Veterans Bring Service and Skill to TxDOT
November 8, 2024 – By Paul Stinson – AUSTIN —Veterans bring valuable experience for future employers and TxDOT is helping them start the next chapter in their life by providing hands-on experience.
After a military career spanning 10 deployments, four duty stations and more than two decades, U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sergeant “DJ” Berryman is wrapping up 24 years of service to his country.
His final tour involves another setting that requires teamwork, work ethic and technical know-how: TxDOT.
Berryman, who is developing the next generation of Aircrew as the current military training superintendent at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, will hang up his uniform in December.
But before he does, he’ll be picking up valuable hands-on experience in traffic studies, design and signals at TxDOT’s Abilene District as the agency’s first-ever participant in SkillBridge, a nationwide program that helps veterans take their next career step before joining the civilian workforce.
“The SkillBridge program has provided an opportunity to leverage the skills I’ve developed in my military career while also exploring a new career field,” said Berryman, who began training with TxDOT’s Intelligent Transportation Systems lead in June. “Although my background in aircraft electrical and environmental systems offers some familiarity with electrical work, the specifics of TxDOT’s operations are quite different.”
Those differences haven’t stopped him from having an almost immediate positive impact, said Abilene District Director of Transportation Operations Randee Shields. She brought on Berryman to intern as part of the team responsible for the repair of traffic signals.
“His technical skills in electrical systems have been vital and he has even provided electrical on-the-job training to some of our staff,” Shields said.
participants continue to receive their military compensation and benefits while industry partners provide the civilian training and work experience in the program which has helped more than 50,000 servicemembers make the transition since 2011.
SkillBridge is the newest tool used by TxDOT to seek out those with military experience who offer a vast range of transferable skills including a strong work ethic, attention to detail and adaptability — just some of the many military attributes valued by TxDOT, which currently employees more than 1,300 veterans.
Shields, who is also the spouse of a retired Marine, is all too familiar with the obstacles veterans face upon exiting the service, including the challenges of finding a civilian role that speaks to their potential and skill sets.
“I saw many [military] retirees who were once entrusted with millions of dollars in equipment, the welfare of hundreds of troops and oversaw national defense level programs have to settle into entry level jobs,” Shields said.
Shields said the program lasts up to 180 days, which makes it possible to evaluate talent for a potential fit beyond an entry level role. This allows candidates enough time in more specialized positions and gives them the opportunity to achieve fluency in how TxDOT operates.
SkillBridge approved TxDOT as an Industry Partner earlier in the year. This distinction marks the latest chapter in the agency’s history of valuing what servicemembers have to offer.
That includes Chief Administrative Officer Richard McMonagle. He said dedication to a mission and taking pride in serving the public made him feel right at home at TxDOT after a 25 year career with the Marine Corps.
“Although every day I use the planning, leadership, and decision-making skills that I learned in the Marine Corps, it is in preparing for [emergency] response operations where I really employ my operational experiences,” he said. “In hiring military veterans, TxDOT gets employees with leadership skills, who are self-disciplined, motivated and used to working in teams to overcome challenges.”
TxDOT’s effort to ensure that the agency and veterans alike can make the most of their potential is led by the Talent Acquisition Team. The team participates annually in 20 to 25 events statewide to seek out military talent and support its broader goal of achieving a workforce that is at least 10% veterans. TxDOT has delivered on that ambition with veterans accounting for an average of 13.6% new hires over the 2020-24 period.
Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Statement: School Choice Is My Top Policy Priority
November 12, 2024 – AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick recently issued this statement: “With the general election over, Texans are now looking ahead to the upcoming legislative session beginning in January.
“Every legislative session, the Texas Senate and the Texas House take turns introducing the state budget. This session, it is the Senate’s turn. Accordingly, Senate Bill 1 will be the state budget.
“To underscore its importance, Senate Bill 2 will be the Senate’s school choice legislation. Thirty-two states, both Republican and Democrat, have enacted some form of school choice legislation. There is absolutely no reason why Texas children and parents should be left behind.
“A one-size-fits-all approach to education in a state with a population of 30 million, 254 counties, 1,200 school districts, and over 8,000 campuses simply cannot possibly meet the needs of every student.
“Many Texas schools are striving to be great, and are great, and most are good. Unfortunately, no matter their effort, some schools struggle to meet the unique educational needs that some students require. Parents should be empowered to place their child in the best learning environment, whether that is a public or private school.
“Texans across the political spectrum agree that parents must have options to choose the school that best fits the needs of their child to ensure their success. Voters have spoken clearly during the primary and general elections; the time for school choice in Texas is long overdue.
“Texas can have school choice without undermining the public school system. In 2023 (last session), the legislature appropriated $39 billion per year on public education. Last session, the school choice bill the Senate passed three times was $500 million. It died in the House every time. The school choice fund was completely separate from public education funding. It would have provided for 60,000 students out of 5.5 million students in public schools. School choice is clearly not a threat to public education.
“In addition to naming school choice Senate Bill 2, it is my hope Gov. Abbott declares school choice one of his emergency items for this session. Under the Constitution, the legislature cannot pass legislation during the first 60 days of session, unless the governor declares it an emergency item. If Gov. Abbott names school choice an emergency item, the Senate will take up and pass school choice in the early weeks of session, instead of having to wait 60 days until March.
“Since 2015, the Senate has passed school choice five times. It died in a Republican-controlled House each time. That is unacceptable and inexcusable. With an expanded Republican majority in the Texas House, there is no reason Texas students should be left behind. Parents must be able to make the best decisions for their children, so they can receive the education that fits their unique needs.”
Paris Junior College Wraps 100th Anniversary Homecoming
November 11, 2024 – The final day of the 100th anniversary Homecoming celebration at Paris Junior College did not disappoint, with a parade, Distinguished Alumni Reunion lunch, tailgate, basketball games, crowning of a king and queen, and capping the day with a concert from Clay Hollis.
The Distinguished Alumni luncheon was a reunion to honor all previous honorees, their friends, and family. Dr. Stephen Benson, ninth president of PJC, gave a very warm welcome to the audience.
“Since 1924 PJC has been a place where students could grow, explore and achieve,” said Benson. “We are proud to have alumni whose contributions span industries and communities, from business and healthcare to the arts and sciences. We have had the privilege of watching legends emerge, individuals who’ve made and continue to make a significant mark in their fields. Today, they represent not just PJC’s success, but the powerful impact of community colleges.”
First guest speaker at the luncheon was Kelley Baxley, a 2010 inductee into PJC’s Academic Hall of Honor, who had a decades-long career in the building automation industry as a senior account executive. He spent 10 years with Johnson Controls and 32 years with Siemens, managing the latter’s higher education vertical market for 23 years and the Lockheed Martin aerospace division in Fort Worth for nine years. He was named four-time sales professional of the year at Siemens and retired in February 2024. Among many accolades, he was awarded the prestigious Eagle Award by the International Association of Physical Plant Administrators for Colleges and Universities in 2010.
“Happy birthday PJC, 100 years – how about that,” said Baxley, upon taking the podium.
Baxley relayed how he began his career as a 19-year old graduate. Taking the advice of his air conditioning professor to enter the control business, he interviewed with Johnson Controls. Arriving to interview for the position he applied for, he was instead asked to apply for a new position – pneumatic applications engineer.
“Parlez-vous français – hey!” Baxley said. “I told them I would certainly interview and five hours later, I was shown where my office would be.”
The company sent him to an engineering school in Wisconsin. On the first day, as fellow students introduced themselves, Baxley found they had all graduated from university programs.
“I boldly stood up and looked at that crowd and said, ‘I’m Kelley Baxley, I’m from Paris Texas, and I graduated from PJC with an associate’s degree in air conditioning and refrigeration.’ You could hear a pin drop. At the next break everybody came to me and asked ‘what did you do to get here?’ I said, ‘I don’t know.'”
Returning home, he was told that while his scores weren’t as good as they’d like, he’d outworked everyone and asked if he would bring the same work ethic to his job, he responded, “yes sir, I sure will.”
“That’s how my career started,” Baxley said, crediting PJC for instilling that discipline in him.
Next to speak was Mandi Watson, who is in her 23rd year in the field of women’s and children’s health care, Director of Women’s and Children’s services at Paris Regional Health, managing the hospital’s maternal and neonatal program. She has a national certification in inpatient obstetrics, and her electronic fetal monitoring have provided top notch care to patients. Her nursing background includes surgical, pediatric, geriatric, and obstetrical care. She was awarded the Nursing Excellence Token and received corporate recognition for contributions to the Maternal Safety Initiative Program.
Watson served as perinatal co-chair for the Northeast Texas Regional Advisory Council and remains a board member. She graduated from Leadership Lamar County and serves on its board, participates in the United Way Reading to the Future campaign. She started at PJC, where she was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the two-year honor society, and elected president of the associate degree nursing program. She obtained her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington.
“I would not have been able to obtain my personal goals without PJC,” Watson said. “As children, we often think of what we will be when we grow up, and registered nurse was high on that list. But my parents had not gone to college, and I worked at their business. I married young, had a daughter and was a single mother. I went to work as a unit secretary in the emergency room at McCuistion Medical Center and saw amazing nurses saving people’s lives every day.”
Most of those nurses attended PJC, and and they took her to the campus to register. She went to the Educational Opportunity Center at PJC and with the aid of now-retired employee Donna Glass, filled out all the paperwork for admissions and financial aid.
“I still have that folder today,” Watson said, holding up the folder. “I keep it as a reminder of where I started on December 12, 2000.”
After completing the vocational nursing program, she married and had a son. Her husband Justin is also a PJC graduate. She then completed the associate degree nursing program.
“It took me five years, but I did it. I was a non-traditional first generation college graduate,”
Her daughter started PJC and joined the cheer squad, then graduated in 2019 and transferred to the University of Texas at Tyler. Her son took dual credit classes in high school from PJC.
“As a nurse leader,” Watson said, “I can appreciate having Paris Junior College’s nursing program in our community. This is such a benefit that we are able to teach, train and recruit the new nurses to our facility and assist them on a on their educational journey. Without accessible, affordable education at PJC, I would not have been able to obtain the goals that I wanted and been able to support my family and to continue to work and grow in the community that I live, and I’m just very thankful for all the opportunities and all the help. All it takes is one person who can really help you along that journey, and I have since returned the favor. There’s been a few people that I’ve actually guided to the Educational Opportunity Center so that they, too could start their journey. But I’m just so very thankful for all that PJC has given me.”
The final day of Homecoming continued with a Tailgate at the Hunt Center parking lot that was well attended. The women’s and men’s basketball teams played Southwestern Christian College, and both won.
During halftime of the men’s basketball game, Gabriella Sosa and Connor Freeman were crowned Homecoming King and Queen. Other students on the Homecoming Court included Nevaeh Brown, Stefano Carvajal, Victoria Russell, and Kordrick Turner.
The evening ended with a Clay Hollis concert at the Love Civic Center. Hollis is the grandson of H.L. “Hub” Hollis, who was PJC’s first athletic director. More than the historic link during PJC’s 100th anniversary, the audience appreciated the music and most danced throughout the concert.
PJC’s next Homecoming will begin on November 8, 2025.
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.
Hamlet: A Horatio Story Opens Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Paris Junior College
November 11, 2024 – Paris Junior College’s Drama Program brings a new take on a famous Shakespearean tragedy opening on Wednesday, Nov. 13 and running through Nov. 17 on the Duane Allen Stage in the Ray E. Karrer Theater. “Hamlet: A Horatio Story,” tells the tale from the perspective of Hamlet’s loyal friend, Horatio, set against the backdrop of a mid-century asylum.
PJC drama faculty William L. Walker penned the adaptation and also directs.
“This adaptation reimagines Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy from the perspective of Horatio, Hamlet’s steadfast friend and confidant,” Walker said. “By placing Horatio at the center of the narrative, we aim to bring new depth to the tale, exploring themes of loyalty, love, and the search for truth amidst grief and madness.”
Set in the eerie corridors of a 1950s mental asylum and within Horatio’s memories, “Hamlet: A Horatio Story,” takes audiences through a journey of psychological suspense and philosophical inquiry. Horatio’s narrative guides the audience through the cryptic, surreal environment of his memories, where the asylum staff — doctors, nurses, and patients — assume the roles of Hamlet’s original characters.
The audience will experience the story of Hamlet’s descent through the distorted perception of Horatio, portrayed not only as Hamlet’s confidant but as a narrator struggling with his own grip on reality.
“This production asks questions about loyalty, truth, and perception that feel especially resonant today,” Walker adds. “Horatio is often an overlooked voice, but here, he becomes our anchor in a world that seems to shift with every step. It’s about him making sense of Hamlet’s tragedy — and his own.”
The set design by Walker is minimal and dark, almost feeling dangerous. The production’s costume and makeup team, led by Celia Stogner and Walker, create looks resembling asylum wear with bits of color added to announce characters’ place and status.
“Our hope is to invite you into a different view of Hamlet’s path, one that highlights the resilience of friendship even as revenge and redemption play out on a dark and intricate stage,” said Walker.
“Hamlet: A Horatio Story,” runs from November 13 to November 16 at 7:30 p.m. and November 17 at 2:30 p.m. on the Duane Allen Stage in the Ray E. Karrer Theater on the Paris Junior College campus. Tickets are $20 for general admission, $10 for Senior Adults/High School Students, and free to those with a current PJC ID. Tickets are half off with the donation of a new, unused toy. Tickets are available for purchase at the door.
Cast
Horatio – Kai Fornof; Hamlet – Daniel Martinez; King Claudius/Ghost – Jeff Stewart; Queen Gertrude – Lisa Martin; Laertes – T.K. McGee; Ophelia – Rylie Johnston; Polonius – Tim Wood; Rosencrantz – Jeri Howe; Guildenstern – Derek Dacus; Cornelius/First Gravedigger/Attendant – Addison Brown; Player King/Second Gravedigger/Attendant – Ryan Smith; Player Queen/Doctor/Attendant – Sally Boswell; Voltemand/A Lord/Attendant – Amanda Blouin; Francisco/Prologue/Attendant – Elizabeth Holliefield; Barnardo/Osric/Attendant – Libby Stowell; Lady in Waiting/Messenger/Margory – Alyssa Ottmo; Marcellus/Lucianus/Sailor/Attendant – Emma Davis; and Mortimer – Collin Henson.
Crew
Director – William L. Walker; Stage Manager – Brenna Mills; Asst. Stage Manager – Maegan Martinez; Light/Scenic Design – Will Walker / Andy Johnson; Costume Coordinators – Celia Ann Stogner and Brenda Stellpflug Ottmo.
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.
KSST’s Veterans Voices Bob Kerr With Marine Corps League Detachment 1357 Honored Veterans Day on Celebration Plaza
November 11, 2024 – At 11:00am November 11, 2024, KSST’s Veterans Voices Bob Kerr with the Hopkins County Marine Corps League Detachment 1357, honored Veterans Day 2024 with a ceremony on Celebration Plaza downtown Sulphur Springs, Texas. Lisa Sprage with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension was in attendance with a few 4H students to present quilts to worthy Veterans. KSST was on site to capture the event on video. Be sure to check out the honorable event below and be sure to thank a Veteran for their brave service and sacrifice.
AG Paxton Sues Another Dallas Doctor for Prescribing Illegal “Gender Transition” Drugs to More than a Dozen Texas Minors
November 11, 2024 – Attorney General Ken Paxton sued a second North Texas doctor for illegally providing “gender transition” drugs to more than a dozen children.
This is the third action Attorney General Paxton has taken to enforce Senate Bill 14, which prohibits doctors from illegally prescribing dangerous “gender transition” drugs to children. Attorney General Paxton recently sued a Dallas-area doctor in the first ever SB 14 enforcement action and another doctor in El Paso who provided prohibited interventions to children as young as twelve.
SB 14, a Texas law that took effect in September 2023 and was upheld by the Texas Supreme Court in June 2024, prohibits “gender transition” medical interventions such as surgeries, puberty blockers, and cross-sex hormones for minors. Growing scientific evidence strongly suggests that “gender transition” interventions prescribed to or performed on children in an attempt to anatomically or hormonally alter their biological sex characteristics have damaging, long-term consequences. Additionally, the prohibited interventions are experimental, and no scientific evidence supports their supposed benefits.
Medical providers who violate SB 14 are liable for penalties, and the law also directs that the Texas Medical Board “shall revoke the medical license or other authorization to practice medicine of a physician who violates” the statute.
In this case, the doctor continued to knowingly provide the prohibited interventions to minors as recently as September 25. Further, the Dallas-based doctor allegedly engaged in false, misleading, and deceptive acts to intentionally conceal the unlawful conduct by falsifying medical records, prescriptions, and billing records. Previously, he advocated that other medical professionals adopt similar practices.
“Texas has prohibited doctors from prescribing these damaging and unfounded ‘gender transition’ drugs to children,” said Attorney General Paxton. “These medical professionals cannot willfully ignore the law and endanger the health of young people.”
Veterans Day on Celebration Plaza
November 11, 2024 – Attention Patriots and Veterans. The Hopkins County Marine Corps League Detachment 1357 will hold a Veterans Day Memorial celebration in Sulphur Springs on November 11 at 11AM on Celebration Plaza.
Please come and pay your respects to all those who offered their life for our freedom!
New VP Bringing Technology Improvements to Paris Junior College
November 10, 2024 – The new Vice President of Technology at Paris Junior College, Sebastian Barron, is quickly working through major challenges to boost student success by improving networking infrastructure and internet speed and reliability. Fortunately, Barron brings a lot of know-how from his previous position at Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) in Mt. Pleasant.
“Sebastian’s impressive work has made him one of the technology leaders in the state,” said Dr. Stephen Benson, president of Paris Junior College. “We were fortunate to have a candidate of his caliber join our team.”
Barron served as Director of Computer and Enterprise Systems at Northeast Texas Community College since 2018. Prior to that, he was Senior Network Administrator for the college. At NTCC, his major initiatives included Jenzabar application development (this is PJC’s enterprise resource management software), technology strategic planning, infrastructure upgrades, security and compliance, and disaster recovery planning. Barron worked a total of 10 years at NTCC and before that worked in the banking sector, focusing on cybersecurity.
“I am very excited to be here,” said Barron. “I’ve been through some of the projects we need to do to get PJC up to speed, so I know what to do. More than anything, I’m excited to empower staff, faculty and students to give them the technology tools they need to be successful.”
Barron said PJC is already getting new networking infrastructure, improving the student information system and automating and simplifying things. He described his first few weeks at the College, meeting with the previous IT director and IT personnel first, then branching out from there to meet with directors throughout the system. His goal was to get an understanding of the IT strengths and weaknesses at the College, then turn those weaknesses to strengths.
Early on he found mismatched networking components with differing speeds, limiting network performance to the slowest component, and certainly not up to industry standards. In addition to inconsistent performance, network management is complicated because newer components work with an internet interface, but older ones don’t and can’t be updated, which leads to security risks and higher maintenance costs.
“We must change the status quo and get out of that cycle to help move PJC along in their technological journey,” said Barron. “We need to choose equipment that prepares PJC for the future. Technology changes every day; you turn on the news and something else is changing or something new emerging. We need to fix the issues we have now, but also prepare for tomorrow, for five years from now, for seven years from now.”
To break the cycle of repairing old equipment, in September Barron proposed a partnership between Fortinet and Liquid Networx for cybersecurity and networking improvements. The PJC Board of Regents approved the proposal. Next to be tackled are the fiber infrastructure and Wi-Fi network. Mapping of the infrastructure is underway now.
“You could talk to any employee on our campus, and they can tell you of the frustrations that they feel on a regular basis with technology,” said Benson, “though not with our IT staff! The students will be the biggest beneficiaries.”
Though not currently a resident, he was born in Paris and has ties to the area.
“I was born in Paris and have a lot of family here,” said Barron. “I love it here, it’s really comfortable and we have a great team, great faculty and staff and people want to use technology.”
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.
Be The Service was the Topic on This Second Cup Of Coffee
On this episode of KSST’s A Second Cup Of Coffee With John Mark Dempsey, John Mark sat down with Pastor Peter McNabb from First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas, and Pastor Joel Tiemeyer from The Way Bible Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas. The three chatted about a new contemporary service at First United Methodist Church, the Thanksgiving event “Be The Service” and details about the meal give a way, and so much more. Watch this episode of A Second Cup Of Coffee and see some of the offerings local Churches will have for the community this Thanksgiving Holiday season!
SSHS Wildcats Took on Panther Creek November 8th – See how it Turned out
November 10, 2024 – The Sulphur Springs High School Wildcats took on Panther Creek in football action November 8, 2024. Check out KSST’s coverage of the exciting District football game below. Sports Director John Mark Dempsey called Play by Play, and Tony Flippin provided color commentary. The game was played at Gerald Prim Stadium in Sulphur Springs, Texas.
