Meal A Day Menu For June 15-19, 2020
While the Senior Citizens Center remains temporarily closed due to COVID-19, the dedicated Meal A Day volunteers continue to work five days a week preparing and delivering meals to shut-in elderly in the community. The Meal A Day menu for June 15-19, 2020 includes:
Monday —- Lemon Chicken, On a Bed of Garden Rice and California Blend Vegetables
Tuesday — Sliced Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Normandy Vegetables and a Roll
Wednesday — Spaghetti and Meatballs, Green Beans, Garlic Sticks
Thursday — Chicken and Dumplings, Crackers and Toss Salad
Friday — Corny Dogs, Pinto Beans, Cole Slaw and Chips
The Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center is a place where Senior Citizens age 50 and over can have a good time with old friends and make some new ones. Meal-A-Day is just one service the center provides. The coffee pot is always on and a smile is on each face. The SCC has a full library with all different kinds of reading books that can be taken, read and returned. Take as many as you like and bring some of your books in to share with others. Click here to find more information for seniors citizens.
2 Teens Shot On Fuller Street; SSPD Seeking Help Identifying Suspect
Two teens, a 15-year-old and an 18-year-old, were reportedly shot at approximately 1 a.m. Sunday, June 14, 2020 in the 300 block of Fuller Street in Sulphur Springs, TX. Their wounds were not believed to be life-threatening, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson.
No additional details about the shooting had been released as of 9 a.m. Sunday.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying the person responsible for the shooting of the teens.
Anyone with information is ask to call Detective Jason Reneau at Sulphur Springs Police Department at 903-885-7602 or call Crime Stoppers at 903-885-2020 to remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers will pay a reward for information that leads to an arrest of the person responsible for this crime.
KSSTRadio.com publishes Sulphur Springs Police Department reports and news. The Police Department is located at 125 Davis St., Sulphur Springs, Texas. Non-emergency calls can be made to (903) 885-7602.
If you have an emergency dial 9-1-1.
The Sulphur Springs Police Department continues to serve its citizens with pride in its overall mission and will strive to provide the best possible police force in the 21st century.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
2 Jailed In Hopkins County On Warrants, 1 Taken Into Custody For Bond Forfeiture
Two people were jailed in Hopkins County on outstanding warrants and one for bond forfeiture June 11-12, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputies Chris Baumann and Zack Horne reported stopping a maroon Ford F150 at just before 4 a.m. Friday, June 12, on West Industrial Drive at Waco Street. The pickup had defective rear tail lights.
After contacting the occupants, deputies requested a records check on both the driver and female passenger. The passenger was found to have be wanted in Lamar County. Consequently, the deputies took Jessica Marie Briggle into custody at 4:41 a.m. and booked into Hopkins County jail at 5:30 a.m. June 12 on the outstanding possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
Briggle remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, June 13, on the felony controlled substance charge. Bond was set at $20,000 on the Lamar County charge, according to jail reports.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office was notified Stephen Dewayne Tate was in custody at Dallas County jail on a Hopkins County warrant. HCSO Deputy Elijah Fite traveled June 12 to Dallas County, took the 50-year-old Dallas man into custody and transported him to Hopkins County jail.
Tate remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday evening, June 13, for violation of probation, which he was on for sex offender failure in duty to register annually for life.
According to Hopkins County jail reports, he was last in custody in Hopkins County in 2014. He was arrested New Year’s Eve 2013 on an indictment for sex offender failure in duty to register. He was released on the indictment on Feb. 18, 2014, according to jail records.
Courthouse Arrest
Deni Cheryl Speaks was taken into custody at 5:49 p.m. June 11, 2020, at the Hopkins County Courthouse by HCSO Deputy Bobby Osornio for bond forfeiture on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge.
She remained in Hopkins County jail Saturday, June 13, 2020; the new bond on the charge was set at $50,000, according to jail and arrest reports.
The 57-year-old Paris woman was scheduled to appear in the 8th Judicial District Court at 1:30 p.m. June 11 related to the July 5, 2012 controlled substance charge, according to court docket.
Jail records show Speaks was also in Hopkins County jail two other times, Sept. 22-Nov. 29, 2016 and July 5, 2018, for violation of probation on the same controlled substance charge on which she was jailed June 11, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
Bag Of Methamphetamine Allegedly Found During FM 71 Traffic Stop
Sheriff’s deputies arrested at 49-year-old Sulphur Springs man early Saturday morning, after allegedly finding suspected methamphetamine, marijuana cigarettes and other drug paraphernalia in his vehicle during a FM 71 traffic stop.
for Larry Deayne Testerman Jr.
Deputy Justin Wilkerson with Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office reported stopped a red Chevrolet Impala just before midnight on FM 71 west near the Hopkins-Delta County line. The vehicle’s license plate was not visible from 50 feet away.
Wilkerson reported the driver had redness in his eyes and his hands visibly shook. He appeared nervous while talking to the officer. The 49-year-old Sulphur Springs man admitted he didn’t have a driver’s. A records check confirmed this.
Wilkerson requested and received permission to search the car. He alleged finding a pill bottle containing a small clear bag with a crystal-like substance the deputy suspected to be methamphetamine. Additional baggies and more than one suspected marijuana cigarette in the driver’s side door pocket were also found. Wilkerson took the driver, identified in arrest reports as Larry Deayne Testerman Jr., into custody at 12:24 a.m. June 13, 2020.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Sgt. Tanner Steward arrived to assist Wilkerson. The deputies continued the probable cause search of the car. They alleged finding a digital scale of the kind used to weigh narcotics and a “one hitter used to smoke narcotics” in a black bag during the search.
Testerman was transported to jail by Steward. Wilkerson completed an impound report before releasing the vehicle to a towing service. Wilkerson photographed and weighed the suspected substance, collected as evidence. The suspected methamphetamine weighed 0.73 grams including packaging and the substance field-tested positive.
As a result, Testerman was booked into Hopkins County jail on a possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance charge, according to arrest and jail reports. Testerman had been released from Hopkins County jail by Saturday afternoon, June 13, 2020; his bond was set at $5,000 on the felony charge, according to jail reports.
If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1
The Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office is located at 298 Rosemont Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. You can reach them for non-emergency matters at (903) 438-4040.
District Court Sign Installed
The Hopkins County District Court should be a little easier to find. A new District Court sign was installed on the Rosemont Street building Friday. This should also help visitors differentiate between the four Rosemont Street offices. The Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center, which houses the county jail and sheriff’s offices, is to the left of the District Court building but its sign faces Houston Street. The District Attorney and District Clerk’s Offices are on the right of the new court building.
A deputy clerk at Hopkins County District Clerk’s Office Monday asked Hopkins County Commissioners Court to consider adding signage in the law enforcement center area on Rosemont Street. All offices, including the court, are interrupted daily by people with deliveries or just seeking directions to the appropriate building.
All of the county buildings in that area have addresses in the 200 block of Rosemont Street. None of the buildings had signs facing Rosemont Street, designating the different offices, except the sheriff’s office, and that sign faces Houston Street, not Rosemont Street.
The county jail previously was the only office building on that site and was 298 Rosemont Street. When the new Hopkins County Law Enforcement Center was constructed on the opposite end of that property, with the front of the building facing Houston Street, county officials approached the Post Office about changing the address. The county officials were reportedly told HCLEC, which houses the county jail and sheriff’s offices, would continue to have the address of 298 Rosemont Street, county officials reported earlier this week.
Since then, three additional offices have been constructed on the former jail site: the Hopkins County District Court, Clerk and Attorney’s offices. The only sign on Rosemont Street is a small sign at the north entrance. Most people do not see that sign as they enter from the south drive to a public parking area, the District Clerk staff reported. They asked for a sign to help better guide people so that deliveries will arrive at the correct building, court proceedings won’t be interrupted for deliveries and district staff won’t lose as much time giving directions.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Tanner Crump reported a sign had been made for the District Court building, but had yet to be installed. He offered to check into the matter and try to expedite the installation process. The court sign was added to the building on Friday, to help visitors find the district courtroom.
Paris District Road Report for the Week of June 15, 2020
Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in the district during the week of June 15, 2020. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems.
Sherman Area (Fannin, Grayson Counties)
Contacts: Sherman Area Office (903) 892-6529; Grayson Co. Maintenance (903) 893-8831; Fannin Co. Maintenance (903) 583-7566.
US 75, Grayson County: from FM 1417 to SH 91 (Texoma Parkway). Watch for shoulder closures and lane shifts on northbound and southbound US 75 between Center Street and FM 1417 as crews work on building new main lanes and the new South Travis Street Bridge. Watch for lane closures on the frontage roads between Park Street and North Travis Street as crews work on building detours and installing drainage structures. A reduced speed limit of 60 mph has been set for this construction project.
The pedestrian bridge near Pecan St. will be closed at 7:30 p.m. June 15 and will remain closed. The portion of the bridge over the northbound US 75 frontage road will be removed that night. Both lanes of the northbound frontage road, the right lane of northbound US 75 and the Washington Street exit will be closed at 7:30 p.m. June 15 and will reopen at 6:30 a.m. June 16.
FM 1417, Grayson County: from US 82 to SH 56. Watch for lane shifts and shoulder closures between US 82 and SH 56 while crews are working to construct a portion of the new Sand Creek bridge. Watch for occasional daytime lane closures as crews are performing utility work. A reduced speed limit of 45 mph has been set for this construction project.
FM 1417, Grayson County: at the OB Groner / West Travis St. intersection. Watch for shoulder closures as crews work on widening the roadway to add turn lanes.
FM 691, Grayson County: from FM 131/Loy Lake Road to US 75. Watch for traffic shifts as workers widen FM 691 to an ultimate five-lane roadway. The intersection of FM 691 with FM 131/Loy Lake Road has been converted to a four-way stop intersection and will become a signalized intersection at the conclusion of the construction project.
FM 121, Grayson County: from Jim Jones Road to FM 3356. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to widen the roadway to provide a detour section. The ultimate roadway will be a five-lane section at the conclusion of the project.
US 377, Grayson County: Willis Bridge at the Oklahoma State line. Watch for occasional lane closures on the existing bridge as workers pour concrete for the new bridge structure.
US 75 Ramp Reversal in Denison, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 main lanes and frontage road between Spur 503 and FM 691. Watch for a lane closure on the southbound US 75 frontage road as well as the westbound Spur 503 ramp while construction crews work on building the new southbound US 75 exit ramp for FM 691. During this phase, westbound Spur 503 will be shifted to the southbound US 75 frontage road and will travel through the FM 691 intersection and then enter southbound US 75 using the on ramp after FM 691. On Wednesday, June 17th traffic will be switched to the new FM 691 exit ramp and the existing FM 691 will be closed as we begin the next phase of the project which will be to build the new on ramp to southbound US 75.
US 75 Slope Repair at Randell Lake Road, on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road, Grayson County: on the southbound US 75 frontage road between SH 91 and Randell Lake Road. The southbound frontage road and Randell Lake exit ramp are closed due to a slope failure. Crews are working to lime treat the soils and place underdrains.
US 75 debris pickup, Grayson County: from Collin County line to Oklahoma State line. Watch for mobile lane closures as workers pick up debris from the roadway every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the daytime.
US 82 & US 69, Grayson County: from FM 131 to FM 1897 on US 82, and from SH 56 to US 75 on US 69. Watch for temporary daytime lane closures and shoulder closures as workers install safety treatments on fixed objects.
SH 289, Grayson County: between FM 120 and US 82. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work to blade level the roadway.
US 69, Grayson County: between SH 56 and SH 11. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews work on performing base repairs.
FM 1753, Grayson and Fannin County: from FM 1897 to SH 78. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 898, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to SH 121. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 2815, Fannin County: from FM 1629 to SH 11. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
FM 1743, Fannin County: from SH 56 to FM 1550. Watch for temporary one-lane closures as workers rehab and widen the roadway.
US 82, Fannin County: from SH 121 to the Lamar County Line. Watch for slow moving construction equipment as crews work on widening US 82 from a two lane roadway to a four lane divided section. Watch for a traffic shift near the SH 56 intersection in Honey Grove as crews work to build the new westbound lanes. Westbound traffic is being shifted to the eastbound side during this period. Watch for new exit ramps and entrance ramps near the FM 100 intersection.
US 69, Fannin County: from FM 896 to FM 272 in Leonard. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to overlay the roadway.
County Road 2998, Fannin County: at Cottonwood Creek. County Road 2998 is closed in order for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 2998 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
County Road 5060, Fannin County: at Lee Creek. County Road 5060 is closed in order for crews to remove the existing bridge and build a new bridge. Traffic on CR 5060 will need to use an alternate route during construction.
FM 814, Fannin County: from the Grayson County line to FM 815. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to apply a surface treatment to the roadway.
FM 3297, Fannin County: from SH 11 to FM 898. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to apply a surface treatment to the roadway.
Sulphur Springs Area (Hopkins, Franklin Counties):
Contacts: Sulphur Springs Area Office (903) 885-9514; Franklin Co. Maintenance (903) 537-4976; Hopkins Co. Maintenance (903) 885-4031.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From SH 19 to White Oak Creek. Traffic will be shifted to the new roadway while the existing section is being repaired. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays.
SH 11, Hopkins County: From 1.5 miles east of FM 3134 to 0.82 miles east of FM 2653. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform surfacing operations.
IH 30, Hopkins & Franklin Counties: From Titus County Line to Hunt County Line. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews upgrade metal beam guard fence.
IH 30, Franklin County: At Spur 423. Watch for lane closures and short traffic delays as crews perform maintenance repairs on the bridge.
Paris Area (Delta, Lamar, Red River Counties)
Contacts: Paris Area Office (903) 784-1357; Delta Co. Maintenance (903) 395-2139; Lamar Co. Maintenance (903) 785-4468; Red River Co. Maintenance (903) 427-3561.
SH 19 at Loop 286 – Lamar County. Watch for temporary lane closures as crews install traffic signals.
BU 271D, Red River County: from US 271 to State Spur 38 (Bogata). Watch for temporary lane closures while crews install new end treatments on drainage structures.
SH 37, Red River County: from US 271 (Bogata) to Franklin County Line. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews mill existing pavement and place new hot mix.
US 82, Red River County: from FM 1159 to Bowie County Line. Traffic is shifted to the south side of existing roadway between FM 44 and FM 1699 while crews perform pavement widening work on the north side.
US 271, Lamar County: from FM 1499 to Oklahoma State Line. Watch for temporary shoulder and lane closures while crews perform backfill work.
FM 195, Red River County: from FM 410 N to SH 37. Watch for temporary lane closures while crews upgrade metal beam guard fence and complete cross culvert extensions at 2 locations.
SH 37 safety upgrades, Red River County: from the Texas-Oklahoma state line south to the Red River-Franklin County line. Watch for temporary traffic signals at bridge locations while crews upgrade bridge rail.
Greenville Area (Hunt, Rains Counties)
Contacts: Greenville Area Office (903) 455-2363; Hunt Co. Maintenance (903)455-2303; Rains Co. Maintenance (903) 473-2682.
SH 66, Hunt County: from near FM 6 to near FM 2642. A project to widen the pavement, install continuous left-turn lanes, and safety-treat fixed objects is underway. The contractor is working on driveways, and at county road intersections. Please be aware of lane closures, and watch for work zones and workers in this area.
FM 2194, Hunt County: between Merit and FM 903, a project that begins May 27 will widen the shoulders and apply safety treatments to fixed objects. The contractor will be placing SW3P devices and removing and installing driveway culverts. Please be careful when traveling in this area.
SPUR 264, Hunt County: in Quinlan. Sidewalk improvement project. The contractor is currently seeding and watering, sidewalk construction is complete. Please be careful when traveling in the area and watch out for workers.
FM 816, Hunt County: FM 816 at Spring Creek in Wolfe City. Contractors are working on erosion and riprap repairs. Please be careful when traveling in this area and watch out for workers.
Debris and litter operations are ongoing throughout multiple parts of the county. Please be careful when traveling, and watch out for workers.
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Flynn Urges Governor, TEA, Legislators To Suspend 2020-21 STAAR Accountability Ratings
For the second time, District 2 Rep. Dan Flynn lobbies for suspension of state school accountability ratings based on STAAR results.
In a letter dated March 13, 2020, Representative Dan Flynn wrote to Governor Greg Abbott urging him to “cancel and eliminate” the STAAR testing requirement this 2019-2020 school year.
This week, Flynn signed a resolution calling for the Governor, TEA and Legislators to suspend state accountability ratings based on testing for the 2020-2021 school year.
Flynn cited the closure of classes and suspension of in-class learning beginning in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which changed learning to at-home learning and distance learning for the rest of the spring semester. Although the state is beginning to increase the activities that may be conducted at school, including summer school, social distancing parameters are still being in place. What and how the fall semester may be conducted at Texas schools remains to be seen.
The state representative in the resolution argues that 60 percent of Texas public school students are identified as economically disadvantage they may not have reliable access to online infrastructure needed to successfully navigate online learning. Students have lost one-on-one instruction and may not be able to attend summer school needed for some to prepare for testing.
With 50 percent of elementary and junior high schools’ accountability scores on Domain 3 which measure based on academic growth from year to year. The cancelation of STAAR tests and at-school classes in 2020 wouldn’t allow for accurate calculate annual growth, Flynn contends in the resolution.
Conducting STAAR testing in the 2020-21 school year and using that data to determine school ratings would be unfair to students, teachers, administrators and schools; that in turn creates a “psychological disruption and a stressful learning environment,” Flynn argues.
Instead, Flynn asks state officials to suspend the state STAAR testing accountability ratings for the full 2020-21 school year “to allow school district sto focus on interventions necessary to recover instructional gaps resulting from school closures caused by COVID-19.”
With the threat of future response for pandemic health threats, the resolution signed by Flynn asks Legislators to re-examine and develop a new school accountability system “based on multiple forms of assessment that do not require extensive high stakes testing and one that more accurately reflects a broad range of student learning.”
The resolution marks at least the second time this year that Flynn has appealed to the Governor regarding the STAAR test.
11 Students Recognized As 2020 Bright Stars Scholars
Eleven Hopkins County residents were recognized Thursday evening as 2020 Bright Stars Scholars. The students were selected to receive scholarships from the John and Deborah Gillis Foundation to continue their education beyond high school.
When John and Deborah Gillis established the foundation in 2018 their goal was give back to their hometown by providing scholarships to students who might not otherwise be able to pursue postsecondary education or training. Their goal was to award 10 scholarships each year.
The Bright Stars scholarships are open each year to all graduating seniors from the seven school districts in Hopkins County: Como-Pickton, Cumby, Miller Grove, North Hopkins, Saltillo, Sulphur Bluff and Sulphur Springs.
This year, because the overall scores for applicants 10 and 11 were so close John Gillis authorized funding for an additional scholarship, according to Robin Shrode, executive director of the John and Deborah Gillis Foundation. The scholarships total $440,000, the largest single educational initiative in Hopkins County.
Each of the 11 students will receive $4,000 per semester, renewable for up to eight semesters, to pay for college.
“This is one of the happiest nights of my life being able to honor incredible youth of Hopkins County,” Shrode said during the Bright Stars Scholars recognition ceremony held Thursday, June 11, at Sulphur Springs Country Club. “It’s more of a ministry than a job. I truly believe it’s what I was called to do.”
She described the Board of Directors and Scholarship Advisory Committee as “phenomenal” people, who carry out their duties “with love,” while selecting each group of graduating Hopkins County seniors to join the Gillis Foundation family. Based on her continued interactions with the first class of Bright Stars Scholars and knowledge and contact with the new group, who were notified virtually of their award, she believes they “got it right” for the second year in a row.
A video featuring the 2019 Bright Stars Scholars allowed the students to tell about their year, the opportunities the scholarships have opened up for each and their future goals. Each Bright Stars Scholar also explained how they currently are giving back or the future way they will be able to give back to others thanks to the education provided by the scholarship. They also noted the Foundation representatives, especially Shrode’s care in staying in contact with them this year, sending care packages during finals and proving a genuine interest in seeing that their needs were met.
The two groups of Bright Stars Scholars are pursuing a wide range of careers and avocations, including fields of nursing, medicine, business, engineering, social work and education. In addition to those, several students are already or plan to become involved in mission work, community projects and organizations and one hopes to join Doctors Without Borders to help people all around the world.
The 2019 Bright Stars Scholars Thursday helped out at the recognition ceremony greeting 2020 honorees and their guests, helping to hand out awards and with introduction of each new scholarship recipient.
All of the Bright Stars Scholarship recipients are well accomplished already, and come from a variety of backgrounds, including homes that offer foster care, traditional families, single parent households and some severely economically disadvantaged. A few students are the first in their families to attend college. Some continue to thrive and contribute to their community while overcoming numerous personal challenges.
John Gillis commended the students for putting in the hard work to complete the required work and application process during an extraordinary year.
The 2020 Bright Stars Scholars and schools they represent include Eastan Lewis, North Hopkins ISD; Jocelyn Ochoa, Saltillo ISD; Ryan Vance, Sulphur Bluff ISD; Diana Gallegos and Mya Lewis, Como-Pickton Consolidated Independent School District; and Isaac Gutierrez, Grayson McClure, Thomas Owen, twins Allison Thurman and Mattingly Thurman and Zachary Tiemeyer, Sulphur Springs ISD.
The John and Deborah Gillis Foundation also provides grants for school districts. The foundation works closely with Hopkins County school districts to ensure a strong alignment between their own educational goals and the foundation’s mission and goals of college and career readiness. Grant funding is ultimately intended to increase Hopkins County graduates’ chances of competing in a global society for college entrances of their choice and competitive career opportunities.
More information about the Bright Stars Scholarship Program and Bright Stars Grants To Schools Program, can be found on the foundation website: http://jdgillisfoundation.org/
Future Outlook Bright For 2020 Gillis Foundation Scholarship Recipients
The applicants who applied to the John and Deborah Gillis Foundation for Bright Stars Scholarships were so impressive that only 0.02 of a point on the rating scale separated the 10th and 11th place finalists. When Executive Director Robin Shrode contacted John Gillis, he agreed an additional scholarship should be funded for another student, increasing the number of scholarships recipients in 2020 to 11.
The scholarships total $440,000, the largest single educational initiative in Hopkins County. Each of the 11 students will receive $4,000 per semester, renewable for up to eight consecutive semesters, to pay for college from the Gillis Foundation.
The 2020 Bright Stars Scholars and schools they recently graduated from include Eastan Lewis, North Hopkins ISD; Jocelyn Ochoa, Saltillo ISD; Ryan Vance, Sulphur Bluff ISD; Diana Gallegos and Mya Lewis, Como-Pickton Consolidated Independent School District; and Isaac Gutierrez, Grayson McClure, Thomas Owen, twins Allison Thurman and Mattingly Thurman and Zachary Tiemeyer, Sulphur Springs ISD.
Aside from maintaining good grades, the Gillis Foundation asks that the Bright Stars Scholars find ways to give back to the community.
The students, already well accomplished, come from a variety of background, some continue to thrive and give back while overcoming numerous personal challenges.
John Gillis commended the students for putting in the hard work to complete the required work and application process during an extraordinary year.
“I am so proud of everyone for doing so well. Our family is growing,” Mr. Gillis said.
“We have 20 kids now. This is an extraordinary group who are doing extraordinary things,” Shrode said.
Each of the Bright Stars Scholars indicated what they consider their greatest accomplishments and the future goals the scholarship from the Gillis Foundation will help them achieve through postsecondary education.
Allison Thurman
Allison Thurman, daughter of Did and Logan Thurman, this fall will be attending the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and her career field interest is Optometry. She is interested in going on to Optometry School to become an Optometrist.
She feels her greatest accomplishment so far is being accepted into the University of Texas, her dream school since childhood.
A personal goal she wants to accomplish is to open her own Optometry practice one day and to give back her time and money to help her community.
Diana Gallegos
Diana Gallegos, daughter of Jose M. and Raquel Gallegos, plans to attend the University of Texas—Tyler in the fall to plans to major in Interdisciplinary Studies with a goal of becoming an elementary bilingual teacher.
She considers one of her greatest accomplishments to date being the first person in her family to go to college, being able to cover most of her college costs
Gallegos feels she has accomplished every goal she set for herself during her senior year.
Another goal Gallegos has set for herself is graduating from college and having her own classroom by 2025, while living a positive and healthy life.
Eastan Lewis
Eastan Lewis, son of Brian and Danna Lewis, graduated from North Hopkins High School and will be attending Southern Arkansas University in the fall. He will major in Cyber Criminology and Criminal Justice, and plans to go in to Cyber Forensics upon graduation.
A personal goal is to gain experience in the field of cyber security and “give back to my community by educating the citizens about the importance of being safe with information through the web and electronically.”
He said one of his greatest life accomplishments so far was being a part of the NH golf team that played at the state tournament and also being a recipient of the Bright Stars Scholarship.
Grayson McClure
Grayson McClure, a Sulphur Springs High School, will be attending the University of Texas at Arlington, where he will seek a Master’s Degree in Education. Grayson wants to eventually teach math at the middle school level.
When asked what his greatest achievements to date were, he listed two things: breaking 2 school basketball records (making the most 3 pointers in a single season and most 3 pointers in a game in school history) and being able to give his testimony to over 300 students about Christ.
Isaac Gutierrez
Isaac Gutierrez, son of son of Martina Gutierrez and the late Uriel Gutierrez, will continue the family tradition of his older brother by attending Texas A&M University — College Station.
Gutierrez plans to major in Statistics at Texas A&M. As a career, his goal is to be a statistician in some capacity.
He feels one of his greatest accomplishments is maintaining a strong academic record despite difficult and demanding life moments, and getting to attend A&M — College Station.
Gutierrez wants “to help others in my community who are in need in the same way I was helped.”
Jocelyn Ochoa
Jocelyn Ochoa, daughter of Salvador and Maria Ochoa, will be seeking a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, so she is able to help and give back to the community and her family.
She will start her post-secondary journey towards this goal at Paris Jr College in the fall.
When asked her great accomplishments so far she states, “Definitely finally making it to the Regionals in basketball my senior year, after losing to the same team the past three years. I have never felt so proud and happy compared to winning other games! I left the game in a comfortable position and mindset because my main goal throughout high school was finally accomplished. It really shows how one is capable in succeeding as long as you have motivation and determination.”
Mattingly Thurman
Mattingly Thurman, daughter of Didi and Logan Thurman, will be attending the University of Texas — Austin this fall and will be majoring in governmental affairs, with a goal of becoming an attorney or working for the government in some capacity.
One of her personal goals is to work in a job where “I can help people in my community and change people’s lives for the better.”
Mattie Thurman was an officer in the Blue Blazes drill team and member of the National Honor Society at SSHS. She also was involved in Hopkins County Teen Leadership and Teen Court.
She finishing high school with a 4.0 GPA while being very busy with all her activities on of her greatest accomplishments so far.
Mya Lewis
Mya Lewis, daughter of Hersean and Saundra Lewis, plans to attend Texas A&M University — Commerce.
Lewis plays to major in Nursing.
Her greatest personal goal is to graduate from college with her BSN.
She said one of her greatest accomplishments was placing first in FCCLA Advocacy Speaking on the topic of Sex Trafficking. She wants to educate people about the topic, and ultimately, help stop the trafficking.
Ryan Vance
Ryan Vance, son of John and Cathy Vance, this fall will be attending Texas A&M in College Station, where he will be an Architectural Engineer major.
He plans to graduate with a degree in “what I love doing and start a job that makes me want to go to work every day.” Ultimately, he wants a job that will allow him to provide for his family. “With God’s help and motivation any goal is possible if we just set our mind to it.”
When asked what his greatest accomplishments to date would be, he stated, “I would have to say graduating high school. This hasn’t been the most ideal year but it definitely is going to be one that I will never forget. Through this I have learned that with the hustle and bustle of everyday life, don’t forget the family that you have waiting at home. Always take time to be with them, because we are growing up fast and our time is limited. With that said, live every day like it is your last.”
Thomas Owen
Thomas Owen, son of Bruce and Lory Owen, is a graduate of Sulphur Springs High School.
He plans to attend Texas Tech in the fall. Owen indicated he is very proud to have been accepted into Texas Tech University, where he will major in accounting.
He hopes one day to be a Certified Public Accountant.
Zachary Tiemeyer
Zachary Tiemeyer, son of Jeff and Amy Tiemeyer, is a recently graduate of Sulphur Spring High School.
Tiemeyer is planning to attend Paris Junior College in the fall.
He later plans to attend Parker University in Dallas to become a Doctor of Chiropractics.
Additional Information
Additional information about the John and Deborah Gillis Foundation and Bright Starts Scholarship Program, including additional accomplishments of the 2020 Bright Stars Scholarship recipients, the 2019 Bright Stars Scholars and scholarship application, can be found on the Gillis Foundation website: http://jdgillisfoundation.org/
Eight Wildcats Soccer Players Sign Letters Thursday Evening to Play College Soccer
At a signing event Thursday evening (June 11) at the Multipurpose Building at SSHS, eight Wildcats’ soccer players announced plans to play college soccer. Hosting the event was Wildcats Head Soccer Coach Alexi Upton.
Four of the eight are headed for nearby Paris Junior College: keeper Eleazar Brena, defender Chris Dockweiler, left back Osiel Lopez and his brother winger Israel Lopez. Two other Wildcats heading to PJC, forward Cristian Ramirez and Mario Veloz, were unable to attend the Thursday event. Brena said Coach Upton encouraged him to consider PJC. Brena is interested in their welding program as well as playing goalkeeper for their soccer team. Dockweiler attended a PJC tryout and he said they liked him. He said he liked the Paris campus and their new dorm. Dockweiler said he wants to go into computer science at a four-year school. He said he’s happy to be going to PJC with so many of his teammates. Osiel Lopez also impressed PJC coaches with the way he played during a tryout. He said he will also be going to PJC with his brother Israel Lopez, who graduated from SSHS three years ago. Osiel hopes to play forward of left back. His major will be business management. Israel Lopez said he is excited about playing soccer again. He said he is ready for the exciting journey ahead. Israel prefers left or right wing but he said he will play whatever coaches want him to. He too plans to major in business management.
Center back Manuel Esparza has signed with Murray State College in Tishomingo, Oklahoma. He said they have a pretty good program and he said he plans to improve his game so he can have a good impact on the team. Esparza said it is not too far from home. He plans to major in human resources. Esparza said Tishomingo is a small Oklahoma town without a lot of distractions.
Two Wildcats will be heading to Richlands, Virginia to attend Southwest Virgina Community College: defender Nabian Ramirez and center midfielder Alfredo Vargas. Ramirez said the college offers a good opportunity. He noted it’s 15 hours from home but he said he’s ready to go where life leads. Ramirez said the school has had only one season of soccer competition. He has not visited the school but has been checking them out in YouTube videos. He eventually wants to attend a larger school and major in business management. Vargas said he liked the SWVCC head coach. He too has not visited the campus but he has also looked at it on YouTube videos. Vargas wants to major in business or finance.
Midfielder Kevan Yanez is signing up with Tyler Junior College. He made contact with TJC and Yanez said things worked out. He was aided by a highlight video. Yanez was the Wildcats assist leader this past season while also scoring his share of goals. He was named the All-District Offensive Midfielder of the Year. Yanez said he wants to do whatever he can to help his new team. He plans to become a soccer coach with a major in health or kinesiology.
In a list of soccer signees, Coach Upton also recognized Lady Cat soccer defender Shelby McCormick, who he said is headed to Northeast Texas Community College in Mount Pleasant.
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.
