September 23-October 4 “We have to continue to improve,” Nacogdoches head coach Scott Ford said. “We can’t feel sorry for ourselves, because everyone else in the district is in the same position we are in.” Starting center Joe Goode, who has been out all season, is expected to play. Running back Teryl Holcomb should also be back, along with several other players who have been upgraded to questionable. There is not much secret to what Pine Tree wants to do on offense — run the football. “The run a Navy-type offense,” Ford said. “It’s something we will only see once this year. We’ve spent a lot of time preparing for it, and the kids have responded well.”
Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Senior Alexia Morones, 17, left, and sophomore Sarah Prince, 15, put the finishing touches on a homecoming mum Wednesday during a floral design class at Nacogdoches High School. The Golden Dragons will host Pine Tree for the annual homecoming football game tonight to open district play with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. at NHS.
NHS hosts Pine Tree for district opener, homecoming
The Pirates (0-3) have rushed for 1,036 yards on 193 carries by eight different ball carries. Four players — Jake Oden, Victor Butler, Xavier McCoo and Matt Cox — have at least 25 carries. Oden, the Pirates’ quarterback, has attempted only 24 passes, seven of which have been complete for 70 yards. Oden and Butler, the fullback, get the majority of the carries is Pine Tree’s offense. Tonight will be one of four home games for Nacogdoches in district. The Dragons will be on the road next week to face John Tyler.
Friday, September 23, 2011 BRANDON OGDEN The Nacogdoches Dragons have a chance to start with a fresh slate tonight. Along with the seven other teams in District 14-4A, the Dragons will be 0-0 when they host Pine Tree for homecoming and the 14-4A football opener at 7:30 p.m. at Dragon Stadium. Wiping the slate clean will be a good thing for Nacogdoches, which finished 0-3 in non-district play. With the start of district, the Dragons also hope to have some players return from injuries.
Oden
Goode
1
September 23 – October 4
NISD NEWS 2011
NONPROFIT
in and assist people.
United Way maps out game plan Agency stresses importance in light of state budget cuts
Education this year took a hit in funding, but the next couple of years will be even more of a problem, Sabo said.
Friday, September 23, 2011 BY ERIN MCKEON emckeon@dailysentinel.com If nonprofits want to get their messages out to state legislators, it’s going to have to be less about them and more about the larger picture in order to receive funding, a United Way spokesman said. “It’s time to organize now in Nacogdoches and the state,” said Jason Sabo, the senior vice president for public policy for United Ways of Texas. “Politics haven’t changed. The legislature this year is the same as it will be next year. You all are losing political power as you’re losing population. That doesn’t mean you lose political influence, just that you’re going to have to be more creative in your approach.” Legislators, he said, need to know the ripple effect of their decisions. “These organizations are very important to economic development and are right up there with NEDCO and the chamber of commerce,” Nacogdoches County United Way CEO and President Gary Lee Ashcraft said at the quarterly partnership meeting Thursday. “If we can keep taking this message to all the volunteers on the many, many boards and civic clubs in the county and encourage them to push forward to our legislative delegation and the entire delegation, that’s what it’s going to take in order to prosper and survive.” The legislature this year made historic cuts to the Foundation School Program of $4 billion and an additional $1.4 billion in cuts to public education grants, not including its decision not to fund student growth, Sabo said during the meeting. “We add, every year, about 80,000 new students in Texas,” he said. Cuts to hospitals, doctor and dentist provider rates, as well as other health care services also happened, further emphasizing the need for nonprofits to step
In 2012-13, Nacogdoches ISD will lose $3.6 million in funding, Garrison ISD loses $970,000, Cushing about $787,000, Central Heights will lose $734,000, Woden will lose $653,000, Douglass loses a total of about $527,000 and Etoile $79,000, according to statistics from the Texas Tribune. “We’ve known the budget for the next year and have prepared for those constraints, however the 2012-13 school year has had a number of unknowns for some time,” Nacogdoches ISD Communications Director Marty Prince said. NISD decided at the last school board meeting to join about 700 other districts in a lawsuit addressing the Legislature’s school finance decisions. What it all boils down to, Ashcraft said, is getting the word out, not once, not twice, but repeatedly to the legislators about the need for nonprofits to continue receiving funding to keep our community strong. “It all ties together,” he said.
NHS:Family to be honored at Nacogdoches homecoming About 30 members of the Novel George Bright Sr. Family will be at tonight’s Nacogdoches High School homecoming game to watch as their family is honored as Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni during pre-game activities. The Nacogdoches Dragons will host Pine Tree tonight in Dragon Stadium for their district opener. Pre-game homecoming activities begin at 7 p.m., followed by the NHSAA alumni honorees, followed by kick-off at 7:30 p.m. NHSAA honors the late Novel G and Dovie Mae Bailey Bright Family as Distinguished Alumnus of Nacogdoches High School. Novel and Dovie both attended Nacogdoches schools, and they married in 1914.
2
September 23 – October 4
Novel joined his father’s grocery business, O.A. Bright & Sons, in 1911, and it later became Novel Bright Grocery “doing business on the square” downtown for 32 years before moving to North Street and becoming Novel Bright Modern Grocery in 1938. The business was sold in 1945 but repurchased in 1947 by N.G. Jr. and Charles Bright. The two brothers established Bright Coop Company in 1951 after again selling the grocery store. Charles Bright is still active in the Bright Coop business after 60 years. All seven grandchildren at one time worked at Bright Coop Company while attending NHS, and some continued with the company during various stages of their lives. Richard Bright and John Novel Swearingen ended up as full time employees. Dovie Bailey Bright came from a family in the grocery business in Nacogdoches, with her father owning L.C. Bailey Grocery. Novel served on the NISD board of directors from 1940 to 1946. Their children are the late N. G. Bright Jr., NHS class of ’34, and his late wife Anne Middlebrook, ’38; Joyce Bright Swearingen, ‘40, and her husband, Doug Swearingen; and Charles Bright, ’45, and his wife, Carolyn Muckleroy Price, ’44, and his late wife, Lois Marie Gibbs, ‘43. Anne Bright also served on the NISD school board.
NISD NEWS 2011
Dovie & Novel George Bright Sr. when they married in 1914.
All of the grandchildren of Novel and Dovie graduated from NHS. They are: Fred Bright, ’67; Richard Bright, ’69; and Merry Anne Bright Shelton, ’74; Sandra Swearingen Tatum, ’68, and her husband Lonnie Tatum, ‘66; James Swearingen, ’71, and his wife Robin, ‘72; John Swearingen, ’74; and Janet Kay Swearingen Baxter, ’75. Their legacy continued through the years with their great grandchildren. They are Charles Bright, ’99; Paul Strawther, ’99; Christina Swearingen, ’99; Christopher Swearingen, ’97; N. G. Schmidt, ’94; Chuck French, ’87; Dixie Rose Daniels, ’00; Andrew Bright, ’03; Basey Swearingen, ’08; Dovie Swearingen, a senior at NHS; and a great-great granddaughter, Alaunah Hall, a freshman at NHS. Novel and Dovie Bright and their children and spouses joined the First Christian Church of Nacogdoches. The seven grandchildren grew up in the same church. Likewise, many of the great grandchildren joined the others, and today, many family members are still a part of First Christian, where Novel and Dovie worshiped beginning in 1916.
Right: Bright family children, from left, N.G. Bright Jr., now deceased, and Joyce Bright Swearingen and Charles Bright.
Joyce Bright Swearingen and her husband, Doug, owned the Credit Bureau of Nacogdoches and Swearingen Office Equipment. After selling their businesses, Doug went to work for Bright Coop and retired after 27 years. Joyce joined Fredonia State Bank, now BancorpSouth, in 1973 and retired as senior vice president in 1989 and from the board in 1995.
Joyce Swearingen was among the first board members of the NHSAA. “When we started, we had one scholarship a year,” she said. “Now, it’s close to 70 that they gave last year. ... to think that you helped that many kids and gave them an opportunity to further their educati “It’s been worth every bit of the time that’s been put into it,” she said, “and we should be very thankful that Milton Pitts, Vardaman Johnson and Bob Morgan, the founders, put it together, and they have continued to have great, hard-working boards. “I think it’s great for NHS to have the tool to help so many kids,” she said. The tradition of education in the Nacogdoches schools and support for the NHSAA will be carried on by the family of Novel G. and Dovie Mae Bright.
3
September 23 – October 4
NHS KING & QUEEN
NISD NEWS 2011
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Sweet victory Dragons upend PT in 14-4A opener BY BRANDON OGDEN bogden@dailysentinel.com
The Nacogdoches Dragons had nearly 400 yards of offense and forced four turnovers in a 42-21 victory over Pine Tree — the Dragons’ first win of the season — in the District 14-4A football opener Friday night at Dragon Stadium. “It’s a big win,” Nacogdoches head coach Scott Ford said. “Like I said earlier in the week, four teams are 1-0, and four teams are 0-1. We are glad to be one of the teams that are 1-0.” Andrew D. Brosig The Daily Sentinel Niyah Sanders and Tre’ Colston, both 17, were crowned queen and king on Friday before the Nacogdoches Golden Dragon’s 2011 Homecoming match-up with Longview-Pine Tree at Dragon Stadium.
Facing a team with a runningbased offense, it was Nacogdoches that used its ground game to rack up the points. Damion Johnson rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Derrick Fields had 142 yards and a score on 20 carries. “It was a humongous win for us,” Johnson said. “We’ve worked hard to get this, and we deserve it. We knew we had to execute when we got the ball, and we were able to do that.” Johnson was 6-of-12 through the air for 80 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. All of Johnson’s pass attempts came in the first half. The only official pass in the second half was late in the fourth quarter by Pine Tree’s Jake Oden. It was intercepted by Geoffrey Deckard, the second straight game he’s picked off a pass. Nacogdoches fumbled the ball seven times, all of which it recovered. The only two turnovers came on the first-half interceptions. Pine Tree turned one of those interceptions into a 5-yard touchdown run by Victor Butler midway in the second quarter to cut the score to 14-7. Butler rushed for 186 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries for the Pirates, who had 382 total yards — 348 on the ground on 62 attempts.
4
September 23 – October 4
NISD NEWS 2011
Nacogdoches’ first two touchdowns came on an 11yard strike from Johnson to Tim Williams less than two minutes into the game and a 10-yard run by Johnson in the second quarter. The Dragons tacked on a 9-yard run by Fields with 2:17 left in the first half to take a 21-7 lead into the break. Pine Tree lost three fumbles in the first half. “Our defense did a great job forcing turnovers,” Johnson said. “We just tried to capitalize when they gave us the ball back. It was a really exciting atmosphere.” “Our defense played really well,” Ford said. “I was pleased with their performance. We got a few kids back from injuries, which helped a lot.”
Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Nacogdoches receiver Tim Williams (1) pulls in the pass close to the first down around Pine Tree linebacker Marivious Allen (24) during the first half Friday at Dragon Stadium.
Two notable returners were center Joe Goode and running back Marcus Johnson. Marcus Johnson had two late carries for eight yards and a score. Damion Johnson scored from three yards out early in the third quarter to make it a 28-7 Dragon lead. Pine Tree added a score of its own with a 4-yard run from Butler to make it 28-14 after three quarters. The Dragons almost missed a scoring opportunity in the third quarter when they ran the ball near the goal line, and during a scuffle after the play, Jacob Bragg was involved in an altercation, which resulted in a 15-yard penalty on the Dragons, and Bragg was ejected from the game. Damion Johnson and Marcus Johnson each ran for touchdowns in the final frame to round out Nacogdoches’ scoring, and Jake Oden — who rushed for 100 yards on 19 carries — scored on 12-yard run for Pine Tree. Nacogdoches (1-3, 1-0) travels to John Tyler next week, while Pine Tree (0-4, 0-1) hosts Kilgore. Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Dragon defender Shaq Jones (10) slams into Pine Tree quarterback Jake Oden, forcing the fumble near the Nacogdoches end zone during the first half Friday at Dragon Stadium.
5
September 23 – October 4
1861 AT NACOGDOCHES UNIVERSITY
NISD NEWS 2011
road next week with matches against Kilgore and John Tyler. “Pine Tree is at the top of the district,” Belshaw said. “We had our moments in Game 2, but we weren’t able to finish. “I knew they have some height, but they also hit hard.” Victoria Hetrick and Ashton Brown each had a ace for the Lady Dragons. Brown added a block and two kills. Charity Page had three kills.
Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Re-enactor Larry Mink, standing center, talks about medical practices at Civil War field hospitals to a group of fifth grade students Friday with the Old University Building as a backdrop on the Thomas J. Rusk Elementary School campus in Nacogdoches. Mink of Houston is a member of the cast of “1861 at Nacogdoches University” which wraps up its annual run tonight at 8 in the OUB.
HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL
Pine Tree sweeps Nacogdoches BY KEVIN GORE kgore@dailysentinel.com
Ben Belshaw knew his team faced a tall task, one that would take a huge effort to overcome. Once the match started, it seemed to grow taller with each kill the opponent delivered. Behind its power game and overall consistent play, Pine Tree swept the Lady Dragons in a District 144A volleyball match, winning 25-10, 25-17 and 257 at Dragon Coliseum Friday. Nacogdoches (14-15) fell to 2-3 in district play against Pine Tree (27-5), which is a perfect 5-0 in district. Nacogdoches had defeated Jacksonville and Marshall the last two matches. The team will hit the
Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Lady Dragon Ashton Brown (6) attempts the block of a Pine Tree shot with backup from Qymeka Jackson (11) during the first game of the match Friday at Nacogdoches High School.
A Closer Look: Not a dull day goes by for Malinda Lindsey BY MEAGAN O’TOOLE-PITTS mpitts@dailysentinel.com
A school day for Thomas J. Rusk Elementary Principal Malinda Lindsey starts at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday was no different. Record absences. Check email. Review and sign for time clock reports, travel vouchers and field trips. Greet students, parents, teachers and staff. “Ms. Floyd, how are you today?” Lindsey calls out
6
September 23 – October 4
to a student in the hall before the start of classes. At 7:30 a.m. Lindsey jump-starts the day in the auditorium with “Fireworks” by Katy Perry. “You gotta ignite the light and let it shine,” TJR students sing loudly while jumping to a choreographed beat. “Just own the night like the 4th of July.”
NISD NEWS 2011
workshop, reads an email from an NISD administrator, runs upstairs to offer her help with a project in the library, runs downstairs to the cafeteria to help distribute milk and pastries to students, and wheels two coolers to the front office to ensure late students are able to grab breakfast on their way in, and ushers late students to their classes. “
“You never know what the day’s going to bring. I always have an agenda, but you never know.
Andrew Brosig The Daily Sentinel
Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Thomas J. Rusk Elementary Principal Malinda Lindsey collects hugs from some of her students as she greets them on their way into school Wednesday. After being out of school Tuesday for training, Lindsey was pleased her kids noticed her absence and missed her, she said.
Lindsey also announces birthdays and brags on students for doing well in class. On occasion, a teacher is voted to be bragged on, Lindsey said.
Principal Malinda Lindsey is pictured in a rare moment behind her desk in her office at Thomas J. Rusk Elementary on Wednesday. The job of principal is one of the most challenging jobs she’s ever had in education, she said, and one of the most satisfying. As a part of Jump Start, a morning tradition at the school, all students gather in the auditorium to sing a song of their choice and pledge allegiance to the United States of America, Texas and TJR.
You never know what the day’s going to bring,” Lindsey said. “I always have an agenda, but you never know.”
“It’s going to be a great day at TJR!” Lindsey roars before setting loose the masses to fill the hallways.
After attaching a pedometer to her wrist one day, Lindsey discovered she walks six to eights miles during the school day, never sitting in one place for more than a minute or two.
Lindsey then stops in the hall to say hello to a pair of sisters with matching black and white bows in their braided hair.
“There’s never a dull moment,” Lindsey said. “Ever.”
Before the clock hits 8:30 a.m., Lindsey walks the hallways, reminding teachers as she passes that she won’t be on campus next Wednesday to attend a
Lindsey is working hard to improve the academic performance of students at TJR, which was rated “academically unacceptable” by the Texas Education Agency this year.
7
September 23 – October 4
“Monday, we have curriculum meeting in every single grade level,” she said. “So Mondays, that’s all we talk about — upcoming curriculums, lesson planning, student data, interventions. Is it working?” On the 2011 TAKS, about 50 percent of TJR students made a year or more of growth in math, Lindsey said. “We had a student in fourth grade who gained 213 points but still didn’t pass,” Lindsey said. “But that’s a huge growth for that kid.” While attending to the needs of the school’s 700 students and 80 personnel, Lindsey finds the time to work on reports for the TEA which monitor the progress of students’ academic performance.
NISD NEWS 2011
distractions, Lindsey said she only uses the school’s intercom in cases of emergency. Wednesday afternoon, Lindsey met with faculty to discuss the school’s improvement plan. “I think we have great things in place,” she said. “I have great staff. We’re just moving forward.” At the faculty meeting, Lindsey also discussed the school’s plan to build a plant and vegetable garden for fourth and fifth graders on campus Saturday and the district’s campaign to top the more than $10,000 it donated to United Way last year. As Lindsey sits at her desk to schedule her already overbooked calendar, “Chalkdust” by Elspeth Campbell Murphy sits upright on the shelf above her head. Above her pink and zebra-patterned file folders stands tall a “Wonder Woman” glass. “I’ve had lot’s of different jobs in education,” said Lindsey, mother of three and 1988 NHS graduate. “This is the hardest job I’ve ever had, but it’s the most rewarding.”
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Dragons mix up winning formula
Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Principal Malinda Lindsey, center, sings with her students during morning assembly in the TJR auditorium on Wednesday. The morning gatherings give students and staff a chance to kick off the day, recognizing birthdays and achievements, Lindsey said.
Lindsey and other personnel also work with a consultant, as mandated by the TEA, to up the school’s test scores. To keep students on track and limit the number of
Nacogdoches football coach Scott Ford has stressed the importance of several different areas needed for his team to be successful this season — ball control, winning the turnover battle, winning in the kicking game and putting points on the board. The Dragons were able to do all of those things pretty well Friday night in a 42-21 victory over Pine Tree — their first of the season — in the District 14-4A opener at Dragon Stadium. Pine Tree entered with a ball-control offense, which was effective. The Pirates did a good job of using misdirection and option reads to run for 348 yards on 62 carries. The problem for the Pirates was that it turned into only 21 points, and they turned the ball over four times. The Dragons had two early turnovers and punted once — in the first half. In the second half, the
8
September 23 – October 4
NISD NEWS 2011
Dragons scored touchdowns on all three of their possessions, having the ball for more than 13 minutes and the lead.
touchdowns — one through the air and three on the ground. He also had more than 250 yards — 178 rushing.
Back to the turnovers. Nacogdoches had two firsthalf passes intercepted, but didn’t attempt a pass in the second half. The Dragons made up for their giveaways by forcing four turnovers by the Pirates. The Dragons recovered three fumbles, two of which were forced by Shaq Jones. Geoffrey Deckard intercepted a pass late in the game, his second straight game with a pick.
Now, the Dragons have the task of facing a very talented John Tyler team at Rose Stadium. John Tyler is coming off a 65-6 rout of Hallsville Friday night. The Lions nearly defeated Lufkin in the season opener in a 34-31 decision. In other District 14-4A action, Whitehouse held off Jacksonville, 22-21, and Kilgore took a 47-41 win over Marshall in double overtime.
Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Golden Dragon quarterback Damion Johnson is fleet of foot as he rushed for 178 yards and three touchdowns in Nacogdoches’ 42-21 homecoming victory Friday against Pine Tree at NHS.
Now to the kicking game. Senior Tanner Dean has been a huge addition to the Dragons and could ultimately be the difference in how the team fares in district. He made all of his point-after attempts (6for-6), as well as booting the ball deep down the field on kickoffs, including some touchbacks.
Dragon football players, members of the offensive line, volunteered their services as leaders and mentors to fifthgraders at T.J.R. Elementary School for a second year. The players used lessons from Nacogdoches ISD’s character eduction program, “The Way of the Dragon,” to talk about the importance of having a good attitude and self-image. Pictured front row, from left, are Tyler Linyard, Alex Gavin, Ashton Samford, Coach Todd Palmer and Rakim Duffield; and back row, Jonnta Caldwell, Malik Gilder, Davincent Crane, Matt Rocco and Jacob Bragg.
Also, even though the Dragons only punted once, it was a 47-yarder off the foot of Patrick Ledet, who is only in his second game as the Dragons’ punter. Ledet and Dean give the Dragons two interesting elements that could play huge dividends as the season progresses. And the all important factor was the 42 points the Dragons scored — their highest total this season. Nacogdoches scored at least once in every quarter, and quarterback Damion Johnson accounted for four
9
September 23 – October 4
Toasts: Etoile students, three
NISD NEWS 2011
School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund in Fields’ name.
county school districts, SFA, NISD Tuesday, September 27, 2011 4:38 pm
... to Nacogdoches ISD for stepping up to the plate and fulfilling the needs and stomachs of its most vulnerable students. And not only did NISD address nutritional needs, the district provided added educational opportunities, as well. NISD served up 1.4 million hot meals to students last year and another 61,000 meals at 26 locations throughout the city this summer. But food was just the icing on the array of programs NISD offered 1,274 students this past summer, some of which catered to bilingual students. Learning camps, a stimulus funded program to enhance individual learning, taught 411 students this summer.
Jones, Fields win weekly awards Tuesday, September 27
Congratulations to both players from the Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association, Tipton Ford, Allsport Dynamics and Karczewski Bradshaw Law Firm. Geoffrey Deckard won the defensive award the week before in a 35-21 setback against Carthage. Deckard, a senior defensive back, had a 97-yard interception return for a touchdown. Tipton Ford will donate $100 to the Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund in Deckard’s name. Damion Johnson took the offensive honors against Carthage. The senior quarterback had 147 yards passing and 100 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. Allsport Dynamics and Karczewski Bradshaw Law Firm will donate $100 to the Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund in Johnson’s name.
BRANDON OGDEN
Two Nacogdoches Dragon football players were rewarded for their efforts in Friday night’s 42-21 win over Pine Tree. The Outstanding Defensive Dragon Player of the game was Shaq Jones. The senior linebacker made several tackles and forced two fumbles. Tipton Ford will donate $100 to the Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund in Jones’ name. The Outstanding Offensive Dragon Player of the game was Derrick Fields. The junior running back rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. Allsport Dynamics and Karczewski Bradshaw Law Firm will donate $100 to the Nacogdoches High
Dragons in battle of unbeatens Tuesday, September 27, 2011 11:03 pm
BRANDON OGDEN District 14-4A features a first-place battle and an important rivalry game in the second week of league action. The opening week of 14-4A play had a blowout, two last-second thrillers and a game that’s hard to classify. John Tyler took out its 0-3 frustrations on Hallsville with a 65-6 rout. Kilgore outlasted Marshall with a 47-41 victory in double-overtime. Whitehouse benefited from a
10
September 23 – October 4
penalty on Jacksonville on a point-after attempt with no time left to take a 22-21 win. Nacogdoches got its first win of the season, a 42-21 decision over Pine Tree, in a game where the Dragons always had a comfortable lead, yet didn’t completely pull away until the very end. This week’s slate will allow a few teams to have a chance at a 2-0 start, while other teams will look to avoid 0-2 starts. Here are the 14-4A games of the week. Nacogdoches (1-3, 1-0) at John Tyler (1-3, 1-0): The records are identical, but the reality is that the Dragons will have their hands full Friday night at Rose Stadium. The Lions are loaded with athletes and were very close to defeating Lufkin in the season opener before dropping a 34-31 decision. Greg Ward, a play-making receiver for John Tyler last season, has done a good job at quarterback. He is 84-of-118 for 1,103 yards and nine touchdowns with only two interceptions. The Dragons will need a big game from quarterback Damion Johnson, who has rushed for 418 yards and six touchdowns. This is the only matchup of district unbeatens on tap. Jacksonville (0-4, 0-1) at Marshall (1-3, 0-1): Both teams suffered heartbreaking losses last week. Each squad will look to bounce back in this classic rivalry game.
NISD NEWS 2011
Marshall had a field goal blocked in double overtime, and Kilgore returned it 60 yards for the win. Expect a physical game Friday in Marshall. Hallsville (1-3, 0-1) at Whitehouse (1-3, 1-0): Nobody wants to be in Hallsville’s position right now. After a 65-6 thumping at the hands of John Tyler, the Bobcats get the task of facing Whitehouse’s explosive offense, which averages nearly 40 points per game. Whitehouse used a different method to win last week to take a 22-21 decision over Jacksonville in what could be considered an unexpected defensive battle. Expect Whitehouse’s offense to pick back up and for Hallsville to be 0-2. Kilgore (2-2, 1-0) at Pine Tree (0-4, 0-1): The Bulldogs hold claim to the best overall record in 144A. And if things go according to plan, Kilgore should increase that mark against an overmatch Pine Tree team. The Pirates showed they can run the ball, picking up 348 yards on the ground in their loss to Nacogdoches. Their lack of a passing game and struggling defense hinder their chances to win this game.
Special teams played a large role in each ending last week. Jacksonville scored on the final play of regulation, but had a false start on the extra-point attempt and missed the attempt after being moved back.
11
September 23 – October 4
KEY PEOPLE IN EDUCATION Celebrating community
NISD NEWS 2011
We have all different types of people that make up Nacogdoches. That’s the beauty of it.” Now, Etech employs more than 1,000 East Texans in Nacogdoches, Lufkin and Rusk, Rocco said.
Matt Rocco, NISD board president, is an active Nacogdoches resident
In 2010, Rocco was elected to the NISD board of trustees. In May, Rocco was elected president of the board.
Editor’s note: This is the first installment of, a series of seven articles profiling the NISD board of trustees. “Key People in Education” is produced through a partnership with the Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association and the Daily Sentinel.
In addition to the NISD board, Rocco has served on the boards of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Nacogdoches County and the Nacogdoches Dragon Athletic Booster Club.
BY MEAGAN O’TOOLE-PITTS mpitts@dailysentinel.com Matt Rocco, Nacogdoches ISD board president, has been in the call center industry for 27 years, but being an active member of his community is job number one. “I think Nacogdoches is a great community,” he said. Originally from Pennsylvania, Rocco moved to Texas in 2000. Rocco graduated in 1984 from Dickinson College, a liberal arts college in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with a bachelor’s degree in economics and accounting. “I’ve been involved in leadership positions my whole career,” Rocco said. Today, Rocco is chief operating officer for Etech, Inc., an outsourcing company with 2,300 employees in the U.S., India and Jamaica. “I’m used to working with large teams,” he said. “I’m used to analyzing data, managing budgets and know how to analyze and understand the impacts financial decisions make.” Rocco has been with the company since its inception in 2003, when Etech had only 400 employees at its one office in Nacogdoches. “We’ve grown to seven call centers,” he said. “There’s 2,300 people all from different backgrounds, different beliefs. It’s a very diverse company, just like our school district.
Currently, Rocco serves on the boards of License Plates of Texas, LLC, the Pineywoods Youth Football Association, the Nacogdoches Economic Development Council and the Glory Gang Min-istry, a Christian service organization that teaches disadvantaged youth. Rocco has three children. His oldest son, who graduated from NHS, is a senior at Baylor University. His two youngest children are attending NHS today. “That helps me understand from their eyes, from other parents’ eyes, what are the opportunities and what are the strengths of the district,” he said. “It is certainly helpful if you have children in the system when you serve as a board member.” Rocco cont. Although the district faces big challenges in the next couple of years, Rocco said, the challenges aren’t insurmountable. “The biggest challenge we’re facing is how do we tackle all the issues we have, given the uncertainty of the cuts to the education budget and what might happen in the next biennium,” he said. “There’s a lot of things we would like to do. It’s how do you prioritize the funding to get the biggest gains that you’re hoping for? The board working with the community helps to set those priorities.” Rocco said the board plans to involve the community more. “The only way we’re going to achieve the types of results we want to see is if each and every person in this community is willing to play a role in that — businesses, churches, individuals,” he said. “It’s not just up to the teachers and the staff of the school district.”
12
September 23 – October 4
NHS: Local student chosen by national program Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Olumide F. Sokunbi, a student at Nacogdoches High School, was named one of 1,600 black American high school seniors who have been chosen as semifinalist in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. Those chosen will be able to compete for approximately 800 achievement scholarship awards worth more than $2.4 million to be offered in the spring. To be considered for the scholarships, semifinalists must fulfill several requirement to advance to the finalist level. About 80 percent are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win an achievement scholarship award.
NHSAA:New president named BY MILTON PITTS Class of ’54 The annual meeting of the Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association was held Friday evening, Sept.23, in conjunction with the Nacogdoches High School homecoming. Members and guests toured the alumni office and enjoyed looking at the memorabilia, including pictures, yearbooks, uniforms and trophies from years past.
NISD NEWS 2011
school of their choice.” Pool spoke about the importance of continuing the hard work the association has done in the past. He indicated that a 551 scholarships have been awarded, to date, to deserving students to further their education. Pool mentioned that the Bright family was to be recognized as the Distinguished NHS Alumni family for 2011. Pool then called on Milton Pitts who submitted the slate of new officers and board members from the nominations committee. The nominees were unanimously elected, including: Nikki Evans Wallace ’91, president; Pam Sitton Latham ’74, first vice president; Dennis McDuffie ’65, second vice president; Heather Crabtree Harris ’00, secretary; Peggy Arriola Jasso ’67, treasurer; Ed Pool ’78, immediate past president; and Milton Pitts ’54, publicity director. New board members include: Allyson Hancock ’00; Rick Still ’65; Lisa Hale ’96; and Rikki Heard ’01. Ken Smith, past president of the board, was named a new honorary director. Pool then turned the meeting over to new president, Nikki Wallace, an active board member since 1998. She greeted new members and officers and indicated that the alumni association will continue to invest in our children’s futures by preparing them to be tomorrow’s leaders and encouraging education.
Ed Pool, alumni president, called the meeting to order by welcoming those in attendance.
By joining the Nacogdoches High School Alumni Association, you can help NHS graduates achieve their dreams.
Heather Harris read purpose of the alumni association, which is: “... to encourage fellowship of ex-students and to promote the general welfare of the school, including, but not limited to, the awarding of scholarships to qualified applicants, who will use such funds to further their education at any accredited college, university, or vocational
The cost for a life membership is $100 and you may purchase a brick in the Alumni Plaza for $50. For more information regarding the NHSAA, visit our website at www.nhs-alumni.org. Our office is located on the Nacogdoches High School campus in Room 500, next to the auditorium.
13
September 23 – October 4
Lady Dragons defeat Kilgore on road Wednesday, September 28, 2011
The Nacogdoches Lady Dragons picked up a big road win over Kilgore in District 14-4A volleyball action Tuesday night in Kilgore. Charity Page had nine aces and 16 kills as the Lady Dragons defeated the Lady Bulldogs, 3-1 (25-23, 25-17, 22-25, 25-22). Taylor Layton added 10 kills and 11 digs for Nacogdoches. Brittiani Phillips had eight kills and three blocks. Sydney Watson dished out 20 assists, and Rebecca Flores added 13 assists. Nacogdoches (15-15, 3-3) will face John Tyler at 4:30 p.m. Friday in Tyler. The Nacogdoches junior varsity defeated Kilgore (25-9, 23-25, 25-20), and the Nacogdoches freshmen swept Kilgore (25-11, 28-26).
More students take AP exams, dual-credit Number dropping for local school districts By MEAGAN O’TOOLE-PITTS Statewide figures show the number of public school students who take Advanced Placement tests is on the rise. But that number is dropping for local school districts because of the advent of dual-credit courses. According to the Texas Education Agency, the state experienced an almost 11-percent jump in AP tests taken. Nacogdoches ISD has seen a 50 percent increase in enrollment in AP classes, from 127 to 192 students, since the spring semester. But there has not been an increase in the number of students taking AP exams, acording to Kristin Thomas, head of Nacogdoches High School’s English department.
NISD NEWS 2011
“I have heard the same TEA report and looked for a comparable increase at NHS,” Thomas said, “but the advent of dual credit has shifted that. We have more students who are enrolling in dual credit courses and in a larger variety of dual credit courses than ever before.” Students in other school districts in the county are also choosing dual-credit classes over AP exams. In 2010, six AP exams were taken in Chireno ISD, but this year, none have been taken, Chireno ISD Superintendent Roger Dees said. “At Chireno, we are moving toward more opportunities for dual credit offerings,” Dees said. “This better meets the needs of the students in our community.” About 40 percent of upperclassmen at Central Heights High School are enrolled in dual-credit classes and about 20 percent are enrolled in AP courses, Central Heights ISD Superintendent Jeremy Glenn said. “Kids are getting more and more involved in taking dual-credit courses through SFA,” Glenn said. However, some out-ofstate colleges will not accept dual credits, according to TEA spokesperson DeEtta Culbertson. For students aiming to attend a private or out-ofstate college, AP exams are a more viable option for earning college credit ahead of schedule, Thomas said. The College Board, a national nonprofit membership organization, oversees the AP program. TEA oversees the dual-credit program. Because the AP program is national, credits earned through the program can transfer more easily to colleges outside of Texas, Culbertson said. The College Board reported that 186,576 Texas public school students took 339,406 AP exams last school year. Of those, 149,091 earned scores of three, four or five out of a possible score range of one to five,
14
September 23 – October 4
which represents a 6.9 percent increase over the number of exams earning high scores in 2010.
NISD NEWS 2011
coach Wayne Williams said.
Students who score a three, four or five on AP exams can receive college credit, Culbertson said. “If you go into UT with fives on all your English tests, you can place out of freshman English,” she said. “Most colleges will accept a three, four or five in order for students to get credit, but it depends on the college.” Some colleges only award credit for a score of four or higher, she said. For dual-credit courses, students are often required to pay a reduced tuition rate. Students do not have to pay for AP courses, but the fee for AP exams can be up to $87. Both programs prepare students for college-level courses, Culbertson said.
DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH Deckard emerges as playmaking safety for Dragons, which could lead to college offers BY BRANDON OGDEN Football recruiting services have yet to discover Geoffrey Deckard. When they do notice the 6-3, 210-pound senior safety at Nacogdoches High School, they might have a diamond in the rough. Deckard spent last season at wide receiver for the Dragons but was moved to defense this season, where he appears to be a natural fit. “Not to knock his offense, but he is a pretty good defensive player,” Nacogdoches defensive backs
Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Nacogdoches safety Geoffrey Deckard (7) brings down Pine Tree running back Xavier McCoo (14) during the first half of the Golden Dragons’ homecoming win Friday at Dragon Stadium.
“It was different at first, a little awkward,” Deckard said. “By the time we got to the Lufkin game, I started becoming more comfortable.” Deckard’s comfort has shown on the field the last two weeks. He intercepted a pass and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown in a 35-21 loss to Carthage Sept. 16 in Carthage. He followed that up with a game-clinching interception in last week’s 42-21 win over Pine Tree, the Dragons’ first victory of the season. “It felt great,” Deckard said of his last interception. “I knew that was the end of the game, and that was an extremely big win for us.” If Deckard keeps performing this way in the Dragons’ secondary, the college scouts will surely notice. And when they do,
15
September 23 – October 4
Deckard has another asset that will increase his chances — his exceptional grades in the classroom. “He’s pretty much one of the smartest kids we have,” Williams said. “I knew the transition would be easy for him. He understands the coverages from an offensive standpoint, as well as a defensive position. He’s always in the right place, which helps him make big plays.” “He’s highly intelligent,” Ford said. “The lights have really come on for him in the past few games. He’s a big playmaker for us who has a lot of potential.” A good student in school, Deckard is also a student on the football field. When he had questions early in his transition to defense, he said he asked Williams and defensive coordinator Corey Chancellor questions to help him learn the defensive schemes quicker.
NISD NEWS 2011
education - pre-school, kindergarten through 12th grades and postsecondary. P-16 Councils work to create a more integrated education system intended to encourage Texas youth to attend college. "The P-16 Council is pre-school through grade 16, which is finishing college," said Judy Abbott, dean of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Education. SFA has had a P-16 Council for five years. The council included representatives of SFA, local businesses and school districts in Nacogdoches and Angelina counties, and is fostered by the Texas Education Agency, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Workforce Commission.
In the win against Pine Tree, Deckard — who is also one of four captains for the Dragons — recovered a fumble, one of four turnovers forced by Nacogdoches.
"We're all important in supporting high quality education," Abbott said. "Community business people need high-quality, educated employees."
Deckard and the Dragons will face John Tyler at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Tyler.
As a result of the collaboration, businesses offer internships and service learning activities for college students, she said.
“We know they are a good football team,” Deckard said. “We just have to take it one game at a time. Our goal is to make it to the playoffs. That would make my high school career.”
P-16 Council sees big picture in education
"We can't have high-quality students in higher education unless the students in public education are being educated to be successful in higher education," Abbott said. "We can't have highquality learning experiences in public education unless higher education prepares the teachers."
Thursday, September 29, 2011 9:03 pm By Meagan O’Toole-Pitts
The council is now compiling a list of area employers who offer tuition reimbursement, such as Etech and BancorpSouth.
Nacogdoches is home to one of only 25 P-16 Councils in the state, and the significance of that means Nacogdoches students are getting extra help in getting prepared for future success in the work world.
Higher education encompasses several tracks beyond high school, including trade schools, community colleges, universities and the military, she said.
The aim of the P-16 Initiative (which translates to preschool through the 12 grades and typical four years of college) is to meld the three levels of public
"Our P-16 Council is really trying to focus on Hispanic children and Hispanic families," Abbott said. "That's the growing population in East Texas,
16
September 23 – October 4
but they're under-represented in postsecondary education." P-16 Council members attend local events, such as the Cinco de Mayo festival and the Texas Blueberry festival, to distribute information about access to higher education. "We're trying to build a college-going culture," Abbott said. The council informs youth about the agencies that can help them fill out college applications, find scholarships and provide tutoring. The council also hosts events, such as El Sendero al Futuro (The Path to the Future). The event was held at Lufkin High School last year, Abbott said. "They received information about going to college, about registering their kids with the health department, about getting shots for their kids entering pre-k and kindergarten," she said. "We've distributed books for children in both Spanish and English so that we're supporting the concept of reading," Abbott said. Council members have visited Lufkin Middle School, Woden Junior High School and the Nacogdoches High School Fish Camp to talk about college.
NISD NEWS 2011
The council is preparing to launch an Early College High School for NISD students next academic year, she said. "NISD, Woden ISD and SFA are going to be working together, starting in the fall of '12," Abbott said. "The Early College High School classes that will be dual credit will have an integration of NISD students, and Woden students will be here on campus." The partnership would allow NISD students to "earn a high school diploma and simultaneously earn an associate's degree, career certifications or up to two years of college credit," NISD Superintendent Fred Hayes said. P-16 Councils statewide have helped to grow Advance Placement programs, SAT participation, ACT scores and graduation rates, according to TEA spokesperson DeEtta Culbertson. Communities play a big role in the success of students, especially during times of reduced funding for public education, Hawkins said. "When you can take your junior college, your university partner and other school districts and start working together, we can stretch those dollars that we spend," he said.
The council pushed for Woden ISD's new Early College High School. "It's created a seamless transition for our students coming out of our school system and tearing down the barriers to postsecondary experiences," Woden ISD Superintendent Brent Hawkins said. The Early College High School targets "kids who may be undocumented, may be first generation citizens, first generation to complete high school, first generation in college, diverse ethnic background and low SES (socioeconomic status)," Abbott said.
17
September 23 – October 4
Q&A: Ford talks about 1st win, JT BY BRANDON OGDEN bogden@dailysentinel.com The Nacogdoches Dragons picked up a lot of momentum with their first win, a 42-21 decision over Pine Tree, last week at Dragon Stadium. Now, the Dragons face a talented John Tyler squad at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Rose Stadium in Tyler. Nacogdoches head coach Scott Ford answered some questions leading up to the game. Q: How important is it for a young team such as yours to get that first victory? A: Under the circumstances, it was extremely important. Now, hopefully we can build momentum off of it. Q: Four district teams are 1-0. How glad are you and your staff to be one of those four teams? A: It’s important to get off to a 1-0 start in district play. All seven games count the same, but we feel like we’ve put ourselves in position to compete for a playoff spot. Q: John Tyler is a team that played toe-to-toe with Lufkin. How athletic are the Lions and what will it take to compete with them Friday night in Tyler? A: John Tyler is a lot like Lufkin athletically. To win, the most important thing is to have a BELIEF that we are going to win. On the field, we’ll need to win the turnover battle, play field position and not give the Lions easy points. We need to make them earn every yard. Q: With a lot of players continuing to return from injuries, what effect will that have on the Dragons? A: As we move forward, we are looking for more consistency in each phase. Hopefully, getting some
NISD NEWS 2011
injured veterans back combined with the experience the young players got early will allow us to achieve that.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL:
NAC AT JOHN TYLER Returning to the Rose Dragons play in Tyler for first time since 2006 playoff loss BY BRANDON OGDEN bogden@dailysentinel.com The last time the Nacogdoches Dragons played at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in Tyler, Ryan Mallett and the topranked Texas High Tigers ended the Dragons’ season. That game — a Nov. 17, 2006, contest — is the only playoff football game played by Nacogdoches since 1992. Mallett has since gone on to play college football at Michigan and Arkansas and is now with the New England Patriots. The Dragons have also hired a new head coach since then — Scott Ford, who is in his second year at Nacogdoches. Nacogdoches will return to that venue for the first time since that game when it faces a loaded John Tyler squad at 7:30 tonight. The Dragons also hope this is the year they return to the playoffs. They got off to a good start with a 42-21 win over Pine Tree in the District 14-4A opener last week. “We are in a good position,” Ford said. “It’s better to be in 1-0 in district than 0-1. The way I look at it is we have six games left, and no one game is more important than another. We have to approach this game like any other, and we have to continue to improve in all phases.” John Tyler enters tonight’s contest with the same record as Nacogdoches — 1-3 overall and 1-0 in district — after a 65-6 rout of Hallsville. “I bet Hallsville thinks they are pretty good,” Ford said. “They have a lot of good athletes. What we
18
September 23 – October 4
need to do is to continue to create turnovers. We also have to eliminate turnovers. You can’t afford to turn the ball over on the road, especially against a good team.”
NISD NEWS 2011
The Lady Dragon junior varsity and the freshmen team defeated John Tyler in their matches.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Tonight’s matchup will feature two of the more athletic quarterbacks in the district — Greg Ward for John Tyler and Damion Johnson for Nacogdoches. Ward has passed for 1,103 yards on 84-of-118 passing with nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He has carried the ball 48 times for 103 yards and three scores. “The thing they do better this year is throw the football,” Ford said of the Lions. “They have become more versatile, which makes them more difficult to stop.” Johnson is 39-of-75 for 395 yards through the air. He has rushed for 418 yards and six touchdowns on 75 carries. John Tyler’s three losses were in non-district against Class 5A teams Lufkin, Longview and Tyler Lee.
Lady Dragons fall to J. Tyler Friday, September 30, 2011 7:59 pm
The Nacogdoches Lady Dragons lost a District 144A volleyball match to John Tyler in Tyler Friday. NHS (15-16) fell to 3-4 in district play. Sydney Watson, Taylor Layton and Cami Guicastro all had two aces. Watson added 12 assists. Layton had 19 digs. Peyton Shofner and Brittianni Phillips had six kills each. Charity Page added nine kills and three blocks. Ashton Brown had two blocks. Rebecca Flores (16 assists), Victoria Hetrick (11 digs) and Ashley Laird (11 digs) also contributed to the team.
John Tyler defeats Nac BY BRANDON OGDEN bogden@dailysentinel.com TYLER — John Tyler put up 629 yards of offense — 409 in the first half — on the way to a 55-17 win over the Nacogdoches Dragons in District 14-4A football action Friday night on Earl Campbell Field at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. The Dragons opened the game with an impressive 12-play drive that lasted almost seven minutes before being forced to settle for a field goal, which Tanner Dean made from 31 yards away. Once the Lions touched the ball for the first time, all they did was score. Greg Ward, Fred Ross and Reggie Gipson teamed up to guide the Lions to touchdowns on their first five drives. After John Tyler built a 28-3 lead, Nacogdoches finally got back on the board with an 18yard scoring strike from quarterback Damion Johnson to Tim Williams. Johnson had a huge game for the Dragons, rushing for 131 yards on 22 carries and throwing for another 96 yards and a touchdown. Johnson recorded 123 of his yards on the ground in the first half. After the Dragons’ touchdown, the Lions scored on their first play from scrimmage, a 56yard run by Gipson to make it 35-10 at halftime — John Tyler’s second straight one-play drive. Nacogdoches moved the ball inside the John Tyler 10-yardline just before halftime, but was stopped on fourth down. The Lions opened the third quarter with touchdown passes by Ward to DeQuante Woods (48 yards) and
19
September 23 – October 4
NISD NEWS 2011
Ross (38 y ards) to extend the lead to 48-10. Ross had four catches for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Ward was 13-of-16 for 294 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries. Gipson was also a 100yard rusher for the Lions — who had 335 yards on the ground — with 104 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Nacogdoches got back on the board late in the third quarter on a 14-yard touchdown pass by Patrick Ledet to Cole Banner. Ledet was 5-of-8 for 73 yards and the touchdown as backup quarterback for the Dragons.
Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Dragon defenders Marquees Shankle (2) and Cole Banner team up to bring down John Tyler wide receiver Fred Ross near the sidelines in the first quarter Friday at Trinity Mother Francis Rose Stadium in Tyler. Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Nacogdoches’ Jacques Yarbrough, left, slips a tackle attempt by John Tyler defender Traven Johnson on his way to a first down in the first half Friday at Trinity Mother Francis Rose Stadium in Tyler.
Nacogdoches finished with 393 total yards and just one turnover, but couldn’t find an answer for John Tyler’s explosive offense. Nacogdoches (1-4, 1-1) will return home new week to face Whitehouse (2-3, 2-0), a 35-24 winner over Hallsville Friday night. John Tyler (2-3, 2-0) will hit the road next week to take on Pine Tree.
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL Bright spots for Dragons in loss By Brandon Ogden John Tyler may have had their closest District 144A football game Friday night. While you never want to be on the losing end of a 55-17 decision, that consolation could be a good sign for the Nacogdoches Dragons moving forward. The Dragons have to be pleased with the fact that their offense moved the ball all night against aJohn Tyler defense that allowed only 120 yards in a 65-6 rout over Hallsville in the 14-4A opener the week
20
September 23 – October 4
before. Nacogdoches quarterback Damion Johnson surpassed that clip on the ground in the first half with 123 yards. Johnson finished with 131 yards on 22 carries with only two carries after the break. Nacogdoches head coach Scott Ford used the second half to get some reps for backup quarterback
NISD NEWS 2011
settle for a field goal, which Tanner Dean nailed from 31 yards to give the Dragons an early 3-0 lead. The Dragons — who only had one turnover — continued to pick up yards in the first half, but penalties hindered them and turned what could have been scoring drives into three punts. Nacogodches didn’t have any penalties after halftime and also punted only once in the second half. Another successful drive that didn’t show up on the scoreboard is when the Dragons had the ball at the John Tyler 7-yard-line on second down and just three yards to go late in the second quarter. An incompletion, a completion for no yards and an incompletion on fourth down left the Dragons empty-handed. The concern, however, is the Nacogodches defense, which allowed 629 yards and 55 points. The bright side is that the Dragons are unlikely to see an offense as talented as John Tyler the rest of the season.
Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel Derrick Fields, right, carries the football for the Nacogodches Dragons during the first half Friday against John Tyler at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium in Tyler.
Patrick Ledet and some carries for Tim Williams, who is usually one of the Dragons’ top options at receiver. With Ledet at the helm, the Dragons didn’t miss a beat. The junior was 5-of-8 for 73 yards and a touchdown — a 14-yard connection with Cole Banner. Williams, who had two catches for 39 yards and a touchdown, ran for 22 yards on five carries, running for first downs on his first two attempts.
If there is an offense with similar firepower to John Tyler in the district, though, it is Whitehouse — Nacogdoches’ next opponent. The Dragons will have to quickly shift their focus to the Wildcats, who threw for 389 yards in a 35-24 win over Hallsville Friday night. A win over Whitehouse (2-3, 2-0) would be a big step in the right direction for Nacogdoches (1-4, 11), and a repeat offensive performance by the Dragons could help complete that task. In other District 14-4A action Friday night, Jacksonville took a 50-38 win over Marshall, and Kilgore defeated Pine Tree, 35-13.
Nacogdoches had 393 yards of total offense and 24 first downs. The Dragons did a good job of moving the ball against the Lions even though the scoreboard didn’t show it with just 17 points. The opening drive of the game had Nacogdoches control the ball and easily get into John Tyler territory, but some penalties forced the Dragons to
21
September 23 – October 4
NISD NEWS 2011
NEDCO Civic leaders visit local businesses A delegation of civic leaders visited the local Parker Hannifin manufacturing plant as part of a new program established by Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation designed to recognize and honor major local employers. Each month, Nacogdoches County Judge Joe English, Mayor Roger Van Horn and city Manager Jim Jeffers, Stephen F. Austin State University President Baker Pattillo, Nacogdoches ISD Supt. Fred Hayes, NEDCO Chairman Ed Pool and President Bill King, and chamber Chairwoman Francis Spruiell and President Bruce Partain visit a local employer to learn more about them and their operations, to thank them for all they do for the community, and to give them an opportunity to discuss any issues important to them. “We want our local employers to know how much we appreciate all they contribute to our community and that all of us are here to do whatever we can to help them be successful,” said Ed Pool, chairman of NEDCO.
our existing employers and make sure that, when it comes time for them to add a new production line and the resulting new employees, they do it in Nacogdoches and not in one of our neighboring states.” The VIP Employer Program is coordinated by the Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation.
DANCE CLINIC Junior Dragonette Clinic set
Each monthly visit begins at 11 a.m. with a tour of the facility, followed by lunch and discussion at the facility. Parker Hannifin, with annual sales of $10 billion for fiscal year 2010, is the world’s leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of commercial, mobile, industrial and aerospace markets. The Nacogdoches plant, on Industrial Boulevard, has 200 employees and is part of the company’s engineered polymer systems division. “When a community recruits an outside company that brings 50 new jobs with them, that makes headlines,” said Bill King, president and CEO for NEDCO. “On the other hand, when an existing employer like Parker adds 50 new jobs, we take it for granted. It’s so important that we take care of
The Nacogdoches High School drill team is looking for little girls who “think they can dance” and dream of being Dragonettes. That’s who will be interested in participating in the dance team’s annual Junior Dragonette Dance Clinic scheduled from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. The clinic begins with registration at 8 a.m. and
22
September 23 – October 4
ends with “Show-offs” for the parents at 11:30 a.m. in the NHS competition gym. Late entries will be accepted the morning of the clinic. Junior Dragonette Clinic is open to girls ages prekindergarten through fifth grade. Participants will learn stretching technique, basic dance technique, school song, fight song, stand routines and a dance which will be performed Friday, Oct 21, by the children during pre-game ceremonies at the varsity football game against Kilgore. The junior dancers will also be invited to participate in victory lines and sit with the Dragonettes during the first quarter of that home game. Commemorative T-shirts from the dance clinic will also be distributed at the game. “This is one of the girls’ favorite events, because they love interacting with the kids, showing them what it’s like to be in the victory line and doing contagions in the stands. They really get a kick out of seeing how much the little girls enjoy the drillteam experience,” said Lisa Fuller, drill team sponsor. “While all Dragonettes will instruct the children during the clinic, this particular fundraiser is always organized by the Dragonette junior class. The project has been under the direction of juniors Nicole Soto and Blair Madkins this year.”
NISD NEWS 2011
DRAGON DRINK
Andrew D. Brosig/The Daily Sentinel A pair of Nacogdoches High School cheerleaders take a break from the action to give the school mascot, Duke the Dragon, a drink during a high school football game Friday in Tyler.
Cost for the Dragonette Junior Clinic is $25 and includes the T-shirt and a snack. Early registration is not required, but forms will be distributed to all elementary schools for parent convenience. For information, contact drill team sponsor Lisa Fuller at NHS, 564-2466 or pick up a form at 4310 Appleby Sand Road.
23