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.
Coach Owens Says About 300 Athletes Attended First Week of The Edge
Wildcats Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Greg Owens estimates that roughly 300 high school and middle school student athletes attended the first week of The Edge conditioning program. It started Monday (June 8). Football at the Multipurpose Building and Wildcats Basketball in the Main High School Gym had sessions Monday through Friday this week. Others sports had The Edge Monday through Thursday including Lady Cats Basketball and Lady Cats Volleyball in the two gyms at Middle School, Wildcats and Lady Cats Cross Country at Gerald Prim Stadium and co-ed Wildcats Tennis at the Wildcat Tennis Center. Coach Owens says from all reports, everything was great during the first week of The Edge. He says the kids were eager and excited and did a great job. He says he has received feedback from his assistant coaches about how much they liked the slower approach they must take because of restrictions due to coronavirus concerns. They say the result has been great for teaching purposes and may prove more beneficial in the long run. Still Coach Owens says he and his staff would like to be doing some team activities. He says perhaps they will be able to next month. He says distancing during The Edge has proved to be the biggest challenge. All athletes attending The Edge are getting their temperature checked daily. Coach Owens commended parents for doing a great job dropping off and picking up their athletes. He says things have been rolling along like clockwork. The Edge is expected to continue through the end of July.
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.
Channel 18: Soccer Signings
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.
Reilly Springs Jamboree Remains Postponed in June
The Reilly Springs Jamboree continues to be postponed on a month-by-month basis due to COVOD-19 concerns. Thus. there will be no Reilly Springs Jamboree in June 2020. It is hoped that the shows can resume in the very near future, hopefully in July. Enola Gay Mathews, Mike Shing and the Running Creek Band are anxious to safely see you in attendance. Til then, please stay safe and stay well. Jamboree fans, please check Facebook and our website for news of the next show. Traditionally, the country music stage show is held on the third-Saturday night at 6pm inside the Reilly Springs Community Center, 109 CR 1439 in southeastern Hopkins County.
Investigation At A Sulphur Springs Motel Results In 3 Controlled Substance Arrests
An investigation at a Sulphur Springs motel resulted in three controlled substance arrests Thursday afternoon, according to arrest reports.
While at an Industrial Drive motel following up on theft and narcotics reports, Hopkins County Sheriff’s Cpl. Todd Evans and Deputy Jason Lavender contacted the occupants of one of the rooms. Their request to search it was denied, the deputies alleged in arrest reports.
Deputies then sought, obtained and executed a search warrant for the room. The officers alleged finding 0.67 grams of suspected methamphetamine.
Consequently, 20-year-old Daniel Keith Alsobrook, 18-year-old Whitney Renee Armstrong and 18-year-old Andrew Michael Magnuson, all of Sulphur Springs, were arrested at 2:53 p.m. June 11, for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance, according to arrest reports.
All three remained in Hopkins County jail Friday morning, June 12, 2020, on the felony controlled substance charge. Bond was set at $5,000 each, according to jail reports.
The arrest marks the second time in less than a month and third time in less than a year that Alsbrook has been jailed locally, according to jail records. He was also arrested May 28 on a traffic warrant. He also was jailed Sept. 24, 2019, for possession of less than 1 gram of a Penalty Group 1 controlled substance in a drug-free zone, surety off bond on a theft charge and on three traffic warrants, according to arrest reports.
(HCSO jail photos)
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.
Woman Allegedly Driving While Intoxicated With Her Grandchild In Car When It Crashed
A 47-year-old Sulphur Springs woman was allegedly driving intoxicated with her grandchild in the car. The vehicle crashed Thursday evening, according to arrest reports.
Hopkins County, Cumby and Miller Grove firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and state troopers responded at 8:17 p.m. June 11, 2020 to a single vehicle rollover crash on FM 275 south in which the occupants were reported to still be in the vehicle, but did not appear to be trapped, according to sheriff’s reports.
Caran Sue Ivery was identified as the driver of the wrecked Honda Accord. Her 11-year-old grandson was a front seat passenger in the car, according to arrest reports.
Based on the crash investigation, Texas Department of Public Safety Trooper Arturo Ugalde said the driver apparently failed to negotiate a slight curve in the road, entered a bar ditch, then, traveled in the bar ditch for about 150 feet before resting against an embankment. There was no evidence that the driver attempted to brake or take corrective action, Ugalde alleged in arrest reports.
Ivery allegedly displayed indicators of intoxication during a roadside interview and did not know where she was; she reportedly told officials she was traveling on State Highway 154 even though she was on FM 275, south of FM 1567. The woman’s speech was slurred and she was incoherent, Ugalde alleged in arrest reports. The woman’s eyes were droopy and she had trouble keeping her eyes open. She allegedly admitted to ingesting Alprazolam and hydrocodone-acetaminophen earlier in the day.
The trooper attempted to administer standard field sobriety tests, but reported the woman was unable to comprehend simple instructions. She displayed two clues of intoxication during horizontal gaze nystagmus tests, before falling asleep multiple times, Ugalde alleged in arrest reports. The trooper did not administer the walk and turn and one-legged stand tests out of fear for the woman’s safety due to the her extreme lack of balance.
Ivery was taken into custody for driving while intoxicated due to ingestion of prescribed medication. The DWI charge was enhanced because she had a child passenger under age 15 in the car, her 11-year-old grandson.
The woman allegedly agreed to a blood test. The sample was taken at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital Sulphur Springs, where the woman had to be wheeled in a wheelchair through the hospital due to her inability to balance and walk safely, Ugalde alleged in arrest reports.
Ivery remained in jail at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office Friday morning, June 12, 2020, on the felony charge of driving intoxicated with her grandchild who was under 15 years of age in the car.
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.
No Problems at North Hopkins Water Supply Corp.
Per request from the North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation, customers should know that there is no water problem which needs correction. Apparently, a flyer is being circulated by mail regarding necessary water testing. The company which sent out the flyer is not associated with the North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation in any way. Customers may disregard the flyer, and feel confident that at any time water problems may arise, they will be contacted by the North Hopkins Water Supply Corporation.
SSISD Trustees Approved 13 Personnel Recommendations
Contract Release Date For Resignation Notifications Announced
Sulphur Springs ISD Board of Trustees approved 13 personnel recommendations and recognized one of their own. The contract release date for employees was also noted during the regular June school board meeting.
The June session, like many things this year, was a little bit different in observance of COVID-19 social distancing guidelines for indoor group gatherings. The school trustees are typically seated side-by-side at the board table at the front of the meeting room in the Administration Building. School administrators then sit beside one another in a line of tables put together longways, facing the community seats.
However, on Monday, everyone spread further apart, with three board members sitting with at least one chair space between them at the school board table, with additional board members and staff each assigned to their own individual tables, spaced several feet apart in a U-shape facing the board table. Several guest seats have also been removed to establish social distancing in the middle of the square for guests and community members.
Recognition of Service
After honoring Lamar Elementary Principal Rowena Johnson for 50 years of service to SSISD and wishing her well in her retirement, Superintendent Mike Lamb presented trustee Robbin Vaughn with a plaque of appreciation. Vaughn, like Leesa Toliver before her, served 2 consecutive terms on the school board as president.
Lamb offered thanks to Vaughn for supporting him and being an “amazing president, amazing friend and amazing board member.”
Contract Release Date
Assistant Superintendent Rusty Harden announced Monday, July 6, as the 45-day contract release date, the date after which which school districts are not required to release staff from their contracts.
Trustee John Prickette asked if the date was a state-wide requirement.
Lamb explained that it was, but the deadline could be a different date, as schools begin and end on different dates.
Harden explained that the release day is simply 45 days before the first day of instruction.
Personnel Recommendations
Trustees also, following an executive session Monday night, approved 13 personnel recommendations, including 1 retirement, 2 resignations, 3 summer contracts, 6 new personnel and one campus transfer.
Assistant Superintendent Rusty Harden notified administrators of his planned retirement from SSISD.
Resignations were accepted from Middle School English teacher Jacie Reger and Sulphur Springs High School science teacher Amanda Clark. Rhonda Caldwell was approved to join the SSHS faculty as an English teacher.
Approved to join the staff at Barbara Bush Primary as recommended by administrators were Rocio Diaz as a kindergarten English language arts and reading teacher, Cassity Egan as a special education aide, Miranda Jones as a special education teacher and Guadalupe Mejia as a third grade ELAR teacher.
Trustees also approved Natalie White to join the Sulphur Springs Elementary faculty as a fifth grade ELAR and social studies teacher.
Summer contracts due to mid-term hire dates were approved for Travis Primary second grade teacher Sofia Sosa, SSHS English teacher Ashley Hall and SSHS Spanish teacher Carlos Ramirez.
Physical education teacher Sara Price will be swapping campuses, moving from SSMS to SSES.
