Yantis ISD Coach Who Resigned While On Administrative Leave Was Arrested Oct. 7
McIntosh Arrested Following Investigation
Christopher McIntosh was arrested at 8:20 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, by Yantis ISD Police Chief Christopher Cox and Texas Ranger John Vance at his Sulphur Bluff residence on an online solicitation of a minor warrant.
The Yantis ISD coach reportedly resigned Friday, Sept. 30, from his duties with the district while on administrative leave for “other matters,” according to a post made on the YISD social media page at 4:59 p.m. Friday.
The superintendent reportedly led an internal investigation, with matters turned over to YISD police chief when “allegations” were brought to administrators’ attention.
YISD cited the ongoing criminal case as cause for not commenting further or providing additional information about McIntosh’s arrest.
YISD Board Trustee Jennifer McKeever did, however, comment, “Thank you for promptly addressing the issues and always making the well-being and safety of our students a top priority,” under the YISD social media post.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office jail reports Friday evening showed 34-year-old Christopher John McIntosh was custody in Hopkins County on a Wood County warrant for online solicitation of a minor. Information from his arrest report released Saturday morning, Oct. 8, shows the Sulphur Bluff man was booked into Hopkins County jail at 11:15 a.m. Oct. 7. He was released from Hopkins County jail Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022, on a $25,000 bond on the felony online solicitation charge, according to jail and arrest reports.
Texas Education Agency shows Christopher John McIntosh held an “intern” teacher education certificate issued by the State Board for Educator Certification for 7th-12th grade mathematics. The certification became effective Aug. 3, 2022, and expired on Aug. 3, 2021, according to the “Official Record of Certification” as of Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, accessible on TEA’s website.
The school website shows that McIntosh was employed with the district as a baseball and track coach during the springs 2022 semester.
Meal-A-Day Board Approves Part-Time Paid Position To Coordinate Program, Volunteers
The Meal A Day Board has approved a paid part-time position for 25 hours a week to manage the daily operations and the volunteers. Below is a description of the job and what Meal-A-Day does, for potential applicants that are not familiar with the program.
Meal A Day is a small non-profit business in Sulphur Springs, Texas. The program is supportive, rewarding, and engaging. The goal for the program is to support the approximate 150-160 seniors receiving daily meals that desperately depend on Meal-A-Day.
Meal-A-Day depends on dedicated volunteers to provide this vital service. In a week, Meal-A-Day workers log approximately 80 volunteer hours preparing, cooking, and packaging meals; and approximately 65 volunteer hours delivering meals.
Job Description
The applicant must have administrative skills, work well with others and be willing to fill in for volunteers as needed.
The Meal-A-Day Director will:
- oversee volunteer cooks and daily route drivers;
- handle applications for new meal recipients;
- keep food inventory, purchase food, and coordinate weekly menus;
- keep daily tally of meals prepared and monies received;
- prepare monthly reports and coordinate food donations; and
- must have reliable transportation.
The program work environment includes:
- food provided,
- a lively atmosphere and
- casual work attire
“We are currently looking for a Director to lead our creative and innovative team. The successful candidate will have experience in managing volunteer relations and work flow, and will be able to efficiently delegate tasks to volunteers. Due to the nature of our business, our Director will report directly to the Board. Meal A Day is looking for an individual with a heart for serving our community,” noted Tina Phillips and Cecile Toenniges, who are working together to serve as temporary coordinators for the Meal-A-Day program.
The paid part-time job requires a 5 hour shift Monday to Friday, at one location. The Meal-A-Day program is currently operated out of the kitchen at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center.
Resumes will be accepted through Monday, October 24, 2022. Applicants can mail or drop off their resume to Meal A Day, 150 MLK Jr. Drive, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Doni Smith, a new Meal-A-Day Board member, is helping with this job posting and candidate search, and has volunteered to be the program marketing coordinator.
For additional information, contact Doni Smith at [email protected], or Tina and Cecil at [email protected] or at the Senior Citizens Center, 903-885-1661.
Hopkins County Records — October 7, 2022
Land Deed Transactions
The following land transactions were filed with and posted at Hopkins County Clerk’s Office Sept. 15-Sept. 23, 2022:
- The Ranches at River Ridge LLC to Chandana Reddy Katta, Vamshireddy Kethireddy, Nitya Kondakini, Chandrakala Mannapuram, Vijay Kumar Mannapuram, Sowmya Narra, Santhosh Reddy Purumandla and Anja Reddy Sandadi; tract in the AJ Butts survey
- Bacone College to Texas Resources Acquisitions LLC
- Jeron Roark Paul, independent executor for the Lydon Grimes Paul Estate, to Sandra Ann Paul; tract in the TB Hardison survey
- Leon Lewis to Margaret Anderson
- Susan W. Periquet, independent executor for the Jerald E. Whitson Estate, to Betsy G. Whitson; tract in the Winnie Jewell survey
- Liberty Tierra LTD to Makaila Brooks and Colton Redmon; tract in the 8 Twin Lake Farms
- Miranda Jones, who is the same person as Miranda Wilkey, and Patrick Jones to Sarah Elisabeth Wilkey; tract in the Berry West survey
- Miranda Jones who is the same person as Miranda Wilkey, Patrick Jones, Randy J. Wilkey and Sissala A. Wilkey to Rusty Allen Wayne Wilkey; tract in the Berry West survey
- Caney Creek Investment Group LLC, Brian Coleman and Shawn Massey to Sean Tyler Orr and Ronnie Parris; tract in the Ruthy Matthews survey
- Michael Boyd and Shelia Boyd to Shane Horne and Tiffany Horne; tract in the WM Gregg survey
- Charles Dawson to 3 D Cattle Company; tract in the Grant Lincicum survey
- Daniel Francis Hughes to Gary Eugene Peters; tract in the Jasper County School Land survey
- Manning Grinnan and Sherry Grinnan to Cassie Gilley and Kevin Gilley; tract in the MA Bowlin survey
- Jamie Lynn Cumming and Wendy Denise Cummings to Kambra Chealyn Martin and River Wade Watts; tract in the J G Procello survey
- David M. Owens and Emma L. Owens to Marvin Jimenez and Shannon Jimenez; tract in the Spring Creek Addition
- Billy D. Ailes and Sharon Ailes to Anthony Minge and June Minge; tract in the William A. Gregg survey
- Jana Dodd to PPA Global Energy LLC; tract in the Pleasant Venables survey
- Joseph Kent Arnold to Tom Flatt and Wanda Flatt; tract in the EP Becton survey
- Christina Lorraine April, Jeff April, Tricia Daneen-Griffin, Lisa Dennis, Sally Dennis, William Eugene Dennis and John Griffin to David Walters; tract in the Agaton Caro survey
- James Mark Matthews to Jeff Matthews; tract in the A Crowder survey
- Charles Dawson to JD Cattle Company; tract in the BBB & CRR survey
- Jamie L Garcia, known as Jamie L. Gilliland, and Joe A. Garcia Ortez, also known as Tony Joe Garcia, to Jamie Zijlstra and Jelle Zijlstra; tract in the AJ Odom survey
- Wendy Meza, Old and New Rehabs LLC and Luis C. Olivas to Erin M. Gasaway; tract in the Mary Ann Bowlin survey
- HLA Inc. to Herbert Anderson and Shirley Anderson; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Herbert Anderson and Shirley Anderson to Angela J. Johnson; tract in the Nacogdoches University survey
- Jason E. Waldon to Kristen Waldon; tract in the Levi Landers survey
- Robert Weir and Yvonne Hall Weir to Dustin-Kirk Robert Weir; tract in the Francis Hopkins survey
- Canyon Safari Ranch LLC to Caddo Creek Farms LLC; tract in the Edmond Gaines survey
- John Wilbur and Stacie Wilbur to Deana Switzer Living Trust and Gregg Switzer Living Trust, Deana Switzer and Gregg Switzer trustees; tract in the Merrick Griffith survey
- CL Frederick and Monika E. Frederick to Ashley Marie Painter and Tristen C. Painter; tract in the Ulysses Aiguier survey
- Clemmie Gilbert Crouch to Dillon Burks; tract in the G. Jones survey
- Donald Owen and Regina Owen to James Morrison and Stacy Morrison; tract in the John S. Bowen survey
- Gary W. Burks and Sharri Burks to Dillon Burks and Lauren Burks; tract in the G. Jones survey
- Terry Lynn Jaggers and Tina Lynn Hare Jaggers to Terry Lee Jaggers Irrevocable trust and Tina Jaggers Irrevocable Trust, Terry Lynn Jaggers trustee and Tina Lynn Hare Jaggers trustee; tract in the John D. Bloodworth survey
- Carroll Willis and Linda Willis to Patricia Renee Jennings
- Demetrea N. Farris and Richard A. Porter to Jennifer Isbell and Travis Taylor
Applications for Marriage Licenses
The following individuals filed applications seeking marriage licenses Sept. 29-Oct. 6, 2022, at Hopkins County Clerk’s Office:
- Christopher Keith Miller and Haley Michelle Houghton
- Norman Shane Spruiell and Chastadie Nicole Finney
- James Austin Shortnacy and Chandra Zurovec Green
- James Christopher Harvey and Rachael Rene Booth
- Matthew Wayne Pantusa II and Jerrilyn M. Posey Dankskey
- Mason Lloyd Moss and Ashley Lauren Hanson
- Rusty Allen Wayne Wilkey and Lauren Gail Harris
- Cody Ryan Nix and Stephanie Edith Garcia
Tuesday Is Last Day To Register To Vote In Nov. 8 Uniform Elections
Tuesday, Oct. 11, is the last day to register to vote in the Nov. 8 Uniform Elections, per Texas laws, which Texas law requires eligible voters to register by the 30th day before Election Day.
Those who voted earlier in the year should already be registered to vote in their county, unless they’ve had a change of address since then.
On the Ballot
On the November ballot in Hopkins County will be the following state and US elections for US District 4 Representative, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller of Public Accounts, Commissioner of General Lane Office, Commissioner of Agriculture, Railroad Commissioner, Places 3 and 5 Supreme Court Justices, Place 9 Supreme Court Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals Place 5 Judge and Place 6 member, State Board of Education District 12.
At the county level, the following will be determined by on Nov. 8: Judge, Court-at-Law Judge, District Clerk, County Clerk, Precincts 2 and 4 Commissioners, Precincts 1 and 2 Justices of the Peace, and Treasury.
Four local school districts also have called elections on Nov. 8, 2022. North Hopkins, Saltillo and Miller Grove ISD will also be holding school board elections, while Sulphur Springs ISD is holding a bond election.
How to Register To Vote
Those not already registered to vote who have an existing Texas Driver License or state identification card can register online when renewing, replacing or changing their contact information for either of these cards through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Follow the steps on the DPS web portal to update your driver license information, and you will be given the option to register to vote when renewing or updating your information.
Check Voter Registration Status
Texans who are not sure if they are registered to vote may go online to the Texas Secretary of State’s Am I Registered?’ portal to look up their voter registration record in the statewide voter registration database.
Voter registration in Texas is county-based, thus, the SOS encourages voters to contact the county voter registrar for specific questions regarding the status of their voter registration. In Hopkins County, Debbie Pogue Mitchell pulls double duty as not only the county’s tax assessor/collector but also the voter registrar. Mitchell’s office is located inside the Courthouse Annex on Jefferson Street, approximately 1 block from Hopkins County Courthouse.
Reporting Change of Address
Texans who have recently changed their name or moved can easily update their voter registration online through Texas.gov.
Click here to update voter registration information online.
Those doing so will, however, need their Voter Unique Identifier (VUID) to log in to the Texas.gov portal. Texans can find their VUID by visiting the Texas SOS My Voter Portal, then entering their name, county of residence, date of birth and ZIP code.
Team Tennis Falls in District Championship, Plays Jacksonville Tuesday in Bi-District Playoffs
Coach Tony Martinez and his teams hoped to come out on top in their de-facto district championship, but could only muster a few hard-fought wins.
Sulphur Springs won three matches against a stacked Pleasant Grove team.
“No two ways about it, just a better team,” Coach Martinez said about the Hawks. The team tennis coach knew his squads were in for a tough day, but wanted his players to salvage a few matches to make the score more respectable.
Not only did team tennis have to fight on every play, every ball, but three of the matches Tuesday went to 10-point tiebreakers in the third set.
The aforementioned six matches was what Coach Martinez was hoping to win against Pleasant Grove, but team tennis ended up winning just three matches Tuesday.
The coach mentioned Brodie Emmert, whose effort Tuesday was a prime example of the outing for Sulphur Springs. The Wildcat lost (6-1, 6-2), but Coach Martinez said watching his matches, and others for Sulphur Springs, onlookers could not tell if Emmert and his teammates were winning or losing due to their effort. Coach Martinez said a performance like that is pivotal for team tennis moving forward.
“That’s what I was hoping for,” the team tennis coach said, “to see our players grow that day, winning or losing. It was hard to tell if were winning or losing because we were playing points, and winning points.”
Another standout match came from Trynity Luckett, falling in a tiebreaker in girls’ singles.
Coach Martinez applauded his squads for their effort in the de-facto district championship, and says now his teams are locked-in come playoff time next week.
Even with the loss Tuesday, team tennis is still a playoff team and travels to Longview Tuesday for the Bi-District playoff. Coach Martinez and his squads are looking for the first ever trip to the second round of playoffs for Sulphur Springs.
Sulphur Springs team tennis takes on Jacksonville Tuesday in the first round of playoffs at 9:30 A.M.
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.
Fatal ATV Crash Reported Thursday Night In Como
A fatal ATV crash was reported to have occurred Thursday night, Oct. 6, 2022, in Como, county officials reported.
Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Hopkins County EMS were dispatched at 11:19 p.m. Thursday to what was initially reported to EMS as a vehicle crash on County Road 2335 at County Road 2336 in Como, TX. Hopkins County, Brinker and Como firefighters were also dispatched at 11:31 p.m. to what officials learned was an ATV accident, according to dispatch reports.
Upon arrival, one patient who had been on an all-terrain vehicle was reported to be deceased, according to sheriff’s office reports.
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace BJ Teer pronounced 26-year-old Carson Hicks dead at 11:30 p.m. Oct. 6, 2022.
Officials remained at the crash site until 1:22 a.m. Oct. 7, 2022, according to dispatch reports.
No additional details about the fatal ATV crash had been released by HCSO Friday morning, Oct. 7, 2022.
Hopkins County Health Care Foundation Asks For A Smile
The Hopkins County Health Care (HCHC) Foundation is asking that friends of the Foundation and members of the Hopkins County community take time to share a smile. The smile in question is Amazon Smile, which is a program Amazon uses to allow customers to designate a charitable organization as the recipient of a portion of the purchase price paid for certain items on their site.
The HCHC Foundation joined the program approximately six years ago. Since then over $700 has been received thanks to individuals naming HCHC Foundation as their chosen recipient. The program is easy to participate in and costs nothing to the Amazon customer.
All a person needs to do is shop through smile.amazon.com instead of amazon.com. Once on smile.amazon.com or the app, be sure to denote the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation as the beneficiary. Go to Account & Lists then Your Account dropdown. Click on Amazon Smile. From there a charity (Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, please) may be designated or changed. If using the app, select Change Your Charity under Settings.
Purchase of certain products will generate a donation of 0.5% of the sale to the HCHC Foundation. That costs nothing extra to the Amazon customer but will mean the world to the Foundation, allowing it to do even more to promote health care initiatives in Hopkins County.
The Hopkins County Health Care Foundation is celebrating its 25th Anniversary during 2022. It is an IRS designated 501 (c) 3 non-profit. For more information or to donate, contact Kayla Price, Executive Director, at 903-438-4799 or [email protected].
Youth Accused Of Truck Stop Robbery, At Least 3 Others Sentenced In District Court
The youth accused of a truck stop robbery and at least 3 others were sentenced in district court in Hopkins County over the last week.
Charles Orin Lee Nash was sentenced Friday, Sept. 30, to 20 years in prison for the aggravated robbery at Love’s Travel Stop. Nash was accused of displaying a black pistol during the robbery at Love’s at 9:33 a.m. Dec. 3, 2021. The 18-year-old Sulphur Springs man left the store with approximately 35 cartons of cigarettes and was picked up in a reddish maroon colored Chevrolet Colorado pickup driven by 22-year-old Cass Hunter Sullivan of Caddo Mills.
The truck fled west onto Interstate 30. Local authorities did not immediately locate the suspect or vehicle. By midday Dec. 3, authorities had had obtained and released surveillance images of both the suspect and truck he was reported to have left Love’s in. Tipsters were encouraged to call Crime Stoppers with any information related to the case. One tip resulted in location of a suspect and officials obtaining an arrest warrant. Both Nash and Sullivan were in custody at 8 p.m. that night.
Nash was charged with aggravated robbery and served with a warrant for accident involving damage to a vehicle. He and Sullivan were both indicted during the Dec. 29, 2021 Grand Jury session on one aggravated robbery charge each. Nash has remained in custody since his arrest on Dec. 3, 2021.
He appeared in the 8th Judicial District Court last Friday, and was sentenced during the 9 a.m. court session to 20 years in prison for the December 2021 aggravated robbery, according to the District Attorney’s Office an court records.
Manuel Xum-Tziguin pled guilty Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022, to a June 2, 2022 unauthorized use of a vehicle charge. He received a 5-year deferred sentence and ordered to pay restitution to the victim.
The 37-year-old Dallas man was a passenger in a vehicle that had been reported stolen from the Dallas area on June 1, 2022. Deputies were alerted the stolen vehicle was entering Hopkins County, located and stopped it at 3:52 p.m. June 2, 2022, at mile marker 116 on Interstate 30 east. Xum-Tziguin and 21-year-old Kenssy Liliana Perdomo-Vega were arrested for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Xum-Tziguin, who jail records show is also known by Miguel Xam, Michael Xum and Manuel Xum-Tziquim, was indicted during the August 2022 grand jury session on the stolen vehicle charge. The Dallas man remained in Hopkins County jail until after his sentencing Sept. 29, 2022, in lieu of the $75,000 bond set on the charge.
Perdomo-Vega was released July 15, 2022, on bond on the UUV charge. She was also indicted on the charge during the August 2022 grand jury session.
Christopher Shane Freeman received a 10-year deferred sentence on a 2022 tampering with evidence charge and a 2018 evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge. He will be going to a long-term residential faith-based rehabilitation facility, according to court reports.
Deputies stopped a Toyota f-Runner at 2:19 p.m. Sunday, July 31, 2022, on Gaskins Street in Como because the driver failed to stop at a designated stopping point at a highway intersection. After deciding it was too hot to wait for a K9 to conduct a sniff search around the vehicle, the driver agreed to let deputies search it. Deputies took passenger Freeman into custody for investigation of drug paraphernalia after stepping on a glass pipe of the kind used to smoke methamphetamine that’d been on the ground under the passenger’s side door. A review of dashcam video showed Freeman making furtive movement after getting out of the vehicle and the pipe falling to the ground, resulting in a tampering with evidence charge, deputies alleged in arrest reports.
The 48-year-old Brashear man was jailed July 31, 2022-Aug. 1, 2022, then released on a $2,000 bond on the tampering with evidence charge. He was indicted on the tampering charge during the September grand jury session.
On Aug. 4, 2022, Freeman was served with warrants for violation of probation on a June 15, 2018 evading arrest or detention with a vehicle charge and remained in the county jail until his release Oct. 4, 2022 as well as surety off bond on the tampering with evidence charge. He was indicted during the June 26, 2018 grand jury session on the evading arrest charge.
Breunta Rhashod Hill appeared in court Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2022, for sentencing; he was slated to appear to go into custody on a possession of 4 grams but less than 200 grams of a Penalty Group 1/1-B controlled substance charge. Hill was sentenced to 10 years in prison on the controlled substance charge, a conviction with a deadly weapon finding, according to the DA’s Office.
The 42-year-old Dallas man was stopped Jan. 10, 2022, by police for a traffic violation. He was allegedly found to be in possession of approximately 149 grams of cocaine and a handgun during the traffic stop. Hill spent the night in Hopkins County jail, then was released the next day on a $30,000 bond on the controlled substance charge and a $40,000 bond on the firearm charge, according to arrest and jail reports.
Hill, who jail records show is also known by Brelinta Daniels, Tata Daniels and Tay, was returned to Hopkins County jail on May 28, 2022. He remained there until June 14, 2022, for bond forfeiture on a controlled substance charge as well as the firearm charge; his new bond was twice the original bonds.
The Dallas man was taken to the county jail after being sentenced on the controlled substance charge on Oct. 5, 2022.
Vender Wright Named 2022 Ms. Texas Senior Classic
Venda “Vender” Wright recently was named 2022 Ms. Texas Senior Classic in Tyler, making her at least the third Hopkins County resident to earn the state title. The pageant winner is excited for the new adventures that being the pageant winner will afford her, and plans to use it to help lift others spirits.
Wright not only won the title of Ms. Texas Senior Classic, but also received recognition at state for her Philosophy of Life. Also recognized during the 2022 pageant were competitors Stella Bagley, the very first Ms. Hopkins County Senior 2010, and Kylene Claypool, the 2022 Ms. Hopkins County Senior.
Those ladies earning lop ratings at their local pageant advance to the state contest. Wright earned the right to advance by winning the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Classic pageant in 2019.
She was very much aware of the Ms. Senior Classic pageant hosted annually in Hopkins County and was excited the year she turned 60, because that meant she too was finally eligible to compete in the fun she saw so many other ladies enjoying as contestants. And, in 2019, she want the whole enchilada as far as the local pageant is concerned.
“Whenever we have competed in the Ms. Hopkins County Senior Queen for Sulphur Springs, Texas, we have a chance go and compete for this,” Wright said of the Ms. Texas Senior Classic pageant.
She did advance to state, eligible to compete at that level for the past four years. Wright finished as second runner up for the Ms. Texas Senior Classic title in 2021, and at the end of September 2022 came home with a new crown and title.
“Always believe in yourself. Always your dream go for it. No matter what, we may fall or whatever. Still, go forth. We’ll succeed,” Wright said. “Don’t give up in any kind of way. Don’t talk negative. Anybody who’s negative, get them out of your way … and say I’m going for it and, yes, it will be.”
The Ms. Texas Senior Classic Pageant contestants met in Tyler Thursday, to get acquainted and get a good night’s rest. On Friday, they registered and soon began competing, first in a judges interview. They rested for a short time, then hit it hard to be ready for the pageant. Wright said while the work was hard, it was a blast.
The pageant consists of four phases: philosophy of life, judges interview, evening gown and talent competitions, with different judges for each.
“It was fun, so much fun. That’s the most important part. It’s a sisterhood. We gather together each year to have fun. We pray — everything, learn our routines,” Wright said of the preparation for the talent portion of the Ms. Texas Senior pageant. “It comes fast and it ends fast.”
She said it’s so much fun to be a part of the pageant that contestants forget about how tiring it is and just have fun among friends.
“I will never forget it. It changes your whole entire life. It changes it all. It’s amazing. We are queens. We are all queens. My it just does something to you,” Wright said of her experiences competing in and serving as a Ms. Senior Classic queen.
The weekend concludes with a Sunday morning breakfast, where they talk with the queen, who takes her walk and share. She said the roses and trophy were beautiful. She’s looking forward to participating in the Rose Parade in Tyler, along with some of the other contestants. She also plans to get a list of upcoming activities from Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce so she can represent ladies age 60 and older across the state as Ms. Texas Senior Classic 2022 at the different functions, festivals and activities over the course of the year. She said she’s looking forward to traveling a little bit around the area some too to be involved in events in other cities and counties as well.
“Whatever they send towards me, hey, lets go!” Wright said.
Wright said the pageant was fun, but they sure missed their friend Sherry Macauley, who has been part of the pageant for 16 years but was unable to compete or take part in the 2022 pageant because of health reasons. So, before Wright sang during her turn in the talent competition, she dedicated the song to Sherry, and dedicated the pageant to her.
Several other ladies with several years of involvement in the pageant last week took the pageant to Sherry Macaulty, letting her know how much they missed her sweet spirit. At Macauley’s home, they began as if starting the pageant over, then announced a special award. They recognized Macauley for always bringing laughter and joy to the pageant, and cheering for everyone. They presented her with a “Rappin’ Granny G” crown, sash, spray of flowers and trophy.
“It was so precious,” Wright said. “She is such a beautiful person. We love her so much.”
Although she wears the crown and sash, Wright said she also shares the state title shares with the residents at local nursing facilities. Last week, when she visited Carriage House, the facility she frequents most often, she did so with her roses, sash and crown.
“I told them what went on and we sang. They were so happy,” Wright said. “It was for them too.”
A woman with a servant’s heart, Wright will still be doing plenty of volunteer work around the Sulphur Springs community, especially at local nursing homes.
“I love my nursing homes. That’s my pick right there,” Wright said “We are out here to serve. That’s what we are. We are all servants. Everything that happens, we are still servants.”
Not even COVID could stopped her from lifting up the people in local nursing facilities, including singing for residents. She and staff at the facilities simply fond thought outside the box to come up with creative ways to do so during the pandemic.
“I said let’s go and do the singing, but lets do it outside. So everybody got to wear their masks and then we still went and had a ball,” Wright said. “I am so glad the Lord put that on my mind like that.”
Information From an English Class at the Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Campus
PERSONAL INSTRUCTION
English Instructor Ken Haley helps his students with some personal instruction during his class at the PJC-Sulphur Springs Center campus.
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.
