April 4,2012 Buna Beacon

Buna Beacon WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

www.bunabeacon.com

VOLUME 22, ISSUE 32

50 CENTS

Auto accident injures three senior citizens

By Amber Hawk Beacon Editor The Texas Department of Public Safety says three senior citizen women were injured during a two vehicle accident that occurred just before 5 p.m. on Saturday at the intersection of Hwy. 96 and Business 96.

Texas State Trooper Mike Johnson of Deweyville arrived on scene shortly after notification.

According to Johnson, 64year-old Buverne Brown of Buna, who was headed westbound on Business 96, was attempting to cross Hwy. 96 and head south when the front of her Dodge Dakota truck was struck by a

white car traveling northbound on Hwy. 96.

Although Brown halted completely at the stop sign, she told Johnson that she did not see the car, attempted to cross, and failed to yield the right of way.

Brown’s Dodge Dakota went into a spin after the collision and came to rest facing east on Business 96.

The white car, driven by 67year-old Juliette Martin of Brookeland, went into a side skid and came to rest facing northbound on Hwy. 96.

Brown’s mother, 83-year-old Ruby Long of Buna, was riding with her daughter in the passenger side seat of the Dodge Dakota.

Johnson reported that all three of the women were wearing seatbelts.

Although they did not suffer from any life-threatening injuries, all three women received medical attention at the scene from Buna Volunteer Fire Department members as well as Acadian EMS first responders.

Brown was bleeding from the head, Long was having trouble breathing, and Martin suffered injuries to her legs and arms. All of the ladies were stiff and sore from the impact.

THIS PAVILION AT Buna Junior High covers the snack bar area where students eat every They were transported to lunch period, and it was one of the areas of concern for Architectural Alliance, Inc. Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital in Orange to receive further medical treatment.

Buna ISD board moving forward with new facilities tectural Alliance, Inc., the company the board hired to perform a facilities assessment, gave a presentation and delivered their results.

The report presented five scenarios as solutions to current facilities issues at the junior high and high school campuses. These scenarios were classified into urgent, moderate and aesthetic categories.

In addition to providing varying scenarios, Architectural Alliance also gave approximate figures of each scenario.

Dr. Robin Perez, Buna ISD Superintendent, began last week’s meeting with the question, “What do we need to provide our students a quality education?”

Board members, armed with a notepad and a pen, set out to each campus to make their own conclusions about the current facilities and discover what they personally considered to be the major issues.

“We need to find out if we have the facilities to provide the Houston to see about getting education we desire for our Gracie a prosthetic arm. This is when they found out that their daughter actually suffered from congenital below elbow amputation.

“Basically they said it is just a failure to grow,” said Kathy. “It’s not caused by hereditary issues nor environmental factors.”

Editor’s Note: This month, we The report from Shriners was continue “The Fabric of Buna,” good, not only because it cleared up some of the Hendersons’ a monthly series focusing on the questions, but also because residents who provide the thread, doctors were amazed at how well and sometimes the whole square, Gracie has adapted to her disor- that forms the community quilt of Buna. This month’s spotlight der.

“She does tumbling and ballet, shines on Don Askew, one of the drives her four-wheeler, goes patches that makes up the quilt fishing, and can even cut paper,” called Buna. said Kathy. “She has learned to By Tina Cooley manage with the arm that she has Beacon Reporter Born in Kirbyville, on May 15, and works around not having a 1963, Don Askew has lived in left hand.”

The Hendersons expected Buna for the majority of his life.

Shriners to fit Gracie for a Being one of 10children born to prosthetic arm, but after watch- David and Vernice Askew, Don is ing and analyzing Gracie, experts proud of his family, which said there’s no way they would includes five sisters and four put her through the process of re- brothers, one of whom is deceased. learning everything.

When not entertaining, Don “She does so well with what finds time to play Bejeweled and she has, and it’s truly an Zelda on his touch screen inspiration,” said Kathy.

He also enjoys Not only did Gracie celebrate computer. her third birthday this past week, watching Godzilla and King Kong her future looks nothing but on television.

Don loves all types of music, bright. She will soon be learning how to ride her new pink bicycle, loves to dance, and loves girls.

His favorite foods are mashed See Gracie... Page 12A potatoes and gravy, and fried

By Amber Hawk Beacon Editor The Buna Independent School District board of trustees met for a special called meeting last Tuesday evening, Mar. 27, to determine a plan of action concerning the district’s facilities.

In the Feb. 13 meeting, Archi-

- BEACON BRIEFS - Amazing Gracie, life Beacon office to close at noon on Friday The Buna Beacon office will be open from 8 a.m. until noon on Friday, Apr. 6 in observance of Good Friday. The office will reopen on Monday, Apr. 9 at 8 a.m.

Buna Elementary Pre-K and Kindergarten round-up Pre-K and Kindergarten round-up for the 2012-13 school year at Buna Elementary will be held on Apr. 11 from 9 to 11 a.m. in the elementary library.

BISD trustees will meet Tuesday The Buna Independent School District board of trustees will meet Tuesday, Apr. 10 at 7 p.m. at the BISD administration building. School board meetings are open to the public.

Preschool story time today at 10:30 a.m.

The Buna Public Library hosts their weekly preschool story time today at 10:30 a.m. for preschoolers and their parents or guardians.

Preschoolers will celebrate Easter with an egg hunt and special snacks. Each child is asked to bring one dozen plastic eggs and a snacks to share.

No school for Buna and Evadale on Good Friday Buna Independent School District and Evadale Independent School District will not have classes on Friday, Apr. 6. Evadale ISD will dismiss students at 1 p.m. on Apr. 5.

Eaves Cemetery clean up, family reunion The annual Eaves family reunion will be held on Saturday, Apr. 14 at the Eaves Cemetery in Buna beginning at 11 a.m. Family members are asked to bring their lawn chairs and a covered dish.

This Friday, Apr. 6, a clean up day will be held at the Cemetery beginning at 10 a.m.

Masonic Lodge hosts fish fry and award night The Buna Masonic Lodge will host a fish fry at the lodge beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Apr. 21. Also, this year’s Golden Trowel award recipient, Jim Hamilton, will be recognized.

Buna OES meeting scheduled for Thursday Buna Chapter #968 Order of the Eastern Star will meet Thursday, Apr. 5 at the Masonic Lodge in Buna at 7 p.m.

BVFD to meet on Monday Buna Volunteer Fire Department members will meet Monday, Apr. 9 at 7 p.m. at the fire hall for their monthly business meeting.

Jasper County commissioners will meet Monday Jasper County commissioners will meet Monday, Apr. 9 at 9 a.m. in the commissioner’s courtroom.

Jasper County WC&ID #1 board meets Monday The board of directors of the Jasper County Water Control and Improvement District #1 will meet Monday, Apr. 9 at 6 p.m. in the office on Hwy. 62.

See Briefs... Page 3A

of hope without excuse

By Amber Hawk Beacon Editor Three years ago, Jasper County Lieutenant Mike Henderson and his wife Kathy didn’t think they would see their daughter Gracie’s third birthday.

“She was born at 28 and a half weeks,” said Kathy. “Those first few days we were just praying for her to live.”

Weighing only 2 pounds and 14 ounces, Gracie wasn’t breathing at birth, and she fought hard for that first breath and the gift of life.

“It was overwhelming,” said Kathy. “All of my ultrasounds looked great, but when she came early, there was no turning back.

She was here, and we wanted her to stay.”

Gracie was put on a heart monitor and nasal cannula, and she had seven blood transfusions “She had ‘normal’ preemie problems,” said Kathy. “We were just trying to feed her and get her growing.”

After a short time, doctors assured the couple that their daughter would live, but that left the Hendersons to find an answer to their next question.

What would they do about Gracie’s arm?

Gracie was born without her left arm fully developing. For the past three years, doctors have told the Hendersons that Gracie was a victim of amniotic band syndrome.

This is a disorder caused by bands that grow in the uterus and trap limbs.

“I always questioned this diagnosis because they never found bands in the placenta,” said Kathy.

Gracie’s arm is smooth and doesn’t have skin tags, so Kathy though it must be something else.

The Hendersons recently traveled to Shriners Hospital in

children,” said Perez. “Let’s find out if our facilities are safe and if they are providing the best learning environment.”

The two hour tour began at Buna Elementary School, moved over to Buna Junior High, and ended at Buna High School.

Upon returning to the board room, the trustees discussed what they individually thought were the areas of major concern.

“I believe that we need secure facilities,” said Brent Stark. “Everything right now at the junior high and high school is too spread out.”

Craig Maines said that there were too many distractions in the junior high classrooms.

“I can imagine that it’s very difficult for teachers to keep students focused with all of the odors and air conditioning problems,” he said.

The board members also talked about how many students were complaining of headaches, most likely due to the lack of air circulation.

See BISD... Page 3A

The Fabric of Buna

Infectious personality and slapstick humor define Askew

catfish. He loves to eat, especially when it’s all-you-can-eat.

Don loves sodas, but he doesn’t drink them much anymore.

“They make me fat,” he said. “I gotta lose weight.”

Don says the best day he can remember happened at Genesis Baptist Church. “I got baptized,” he said, “ and I’m a Christian.”

One of the things Don particularly enjoys is going into the woods or being at the hunting lease. Speaking of the woods, just ask Corbitt Whitehead about Don’s sneaking off. On more See Fabric... Page 8A

PAGE 2A, BUNA BEACON

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

Buna High UIL places second at district meet The Buna High School University Interscholastic League teams competed at the district 24-2A meet on Mar. 21-22 at East Chambers, where several students qualified for regional competition.

The current issues team of Dalton Butchee, Blake Smith, Sharon Santos, and Reese Godwin placed second, qualifying the team as an alternate for regional competition.

Individually, Butchee placed third qualifying him for region and Blake Smith placed fourth and will be a regional alternate.

In literary criticism, Steven Gonzales placed second, qualifying for region, and Jacob Jackson placed sixth.

The computer science team of Logan Smith, Forrest Craigen, Kevin Foster, and Aleksander Allen placed first, qualifying the team for regionals. Individually, Logan Smith placed first, Craigen placed second, and Foster placed third qualifying them all for regional competition.

Allen placed fourth, will be a regional alternate, and will still compete with the team at regionals.

In persuasive speech, Paul Turner placed first, qualifying for region, and Kayla Wagstaff placed fifth.

In poetry, Haylee Whitehead placed third, qualifying for region, while Emily Jacobs placed fourth, securing an alternate spot, and Courtney Lister placed sixth.

Troy Loftin placed second in ready writing, advancing to regionals, placed sixth in feature writing, and placed fourth in prose interpretation, qualifying as a regional alternate. Loftin placed first in headline writing, qualifying him for regional competition, and Samantha Tucker placed sixth in headline writing.

In the informative speaking competition, Blake Smith placed second, qualifying for region.

The accounting team of Jacobs, Madison Kelley, Kaitlin Mercer and Jessi Clark placed second, qualifying them as an alternate for region. Jacobs placed fifth individually.

In the Lincoln Douglas debate

competition, Paul Turner placed third and advances to regionals while Allen placed fifth and Blake Smith placed sixth.

Madison Smith placed fourth in news writing and Courtney Coleman took sixth place in editorial writing.

The mathematics team of Micah Unruh, Jacob Palmer, Logan Smith, and Braidon Franklin placed second, qualifying the team for region. Individually, Unruh placed third, securing an individual spot in regionals, while Palmer placed fourth, and Logan Smith sixth.

Individually, in number sense, Allen placed sixth.

The social studies team of Loftin, Makenzie Ramey, Ashley Patterson, and Gonzales took first place, securing the team a spot in regional competition.

Individually, Loftin placed second, and Ramey placed third, qualifying them for regionals.

Also in social studies, Patterson placed fourth, qualifying as an alternate, and Gonzales placed fifth.

In the science event, Jordy Cagle placed fifth and Logan Smith placed second in physics, qualifying for region.

Students qualifying for the 2012 Region AA III University Interscholastic League spring meet will compete on Apr. 20-21 on the main campus of Tyler Junior College.

Happy Birthday April 4 Samantha Cleveland Laura Lynn Craft Archie Smith Mandy Sonnier Charla Sterling April 5 Karen Blalock Luke Clark Mary Beth Fritscher Cheri Hatch David Hicks April 6 Sunni Belt Joe A. Cates Hazel Holt Jack McFaddin Carolyn Rauwerda Nancy Reed Jodi Waldrup April 7 Vicki Ford Samantha Hinson Robert Wright April 8 Miranda Beasley Jesse Brewster April 9 Lynelle Busby Dontay Cooper Lloyd Curtis Lori Spell Cecilia Tucker April 10 Joe Pattarozzi Cary Sampson Tyler Turner

Happy Anniversary April 5 Richard & Kim Regester Donny & Julie Luckey April 6 David & Lanerna Woods April 10 Jim & Bernice Jewell Mr. & Mrs. W.C. Sitton

Military News Elisha “Eli” Loar graduated at the Navy Recruit Training Center in Illinois on Friday, March 23.

Loar was the Recruit Chief Petty Officer, RPOC, of his ship which was one of two honor companies recognized at the graduation ceremony. Ship 807 was less than a point from completing their training as a Hall of Fame company, the highest honor a ship can receive at boot camp.

Loar is scheduled to leave Chicago for Coronado, California by mid-April to begin his Special Operations training in Special Weapons Combatant Craft Crewman, SWCC. The first part of the training will be an intensive six week testing designed to insure that only the most dedicated sailors move into the program. In total, Loar will spend a year in training before receiving his first deployment.

While at boot camp, Loar gained his hand gun qualification

receiving his sharp shooter “S” that was added to his combat ribbon on his uniform.

Loar is a 2011 graduate of Evadale High School, and the son of Scott and Jill Loar of Evadale.

His parents and his older brother who serves in the United States Coast Guard attended the graduation in Chicago.

Jasper County Arrest Report The following persons were charged but not convicted of crimes listed. Jasper County Sheriff Mitchel Newman provides this information under the Texas Open Records Act, article 62552-17A. Mar. 23, 2012: Henry Steven Linch, 2/5/59, criminal trespass habit/ superfund/infrastruct, $1,000 bond; Delton O’Neal Whitmire, Jr., 7/8/ 83, unauth use of vehicle, $10,000 bond, theft prop >=$50<$500, $2,000 bond; Stephanie Nicole Bamburg, 2/15/85, poss marij <2oz, $750 bond; Morris Todd Crow, 9/8/62, criminal trespass/capias fine, bond not set; Dorothy Lee Kelly, 9/16/96, motion to revoke probation/capias instanter, no bond; Jose Murillo, Jr., 7/16/73, failure to appear/child support, $3,000 bond; Jennifer Rose Dowden Bebee, 7/21/84, driving w/lic inv w/prev conv/susp/w/o fin res, resist arrest search or transp, $1,000 bond(x2); Tina Maureen Jackson, 6/29/63, order of commitment; Brandon Brush, 2/25/82, no fishing license (when required), bond not set; Eddy Bernard Gilbert, 8/9/70, order of commitment; Aisha Latori Theriot, 3/7/79, order of commitment; Kelly Eugene Turner, 10/3/74, unauth use of vehicle, $5,000 bond; Brandy Carleigh Spearman, 7/24/87, issuance of bad check/child support, $800 bond.

Mar. 24, 2012: Donita Marie Williams, 3/26/83, failure to appear/ capias, no bond, capias profine(x4), allow child (5-16) to ride unsecured by safety belt/capias, allow child (5-16) to ride unsecured by safety belt, driving while license invalid/capias, no valid driver’s license, bond not set(x8); Terry Joseph Tiffany, 1/8/45, theft prop>=$20<$500 by check, $500 bond; Cameron Lee Powell, 8/18/88, driving while intoxicated, $1,000 bond; Tosha Latrice Holloway, 11/7/ 75, poss dangerous drug, $5,000 bond; Frank Kirkendall, 11/21/75, agg assault date/family/house w/weapon, $20,000 bond.

Mar. 25, 2012: Jeffery Cockrill, 8/2/67, assault (physical contact)/ family violence, bond not set; Robert Anthony Manning, 9/14/67, driving while intoxicated, $1,000 bond; Wallace Granger, 6/14/27, failed to maintain financial responsibility, allow child (5-16) to ride unsecured by safety belt, no driver’s license (when unlicensed), bond not set(x3).

Mar. 26, 2012: Jessie James Clark, 6/23/87, assault causes bodily injury family member, $3,000 bond; Dennis Ray Arrant, 11/13/67, motion to revoke probation, $10,000 bond; Thomas Allen Seivers, 11/ 14/75, driving while intoxicated 3rd or more, $20,000 bond; Lisa Statum Groves, 10/19/70, public intoxication, bond not set.

Mar. 27, 2012: Jerry Lee Lockhart, 3/12/70, assault causes bodily injury family member, $2,000 bond; Marshoun Fitzgerald Travis, 12/ 15/68, motion to adjudicate guilt/theft, $7,500 bond; Johnnie Dean Reeves, 4/14/57, motion to revoke probation, no bond; Conner David Jones, 2/20/89, motion to adjudicate guilt, $1,500 bond; Chester Dewayne Fobbs, 3/5/85, motion to revoke probation, $7,500 bond; Heather Leigh Hart, 11/2/89, theft prop >=$20<$500 by check, $1,000 bond; Allan Wade Whitehead, 9/12/69, possession of drug paraphernalia(x2), failure to appear(x2), driving while license invalid, assault family violence, failed to maintain financial responsibility, $500 bond(x7).

Mar. 28, 2012: Micheal Daniel Willson, 7/10/81, driving while license invalid, failed to maintain financial responsibility, bond not set(x2), failed to maintain financial responsibility(x2), no safety belt, no valid inspection certificate, $500 bond(x4), motion to adjudicate guilt, no bond; Michael Shane Socia, 10/5/71, probation violation(m), no bond; Christopher Glen Stimits, 12/11/85, violation of protective order, $4,000 bond.

Mar. 29, 2012: Erin Elizabeth Wheeler, 8/8/91, failed to maintain financial responsibility, failure to appear, no valid inspection certificate, bond not set(x3); Alan Robert Sutherland, 7/17/72, motion to revoke probation, bond not set; Rhonda Maxine Busby, 8/6/64, hold for other agency, $30,000 bond; Derrell Thomas Day, 4/18/65, motion to revoke probation/poss c/s pg1, bond not set.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

BUNA BEACON, PAGE 3A

Briefs Buna Civic Club meets Monday

From page 1A

Buna Civic Club will meet Monday, Apr. 9 at 7 p.m. at Lil Sheppard’s home.

Buna Masonic Lodge will meet Tuesday Buna Masonic Lodge #1095 will hold a regular meeting Tuesday, Apr. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the lodge off Hwy. 62. All visiting brethen are invited to attend.

Buna 4-H meeting canceled The Buna 4-H meeting for the month of April has been canceled.

Meetings will resume in the month of May and will be held at Central Baptist Church in Buna.

Evadale one act play advances to district BUNA PRESCHOOLERS ENJOYED hearing a story about frogs and then making a craft last Wednesday at the Buna Public Library’s Storytime, held weekly at 10:30 a.m.

Learning to Live

By Amber Hawk Just three months ago, many people across the world set out to make New Year’s Resolutions.

I’m 11 pounds down, by the way.

I’ve kind of slacked off in exercising the last few weeks, but Sunday I took Bentley, my Schnauzer, out for a long walk around town.

He enjoyed the exercise, and I enjoyed the company of my friend Chelsea and the beautiful weather.

Spring is my favorite time of the year when it comes to weather conditions. It’s not too hot and not too cold, but there are also some rainy days thrown in which are perfect for curling up on the couch or sitting on the back porch with a good book.

Just like a new year brings an opportunity for people to reflect on their current conditions, spring is also a time for new beginnings and changes.

There are many things lined up to happen over the next few months, even in our small slice of southeast Texas.

Students are busy with the many spring sports, and high school graduation is drawing hear. The new STAAR testing began last week with more administrations scheduled for later this month.

Teachers and administrators at both Buna and Evadale Independent School Districts have issued resignation or retirement letters, and some contracts have not been renewed or changed.

The Buna ISD board of trustees members are discussing the possibility of beginning a new building project which would bring about many changes in the district’s future.

Campaign signs are popping

up in yards all over the area, and the May 29 election is likely to bring some political new beginnings.

Several business owners have stopped by the Beacon office recently to discuss ways they are making improvements and their hopes of better serving community members.

The recent “On Mission Celebration” left local church members inspired to reach out a little further and think of new and innovative ways to share the love of Jesus with the world. The First United Methodist Church is having success with their after school Bible study program, “Mighty Mustard Seeds.”

It goes without saying that all of these groups have their own agendas.

The school districts desire to educate children, politicians want to get reelected, business owners want to make money, and churches want people to be right with God. What I love about living in Buna is the willingness of all these groups to work together for the common good of the community.

They still hold their agendas near and dear to their heart, which is understandable. However, the position of Buna Beacon Editor has given me a unique perspective on how these groups truly care.

Do they always get along?

Absolutely not. Will there be future disagreements? Without a doubt.

But the one thing I can always count on is that while people will voice their individual opinions, they never lose their heart for the community.

BISD From page 1A Board President Keith Mullins said that he was concerned about the many flooding areas that BJHS Principal Kelly Peck pointed out. Mullins also said that it was alarming that students at the high school have to move their vehicles during times of heavy rain.

“It’s time for a new facility,” said Vice-President Barry Hillin.

“In my opinion, it’s easy to see major issues across the junior high and high school campuses.”

Stark commented that we could either keep patching up temporary buildings or move on with new facilities, and for him, like Hillin, the answer was easy.

“Our teachers have done a fine job with the facilities they have been given,” said Jimmy Carrell.

“However, they shouldn’t have to worry about air conditioners, flooding, and all of these other things. By providing a quality environment for them to teach in, we are helping our students learn.”

Joel Clark said he believed the junior high and high school facilities were definitely below par.

After hearing from the board members, Perez expressed concerns over the fact that twothirds of the junior high students have to relocate when there is bad weather because they are in portable and unstable buildings.

The board members began to prioritize which concerns to address, a plan of action for blueprints, and construction costs, but after realizing this will be a long process, they came to the conclusion that for now they just needed to commit to the time it will take to move forward.

“We know that we need a new facility,” said Hillin. “Let’s talk to Architectural Alliance and see what the next steps would be.”

Buna ISD Chief of Operations George Talbert agreed to talk to Architectural Alliance and get more concrete financial figures, and he hopes to have them next week for the regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, Apr. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Buna ISD Administration building.

All regular Buna ISD board of trustees meetings are open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend.

By Tina Cooley Beacon Reporter The Evadale High School one act play, “I Hate Hamlet,” was one of two plays that advanced to the district competition during District 24A north zone competition on Monday, Mar. 19 at E.C. Nash Auditorium at Evadale High School.

The North Zone included Brookeland, Shelbyville, West Sabine and Evadale.

Evadale’s winning play centers around a young actor who has just earned fame and fortune on a television show about doctors and is apprehensive about returning to New York to play Hamlet in the prestigious Shakespeare in Central Park festival. To add to his insecurities, his realtor has rented him an apartment once inhabited by John Barrymore.

The ghost of John Barrymore returns to the apartment.

Barrymore offers guidance to the young actor who has to decide between the easy money that he could make with a new television

series and the confidence to be gained by facing the world’s most difficult acting challenge.

The cast of the play includes Aryelle Brown as Felicia Dantine, Mathew Strickland as Andrew Rally, Tori Hobbs as Deirdre McDavey, Maegan Forse as Lillian Troy, Tyler Angeron as John Barrymore, and Sullivan Smith as Gary Peter Lefkowitz.

Crew members include Sierra Bielecki, Haley Leger, Colby Solly, and Annie Christina Valka.

The director is Kim Williams.

In addition to advancing, several actors were named All-Star performers. Angeron, Strickland, and Hobbs were named All-Star cast members. Forse was named honorable mention All-Star cast.

Jamie Richardson, stage director, received a tech award for her backstage work.

PAGE 4A, BUNA BEACON

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

Obituaries Assisted Living in Orange.

Memorial services were held Mar. 31 at Claybar Funeral Home Chapel in Bridge City and cremation will be under the direction of Claybar Haven of Rest Crematory.

Survivors include daughters Rhonda Berry of Buna and Brenda Ellender (Kirk) of Bridge City; son Jeff Berry (Darlene) of Vidor; brothers Johnny Berry and U. G. Berry; sister Ora Lee Sheppard; six grandchildren; and Wava Abshire Wava Marie Hebert Abshire, two great-grandchildren.

79, died Apr. 1 at her residence.

Bevis Skinner Mass and committal services will be held on Wednesday, Apr. Bevis Carlo Skinner, 82, of 4 at the Abshire Cemetery with Buna died Mar. 30 at Silsbee time pending as of press date.

Oaks Health Care in Silsbee.

Survivors include husband Funeral services were held Mason Abshire, Sr. of Buna; Apr. 2 at Broussard’s in Silsbee daughters Linda Guidry (Don) of with burial following at Magnolia Buna and Melba Potter (Mike) of Springs Cemetery.

Orange; sons Mason Abshire, Jr. Survivors include wife Helen (Nichole) of Deville, LA and Skinner; daughter Peggy Perry Milton Abshire (Tammy) of Beau- (Murphy) of Buna; son Stephen mont; 11 grandchildren; and 16 Skinner (Sue) of Bridge City; great-grandchildren. brother Verlon Skinner of Kirbyville; sisters LaVerne Palmer of Nederland and Jeanette Golden S. Q. Berry S. Q. Berry, 89, of Bridge City of Huffman; six grandchildren; died Mar. 28 at Golden Years and 13 great-grandchildren.

The Whole Truth Easter activities

THE LONGEST DAY We are not referring to the day of the invasion of Europe in the second world war, which was described in a book and a movie by that name. but a day recorded in the Bible, in Joshua 10:8-14. The Israelites were in a battle with the five kings of the Amorites. “Then spake Joshua to the Lord...and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou Moon, in the valley of Ajalon...So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day; and there was no day like that before it or after it.”

This miracle was not a permanent changing of the passing of time from that which God had established in the beginning. Genesis 1:4-5.

But a miracle by the one who has the power not only to create all things, but performed all kinds of signs and wonders to confirm his word. Mark 16:20. This event has been confirmed by recognized scientists who study time, astronomers, that tell us when certain events did and will take place, such as eclipses and commit appearances.

One who has such power needs to be recognized by all men, and obeyed by them. For he will bring an end to time, not just interrupt it.

2 Peter 3:10. “Seeing that these things are thus to be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy living and godliness?”

Verse 11. It therefore behooves us to “prepare to meet thy God.” “For we must all be made manifest before the judgement-seat of Christ; that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:10.

Northwest Buna Church of Christ, (409)658-7578

Give the most valuable gift of all... your time.

Volunteer in your community!

in the community Community churches will offer various activities for the all ages in celebration of Easter.

Buna’s First United Methodist Church will have Maundy Thursday services at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 5.

On Easter Sunday, the church plans an Easter “Sonrise” service beginning at 7 a.m. in the MAC building. Children will enjoy an Easter egg hunt during the Sunday School hour at 9:45 a.m. followed by a traditional Easter service at 11 a.m.

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church of Buna will have liturgy at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, Apr. 8.

Central Baptist of Buna is having a huge Easter egg hunt on Saturday, April 7 beginning at 10 a.m. on the church grounds.

Following the 9:30 a.m. Sunday school hour, the church choir will present a cantata entitled “Redemption” during the 10:30 a.m. morning worship service on Easter Sunday, April 8.

The following services and activities will also be held on Sunday, April 8.

Genesis Baptist Church will hold Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. followed by holy service at 10:45 a.m. on Easter Sunday. Evening

worship service begins at 6 p.m.

Central Baptist in Evadale’s services will begin at 9 a.m. with an Easter cantata presented by the choir followed by a message from the pastor.

New Beginnings Assembly of God will hold two Sunday morning services, one at 8:30 a.m. and the other at 11 a.m., with Sunday school classes at 10 a.m.

Trout Creek Baptist Church will hold an Easter service at 10:30 a.m.

First Baptist in Buna will observe the celebration of the resurrection of Christ during 10:15 a.m. service.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Buna will hold a service beginning at 9 a.m.

Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center will host an Easter sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, Apr. 8 led by Reverend Barry Bradley and music directed by John Bickham, both from First Baptist Church of Orange.

Admission to the service is free and visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs for seating.

Following the service, attendees may enjoy a complimentary stroll through the gardens until 9 a.m.

Visit one of our local churches this Easter Sunday.

Church Bulletin First United Methodist Easter services The First United Methodist Church in Buna will have a Maundy Thursday service on Apr. 5 beginning at 7 p.m. On Sunday, Apr. 8 an Easter “Sonrise” service will be held beginning at 7 a.m. At 9:45 a.m. children will enjoy a free Easter egg hunt. A traditional Easter worship service will begin at 11 a.m.

Central Baptist Buna egg hunt and cantata Central Baptist Buna will host a free Easter egg hunt on Saturday, Apr. 7 at 10 a.m. for children through sixth grade. On Sunday, Apr. 8, during the 10:30 a.m. morning service, choir members will present an Easter cantata, “Redemption.”

New Beginnings Assembly of God services

Local Church Directory

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Calvin L. Harris 994-3552

Buna’s Bread of Life Church Pastor Byron Johnson Buna Cowboy Church Pastor Joedy Burnett 454-8775 Buna United Pentecostal Church Rev. Richard Dykes 994-2501 Calvary Apostolic Tabernacle Evadale Pastor Steve McMullin Central Baptist Church Rev. Delbert Milstead 994-3641

Church of God in Christ Supt. Curtis Jones • 994-3603 Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Bishop Sean Peterson 594-1225 Faith Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Gene Maddox 382-2784

Faith Outreach Church of God Rev. Reginald Brandenburg 994-5897 First Assembly of God Rev. Dennis Owens 994-2670 First Baptist Church Rev. Paul Boughan 994-3517

Friendship Baptist Church Pastor Paul Swearingen 994-3273

New Cherry Grove Baptist Church Pastor Doug McWhirter

Genesis Baptist Church Rev. Robert E. Carter 994-4012

Northview Baptist Church Pastor Joe E. Hinson 385-2744

Gist United Pentecostal Church Rev. Bert Arnold 221-5162

Northwest Buna Church of Christ Evangelist Gary Scott 658-7578

Grace Fellowship Church Pastor Rick Tallent • 670-3656 Grace Missionary Baptist Church Rev. Mike Ivey Greater Pine Valley Baptist Church Pastor E.E. Robinson 994-9801 Heart of Christ Bro. Robbie Ratliff

Old Laurel Baptist Church Pastor Lee Everhart 994-3434 Parkwood Missionary Baptist Church Bro. Tim Rule, Pastor 994-2631 Pocket Full Gospel Church Bro. Donald Frazier • 779-6690

Central Baptist Church, Evadale Rev. Roger Hoogterp 276-1700

First Baptist Church, Evadale Pastor Jimmy Williams 276-1907

Northend UPC Pastor Ralph Bertrand

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Father Delphyn Meeks 994-3456

Church of Christ 994-2075

First United Methodist Church Rev. Bill Jobe 994-3232

New Beginnings Assembly of God Pastor Jeff Gravis • 276-2005

Trout Creek Baptist Church Pastor Randy Fults 423-5023

The following are proud sponsors of this church directory and urge you and your family to attend your chosen house of worship this Sunday!

New Beginnings Assembly of God will hold two Sunday morning services, with the first service beginning at 8:30 a.m., followed by Sunday school classes at 10 a.m., and the second service at 11 a.m.

Central Baptist Evadale Easter service Central Baptist Church in Evadale will hold a morning Easter service on Sunday, Apr. 8 beginning at 9 a.m. with a message from the pastor and presentation of a cantata by the choir.

Cowboy Church hosts egg hunt and sunrise service The Cowboy Church of Orange County will host its fifth annual free Easter egg hunt on Saturday, Apr. 7 beginning at 1 p.m. for children through age 10. Hot dogs and drinks will be provided. The annual Easter sunrise service will be held at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Apr. 8 with regular morning service beginning at 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact Dale Lee at 718-0269.

North Orange presents Easter pageant North Orange Baptist Church will present an Easter pageant titled “Sketches of the Cross” on Palm Sunday, Apr. 1, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit the church website at www.nobcfamily.com.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

BUNA BEACON, PAGE 5A

Texas Comptroller announces tax amnesty for businesses Texas Comptroller Susan Combs has announced the opportunity for businesses to clear up their tax records without any penalty. The state’s Fresh Start tax amnesty period is set for June 12 through Aug. 17.

“The amnesty is a chance for businesses to set their tax records straight and save money by not having to pay penalty and interest on tax reports they had failed to file,” Combs said.

“During the two-month amnesty businesses can file those missing reports and pay the overdue taxes, or amend and pay previous reports in which they had incorrectly stated a lower amount than was due.”

The tax amnesty covers taxes

and fees that were originally due before April 1. The amnesty does not apply to underpaid tax returns (tax that was reported but not paid) or filing periods that businesses have in audit.

The Fresh Start amnesty applies to sales tax, franchise tax and other state or local taxes or fees administered by the Comptroller’s office, except Public Utility Commission gross receipts assessments.

A similar tax amnesty was held in summer 2007 and brought in approximately $100 million in unpaid taxes.

Taxpayers can get details on the Fresh Start tax amnesty at www.freshstart.texas.gov, or by calling 1-800-252-1390.

Hometown People

George Holder Birthdate: January 6, 1951 in Center.

Family members: Wife, Bobbi Holder; son, Rodney Holder (Jennifer); three grandchildren, Allison, Jamyson, and Madison.

Pets: Four Border Collies.

First vehicle owned: 1956 Chevrolet.

Favorite author: Louis L’amour.

Favorite musician: Pianist Floyd Cramer.

Hobbies: Steer roping, raising vegetables, and processing beef.

Favorite place to eat: Home.

What I watch on TV: Weather.

Oddest job you have ever had: Loading watermelons.

Next on your ‘to do’ list: Take a vacation.

Advice to high school graduating senior: Go to college.

Favorite thing about Buna: I know lots of people.

Lamar names 935 students to Deans’ List for fall 2011 A total of 935 Lamar University students earned places on the Deans’ List for the 2011 fall semester, deans of Lamar’s five academic colleges announced.

To qualify for the Deans’ List, a student must carry a full course load of 12 semester hours or more and have a grade point average of 3.5 or higher for that semester.

Students who qualify for the President’s List, with GPAs of 4.0, automatically earn places on the Deans’ List. Their names are not listed here.

The Deans’ List appears below, with students listed by hometowns. The list is based on information provided by the office of the registrar.

Buna: Deanna Michelle Burns, Kevin Christopher Clay, Rachel Erickson, Drew Allen Flanigan, Brittany Leigh Foley, Leah Marie Foote, Tiffany Harding, Ruthie Michell Hudson, Cade Hunt, Kamey Alyssa Jolly, Jay Stevens Lawrence, Victoria Rachelle Sowders, Erin Kate Toney.

Deweyville: Katy Elizabeth Stewart.

Evadale: Joshua Aaron Daws, Caitlin Marie Dickson.

Kirbyville: Cole Reed Atkinson, Kirby Brister, Deanna Michelle Burdge, Brent Curtis Dixson, Hayley Folk, Danielle Denise Kemp, Allison Long.

Mauriceville: Houston Mark Jowell.

Buna Beacon Classifieds FOR SALE

SERVICES

HELP WANTED

‘94 FORD RANGER - For sale, in LAWN SERVICE - Mowing, weed HELPWANTED - Buna ISD is curgood condition, $3,500. Please call eating, and yard work. Please call rently taking applications for bus 994-5414.

2TC-32 409-745-9148.

10TP-29 drivers. Applications may be picked up at the Maintenance & NOMEX - I buy and sell nomex. FREE PICKUP - Appliances, ice Transportation Office. Please call Poor Man’s Shop, Hwy. 96 - Buna. boxes batteries, aluminum, any- 994-4880 or 994-4881. TFN-26 (504) 655-1679.

8TP-25 thing metal. Please call 994-2560.

NEW SHAW CARPET - Leftovers, beige. 12x10ft - $75, 22x12ft - $125, 12x13 - $85. Please call (409) 767-6390.

TFN-32

PEVETO’S LAWN CARE - Taking new customers. We offer lawn care for residential, commercial, churches, schools, and cemetaries. Stump grinding avail2008 NISSAN TITAN SE - 64,663 able. Please call (409) 994-5666. miles, available at Nissan of Silsbee. Call for more details, 409LOST & FOUND 299-3221.

2012 FORD ESCAPE - 1,209 2 LOST LABS - 1 Blonde & 1 miles, available at Nissan of black, last seen on FM 253. ReSilsbee. Call today, 409-299-3221. ward! Please call (409) 223-3226.

REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

HELP WANTED

HELP WANTED

GARAGE SALE

RENTALS

PLANT SALE - Fri. & Sat., Apr. HOME FOR RENT - 3 Bedroom, 6&7 at CR 759, 4th street behind 2 bath brick home on over ½ acre Brookshire Bros.

1TP-32 in Buna. Turning off Hwy. 62 onto Hwy. 253, it is the first brick house YESTERDAY, TODAY & TO- on the left after the high school.

MORROW - Resale Consignment 391 Hwy. 253, $775/mo. Email ½ mile North of red light on Hwy. danderson@gt.rr.com or call 40996. Check out this months 50% 553-6057.

1TP-32 off tag sale and our special $1 rack. (409) 994-3303. TFN-18 FOR RENT - 3BR, 2BA, with carport, located inside Kirbyville city limits. Asking $800/mo. + deposit LOST & FOUND (pending credit application.)

Please call for more information (409) 423-2166, ask for Donna.

TFN-30 FOUND KEYS - Dodge key with Angel on keyring, found near barber shop on Hwy. 62. Please call FOR RENT - 4BR, 3BA, with 2 car garage, located inside Kirbyville 201-6981.

1TC-31 city limits. Asking $1,200/mo. + deposit (pending credit application.)

FOUND DOG - Male, boxer, on Please call for more information CR 720. Please call (409) 781-0101. (409) 423-2166, ask for Donna.

1TC-31 TFN-30

REAL ESTATE

PAGE 6A, BUNA BEACON

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

Business Review HEALTH CARE DYNAMICS, INC. Home Health Care Agency P.O. Box 1913 Buna, Texas 77612

“Where Your Health Is Our Business” Toll Free (800) 581-3536 Ph. (409) 994-0300 Fax (409) 994-0400

Country Bookkeeping & Taxes Donna Picard

Dan’s All American Plumbing. L.L.P.

Owner P.O. Box 338 7887 Business Row Mauriceville, TX 77626

Taxes, E-File, Faxes, Copies, Refund Anticipation Loans, Payroll, Payroll Reports, Bookkeeping, Notary, Resumes

409-745-9157 work 409-994-3146 home 409-781-7083 cell

Fax 409-745-9153 cowgirl@juno.com

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

BUNA BEACON, PAGE 7A

Cougars undefeated at the halfway mark

Beacon photo: Aleksander G. Allen

BUNA COUGAR NUMBER 2, Brian Askew, laid down a beautiful bunt in last Friday’s baseball game against Anahuac.

Lady Rebels dominate All-District honors

By Scott Loar Beacon Correspondent When you win as consistently as the Lady Rebels do, you just come to expect that honors will be heaped on the basketball team, and this year that was certainly the case this year.

Kennedy Jackson led the way as the district Most Valuable Player. Jackson is a junior and was the Lady Rebels leading scorer and rebounder this season.

Holly Herrington was named as the Defensive Player of the Year. This is Herrington’s fourth year on the Lady Rebels’ varsity team. She has been a leader on the floor and in the locker room especially this year Freshman, Haleigh Oldbury was named Newcomer of the Year. Oldbury was called up from the junior varsity squad early in the season, and she subbed for Herrington at the point guard.

She even led the Lady Rebels in scoring during one of their games.

First Team All-District members included junior Britnee Rawls and sophomore Kennady Porter. Freshman Hannah Conner was named to the Second Team.

Juniors Katy Gipson and Alayna Langston were named Honorable Mention.

“We had a great team this year that make things happen on the court,” said coach Hollyfield.

“Sometimes I had a hard time getting them to believe that they were as good as they truly were.”

Hollyfield will have all the honorees except Herrington back next season and with the return of junior Jessica Seago who had a season ending injury and another freshman Wendy Williams, who finished the season on the varsity the Lady Rebels’s team, will have plenty of experienced depth to draw from.

“This team spoiled me they were a delight to coach and they just kept on winning,” said Hollyfield. “It hurts to end the season, but these girls gave it their all each and every game. I am proud of the way they played as a team always supporting one another no matter what!”

The Lady Rebels will take a 39 game district winning streak and four undefeated district championships into the 2012-13 season.

“We will be one of the deepest teams we have ever been next season and when you look at the talent on the junior varsity squad and even some of the girls coming up from the junior high we will be tough to match up with,” said Hollyfield.

BHS golf teams fair well The crazy weather last week couldn’t stop the Buna High School boys golf team from competing in the Anahuac High School tournament held at Chambers County Club on Mar. 28.

Tanner Crumpton shot an 82, Lucas Sammons shot a 93, Colton Brown shot a 96, Kreston Richardson shot a 102, and Connor Dawson shot a 109.

The Cougar team total was 373.

The Lady Cougars traveled to Wildwood for the Warren High School golf tournament on Mar. 28.

Lauren Hale shot a 120, Keather Nichols shot a 128, and Tori Kellum shot a 139.

Both teams will compete in the district tournament at Wildwood on Wednesday, Apr.4.

See next week’s Buna Beacon for the results.

The Buna Cougars scored 20 points last week, defeating both East Chambers and Anahuac, remaining undefeated in district play at the halfway mark of the season.

Thursday the Cougars went to the home of the Buccaneers and defeated East Chambers 10-4.

The Cougars came out ready to go, scoring three runs in the first inning. The Bucs didn’t score until the fourth, but in the fifth Buna added three more to the board.

The teams went 1-for-1 in the sixth inning, but the Cougars sealed the deal in the seventh by adding three more runs. The Bucs added two more scores at the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough to make a difference.

The Cougars had 12 hits, and the Bucs had seven. Buna had three errors, and East Chambers had two.

Richard Walden pitched for six and a third innings, earning seven strikeouts. Walden gave up seven hits, four base on balls, and three earned runs.

Joe Clark pitched the last bit for the Cougars, closing the game with two strikeouts.

Glenn Patrick was 1-for-5 with one run scored and an RBI. Clark went 2-for-2 with two base on balls and three runs scored.

Walden went 2-for-3 with one run scored and an RBI. Jacob Kelly went 2-for-4 with a double, one run scored, and 3 RBIs. Ethan Franklin went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Tate LeJeune went 1-for-1 with one run scored.

Brian Askew went 2-for-2 and was hit by a pitch. Caleb Hardy has three base on balls and two runs scored.

“We hit the ball well, and the 3 errors had a little to do with the weather,” said head coach Kevin Terrier. “It rained the entire first inning, and then lightning put us in hurry up mode in the fifth.”

The Anahuac Panthers visited Buna on Friday, and the Cougars sent them home upset after a 10-0 game in favor of Buna.

The Cougars had 10 hits and two errors, and they held the Panthers to no hits. Anahuac had five errors on the game.

Patrick threw a five inning no hitter with 10 strikeouts and three base on balls.

He went 1-for-2 with two base on balls, two RBIs, and had two stolen bases.

Clark went 2-for-3 with a base on balls, one run scored, and an RBI. Walden went 2-for-4, and

Braden Franklin went 1-for-3, scoring one run and an RBI. Justin Yoes went 1-for-1 with two base on balls and two runs score.

Askew went 1-for-2 with a base on balls, two runs scored, and an RBI. Ryan Houston went 2-for-2, was hit by a pitch, and had two RBIs. With the two wins behind them, the Cougars competed the first half of district play with a 6-0 record and a nine game winning streak. They are currently 11-6-1 on the season.

Currently the Cougars lead the district standings with six games won and no losses. Warren is now in second with four wins and two losses.

Hardin and Deweyville are still neck and neck with three wins and two losses.

East Chambers fell to fifth place with three wins and three losses.

Kountze has one win and five losses, and Anahuac has no wins and six losses.

Monday night’s game, originally scheduled as a home game against Hardin, was rescheduled due to the rain.

This week the Cougars will travel to Warren on Thursday, but you can come out and support your Cougars next Monday, Apr. 9, as they face Kountze at home at 6:30 p.m.

SOFTBALL The Lady Cougars didn’t have the best luck last week as they fell to Hardin, 8-2, on Friday. The Thursday Mar. 29 game against Anahuac was postponed due to the weather conditions.

Friday’s game was played on the Liberty City field due to the weather as well.

Jaelyn Heirtzler pitched two innings for the Lady Cougars.

She had one strikeout and gave up three runs.

Kaitlyn Midkiff pitched five innings but had no strikeouts.

Midkiff and Sarah Seaman were both 2-for-3 for the Lady Cougars, and Bailey Campbell and Seaman scored Buna’s two runs.

If the weather fairs well for the Lady Cougars this week, they are scheduled to face the Lady Lions in Kountze on Thursday. The junior varsity game will begin at 5 p.m. with varsity starting at 6.

Fans can see the Lady Cougars in action at home next Tuesday night, Apr. 10, in a game against Deweyville.

Come out and support your Lady Cougars!

BUNA LADY COUGAR powerlifters left, Logan Vaughn, and right, Crystal Ballin, placed 14th and ninth in the Texas High School Powerlifting Association state competition, respectively. The girls were coached by Cory Harrison.

Rebels take two wins, improve district race

By Scott Loar Beacon Correspondent Evadale Rebel baseball has a proud tradition, and the players on this years club are doing their best to uphold that tradition of winning. Last week, the Rebels had an offensive explosion as they scored 36 runs in two games and ended both games with the mercy rule.

In an unusual Wednesday game, the Rebels defeated Spurger, 22-6, in five innings.

Tanner Hawthorne went 3-for-3 with two singles and a double; he also scored five runs.

Kyle Taylor was also 3-for-3 with a pair of singles and a double, scoring three runs and one stolen base. Kody Ingram went 2-for-4. The Rebels had six doubles and four stolen bases against the Pirates.

Deven Murphy was the winning pitcher. He recorded 10 strikeouts while allowing only two hits and leaving six runners on base.

In action on Friday night, the Rebels hosted Leggett, and the home team came out on top, 14-4, in six innigs. Murphy scored four runs and had two stolen bases.

Hunter Jackson was 2-for-4 with a single and a double.

Brandon Bruce had a single, scored a run, and stole two bases.

Ingram picked up the win, recording 12 strikeouts while surrendering only two hits and leaving six on base.

The Rebels are 5-2 in district play and 9-3 overall.

This week they have games against Hull-Daisetta and Big Sandy as they enter the second half of district.

SOFTBALL Last week the Lady Rebels improved on district with a 10-0 win over the Lady Pirates.

Kat Reeves was the hitting star, going 3-for-4 at the plate, scoring three runs and registering 3 RBIs. Alayna Lanston picked up the win, pitching a complete game with six strikeouts and only one walk.

The Lady Rebels will face HullDaisetta this week as the softball season draws to a close a week from Tuesday.

“We have played well in some spots this year, but we are still trying to get things settled as we prepare for the playoffs,” said head coach Robert Hollyfield.

“All in all, I am pleased with the effort and the spirit this team is playing with.”

Correction In the March 28 article, “Lady Cougars defeat Lady Buccaneers, 10-0,” Kaitlyn Midkiff was incorrectly named as Kaitlyn Williams.

The Beacon apologizes for the errors.

PAGE 8A, BUNA BEACON

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

Constable’s Corner Fabric

By Precinct 4 Constable Gene Hawthorne I had a guy walking down CR 1004 last week cutting his shirt with a knife. We ended up at the Sheriff’s office with him.

He had been taking bath salts and was hallucinating. We had warrants on him, and he went to jail.

I had a walk-in come into the Buna office last week wanting to know information about trespassing. I advised them on what

they needed to do about the trespassing.

We had eviction court here last week. One person had 5 days to transfer to a higher court. We’ll wait and see what they want to do on that.

Be aware if you get an email from the FBI talking about money you have in an account. Do not reply. It could be a hoax. I’ve got a call into the FBI checking into it.

than one occasion, Don has been brought home by Corbitt or Andy.

Driving around on his Polaris Ranger, whether around home or at the lease, Don oversees whatever is going on makes sure that everyone not only does their job but does it to his expectations.

“I’m the boss,” said Don,“and they know that.”

Don attends school five days a week where he has learned trades such as building wicket sacks, mesh-type bags used for packaging onions and potatoes.

Previously, Don attended school two days a week and worked on occasion with his brother-in-law, Mike Hatch, where he had his own office and was “in charge” of several employees.

Don loves to be on the road, seeing new sights, and enjoying all that life has to offer wherever the destination might take him.

Where there is humor and a cunning ability, Don will be found. Don likes to ride with people to keep them company and make sure they do their job.

On one particular day, while riding with a coworker of his brother-in-law, Don and the driver were en-route carrying a load to a drop off point.

The driver got pulled over with his load in question. As the driver talks to the officer near the back of the vehicle, Don motions another officer over to the front and says “that man has been drinking beer and wasn’t wearing

From page 1A his seatbelt.”

In turn, and as part of his job, the officer questions the man, and later Don finds himself in a heap of trouble with his friend.

That’s the infectious personality that one finds when Don is part of the action.

His humor and personality carried him through another afternoon when he encountered his sister and brother-in-law pretty upset with him. When Denita and Mike pulled up into their driveway they could only wonder not if, but what Don had been up to.

An officer pulled up behind them to tell the couple that a lady had reported a man pulling a BB gun to his head and falling over in their front pasture.

The lady, concerned that it may have been a suicide, contacted the police.

Mike and Denita, knowing instinctively that it was Don, began questioning him. Don was reluctant to admit his mischief and backed up on his original story. He admitted that yes, it was him who had “played dead” in the front pasture.

Of his greatest joys, Don speaks of his family and his love for them. Denita teases him about who his favorite sister is, and Don, playing it safe, mentions all his family as he calls them by name and tells how much he loves them.

Don loves Buna, the many people who he’s shared laughs with, and the fact that it’s home.

Evadale board approves contracts and calendar

By Tina Cooley Beacon Reporter The Evadale Independent School District board of trustees met in regular session on Mar. 12.

On the agenda was the casting of ballots by board members for the Region V board of directors, approving the 2012-13 school calendar, accepting the resignation letter of Jamie Ringo, and approval of numerous contracts as well as an A/C for the administration building.

The meeting began in open session and within minutes entered into closed session on issues relating to personnel. The board reconvened in open session after 33 minutes in closed session.

Superintendent Brenda McDaniel instructed board members to cast their votes on the provided ballots for their choice for the Region V Board of Directors.

McDaniel explained that the process taken to choose the calendar included staff members sending recommendations to members of the site based committee. With these recommendations, campus site based committee members narrowed the selections to “A” and “B” choice calendars for staff members to vote on.

Staff members leaned toward the calendar that included Saturday staff development days resulting in school being dismissed during the summer by June 1.

The board of trustees voted unanimously approving the recommended calendar for the 201213 school year.

Next item on the agenda included accepting the resignation of Jamie Ringo, which the board unanimously approved.

Numerous contracts were up for approval at the board meeting. The first round of contracts to be approved were for term contracts.

All contracts recommended by the campus principals with their appropriate terms were approved

by the board. Probationary contracts were approved in the same manner.

The next round of contracts to be approved were dual assignment term and probationary contracts. In dual assignment contracts, the contract of current athletic director Mark Williams was approved as dual assignment director and coach.

Following the approval of staffing contracts, McDaniels and board president Jim Love addressed the board with the approval of a quote for a new air conditioning unit for the administration building. After some discussion, the board approved the quote and replacement of the unit.

McDaniel presented the superintendent report with current enrollment at 457 students as of Mar. 19, which is an increase of 3 students from the previous report.

Reports were given for the activity fund account balance as of Feb. 29 as well as the substitute report.

The board considered the online TASB boardbook, with McDaniel providing a list of schools currently using the online book at a rate of $700 annually.

The board asked McDaniel to get quotes on replacing the marquee as well as a new cover for the existing one. McDaniel will present the board with the information upon gathering the necessary information.

McDaniel shared a letter received from Catfish Festival president Scott Loar thanking Evadale ISD for the use of their facilities and expressing gratitude for the great turn out and community support.

High school principal, Dale Boothman, congratulated participants in the recent UIL One Act Play performance and shared that Evadale High School advanced to district competition.

The next meeting of the Evadale Independent School District board of trustees will be on Monday, Apr. 16 at 7 p.m.

Did our cameras catch you at a local event?

See for yourself at BunaBeaconPictures.com.

CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH in Buna recently unveiled a monument near their door that holds the 10 Commandments and a bell that was on the former Bessmay Church.

Bible drills test Buna children’s knowledge

By Amber Hawk Beacon Editor The Sabine Neches Baptist Area held their associational Bible drill competition this past Sunday, Apr. 1, at First Baptist Church in Buna.

The competition challenges children to increase their knowledge of the Bible and test their memory. Each participant has spent the past year memorizing 25 Bible verses and the location of 10 key passages. They can find any one of the 66 books in 10 seconds or less.

Drills begin with participants lining up behind a piece of masking tape as family and friends watch. They stand at attention and wait for the caller’s instructions.

The drills are quiet, except for the occasional ruffling of Bible pages and a caller who announces the verse, book, or passage the students are expected to find or recall.

A caller names a verse, passage or book, and children quickly step over the line when they’re able to recite the verse or have found the specified passage. Judges keep score and watch for mistakes, which hurt a child’s score.

Participants must stand straight, with eyes on the caller.

According to LifeWay, which publishes children’s Bible drill resources, “The Bible should be held parallel to the floor with one hand flat on the top and one hand flat on the bottom with no fingers extending over the edges.”

The drills rely on an honor system that asks pupils to raise their hand if they were thinking of the wrong verse or turned to the wrong passage.

To compete at the associational drill, students had to first receive a passing rating at their

church drill.

Children in third through sixth grades advancing from the SNBA association to the state Bible drill finals include Charles Clark, Andrew Hunger, and Reagan Hunger from First Baptist Buna, and from Central Baptist Evadale, Tyleigh Phillips, Kristen Angeron, Lauren Bruce, Camryn Howard, Karigan Christian, Mikayla Ferguson, Ryan LeBlanc, Michaela Terry, Leanna Bishop, and Kade Upshaw.

There is also a junior high youth division in the Bible drill competition for students in seventh through eighth grades.

They must compete at the state semi-final level before advancing to state.

Students advancing from the SNBA association include Jenna Best, Anna Clark, Marie Clark, Elaina Hunger, and Aaron Lanni from First Baptist Buna, and from Central Baptist Evadale, Jayla Hare, Cassie LeBlanc, Courtlyn Christian, Jamie Richardson, and Tyler Angeron.

Also a part of the Bible drill competition is the senior high youth division.

Advancing from the SNBA association are Danae Best from First Baptist Buna and Central Baptist Evadale’s Camilla Howard.

A competition called Speakers Tournament is also a part of the Bible drill competition.

In this competition, youth have to write a three to five minute speeches over Biblical topics and deliver the speech in front of the congregation. If students do well at the state level, they have an opportunity to receive college scholarships.

Sarah Seaman from First Baptist Buna will advance to the state semi-final Speakers Tournament as will Noah Arnold of Calvary Baptist Woodville.

Sheriff’s News

By Jasper County Sheriff Mitchel Newman Officers found a four-wheeler on the north end of the county; nobody knows how it got there or how long it’s been there.

Nobody.

Sounds suspicious to me!

We also found some stolen oilfield material at the recycling place on 190 West. A warrant will be issued.

Had a man killed in Erin while riding at three-wheeler in a hunting club. He was riding with friends when he decided to leave them and return to camp. His friends found him about an hour later.

It is amazing that we don’t have more of these kinds of accicents. Please watch your kids. A helmet might save a life.

Having trouble with neighbors and dogs. This is an ongoing situation that we can’t find a workable solution for all concerned. Please, let’s try to work together, and keep the peace.

We are changing some of our computer software and our employees will begin training this week. Things will be hectic trying to work around everyone’s schedule and keep the overtime down.

Hope this change is better.

Baseball season is here and parents and kids are busy getting into the “swing” of things. If you get a chance, go watch some of the games.

You will find it entertaining and fun, especially the little ones playing for the first time.

They are a blast to watch, and who knows, you just may be witnessing the making of a superstar.

We have 106 in jail this morning. Fourteen of them are from other counties.

Gas prices keep going up, and that is wreaking havoc on our budget.

If you need us, call and we’ll be there.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

BUNA BEACON, PAGE 9A

Homeowners should take advantage of exemptions Homeowners looking to reduce their property tax bills in 2012 may find some relief by filing a homestead exemption. Homestead exemptions are offered by counties, cities, school districts and other local taxing units.

A homestead is generally the house and land used as the owner’s principal residence on January 1 of the tax year.

Homestead exemptions reduce the appraised value of your home and, as a result, lower your property taxes. To apply for an exemption on your residence homestead, contact the Jasper County Appraisal District.

Available homestead exemptions include: • School taxes: All homeowners may receive a $15,000 homestead exemption for school taxes.

• County taxes: If a county collects a special tax for farm-tomarket roads or flood control, a homeowner may receive a $3,000 homestead exemption for this tax.

• Age and disability exemptions: Individuals 65 or older or disabled as defined by law may qualify for a $10,000 homestead exemption for school taxes, in addition to the $15,000 exemption available to all homeowners.

Also, Jasper school district offers an additional $3,340 local optional exemption for taxpayers age 65 or older and/or disabled.

Older or disabled homeowners do not need to own their homes on Jan. 1 to qualify for these special homestead exemptions.

They qualify as soon as they turn 65 or become disabled.

• Taxing units may offer a local option exemption based on a percentage up to 20 percent of a home’s appraised value. The Brookeland and Evadale school districts offer the full 20 percent as does Jasper County and the Evadale and Buna fire districts.

Vidor ISD also offers a 15

percentage exemption.

• Partial disabled veteran exemptions: The law provides partial exemptions for any property owned by veterans who are disabled, spouses and survivors of deceased disabled veterans and spouses and survivors of military personnel who died on active duty. The amount of exemption is determined according to the percentage of serviceconnected disability.

• 100 percent Residence Homestead Exemption for Disabled Veterans: A disabled veteran who receives from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (1) 100 percent disability compensation due to a service-connected disability; and (2) a rating of 100 percent disabled or of individual unemployability is entitled to an exemption from taxation of the total appraised value of the veteran’s residence homestead.

Beginning this year, this benefit has been extended to the surviving spouse upon the veteran’s death with certain restrictions.

Recently passed legislation now requires homeowners to provide proof of residency for a new property tax exemption beginning Sept. 2011. This new requirement does not apply to homeowners who already have homestead exemptions.

For more details on homestead exemptions, contact the Jasper County Appraisal District at (409) 384-2544 or visit 137 North Main St across from the Court House in Jasper. Or contact the Comptroller’s Property Tax Assistance Division at 1-800-2529121 and press “2” to access the menu and then press “1” to contact Information Services.

The homestead exemption application is available online at: www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/ taxforms/50-114.pdf.

Golden Hub Bowling

By Margaret Holmes Top scores for the week of Mar. 26: Linda Townsend 211; Mary Hatch 190; Sharon Dryden 195; Betty Chatagnie 180; Inger Bridges 197; Judy Lemp 182; Yvonne Kirk 176; Lela Hitchens 168.

Team of the week: Compass Bank 1992 series.

League standings as of Mar. 26: Dipsticks 38; Lucky Charms

38; Charlie’s Angels 33; Smoothie King #14 33; Serenity Salon 32; Edward Jones 30 ½; Pooh’s Pals 29; Colton Construction 28; Compass Bank 27; Belles 26; Ultra Con 26; Community Bank 25 ½; Health Care Dynamics 24; Pat’s Spirits 24; Scaredy Cats 23; Hatch’s Wreckers 22; Richbourgs 17; Scatter Brains 16 ½; Quilter’s Studio 16 ½.

Market Report Kirbyville Auction Barn Market Report Mar. 31, 2012 Total Head: 255 Bull Calves 0-299: $1.60 - $2.65 300-399: $1.50 - $2.15 400-499: $1.38 - $1.88 500 and up: $1.25 - $1.75 Heifer Calves 0-299: $1.40 - $2.45 300-399: $1.38 - $2.03 400-499: $1.00 - $1.82 500 and up: $1.00 - $1.60

Pregnant Cows: $710 - $1160 Cow/Calf Pairs: $920 - $1625 Slaughter Cows: $65 - $92 Bulls: $94 - $107 Hogs Boars: $15 - $18 Sows: $38 - $52 Tops: $60 - $71 Pigs: $25 - $40 Goats: $25 - $215

Community churches work together to disciple youth

By Amber Hawk Beacon Editor In last weekend’s Disciple Now event, leaders and members of five local Baptist churches came together with the goal of teaching and training junior high and high school students in the truths of the Bible.

Buna’s Disciple Now event has occurred annually since 2003, and this year, Central Baptist Evadale joined the mix.

Buna churches participating in the weekend were Central Buna, First Baptist, Friendship Baptist, and Genesis Baptist.

Over 250 students participated in the three-day event consisting of worship led by the Steve Waites Band and services led by Randy Redkey, former Buna High School coach who is currently studying at Southern Baptist Seminary in Kentucky.

Students enjoyed small group Bible studies and discussion times led by college students and adults at host homes throughout the weekend.

The theme, Be, was based on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes found in Matthew chapter 5.

“The theme was also kind of a play on combining Buna and Evadale for the first time this year,” said Central Evadale’s youth pastor, Scott Loar.

The sermon and small group

messages focused on being spiritually needy, being hungry for righteousness, and being third.

In addition to learning about the Bible, students were able to build significant relationships with members of their youth groups as well as students from other churches.

They enjoyed team building based games for recreation, led by a group from Dallas Baptist University, and two friendly games of kickball were held late Saturday night at Cougar stadium.

Also, during the Saturday afternoon free time period, several groups participated in a photo scavenger hunt which allowed the students to work together in friendly competition.

It is rare to find churches so willing to work together, but local youth pastors are seeing the fruit of their efforts as their ministries continue to expand.

The youth ministers are quick to give God the glory and point out that they are all working towards the same goal of helping students understand who they are in Christ.

PAGE 10A, BUNA BEACON

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

Jasper County Junior Livestock Show

WINNING EIGHTH PLACE goat at the Jasper County Junior Livestock Show was Kylie Gore of the Buna 4-H group.

WINNING NINTH PLACE hog at the Jasper County Junior Livestock Show was Joel Hare of the Evadale Junior FFA group.

WINNING SEVENTH PLACE hog at the Jasper County Junior Livestock Show was Amanda Adeleena Arnold of the Evadale Future Famers of America group.

WINNING TENTH PLACE steer at the Jasper County Junior Livestock Show was Kennedy Jackson of the Evadale Future Farmers of America group.

WINNING SEVENTH PLACE steer at the Jasper County Junior Livestock Show was Kayla Mancill of the Buna Future Farmers of America group.

WINNING SIXTH PLACE steer at the Jasper County Junior Livestock Show was Brooke Barnett of the Evadale Future Farmers of America group.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

BUNA BEACON, PAGE 11A

BHS Student Forum gives back to library

THE BUNA LITTLE Dribblers junior girls All-Star team consisted of members, back, left to right, Coach Jonah Jackson, Presley Glende, Emma Palmer, Skylar Rutherford, Brooke Sanders, Julia Jackson, Tori Brunette, Gracie Lambright, Coach Curtis Jackson, front, left to right, China Westbrook, Rylie Burt, Kennedy Goldman, Laila Fry, and Tori Clark.

THE BUNA LITTLE Dribblers junior boys All-Star team included members, back, left to right, Coach BJ Spell, Karson Goldman, Logan O’Dell, Blaine Marks, Nolan Sonnier, Garrett Estridge, Coach Jason Williams, front, left to right, Rhett Kelly, Michael Westbrooks, Brett Spell, Keegan Hopson, Mark Davis, and Kristian Johnson.

By Amber Hawk Beacon Editor The Youth Leadership of Southeast Texas hosts a leadership conference at Lamar Institute of Technology annually in February.

Attending the conference were business and community leaders, Lamar and LIT department chairman, public school principals and teachers and student leaders from all the districts in Region V. Buna High School teacher and Student Forum Advisor Kathy Darling was able to bring two BHS students to attend this year’s conference, Student Forum President Colby Ratcliff and Student Forum Vice-President Raylee Richardson.

At the conference the students were challenged, with the help of university and business leaders, to create a project that helps their community. Ratcliff and Richardson selected a project that will benefit all of Buna, the Buna Public Library.

During the school year the Buna Public Library offers a book reading program to pre-school age children, a place where students can continue to do their research when the school libraries are closed. It also offers adult education GED classes through Region V, an alternative educa-

WINNING AT THE Jasper County Junior Livestock Show were Buna 4-H members Madisyn McClelland, left, tenth place hog, and Case VanDevender, right, tenth place goat.

WINNING AT THE Jasper County Livestock Show was Evadale FFA member Brooke Tanton, left, seventh place goat, and Buna 4-H member Tyler Holland, tenth place rabbit, right.

WINNING AT THE Jasper County Junior Livestock Show were Buna FFA members Anna Welch, left, sixth place rabbit, and Emilee Harris, right, sixth place goat.

tion campus to Buna Independent School District, and access to government documents during tax season.

In the summer, the Buna Public Library offers a summer reading program to school age children and a cool place to get out of the heat and keep student’s reading skills sharp.

Throughout the year the public library provides adults with an important access to technology.

With so many companies posting job openings on the Internet or only accepting electronic applications, the Buna Public Library offers free Internet access to the community for email, resume writing, job search, and application purposes.

“The Buna Public Library provides a vital connection to the people of Buna and the surrounding areas,” said Ratcliff.

“Like all libraries, it offers a safe environment for pleasure reading and video loan, but expands its collections to include the Houston Public Library’s collection through the Inter-library loan program.”

The BHS Student Forum sold individual and class Easter pictures to Buna Elementary School students.

With the cooperation of the BES staff and Coach Traci Sherman, members of the Student Forum moved props, lined up kids, tied shoes, wiped noses, zipped zippers, turned around backwards t-shirts, and said “cheese” countless times to raise money in support of the Buna Public Library.

Through the students’ efforts, over $900 was raised for the community organization.

Darling said the event wouldn’t have been possible without parents’ support, students’ hard work, and the behind the scenes efforts of many Buna ISD staff members.

STUDENT FORUM MEMBERS from Buna High School lined up elementary students, tied shoes, and took pictures last week for their community service project. The students raised over $900 for the Buna Public Library.

PAGE 12A, BUNA BEACON

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 4, 2012

Nicole Casper gets full scholarship to McNeese

Gracie

By Amber Hawk Beacon Editor On Wednesday, Mar. 28, Buna High School senior Nicole Casper signed a letter of intent to participate in the track program at McNeese State University beginning in August.

Casper, along with her parents Donald and Lynn Broom, met in the Buna Independent School District Administration building with Athletic Director Bradley Morgan, Superintendent Robin Perez, and coaches Rhonda Dobbins, Kay Butler, Cory Harrison, and Holli Farias to celebrate the occasion.

A few months ago Casper visited the Lake Charles campus to take a tour and talk to the coaches. It didn’t take much to convince Casper to become a Cowgirl.

“I really liked the coaches,” she said. “They were nice, and I think I will be able to work well with them.”

Working well with coaches is something Casper is known for.

“She’s that athlete that you don’t have to push,” said Harrison.

‘She’s very driven, and she knows what she wants.”

Dobbins says that Casper’s parents have a great influence on her and have helped mold her to the honorable teen she is today.

“Her parents are supportive and just as dedicated as she is,” said Dobbins. “It’s rare to see that, and it’s been a pleasure working with them and seeing Nicole succeed.”

Success has seemed to follow Casper throughout her athletic career at BHS. She has played varsity volleyball, basketball, tennis, softball, track, and been a varsity cheerleader.

She was the 2010 and 2011 State Pole Vault Champion. In basketball, she was named to the 2012 First Team All-District.

In volleyball she was the 2012 Offensive MVP and named to the 2012 First Team All-District. She was the softball 2011 Defensive Player of the Year.

Although Casper said that it has taken a lot of hard work to get where she is, she attributes much of her success to her family’s support and a great team of coaches who have worked well with her.

“I couldn’t have gotten where I am today without them,” she said.

In addition to working with Buna coaches, over the past few years Casper has traveled to Jacksonville to work with Carl Erickson, a former track coach for

a birthday gift from her parents.

“Doctors keep telling us they don’t know why things like this happen, but we believe that’s just how God wanted to create Gracie,” said Kathy. “We love the Bible verse from Jeremiah 1:5 that says, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’ We have no doubt that God has big plans for Gracie.”

Part of God’s plans for Gracie include being a living testimony of the importance of research on prematurity, birth defects, and infant health.

“It has taken us three years to get a solid answer about Gracie’s condition,” said Kathy. “It’s our hope that research and awareness can help others get answers faster.”

The Hendersons work with the Texas chapter of The March of Dimes Foundation, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and babies.

In fact, Team Gracie will be a part of Beaumont’s March for

Baylor and Texas Universities.

Erickson has produced numerous national champions, been an Olympic Coach, and sent students to the Olympic Trials.

Although Casper worked with Erickson to improve her pole vaulting techniques, she still holds her Buna coaches in high regard.

In fact, her 2011 state championship ring is engraved with the words, “Coach B. The one and only,” dedicated to Butler.

Farias says it’s not just the coaches who see Casper’s determination.

“Her teammates know that it’s something she’s worked hard for, and they too are proud of her accomplishments,” said Farias.

Although Casper says it’s nice to have the scholarship secured, she will still be hitting the track here and suiting up as a Buna Lady Cougar on the softball field.

“I’m hoping to make another run at the pole vault state championship,” she said.

Casper will start at McNeese in the fall. Although her scholarship is a full ride, she will sign a letter of intent each year.

“The scholarship is performance based,” she said. “I have to keep a 2.5 GPA, and I have to keep pole vaulting well.”

But that doesn’t seem like it will be a problem.

Last year Casper won the state championship with a 11'9" mark, and this year, she’s already hit 12’6" in area meets.

With marks like that, Casper is set to be competitive at the next level as well.

The McNeese Cowboys and Cowgirls compete in the Southland Conference against Lamar, Sam Houston State, Nicholls State, Northwestern State, Central Arkansas, Southeastern Louisiana, Stephen F. Austin, UT Arlington, UTSA, Texas A&M Corpus Christi, and Texas State.

Since 1999, the individual women’s championship pole vaulting marks in the Southland Conference have ranged from 11’7" to 13’5.”

“I know that competing in college will be difficult, but I’m thankful for the opportunity,” said Casper.

She is the second Buna senior this year to sign a letter of intent to play a sport at the next level as Richard Walden is set to play baseball at Williams Baptist College beginning in the fall.

The BHS track teams will head to the district meet next week.

Keep reading the Buna Beacon to follow Casper’s success.

From page 1A

THE BUNA INDEPENDENT School District held an event at the Administration Building for senior Nicole Casper last Wednesday. She signed a letter of intent to be a part of the track program at McNeese State University in the fall.

4H Member of the Month Kinzi Nolan Birthday: June 13, 2003.

School: Buna Elementary School - Third grade.

Parents: Keith and Jill Nolan.

4-H History: 1 year.

What animals I raise: Rabbits.

Babies, coming up April 21 on the Lamar University campus. The March is a three mile walk, and registration begins at 9 a.m.

And Gracie won’t be the only familiar face.

Leading the festivities will be James and Ashlee Haefs of Buna, along with their daughter, Madilynn Rose, who will serve as the 2012 Beaumont March for Babies Ambassador family.

To get involved in the March for BabiesApril 2, 2012, contact one of these families or visit marchforbabies.org.

As far as Gracie goes, there’s no telling where this 3-year-old beauty will be in years to come.

Perhaps she will follow in the footsteps of her father and RaShad Bristo. Gracies’ dad is a Lieutenant, but Bristo, born with only one arm, is a correctional facilities officer.

Or maybe she will be a pilot like Jessica Cox who was born without either of her arms.

Whatever God leads her to do, Gracie won’t come with any excuses. She will continue to fight for the best life she can have, just as she has from her very first breath.