TEA Provides Graduation Ceremony Guidance For Texas Schools
As Texas continues the reopening of services in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, school buildings remain closed to normal in-classroom instruction for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. Schools administrators across the state have been seeking guidance as on how schools can properly celebrate graduation. Today, TEA announced what they called a “comprehensive graduation ceremony guidance” for Texas school systems.
As part of Governor Greg Abbott’s Strike Force to Open Texas, TEA announced “four different pathways for schools to celebrate their graduating seniors”:
- Completely virtual ceremonies that take place entirely online, with the use of videoconference or other technologies;
- Hybrid ceremonies, which consist of a compilation of videos of students being recognized in person as they celebrate graduation in small groups;
- Vehicle ceremonies, in which students and their families wait in their cars while other graduates are recognized one at time with their families alongside them;
- Outdoor in-person ceremonies, which are currently permitted for counties as follows:
- Between May 15 and May 31, 2020, an outdoor ceremony may take place in a rural county that has an attestation as described in the “Texans Helping Texans: The Governor’s Report to Open Texas” (April 27, 2020) that remains in effect 7 days prior to the ceremony.
- An outdoor ceremony may take place in any Texas county on or after June 1.
Ensuring public health and safety is to remain the focus for all involved in graduation preparations. Keeping in mind TEA’s guidance on how to safely conduct these ceremonies, “each district is at liberty to determine if any of these options best serve the needs and desires of their community.”
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath remarked, “Graduation ceremonies mark a major milestone for students and their families. All educators are committed first and foremost to ensuring the health and safety of our students, families, and staff. By taking the necessary precautions developed by medical experts, we can ensure we appropriately honor our Class of 2020 graduates while keeping everyone safe.”
The full details of TEA’s graduation ceremony guidance can be found in “Guidance for Graduation and End-of-Year Promotion Ceremonies During COVID-19 May 5, 2020,” a 5-page instruction guide for schools.
Suspect In Skate Park Shooting In Custody
The skate park shooting suspect remained in Hopkins County jail Wednesday morning, May 3. Bond for the 17-year-old Sulphur Springs resident was set at $200,000 on the second-degree felony aggravated assault charge, according to jail .
Sulphur Springs Police, in a news release Monday, reported one person suffered a single gunshot wound around 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the skate park in Buford Park. Officers, responding to a report of a gunshot wound victim at the location, were reportedly told two different vehicles were involved in a disturbance, when several gunshots were fired.
The victim was transported to the hospital in a private vehicle by his friends and the alleged suspect vehicles left the scene, according to the police release. Officers then got the description of the vehicles and began looking for them. A suspect had been identified in connection with the case by midmorning Monday, police reported. Based on investigation, officers were able to get a warrant for the suspect’s arrest, according to Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson.
Justin Quentil Richards was taken into custody at Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, by Sulphur Springs Police Lt. Rusty Stillwagoner, then booked into Hopkins County jail on the aggravated assault warrant, according to police and jail reports.
The victim was reported to be in good condition and had been released from the hospital, according to police.
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.
Paris Junior College to Hold Virtual Graduation May 22
Paris Junior College graduates will be recognized in a virtual commencement ceremony on May 22, 2020. Students are being offered curbside pickup of their caps and gowns. They are also being asked to submit a photo to be made into a video of the graduation ceremony.
Caps and gowns are pre-ordered in a range of heights and sizes and students will keep them after the ceremony. PJC is pleased to provide the academic apparel at no cost to the student. Caps and gowns will be distributed according to the following schedule.
If this schedule is not convenient for you, please designate someone else to pick up your regalia on your behalf.
PJC – Sulphur Springs Center, 1137 Loop 301 East, Sulphur Springs, TX
May 6, 7 a.m. to noon
May 7, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
PJC – Greenville Center, 6500 Monty Stratton Parkway, Greenville, TX
May 6, 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.
May 7, 7 a.m. – noon
Paris Junior College, 2400 Clarksville Street, Paris, TX
May 12, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
May 13, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
During the ceremony, photos of graduates with each name displayed will be shown. Those wishing to have their photograph appear as part of the ceremony must submit them by May 15 to [email protected].
Students should take the photograph wearing their cap and gown. Suggested attire for men includes a light-colored shirt and tie and dark slacks and for women includes dresses or dark
colored slacks.
Find more information at www.parisjc.edu/graduation.
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.
National Champion Coach Bill Foy Returns to Paris Junior College
Former Paris Junior College Head Men’s Basketball Coach and 2005 National Coach of the Year Bill Foy is returning to PJC in the dual roles of Athletic Director and Men’s Basketball Coach. In 2005, Foy led the Dragons to a National Junior College Athletic Association championship title.
“We are glad Coach Foy will be coming back to PJC as our Men’s Basketball Coach and Athletic Director,” said PJC President Dr. Pam Anglin. “His breadth of experience and success as a college coach will be good for the future of our athletic program.”
A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., Foy compiled a 227-125 record in his 11-year stint as head coach at PJC, where he was twice named Region XIV Coach of the Year and also in 2005 was named the NABC and TABC Coach of the Year.
“I’m very excited to be coming back to Paris Junior College,” said Foy. “I’d like to thank Dr. Anglin for giving me the opportunity to be the Men’s Basketball Coach and Athletic Director. My goal is to create an environment for our student athletes to have a great experience here on campus and in the community. We want them to get a great education, compete at the highest level, and build life-long relationships.”
Foy left PJC to become an assistant coach at the University of North Texas, where he helped lead the Mean Green to a 127-68 record and two NCAA Tournaments. He then became head men’s basketball coach at Richland College where he compiled a 46-18 record.
In 2015, Foy and the Dragons’ National Championship team from 2005 were inducted into the PJC Athletic Hall of Fame during Homecoming festivities. That year he went to Ranger College as the head men’s and women’s golf coach and as an assistant coach with the men’s basketball team. In 2016 the Rangers’ men’s basketball team made it to the Final Four of the NJCAA national tournament, and the men’s golf team went to the NJCAA national tournament for the first time.
In 2016 Foy was named head women’s basketball coach for Ranger College. The Lady Rangers won 80 games over four seasons and advanced to the Region V tournament for three consecutive seasons. Foy received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and his master’s degree from Prairie View A&M University. He is the proud father of daughters Sydney, who attended PJC and will graduate from the University of North Texas in May, and Bailey, who will be a senior next year and playing her final season of volleyball at Texas Wesleyan University.
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.
Paris Junior College Continuing Education Offers Free Online Courses
Ten free online courses are being offered by the Paris Junior College Continuing Education Department, now through June 30.
The courses are available 24 hours a day and are self-paced. Students will have three months to complete the course. Starting July 1, the courses return to the regular price of $125.
To view the courses, go to www.ed2go.com/pariscc and type “free” in the search box that appears at the top of the page. The following courses will appear:
• Creating Web Pages
• Creating WordPress Websites
• Fundamentals of Supervision and Management
• Twelve Steps to a Successful Job Search
• Keys to Effective Communication
• Managing Customer Service
• Marketing Your Business on the Internet
• Personal Finance
• Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring
• Individual Excellence
–30-
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.
Hopkins County COVID-19 Testing Update: 301 Negative, 2 Active Cases, 16 Pending
Of the 301 COVID-19 screenings of Hopkins County residents, eight have been confirmed positive, 279 were negative and 16 test results are still pending, according to the COVID-19 testing update reported May 5 by Hopkins County Hospital District COO and EMS Director Brent Smith. Some areas of Northeast Texas are also still doing better than others, with only nine counties with fewer than 10 cases.
Hopkins County Stats
Hopkins County received reports from the state of two new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 May 1, bringing the total number of cases confirmed by healthcare providers and Texas Department of State Health Services during the 50 days Brent Smith has been providing a regular updates to 6 cases.
The first 4 COVID-19 patients have recovered from the virus, according to information provided HCHD/EMS and Hopkins County Emergency Management Team. The last of the 4 patients battling COVID-19 was reported April 22 to have recovered, giving Hopkins County 8 days without any active COVID-19 cases, according to officials. The first new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 reported in Hopkins County since April 4 were reported the afternoon of May 1. No new cases have been reported in the last 4 days.
| COVID-19 TESTING TOTALS AS OF: | 3/21 | 3/27 | 3/30 | 4/02 | 4/06 | 4/10 | 4/15 | 4/20 | 4/22 | 4/28 | 5/5 |
| Total Confirmed Positive Cases | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Total Confirmed Negative Tests | NA | NA | 16 | 41 | 65 | 97 | 115 | 130 | 137 | 174 | 279 |
| Total Pending Cases | NA | NA | 44 | 32 | 20 | 13 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 3 | 16 |
| Total Screenings Sent for Testing | 31 | 53 | 62 | 76 | 89 | 114 | 126 | 141 | 149 | 181 | 301 |
| Total Confirmed COVID-19 Patients who Have Recovered | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| COVID-Related Deaths | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Because Hopkins County continues to have 5 or fewer active cases, the businesses authorized by the Governor to reopen last Friday may continue to do so at 50 percent capacity.
Overall, 301 individuals with Hopkins County addresses have met requirements in place by Texas DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control for testing and have been screened for COVIC-19. That includes the county residents who were among the 80 plus people tested last Thursday during the DSHS mobile test collection hosted at the Civic Center.
In the last six days, 105 additional tests have come back negative for COVID-19, for a total of 279 lab-confirmed negative tests as of the last report on May 5.
Sixteen tests were pending at the 11:30 a.m. May 5 HCHD/EMS reporting time, 13 more than the Aug. 28 report. Overall, 301 potential cases met testing criteria put in place by DSHS and the Centers for Disease Control for screening.
Texas Testing Update
Overall, 216 of Texas’ 254 counties have reported positive cases of COVID-19, which is 9 more counties reporting cases on May 5 than on April 28, according to Texas Department of State Health Services and Texas Health and Human Services.
Some areas of Northeast Texas are doing better than others as far as number of cases reported, with only 4 counties in the area reporting fewer overall confirmed cases than Hopkins County.
Delta and Red River Counties as of the 12:15 p.m. DSHS/HHS report on May 15 were the only Northeast Texas counties with only 1 case each. Rains County remained at 2 cases, while Franklin Counties had 1 additional case over the last 6 days, for a total of only 2 cases. Morris County’s count increased from 5 to 9 COVID-19 cases. Camp County added for a total of 7 confirmed cases.
The remaining counties in Northeast Texas’s cases all have more than 10 cases each, some showing small and others significant increases in cases.
Wood County rose from 7 to 11 cases. Marion County bumped up from 9 to 15 cases. Cass County gained 3 cases, for a total of 16 positives. Upshur County rose from 13 to 15 cases, rounding out the counties that rose to double digits over the last 6 days.
Additional case counties from around NET include Van Zandt County 16, Titus County 21, Fannin County 20 cases, Hunt 52, Lamar County 69 cases, Rockwall County 91, Gregg County 97, Bowie County 79, Kaufman County 96, Smith County 155 and Harrison County 149.
In and around the Metroplex area, Johnson County had 87 cases, Ellis County 176, Collin County 804 cases and Denton County 806. Tarrant and Dallas County have third and second most COVID-19 cases in the state. Tarrant County has cases, Dallas County’s 4,370 case and Harris County 6,967.
Only four other counties across the state have more than 1,000 cases: Travis County 1,816 cases, Bexar County 1,652, Fort Bend County 1,187 and El Paso County and 1,029.
An additional 210 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Texas in the last six days, for a total of 906 fatalities reported to DSHS and HHS, as of the May 5 report.
However, an estimated 5,005 additional Texas patients have recovered from COVID-19 in the last six days, increasing the total number of Texas recoveries to 16,791 as of the May 5 report.
| TEXAS Reports (DSHS/HHS) | April 10, 2020 | April 15, 2020 | April 20, 2020 | April 22, 2020 | April 28, 2020 | May 5, 2020 |
| Total tests | 115,918 | 151,810 | 190,394 | 216,783 | 300,384 | 427,210 |
| Cases reported | 11,671 | 15,492 | 19,458 | 21,069 | 26,171 | 33,369 |
| Lab Confirmed COVID-19 Patients Currently In Texas Hospitals | 1,532 | 1,538 | 1,411 | 1,678 | 1,682 | 1,888 |
| Estimated Number of Patients Recovered | 1,366 | 3,150 | 5,706 | 7,341 | 11,786 | 16,791 |
| Fatalities | 226 | 364 | 495 | 543 | 690 | 906 |
Throughout the state, 126,886 additional COVID 19 screenings have been sent for testing over the past six days, up to 427,210 total screenings for Texas as of the 12:15 p.m. DSHS/HHS report on May 5. The increase can be attributed in part to the state efforts to offer additional testing in more areas, including temporary drive-through and mobile test collection sites.
An additional 7,198 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed throughout the state during the past six days. That brings the total of Texas confirmed positive COVID-19 cases to 33,369.
The number of lab-confirmed COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals increased by 600 patients over the last six days to 1,888 in the hospital for COVID-19 as of the May 5 report. Throughout Trauma Service Area F, within which Sulphur Springs is located, 16 COVID-19 patients were reported to be in regional hospitals, two fewer than six days ago, according to the state report.
While the number of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases remains small, only four confirmed cases during the 50 days, HCHD/EMS remind everyone to continue practicing social distancing and proper hand-washing techniques. Doing so will help keep the Hopkins County positive number low by helping to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 through the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs Earns National Distinction
CMFH-SS Awarded ‘A’ Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade For Spring 2020
Sulphur Springs, Texas – CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs was awarded an ‘A’ in the spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing the hospital’s achievements providing safer health care.
The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety. The Safety Grade is a letter grade assigned to all general hospitals across the country and updated
every six months, assessing how well the hospital prevents medical errors and other harms to patients.
“I am thrilled to announce CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs received an ‘A’ rating in patient safety from The Leapfrog Group for the Spring 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade. Thank you to our team for your continued dedication to excellence and earning an ‘A’ rating for the second time in a row!” said Paul Harvey, President/CEO.
“As the Nation copes with a challenging pandemic, our gratitude extends to hospital leadership and health care workers everywhere for their tremendous dedication,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The
Leapfrog Group. “We hope this ‘A’ helps to thank the people who work and volunteer for CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs. They are role models in putting patients first, and their service has been extraordinary in our country’s time of need.”
Developed under the guidance of a national expert panel, the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 28 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. acute-care hospitals twice per year. The Hospital Safety Grade’s methodology is peer-reviewed and fully transparent, and the results are free to the public.
CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs was awarded an ‘A’ grade today, when Leapfrog updated grades for spring 2020. To see CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs’s full grade details and access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit hospitalsafetygrade.org and follow The Leapfrog Group on Twitter and Facebook.
About The Leapfrog Group
Founded in 2000 by large employers and other purchasers, The Leapfrog Group is a national nonprofit organization driving a movement for giant leaps forward in the quality and safety of American health care.
The flagship Leapfrog Hospital Survey and new Leapfrog Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) Survey collect and transparently report hospital and ASC performance, empowering purchasers to find the highest-value care and giving consumers the lifesaving information they need to make informed
decisions.
The Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, Leapfrog’s other main initiative, assigns letter grades to hospitals based on their record of patient safety, helping consumers protect themselves and their families from errors, injuries, accidents and infections.
About CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System
CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System includes CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospitals – Tyler, South Tyler, Jacksonville, Winnsboro and Sulphur Springs, the CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital – Tyler, CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital a partner of Encompass Health, Tyler ContinueCARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, a long-term acute care facility, and CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic. CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic is the area’s preferred multi-specialty medical group, with more than 400 Physicians and Advanced Practice Providers representing 36 specialties in 34 locations serving Northeast Texas across 41 counties.
For more information on services available through CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Health System, visit christustmf.org
- Bed count – 402 CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Tyler
- Bed count – 8 CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – South Tyler
- Bed count – 25 CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Jacksonville
- Bed Count – 96 CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Sulphur Springs
- Bed count – 25 CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital – Winnsboro
- Bed count – 94 CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rehabilitation Hospital
- Bed count – 96 CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Louis and Peaches Owen Heart – Tyler
- Bed count – 51 Tyler ContinueCARE Hospital at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital
SSPD Reminds Residents To Lock Vehicles, Hide Property
Sulphur Springs Police Department Tuesday morning reminds residents to lock vehicles and hide personal property to deter vehicle thefts and burglaries.
SSPD responded to calls of vehicle burglaries in several different areas of town, as well as one vehicle theft. Among the areas where vehicle burglaries were reported were Austin Acres, Junell Drive and Westbrook Circle. A car was reported stolen from Carter Street. Police were still out working those cases at 9 a.m. May 5.
A vehicle burglary was also reported on Lundy Street May 2. A home burglary was reported over the weekend on Church Street as well, according to police reports.
Thus, Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jason Ricketson reminds residents of the importance of locking vehicles as a preventive measure against vehicle burglary. Citizens too should remove all keys and valuables from parked vehicles. When items are stored in vehicles, they should be secured out of sight, and the vehicle should be locked.
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.
Mindful Living
May 5, 2020 – Is your mind constantly wandering? Do you have a hard time concentrating? Are your thoughts and experiences clouding your judgement? Sometimes we are overwhelmed by certain situations and may lose our ability to cope with the pressure.
Recognize negative thoughts and gradually learn to dismiss them by focusing on the positive side of each situation. Be aware of stress inducers by identifying the underlying causes. Develop an action plan with a healthy coping strategy such as deep breathing or simple physical activities that could help with stress management.
Don’t always worry about your to-do list. Spend quality time with family, socialize with friends, and more importantly allow yourself your own personal time. Go outdoors to connect with nature and get some fresh air. Listen to your loved ones with full attention. Listening enables you to be sensitive to the other person’s emotions and helps to accurately understand what they are trying to convey.
When time permits, unplug from social media and technology. Use of technology changed the way we approach our work and daily activities. Time spent on digital devices replaced our time spent exercising, bonding, and bring creative. A digital detox will help you unplug and disconnect from technology and to reconnect with friends and family. Try one!
- Start your morning routine without your phone or other digital devices.
- Allow at least an hour each day of screen-free time.
- Turn off social media notifications.
- Take breaks from social media to go outdoors.
- Encourage screen-free family meals to reconnect with family members.
- Avoid screens in your bedroom.
- Use paper and pen for note taking instead of using digital devices.
- Stretch your body every 30 minutes while sitting or using your computer.
- Avoid talking or texting while driving.
Practicing mindfulness does not wipe out life’s problems. Instead, you are training and preparing your mind to stay composed by being more cognizant of the negative thoughts and emotions that originate from stressful situations. Stress can affect our bodies and minds in powerful ways; from raising our blood pressure, to causing muscle pain. Becoming mindful and being able to identify how stress is affecting our thoughts and body is the first step in learning how to cope with stress healthfully.
Closing Thought
Throughout life, people will make you mad, disrespect you and treat you badly. Let God deal with the things they do, because hate in your heart will consume you, too. – Will Smith
Sulphur Springs, TX 75483; 903-885-3443
SSHS: Rachel Bramlett Is New State Champion In UIL Latino History Essay Contest
5 SSHS Students Place In Top 12 In Essay Contests, 1 In Theatrical Design At State
Four Sulphur Springs High School students earned recognition for finishing in the top 6 in essay and theatrical design competitions, and another SSHS students was recognized as a top essay finalist.
Latino, Barbara Jordan Essay Contests
Rachel Bramlett is the new 2020 Latino History Essay Contest State Champion. Bramlett was a finalist in the the contest last year.
Three SSHS students also placed in the top 6 and one in the top 15 in the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition. Annmarie Gunn earned third place honors, Nathan Braddy fourth and Matthew Harper sixth place honors in the Jordan Historical Essay contest. Paige Daniel was also a finalist in this event, placing in the top 12 in the state.
Gunn too is noted to have placed at state in an essay contest for at least the second year in a row. Last year, she went home with the silver medal in the Latino History contest as well fourth placed in ready writing.
This also marks at least the second time Harper has earned state UIL honors as well. Last year he was named the state champion and was a member of the first place state team in literary criticism, marking the fifth year in a row an SSHS team took the lit crit title at state.
Other SSHS students who submitted entries were Brandon Hodges, Lige Leavens, Zoe Westlund, and Isabelle Thesing.
SSHS UIL Coordinator Gerald Grafton offers congratulations to these students as well as their sponsor, Gail Herman.
These essay contests generated an unprecedented number of entries: over 400 essays. Both essay contests are designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop research and interview skills, to improve their writing ability, and to learn more about the contributions that African Americans and Latinos have made to the history and culture of Texas.
Founded in 1995 as an event sponsored by The University of Texas at Austin, the Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition moved to its new home with UIL Academics in 2011-2012. The competition provides students an opportunity to explore the contributions of African Americans to Texas history, as well as honoring the legacy of its namesake, Barbara Jordan. The theme of the competition is “African Americans in Texas: Past and Present.”
The Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition was founded in 1995 as an event sponsored by The University of Texas at Austin and became part of UIL Academics in 2011-2012. The theme of the competition is “African Americans in Texas: Past and Present.”
The Latino History Essay Competition was founded in 2011 by the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at UT-Austin and became part of UIL Academics beginning in the 2012-2013 school year. During the first year of the competition, it was open only to students in South Texas. Since the 2012-2013 school year, entries have been accepted from students statewide. The theme of the competition is “historical and cultural legacies of Latinos in Texas history.”
A video of the online awards announcement, including a brief excerpt from read by the SSHS winners and finalists can be viewed at on the UIL website at: https://www.uiltexas.org/academics/essay-contests
Theatrical Design
SSHS Wildcat Theatre student AllieGrace Woodard placed 6th in State Theatrical Design–Division II Costume and Makeup contest.
The UIL Theatrical Design contest celebrates the most talented theatre students in Texas.
The contest featured a record 700 entries and nearly 300 state qualifiers this year, according to Director of Theatre Lesha Woodard.
This year’s Theatrical Design Contest concentrated on creating sustainable, time-traveling designs for Pedro Calderon De La Barca’s “Life is a Dream.” AllieGrace’s state-advancing hair and makeup entry featured Rachel Bramlett, Chase Berry, and Hannah Shultz as models. AllieGrace has advanced to state competition at least twice.
Students in Division II competed against all other 5A and 6A students throughout the state. AllieGrace’s theatrical designs placed sixth in the state among competitors in her division.
“Congratulations to AllieGrace Woodard for her 6th place finish in the State UIL Theatrical Design competition (make-up and hair division). Also, congratulations to her sponsor, Lesha Woodard,” said SSHS UIL Coordinator Gerald Grafton.
A video of the online theatrical awards announcements can be viewed on the UIL website at https://www.uiltexas.org/theatre/theatrical-design
