Howe FFA Area V news

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced recently he will send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $1.07 billion in local sales tax allocations for November, 20.6 percent more than in November 2020.

These allocations are based on sales made in September by businesses that report tax monthly, and on sales made in July, August and September by quarterly filers.

In Howe, the total came to $51,364.62 compared to $47,693.07 during the same period a year ago.

For the year, Howe’s totals are $469,824.35 which is 9.85 percent ahead of the same figure a year ago during the same period.

City

Sherman Denison a Gainesville Celina Melissa Anna Van Alstyne Bonham Whitesboro Gunter Pottsboro Whitewright

Howe

Leonard Collinsville Tioga Bells Southmayd Tom Bean Oak Ridge Savoy Ector Dorchester

Nov. 2021

$2,592,502.10 $794,218.16 $790,075.51 $665,516.50 $507,313.17 $453,291.57 $311,099.47 $235,109.10 $176,292.51 $174,941.93 $72,651.49 $51,705.10

$51,364.62

$41,169.12 $29,040.45 $28,043.06 $26,437.45 $24,219.37 $15,182.79 $11,036.27 $7,765.86 $4,337.06 $1,063.05

City

Sherman Denison Gainesville Celina Anna Melissa Van Alstyne Bonham Whitesboro Gunter Pottsboro Whitewright

Howe

Leonard Southmayd Collinsville Bells Tioga Tom Bean Oak Ridge Savoy Ector Dorchester

2021

$24,640,815.96 $8,270,400.83 $6,757,145.16 $5,519,275.06 $4,352,348.46 $4,326,637.55 $2,643,934.52 $2,371,909.75 $1,617,846.08 $1,122,678.97 $671,539.69 $485,388.66 $469,824.35 $405,372.35 $348,970.85 $304,769.16 $262,635.39 $252,866.98 $124,581.08 $119,089.87 $66,193.41 $33,692.57 $11,559.01

Seven Howe FFA teams advancing to the Area V LDE Contest Wednesday

Ag Advocacy 1st Place

Korie Bouse, Jenna Clark, Caden Garner, Shelbee Taylor, and Ashtyn Wade.

Ag Issues 1st Place

Mackenzie Bryant, Jentrie Doty, Teagan Stubblefield, Emma Sutherland, and Lily Yglesias.

Junior Chapter Conducting 4th Place

Itzel Conejo, Talan Haley, Ryan Hough, and Presley Shockey.

Junior Skills Team 2nd Place

Logan Duty, Will Fuhr, and Garren Lankford.

Job Interview 1st Place

Jentrie Doty

Radio Broadcasting 4th Place

Hayden Adkins, Smiley Buchanan, Itzel Conejo, Camryn Craddock, Noah Fowler, Talen Haley, Ryan Hough, Hayden King, Slayden Martin, and Presley Shockey.

Junior Creed Speaking 1st Place

Camryn Craddock

Junior Quiz Team 2nd Place

Kendall Griffin, Luke Lopez, and Teagan Stubblefield.

Senior Creed Speaking 2nd Place

Korie Bouse

Senior Quiz Team 4th Place

Shelbee Taylor, Mackenzie Bryant, Caden Garner, and Ashtyn Wade. Howe guard Austin Haley (1) makes a game-tying assist in the final game of the 2020-2021 season. Photo by Michelle Carney.

(Continued from page 1)

sythe’s first year as Whitewright then-senior guard Aaron Pitt hit a halfcourt last-ditch prayer to keep Howe’s playoff dry streak intact.

“I’m expecting our team to do some really good things— especially knowing our offense,” said Forsythe. “We came from within seconds from taking the final playoff spot last year. Hats off to Whitewright for making that shot and going three rounds deep, but that could have been us.”

Forsythe said the abundance of talent returning to the floor should make an impact in District 10-3A for the Bulldogs.

“We’re returning an AllTexomaland guard in Austin Haley and Jacob Campbell (sophomore) who has had a significant growth spurt in height and strength,” said Forsythe. “Those are two guys that we can definitely do some damage with.” He also mentioned the return of Eli Wilson and Luke Lopez who was statistically one of the best shooters for the Bulldogs a year ago. He says the continued development of Zac Defrange and the fact that he has grown another inch can help the inside game.

Forsythe sees a rotation of eight or nine consistently and points out the significant improvement of Jared Brussow to help out the bench play.

“He came on strong last year for our JV and in practice has really been aggressive in driving and finishing,” said Forsythe.

With the first game looming tomorrow night (Tuesday), he sees a starting five of Haley, Campbell, Luke Lopez, Ethan Lopez, and big man rotation of Wilson and Defrange.

“We have some JV kids that I think that maybe half the season could possibly move them up too,” said Forsythe. “The sophomore class is really strong and some of those kids grew about three or four inches over the summer.”

He was mainly talking about Kaleb Taylor who has added strength as well as grown two inches. Forsythe said he played well in a scrimmage recently.

“He made some sophomore mistakes, but he’s going to be pushing for me to move him up,” said Forsythe.

This season will be the first in several that Howe has not had a freshman starter on the floor. Two years ago, it was guard Haley and a year ago it was Jacob Campbell.

“We’ve got experience now rolling back in and that’s a good thing. But you always like to see those young kids come in and push the older ones too,” said Forsythe.

The Bulldogs will be one of five teams pushing for the four playoff spots in District 10-3A. Leonard will be the district favorite with their talented roster intact for the most part.

“Gunter was young last year and beat us in district and they can shoot the ball,” said Forsythe. “They are ones to look out for with of course Bells and you never know about Blue Ridge. They play hard.” Forsythe says the Bulldogs, who (Continued on page 7)

First United Methodist Church hosting “The Miracle on Denny Street”

Howe native Trevor Stevens gave a speech about his military career in the U.S. Marine Corps. Staff photo.

The Howe High School National Honor Society hosted their annual Veterans Day Program on Thursday, November 11. The event was a return to the traditional program as a year ago, COVID forced a parade of cars. Sherman PD for 13 years.

“There’s two men sitting here next to my wife that played a very important role on why I became a Marine,” said Stevens. “My dad and Coach Simmons.”

Former Marine and 2001 HHS graduate Trevor Stevens gave the speech about his military career and what the U.S. Marine Corps has done for his life. He was a CH -53 Helicopter Crew Chief Door Gunner. He was deployed to Iraq in 2003 and deployed in 2004 to Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa, Japan before finishing his deployment in Iraq in 2005. Stevens mustered out in 2006 and served as a police officer for the The Howe Intermediate School Choir sang a song in honor of the veterans near the beginning of the service.

The National Honor Society thanked those who worked to help make it possible. The Boys Scouts presented the flags, and Mrs. Liss provided music for each branch of service. They thanked Mr. Tipton’s art students, and Mrs. Blum and food production students and the HIS choir.

Trevor Stevens’ father Gene proudly looks on at his son Trevor as he gives the Veterans Day speech. Staff photo.

On December 12 from 4-6 pm, the First United Methodist Church of Howe will host an immersive Christmas experience. There will be free food, hot chocolate, live music, live animals, Christmas nativity, and Santa Claus. Everyone is welcome and they ask you to come wearing your favorite Christmas outfit (Christmas PJs, Ugly Christmas Sweater, and Santa hats).

First United Methodist Church is located at 810 N. Denny Street in Howe.

a

XYZ honors veterans

Submitted—XYZ (extra Years of Zest), the Senior Citizens group from First Baptist Church Howe, met Thursday in Fellowship Hall at the church. Attendees had fun, food, and fellowship. The program was a continuation of "School Memories" with several members, including pastor Roger Tidwell, giving their heartfelt memories of their school days in the past. little known facts about friends. Since it was Veterans Day, the group also honored our Veterans on that 11th day of the 11th month at 11:00 am with 11 seconds of silence followed by prayer from Brother Roger.

We thank our Veterans for their service. XYZ meets the second Thursday of each month at 10:30 at the First Baptist Church Howe and all senior citizens are invited.

finished 9-9 last season including 7-7 in district play, is not settling for a .500 record this year. With the returning talent, he expects to continue the improvement from a season ago that saw the winning percentage improve from a .296 in 2019-20 to .500 a year ago in Forsythe’s first year. While a lot of discussion focuses on the offensive side of the ball, Howe improved the points allowed from 56.48 per game in 2019-20 to 42.12 a year ago. The offense actually scored more points per game two years ago, but Forsythe’s style of play slowed the scoring down on both sides of the floor.

“We’re going to push for a winning record and finishing towards the top of the district,” said Forsythe. “I really think they have the potential to make a playoff run—maybe even a few rounds.” Unlike last year, the Bulldogs are no longer wondering if they’ll even get to play because of a disease. They are no longer trying to learn a new coach and learn new plays. They now have the consistency to be already equipped to step on the gas immediately and begin a season with legitimate expectations of being the first Howe boys team sport to qualify for the playoffs in a span of four

Sophomore guard Jacob Campbell.

seasons.

The first game will be against a good Celina school and Howe will be without several starters due to injuries leftover from football season. Haley and Ethan Lopez will not be able to suit up as well as sophomore Cooper Jones.

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