-0 lead over Sulphur Springs after 2.5 innings.
The Leopards then proceeded to score 2 runs in the fourth and fifth innings as Lucas Lovejoy rolled past the Lady Cats 7-0 in Game 1 of the Regional Semifinals.
Starting pitcher for the Leopards Jade Owens showed up and showed out for Lovejoy, going 1-2-3 through the Lady Cats line-up from the second through fifth innings.
Sulphur Springs was outhit 8-1 by Lovejoy on Wednesday. The only hit for the Lady Cats came in their final at-bat in the bottom of the seventh thanks to a single by 3B Addison Caddell to thwart the perfect game.
Bryant got the loss, pitching 4 innings and striking out 7 Lovejoy batters, but the righty gave up 5 runs on 5 hits. Only 4 of Bryant’s runs given up were earned due to Lady Cat errors.
Caddell came in as a relief pitcher, pitching 3 innings and allowing 2 runs off of 3 hits. Only one of those 2 runs were earned, though.
Sulphur Springs gave up 4 costly errors, 2 of which allowed Lovejoy to score.
The loss dropped the Lady Cats season record to 28-4 overall (11-1 district).
The loss is the first Coach Carrillo’s Sulphur Springs squad has allowed since Mar. 9 in their district-opening loss at Hallsville.
The 7 runs surrendered to an opponent is also the most the Lady Cats have allowed since their season-opening loss to Rockwall on Feb. 25.
The win in Game 1 on Wednesday gave the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series versus the Lady Cats in the Regional Semifinals.
Coach David Carrillo and his Lady Cats will now be looking to Game 2 on Friday with the hopes of keeping their season alive.
If Sulphur Springs wishes to advance to the Regional Final, they will not only have to win Game 2 on Friday, forcing a Game 3, but will have to emerge victorious in Game 3 on Saturday as well.
Game 2 of the Regional Semifinal is set to tee off at 7 PM on Friday, May 21 back in Rockwall.
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.
Cumby Coaches Recognize Outstanding Students With Athletic Awards
Cumby High School coaches and cheerleading sponsor this week recognized outstanding students for their contributions as members of school sports teams during the annual athletic awards program.
Top Athlete of the Year honors for boys sports went to Jacob DeMidio. Neely Hammond and Rylee Krotky shared the Top Athlete of the Year honors for girls sports.
The 2020-21 Trojan Heart Award recipients were Fabian Camargo and Jordan Cheney.
The Trojan Spirit Award, presented to a cheerleader, went to Skyler McJohnston.
Additional athletic awards presented at Monday evening’s program were, by sport:
Football
- Offensive MVP- Jacob DeMidio
- Defensive MVP – Keagan McCollum
- Lineman MVP – Jacob Groves
Baseball
- MVP – Jackson Evans, Logan Krodle
- Big Stick – Jackson Evans
Softball
- MVP- Neely Hammond
- Big Stick- Azlyn Hornsby
Basketball
- Girls
- Offensive MVP Neely Hammond
- Defensive MVP Macie Morales
- Boys
- Offensive MVP – Jackson Evans
- Defensive MVP – Justin DeMidio, Jacob DeMidio
Track
- Boys
- Runner MVP – Fabian Camargo
- Field Event MVP – Trenton Wood, Logan Butler
- Girls
- Runner MVP – Ashlyn Hudson
- Field Event MVP – Neely Hammond
Cross Country
- Best Runner Female – Lilly Campbell, Macie Morales
- Best Runner Male – Clay Krotky
Powerlifting
- Best Lifter – Isabella Vizcaya
Volleyball
- Setter – Erin Morgan
- Hitter – Neely Hammond
- Defensive MVP – Rylee Krotky
Lady Cats Softball Opens Regional Semifinal Series Versus Lovejoy Wednesday Night
The Lady Cats Softball Team opens their first-ever Regional Semifinal Series against Lucas Lovejoy Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Rockwall.
The Lady Cats defeated Lufkin, Crandall and Huntsville to get this far. The Lady Leopards got by Frisco Wakeland, Carrollton Creekview and Frisco Heritage.
This is the fourth time the two teams have met in the playoffs. The Lady Leopards won in 2014 and 2017.
The last meeting in 2018, the Lady Cats won handily in two games by scores of 15-4 and 15-1. It is expected to be much tougher series this time.
The Lady Cats enter the game with a record of 28-3 and they have won 19 games in a row. They are 6-0 in playoff games.
Lovejoy won their first series with Wakeland, 2 games to 1, but since then they have won their last two series, 2 games to zero. The Lady Leopards are the runner up team in District 10-5A.
The Lady Cats are the top seed in District 15-5A and a district co-champ.
The two districts are also involved in the other regional series still going on as 15-5A #2 seed Hallsville faces the 10-5A district champ Prosper Rock Hill.
Their series gets underway Thursday. KSST sister station KRVA-FM, 107.1, will bring you the Lady Cats and Lady Leopards live from Rockwall at 7 p.m.
Ross LaBenske will have the play by play with Don Julian providing color.
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.
Lady Cats Softball Team Gets Big Send-Off Before Taking on Lovejoy in Game 1 of Regional Semifinal Series
Approximately one hundred fans turned out to Lady Cat park to cheer on the Lady Cats softball team before game 1 of their Regional Semifinal series with the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards.
The SSHS Blue Blazin’ Band’s drum line came out in support of the softball team before their departure to Rockwall.
The Blue Blazes drill team also showed up outside Lady Cat Park to cheer on their softball team.
From the multi-purpose building football players could be seen cheering and clapping on their Lady Cats before they hopped on the bus to make the short trip.
Coach Carrillo said that he and his team are extremely blessed to be playing in the Regional Semifinal. Four times before this year a Carrillo-led squad had made it to the regional quarterfinals, but each time they were bowed out of the playoffs by their opponents.
That all changed this year, when the Lady Cats bested Huntsville last week 2-0 in the best-of-three series to move on to the Regional Semifinals where they will be taking on the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards starting tonight.
Coach Carrillo said he expects a tough, hard-fought series between his Lady Cats and the Leopards.
The Lady Cats come in to tonight’s game 1 of the Regional Semifinals sporting a 28-3 overall record (11-1 district) and will be looking to extend their winning streak to 20 tonight when they take on the Lucas Lovejoy Leopards, who are 29-10-1 overall (12-2 district).
Game 1 between Lovejoy and Sulphur Springs is set to tee off tonight at 7 PM in Rockwall, and Games 2 and 3 will take place on Friday at 7 PM and Saturday at noon, respectively.
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.
Wildcats 7 on 7 Team Has Tough Night Tuesday Against Strong Lindale and Gilmer Teams
The Wildcats 7 on 7 Football Team played two rugged opponents at Gerald Prim Stadium Tuesday evening and came out on the short end of the scoreboard both times.
Both Lindale and Gilmer played in the State Championship Game in their respective class this past season with both losing.
So needless to say the Wildcats had their hands full Tuesday.
Against Lindale, the Wildcats scored on their first possession to even the game at 7-7.
The Eagles then scored 24 straight points on their way to a 34-14 win. The Wildcats first drive was led by sophomore quarterback Matthew Mitchell. He completed a couple of passes to C.J. Williams and one to Matthew Sherman before throwing a touchdown pass to Carson Fenton.
The Eagles got an interception to take a 10-7 lead. The Eagles also scored on their next two drives to go up, 31-7. Mitchell led the Wildcats to a second touchdown on their fifth drive. He completed passes to Cable Glenn and Colby Albritton before hitting Albritton in the end zone for the second score.
The Eagles tacked on another interception and a touchdown to complete their scoring. Defensively both safety Dominique Sims and cornerback Aiden Stribling broke up a pass.
After a break, the Wildcats played the Gilmer Buckeyes, who claimed a 47-14 win.
At one time, the two teams were tied 14-14 before the Buckeyes scored the last 33 points in the game. The Wildcats, led by Mitchell, scored on the first drive of the game. He completed passes to Sherman, Williams and Fenton before finding Fenton in the end zone for the score.
Gilmer then scored twice to take a 14-7 lead. Mitchell led another TD drive to even the score at 14 all. He completed two passes to Williams and then found J.J. Hall in the end zone for the score.
Then things went sour for the Wildcats starting with a rare 7 on 7 safety as Gilmer touched down a Wildcat receiver behind the line of scrimmage for 2 points.
The Buckeyes then got an interception and scored 4 more touchdowns to complete their scoring. Freshman quarterback Brady Driver shared series with Mitchell.
On defense, Sims and cornerback Colt Silman broke up passes and safety Sam Wilks had a pair of break ups on one drive.
Saturday the Wildcats play in a State Qualifier Tournament at Grapevine facing Princeton, Frisco Wakeland and host Grapevine.
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.
Graduation Dates For Hopkins County, Yantis Schools
With such varied start dates, sick and weather-related closures, and make up days this year, it’s not wonder the graduation dates for local schools are so varies. Some schools will be holding high school graduation this week while others over the next two weeks. Several elementary school have already held pre-kindergarten and kindergarten graduations.
KSST has been in touch with local school districts and has put together the following list of graduation dates, based on information gleaned from each district, to help you keep track of which students are scheduled to graduate and recognized at baccalaureate services this spring:
Thursday, May 20
- Yantis Senior Baccalaureate – 6 p.m. Yantis cafeteria
Friday, May 21
- Sulphur Bluff ISD Graduation Ceremony – 6:30 p.m. in the new gym. For those who are unable to attend, there is a link via the school’s Facebook page to watch the ceremony virtually.
Saturday, May 22
- Yantis Class of 2021 Graduation – 6 p.m. Yantis High School gym
Sunday, May 23
- Como-Pickton Baccalaureate Service – 6 p.m. Bright Star Church in Como
- Miller Grove Baccalaureate Service – 6 p.m. at County Line Baptist Church.
- North Hopkins Baccalaureate – 7 p.m. at the school
- Saltillo Baccalaureate – 6 p.m. at Weaver Baptist Church
Wednesday, May 26
- Saltillo Kindergarten Graduation – 10 a.m. at the school
Thursday, May 27
- Como-Pickton 8th Grade Graduation – 6 p.m. at the school
- Miller Grove Kindergarten Graduation – 9 a.m. in the High School Gym.
- Miler Grove Junior High Graduation – 7 p.m. in the High School Gym.
- North Hopkins Elementary Kindergarten Graduation – 10 a.m. in the gym; no limit on number attending, but all guests will be required to wear a mask.
- Saltillo 8th Grade Graduation – 7 p.m.
Friday, May 28
- Como-Pickton Kindergarten Graduation – 8:30 a.m. at the school
- Como-Pickton High School Graduation – 7:30 p.m. Ron Heflin Field
- Miller Grove High School Graduation – 7 p.m. in the High School Gym.
- North Hopkins Junior High Graduation – 7 p.m. in the gym; no limit on number attending, but all guests will be required to wear a mask.
- Saltillo High School Graduation – 7 p.m. at the school.
- Sulphur Springs High School Graduation – 8 p.m. at Gerald Prim Stadium
- Winnsboro High School Graduation – 8 p.m. Red Raider Stadium
Saturday, May 29
- North Hopkins High School Graduation – 3 p.m. in the gym; no limit on number attending, but all guests will be required to wear a mask.
Thursday, June 3
- Cumby 8th Grade Graduation – 7 p.m. in the school gym
Friday, June 4
- Cumby High School Graduation – 7 p.m. in the school gym; the graduation will also be streamed live on the district website as well as on YouTube Watch on the Cumby ISD Youtube channel, which can also be found by searching Cumby ISD High School Graduation.
Brookshire’s Grandly Cuts Ribbon, Begins 64th Year in Sulphur Springs with Improvements Store-wide
The renovations and improvements that began during the COVID pandemic at the local Brookshire’s store have yielded a beautiful updated grocery, market and pharmacy, and a lot of proud employees. Store Director Cade Hohenberger thanked everyone on Wednesday May 19, 2021 during a ribbon cutting ceremony with corporation officials present.
Following a welcome by District manager Wesley Hooper and a prayer by local pastor Jeff Teimeyer, Cade stated that his 26-year career with Brookshire’s began in Sulphur Springs in stocking and carry-out. He praised his outstanding team and the Brookshire’s signature of excellent customer service. “Learning to give excellent customer service on the job has improved many a young person’s view of working, including mine. It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same, and that’s still true at Brookshire’s. Customer service still comes first, from fresh produce to deli to bakery to the meat and seafood market with sushi to our pharmacy, now with two drive-up windows”.
Mayor John Sellers also spoke about Brookshire’s local history when the store opened in 1958 at 222 Gilmer Street near downtown, then moved in the 1970’s to the old Safeway location bringing a ‘better grocery store’ to town when it was needed. Now, Brookshire’s has done it again.”
Brookshire’s Corporation CEO Brad Brookshire was present to say that his grandfather opened the original small store in Tyler, Texas in 1928, then branched out to Sulphur Springs 30 years later in 1958. “My grandfather felt that this location was worth the investment back then, and it still is. Among his core values was excellent customer service, and I feel that Cade and his staff at the Sulphur Springs store represent that well. Your town is growing, and Texas is growing, and I am proud to be part of the family-owned Texas company”.
Mr. Brookshire also announced that the final addition, self-checkout stations, would be added at the center of the front of the store, right where the ceremony took place. Many of those attending got a close-up view of the BIG GROCERY CART, a 14-foot motor-driven giant promotional model they call “Nas-Cart!”
