The Competitive Edge Magazine Issue #25

EDGE T HE

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ISSUE#25

C OMPE TITI V E

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East Texas Executive Advisor Roger Sheppard

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4

from the fieldhouse : : People often ask me, "What type of process do you use when making important decisions?" I must admit that most of my existence was without even thinking about what the results were going to be.

My decisions in life were based on how it looked, felt, smelled, tasted, sounded or a combination of each. What I am saying is that I used my senses to consider whether or not I would participate. You may have often heard the statement, "If it feels good, do it!� This is the way most people live their lives only to find themselves confused, alone, or mad at the world. They see a beautiful person and rush to become involved. They do very little research in their decision only to find that the flaws are impossible to overcome. They buy an automobile without test driving it and then find that their body doesn't fit the interior. They purchase a device that takes extreme skill to work and soon find that they don't have the skill to operate it. As earlier stated I was one of those people.

I can search back to the time I was coaching a football game and standing on the sideline watching my players perform. It was like a spell came over me, and I was talking to myself outside my body. I can remember my eyes looking directly into my eyes and saying "why are you here? You don't even like this job or this lifestyle!� This was the mid 80s, and I was sick of what I was doing. I had followed a path that I could not look back and determine even why I was on that path.

You see sports were my entire life, and I never questioned my progression in the coaching profession. It wasn't the money because in 1976 I signed a contract to coach for $8,640 per year (which included teaching 4 biology classes) as well as coaching 3 sports. My average time spent per week was around 84 hours.

When you do the math, I was working for around 37 cents per hour. In 1948 my dad began his 32 year career at Red River Army Depot for 60 cents per hour.

Now that is a blind person trying to find a pathway in

the jungle!

The point I am trying to make is that you MUST plan your activities with close scrutiny. You must consider the end of the game first so that you will know what steps to take before you begin stepping.

When I look back at what I began to do, I can only realize why my life got progressively better. As I look back to those times I ask myself what caused me to feel like I did. I will use the example of hunger and the urge to eat to illustrate what I began to do. What caused me to feel like eating? Was it something I saw, something I heard, or the touch of something or someone? I realized it was something I saw. I would be driving and suddenly see signs for a certain fast-food chain. As soon as I did, I would make a picture in my mind of having my favorite food there, and then I would say to myself, "Boy, I'm hungry." That would create feelings of hunger, which I would then ACT on by stopping to order a meal. I may not have been even slightly hungry until I saw the signs that triggered this urge, and those signs were everywhere. This was my discovery of self hypnosis. I could actually condition myself to respond a certain way based on a picture that I placed in my mind. It was quite a discovery and I quickly began to experiment with the technique. For instance, when I saw the signs with the food I instantly turned my picture in my mind to looking at myself in the mirror and seeing a fat overweight person. This picture instantly killed my urge to participate in food. You see I began to plan my life according to the end game or the picture I wanted to come true.

Believe me folks, you can alter and change your life and behavior. You have the apacity and the ability to do whatever you want to do. For those of you that discount this, you are only fooling yourself and selling yourself short. You must take some time and PLAN your life. Make an attempt to change the way you think by using mental images. Life can be magical and full of fun and joy if you plan your life and consider the end game or what you really want. To enjoy the Competitive Edge in your life, you will need to plan your way there. Plan it, work it, then enjoy it!

Roger Sheppard

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Pleasant Grove

FLORIST

903-838-0800 Now open on Main St. in Atlanta, Texas

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8

selfishness breeds respect

by Tim Graham Three straight trips to the final game of the football season in 4A Division 2 have seen the Hawks of Pleasant Grove walk away with two State Championships. Most high school football players count themselves fortunate if they are able to make it to just one in their high school career, but Head Coach Josh Gibson is turning it into an annual event for his players. The only blemish on their 2019 record came in week 6 against the eventual State Champions in 4A Division 1, the Bulldogs of Carthage. Gibson has made a habit of scheduling playoff contenders during the regular season, and it has proven to be a successful formula in preparing his teams for deep playoff runs. While the 2019 season culminated in another State Championship Trophy for the halls at Pleasant Grove High School, there were many memories created along the way that will forever be etched in the minds of these players.

High school football teams change every year. No matter how successful they are from one year to the next, there are always traits about each one that make them unique. This year’s graduating class is the one that was in 7th grade when Gibson arrived in the fall of 2014. He has watched this class, and those behind them, grow into a tight knit group. The relational piece of this team sets them apart from many others, and he has had a front row seat in watching them grow as people. They certainly are a selfless bunch, and that is ev-

ident in so many ways. Gibson describes how the fathers of linemen will show up at basketball games and baseball games to cheer on and support the classmates of their sons. When the dads at home are setting an example like that for their children to follow, one where the successes of all athletes are celebrated not just their child, it certainly establishes a solid foundation for a coach to build. The blessings that his wife Jennifer and he have received while at Pleasant Grove have been immeasurable. The school, the administration, the kids, and the town fit their personalities perfectly. As an Athletic Director, you may be forced to move from time to time due to failures or even successes. Conflicts within the administration or even the community may force an early exodus from a dream job. Yet in his sixth season as the Head Coach of the Hawks, he has taken them to the final football game of the season three straight years. It appears that he has found a hawk nest on the ground.

Throughout the football season in our pregame interviews, Coach Gibson was always quick to point out the “kiddos” that had stepped up the previous week to make a play or to influence the outcome of a game. He would describe de-

9 THE COMPETITIVE EDGE MAGAZINE

The Hawks may make a return trip to Arlington next year, but there will be some that will go as spectators rather than players for the first time. Due to graduation in May of 2020, there will be a few pieces of the team that will no longer be able to contribute as players. One critical piece that will have to be replaced is their three year starter under center Ben Harmon. A tough and gritty athlete, who finished the 2019 season with 1888 yards passing and 30 touchdowns, was just as efficient on the ground, adding 432 yards and 6 touchdowns to his season totals. Bruce Garrett, who finished the season 1,697 yards and 18 touchdowns, will leave the team rushing title up for grabs next year. KJ Hicks, the second leading rusher on the team with 950 yards and 18 touchdowns, will also be notably absent from the backfield. An impact player

Pleasant Grove is the only high school team in the state of Texas that starts next season with two top 10 prospects in the Class of 2021, Landon Jackson at number 6 and Marcus Burris at #7. Certainly this year will be remembered for many reasons, yet next year does not look to be a rebuilding year. It appears that the Hawks are simply reloading. Josh Gibson may go on to win many more State Championships or this could be his last one ever, yet one thing is for certain. The pride and emotion that emanates from him as he talks about his boys, lets me know that as much as an impact as he has had on them.

His example of selflessness where he quickly deflects praise to his coaching staff, gives credit to the parents of his athletes, and thanks the community for their support, has served him well during his time at Pleasant Grove. The Competitive Edge Magazine would like to wish Coach Josh Gibson and the Pleasant Grove Hawks Athletic Department many more years of success in its endeavors.

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fining moments for the Hawks, individual plays that swung momentum, or just the pride that comes from watching one of your pupils live up to their full potential. There were only a handful of games throughout the season where the Hawks were not in control going into the fourth quarter, and that gave he and his coaching staff an opportunity to evaluate underclassmen and to allow non starting seniors a little more playing time. When everyone on the team feels as if their contributions are worthwhile, unity and teamwork flourish.

That is a philosophy that has served Gibson well as he has continued to build on the success of his program. However, it does not stop with the football team. When you witness a Hawk football game live and in person, at home or on the road, it only takes a moment to realize that the spirit of the program is contagious. It bleeds over into every aspect of the school and of the community. When Carthage and Gilmer traveled to Hawk Stadium to square off against the Hawks last year, it was truly a playoff type of atmosphere only six and eight weeks into the season respectively. Everyone in Northeast Texas who was a diehard football fan was in attendance, and the contests did not disappoint.

on both sides of the ball, Sergio Rodriguez, will leave the Hawks searching to replace 981 yards of offense coupled with 15 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Anthony Mejia will be another consistent performer for the Hawks that will have to be replaced next year. He was 91 of 95 on extra point attempts and 2 for 5 on field goal tries. Dylan Hopkins, the leading tackler for the Hawks for 2019, finished his final campaign with 155 tackles and 5 tackles for a loss.

All of that offensive firepower does not come without the men in the trenches, and that will probably be the largest void that the Hawks need to fill on the roster for the fall of 2020. Chris Druhan, Reese Foster, Jamie Lewis, Luke Mueller, Blake Slade, Connor Stanfill, and Landon Watlington have all donned the black and gold for the last time as a football player for the Pleasant Grove Hawks.

Their effectiveness in controlling the line of scrimmage allowed the Hawks to average over 44 points a game while surrendering just a little over 18. That old adage about it “all starts up front� holds true for this State Championship team.

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a Sign of My Times

BY TONY KIRK

One of the fun things about broadcasting Texas A & M University Texarkana Eagles basketball this year on 107.9 The Fan has been seeing who shows up coaching the visiting teams at the Patterson Students Center on the A & M Campus.

Former UALR head basketball coach Mike Newell came into town as head coach of the Dillard University men’s team from New Orleans in an early non-conference showdown with the Eagles. Former University of Arkansas and NBA star Todd Day led his Philander Smith College team into town to take on the Eagles. Even Glenn Hartson who I worked with 25 years ago at Cedar Hill High School showed up one night as the head coach of the Arlington Baptist College Patriots.

As excited as I was to catch up with Glenn, and as fun as it was to watch some well known basketball gentlemen apply their craft, none jazzed me as much as Stacy Stephens coming to town. Stacy may not be a household name in these parts as is Todd Day, but in my mind she is a rock star.

Stacy Stephens is the head coach of the Our Lady of the Lake University women’s basketball team. Unless you are a fan of women’s basketball, it is likely you have never heard of Stacy.

She played her high school ball just down the road in Winnsboro, Texas. There she led the Lady Raiders to two state championships under legendary coach Buddy Hawkins. Hawkins’ teams won three state championships total and he took Winnsboro to an amazing 12 state tournaments in 21 years.

It was at Winnsboro I first watched Stacy Stephens play basketball. At six foot one inches tall, Stacy always stood out. Yet on the basketball floor, she played with an unbridled enthusiasm and tenacity that made her stand out even more. In the back of Coach Hawkins’ 2-2-1 press she personified the term rim protector. On offense, she constantly worked in and around double teams at the high school level to put up huge scoring numbers.

That would be enough to catch anyone’s attention who watched her perform on the court. In early March of 1999 or 2000 I was sitting court side in Austin for the girls UIL State Basketball Tournament. As my friends and I who attended the tournament together for a decade were watching Stacy and her Winnsboro teammates warmup, I witnessed something that I had never seen before. Stacy in layup drills went up and slammed the ball down. I thought for a moment, and then realized I had never seen a girl dunk in person before. I had seen a couple of women college players do it on TV, but never in person, and certainly not by a high schooler.

As a lover of the University Texas, I was excited when I found out Stacy Stephens had decided to become a Longhorn. I watched her play many games on television for Texas from 2000 to 2004.

She started all 134 games of her college career for Hall of Fame coach Jody Conradt. She was a two time All American, and led the Longhorns to the 2003 Final Four.

On the Forty Acres she may not have been the best Lady Long-

Today we don’t really ask for autographs anymore. They have been replaced by the selfie. A couple of years ago I got my favorite singer Wynonna Judd to let me and my wife come on stage for a selfie. No autograph, just a selfie. In the world of sports I grew up in, the autograph had been the way to show you shared a moment with someone you were a fan of in your lifetime.

As I sat down to write this, I realized that the last time I had asked an athlete for an autograph was former San Antonio Spurs Sean Elliot. I had bought a ticket to a Spurs game almost

I suspect as a high profile professional athlete Sean inspired many people who suffered from kidney disease. It was for that reason that night in San Antonio I asked him to autograph a stat sheet for me. I also I wanted to show it off or flaunt it to Claire Bray a fantastic young teacher who taught across the hall from me at the time. Claire was a huge Spurs fan and Sean Elliot had been her favorite player.

I tacked that stat sheet to a bulletin board in my classroom and it hung there for a couple of years with Sean Elliot’s autograph attached. On the last day of school one year Claire Bray who was moving to Nacogdoches walked in boldly and told me she was taking the Sean Elliot autograph because I was not a Spurs fan and didn’t deserve it. I only smiled at her and laughed as she walked out with it, because in my mind she was a rock star too and I will always cherish that moment.

11 THE COMPETITIVE EDGE MAGAZINE

So as a fan of University of Texas athletics, and women’s basketball I was excited to meet Stacy when Our Lady of the Lake came to the Patterson Center in January. It had been almost twenty years since I had gotten someone to sign an autograph for me, but I decided that was the best way to show Stacy how much I enjoyed watching her play. I know she probably thought it strange that a man old enough to be her Dad would want her to sign something.

two decades ago that put me on Row 2 at midcourt. The Spurs broadcast team was literally sitting next to me. Sean had just retired, and was providing the color commentary for the Spurs that night. To be honest, I am not a Spurs fan, and Sean Elliot had never been a favorite of mine. Then he went out and became the first NBA player to survive a kidney transplant and manage to return to the league and play.

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horn ever, but in my opinion if you name an all-time UT team she is starting at the power forward or center position. She was one of only three Lady Longhorns to score a 1000 points and have a 1000 rebounds. She finished tenth in scoring all time and number two in rebounding. In 2017 Stacy was inducted into the University of Texas Women’s Athletic Hall of Honor.

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PG Showstoppers 2020 Gussie Nell Davis Dance Classic • Outstanding Team

(voted on by other teams)

• Wow Award - Team Pom • Wow Award - Officer Jazz • Wow Award - Team Military • Academic Champ-2nd place-Med/Large Team • Officers: Division 1 Rating (Top Rating for officers)

• Judges Award - Officer Jazz • Team Sweepstakes Award • Gussie Nell Davis Award

(scores above 93 in all dances from all judges)

• Judges Award - Kick • Judges Award - Pom • Judges Award - Military • Platinum Best Overall precision, choreography, technique,presentation • Best in Class Champion Medium/Large Team • Best of the Best Team Top Scoring team of the ENTIRE contest (as in out of ALL of the teams there, any size, EVEN the 6A schools!

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Listen to all your Tiger sports at your new home for Texas High The Fan 107.9 fm

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& SOFTBALL

schedules

16

2020 BASEBALL

2020 TEXAS HIGH BASEBALL VARSITY DATE

OPPONENT

TIME

SITE

Feb. 11

*Evangel

4:00

Home

Feb. 14

*Liberty-Eylau

5:00

Home

Feb. 18

*North Lamar

4:00

Away

Feb. 21

*Atlanta

5:00

Home

Feb. 24

North Lamar

6:00

Home

Feb. 27-29

North Desoto Tournament

TBA

Away

Mar. 3

Longview

6:00

Away

Mar.5-7

Border Battle

TBA

Home

Mar. 10

#Greenville

7:00

Away

Mar.12-14

Airline Tournament

TBA

Away

Mar. 17

#Royse City

7:00

Home

Mar. 20

#Mt. Pleasant

7:00

Away

Mar. 24

#Lindale

7:00

Away

Mar. 27

#Sulphur Springs

7:00

Home

Mar. 31

#Greenville

7:00

Home

Apr. 3

#Greenville

7:00

Away

Apr. 7

#Royse City

7:00

Away

Apr. 9

#Royse City

7:00

Home

Apr. 14

#Mt. Pleasant

7:00

Home

Apr. 17

#Mt. Pleasant

7:00

Away

Apr. 21

#Lindale

7:00

Home

Apr. 24

#Lindale

7:00

Away

Apr. 28

#Sulphur Springs

7:00

Away

May 1

#Sulphur Springs

7:00

Home

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2020 TEXAS HIGH

17

DATE

OPPONENT

TIME

SITE

Feb. 6

Atlanta

4:30

Home

Feb. 11

Liberty-Eylau

4:30

Away

Feb. 18

Longview

6:00

Away

Feb. 20-22

Sulphur Springs Tournament

TBA

Away

Feb. 25

North Lamar

4:30/6:00

Home

Feb. 27-29

Allen Tournament

TBA

Away

Mar. 3

OPEN

Mar.5-7

Longview Tournament

TBA

Away

Mar. 10

Liberty Eylau

4:30/6:00

Away

Mar.13

OPEN

Mar. 17

Liberty Eylau

4:30/6:00

Home

Mar. 24

Greenville

4:30/6:00

Home

Mar. 26-28

Sulphur Springs JV Tournament

TBA

Away

Mar. 27

Mt. Pleasant

4:30/6:00

Away

Mar. 31

Royse City

4:30/6:00

Home

Apr. 3

Lindale

4:30/6:00

Away

Apr. 7

Sulpher Springs

4:30/6:00

Home

Apr. 9

Greenville

4:30/6:00

Away

Apr. 14

#Mt. Pleasant

4:30/6:00

Home

Apr. 17

Royse City

4:30/6:00

Away

Apr. 21

Lindale

4:30/6:00

Home

Apr. 24

Sulphur Springs

4:30/6:00

Away

Apr. 28

District

May 2

Bi-District

May 9

Area

May 16

Regional Quarterfinal

May 23

Regional Semi-Final

May 30

Regional Playoffs

June 3-6

State Tournament

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LADY TIGER SOFTBALL

2020 Liberty-Eylau

LEOPARD BASEBALL

2020 Liberty-Eylau

LADY LEOPARD SOFTBALL

THE COMPETITIVE EDGE MAGAZINE 20

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LE Fishing Team

21

Peyton Page and Asa Revey come in 34th in tounament.

Jaksun Phelps and Jaybrein Aubrey came in 31st in tounament.

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Austin Gonzalez and Tanner Rankin come in 17th in tournament. Currently in 11th place overall.

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22

BIG

playing Past the midway point in their inaugural season the Texas A & M Texarkana Eagles men’s basketball team has found a local player who has come up big. Pleasant Grove High School graduate Connor Ouellette moved back to Texarkana to play his college basketball. After accepting an offer to play at Collin County College coming in out of high, Connor found his way back to town, and found a new position.

At PGHS Connor was twice named all district playing guard for Billy Brewer’s Hawk basketball teams that were back to back Area Champions. His junior year he played the shooting guard spot for PG. His senior year, the versatile Ouellette was forced to play the point. He excelled enough at both positions to get an opportunity to play at the two year school in Plano. There he redshirted

one year, and struggled to find playing time his freshman season.

While Connor toiled two and half hours away, TAMUT build the Patterson Student center, and went about the business of starting an NAIA College basketball program.

Charles Goar who originally accepted the job as the first Eagles men’s coach reached out to Connor to gage his interest in coming home to be part of the first team in school history. After Connor agree to become a part of the program, Goar left and Ryan Wall was hired to steer the team through its initial campaign.

Wall put together a roster of players from the likes of Dallas, Houston, and Memphis, he also found four local players to compete for spots.

Along with Connor Ouellette, Kyle Wright from Texas High, Decorian

by Tony Kirk

Phillips of Liberty Eylau, and PG’s Aaron Harmon add local flavor to the new Eagle’s program. While each of those players have had opportunities to contribute this year, it is Ouellette who has shined consistently being in the top two in scoring for A&M. He also leads the team in rebounding and minutes played.

The amazing thing about Connor’s success is that it has not come at either guard position. The six foot three inch Ouellette has been the starting center on the undersized Eagle ball club. Realizing early on that for the fall part of the season he would be without much size Wall asked Connor if he was willing to take a shot at being the team’s big man. Connor hungry for playing time agree to the position change.

The undersized Ouellette has proved

THEEDGETXK.COM 23

His success may be linked to the fact that Connor is enjoying home

cooking. His parents Doug and Lori Ouellette of Texarkana are his biggest fans. He has his own rooting section at most games in the Patterson Center. That section is made up of family, friends, former high school teammates, and coaches. Thus Connor feels right at home in the Patterson Center facility that he describes as a good shooter’s gym.

Connor would one day like to try his hand at playing professionally. He realizes that any opportunity to do that is most likely to require him to play abroad. After that, the kinesiology major would like to take a shot at coaching basketball. The sophomore’s immediate goal is to lead his

team to the post season. While the goal of making it to the NAIA national tournament is his main collegiate dream, he hopes to be achieve all conference before he graduates.

On most nights, he and Senior Desmond Kennedy of Dallas lead the team in scoring. According to Ouellette, Kennedy who initially went about his business quietly has become the leader of the baby Eagles. Next year after Kennedy graduates, Connor Ouellette may have to step into that role as well. That should be no problem for the local young man who has learned to play big in the Eagles debut season.

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to be a match up problem for bigger front court players. Big men who try to guard him tightly are unable to defend the ball handler turned post player. Those who back off him come to realize that Connor is a deadly three point shooter. As fewer big men in the modern game choose to post up, Ouellette’s size is less problematic on the defensive end. Even with the lack of size Connor has proven to be a consistent rebounder on both ends of the floor.

Barring some occasional foul troubles, he has been an iron man playing over 35 minutes a game.

JOHNNY GREEN December 3, 1943 - February 11, 2020

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26

localbands

by Kelsey Rankin

“Band is not proud because it performs well;

and their communities.

The Fouke High School Band won the coveted 3A Arkansas State Marching Championship for the second consecutive year under the direction of Buddy

complished in the fall. There is no feeling like hearing your band’s name being called for first place. It definitely makes the dreadful summer practices worth it.” Achieving the goal of hearing Fouke called out as the winner meant everything

it performs well because

it

is

proud” once said George Parks.

Deese, Don Colquitt and Russell Roberts. Drum Major: Hollie Peters and Trumpet Soloist: Brayden Clapp.

to these students who worked hard for months on end.

Feeling the pride of her school and community will be well remembered by Drum Major Hollie Peters, “To me it was just another run through that I had to give my best in. The wait that followed ‘1st place…’ was very nerve wracking.

Then walking up to accept the plaque was emotion filled. Seeing our Superintendent in the audience after his school’s band was announced as 1st place, his reac-

The 2019 fall marching band season has come to an end in Texas and in Arkansas, resulting in four great bands performing in the top eight at the state level. Through perseverance, teamwork, and endurance, these four bands reached these heights together with the support of their directors

Clarinet player Maycen Hymen, recalls the experience of this fall, "State is the competition that means the most to the students. You work hard and sweat until you’re weak during the summer, so that you can give it your best shot and feel ac-

tion was filled with so much pride.”

The Redwater Dragon Band achieved 8th place in the Texas 3A State Marching Championship. They are directed by Jay Sutton, Anna Sutton, Devin Sipes, Donald Myers. Drum Major: Meghan Jackson. Color Guard Captain: Lydia Hand. Senior Band Captain: Sabrina Buchanan. Senior Trombone Soloist: Caleb Hays. Senior Alto Saxophone Soloist: Nick Parker. Senior Drumline Captain: Brayden Kelley.

This was a memorable season for Senior Drum Major, Meghan Jackson, “A moment I will always remember was when they called our name to advance to the State Marching Contest, in Carthage, at the Area Marching Contest. I remember in the beginning of the season, the goal for our leadership team was to make State.

Being able to accomplish the goal we set out on July 29th is a truly unforgettable memory for my peers and me. I was so blessed to have hard-working peers this season.”

Performing at the State Competition in the Alamodome was a significant experience for Senior Brayden Kelley, “My experience at the Alamodome was an honarble opportunity that has granted me a unique experience that I will never forget. The Alamodome was beautiful inside and I was very blessed to be able to perform there.”

The Big Bad Band from Rabbit Land under the direction of Keith Sanders, David Thompson, Kristen Thompson, Larry Breashears, Hunter Hale, Andrew Allday and Kara Gennings achieved 5th place in the 3A Texas Marching Band Champion-

ship.

Drum Majors: Kaela Phillips and Kate Lummus Guard Captain: Emilee Reynolds and Molly Moloney Sections Leaders: Alexia Ung and Victoria Scott (flute), Morgan Price and Chassity Maxie (clarinet), Destiney Smith (low reeds), Cailyn Moore (Saxophone), Kade Hill and Hannah Highland (french horn), Cameron Carney and Zack Goodroe (trumpet), Kentrell Luckey and Jykem Henderson (trombone), Austin Head and Zoey Williams (baritone), Shelby Kennedy and Will Porterfield (tuba), Cooper McCord (drumline), Ravyn Solis (front ensemble).

Soloists: Presley Lenaway, Cailyn Moore, Rylie Halford, mellophone trio Kade Hill, Jaquavius Allen and Hannah Highland.

Life's Narrator: Aubrey Anthony.

Atlanta has appeared at the State Marching Competition consistently since 2008, ranking in the top eight at each of those appearances.

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The Queen City High School Band of Champions under the direction of Billy Vess, Stephen Bynum, Kim Madlock, Justin Caldwell, Lauren Langston and special help from Casey Roberts and Zach Worley won honor of the Bronze Medal this year in the 3A Texas Marching Band Competition.

Drum Major: Luke Niedens Guard Captain: Makayla Anglin Leadership Team: Adam Bowen, Brandon Burton, Cody Clark, Madison Dunn, Rachelle Restelle, J.C. Stone, Cole Price, Logan Price, Luke Niedens, Calley Willis, Austin McGee and Stephen Chickadel. Trumpet Duet by Cody Clark and Adam Bowen and soloists were Brandon Burton and Haley Oas. Guard soloist: Rachel Self and Makayla Anglin.

Senior Haley Oas believes it’s all about the hard work, “The hard work we put in made the experience just unreal!” Her bandmate, Adam Bowen knows that, “it’s not just about band, it’s about learning work ethic and team work to help us in the future.”

Queen City has appeared in the State Marching Competition since 2005 with three con-

secutive Gold Medals in 2007, 2009, and 2011. Since performing at State, Queen City has been in the top 4 each year and is only looking toward the future.

Though each of these bands have endured intense competition this year, and the competitive nature of the sport of marching band is indeed what keeps it so loved and so alive year after year, marching band is also a family and a support system for students. Fouke Colorguard member Arianna Dastillon says it best, “Something I will always remember about band season is the feeling of family, the long lasting friendships. I have never been in any other program that has made me feel like part of a family besides band. Moving forward, band has taught me a lot of hard work and dedication. In my future, I plan to continue to use that hard work and dedication in college as I reach to achieve my goals.”

Band is about so much more than competition. It is about giving students the edge in their future.

903-838-0800 Now open on Main St. in Atlanta, Texas

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