SSHS Choir Advances 22 Solos, 2 Ensembles To Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest
Feb. 22, 2022 isn’t likely a day Sulphur Springs High School Choir students will forget anytime soon. It’s the day approximately 2 dozen vocalists qualified for state competition, and four others received top marks for their performances at the UIL Solo & Ensemble contest.
A total of 22 soloists and 2 ensembles advanced Feb. 22 from to the Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest.
“Despite weather-related school closings and rescheduling, these students continued to work diligently to learn challenging music. I am beyond proud to be their teacher,” SSHS Choir instructor Beth Cole said.
Among the SSHS Choir students advancing to the Texas State Solo & Ensemble will be held at UT Austin Memorial Day weekend either individually or as part of an ensemble are Danielle Verlander, Lindsey Plumley, Axel Garcia, Ashland Hooten, Celeste McCoy, Te’Asia Hopkins, Summer Patterson, Katie Henderson, Caleb Massey, Lausen Ost, Colbie Glenn, Karisma Stegient, Mika Boren, Kaylee Pennebaker, Chloe Kerns, Alan Guzman, Mikel Godwin, Sean Dial, Aidyn Rogers, Savannah Lilley, Litzy Chacon and Chance Leber.
Four additional students – Jamie Tavera, Patti Garcia, Manny Murray, Kasia Driver – also received superior ratings and received a medal for the non-state qualifying solo each sang at the Feb. 22 UIL choral competition.
Congratulations to all of these vocalists on these vocal accomplishments.
Cumby Police Arrest Dallas Pair Accused Of Having Psychedelic Mushrooms, Marijuana
Another Pair Jailed For Alleged MDMA Pill Possession
Cumby Police Department Officer Justin Talley arrested four people on controlled substance charges following two different Interstate 30 traffic stops over the weekend. A Dallas pair was accused of having marijuana and psychedelic mushrooms while a Mount Pleasant man and Naples woman allegedly had a bag of MDMA pills overnight Friday, the officer noted in arrest reports.
Traffic Stop At Mile Marker 115
Talley reportedly initiated a traffic stop after seeing an Honda Civic without operational license plate lights go past the 111 mile marker on I-30 east around 12:19 a.m. Monday. After catching up to the car, Talley initiated a traffic stop. The car pulled over onto the shoulder near mile marker 115.
Upon contact with the two occupants, Talley reported smelling a strong marijuana odor emitting from the car. Both occupants were removed from the car. While being escorted to out of the vehicle, front seat passenger Monserrat Olguin Rodriguez allegedly admitted she had marijuana in her pockets. A probable cause search of the car yielded additional marijuana and psilocybin, Talley alleged in arrest reports.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring hallucinogenic chemical obtained from certain types of fresh and dried mushrooms that have slender stems topped by caps with dark gills on the underside, according to the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
This type of substance is typically ingested orally, brewed as tea or added to foods to mask their bitter flavor. Large amounts of psilocybin can cause panic attacks and psychosis, nausea and vomiting, muscle weakness and lack of coordination. An overdose of psychedelic mushrooms or psilocybin may result in psychosis or death. Often called “magic mushrooms” because of the hallucinogens can cause, psilocybins are similar to mescaline and peyote, according to a Department of Justice/DEA Drug Fact Sheet about psilocybin.
Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning that it has a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision. Scientists and medical professionals report there are 180-200 species of mushrooms that contain psilocybin.
Talley placed the 19-year-old woman and the driver, 24-year-old Anthony Nolasco into custody at 1:08 a.m. Feb. 28, 2022, and transported them to jail. The marijuana weighed 0.873 pound and the substance identified by the Cumby officer as Psilocybin mushrooms weighed 4.663 grams. Consequently, the Dallas pair was booked into Hopkins County jail at 2:49 a.m. Monday on possession of 4 ounces or more but less than 5 pounds of marijuana and possession of 4 grams or more but less than 400 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance- the psychedelic mushrooms.
Both Olguin-Rodriguez and Nolasco had been released from Hopkins County jail Monday evening on a $30,000 bond on the second-degree felony controlled substance charge and a $5,000 bond on the marijuana charge.
Traffic Stop At Mile Marker 113
CPD Officer Justin Talley also initiated a traffic stop on a Chevrolet Silverado at 11:32 p.m. Friday, Feb. 25, after seeing it accelerate past another vehicle at a high rate of speed on I-30 east. When he caught up to the pickup near mile marker 111, Talley noticed not only were the truck’s license plate lights not working, at least one license plate was obscured. He said the pickup was traveling at approximately 90 miles per hour in the 75 mph speed zone.
The truck pulled onto the shoulder near mile marker 113 on I-30 east. Upon contact with both occupants, Talley reported smelling a heavy alcohol odor emitting from the the vehicle. He reported seeing a beer bottle cap in the passengers lap. Talley claimed Lutrail Farrier showed him the Coors Light Beer bottle within his reach and admitted there was drug paraphernalia inside the truck too.
Talley alleged a probable cause search of the pickup revealed a leopard print backpack on the back left passenger’s seat. Inside the backpack, the policeman reported finding driver Otavia Gray’s ID information and a baggy containing pills, including five loose pills the officer believed was Ecstasy. The pills field-tested positive as containing detectable amounts of methylenedioxy-methamphetamine or MDMA, Talley alleged in arrest reports.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxy-Methamphetamine) is most commonly known by the street names of ecstasy and molly and is similar to the stimulant amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline can produce both stimulant and mild sensory-altering effects. MDMA is usually taken orally, via tablet or capsule, and its effects last approximately 3-6 hours, though depression, sleep problems, and anxiety have been reported for days to weeks afterwards.
MDNA use can also cause some very serious health issues It can produce a significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure and a sense of alertness similar to that associated with amphetamine use. MDMA, the NIDA reports, can also cause a marked increase in body temperature (hyperthermia). Hyperthermia can lead to liver, kidney, and cardiovascular system failure. MDMA users can become dehydrated, prompting increased water consumption. In some cases, this has led to the problem of “water intoxication” or hyponatremia, a potentially fatal condition in which excessive water consumption causes a dramatic decrease in electrolytes. MDMA can affect the hormone that regulates the amount of sodium in the blood, which can also cause hyponatremia, according to the NIDA.
Although the 38-year-old Naples man claimed the substance as belonging to him, Talley took Farrier and the 34-year-old Mount Pleasant woman into custody at 12:31 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, and booked into Hopkins County jail on a possession of 1 gram or more but less than 4 grams of a Penalty Group 2 controlled substance charge, Talley noted in arrest reports.
Gray and Farrier (who jail records show, is also known by Lutriel Deon Farrier, Train, Lotrial Deion Farrier, Lutrial Dejon Farrier, Lutrial Delon Farrier and Lutrail Dejon Farrier) were released from Hopkins County jail later Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, on a $10,000 bond each on the third-degree felony controlled substance charge.
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.
Secretary Of State Gives Rundown On What To Expect At Polling Places On March 1, 2022
Voter ID Requirements, Cell Phones and Other Devices, What NOT To Wear, the 100-Foot Marker Explained
With Election Day for Party Primaries only hours away, Texas Secretary of State John B. Scott on Monday, Feb. 28, 2022, provided the a rundown on what voters should expect at polling places, including current voter ID requirements, cell phones and other devices, what not to wear and the 100-foot marker.
“More than 1.6 million Texas voters have already cast a ballot in this year’s primary elections, and we encourage all eligible voters who have not yet cast a ballot to make a plan to vote on Election Day tomorrow,” Texas Secretary of State John Scott said. “If you have questions about the voting process, we urge you to visit VoteTexas.gov or call the Texas Secretary of State’s office at 1-800-252-VOTE to get accurate information about your options for casting a ballot.”
Voter ID Requirements
Under Texas law, voters who possess one of the seven acceptable forms of photo ID must present that ID at the polls when voting in person. The acceptable forms of photo ID are:
- Texas Driver License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS
- Texas Personal Identification Card issued by DPS
- Texas Handgun License issued by DPS
- United States Military Identification Card containing the person’s photograph
- United States Citizenship Certificate containing the person’s photograph
- United States Passport (book or card)
Voters who do not possess and cannot reasonably obtain one of the seven approved forms of photo ID may fill out a Reasonable Impediment Declaration (RID) (PDF) at the polls and present an alternative form of ID, such as a utility bill, bank statement, government check, or a voter registration certificate.
Here is a list of the supporting forms of ID that can be presented if the voter does not possess one of the forms of acceptable photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one:
- copy or original of a government document that shows the voter’s name and an address, including the voter’s voter registration certificate;
- copy of or original current utility bill;
- copy of or original bank statement;
- copy of or original government check;
- copy of or original paycheck; or
- copy of or original of (a) a certified domestic (from a U.S. state or territory) birth certificate or (b) a document confirming birth admissible in a court of law which establishes the voter’s identity (which may include a foreign birth document).
Learn more about Voter ID requirements in Texas.
The 100-Foot Marker
When you go to your polling place, you will likely notice a cone or other distance marker placed 100 feet from the entrance of the building. Inside that 100 foot mark, you are not allowed to post, use or distribute any political signs or literature relating to a candidate, political party or measure appearing on your ballot in that election.
Cell Phones and Other Devices
Under Texas law, persons are not allowed to use wireless communications devices within 100 feet of voting stations. Additionally, persons are not allowed to use mechanical or electronic devices to record sound or images within 100 feet of the voting stations.
Devices that should not be used in the polling place include:
- Cell phones
- Cameras
- Tablet computers
- Laptop computers
- Sound recorders
- Any other device that may communicate wirelessly, or be used to record sound or images.
Please wait until you are 100 feet away from the voting stations at your polling place before taking an “I voted” selfie.
What can’t I wear to the polls?
In Texas, a person may not wear apparel or a similar communicative device relating to a candidate, measure, or political party appearing on the ballot in the current election, but a person may wear such apparel relating to a candidate, measure, or political party that does NOT appear on the ballot in the current election.
In other words, if you are wearing a hat, t-shirt, or button relating to a candidate, measure or political party that does not appear on the ballot in the current election, you are not violating Texas law.
However, if you are wearing apparel relating to a candidate, measure, or political party on the ballot, a presiding judge has the ability to enforce the law within the 100-foot marker outside of the polling place entrance. You may be asked to remove or cover up your apparel before entering the building.
To learn more about voting in Texas, visit www.votetexas.gov
Hopkins County Voting Centers For March 1 Democratic & Republican Party Primary Elections
Less Than 10% Of Registered Voters In Hopkins County Cast Ballots During Early Voting
The early voting center in Hopkins County closed Friday with a total less than 10 percent of the county’s 24,310 registered voters casting ballots either in person or by mail. Republican and Democratic voters will have one more opportunity to select their choice from a list of candidates for state, national and local offices on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Early Voting Counts
A total of 1,331 early ballots were cast in the Republic Party Primary Election from Feb. 14-25, 2022, but the voting period did result in about 1 1/2 day less of early voting that was originally scheduled due to the icy weather conditions last week.
The Secretary of State’s Office notified election officials via email last Wednesday that they should match early voting hours with county hours, as a safety precaution for voters and election workers. The early voting center closed three hours early Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, as the frigid temperatures and precipitation began impacting Hopkins County and the County Judge made the decision to close all county offices a few hours at 2 p.m. as a safety precaution. A total of 71 voters cast ballots Feb. 23 in the Republican Primary and 2 voted in the Democratic Primary Feb. 23.
The early voting center was slated to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. As the winter storm made some roadways slick from rain, sleet and even a little snow Wednesday, the county judge determined county offices would reopen at 10 a.m. Thursday. However, after evaluating the situation, a decision was made just after 8 a.m. Thursday for all county offices to remain closed. That meant the early voting center, located in the Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace courtroom, remained closed all day Thursday too due to the “public safety issue caused by the winter storm.”
The early voting center Friday followed that of county office, opening 1 hour later on Friday than the normal 8 a.m. start.
Another 380 voters cast ballots and one more mail ballot came in for the Republican Primary, for a total of 1,320 in-person votes and 11 mail ballots cast in Hopkins County. The 1,331 early votes cast in the Republican Party Primary account for only 5.48% of the registered voters casting ballots during early voting in that election.
Another 58 registered voters cast ballots Feb. 25, 2022, in the Democratic Party Primary. Overall, that makes 194 Hopkins County voters casting ballots in-person and 26 by mail, for a total of 220 Hopkins County ballots cast in the Democratic Primary from Feb. 14-25. That’s less than 1 percent of registered Hopkins County voters casting ballots in the Democratic Party Primary during the early voting period.
Cumulatively, that’s 1,551 Hopkins County voters or 6.38 percent of registered voters casting ballots either in-person or by mail during the early voting period for the March 1 party primary elections.
A total of 2,345 of the 23,190 registered voters in Hopkins County (10%) cast ballots during the early voting period in the party primary elections in February of 2020; 2,009 voted (8.66%) in the Republican Party Election and 336 voted (1.44%) in the Democratic Party Primary Election. Of those only two ballots were cast by mail in 2020, according to data tracked by the Secretary of State’s office.
The winners in the Primary will face the candidate elected by other parties during the November 2022 Election. If a runoff develops from the March 1 election, the runoff would be held in May, to determine which candidate’s name will be on the November ballot.
Election Day Voting
Voters in Hopkins County who have not yet cast ballots in either the Republican or Democratic Party Primary Election who would like to vote for their choice of candidates will be able to cast a ballot in either the Republican or Democratic Party Primary on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Hopkins County voters may cast ballots from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday for either the Republican or Democratic Party Primary Election at any of the following county voting locations:
Lutheran Church, Front Foyer, 1000 Texas Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
H.W. Grays Building, Meeting Room, 411 Beckham Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
Hopkins County Courthouse, 1st Floor Courtroom, 114 Church Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
Grace Family Church, Fellowship Hall, 2201 Loop 301 East, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
Hopkins County Civic Center, West Hall, 1200 Houston Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
League Street Church of Christ, Front Foyer, 1100 South League Street, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482;
Saltillo ISD, Ag Lab, 150 CR 1514, Saltillo, TX 75478;
Cumby Municipal Building, City Meeting Room, 100 East Main Street, Cumby, TX 75411;
Sulphur Bluff ISD, Foyer Outside of Gym, 1024 CR 1550, Sulphur Bluff, TX 75481;
Como-Pickton CISD, Art Room, 11017 TX Hwy 11 East, Como, TX 75411;
Miller Grove ISD, Foyer Outside of Gym, 7822 FM 245 South, Cumby, TX 75411; and
North Hopkins ISD, Administrative Building, 2294 FM 71 West, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482.
Voted ballots by mail must be received by the Early Voting Clerk no later than 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 1, 2022.
Sample Ballots
All Hopkins County Democratic Party ballots will be the same the only Democratic candidate to file for a county office was Tommy Long to serve another term as County Democratic Party Chairman. The ballot also does not include any propositions.
See the sample Democratic Party Primary Ballot below for a full list of candidates.
Hopkins County voters casting ballots in the Republican Party Primary Election on March 1 will see one of four ballots, depending on the voting precinct in which they reside. State and national offices along with 10 Propositions are on Republican ballots, along with county candidates running with no opponents for the Republican nomination.
On Page 2 of all March 1 Republican Party Election Ballot, all voters will be asked to consider voting for or against 10 Propositions. A sample for the proposition portion of the ballot is shown below:
While all Hopkins County voters will see the same US and state offices on the Republican ballots, the candidates for local county offices will vary by voting precinct. All Republican Party ballots in Hopkins County will all include the following incumbents who drew no challengers in their bid for reelection either on the Republican ticket: Robert Newsom, County Judge; Clay Harrison, Judge, County Court-at-Law; Cheryl Fulcher, District Clerk; Tracy Orr Smith, County Clerk; Danny Davis, County Treasurer; and Donnie W. Wisenbaker, County Chairman.
Registered Hopkins County Republican voters in Voting Precincts 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 8, 13, 14, 16, 25 and 36 also will see BJ Teer as the incumbent unchallenged for the Republican nomination for Justice of the Peace, Precinct No. 1.
Registered Hopkins County Republican voters in Voting Precincts 3, 3A, 4, 4A, 5, 11, 12, 17, 20, 23 and 24 will see on the ballot incumbent Brad Cummings as unchallenged for the Republican nomination for Justice of the Peace Precinct 2.
Those voting a Republican ballot Tuesday who residing within Voting Precincts 2, 2A, 8, 13 and 14 also will have on their ballots incumbent Greg Anglin with no opponent in his bid for reelection as County Commissioner for Precinct No. 2
Those voting a Republican ballot Tuesday who residing within Voting Precincts 4, 4A, 11, 17 and 20 will have incumbent Joe Price, who is unopposed in his bid for reelection as County Commissioner for Precinct No. 4.
The winners of each office will then face the candidate(s) from all other parties in the November Election.
Sample ballots may be downloaded along with other election information from the Hopkins County website, https://www.hopkinscountytx.org/, by clicking the Voter Information link.
Paris Junior College Sulphur Springs Center Government Instructor Kelly Payne Passes out Tests
PJC-Sulphur Springs Center Government Instructor Kelly Payne passes out tests to student Lori Rocha and the remainder of her students during their morning class at the Sulphur Springs 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.
Wildcats Basketball Taking on Lufkin in Third Round on Tuesday at 7 P.M.
Wildcats basketball’s Regional Quarterfinal match with Lufkin now takes place at 7 P.M. on Tuesday, Mar. 1.
Originally Sulphur Springs was scheduled to take on the Panthers at 6 P.M., but now Coach Brandon Shaver’s squad take on Lufkin at TJC at 7 P.M.
The battle between Lufkin and Sulphur Springs takes place at Tyler Junior College’s Wagstaff Gymnasium.
Sulphur Springs takes on a Lufkin team that took care of Forney in the Area round 59-41 Friday to move on to the third round.
The Panthers enter the Regional Quarterfinals sporting a 34-4 record, having won District 16-5A.
Coach Shaver and Co. have their hands full Tuesday when they take on Lufkin in the third round of playoffs.
The right to play in the Regional Semifinals is determined at Wagstaff Gymnasium at Tyler Junior College on Tuesday at 6 P.M.
The winner of Tuesday’s Regional Quarterfinal takes on the winner of Kimball-Rock Hill on Friday.
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.
Lady Cats Softball Wins Two Straight in Mount Pleasant Tournament
Lady Cats softball won two games back-to-back on Friday, Feb. 25 in Mount Pleasant.
The tournament is the second for softball in their pre-district season.
Coach David Carrillo and his team started out a chilly day in Mount Pleasant with a 1-0 victory over Prairiland.
Crimson Bryant pitched six innings, allowing no runs and two hits.
The junior struck out 16 in the victory.
Following up their win over Prairiland, Sulphur Springs took on Pittsburg and routed the Lady Pirates 8-2.
Addison Caddell pitched in the victory over Pittsburg, striking out five and walking a Lady Pirate. The UTA signee gave up just one hit in her four inning-outing.
In hitting, Kind Smallwood finished with 3 RBIs, 3 Hs and a home run to boot.
Caddell also got three hits in the win, and 2 RBIs.
The back-to-back wins in Mount Pleasant give Lady Cats softball a 5-0-2 record.
Next up, Sulphur Springs are in another tournament in Royse City from Thursday, Mar. 3 to Saturday, Mar. 5.
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.
Revised Meal A Day Menu – Feb. 28-March 4, 2022
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for Feb. 28-March 4, 2022 has been adjusted due to scheduling changes from last week’s ice storm. Below is the revised menu for this week:
- Monday – Red Beans Sausage and Rice, Cornbread and Green Tomato Relish.
- Tuesday – Beef Spaghetti, Garlic Toast, Italian Vegetables and Tossed Salad.
- Wednesday – Chicken Pot Pie, Broccoli and Pickled Beets.
- Thursday – Chicken and Dumplings, Crackers and Tossed Salad.
- Friday – Cheeseburgers, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickles, Baked Beans 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.
Miller Grove Taking on Graford in Regional Quarterfinals Monday in Burleson
Miller Grove on Monday, Feb. 28 makes the long bus trip to Burleson to take on Graford in the Regional Quarterfinals.
The Regional Quarterfinal playoff tips off at 7 P.M. on Monday.
Tickets for the match must be bought online. Those tickets for that match can be bought here.
Miller Grove takes on a Graford team that routed Saltillo in the Area round 74-55 Friday to move on to the third round. Miller Grove dominated Midway 54-36 in their Area contest.
The Rabbits enter the Regional Quarterfinals sporting a 32-3 record, going a perfect 10-0 to win District 21-1A.
Miller Grove has their hands full Monday when they take on Graford in the third round of playoffs.
That game tips off Monday, Feb. 28 at Burleson HS at 7 P.M.
The winner of Tuesday’s Regional Quarterfinal moves on to face the winner of Huckabay-Strawn in the Regional Semifinal on Friday.
NETLA: 2022 Another Record Year For Hopkins County Junior Livestock Sale
The Hopkins County Junior Livestock Show and Sale was another record year, with at least $545,000 raised during the Sale of Champions, not counting any add-on funds donated to supplement any sales that are still coming in from individuals or business representatives who were unable to attend the auction but want to show support for specific youth. Add-on funds are still being accepted this week at the Hopkins County Extension office located at 1200B Houston St., in Sulphur Springs which is the small office located in front of the Hopkins County Civic Center.
Overall, 134 lots consisting one of five species of livestock projects – steers, swine, lambs, goat and poultry – were sold at auction Saturday afternoon, Feb. 26, 2022. In 2021, $475,270 was raised from the from 136 sale lots – proving what most in Hopkins County already know.
This community cares about others, coming together in force time and again to help others, and especially children’s causes. The Junior market Livestock Show and Sale helps young people to become conscientious, caring and responsible adults. NETLA provides youth with the incentive, learning opportunity and business experience to grow into future community leaders for this county. Raising animals also teaches responsibility, results on their actions, and opportunities to succeed – often requiring personal and monetary sacrifices
“You did it again. Hopkins County and Supporters from all over blessed this community with another amazing Sale of Champions. Early totals are over half a million dollars and rising,” NETLA officials posted on the organization’s Facebook page. Saturday evening. “I have been thanked over and over by buyers tonight for what we do but it would be nothing without you guys. Thank you all for the hustling and gathering of funds and the deal brokering that went on tonight I know it takes a lot but it’s paying dividends in the lives of these kids.”
Those who did not get a chance to donate “add-on” funds may still do so over the next week by contacting Barbara Sanders at Hopkins County AgriLife Extension Service.
“If you missed tonight the books will be open through next week so you can stop by the extension office to make add-ons. Once again, thank you to everyone that helps put this together and all of those who come out to support us,” the NETLA post stated.
That unofficial, working total also does not include the $13,000 raised from the auction of a steer and swine for $6,000 and $7,000 each for scholarships. The scholarship steer was donated by the Stanley family. A long list of individuals, financial institutions and businesses pooled their resources, most if not all after already bidding on and purchasing livestock projects from Hopkins County FFA and 4-H members.
And exhibitors were also asked to sell tickets in a raffle benefitting Bids for Kids, this will allow all the money raised to go to the kids sales, especially those that may not have generated as much as others. Case Fails received a buckle for most ticket sales.
NETLA awarded $16,500 in Scholarships to nine youth who’ve been involved in the shows for multiple years. Awards were given in memory of Larry Spradlin and Bobby McDonald. Beau Bankston, Micah Flemens and Jaylyn Hrabal received $2,500 scholarships. Parris Pickett and Kenna Lane each received $2,000 scholarships. Penelope Deterding and Cash Vititow were awarded $1,500 scholarships. Griffin Crawford and Ellie Kate Daniel received $1,000 scholarships.
Each exhibitor had the option to compete in a showmanship round as well as Class divisions, with Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champions recognized in most as well. Nineteen heifers also were shown in five classes, showmanship and Grand and Reserve Champion titles awarded; heifers are not sold during the Junior Market Livestock Show and Sale of Champions.
Showmanship awards were awarded to top rated youth based on three age divisions – senior, intermediate and junior – for their handling and presentation of their livestock project in six age categories.
A showmanship award, Reserve and Grand Champion honors were also presented to top rated students in the agriculture mechanics contest featuring nine class categories for projects the Hopkins County students built. This portion of the show is conducted on Tuesday afternoon during the Junior Market Show and Sale week. If you’ve never been to the ag mechanics show, you’re missing out on some great projects, everything from trailers to swings, grills, fire rings, gravel spreaders, gates, dump tanks, skid reel unites, welding and work trailers, picnic benches, mineral feeders and even a gun table for a deer stand. Some projects have been shown and received honors at other ag mechanics project shows. Some students have been participating in the competition for several years. For others, the ag mechanics contest entry was their first big project, and others their first competition project.
Showmanship and champion award winners receive belt buckles instead of trophies presented during the Sale Of Champions. This year’s showmanship awards were sponsored by Burgin Pipe & Supply, Catocon, Running Creek Tractors, Tractor Supply Co. and 5W Contracting.
