Lh8 13 15 edition

The 2015 Panther Season Opener - Section C

2015

Volume 28, Issue 36

www.LHIndependent.com

News@LHIndependent.com

August 13, 2015 | 50 Cents

INSIDE TODAY 3 Sections

Back to School Section B The Season Opener Sports - Section C

SHELLY WILKISON PHOTO

Countdown to Day One -- 12 Days!

SHELLY WILKISON PHOTO

In his eighth year as Superintendent in Liberty Hill ISD, Dr. Rob Hart says confidently that Liberty Hill is the place to be.

Hart: Liberty Hill is the place to be

By SHELLY WILKISON Managing Editor To be at the helm of a fast-growing school district in Texas is a pretty good place to be.

For Dr. Rob Hart, now in his eighth year as Liberty Hill’s school superintendent, the story of the district’s growth and success is one he tells proudly, as often as he can, and to as many people who will listen.

Two weeks ago, he was the keynote speaker at a monthly luncheon of the Liberty Hill Chamber

of Commerce. He spent the first part of his presentation reading from what seemed to be a neverending list of all of the student achievements of the past school year. At every campus, the list of awards in both academics and athletics appeared to impress the business leaders of Liberty Hill and neighboring cities.

“We hear it all the time, that Liberty Hill is the place to be,” he said. “And it must be true because

See HART, Page 7A

Some teachers and staff members at Liberty Hill Elementary School are among the many employees districtwide who are participating in training this week in advance of the start of school August 25. Staff members are excited about a new school year and believe students will enjoy seeing a mural in the hallways painted this summer by Laura Morrison and Benet Doerr. The artists are mothers of elementary school students. Principal Melanie Bowman said the school’s focus this year “is to inspire our students to be lifelong learners and to love reading. The idea started as finding a way to have our students excited about reading from the moment they walk through the doors! The mural depicts portions of Eric Carle’s children’s book, The Hungry Caterpillar.” In the photo from left are Jima Dungan, Morgan Adams, Chelle Harrison, Jamie Hamilton, Shellie Brewer, Melanie Bowman, Katheryn Mitchell, Julie Shaw, Claudia Sandoval, Sally Armstrong and Nickie Williams.

Sales tax election meeting August 17

WCESD approves budget, proposes tax rate

By CHRISTINE BOLAÑOS Staff Writer Commissioners of Williamson County ESD #4 will hold a special meeting to discuss a new sales tax on Monday, August 17. This comes after months of waiting on the part of the ESD to hear about a contract to run a political campaign for a sales tax election in November.

Fire Chief Anthony Lincoln said in order to meet the August 24 deadline, the meeting has to be held next

Monday.

The ESD earmarked $30,000 last summer for the campaign. If voters approve the sales tax, which will likely appear on the November General Election ballot, Lincoln estimates the ESD will begin to see revenue from that in three-quarters of a year to a full year.

That revenue would help support operations of a second fire station, which local emergency responders say is necessary to meet service de-

mands amid a growing population.

Of the 8.25 percent sales tax, the state collects 6.25 percent. On sales made within the City of Liberty Hill, the City keeps 1 cent for its General Fund, 1/4 cent for its Street Maintenance Fund, 1/4 cent for the Liberty Hill Public Library and 1/2 cent for the Economic Development Corp.

Projections from last year showed that if voters in the fire district approve the sales tax for the ESD, it

could earn $300,000 in revenue from tax outside the city limits.

Commissioners plan to discuss the sales tax more in depth on Monday.

Prior to setting the August 17 special meeting, Commissioners unanimously proposed to adopt a tax rate of $0.10 per $100 property value for the 2015-16 annual operating budget for the ESD. They also adopted the 2015-16 annual

See WCESD, Page 5A

THE INDEPENDENT SPORTS

Lady Panthers open season on road

Panthers open season with Intra-squad rumble

SEAN SHAPIRO PHOTO

The Liberty Hill football team held its annual Purple and White Intra-squad scrimmage last Saturday. It was the first chance for fans to witness full-speed, hard-hitting action. In this photo, the offense sets up a long run with a pair of blockers. The Panthers take the field at Panther Stadium for a scrimmage against Stephenville High School at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 15. Read more about the Panthers’ upcoming season in THE SEASON OPENER, Section C, this week. ©2015 The Liberty Hill Independent

By LAUREN JETTE The Independent Sports CANYON LAKE -- The Lady Panthers still have some rust to shake off after starting the volleyball season off with two losses at Canyon Lake on Tuesday.

Liberty Hill started the day off with a 23-25, 11-25, 15-25 loss to San Antonio Clemens. The Lady Panthers were able to keep the first set close and tied the set up at 23 before Clemens took the final two points to close out the set.

In the second set, Liberty Hill exchanged points with Clemens until they took control of the set and jumped out in front of the Lady Panthers.

Liberty Hill strung together five straight points to start off the third set, but couldn’t keep control to claim the set and force another set.

“We struggled with decision making and consistency, but that’s what we expected from a young and inexperienced team,” said coach Gretchen Peterson. “(It’s) always good to get the first

See VOLLEYBALL, Page 6A

LAUREN JETTE PHOTO

Lady Panther Brooklynn Jones (#10) sets a pass during Liberty Hill’s game against San Antonio Clemens on Tuesday, while teammate Carson Yarborough (#4) prepares to jump in as needed.

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Page 2A

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Shin Oak Ridge Bulletin Board Send news to: News@LHIndependent.com Plan for construction on CR 245

GEORGETOWN – Williamson County’s contractor Kwest Group is scheduled to close a portion of CR 245 beginning on August 18.

The portion of CR 245 that will be closed is between RM 2338 and the New Georgetown Church located at 375 CR 245.

The dates for this closure will be from August 17 through September 25, 2015 (weather permitting). This closure is required to provide a safe work zone to reconstruct a portion of existing CR 245 and construct drainage features for the CR 245 realignment project.

There will be a detour set up with advanced warning signs showing the temporary route.

The detour route is as follows: From RM 2338, proceed past CR

245 2.1 miles and turn right onto Ronald Reagan Boulevard. Take Ronald Reagan Blvd 1.7 miles to CR 245. Take a right onto CR 245 to access the portion of CR 245 between RM 2338 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard. Access to existing driveways will be maintained at all times.

Planning Session for Liberty Fit

A planning session for the 2nd Annual Liberty Fit Health & Wellness Fair will be from 6:30-8 p.m.

August 19 at the Liberty Hill ISD Administration Building, 301 Forrest Street.

Everyone interested in health, fitness and Liberty Hill is invited.

The event, which will be held in October, is sponsored by the Liberty Hill ISD Student Health Advisory Council.

Register for Oatmeal Festival Run

BERTRAM -- Liberty Hill area runners and walkers are invited to participate in the Oatmeal Festival 3.3-mile “Run for Your Oats” on Labor Day weekend in Bertram.

Race begins at 8:03 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, at 110 East Vaughan Street in Bertram.

Participants may register online at www.runreg.com/oatmealfestival, or visit the Oatmeal Festival online at www.oatmealfestival.org.

Proceeds from the run go toward college scholarships.

Last year, the race drew 196 participants and organizers are hoping for an even larger crowd this Labor Day. Participants who register online via RunReg receive a complimentary Oatmeal Festival T-shirt and a

canister of 3 Minute Brand Oats.

Runner may also register on site on race day from 6:30-7:45 a.m. at the starting line. There will be a late fee added for those who register the day of the race and no guarantee of a complimentary T-shirt is given.

Panther Football Reserved Seats

Current reserved-seat ticket holders may purchase 2015 Season Tickets July 27 – August 14 at the Liberty Hill Football Field House, 16500 W. State Hwy 29, Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday from 8-11 a.m.

All remaining Season Tickets will be available on a first-come, firstserved basis beginning August 17.

To transfer tickets, a written request must be received by August 14.

The request may be sent by email

to tickets@libertyhill.txed.net (type “tickets” in the subject line), mailed or dropped off. Mail to: LHISD, Attn. Tickets, 301 Forrest St., Liberty Hill, TX 78642.

River Ranch County Park open for bow hunt weekends this fall

Williamson County is opening River Ranch County Park to qualified bow hunters for weekend, two-day hunts.

The hunts will be conducted from Oct. 9 through Dec. 20, excluding Thanksgiving weekend.

Hunters may register by mail or in person at the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Office, 219 Perry Mayfield, Leander, TX 78641 (located at the Southwest Williamson County Regional Park), Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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or by email to parks@wilco.org.

The bow hunts take place on more than 1,011 acres known as River Ranch County Park located southwest of Liberty Hill on CR 282.

The weekends for the hunts follow the Texas Parks and Wildlife hunting regulations for Williamson County.

All applicable game laws will be in effect.

The fee is $750 per weekend for groups of six hunters or less. Payment is due within five business days of making reservations. A group representative can register and pay for the entire group. Only one hunt group will be allowed to hunt per weekend. Refunds will not be issued.

Eligible species under this hunt will be white-tail deer, feral hogs and incidental exotic deer/antelope species. Crossbows are not permitted. Ground blinds and seats are provided at specific locations to protect the integrity of the property and for the safety of the hunters. There are no overnight camping facilities.

Forms and additional hunt information can be found on the website at http://parks.wilco.org.

For reservation information, call Linda Coria at 512-943-1920 or email hcoria@wilco.org. For technical or hunting related questions, contact Terry Roberts at (512) 8446705.

(by donation)

8am-3pm Saturday, August 22 3017 RR 1869 (across from Ivory Cleaners) Make a Donation and Get Household Items, Furniture, Toys and More!

Proceeds go back into the community by providing food and other services to clients.

Helpers needed at 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.!

www.OperationLH.org (512) 913-2256

Healthy Habits for Healthy Aging Class

GEORGETOWN – On August 25, the Alzheimer’s Association is hosting a class on the topic “Healthy Habits for Healthy Aging” at the Cowan Creek Amenity Center in Sun City. The class will present some of the latest research on how our lifestyle choices affect our brain health.

This event is presented in partnership with Georgetown Living, a local assisted living and Certified Alzheimer’s Facility. The class will be held at the Cowan Creek Amenity Center, 1433 Cool Spring Way, Sun City, at 10 a.m. This event is free, but registration is required. Call (512) 241-0420 or email txprograms@txalz.org.

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OPINION Throwback Thursday Former Rock House teacher once had blind date with future US President

By JAMES WEAR Columnist for The Independent Perhaps it was the realization that the start of another school year was upon us that triggered a wave of nostalgia as I wandered through our family library and came across some old notebooks that had belonged to my father when he was a student in the Andice school back in the 1920’s.

Folks new to the Liberty Hill community may have attended the annual fireworks show held on the grounds of the Andice Community Center, which was once the Andice school before it closed in the early 1960’s.

I looked through his notes, somewhat amused -- it was clear that he was not a great student and maybe that’s why in his later years, he encouraged his children to take school seriously.

Later that evening, after having scanned several pages from his notebooks, I posted the cover of one on my Facebook page. Many of my Florence friends commented, including Darrell Lewis of Andice, himself a Florence graduate and the son of parents who both were teachers. Darrell noted he had copies of his mother’s registers from her years while teaching at Rock House, one of many small one-room school houses that many Liberty Hill folks attended back in the early part of the 20th Century.

Darrell’s mother, the late Lucille Lewis (her maiden name was Love) taught me in the fourth grade (back in 1967-68), and it never occurred to me that her teaching career spanned so many years.

Born in 1910, Lucille attended Southwestern University and Daniel Baker College, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Education.

She taught first and fourth grade for more than 41 years. She started in 1929 in Rock House, and later taught at Cypress Fairbanks ISD, Andice ISD and Florence ISD. She retired in 1978.

According to Darrell, there were two teachers at Rock House.

“The other teacher’s name was Wilma Green, who was from Johnson City and she rented a room from Noel and Ophie Daniels. Noel later owned Piggly Wiggly in Georgetown,” wrote Darrell in an e-mail.

“The Daniels lived where Reunion Ranch is now. During bad weather, Mama would stay with the Daniels to avoid the cold and/or muddy hour-long trip back to Sunset Lane in a Model A. “Mama always said the guy Wilma married was LBJ’s cousin and one weekend near Christmas Mama went

As a fourth grader in Florence (below), I never realized my teacher, Mrs. Lucille Lewis (below left), had once been on a blind date during her younger years (left - photo circa 1935) with the man who served as President of the United States during many of my elementary years, Lyndon Baines Johnson. Reproduced above is the cover of Lucille Lewis’ daily register while she was teaching at Rock House, one of the many one-room schools that served the Liberty Hill area in the early part of the 20th Century. Mrs. Lewis’ teaching career spanned more than four decades.

with Wilma to Johnson City. Wilma and her fiancé Truman set Mama up with a blind date with Lyndon.”

Lyndon, of course, is Lyndon Baines Johnson, who would go on to become the 36th President of the United States.

Darrell didn’t say anything how the date might have gone, but he did share some memories his mother had related to him about her days while teaching at Rock House.

“Rock House had a total of eight grades. Besides book learning, the older boys had to cut wood to fuel

the big wood-burning stove that was the sole source of heat for the school.

The first year she taught there they had school even on Thanksgiving Day and let school out at noon because of snow,” he said.

Darrell’s comments made me realize, once again, just how small of a world we live in, and how often during our lives we cross paths with others who, in their later years, make decisions that impact the entire world. james@LHIndependent.com

The Lunch Ladies never really liked me much

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT Thursday, August 13, 2015 Section A Page 3

staff notebook

Our views and other news and musings from THE INDEPENDENT Staff

By CHARLEY WILKISON Co-owner of The Independent When folks talk about their education experience and they turn weepy eyed over their philosophy professor or their football coach, they consistently leave out the real educators who mold, develop and shape chaos into order.

Nobody ever thanks the lunch ladies. There’s probably a reason for that.

Standing in a ragged row facing the most hardened creatures on earth, these ladies turn stoney stares, tightlipped quips and giant serving spoons into the poetry of feeding the hogs. With their hair nets, clear plastic disposable gloves, they greet the future MENSA members with the same sardonic glare as the future felons standing next to them in line. You know it’s pretty hot right there off the kitchen and cooking for hundreds isn’t exactly the same as getting to see the love in a face that finally understands the logarithmic tirade you’ve been on all semester.

I was always a little skinny, skinny kid. I saw the lunch hour as kind of a forced death march. To line up and scoot a food tray along with a glazed, uninterested look on your face is a dead ringer as a dud to the lunch lady sorority. It’s like being a non-gambler in Vegas or a vegetarian at a Whataburger. When the lunch ladies discover you’re a non-believer in their wares, you’re about as welcome as a cop in a crack house.

“You need to eat,” said one in Illinois.

She was easily 350 years old and looked to be in the mood to take a belt to me. I stared down at my tray then back up at her. I wanted to explain that I had heard this same threat, admonition and advice all across the USA and from two different sets of grandmothers. But when I looked back up at her I could tell I was being profiled as a sinner in the lunch line.

As the always-new kid, by the time anyone learned I was sweet, very polite, funny or an insatiable reader —I was loaded up and headed for another state. So when other people talk about lunch rooms, cafeterias and lunch ladies…I laugh. Their scientific sample of one or two towns is utter silliness.

Although I dreaded new schools, the teachers always snapped on my abilities. They often made me feel ac-

cepted. Often I was a semi-celebrity because I had read literature, knew the history and geography answers and liked learning. But the lunch ladies of America held out on me.

By the time I graduated high school, I had attended over 16 schools. The number would have been much higher, except for the fact that by the 9th grade I formed a pact with myself and never moved again.

But in 1972, while marching through the lunch line of horrors in the Greenville, Texas, Junior high school there was a major breakthrough.

Skinny as ever, as disinterested as ever, I got the nerve to ask a question.

“Is the turkey and dressing good?”

This particular lunch lady leaned forward slightly, looked down the row to make sure no one else could see us. She did not reply, but her left eyebrow was almost to her scalp as she passed over the mush in the dressing pan and carefully placed a yeast roll on my plate.

Our eyes met. She placed turkey on my plate. Then in the voice of an east Texas angel she said, “the green beans are just won-der-full!”

Every day I would find myself looking forward to lunch. This renegade lunch lady and I worked out our own system of secret communication.

I would look at her and she would ever so slightly grimace and make an almost unnoticeable negative head nod, and I would know the funk in front of me was not for human, boy-man consumption.

But she always gave me a roll and advised me about something that she thought was delicious. I ate squash, all manner of legumes upon her suggestion.

There were all kinds of issues that year that could have caused my life story to turn out different. Divorcing parents and an unstable home life isn’t conducive for good grades or student conduct.

However, I’ve had a pretty successful life and have always given credit to the teachers who invested in me, who saw some potential and cared.

But looking back I can say that it was a lunch lady in junior high who turned it all around.

Charley Wilkison is Executive Director of the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas and co-owner of The Independent. news@LHIndependent.com

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Opinions expressed in the articles, letters and columns do not reflect the views of The Liberty Hill Independent or its owners.

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, August 13, 2015

New signs warn drivers against cell phone use Signage was posted at the entrances to the Liberty Hill city limits Tuesday warning drivers of an ordinance prohibiting the use of cell phones and other handheld devices. The Liberty Hill City Council in February adopted the ordinance, which carries a fine of up to $500.

SHELLY WILKISON PHOTO

School supply packs arrive at The Hill

Liberty Hill PTO volunteers unloaded pre-packaged school supplies at Liberty Hill Elementary School on Wednesday. The PTO sold supplies to 447 students at the elementary schools as a fundraiser for the organization. Of those, 127 for students at Liberty Hill Elementary School. From left are Stacy Pomeroy, PTO President Deandra Huddleston and Amber Richardson.

CHARLEY WILKISON PHOTO

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WCESD

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Page 5A

Continued from Page 1A

operating budget and officially set public hearing dates, times and locations. The votes gives the ESD the green light to print the information as proposed in The Independent, the newspaper of record.

“I think it’s one step forward in trying to tackle some of the growth

issues. That’s what this budget is -one more step toward improving our services and our staff and keeping us a balanced budget,” Lincoln said.

Commissioners expressed gratitude for the way the Fire Chief presented the information to them at the last meeting. At the 10 cent tax

rate, which is the cap for the ESD, there is a projected $1,891,834.36 in property tax revenue and services revenue of $9,800 for total revenue of $1,901,634.36. This is up $269,327.40 from last year’s numbers.

The proposed Maintenance and

Operations budget is $1,834,612, which is $67,021.78 less than the projected revenue. This is an increase of $231,891.58 over the current fiscal year.

The budget includes plans for firefighter physicals, a new command vehicle and three additional full-

This notice concerns 2015 property tax rates for Williamson County ESD #4. It presents information about three tax rates. Last year’s tax rate is the actual rate the taxing unit used to determine property taxes last year. This year’s effective tax rate would impose the same total taxes as last year if you compare properties taxed in both years. This year’s rollback tax rate is the highest tax rate the taxing unit can set before taxpayers can start tax rollback procedures. In each case these rates are found by dividing the total amount of taxes by the tax base (the total value of taxable property) with adjustments as required by state law. The rates are given per $100 of property value.

The Williamson County ESD #4 will hold two public hearings on a proposal to increase total tax revenues from properties on the tax roll in the preceding tax year by 9.628688 percent (percentage by which proposed tax rate exceeds lower of rollback tax rate or effective tax calculated under Chapter 26, Tax Code). Your individual taxes may increase at a greater or lesser rate, or even decrease, depending on the change in the taxable value of your property in relation to the change in taxable value of all other property and the tax rate that is adopted.

Last year’s tax rate: Last year’s operating taxes Last year’s debt taxes Last year’s total taxes Last year’s tax base Last year’s total tax rate

The first public hearing will be held on August 24, 2015 at 6:30 PM at Liberty Hill Fire Station, 301 Loop 332, Liberty Hill, TX. The second public hearing will be held on August 31, 2015 at 6:30 PM at Liberty Hill Fire Station, 301 Loop 332, Liberty Hill, TX.

$1,396,313 $169,780 $1,566,093 $1,566,093,243 0.100000/$100

This year’s effective tax rate: Last year’s adjusted taxes (after subtracting taxes on lost property) ÷ This year’s adjusted tax base (after subtracting values of new property) = This year’s effective tax rate

The members of the governing body voted on the proposal to consider the tax increase as follows:

AGAINST: PRESENT and not voting: ABSENT:

tax rate will be held Sept. 8. The taxing unit must adopt the tax rate

by Sept. 15.

Commissioners agreed to also have its general meeting for the month on Sept. 8.

2015 Property Tax Rates in Williamson County ESD #4

Notice of Public Hearing on Tax Increase

FOR:

time firefighters pending whether the ESD is granted a SAFER grant.

The August 17 meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at Liberty Hill Fire Station, 301 Loop 332.

The public hearings on the tax rate are planned for August 24 and August 31. The meeting to adopt the

Commissioner Sandra Taylor, Commissioner James Baker, Commissioner Todd Jackson, Commissioner James Crabtree None None Commissioner Dan Clark

$1,567,976 $1,718,941,493 0.091217/$100

This year’s rollback tax rate: Last year’s adjusted operating taxes (after subtracting taxes on lost property and adjusting for any transferred function, tax increment financing, state criminal justice mandate and/or enhanced indigent health care expenditures) ÷ This year’s adjusted tax base = This year’s effective operating rate x 1.08 = = this year’s maximum operating rate + This year’s debt rate

The average taxable value of a residence homestead in Williamson County ESD #4 last year was $248,105. Based on last year’s tax rate of $0.100000 per $100 of taxable value, the amount of taxes imposed last year on the average home was $248.11.

= This year’s rollback rate

The average taxable value of a residence homestead in Williamson County ESD #4 this year is $271,217. If the governing body adopts the effective tax rate for this year of $0.091217 per $100 of taxable value, the amount of taxes imposed this year on the average home would be $247.40.

$1,397,974 $1,718,941,493 0.081327/$100 0.087833/$100 0.008554/$100 0.096387/$100

Statement of Increase/Decrease If Williamson County ESD #4 adopts a 2015 tax rate equal to the effective tax rate of 0.091217 per $100 of value, taxes would increase compared to 2014 taxes by $97,043.

If the governing body adopts the proposed tax rate of $0.100000 per $100 of taxable value, the amount of taxes imposed this year on the average home would be $271.22.

Schedule A: Unencumbered Fund Balances: The following estimated balances will be left in the unit’s property tax accounts at the end of the fiscal year. These balances are not encumbered by a corresponding debt obligation.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend the hearings and express their views.

Type of Property Tax Fund M&O I&S

Balance 0 0

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This notice contains a summary of actual effective and rollback tax rates’ calculations. You can inspect a copy of the full calculations at 904 South Main Street, Georgetown, TX 78626.

Name of person preparing this notice: Deborah M. Hunt Title: Williamson County Tax Assessor/Collector Date prepared: August 11, 2015

*

“Appraised value” is the amount shown on the appraisal roll and defined by Section 1.04(8), Tax Code. ** “New property” is defined by Section 26.012(17), Tax Code. *** “Taxable value” is defined by Section 1.04(10), Tax Code.

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Page 6A

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Governor selects ESD Commissioner Crabtree for appointment

By CHRISTINE BOLAÑOS Staff Writer Governor Greg Abbott recently appointed a commissioner of the Williamson County ESD #4 to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Governor’s Council. Marine Maj. James Crabtree is the new Texas Ambassador of the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

His responsibilities will almost be an extension of his current job as coordinator of the Texas Veterans Land Board’s Voices of Veterans oral history program. His main duty will be sharing the stories of veterans currently residing in Texas and helping spread the word to fellow veterans about the museum, which is located

just outside Quantico, Virginia. “We exist to save veterans’ stories for posterity and also to honor them for their service. We interview all veterans of any age, any branch of service, time of service, as long as they’re in Texas now,� Crabtree explained. “We send them four free copies of the audio CD’s with a signed letter from (Texas Land) Commissioner George P. Bush. “We also save veterans’ interviews in our archives. We have archives that go back to the 1700s. We have the land grant that David Crockett received after he was killed at the Alamo,� Crabtree said. “The goal with this is that these interviews can be listened to hundreds of years

OBITUARY William Harlan Harris

William (Bill, Billy) Harlan Harris died Saturday, August 8th, 2015 following a short battle with cancer.

He was born October 20, 1946 in Grants, NM to parents Lloyd Harris and Vivian Blankenship Harris.

Bill grew up in West Texas with his brothers and sisters, enjoying a life of hunting, fishing and camping.

He joined the Navy in 1964, and was honorably discharged in 1971, having served on the USS Intrepid during the Vietnam era.

Bill spent many of his years living in Abilene TX before landing in Liberty Hill for the last 15 years. He will always be famous for his great Hot Sauce recipe, his Bread and Butter pickles, and his “stacked� enchilada recipe.

Survivors include sisters Beth Hart of Big Spring TX, Susan Buckalew of Robertsdale, AL, and a brother Ralph Harris of Abilene TX, along

with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Terry Harris and Weldon Harris.

A Memorial Service for Bill will be Saturday, Aug. 15th, at Leander VFW, 1:00 PM.

from now. It’s pretty unique. I don’t know of any other state that has a program like that.�

The VLB also grants low interest home loans and land loans to veterans, oversees eight veterans’ nursing homes across the state and four veterans’ cemeteries in Texas, he said.

Crabtree says the organization’s slogan is “Every veteran has a story to tell.� He will carry that thought in mind with his new post on the Governor’s Council. “A lot of them will say, ‘I don’t have anything to talk about.’ A lot of the time the children and grandchildren may not have heard those stories. For whatever reasons, the veterans have been reticent to talk about it,� Crabtree shared. “If they talk about it to a stranger or someone who understands it, it’s more likely for them to open up. It’s kind of cathartic for the veteran that’s interviewed.�

He is proud of the National Museum of the Marine Corps, which he believes is a “first class� museum that has done an “incredible� job of capturing the Marine Corps story.

Crabtree lives in the Leander ISD area but resides in the Liberty Hill ESD-serviced area. He enlisted in the military in 1997 while still a student at the University of Texas at Austin.

He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is adjutant for the 14th Marine, an artillery regiment based at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base. “(Joining the military) definitely changed my life for the better. A lot of it came from playing with a lot of G.I. Joes as a kid and always being really interested in history and the military,� Crabtree said. “A real good friend of mine -- we went to high school together at McCallum in Austin -- he went into the Marine

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Reserve right out of high school. I was able to talk to him about what it was like. I went and talked to the recruiter and entered the delayed entry program. “Because of (Crabtree’s friend) I knew what to expect, the good and the bad. Recruiters have a tough job to do. They ultimately have to get people to sign up every month,�

Crabtree added. “In my case, because of my friend, there were no surprises.�

The government major at the University of Texas at Austin spent three summers in boot camp. “That was a good experience. It helped with my schooling. I qualified for the reserve GI bill and it paid a good chunk of it. At the time it was a big help,� Crabtree explained.

For about eight months, between 2004-2005, Crabtree was in the Marine Corps Infantry Battalion. “Some of the guys that I served with when I was enlisted were over there with me at that time. I was on active duty for about four-and-ahalf years,� he said.

He was preparing to work at the General Land Office in Texas and was at a weapons company, which was Camp Mabry at the time, when he was deployed to Iraq.

His employer assured him his job would still be there when he got back. He spent months preparing to go to the Middle East.

The next milestone for Crabtree was getting married in 2006. “That was the best part of my deployment to Iraq. My wife and I met as pen pals. She’d never even been to Texas before. She was living in Florida and was a nurse,� Crabtree recalled.

At the time, Crabtree was writing a blog for his battalion as a way to get more care packages for troops and boost morale. Many of the troops,

U.S. Marine Maj. James Crabtree, who serves as commissioner on the WCESD #4, was recently appointed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation Governor’s Council. (Courtesy Photo) including Crabtree himself, expressed interest in having a pen pal.

That’s when Crabtree’s future wife answered the call.

Their conversations were usually 20 to 30 minutes long, but dating via blog and phone call allowed the couple to get to know each other on a deep level, he said. “When I got back home to Austin that’s when I met her in person. She was there when I got off the bus at Camp Mabry and we got engaged a

State launches toll-free number to help older Texans, and those with disabilities

AUSTIN -- The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) has launched a toll-free number to help qualifying Texans connect with long-term care services.

The telephone number is 1-855-9372372. It has been set up to help older adults (60 and up) who currently receive Medicaid and/or Medicare, people of all ages with disabilities, and caregivers.

The growing population of aging Texans, in addition to the approximately four in 10 Texans who have some type of disability, has created demand for the new number. According to the 2010 census, Texas has the third largest aging population

(65 and older) in the United States.

More than 3 million Texans are over the age of 65, and that number is expected to more than double to 7.5 million by 2040.

The new number streamlines the process for those seeking information about long-term care services, which include personal care, nursing care, help around the house, and help for caregivers.

Texans who take advantage of the new number will speak with a trained professional who can help identify their needs and put them in touch with service providers in their area, said Jon Weizenbaum, DADS commissioner. “We think this approach will help Texans receive the services they are eligible for much more efficiently,� he said.

When Texans call the number, they will be routed to a representative

at the nearest Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) based on the ZIP code they enter. ADRCs provide information and help connect individuals to state and federal benefits. They are linked to hundreds of service providers statewide and can help Texans enroll for services if requested. ADRC representatives are available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and this service is free.

Additionally, the new number will help existing Medicare/Medicaid recipients ensure they are receiving all the long-term care services they are eligible for.

Unlike the Texas 2-1-1 number, which provides broad referral services for all Texans seeking assistance, this new toll-free number is dedicated to older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers who need long-term care services.

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little over a year later. My battalion chaplain who married us was one of the first people in Iraq who I told about her,� Crabtree shared.

He and wife Meredith are parents to Hannah, 8, Caroline, 5, Grace, 4, and Jack, 1.

Crabtree’s volunteer experience includes serving as election judge in nearly every election since 2009 and his two-years-plus on the ESD Board. He started the American Legion Post in Cedar Park that continues to grow today.

To learn more, visit www.glo. texas.gov/voices-of-veterans/. Any veteran interested in including their story in the program should contact the Veterans Land Board at 1-800252-VETS (8387) or send an email to vlbinfo@glo.texas.gov.

See Puzzles Page 7A

Volleyball

Continued from Page 1A

matches under our belt. Lots of nerves and jitters, but there were definite moments where we saw glimpses of where we are trying to get. It will come, we have to stay positive, keep working and make adjustments.�

Canyon Lake defeated the Lady Panthers 18-25, 13-25 and 18-25.

Liberty Hill will look to gain more match experience at the Austin Independent School District Tournament today, Friday and Saturday before traveling to Marble Falls next Tuesday. Matches will start at 5:30 p.m.

Liberty Hill Chamber Corner

Lunch & Learn 11:30am August 27

The Ranch House Visitor Center, Santa Rita Ranch North 175 Elizabeth Park Blvd - Ronald Reagan Blvd @ SH 29 $10 Members - $15 Community Members RSVP to admin@libertyhillchamber.org

Protecting your business and property, tips for personal safety.

What can business owners and employees do to protect property and keep patrons safe? How will Texas Open Carry law impact your business? Education & training are essential for safe gun use and personal protection.

Keynote Speakers:

Liberty Hill Police Chief Randy Williams Judith Baker, Owner/A Texas Girl’s Guns

NRA Certified Firearms Instructor - Federal Firearms Licensed Dealer

www.LibertyHillChamber.org (512)548-6343

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

crossword puzzle

Across 1. ___ of the above 5. Dieter’s target 9. Join securely 10. “Bolero” composer 12. Undertake 13. Leopardlike cat 15. Picnic crasher 16. Full of juicy tidbits 18. “What’s the ___?”

19. Mouselike animal 21. Excluding 22. Gets on 23. Recluse 25. In pieces 26. Night before 27. Strike caller 28. Distrustful 31. In theory only 35. Very dark 36. Gab 37. Cleanse 38. Before, of yore 39. Sociological

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

See Solutions on Page 6A

study 41. Jack’s inferior 42. Thingamajig 44. Short period of time 46. Fencing action 47. Crime scene clue 48. Mermaid feature 49. Mobile message Down 1. Irritate 2. Musical Yoko 3. Proper ___ 4. Rapprochement 5. To ice a cake 6. Delicate 7. Bygone greeting 8. Caviar source 9. Andrea Bocelli, for one 11. Short-straw drawer 12. Prepare for a rainy day 14. Midterm, e.g.

17. Hardship 20. Manicurist’s board 22. Dismay 24. Wrigley Field flora 25. Concert prop 27. Disheveled 28. Wasn’t honest 29. Volunteer 30. Scrape together 31. Sculler’s need 32. Inventor’s legal document 33. News subject 34. Monthly expense 36. Alpine call 39. Star followers 40. Ticked 43. Kind of testing 45. Combine

Hart

Page A7

Continued from Page 1A

they’re all coming here.”

Every year as the start of school nears, Hart anticipates questions about school district growth and plans for the future.

Rarely is he at a loss for an answer because Hart spends countless hours poring over demographic studies and talking with all kinds of people about how growth patterns will impact the school district’s ability to meet the needs of a changing student population.

He says he doesn’t want to be caught off guard or unprepared for the growth.

“We’ve known for a long time that it was coming (the growth in population), but now it’s here,” he said.

Barring a major job market crash in Austin, Hart said the growth patterns will remain in place for some time. With increased access to mass transportation at Capital Metro’s Leander Station, more families are able to move out of the city and are looking at Liberty Hill.

“It’s the place to be. Maybe that should be our motto. Good things are happening here,” he said.

While new student registration got officially under way on August 3, the lobby of the administration building has been busy most of the summer with families completing paperwork to enroll children in school. And the phone inquiries are even more common.

For a school district that just five

years ago passed an $86 million bond package to build a new high school and expand other campuses, it would seem that Liberty Hill schools are still busting at the seams.

“By next year we will need a new elementary school,” Hart said, adding that a site at Rancho Sienna has already been selected. A sign at the back of the subdivision marks the location, and Hart anticipates presenting a bond package to voters in May 2016 with a fall 2017 opening date.

Although builders continue putting rooftops on the ground, the commercial growth isn’t following as fast as school district officials would like. Property tax revenue generated by commercial development is a positive for the district. Unlike residential property that sends children to school, a business pays takes without drawing on the system.

Hart said he occasionally fields calls and meets with businesses considering Liberty Hill as a possible location.

He says summertime is always a time of change for schools as teachers and staff relocate for various reasons. But when school starts August 25, LHISD will welcome as many as 65 new employees.

While growth in enrollment has accounted for the creation of a number of new teaching positions across the district, the majority of new em-

ployees are filling vacated positions.

Hart said Liberty Hill continues to be competitive when it comes to salary and benefits compared to Round Rock and Leander. Although Liberty Hill pays less, the numbers are close and the working conditions are better. Two years ago, LHISD provided employees with a significant pay increase.

“I think society is just more mobile than it used to be,” he said as an explanation of the movement.

For the first time in his eight years in LHISD, there is a significant change in administrative staff.

Three new assistant principals are in place, in addition to a new assistant superintendent. Although two of those -- Chad Pirtle and Annette Coe -- are in new assignments, they are not new to the district.

The administration recommended this summer that the school board continue to allow students to transfer into the district without paying tuition. Every summer the decision is affirmed after administrators compare the financial impact of accepting transfer students tuition-free as opposed to charging a minimal fee set by the state.

According to school finance laws, when a school district reaches a certain revenue threshold, the state may recapture some the funds it obtains from property taxes. While Liberty Hill is still below that figure, Hart said increasing property values

in the district could mean a change in the policy in the next five years.

The district receives funding for the transfer students through the state’s system of average daily attendance. As enrollment increases, so does the ADA-generated income.

During the past school year, some 400 of the district’s 3,300 students were transfers, Hart said, adding that many were children of LHISD employees.

In order to keep challenging students in the classroom using the latest technology, the district created a position this summer for an Instructional Technology Director and later hired Jay Olivier to fill the position.

“He will help to implement technology in classrooms,” Hart said.

(See related story in Section B, Page 7) He said administrators are always concerned about student safety and the security of the campuses.

Since the high school is in the jurisdiction of Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, he said administrators will reach out to county law enforcement to help improve campus security.

“We will start some conversations with them about increased patrols and what they can do for us,” Hart said.

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is seeking part-time or freelance sports writers and photographers.

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Page 8A

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Heating & Cooling Service and Repair

Thursday, August 13, 2015

with Chef Renee Morgan

Stress-free solutions for school day snacks, meals

Brace yourselves! Back-to-­ school season is upon us! The mile-­ long school supply list that you need to take out a second mortgage for, the lines at combat shopping for school clothes and shoes, otherwise known as tax-­free weekend, elbowing your way through the seemingly thousands of other parents at meet-­the-­ teacher night. And yet…there is that one redeeming quality.

Come on, parents! Don’t act like you don’t know what I’m talking about. You know you’ve been fantasizing for weeks about that glorious day when the light shines down from heaven, the angels are singing and you happily wave goodbye to the little darlings as they head off to their first day of school. Finally!

Some peace and quiet. At least that’s the way I remember it.

And then, reality sets in.

The lessons, the carpools, the extra-­ curricular activities, the play dates and sleep-overs, the school concerts and games and practices, which expand exponentially with every school-age child in your family.

What happened to the peace and quiet? Just getting them where they need to go requires heroic effort and then it happens.

They burst through the door with an “I’m hungry. What is there to eat?”

Oh my sweet Lord! You have to feed them, too? In case you haven’t figured this out yet, I’m not resick-­ that-­ ally one of those heart-­ the kids-­have-­flown-­the-­coop type of empty nester. I’m more one of those laughing-­at-­everything-­my-­ grandchildren-­p ut-­m y-­c hildren-­ through types.

So how can we make your school year life a little easier and still get something tasty and nutritious in

Pa r k e r ’ s

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RENEE MORGAN PHOTO

Chef Renee’s Loaded Pulled Pork Cups is a delicious and quick solution to mealtimes on busy school days this fall. their bellies?

One thing that worked really well for me over the years was to take the time to pre-­portion after-school snacks. I’m sure your little angels would never do this, but if I allowed my kiddos to help themselves to the granola bars for snack time, all the granola bars were inhaled in one session. I ended up spending more time and money in the grocery store replacing what was intended to be a week’s worth of snacks. Their appetite for dinner was also ruined. So I decided early on to invest a little time, a bag of snack-sized baggies and a set of condiment sized disposable portion cups.

With the baggies, I could pre-­ portion apple chips, banana chips, a granola bar (instead of the whole

package), chex mix, grapes and so on. Dips such as salsa, hummus, and guacamole, or other snacks like applesauce could be stored in the portion cups. I arranged all of these in a basket labeled “snacks” and then added a few other things like individual portions of string or cheddar cheese. I encourage you to try this method with your littles, too. It really doesn’t take that much time to put together, the kiddos can pick for themselves what they want to eat and the amount of food they consume at snack time is limited to a more reasonable amount.

One other thing you can do to make feeding everyone less stressful during the busy school year is to plan

See PULLED PORK, Page 9A

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Pulled Pork easy menus that the kids can help with. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. If they make it, they will eat it. Plus, you could use the help. The times my kids and grandkids have spent cooking in the kitchen with me have been some of our most bonding and wonderful memories, and it will be the same for your family, too.

Allowing the kids to help out in the kitchen also teaches them to respect the effort others make when they cook for the family. They learn to try different foods and they learn the responsibility of caring for others.

A favorite of every kid I know is a dish we call Loaded Pulled Pork Cups. It’s a different kind of take on a pork loaded baked potato and only takes about 30 minutes to make.

Your family is sure to gobble them up.

Loaded Pulled Pork Cups

1 – 20oz package of frozen shredded hash browns

Page 9A

Continued from Page A8

¾ cup shredded Parmesan cheese 2 egg whites, beaten 1 teaspoon garlic salt ½ teaspoon onion powder ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1 – 16oz package of fully cooked, refrigerated, shredded BBQ pork 1 cup shredded Colby-­Monterey Jack cheese ½ cup sour cream 5 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled Minced chives Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, mix hash browns, Parmesan, egg whites and seasonings until blended. Divide potatoes among 18 well-­greased muffin cups.

Press into bottoms and up sides to form cups.

Bake 22-­25 minutes or until edges are dark golden brown. Carefully run a knife around the sides of each cup to loosen. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pans to a serving platter.

Meanwhile, heat pork according to package directions.

Sprinkle cheese into cups. Top with pork, sour cream and bacon. Sprin-

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Page 10A

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

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Liberty Hill Goes Back to School Back to School Bulletin Board MEET THE TEACHER ORIENTATION EVENTS Friday, August 14

1:30-4pm 9th Grade + New students 2:30-4pm 10th-12th Grades pick up schedules

Tuesday, August 18

5-6:30pm 6-7:30pm

5th Grade 6th Grade

Thursday, August 20

5-7pm 4th Grade

Friday, August 21

5-7pm Pre-K, Kinder, 1st Grade 5-7pm 3rd Grade

Thursday, August 13, 2015 Section B Page 1

Pirtle ‘livin’ the dream in new LHISD administrative role

By SHELLY WILLKISON Managing Editor Livin’ the dream.

That’s the only answer that Chad Pirtle has these days to the age-old, break-the-ice question as to how he’s doing.

The words may sound trite, but for Pirtle, who was recently promoted to Liberty Hill ISD Assistant Superintendent, his life these days really is a dream come true.

“I’ve been thinking about this position for years,” said Pirtle of his new assignment with the school district.

He was appointed this summer after the retirement of Robert Parks.

And in the first few weeks on the job, Pirtle is getting things done.

Among the first tasks were “fixing” the public address system at Panther Stadium. And, he produced an employee newsletter that left readers looking forward to the next publication.

“I’m focused on helping build a team,” said Pirtle, a former junior high coach turned principal. “This (newsletter) is a way to build morale.” For those assigned to a specific campus, the digital newsletter is a way to stay informed about what’s happening on the district level. For Pirtle, it’s a way to build a “tighter team.”

Pirtle, 37, is beginning his tenth year in the school district. He was hired as a teacher and coach at Liberty Hill Junior High. Within a short time, he was named assistant principal at Liberty Hill Intermediate School and kept his junior high coaching duties. He served seven years as junior high principal.

Pirtle said in his first job interview with LHISD, Athletic Director Jerry Vance said

See PIRTLE, Page 6B

Monday, August 24

5-7pm 2nd Grade 6-7:30pm 7th & 8th Grades

Liberty Hill Campus Bell Times

Liberty Hill Elementary Opens Classes Tardy bell Dismissal

7:20 AM 7:40 AM 7:55 AM 3:00 PM

Bill Burden Elementary Opens Classes Tardy bell Dismissal

7:00 AM 7:30 AM 7:45 AM 3:00 PM

Liberty Hill Intermediate Gym Opens 7:30 AM Release from Gym 7:50 AM Tardy bell 8:00 AM Dismissal 3:30 PM

Liberty Hill Junior High Classes Tardy bell Dismissal

7:50 AM 7:55 AM 3:35 PM

Liberty Hill High School Tutorials Classes Dismissal

7:35 AM 8:10 AM 3:45 PM

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Student behavior program offers tools for success

By DANA DELGADO Staff Writer A new student behavior program designed to assist and better support special education students in their transition into the educational mainstream will become fully implemented this school year throughout the Liberty Hill Independent School District.

The program, Solid ROOTS, was launched in the high school and junior high last year in conjunction with the district’s efforts to expand its inclusion program where students with disabilities receive instruction alongside their non-disabled peers.

Inclusion in the regular classes has become critical for the district since special education students are now being required to take the same state-mandated tests as students DANA DELGADO PHOTO without disabilities.

According to Stacey B. Morgan, LHISD Special Education Director Elyse Tarlton is overseeing the impleco-founder of Emergent Tree, which mention of Solid ROOTS. The program is designed to better support speis supporting the school district in its cial education students in their transition into mainstream classrooms.

implementation of the new program, Solid ROOTS is firmly grounded in the research of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) that emphasizes looking for the motivation behind challenging behaviors and teaching students more appropriate and effective strategies to meet those needs.

“Solid ROOTS outlines not only necessary student interventions,” Morgan said, “but also provides staff expectations for team collaboration, running efficient daily schedules and routines, and collecting reliable data.”

LHISD Special Education Director Elyse Tarlton became aware of the program prior to assuming her current position. “I had researched the Solid ROOTS Program and Emergent Tree when I was at Waco,” said Tarlton. “They are out of Pflugerville and I brought the program to Waco when I was Director there.

See SOLID ROOTS, Page 5B

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Page 2B

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Vision, mission statements lend focus to LHES

By LAUREN JETTE we empower children to love learnStaff Writer ing by providing a safe environment, To become a Liberty Hill Panther, engaging experiences, encourageevery student has to start some- ment and best practices, delivered where, and this year a new bunch by a nurturing family of thoughtof students will start their journey ful educators who come alongside at Liberty your child Hill Elto compliementary ment and School. foster each Principal child’s Melanie spirit for Bowman learning.” is starting Leaderher first ship team full year members at LHES worked after taktogether ing over to come in Januup with ary and is the statelooking ments, forward to which will MELANIE BOWMAN what all is be visible Liberty Hill Elementary School in store for in every students. classroom, Bowman said.

“I’m most excited for the purchase “That was a really cool collaboraof a new literacy library, which is tion,” she said. “Everything comes leveled books for kids,” Bowman back to that. It really is that North explained. “So my teachers are go- Star. That’s where we’re going and ing to have many more resources if something about what we’re dofor putting books in kids’ hands that ing isn’t getting us there, we need to are at their level so that they can see rethink that. Because (the teachers) themselves as readers and be read- created it, that was theirs and you ers in the classroom. We’re going to can’t replace that. It wouldn’t have be sharing those resources at home meant nearly as much if I had just and school, so I feel like we’ve got handed it to them.” a great start for making it happen.”

Working with the youngest kids in With the literacy library, Bowman the district means the focus for stusaid there will be an increased em- dents will be on more than just book phasis on reading this year. learning.

“I want parents and kids to no“The classrooms will spend time tice that there are more books in building social contracts with kids our hands, in our classrooms, go- where the kids will actually give ing home in our book bags,” Bow- their own input as to what’s imporman said. “Lots more conversations tant to them, how do they want to be about books, kids really diving in treated, how should they be treating and having more conversations with others and then holding kids acpeers, with their teachers, with their countable to those standards,” Bowparents about their books. I really man explained. want even our youngest readers to “It’s not just academic standards, see themselves as readers.” it’s teaching kids those social skills Something else that will be new at because for some of them, this is LHES is a vision and mission state- their first opportunity to be in a soment that a leadership team of teach- cial environment with so many kids ers and staff members came up with and we deal with everything from during a teachers retreat held at the how do we share in the learning cenend of July. ters, how do I go to the bathroom, The vision statement says LHES is how do I line up and not get my tray “Empowering enthusiastic life-long first in the cafeteria. learners” while the mission statement reads: “At Liberty Hill Elementary, See ELEMENTARY, Page 5B

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Intermediate School set to Achieve in 2015-2016

Burden Elementary ready for new school year

By LAUREN JETTE Staff Writer While there will be some new faces to greet students at Bill Burden Elementary School this month, students won’t notice many more differences from before the summer break.

“The students will notice a few new faces,” Principal Terrie Chambers said. “We have a new assistant principal, we have a new counselor. We have a few new teachers, and we’ve added a classroom to second grade. We have a few new paraprofessional faces.

They’ll see a few new faces.

“We try to keep consistency,” she added. “There will be a few fresh things. We’ll liven up and refresh and polish, but for the most part, students who were here previously will slip right in and feel right at home.”

Chambers said incoming second and third graders will have role models to look up to in the fourth graders.

“Our fourth graders are the big guys on campus, so we do some added responsibilities,” Chambers said. “Our character devel-

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TERRIE CHAMBERS Bill Burden Elementary School

opment program revolves around HEROIC behavior, so each letter in HEROIC stands for a character trait and our fourth graders have been practicing for two years, so our fourth graders are our role models.

“Our fourth graders are our hall monitors, they’re our hallway heroes,” Chambers continued.

“They are our tour guides when we have guests. So there’s added responsibility there.”

See BILL BURDEN, Page 5B

By LAUREN JETTE makes sense to me because they’ve Staff Writer been with the same school since The motto for students at Liberty they’ve been very young in second Hill Intermediate School is a simple, grade… and coming in to something but meaningful one: ACHIEVE different and not knowing the teachSuccess. ers can be a rough transition. But “Our motto is: Just do it right. we have found overwhelmingly, the ACHIEVE success,” explained way we work on that transition alPrincipal Kathy Major. “ACHIEVE lows them to make it as smooth as is an acronym for our character possible and our goal is in the first traits we emphasize: Accountabil- three weeks is to have the kids know ity, Compassion, Honor, Intellect, the procedures, know the schedules, which is critical thinking and prob- know how things work.” lem solving, There will be some Excellence, new faces Valor and among the Excitement.

We want the faculty this kids to be year, inexcited.” cluding the The Inaddition termediof another ate campus teacher for serves as a each grade, transition bringing the for students total to an between even dozen Bill Burden of teachers Elementary and classSchool and rooms for the Junior both fifth KATHY MAJOR High. and sixth Liberty Hill Intermediate School “Our misgrades, Masion is to transition kids from elementary learners to secondary readiness,” Major said. “When they come, they are still very elementary and we start from day one with the higher expectations, teaching them how to be organized, how to work the entire period so they don’t have mass homework.

“We have high expectations of the kids to achieve, but we also hold each other to a high expectation of what we’ll achieve. I think that’s the same in Liberty Hill, but because our kids are doing so much transition at this level, that’s our focus, not only academically, but emotionally and behaviorally with the kids, wanting them to be more independent.”

Major admits the transition to the Intermediate campus can be rough, but usually students adjust within the first few weeks of classes.

“I know a lot of the fourth graders think about coming up here to the big school where they don’t know their teachers,” Major said. “And that

jor said.

“Every one of the people I’ve hired I really believe are going to bring some gift or maybe some new perspective to a problem we have been struggling with, and I know my staff will do everything they can to support the new people because we do really want to be intra-dependent.”

Something that will be done differently this year is how the pre-school meet and greet event will work, Major said.

The open house orientation will be held Aug. 18 at the Intermediate campus. Fifth graders and their parents should arrive at 5 p.m. in the gym, while sixth graders and parents will meet at 6 p.m. in the gym.

There, introductions and goal setting will be discussed, followed by Major speaking to parents about requirements, and then students and parents will be dismissed to find homeroom teachers.

The plan is for parents and students

See INTERMEDIATE, Page 5B

LHHS ready to produce more leaders

Thursday, August 13, 2015

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

By LAUREN JETTE Staff Writer Students at Liberty Hill High School will notice some different options in elective classes when they return to school August 25.

Principal Bobby Mabry said the health science program is expanding, while a fashion design teacher has also been added to the staff.

“We’ve had consumer family sci-

ence and we had the sewing machines,” Mabry said. “When we built the program for the school, we had the culinary arts piece, and the fashion design piece, we saw that developing in the future and now it was time to offer some more opportunities. With House Bill 5 and the different endorsement plans, we were fortunate to add a fashion design person. We’ll start out with just

a few classes, and hopefully build upon it.”

In the health science program, a registered nurse was hired for the more advanced classes, after starting the program with two entry-level courses, Mabry said.

“Now students will be able to get a nurse’s assistant certificate or a pharmacy technician’s certificate when they finish that program. That

New era begins for LH Junior High

By LAUREN JETTE Staff Writer After serving Liberty Hill Junior High as assistant principal for the past six years, Principal Annette Coe is ready to take the reins and lead the campus through the next school year.

“I know this campus backward and forward,” Coe said. “I know the kids and parents, so I’m established there. I just know the ins and outs of the campus. I think it’s an easy transition. I think I’m ready and I’m extremely excited about it.”

Coe said there will be some changes in store with the new school year, including several new staff members, but she isn’t worried about how everything will work out.

“I’m looking forward to helping the teachers adapt to the changes because we do have a lot of new faces with staff changes and personnel changes,” Coe said. “So I’m looking forward to that. You want things to continue and a lot of times, people don’t like change, but I think that you can make it less painful.

And then just helping us to continue to achieve what we’ve always achieved.”

Coe admits that she won’t do everything the same way it has been done in the past. She cited an article that was shared with her by a colleague about looking at why something is the way it is before changing it.

“It’s more about fences. A fence was there for a reason,” Coe explained.

“Before you take it down, you need to make sure why it was there. And (former principal and now Assistant Superintendent Chad Pirtle) and I worked together to put some good programs in place, so there’s

not a lot that needs to be changed.

We were a team and we made decisions together and planned together.

I helped implement a lot of the stuff that we have here, so I know it’s good and works.

“But there are minor things that we might change, but I kept that article up here to remind myself don’t take that fence down until you know why it’s there. So if there’s a program there, we had it there for a reason, so we need to look and see, as we grow, is it still going to be successful or do we need to rebuild it or change it?”

Community support and a good work environment have helped make the junior high campus a great place to be, Coe said.

“Liberty Hill is a wonderful community because the kids are great and everybody supports everybody,” Coe said. “You go to places and they say your work environment is a family environment, and it really is a family environment on this campus. We really watch each other and take care of each other and I’ve never worked in a place that’s been so cohesive. We put good people out there and that helps a lot.”

As students transition from the intermediate campus to the junior high campus, they need to know that the expectations are set high.

“We have high expectations here, we’re going to hold the kids to it,” Coe said. “We don’t bring our bar down, so the kids need to learn to rise to that bar. The seventh graders will probably have a tough first few weeks as they realize we mean it, but we don’t change our expectations. And some kids struggle a little bit and some kids are happy about it to have those expectations.”

One thing that students can expect

was a big addition for us,” Mabry said.

“Part of that, in order (for students) to get their nurse’s assistant certificate, we had to have a registered nurse with a teaching certificate and we found that this summer, so we’re excited about that. (She is a) local resident in Liberty Hill actually, who’s an RN and has also gotten her teaching certificate, so she’ll have to take them on rounds in a practicum to complete that program.”

Leading students on rounds is something new for LHHS students.

“For me, observing that is going to be interesting to see,” Mabry said.

“They have requirements for so many hands-on activities and visits to hospitals and things.”

Also, a new teacher has been hired to take over the journalism program.

“We have a new teacher and she comes to us from the journalism field, she used to work for a magazine. She’s going to teach English and journalism and also be a part of our yearbook.”

small percentage that keeps the assistant principals the busiest,” Mabry explained. “But 95 percent of our kids will never know what the inside of my office looks like unless they come in to ask a question. With the more students you get, you may

See HIGH SCHOOL, Page 5B

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ANNETTE COE Liberty Hill Junior High School is to be held accountable for their choices, including if they chose to skip out on homework.

“We don’t accept not doing your homework,” Coe explained.

“We have an intervention time that we built in a couple of years ago in the middle of the day that’s very beneficial. The teachers can pull students into their classroom that need something re-taught, they didn’t catch a concept on a test, they need to redo the test because they didn’t study the first time. And then during that time, if they aren’t doing their homework, students get pulled for that as well.

“Everybody that’s not pulled out during that time, gets to go outside for recess time, so it’s a little incentive for students. So pulling them out once or twice for that is incentive for students and that usually takes care of it.”

Mabry said four new teachers were added in the core subjects of math, science, social studies and English to keep up with growth and bring class sizes down.

“I came here in the 2007-08 school year and we had barely over 700 (students) and last year we opened with 1,018, and this year, I would guess 1,075 or more,” Mabry said of the school’s growth.

“We graduated a class of 230 (in 2015) and we’re bringing in a class of 260 and then, of course, we’ve had a lot of new students enroll. You never know, you’re going to get the ebb and flow, some people move over the summer. There’s movement, but we get a lot coming in and being an open enrollment district, we have a great reputation so we get students from around the area that want to come here,” he said.

With the growth in number of students, Mabry said he hasn’t seen any increase in discipline issues on campus.

“You’re always going to have that

Page 3B

w w w. z e r o g r av i t ygy m n a s t i c s a n d c h e e r . c o m

Page 4B

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Child Nutrition Services announces changes in meal offerings

By MARY SHEFFIELD LHISD Child Nutrition This summer, results from a Best Food survey was published on the Internet ranking school districts based on variety of healthy, quality food options, student rating the quality of food and other factors. Out of 3,868 school districts, we were ranked 20th. That is something to be proud of and I am incredibly proud of the work and effort everyone put forth last year.

We focused on offering quality products, food presentation and promoting healthy food selections.

Our continued goal for this year is to strive to improve the nutritional quality and student acceptance of school meals.

Some of the comments we have received last year is that they wished we would add new items. Our Sodexo Chefs have been busy developing new recipes and sauces. I had the opportunity to attend a taste testing at Del Valle and the Chefs did a fab-

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ulous job. Some of the recipes are Pasta Alfredo Bake, Etoufee, Dirty Rice, Jambalaya, Enchilada Bake, Tortas, Bolognese Sauce, Quesadilla Crunch Wrap, Chicken Pesto Flatbread, Green Chili Chicken Bur-

ritos and Cheese Enchiladas with a Poblano Sauce. The Chefs have also tested new pastas and we will be serving a bowtie pasta this year.

We will be opening a new concept at the high school this year called

Street Eatz. It will offer a unique twist by bringing the increasingly popular street truck offerings to our school lunches.

Register now for bus transportation service

By LHISD TRANSPORTATION LHISD Transportation is excited to welcome all new and relocated residents in Liberty Hill.

Please assist us with the registration of all new students or students who have moved who will require school bus service.

Registration forms are available on our website at www.libertyhill. txed.net. Click on Departments and Transportation. We can send you forms by email by calling (512) 379-3250.

Also available on our website is an Authorization to Release form. This form is required to be on file for students in Pre-K through 1st grade that are to be met at the bus stop by someone other than a parent.

Bus registration forms requiring a new stop that are received after August 12 may not be added to routes until after the start of the school year.

Please check our website starting August 20 for updated Bus Route information, click on the tab “Lo-

cate a Bus Stop”, enter your address to find out the bus number, your stop location and pick up and drop off times. Please note some bus routes are divided by campus, check route schedules for each child.

Most areas/neighborhoods will have designated group bus stops for pick up and drop off. Walk to stops/ group stops are generally, but not limited to a half-mile walk out for students. Group stops allow us to decrease the number of stops each bus will make on its route, thus minimizing the overall riding time for the students. Stops are generally not placed on dead end streets due to the limited space available to safely turn the bus around. Bus routes are created to enhance student safety while maximizing route efficiency.

Morning riders are required to be at their assigned stop five minutes prior to the scheduled pickup time.

Afternoon route drop off times can vary +/-10 minutes from projected drop off times due to ridership and or traffic.

LOCATE A BUS STOP @ www.libertyhill.txed.net

GEORGETOWN -- Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter (WCRAS) believes every shelter animal will find its dream home during this year’s Clear the Shelters event scheduled Saturday, August 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The idea hatched in 2014 when shelter representatives across North Texas gathered to discuss participating in a unified campaign. Within a few weeks, 38 area shelters joined, and NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 agreed to serve as media partners. Last year’s effort turned into the largest adoption event in North Texas history.

This year, the event has a national presence. NBC 5 and Telemundo 39’s parent company, NBCUniversal, which owns stations across the country, expanded the effort to other cities. Currently, more than 300 shelters have signed up to participate.

In an effort to find homes for the over 200 adoptable dogs, cats, kittens, and puppies in their care, the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter will open an hour early. Plus, all adoption fees will be waived. Potential adopters are encouraged to download, fill out, and bring their adoption application from their website www.wilcopets.org. (Cardboard cat carriers can be purchased for $4 or adopters can bring their own.)

WCRAS Director Cheryl Schneider adds, “There’s a home for every animal and an animal for every home, it is just a matter of making the connection. From puppies and kittens to snuggly adult dogs and cats, a wide variety of loving animals long for a home.”

Visit the Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter at 1855 SE Inner Loop in Georgetown or go to ClearTheShelters.org for a full list of participating shelters and detailed information. Hours may vary among shelters and other fees may apply. ASPCA also is a sponsor.

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The Liberty Hill Independent School District welcomes more than 60 new employees when school begins August 25. The district has 470 employees this school year.

Liberty Hill High School - Jonathan Bever, Assistant Principal - Daniel Haggart, Biology Teacher - Kristina Boren, English/Journalism Teacher - Sheila Dolbow, Health Science Teacher - Laura Brown, Family & Consumer Science Teacher - Jacob Jones, American Sign Language Teacher - David Griffin, Science Teacher/Coach - Hiram Drum, Social Studies Teacher/Coach - Amberlee Martin, Math Teacher - Amanda Carpenter, English Teacher - Robin Magruder, Technology Teacher - Debbie Schaefer, Art Teacher - Annie Sumrall, Nurse - Ruth Hedges, American Sign Language Teacher - Lindsey Dodd, Social Studies Teacher/Soccer Coach - Sandra McKinney, LifeSkills Teacher (returning employee, new assignment) - Brian Kozma, Solid Roots Behavior Teacher/Coach - Julia Schoolenberg, Social Studies Teacher - Jeri Foust, Athletic Secretary Liberty Hill Junior High School - Annette Coe, Principal (returning employee, new assignment) - Bobby Rush, Assistant Principal - Sarah Beauchamp, Theatre Arts Teacher - Aimee Kuhlmann, Math Teacher - Josh Curtis, Social Studies/Coach - Andrew Passwater, Texas History/Coach - Elissa Esch, English Language Arts Teacher - Jeanne Bair, Math Teacher - Patience Lang, English Language Arts Teacher (returning employee, new assignment) - Melissa Bodine, Business/Speech/Coach - Michelle Wright, Science Teacher - Chasity Jarrell, Special Ed. Aide - Rebekka Raquet, Inclusion Aide - Samantha Fisher, Special Ed. Aide

Animal Shelter waives adoption fee on August 15

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LHISD welcomes new employess

Districtwide Staff - Jay Olivier, Director of Instructional Technology - Hope Love, Payroll/Benefits Clerk - Patricia Rodriguez, Speech Intern - Kerry Mortaon, Speech Language Pathologist - Kylie Tineo, Speech Language Pathologist - Glenda Brooks, Speech Language Pathologist - Mary Ann Allen, Occupational Therapist - Robin Graham, Diagnostician - Melody Brusilow, ARD Facilitator - Amber Glass, Diagnostician (returning employee, new assignment)

LUNCH Paid

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Liberty Hill Intermediate School - Rachel Hull, Special Ed. Teacher - Gerald Foster, 6th Grade English Language Arts & Reading - Lori Lauper, 5th Grade Social Studies/Science - Julie Pahl, Intervention Teacher (returning employee, new assignment) - Sherie Kalista, 6th Grade Social Studies/Science Teacher - Lisa Truax, 504, ESL, and GT Interventionist (returning employee, new assignment) - Robert Headrick, 1/2 time Solid Roots Behavior Teacher (returning employee, new assignment) - Todd Greenberg, 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher - Joseph Emmittee, 6th Grade Math Teacher - Theresa Hamlin, Librarian - Pamela Gamble, 6th Grade Math Teacher - Brandeis Stubbins, 6th Grade Math Teacher Bill Burden Elementary School - Heather Collison, Assistant Principal - Jan Lynn Reeves, Counselor - Carolyn Bahr, 4th Grade Teacher - Hillary Stippick, 4th Grade Teacher - Jennifer Hurley, 2nd Grade Teacher (returning employee, new assignment) - Robert Headrick, 1/2 time Solid Roots Behavior Teacher - Jolee Jennings, Librarian (returning employee, new assignment) - Ronnie Havins, Custodian Liberty Hill Elementary School - Julie Anderson, Counselor - Jima Dungan, Kindergarten Teacher - Morgan Adams, Kindergarten Teacher - Amber Dixon, 1st Grade Teacher - Michelle Mulzer, 1st Grade Teacher (returning employee, new assignment) - Michelle Boring, PPCD Aide - Lila Aud, Library Aide (returning employee, new assignment) - Jamie Hamilton, Inclusion Aide - Roshanda Hodges, Inclusion Aide (returning employee, new assignment) - Brandy Jowers, Custodian - Mark Wright, Custodian - Melanie Williams, BB Elem - Stacey Iler, BB Elem - Starla Holder, BB Elem

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Solid Roots

Continued from Page 1

We had success with it there and and behavior interventionist Jeff tional challenges will be the focus we were able to decrease negative Walker who was immersed in the of support through Solid ROOTS behaviors and improve social situ- implementation of Solid ROOTS at the intermediate and elementary ations.” last year at Liberty Hill Junior High levels.

In its initial but partial implemen- praised the program.

Emergent Tree, the central Texas tation at Liberty Hill last year, Di“It is an awesome program,” Walk- behavioral support company that is rector Tarlton said she saw evidence er said. “It’s a good game plan that serving 51 other campuses across of success, even though statistics helps us understand why students the state, will continue their support were not reflective of the improve- behave the way they are behaving of implementing the program this ment and her office was swamped and explains the functions of their year with regular training, on-site with concerns from campus admin- behavior and teaches kids skills to consultation, and assistance with istrators about negative behaviors of handle their behavior on their own. setting up behavior systems. Morspecial education students who had We hit the ground running last year, gan, the company’s founder, said been placed in regular classrooms. but it’s not going to happen over- that other districts that have impleAccording to Tarlton, the percent night; we are ahead of the game this mented the program have experiof discipline referrals of special year and we will get better every enced a variety of positive results education students involved in the year. It will take time, but it’s going including the reduction of discipline new behavior program during 2014- in the right direction.” referrals and suspensions, reduction 15 escalated. Specifically, Tarlton Jeff Conovan, an independent con- in the number of students requirsaid that placements ing intensive behavof special education “We wanted to reduce negative behaviors ioral supports and instudents in In-School instructional and punitive consequences and create creased Suspension (ISS) time for students. and the Alternative real change in behavior. The focus is on Tarlton is counting on Education Program program’s benefits changing instead of managing disrup- the (AEP) were particuand is looking forward larly high in light of tions and ensures that regular education to its full implementathe fact that they comtion. prise less than two teachers can focus on the academic pro“I think we are gopercent of the student gram.” ing to see some posipopulation. gains this year,” ~ Elyse Tarlton tive “We were way over she said. “While the 10 percent for inLHISD Special Education Director program is based on school suspension (of positive support and special education discipline place- tractor hired part-time by LHISD reinforcement, there still has to be ments),” said Director Tarlton who as the district’s behavioral special- accountability and natural life lesalso noted some encouraging re- ist who supports all campuses, said sons and choices by the student. sults. that there were “great successes in Solid ROOTS is a good product “We received very positive feed- the program’s implementation.” and we have very good support back from our campus administra“We cut down on discipline refer- from Emergent Tree. After these tors and general education teachers rals and improved attendance,” he two years of full implementation about Solid ROOTS,” said Tarlton. said, “and gave students support and training, we should have one “We did see a decrease in the AEP when they needed support and got comprehensive plan for the entire placements by the end of the year.” them back on task quicker. In the district.”

The Special Education Director past, students would miss much The Special Education Director described the students as an “in- more class time.” said the keys to success of the protense group of students” who have As the high school and junior gram will be continued training, the emotional challenges. high ready for their second year of establishment of campus manage“We wanted to reduce negative be- implementation, the school district ment/support teams, and district haviors and punitive consequences has been preparing to introduce the expertise and collaboration. At each and create real change in behavior. program in the intermediate and el- campus, one program team consistThe focus is on changing instead of ementary schools. Teachers, admin- ing of two paraprofessionals and managing disruptions and ensures istrators, and other district staff who one certified teacher will support that regular education teachers can come in contact with the specific and assist regular classroom teachfocus on the academic program,” students have been undergoing ded- ers and monitor students every 15 she said. icated training. As was the case last minutes.

LHISD special education teacher year, students diagnosed with emo-

Elementary

Continued from Page 1B

“So there’s a lot of that we have to instill with our kiddos here, so we’ll spend a lot of time in the first weeks learning structures, systems and spending time in the building, just walking through with kids and showing them where things are so they’ll feel comfortable and confident.”

Bowman offered advice for parents who may be dropping kids off for school each day.

“I would say in the first couple of weeks be patient with us,” she said.

“Because we are the newest, youngest learners, we have a lot to figure out, so we’re going to take our time,

Intermediate

to rotate between each child’s three teachers and then will have an opportunity to go back and visit more with a teacher as needed, Major explained.

“It’s really, really important that if they come, they understand that it’s not just come in and free-flow meet and greet. We want to be sure, because we’ve gotten so big that people understand that this is what we do here. Rather than ask parents to come back two weeks from now, that we’ll do all of that in one fell swoop.”

Lastly, Major offered advice for incoming students.

“Remember that we love them, number one, and that is in every

Page 5B

we’re not going to rush. We’re going to make sure that every kid is taken care of and parents are taken care of and everybody feels safe where their students are and where their parents are going.

“In the first couple of weeks, that takes a little bit of time. We just ask that you be patient with us. If there’s a delay, it’s probably because a child needs something and we’re taking care of a need, but we anticipate that gets faster over time once the kid learns systems and the parents learn where to drive and park and that sort of thing.”

LHES students won’t be the only

Continued from Page 1B classroom with everybody here to come in, ready to go. Don’t worry, we are going to help you get where you need to be. Work hard every day. As you learn to ACHIEVE, our sixth graders will know what ACHIEVE means and we’ll step it up a level for them, but the fifth graders as they learn to ACHIEVE, to really put that into place every day, to do their very best, and to remember that when they are here.

“Just take one day at a time,” Major continued. “If they’re giving their best, we’ll give our best and we’ll get the kids where they need to be so when they get to Junior High, they can step in and in a very short period of time, blow and go.”

ones with anxiety or nerves, Bowman acknowledged.

“We’re going to have a place in the building on the first day of school for our kinder parents to come and visit with a counselor after they drop kids off or have a cup of coffee and a snack,” Bowman said.

“Just kind of share with us some things they may be worried about or get some questions (answered) about things they may have because they’re new to the building. Any parent is welcome to come to that and join us for some adult time and see if we can relieve their anxiety on that first day.”

Bill Burden

Expectations for students haven’t changed.

“As always, we want our students to feel ownership and we want our students to be resilient,” Chambers said.

“We started last year, but we really want our students to know that learning is a process and in that process, that learning piece is in there, but it’s not the end result. Learning happens in the process, not the end product. Because education in our world and technology is changing so much, we can’t teach facts and details as much anymore. We have to teach processes and the use of those, the application of what you’ve learned.”

LHISD campuses welcome volunteers and mentors www.LibertyHill.txed.net School volunteer programs can enable teachers to personalize instruction, free teachers and other school personnel to meet students’ needs more effectively, broaden students’ experiences, strengthen school-community understanding and relations, enhance home involvement, and enrich the lives of volunteers.

Each campus offers different opportunities for volunteers. Some examples include: Assisting in the front office; Working with Designated Students in the Classroom; Providing Additional Opportunities and Support such as recreation, enrichment, and tutoring; Mentoring; and Helping Enhance a Positive Climate Throughout the School –

High School have more incidents, but that’s just percentage-wise. Is that growth?

Not really.”

The goal of staff and faculty at LHHS is to prepare students for life after high school, Mabry said, whether a student continues on to college or joins the work force.

“We try to give them as rigorous of a curriculum as we can so they can be successful if they decide to go off to college,” Mabry said.

“For those that aren’t, we offer a career and technology program.

We’ve got kids who have turned out as welders. We’ve got culinary art. Through our current technology program, students can get their Mi-

including “chores” such as assisting with supervision, contributing to campus “beautification,” and helping to get materials ready.

Other ways to get involved: Participating in campus organizations; Serving as a parent representative on the district level or campus level planning committee and assisting in the development of educational goals and plans to improve student achievement; Serving on the School Health Advisory Council, assisting the district in ensuring local community values are reflected in health education instruction; and Attending board meetings to learn more about district operations.

Contact the campus office for more information about getting involved.

Continued from Page 1

crosoft certification. We really push the certifications. That’s something they can put on a resume if they go to work after high school.

“We give them that curriculum, we give them those tools. We do have a work program for some students, juniors and seniors, they get released a little early to go to work, so that’s an opportunity for those guys,” he said.

In addition to giving students an academic edge or work skills, Mabry hopes the students have also learned good character traits, although he acknowledges that part of the job isn’t difficult when you are working with good students al-

Continued from Page 1B Chambers also has a vision for the school as a whole.

“For Burden in general, it is to keep moving up,” Chambers said.

“We are in many ways a great campus, in most ways a strong, good campus, but we just have a long way to go to keep going. I want to be able to keep up with the changes, I want to be able to keep up with the growth without those hard core hiccups that you see every once in a while where you can’t keep up.

“Our district has been fabulous about being proactive, so I’m not worried right now with growth. I think we’re okay, I think our plans are good and solid,” she said.

Visit the Employment page for more information about completing the form for a background check.

Volunteers must pass a criminal history background check in order to ensure the safety of our students.

LHISD is authorized by state law to obtain criminal history record information on individuals who intend to serve as volunteers for the district (Texas Education Code 22.083).

Your personal information as well as your criminal history record results are strictly confidential. The background check is conducted at Central Office.

For more information, contact Kim Thompson, kthompson@libertyhill.txed.net or (512) 260-5580.

Chambers isn’t shy about bragging on her students at Bill Burden.

“We have extraordinary students,” she said. “I can not, in 20 years, recall a time when we took a group of students somewhere, (that) our students weren’t overtly complimented on performance, behavior. Just that overall, they take care of each other. They represent their parents and they represent their families and their district very well.”

A reason students flourish at Liberty Hill has to do with meeting expectations and forming a successful partnership with educators throughout the district.

“I want them to grow to trust us

ready.

“We hope that we’ve taught them some responsibility and character and how to be good people in general,” he said. “We have a great student body and our staff will be the first to tell you, especially people who have been other places. We had a few new teachers last year, who, a couple weeks in, were like, ‘Man, I love it here. The kids are so great. They’re a joy to work with.’

“We can’t take all the credit. Part of that is good parenting, good parental support and good staff and we have great kids,” he said.

and give us their best, and that’s with that partnership,” Chambers said.

“It’s very important to have that family-school partnership, so any time they are unsure or insecure, they have home to call on. If it’s unchartered waters, if it’s here, then they have us to call on and they have that trust. My expectations are ‘this is your campus, we are yours.’

When that trust is there, then the sky’s the limit and we have very good, high-performing students.”

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Page 6B

Pirtle

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Continued from Page 1B

he was looking for some stability among the coaching staff at the junior high.

“I told Coach Vance that if he hired me, I would give him that stability,” Pirtle said. Then, a short time later, he told Vance “the good news” -- he would continue coaching the following school year and he was going back to school to work on a master’s degree. It was about the same time, that he announced to then-Superintendent Dean Andrews that one day, he would be sitting in his seat.

Superintendent Rob Hart, who selected Pirtle for the position, said Pirtle’s competitive edge was a characteristic he considered positive for Liberty Hill.

Hart said there were 50 applicants for the position, including several LHISD employees. Among the poole of applicants were also superintendents from other school districts.

“Chad is a student of the game,” said Hart. “He has a head-strong

competitive nature, is detail oriented, and is focused on doing it right.”

Hart said the responsibilities of the Assistant Superintendent will expand somewhat. When Parks held the position, he oversaw the operations of the district including facilities, transportation and maintenance. And in recent years, Parks spearheaded the transition to newlybuilt facilities.

While Pirtle will be doing all of those things, team-building and getting things done are important.

“As I see the needs, I’m getting them fixed,” he said, referring to his quest to “fix” the PA system at the stadium.

“I guess that’s the coaching part of me,” Pirtle laughed. “I do have a hard time letting it (the competitive edge) go. If I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it right.”

Perhaps influenced by his former mentor Principal Kathy Major, whose motto at Liberty Hill Intermediate School is “Just do it right...

Achieve Success,” Pirtle has a reputation as a campus administrator of working hard to achieve success.

He points to a program he and Assistant Principal Annette Coe implemented at the junior high designed to provide students with additional instructional time in the middle of the day.

“We redid the schedule to build time in the middle of the day as an intervention time,” he said.

“Time is the enemy,” he said.

Because so many students are involved in after-school activities and arriving before school is a challenge for many families, Pirtle said the intervention time was an opportunity for teachers to work individually with students and getting the additional instructional attention was not an option.

“The core teachers took those students who needed help during this extra 27 minutes in the middle of day,” Pirtle said.

He said students who did not need intervention enjoyed going outside during the designated time.

For the past seven years, Pirtle’s professional partner at the junior high was Annette Coe, who was promoted from Assistant Principal this summer to replace Pirtle.

“She will out-work anyone,” Pirtle said. “She has the respect of the staff there, and she’s a wonderful person.”

Pirtle said the staff at the junior high left a lifetime impression on him and he feels “blessed to have had the opportunity to work with so many good people.

“Every day we were setting the standard at the junior high, and I took that to heart,” he said.

“I thank them for their willingness to follow me for the last seven years. They are the ones who set the standard. We wanted the junior high to be the place to be, and we set the sizzle,” he added.

Pirtle, who admits he rarely drops the smile from his face, describes himself as a positive person.

“I want to be that,” he said. “I don’t want to get to the point with someone where we can’t have a conversation.

He said he rarely gets angry, but he does get “frustrated” from time to time.

He said the junior high staff knew to tread cautiously when Pirtle had “the look.”

“You know, it’s the look of disap-

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Wednesday Bible Study 7 p.m.

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Wednesday Evening Service 6:30 p.m.

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Sunday: Sunday School 10 a.m.

Morning Service 11 a.m.

Children’s Church 11 a.m.

Choir Practice 5 p.m.

Evening Service 6 p.m.

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Evening Service for all ages 7 p.m.

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Bishop Ronald D. Rhea, D. Min David Joiner, Senior Pastor Sunday 9 a.m. Life Message Classes 10 a.m. Celebration Worship Service 15611 W. Hwy. 29, Liberty Hill (512) 515-5591

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pointment that you’d get from your dad growing up,” he said, unable to replicate it while he was smiling. “I do get the look, but I’m not a yeller.”

Pirtle said the most common reason for “the look” was if something wasn’t right for the kids.

As an example, he said he was often frustrated by parents who wanted the school to lower the standards for their child.

“Junior high is a difficult age. A child is starting to become more independent. They grow from the challenges and learn from it. You have to hit the wall -- it’s part of growing up.

“Ultimately, school is a protected environment. If we’re not teaching them at the junior high, it’s difficult the rest of their life,” he said.

When Pirtle joined the junior high staff eight years ago, there were 320 students. At the end of the school year in June, there were 520.

“That’s 200 students in seven years,” he said.

“Growth effects everything in the school district. As we get bigger, we have to get smaller and tighter in our procedures,” he said.

Pirtle said keeping classes at a “reasonable size” is important.

While elementary classes are limited by a state ratio of 22 students to one teacher, Pirtle said keeping class sizes smaller in junior high and high school improve learning opportunities.

“Another thing that will make us better is vertical alignment in our communication,” he said.

By providing teachers the opportunity to communicate from campus to campus, and making sure that the teaching vocabulary is consistent throughout the grade levels, student success can improve.

“I will miss the kids, getting to know them, and watching them grow up,” he said. “But I’m excited about being able to get on different campuses. Being around elementary kids, see what they do in their day.

And getting to know the teachers better at the elementary level.”

Although a few shorts weeks ago, Pirtle was a peer to the other campus principals, he said he hopes to be a mentor for them in his new role.

“I’m there to help, and will be there to brainstorm and offer organizational techniques,” he said. “Principals get hit is so many directions.”

He said some research shows a principal is interrupted every 16

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Chad Pirtle is seeking to make a difference in LHISD as the district’s new Assistant Superintendent. (Shelly Wilkison Photo) seconds during a typical school day.

So staying organized is essential.

While Pirtle may be the public relations cheerleader for LHISD, he admits things “aren’t perfect. But we’re working really hard to get there.”

Pirtle, who is working on a doctoral degree now from the University of Texas and finishing up his dissertation, said he has been preparing for the position of Assistant Superintendent for years, and his dissertation topic is evidence of that.

Pirtle’s topic is the superintendent’s role in school bond elections.

With Liberty Hill’s next bond election as early as May 2016, Pirtle’s topic is especially pertinent.

“I wanted to do something that was going to help me as a superintendent some day in a growing school district,” he said.

“I put it all out there on the line,” he said of the interview process.

“I’ve been thinking about this position for years. I wasn’t just applying for a job. I’m a very hard worker and I came in with ideas to make things better.”

Pirtle grew up in Paris in northeast Texas where he played baseball and made good grades. He was a good student and has fond memories of childhood school days. He graduated in 1996.

While attending college at Texas A&M University Commerce where he earned a degree in business, he served as a volunteer fire fighter and emergency medical technician in Lamar County. While he enjoyed the experience and considered it as a career option, the unpredictable

work schedule was a deterrent as he thought about family life.

After earning a degree, Pirtle worked two and one-half years as a sales representative for an occupational health care company that consulted with employers as to how to keep employees well and able to work.

Within a short time, he realized he had chosen the wrong career path.

His real interest was coaching, and his wife, Emily, encouraged him to pursue it.

His first teaching job was in neighboring Clarksville where he worked two years on a probationary teaching certificate. He taught Algebra I, TAKS remedial math, keyboarding and math models. He enjoyed the work so much that the Pirtles both decided to go back to school, and moved to central Texas.

Mrs. Pirtle, who teaches at Liberty Hill High school and is the director of the Liberty Belles, earned a master’s degree from the University of Texas while Pirtle went to Texas State University for a master’s degree and now UT for a doctoral degree.

The Pirtles met as college students.

She was attending Paris Junior College on a cheerleading scholarship and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Texas A&M Commerce. The Pirtles married just before moving to Liberty Hill 10 years ago, and have two sons -- Jack, 3, and Ryan, 1.

So how is Pirtle doing two weeks before the start of school?

“Just livin’ the dream,” he smiles.

“Really.”

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Page 7B

Olivier joins LHISD as its first instructional technology director

By CHRISTINE BOLAÑOS Staff Writer Liberty Hill ISD recently hired its first director of instructional technology with the goal of preparing its students for the demands of the 21st Century workforce.

Jay Olivier has only been at the job a few weeks, but is already serious about making sure teachers and administrators are on the same page, technologically speaking, and that students are consistently and constantly exposed to the kind of technology they will be required to know how to use well into the future.

“We’re living in a digital age and the students at any school district, whether it is Liberty Hill or Austin or Round Rock or wherever it happens to be, if we do not prepare them to live in the digital world they exist in, we’re not really preparing them. They need to know the tools and how to use them,” explained Olivier.

“They need to be 21st Century learners. That’s a buzzword and I don’t like throwing out buzzwords but I do think preparing them where technology isn’t just a computer lab, it’s integrated into how they learn and what they do. I think it’s vital to their success in life,” he said.

The school district recognizes how important it is for students to become 21st Century learners and that is why the position he was hired for was created, he believes.

“Liberty Hill has not had a cohesive vision for instructional technology. One of the reasons for bringing me in is to provide that cohesion to that vision and make sure we’re all working in that same vision and not fighting each other by having a lack of consistency. The vision is to get students prepared to be successful in college and career and be ready for the digital world they exist within,” he emphasized.

Olivier will be making sure curriculum is aligned across the campuses. He will also be managing

software systems and deciding what to purchase for classrooms as far as technology is concerned. Consistency is key to avoid, for example, having Apple products at the elementary level, then PC’s at the middle school level and then back to Apple in high school.

“Part of my job is to work with campus and district administration to make sure everyone is on the same page and everyone has the tools and resources to be successful,” he said.

Originally from Austin, Olivier graduated from Pflugerville High School and attended Texas A&M University where he earned a degree in psychology in December 2003.

He got married in Round Rock and worked for Dell, Inc., and then went on to work at Texas State University.

He and his wife moved to Houston where he taught math for eight years and then once their son was born they returned to the Austin area to be closer to family. He worked in the Taylor and Hutto school districts upon returning to the area.

His experience includes phone support at Dell, running the computer lab and managing instructional technology for the history department at Texas State. During his teaching years, Olivier taught a range of classes ranging from Algebra I to statistics.

He worked at Legacy Early College High School while at Taylor ISD where he fulfilled the roles of instructional technologist and math teacher. He then went on to work at Hutto ISD. Olivier and his family live in Round Rock.

“As a (former) classroom teacher it gives me the perspective to know what works in the classroom and what it’s like in the classroom. I’ve also had time in more of a campus position that’s a non-teaching position, where I worked with campus and district administrators more individually,” Olivier shared. “I have experience at the district level where I’ve worked with district per-

sonnel and seeing how they all play together and how it’s all really one system and can’t focus on one side and make sure everything is really integrated all the way through the curriculum and instruction side. If everyone is on the same page then everything is going to be a lot more smooth and a lot more successful and it all plays off each other.”

Through his experience performing district-level work, Olivier has been exposed to a range of technology in the educational setting, including project-based learning to student data systems.

Olivier hit the ground running at Liberty Hill.

“I’ve been in all campuses and have met with all campus administration. I’m still trying to get a feel for everything that’s currently in place. Part of what I’m going to be doing at the beginning of the year is going into classrooms and seeing what actually is being practiced and how it’s being used,” he added.

“The direction I’m looking at going is more mobile as far as technology resources. Moving away from traditional computer lab model where that’s where you do your technology stuff, to really integrating technology into instruction and more mobile resources such as tablets, laptops and chromebooks,” he said.

It’s too soon to tell what devices the district will be using.

“Part of that is to see what’s working and what’s not working currently in our system. A big part of our culture is what’s going on in the campuses and in the summer it’s kind of hard to get a feel for that,” Olivier explained. “It’s really about making sure students have the exposure and have the resources to be successful so when they get out of high school they have that exposure and that experience and they have CHRISTINE BOLAÑOS PHOTO experience working collaboratively and the digital framework that tech- Jay Olivier has hit the ground running as Liberty Hill ISD’s first director of instructional technology. Olivier has nology is part of everything.” been tasked with determining the technology resources needed to facilitate higher learning at all grade levels.

The new position was created by the school board this summer.

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Page 8B

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Panther Pit Crew cooks up fun and funds for the community

By DANA DELGADO Staff Writer With bacon as their secret ingredient, it’s amazing what some friendly, fun-loving tailgaters hoping to boost support for the Panthers on Friday nights have cooked up for the community.

“We wanted to create excitement around Liberty Hill sports similar to a college game day experience,” said Arthur Zamarripa, the group’s President, who along with a small group of friends and family started seven years ago what would become the Panther Pit Crew.

“As the excitement grew, the group became larger. We soon realized that we could make an impact financially,” he said.

At first, funds raised were donated to the All Sports Booster Club, but as interest grew in the Panther Pit Crew and it got officially chartered as a non-profit in 2012, the focus expanded.

“We keep the same goals of meeting Liberty Hill families, having fun, and creating funds to help Liberty Hill ISD and the community,” said Zamarripa.

Scott Supak, one of the founding members of the organization and current secretary of the board, said that the growth of the organization has allowed them to meet other needs of the community like helping the Draper family who experienced tragic loss following an automobile tragedy. But its emphasis remains the school district.

“We are not surprised by the growth and interest in our efforts,” Supak said. “There are a lot of families participating and our members come from all walks of life including a good number of small business owners and representatives of large national companies. We have an open membership and are committed to supporting anywhere we can lend a helping hand.”

The group has been hosting a variety of non-traditional events to raise funds as well as offering memberships.

This Saturday, August 15, beginning at 3 p.m., the Panther Pit Crew has invited guests to its kick-off event for the new school year.

The group is hosting a “clay shoot”

at 800 CR 257 (CLS Excavation location). Memberships including personal memberships, which start at $125, and business sponsorships beginning at $500 will be available at the event.

The Panther Pit Crew looks forward to continuing their much-revered tailgating during the football season and has plans to expand the fun experience to other sporting events like basketball or volleyball.

Furthermore, a photo booth has been added for the kids of all ages to take some funny, keepsake pictures but the invitation is always open for snacks and fun.

“We change up the menu a little bit,” Supak said. “Some members are real cooking aficionados while others are eaters. But everyone seems to like bacon, so we offer it with just about everything.”

Supak said that the community response has been very positive and that one of the most rewarding aspects of their community support has been the reaction from those that are being helped.

“The best thing has been the appreciation of different groups when we have been able to donate funds especially those that have limited funds like DECA (a school organization) and Project Graduation,” Supak said. “We feel like we really helped them after seeing their smiles.”

“Initially some wondered why we did it and were a little skeptical but with time and with our efforts - those

affected or who have worked with us or have benefitted from our support have had great recognition for us and what we are able to do,” said Zamarripa. “We are still trying to build awareness with our new nonprofit status.”

All Panther Pit Crew events are open to the community.

“We encourage additional tailgaters to join us in the parking lot on Friday nights to experience great food,

Thursday, August 13, 2015

fun and camaraderie,” said Zamarripa. The group sets up at 5 p.m.

Besides Zamarripa and Supak, other Panther Pit Crew board members include Ryan Boatright (Treasurer), Bryan Cloughly (Membership), and Clint Stephenson (Vice President).

Follow the Liberty Hill Panther Pit Crew on Facebook and visit their soon to be established website, www.pantherpitcrew.com.

SHELLY WILKISON PHOTO

Liberty Hill Band Boosters

The Liberty Hill Band Boosters are parents who volunteer their time and talent to ensure the success of the instrumental music programs of Liberty Hill schools. The organization raises money throughout the school year to purchase instruments, provide scholarships and provide support to the band program. The Boosters run the concession stand during home football games on the Visitors side of Panther Stadium. In the photo above are Board members Jeff Stevenson, Vice President; Wendy Alexander, Co-chair Concessions; Janet Coursey, Fundraising; and Kellye Spangler, President (seated). Not pictured are Board members Kadey Cochran, Secretary; Jean Marsh, Treasurer; Lisa Landry, Co-chair Concessions; Kim Webb, Co-chair Concessions; Farrah Slevin, Events; and Heather Willard, Publicity.

LHISD offers eligible Pre-kindergarten to eligible students

Liberty Hill ISD, in partnership with HeadStart, provides free, full day pre-kindergarten to qualifying 4-year olds.

A child is eligible for enrollment if the child is four years old and: - is unable to speak and comprehend the English language; - qualifies for free or reduced lunch; - is homeless; - is the child of an active duty

The Panther Pit Crew sets up in the parking lot of Panther Stadium prior to football games. (Courtesy Photo)

member of the armed forces; - is the child of a member of the armed forces who was injured or killed while on active duty; or - is or ever has been in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary hearing.

For enrollment information, call Liberty Hill Elementary School at (512) 515-6514 or the HeadStart office at (512) 515-0838.

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT

Page 9B

Campuses welcome new assistant principals

Collison, Rush, Bever join administrative team

By DANA DELGADO Staff Writer Three new Assistant Principals have moved into their offices in preparation for their first year with the Liberty Hill Independent School District.

All three campus administrators are experienced, are from outside the district, have a strong commitment to education and interestingly, each has a personal connection to athletics.

Heather Collison, who has been employed with the Cypress–Fairbanks Independent School District in Houston for the last 11 years, is the new assistant principal at Bill Burden Elementary School. She brings fours of experience as an elementary assistant administrator with a Houston area school district.

“I’m very excited to be in Liberty Hill,” said the high-energy, up-beat administrator who grew up in a small town in North Dakota where her parents Kevin and Brenda Volesky were dairy farmers. “I look forward to meeting the parents and students and get involved in the community.”

Collison said she and her husband had been looking to relocate to Austin with their 19-month-old son and found the philosophy, size of the community, and atmosphere in Liberty Hill to be a good fit.

Originally, she was encouraged to move from North Dakota by her twin sister to Houston where there were greater opportunities for educators. In Houston, she found her niche in working with economically disadvantaged students, many of whom also had behavioral issues and disabilities. As a reading and writing teacher, she was particularly proud of her fifth grade students who achieved a high passing percentage rate on state-mandated tests.

“I have a love for teaching reading,” Collison said. “Every student comes in with different needs and different levels and you have to shape yourself so each one is successful.”

The new assistant principal at Bill Burden Elementary holds a bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University – Moorhead and a master’s degree from Sam Houston State University.

HEATHER COLLISON Bill Burden Elementary School Assistant Principal She said her parents influenced her by encouraging her to “always pursue her dream” while CypressFairbanks Principal Virginia Marez challenged her “to go above and beyond.”

“They’ve been my inspiration,” she said.

As an administrator, Collison said she likes to lead by example and believes herself to be a motivational leader.

“I am willing to roll up my sleeves and love being on a team,” she said.

“I’m excited about the new year.”

Her leadership, however, goes back to when she was in high school. She led her North Dakota basketball team to the state tournament as the squad’s point guard and key defender. As an all-around athlete, she also competed in track, cheerleading and golf.

Josh Rush At Liberty Hill Junior High, Josh Rush is the new assistant principal

DANA DELGADO PHOTOS

JOSH RUSH Liberty Hill Junior High Assistant Principal

replacing Annette Coe who was promoted to the principal position when Chad Pirtle was promoted this summer to Assistant Superintendent.

Rush has been an assistant principal the last two years in Odessa.

“I’m looking forward to getting to work with students at Liberty Hill and help them on their path to reach their goals,” he said.

Prior to entering school administration, the Temple native was a coach and taught social studies for 19 years at a number of school districts across the state including Carrollton-Farmers Branch, Waco, Commerce, McKinney, Richardson and Springhill.

It was at Waco’s Midway High School and Springhill High School that Coach Rush guided his girls’ basketball teams to the regional finals with their high-octane offense and long-range shooting. Rush was twice named All East Texas Girls Basketball Coach.

As a teacher, Rush taught a range

of social studies courses from seventh grade through high school.

He also taught classes in the gifted program and inclusion. The veteran educator has been named teacher of the month various times.

Rush said that coaching helped prepare him for his administrative position.

“I learned to be patient and flexible and to get along with students,” he said. “My transition to administration has gone well. At first, I thought I would lose contact with the kids, but soon learned that I had the opportunity to see many more students.”

At Odessa, the new junior high assistant principal said he worked with over 1,300 students so he is excited to be working with a smaller group at LHJH in a more “family atmosphere.”

Rush holds a bachelor of science degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Texas State University and a master’s degree in Education

JONATHAN BEVER Liberty Hill High School Assistant Principal

Administration from Sul Ross University in Alpine.

Jonathan Bever Taking over as high school assistant principal for freshmen and sophomores is Jonathan Bever who hails from neighboring Leander.

“It’s very exciting and I feel very much at home,” Bever said. “I grew up in the area and went to school in Leander; my grandparents moved to the area in the 1970s. I’m finding that I went to school with many of the Liberty Hill parents.”

Bever has been in education for 26 years serving as a coach and teacher and eight years as an administrator.

His last assignment was at Copperas Cove where he was an assistant principal.

Bever also had teaching and coaching stints at Fort Bend near Houston, Lampasas and Leander. In addition, he has been a cattle rancher and was in sales.

The new Liberty Hill High School

administrator says his academic specialization lies in special education where he worked with autistic children, managed autistic camps, and was involved in Special Olympics.

Bever said that the greatest reward in education is seeing or hearing from kids who have succeeded in life after they graduate.

He recalls one student who had been in a self-contained classroom who called to thank him and let him know that she had gone to college and had a career in nursing.

“We always hope as educators that we can impact youth we serve,” he said. “Being an ex-coach, athletics is dear to my heart, but academics always come first.”

Bever earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and special education from Texas State University and a master’s degree from Tarleton State University.

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT SPORTS Thursday, August 13, 2015 Section C Page 1

Battle in the trenches

By LAUREN JETTE The Independent Sports In football, the players who rack up the most yards, make an outstanding defensive play or score touchdowns get the most attention. But, before a running back can break away for a long run or a defensive back can make a drive-stopping interception, a block had to be made or a hold had to stand from a lineman.

These players “in the trenches” during a football game do the most work for the least amount of recognition, but without offen-

sive and defensive linemen, the Panthers wouldn’t have the success they’ve seen.

“We all have our own responsibilities, our own rules. But as a team, as a line, it’s to come together as one,” said offensive lineman Justin Wilson. “We always want to get our blocks and our big goal is to protect our backs.”

“A big part of it is we can’t take time to slow down and take a breath,” said fellow lineman Lance Champion. “We just got to keep going. Go and bust them in the mouth, we can’t slow down, we don’t have time for

that, we have to keep going.”

While a receiver or a running back might not get the ball every single play, linemen have to battle for position every single down, which makes conditioning important.

“Our whole offense is based on speed, so we need to be conditioned all the time,” Wilson said. “That’s why we run after scrimmages, that’s why you always see us moving and flying around in practice and even in the games, we’re quick off the ball.

We’re trying to get back to the huddle, always trying to be quick.”

Offensive and defensive lines set to lead charge for Liberty Hill

Keeping the same mindset for each play helps ward off fatigue, Wilson added.

“We always huddle back up so it gives you more time to get focused. It gives you time to think about what you are going to do, who you are going to block and when you get down in your stance, you are thinking about it in your head, what happens.”

Getting five individuals to work as one unit can seem like a huge challenge, but the offensive line embraces any opportunity to form a tight bond.

“It’s just a group of brothers,” Champion

described the relationship between the linemen.

“We always communicate, it’s not just we go on the field and play together. Outside the field, we go to each other’s house, we watch film, we talk, we work and it’s just an all the time thing, we don’t wait until practice and games to work, we’re always together and we’re always working together.”

Wilson described the bond as a brotherhood.

See LINES, Page 11C

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Page 2C

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Art work Panthers’ new quarterback was born to run the Slot-T

By SEAN SHAPIRO The Independent Sports For five years Garrett Wright has practiced, and mastered, the art of the Slot-T. And the Slot-T isn’t a paint-bynumber charade.

It’s a behemoth of a system for a quarterback. One that breaks the rules of today’s contemporary offense — what spread? — and forces the quarterback to blend different elements at a moment’s notice.

On one play, Wright is like Georges Seurat. On the next, he’s Pablo Picasso in the backfield.

It’s a hot day, the thermometer is pushing 102 degrees, and Wright is lined up under center during Liberty Hill’s intrasquad scrimmage.

Scanning the defense, Wright fakes to fullback Jon Shannon, moves to his right and pitches to Freddie White. By the time the defense has realized White, not Shannon or Wright, is holding the ball it’s too late and the tailback is headed toward the end zone.

“If there was ever a system that fit a player it’s this one with Garrett ... he hides the ball so well. He’s not the most athletic quarterback, but he can simply make the ball disappear.”

Liberty Hill Head Coach Jerry Vance It’s reminiscent of Seurat’s famous A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte. A pointillist painting that Seurat spent over two years on, meticulously creating a seemingly straight-forward image with millions of tiny dots.

But, there is more than meets the eye, and like Liberty Hill’s offense, it leaves viewers — or opposing defenses — confused and captivated at the same time.

On the next series, Wright must do his best Picasso impression.

A block has broken down and

he is locked into the defender’s crosshairs. But he escapes, quickly shifting to his left, pivots, and then scrambles for a long gain.

Free-form painting meets the gridiron, and Wright is holding the brush.

He’s been waiting for his chance, and if Wright is the young artist, Liberty Hill head coach Jerry Vance is the approving grand master of the Slot-T. “If there was ever a system that fit a player it’s this one with Garrett,” Vance said. “He hides the

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ball so well. He’s not the most athletic quarterback, but he can simply make the ball disappear.”

It’s a result of consistency and dedication for Wright.

At a young age, quarterbacks in Liberty Hill are taught that footballs aren’t meant to fly. They’re meant to be protected and pushed down the field in a methodical, deceptive manner.

“Here quarterback is more of a leadership position,” Wright said.

“We don’t need to throw the ball.

We’ve won state championships without throwing the ball.”

Somewhere Darrell K. Royal and Woody Hayes — both given credit for the adage “three things can happened when you throw the ball, and two of them are bad,” — are smiling on Liberty Hill.

Wright, like past quarterbacks at Liberty Hill, started learning the system in middle school. And it even extends to the youth ranks,

See OFFENSE, Page 9C

Understanding the Slot-T Unlike today’s typical run-and-gun offenses, the Slot-T is reminiscent of a time when the forward pass was illegal. In addition to a fullback, the quarterback often lines up with a pair of slotbacks to his right and left. This creates a multitude of options and allows the quarterback to read and react to the defense.

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Page 3C

Liberty Hill Fightin’ Panthers

1st photo texas

Varsity Panther Football 2015

The Liberty Hill varsity football team is looking to add another championship ring in 2015. The program reached the class 4A, Division I semifinals. Liberty Hill won back-to-back state championships in 2006 and 2007.

The members of the varsity football team are: #2 Garret Wright, #3 Reid Sanders, #4 Bryce McCatty, #5 Grant White, #7 Caleb Guerin, #8 Tyler Weger, #9 Tyler Glasgow, #10 Ryan Ragle, #11 Matthew Mabry, #12 Keylan Herman, #14 Kendall Badon, #15 Freddie White, #16 Riley LaDuque, #17 Jacob Lapuszynski, #18 Tanner Vrabel, #19 Logan Hester, #20 Bass Hamilton, #21 Chance Runnels, #22 Jon Shannon, #23 Dylan Joiner, #24 Thomas Gillintine, #26 Cade McKinnis, #29 Xavier Williams, #30 Jonathan Dudgeon, #31 David Allman, #32 Gage Fulps, #33 Austin Boyd, #34 Colton Cunningham, #35 Andy Becker, #40 Brandon Barfield, #42 Cody Burns, #43 Luke Alexander, #44 Mason Herrin, #45 Justin Burkett, #50 Levi Cook, #51 Bryce Robinson, #52 Jack Brewer, #53 Sam Stiles, #54 James Shamblin, #55 Zane Scott, #56 Justin Wilson, #57 Kyle Huppee, #58 Bailey Cloughley, #59 Ethan Shirey, #60 Thomas Vires, #61 Daniel Park, #62 Colby LaDuue, #64 Christopher Farooq, #65 Marcus Grimm, #66 Kalub Foster, #70 Lance Champion, #71 Grant Smith, #72 Zachariah Johnson, #74 Cade Stoute, #88 Lance Champion, #89 Carter Ware. Coaches are Jerry Vance (Head coach), Robert Draper (Assistant Head Coach), Jimmy Duncan (Defensive Coordinator), John Hall (Offensive Coordinator), Mike Kristan, Anthony Escobar, Carlos Garza, Rudy Acevedo, Joel Gotcher, Lynn Burlison, Darren Bauer, Hiram Drum, Dave Griffin, Brian Kozma, Tommy Foster, Danny Knowles, John Mason, Josh Curtis, Andy Passwater.

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Page 4C

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Thursday, August 13, 2015

PhOTO BY SEAN SHAPIRO

Varsity Panther Volleyball 2015

Following a trip to the Class 4A state semifinals, the Liberty Hill volleyball team is looking for a return trip to Garland.

In back from left are Andi Graves, Carson Yarbrough, Hailey Barrows, Allee Nix, Kingsley Erps, Tori Graves. In front are Brooklyn Jones, Betheny McLeod, Savannah Stanley, Carley Moples, Peyton Phifer.

Not pictured is Allie Child.

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Page 5C

LAUREN JETTE PHOTO

The Liberty Hill volleyball team huddles during its season-opening match on Tuesday at Canyon Lake.

Ready to grow Panther volleyball team replacing nine seniors

By SEAN SHAPIRO The Independent Sports When coach Gretchen Peterson passed out uniforms it was a bit of a free-for-all.

Players had their pick of almost any jersey available, except for numbers 1, 6 and 16.

That’s because those were reserved for Allee Nix, Peyton Pfifer, and Tori Graves — the three returning members of the varsity team.

It’s a perk for the trio, but it’s also an added responsibility. With 10 new varsity players, Nix, Pfifer, and Graves are expected to escalate from the supporting cast into starring roles.

“They’re all looking toward us,” Nix said.

“But, it’s exciting,” Pfifer interjected. “Last year everyone knew what they were doing. This year we’re still clicking and learning, but

“(I)t’s exciting ... Last year everyone knew what they were doing. This year we’re still clicking and learning, but you can feel us getting better.”

Liberty Hill senior Peyton Pfifer you can feel us getting better.”

And the three returners, along with Peterson, are well aware patience could be the operative word this season.

The Panthers have a difficult nondistrict schedule — filled with Class 5A and 6A teams — and new additions have already been thrown into the varsity fire when Liberty Hill opened the season against Canyon Lake and Schertz Clements on

Tuesday.

“It’s higher intensity and more discipline,” Pfifer said. “It’s longer practices and hours. But, if you hold yourself to that higher level — and keep pushing yourself — that’s what keeps a player at a varsity level.”

And at Liberty Hill the “varsity level” is a bit higher than most other schools.

While Peterson admitted the record likely won’t be nearly as impressive

as 2014, the Panthers haven’t ruled out a return to the Class 4A, Region IV tournament and another potential run at the final four in Garland.

“The goal is to get to the regional tournament, because from their anything can happen,” Peterson said.

“We know our record won’t be as good. But that’s why we have to play a tougher non-district schedule, and realize that we’re getting better against bigger teams — even if it doesn’t mean a win every night.”

But, once district play starts in late September, the Panthers are expected to start winning on a consistent basis — and the new varsity additions are well aware of that.

The junior varsity team and freshman teams both won district titles in 2014, and Peterson said several of those players “could have been varsity players at any other school” in District 25-4A last season.

VOLLEYBALL Aug 13-15 TBA @Austin ISD Tourn V Aug 18 5, 6 @Marble Falls F/JV/V Aug 20-21 TBA Bastrop Tournament V Aug 21 5,5,6 Vista Ridge F/JV Aug 25 5,5,6 McNeil F/JV/V Aug 27-29 TBA @Leander ISD Tourn V Aug 29 10,11 Brownwood F/JV F/JV/V Sept 1 5:30,5:30,6:30 Copperas Cove Sept 4 4,5,6 @Hyde Park F/JV/V Sept 8 5:30,5:30,6:30 @Fredericksburg F/JV/V Sept 11 5,5,6 @Lorena F/JV/V Sept 15 5,5,6 Robinson F/JV/V Sept 18 4:30,5:30 @Brentwood ChristianV/JV Sept 25 5,5,6 @Llano F/JV/V Sept 29 5,5,6 @Taylor F/JV/V Oct 2 5,5,6 @Salado F/JV/V Oct 6 5,5,6 @Lampasas F/JV/V Oct 9 5,5,6 Burnet F/JV/V Oct 13 5,5,6 Llano F/JV/V Oct 16 5,5,6 Taylor F/JV/V Salado F/JV/V Oct 20 5,5,6 Oct 23 5,5,6 Lampasas F/JV/V Oct 28 5,5,6 @Burnet F/JV/V Nov 2-3 Nov 5-6 Nov 9-10 Nov 13-14 Nov 19-21

PhOTOs BY LAUREN JETTE

(ABOVE) Carson Yarbough delivers a hit against San Antonio Clemens. (RIGHT) Brooklyn Jones sets a pass for a teammate in her first varsity match.

Playoffs Bi-District Area Regional Quarterfinals Regional Tournament State Tournament

Page 6C

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Welcome back, thanks for reading Extra Points

with Sean Shapiro There are a lot clichéd ways to open a column in a back-to-school issue.

In fact, I probably typed all of them — then furiously hit backspace — at least twice.

Welcome back, we’re ready for kick-off, it’s go time.

Liberty Hill brings its ‘A’ game, they leave it all on the floor, the Panthers execute, focus, and bring the intensity.

They have great chemistry, you can’t teach that, because they take it one play at a time.

Had enough?

Good. Now let’s focus on why you’re here.

If you’ve read this far into the section — we are on Page 6 — you clearly have an interest in Liberty Hill sports.

You’re also not alone.

Liberty Hill, as many people have told me, is proud of its athletic achievements. They win at Liberty Hill, in all sports, and the growing community has embraced the school’s must-win attitude from

the football field to the softball diamond, and everywhere in between.

It leads to several lofty goals, and you can read about those goals in this paper. Well, our goal at The Independent is to share the sports stories that matter to you.

Yes, Friday night football is king, but we will also be striving to tackle — cliché intended — all the other stories that really define Liberty Hill’s athletic department.

Throughout the season, there will

be features on players and coaches, enterprise stories on trends in high school sports, and in-depth breakdowns of games. We’ll also be debuting a yet-to-be-named feature on student-athletes on and off the field.

We’re also looking for your help.

Yes, you.

This is your paper, and we want it to reflect that. Know of an interesting angle or idea? Shoot us an email at sports@LHIndependent. com. You can also reach out to us

on Facebook or Twitter (@LHReporter), where we will be pushing our web presence in 2015.

Of course, we won’t forget the print product.

And if you’re amongst those who unexpectedly received this issue in the mail, and you like what you see, why not subscribe?

It’s only $22 for the year. Or better yet, get a subscription for your son or daughter. Kids need to read more newspapers.

SEAN SHAPIRO PHOTOS

Junior Varsity Panther Volleyball 2015 The Liberty HIll junior varsity volleyball team poses for a photo before the season. Many members of the district-winning JV and freshmen team from 2014 are part of the 2015 squad. Back row from left are Rachel Gallander, Darby Huggins, Emma Taylor, Gabi Sommerfield, AJ Chambers, Katie Kindle, Sophia Inestroza. In front are Amanda Peterson, Haycen Schilli, Hannah Smirl, AJ Trahan, Valerie Bullara, Joeley Williamson, Madeline Masters.

Freshman Panther Volleyball 2015 The Freshman volleyball team poses for a picture before the season. The Panthers are a talented group that racked up victories at Liberty HIll Junior High School. Back row from left are Baily Grant, McKynzie Wukash, Allison Van Klavern, Ella Shipper, Abby Covington. Center row are Mia Hernandez, Carson May, Molly Meldau, Caitlin Workman. In front are Carissa Vickers, Ashlynn Revere, Gracie Whitten, Kaylynn Revere. Not pictured are Hannah Brown, Ellie Rimann.

More Sports Online www.LHIndependent.com

Thursday, August 13, 2015

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Junior Varsity Panther Football 2015

Page 7C

1st PHOTO TEXAS

The junior varsity football team is the groundwork for the varsity football team’s success. This season the junior varsity team is hoping to win a District 25-4A title, while individual players are hoping to impress enough to get a chance with the varsity team.

The members of the junior varsity football team are: #1 Nash Strickland, #2 Lane Mayeux, #5 Brian Hamilton, #6 Michael Reiniger, #7 Boylen Mills, #8 Grant Howard, #9 Josh Loranee, #10 Dylan Hamilton, #11 Regan Knopp, #12 Chris Neal, #15 Lipscomb, #16 Carson Landry, #17 Skylar Robinson, #18 Matt Hillbrich, #19 Matt Rimann, #20 Garrett Lange, #21 Ethan Thomas, #22 Brandon McKissick, #23 Grant Ornales, #24 Wyatt Hoffman, #25 Mario Hidalgo, #26 Jacob Turek, #28 Jerome Roblee, #35 Grant Supak, #40 Austin Hutchins, #41 David Larkin, #43 Evan Ahr, #44 Willemon, #45 Daylon Cunningham, #46 Hunter Oncken, #54 Justin Gilmore, #56 Wade Perkins, #57 Tommy Davis, #59 William Armstrong, #60 David Foster, #61 Trent Lindquest, #62 Caleb McMahan, #64 Landry Bolin, #65 Johnny Coker, #66 Daylon Hawkins, #68 Victor Ruchin, #70 Stephen Neal, #71 Justin Ramirez, #72 Rodey Knowles, #73 Paul Madison, #74 Derek Houdcastle, #75 Grant Deltz, #76 Matthew Carter, #77 Patrick Montes, #78 Wade Perkins, #80 Dalton Phifer, #88 Colton Caneen, #89 Chandler Floyd.

Freshman Panther Football 2015

1st PHOTO TEXAS

Well-versed in the Liberty Hill system from their time in junior high school, the freshman football team is ready to make its first impact for the high school. It is a young talented group that has the coaching staff excited for the season.

The members of the freshman football team are: #1 Kyle Harrison, #2 Brian Albarron, #3 Henry Madison, #4 Jorden Martin, #5 Payton Melchor, #6 Tim Morrison, #7 Jareck Naylor, #8 Kyle Ray, #9 Bradley Stewart, #10 Ben White, #11 Wyatt Cheney, #12 Shane Gonzalez, #16 Dalton Gibbons, #21 Gerrardo Murillo, #22 Denver Ponton, #25 Trenton Seward, #27 Justin Wise, #29 Isaiah Gauana, #30 Logan Barker, #34 Brenden Ketchem, #35 Elijah Bell, #40 Reed Stemmens, #42 Jacob Ponish, #44 Cameron Aiken, #45 Kelly Robinson, #50 Josh Lapusznski, #51 Clayton Jennings, #52 Connor Kuykendall, #54 Tanner Bowers, #55 Cade Doehler, #56 Harper Owen, #57 Blaine Richardson, #60 Kristian Taggart, #61 Colton Walter, #62 Jeff Winkley, #63 Ethan Schuessler, #64 Justin Montgomery, #65 Layne Whited, #66 Paul Montes, #67 Darke Truitt, #70 Trey Riley, #71 Lakota Lawrence, #72 John Stafford, #73 Trae Snider, #74 Jake Lana, #75 Jared Tippie, #76 Michael Kidd, #77 Dustin Castleberry, #78 Dylan Wilk, #80 Cole Alexander, #82 Mason Oglo, #86 Zach Schwertner, #88 Austin Levee, #90 Cory Schimdt.

Page 8C

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Meet the coaching staff Rudy Acevedo

Joel Gotcher

Lynn Burlison

Dave Griffin

Offensive line coach Acevedo is entering his second year at Liberty Hill and 15th season overall.

With experience on both offense and defense, Acevedo will coach the quick side of the offensive line this season.

Defensive tackles coach In his third season at Liberty Hill and 13th year overall, Burlison will coach the defensive tackles.

Defensive ends coach Gotcher is starting his fifth season with the Panthers and has 28 years of coaching experience. Gotcher will spend time working with the defensive ends, as well as coaching the freshmen

John Hall

Hiram Drum

Brian Kozma

Offensive play caller/asst. head coach Draper begins his 12th year at LHHS and 25th season overall. He calls offensive plays and assists the other coaches with the offensive line.

Defense/Secondary coach Drum is entering his first year at Liberty Hill and fifth year coaching overall. He spent four years at Pflugerville Connally High School on the offensive side of the ball before this season.

Offensive backs Hall is starting his fifth season at Liberty Hill and has 26 years of coaching experience to draw from. Hall will share his knowledge with the offensive backs from all three teams this season.

Running backs coach Kozma is entering his first year at Liberty Hill, with 21 years of coaching experience. He brings experience of working with different systems and athletes, and enthusiasm for the job.

Jimmy Duncan

Jerry Vance

Anthony Escobar

Charles Harrington

Defensive coordinator/secondary In his ninth year with Liberty Hill and 23rd year of coaching, Duncan will call the defensive sets/blitzes and alignments, and also coaches the defensive backs.

Outside linebackers coach Escobar is starting his 12th year with the Panthers and 14th year of coaching. Escobar will focus on coaching the outside linebackers this season.

Carlos Garza

Outside linebackers coach In his seventh season at Liberty Hill and ninth season coaching, Garza teaches the outside linebackers and helps coach the freshman team.

Head coach This season will be Vance’s 15th season at Liberty Hill and 48th overall.

He led the Panthers to the state semifinals in 2014.

Assistant athletic director/trainer “Doc” is starting his 14th year as asst. athletic director and head trainer, and 29th year as a trainer. He will oversee students in the athletic trainer program and any injured athletes this season.

Danny Knowles

Junior high coach Knowles is entering his 21st year at Liberty Hill and 37th year in coaching. He will assist with the high school teams as well as coach the seventh grade offense this season.

LHJH FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Junior high football ready for success

By LAUREN JETTE The Independent Sports While the Liberty Hill Panthers have been hard at work preparing for their upcoming football season, junior high players will soon take to the field to start laying the foundation for the future of Panther football.

Junior high players will learn the same offense and defense the high school runs, said junior high coordinator Tommy Foster.

“We run the basic offense and defense that the high school runs exactly,” Foster said. “Same rules, same routines, which is probably why we’re so successful (overall) as a program.”

Foster is no stranger to this style, having been a player and then a coach under head coach Jerry Vance.

“I learn new stuff everyday, but I think I’ve got a pretty good grasp on it,” he said.

“We try to keep it simple for our guys. It’s definitely complex for someone coming from a different offense or defense, but our kids do a real good job buying in to it. The talent has bought in to this system, so the kids are excited and they want to learn and we do the best we can to teach them.”

Players will get an idea of what high school practices feel like once they get started.

“We put them through a pretty tough practice once we get in the

pads,” Foster said. “We do the same drills as the high school does. We have the five coaches break the kids into different groups that they either try-out for or we think they’re best at and we just try and develop athletes at that position.”

The junior high coaches understand that what they do with these players lays the groundwork for the future of Panther football, Foster said.

“I do the secondary, I do the same drills that Coach (NAME) Duncan does,” Foster said. “Mine are more simple, I don’t get into as much depth as he does, but I try to give them that base and that’s what every single one of our junior high coaches does for their position.

“They give them those basic drills to make them successful, so that we get together as a team and we play as one unit, instead of playing as individuals and that’s really the Liberty Hill way.”

The expectations for the junior high teams are no different from the expectations for the high school teams.

“District championships, always,” Foster said. “That’s what we strive for, but we take it one game at a time, try and run the system the way it’s supposed to be run, make sure all of our kids get playing time, and of course we want to win every game.

At the end of the season, we want to call ourselves district champions.”

Teams will open the season on

1st PHOTO TEXAS

The junior high football coaches are looking forward to another season. From left are Tommy Foster, Josh Curtis, Danny Knowles, John Mason and Andy Passwater.

Sept. 10 against Brownwood and will play Marble Falls and Burnet before enjoying an open week before district starts.

District games include Borne, Canyon Lake and Fredericksburg.

Since there are only three teams in the district, the Panthers will play two games against Fredericksburg and Canyon Lake, Foster explained.

As always, the start of the football season is an exciting time, no matter what level of play.

“It’s always so exciting getting a new batch of kids,” Foster said.

“They grow so much from seventh

Varsity PANTHERS 10am Aug 15 6pm Aug 21 7:30pm Aug 28 7:30pm Sept. 4 7:30pm Sept 11 7:30pm Sept 18 7:30pm Sept 25 7:30pm Oct 2

Stephenville (scrimage) @Alvarada (scrimmage) TBD @LaGrange Brenham @Home @Brownwood Waco Connally @Home Abilene Wylie @Home OPEN DATE

DISTRICT 14-4A REGION IV

Offensive line and place kickers Griffin is entering his first season at Liberty Hill, and 15th season of coaching. He brings experience from several different systems to the Panther staff and an enthusiasm and excitement.

Robert Draper

Thursday, August 13, 2015

to eighth grade. They get so much better and so much more confident.

A lot of them do the summer PAC, so they get bigger, faster and stronger, so it’s always a lot of fun to see how we’ve developed and see what we can do.”

Foster will coach the eighth grade defense while Coach Josh Curtis will handle the offense this year.

Coach Danny Knowles will guide the seventh grade offense and Coach John Mason will lead the defense.

Coach Andy Passwater will help out where needed, Foster said.

7:30pm Oct. 9 7:30pm Oct 16 7:30pm Oct 23 7:30pm Oct 30 7:30pm Nov 6

@Canyon Lake Taylor @Home @Boerne @Fredericksburg Bandera @Home

Junior Varsity 9am 5pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 5pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm 7pm

Aug 15 Aug 21 Aug 27 Sept 3 Sept 10 Sept 17 Sept 24 Oct 8 Oct 15 Oct 22 Oct 29 Nov 5

@Stephenville (scrimmage) @Alvarado (scrimmage) LaGrange @Home @Brenham @Brownwood @Waco Connally Wimberley @Home @Canyon Lake Taylor @Home @Boerne @Fredericksburg Bandera @Home

FRESHMEN 9am Aug 15 5pm Aug 21 5pm Aug 27 5pm Sept 3 7pm Sept 10 5pm Sept 17 6:30pm Sept 24 7pm Oct 8 7pm Oct 15 7pm Oct 22 7pm Oct 29 7pm Nov 5

@Stephenville (scrimmage) @Alvarado (scrimmage) LaGrange @Home @Brenham Brownwood @Home @Waco Connally Hyde Park @Home Canyon Lake @Home @Taylor Boerne @Home Fredericksburg @Home @Bandera

LIBERTY HILL JUNIOR HIGH FOOTBALL 8th Purple

sep 10 sep 17 Sep 24 oct 1 Oct 8 oct 15 Oct 22 oct 29 Nov 5

5:30 pm @Brownwood 7:00 pm Marble Falls 7:00 pm OPEN DATE 5:30 pm @Burnet 5:30 pm @Canyon Lake 5:30 pm CANYON LAKE 5:30 pm @Boerne 5:30 pm @Fredricksburg 5:30 pm Fredricksburg

Sep 10 Sep 17 sep 24 oct 1 oct 8 oct 15 oct 22 oct 29 nov 5

4:30 pm @Brownwood 6:00 pm Marble Falls 6:00 pm OPEN DATE 4:30 pm @Burnet 4:30 pm @ CANYON LAKE 4:30 pm CANYON LAKE 4:30 pm @Boerne 4:30 pm @Fredricksburg 4:30 pm Fredricksburg

SEP 10 SEP 17 SEP 24 OCT 1 OCT 8 OCT 15 OCT 22 OCT 29 NOV 5

7th Purple 5:30 PM BROWNWOOD 5:00 PM MARBLE FALLS 5:00 PM OPEN DATE 5:30 PM BURNET 5:30 PM CANYON LAKE 5:30 PM @CANYON LAKE 5:30 PM BOERNE 5:30 PM FREDRICKSURG 5:30 PM @FREDRICKSBURG

SEP 11 SEP 18 SEP 24 OCT 2 OCT 9 OCT 16 OCT 23 OCT 30 NOV 6

7th GOLD 4:30 PM BROWNWOOD 4:00 PM MARBLE FALLS 4:00 PM OPEN DATE 4:30 PM BURNET 4:30 PM CANYON LAKE 4:30 PM @CANYON LAKE 4:30 PM BOERNE 4:30 PM FREDRICKSBURG 4:30 PM @FREDRICKSBURG

8th gold

Thursday, August 13, 2015

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Page 9C

Making an impact

Panthers hard-hitting defense strong throughout

By SEAN SHAPIRO The Independent Sports Go ahead, ask Jerry Vance to find a hole in his defense.

Defensive line? Nope. Too much speed and size.

Secondary? Too experienced.

Linebackers? Too much range and versatility to even be close to a weakness.

“We see each level as a position of strength,” Vance said. “Are there things to improve? Always. But the defense is well-rounded with the group that we have.”

To the naked eye, it’s hard to judge Liberty Hill’s defense in practice or in this past Saturday’s purple and white scrimmage.

It’s a side effect of the Slot-T. While the defense looked strong against that system, Liberty Hill doesn’t practice every day against a more contemporary gun-slinging offense — which it’ll face more often than not this season.

But, Vance isn’t too worried.

“We’ll learn more when play a team like Stephenville (in the scrimmage Saturday), and I’m looking forward to seeing our defensive backs against a team that throws the ball,” he said. “From what we’ve seen, they’ll be in good shape.”

The Panthers were in good shape

“We see each level as a position of strength ... Are there things to improve?

Always. But the defense is well-rounded with the group that we have.”

Liberty Hill Head Coach Jerry Vance last season and six defensive starters return from a squad that reached the Class 4A, Division I semifinals — including key leaders at each level.

Kalub Foster, a 6-foot, 240-pound defensive tackle, leads the defensive line and is expected to create some added space this season. That’s good news for fellow defensive linemen Carter Ware and Ryan Ragle, who frequently shed blockers and reach opposing runners.

At linebacker, Colton Cunningham is the leader. He works well with Andy Becker and Chase Runnels, giving the Panthers three mobile, rangy linebackers that are also good in pass defense.

“We think the linebackers can be really good this year,” Vance said.

“They’re improved from last year and continue to improve.”

Grant White is the centerpiece of

Liberty Hill’s secondary. With Keylan Herman, the Panthers have a pair of safety nets that can help limit opponents passing attacks.

The key for Liberty Hill, like most teams, is finding the fill-in pieces from the sub-varsity program. With five new starting roles available, the Panthers are going to turn to prior back-ups or junior varsity players to make an immediate impact.

“We want them to be ready right away,” Vance said. “You have to be in a position where your depth, which we have, can be able to continue building.”

And there are some tough tests on the schedule. In Week 1, Liberty Hill plays La Grange and all-state running back J.K. Dobbins, but those are the types of challenges that breed championship-winning defenses.

SEAN SHAPIRO PHOTO ILLUSTRATION

PHOTOS BY SEAN SHAPIRO

The Panthers offense works on plays during a scrimmage under the watchful eye of the coaching staff.

Offense

Continued from Page 2C

where the Liberty Hill Youth Football program runs a Slot-A — a modified version of the Slot-T for eight-man football.

“We know this offense like the back of our hand,” Wright said.

“That’s the expectation here.”

And that leads to other lofty expectations.

At Liberty Hill, anything short of

a state championship is considered a down year.

By that standard, Liberty Hill is in the midst of an eight-year slump — frankly, a slump other teams would love to be in — and Wright wants to help end that streak in 2015.

“We should be playing in the final game of the year,” Wright said. “We want to win here.”

He has the supporting cast to do it.

Shannon is arguably the state’s top fullback — he’s almost a mislabeled running back who runs the 40-yard

dash in 4.6 seconds — while Caleb Guerin and White give Wright a bevy of options.

There’s also heavy protection on

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Page 10C

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Thursday, August 13, 2015

SHANNON HOFMANN PHOTO

Members of the cross country team are Tyler Odell, Ryan Ray, Sam Ramirez, Nathan Kindle, David Larkin, Clayton Oherlein, Ethan Barre, Nick Roth, Andrew Frerichs, Clayton Nance, Jacob Ingram, Wyatt Spangler, Parker Nance, Walker Gilbert, Cade Cole, Bryce Stratton, Leo Rodriguez, Jarod Dixon, Jorge Leija, Christian Montelongo, Nick Bramhall, Jordan Smith, Amanda Marvin, Jacqueline Holliday, Safira Molina, Courtney Peterson, Mckynzie King, Emma Hofmann, Abbi Shelton, Emhely Guzman, Shannon Warren, Mayben Alexander, Holly Haskell, Kaitlyn Schutze, Ellie Rimann, Danielle Rimann, Hannah Brown, Molly Cowart, Lauren Brooks, Cassidey Weems, Sarah Bitters, Kaitlyn Peterson, Ellana Luna, Avery Heider, Mikayla Stiles, Tabitha Bowles, Maddie Strickland, Clarissa Lloyd, Kennedy Coleman.

They run this town, literally

By LAUREN JETTE The Independent Sports A herd of pounding feet kick up clouds of dust, while heavy breathing and words of encouragement break through the early morning quiet. Another season of cross country has begun for the Liberty Hill Panthers.

After a disappointing finish for the girls team at the state meet last year, where the Lady Panthers took third place after winning the regional championship, the team is looking to rebound with a better season.

“I think that was disappointing for a lot of us,” said senior Tabitha Bowles. “It’s just fueling us now. It’s just a goal to reach to get better than that.”

Teammate and fellow senior Mikayla Stiles said she already sees renewed determination in the team in early practices.

“We’re definitely going to practice a lot harder, push each other,” Stiles said. “I

can already see improvement in every one wanting to improve on our finish last year.

We were really happy to be at state, but we didn’t have the finish that we wanted. But, I can already see some of the freshmen stepping up, juniors, sophomores and even some of the seniors are really pushing themselves this year, so I’m excited for both the girls and the boys to see how we finish out this year.”

Coach Kim Holt said the girls team uses last year’s disappointment as a reason to work hard this year.

“A lot of them were very disappointed in that, so they see it and they’re motivated to do better on their own,” she said. “It doesn’t take a lot to motivate those varsity girls who have been there three years, because they know that last year we had a chance and the team we beat at regionals, beat us at state.

They have a lot of self-motivation.”

While most of their friends are still at

home, asleep in bed, these runners are up and working not long after the sun comes up in the morning.

“We have a goal to make it to state as last year and the year before that,” Stiles said.

“This time we want to win first place, so we all have that fire underneath us and we all get up together as a team and get out here and do it and it’s more of a team, encouraging each other and pushing each other as one.”

Bowles said while most of the team keeps running and stays in shape during the summer before practices start, it’s easier to keep up a good pace when the team runs together in practice.

“When you’re running as a team, you tend to run faster because you’re trying to stay up with those people, so starting team running and team practices gets everybody to a faster pace and to a higher level than you would be (at) by yourself.”

Cross country may seem like an individual sport to the casual observer, but there is a team component to the races.

“A lot of people think of it as just an individual sport because it’s just you running, you’re not passing the ball to another teammate or anything,” Bowles said. “But it’s really more of a team sport because you really have to push your teammates in races and you can’t just pass them, you have to say, ‘hey, keep up with me’ because the closer you are when you finish the (better chance) you have to win first place.”

There’s also more to the races than just being physically fit enough to run the course.

“It’s definitely mental as well as physical,” Stiles explained. “You have to push yourself, but you also have to push yourself as a team and you have to fight because it’s really hard to stay going, but you have each other and the mental ability to keep running and not stop.”

As with any sport at Liberty Hill, expectations are high for the upcoming season.

“We have high expectations for both teams,” Holt said. “First off is to win district, and the top four teams go to state, so the expectation there is to be one of those four teams at regionals that make it to state, but for the girls, I believe that they could win regionals again. The goal is to make it to state, but they also want to be regionals champs. They were regional champs two years in a row, so we’ll see.”

Holt is also expecting a better season from the boys side.

“The boys didn’t make it (to state) last year, but they’ve had some newcomers come in, so they’re striving to make it there,” Holt said. “For them, they didn’t have a good race at regionals (last year), so they see that they want to do better (this year).”

SHANNON HOFMANN PHOTO

Girls cross country runners are back row from left, Amanda Marvin, Jacqueline Holliday, Safira Molina, Courtney Peterson, Mckynzie King, Emma Hofmann, Abbi Shelton, Emhely Guzman, Shannon Warren, Mayben Alexander, Holly Haskell. Middle (L to R): Kaitlyn Schutze, Ellie Rimann, Danielle Rimann, Hannah Brown, Molly Cowart, Lauren Brooks, Cassidey Weems, Sarah Bitters, Kaitlyn Peterson. In front are Ellana Luna, Avery Heider, Mikayla Stiles, Tabitha Bowles, Maddie Strickland, Clarissa Lloyd and Kennedy Coleman.

SHANNON HOFMANN PHOTO

Boys cross country runners are back row from left, Tyler Odell, Ryan Ray, Sam Ramirez, Nathan Kindle, David Larkin, Clayton Oherlein, Ethan Barre, Nick Roth. Center row, Andrew Frerichs, Clayton Nance, Jacob Ingram, Wyatt Spangler, Parker Nance, Walker Gilbert, Cade Cole. In front are Bryce Stratton, Leo Rodriguez, Jarod Dixon, Jorge Leija, Christian Montelongo, Nick Bramhall and Jordan Smith

Thursday, August 13, 2015

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Page 11C

PHOTO BY LAUREN JETTE

The Liberty Hill Panther Tennis team is ready to start its second fall tennis season under first-year head coach Jacob Jones and assistant coach Monica Miller. Jones expects to have a strong varsity team and solid junior varsity team compete this season.

New coach leads tennis charge

By LAUREN JETTE The Independent Sports The start of a new fall tennis season brings new faces, both on the court and on the sideline.

This year, first year head coach Jacob Jones takes the reins of the Liberty Hill High School tennis team, along with assistant coach Monica Miller.

“I’m very, very excited,” Jones said. “It looks like we have a strong team, with a solid six to eight men and women and then a very good, solid JV team and my hope is to fill these windscreens with titles.”

Jones comes to Liberty Hill from Georgetown, where he has served as a teaching professional for the past three years. Jones has been a teaching pro since 2001 and will teach American Sign Language at Liberty Hill High School this year.

“This kind of started by me working with players at the center in Georgetown, so I got to know them, and through that relationship, I got

to know Coach Vance and the other coaches,” Jones explained “And that’s how this opportunity came up and through that I found out about the football program, the town, the kids, just the camaraderie that the people have here.”

The team will start the fall season with a couple of tournaments before jumping into head-to-head matches in September.

“Those tournaments are basically to get our feet wet, adjust to the players and where they need to be so we can have strong lines one through six,” Jones explained. “Then we’re testing the waters, seeing who works well and who communicates, to see who can be a good leader on the team, both boys and girls, and then my plan is for our team to peak roughly around October, where district falls and area falls.”

The fall tennis season is considered to be the “team tennis” season. There are six singles matches and three doubles matches for both

the boys and girls teams, and one mixed doubles match played during a meet between two teams. Each win counts as a point and the team that wins the majority of the 19 total matches wins the dual.

“Hopefully, over each tournament we’re playing and each team we’re playing, there is a progression of both the team unity and the players,” Jones said. “So we can have singles players improving and the team improving so they can mirror off each other.”

Although Jones is new to the Liberty Hill tennis program, he still has lofty expectations for the team.

“I set the bar high. I expect the best,” Jones said. “Being in the tennis program, you have to constantly engage your kids, you have to be able to allow them to see their growth, rather than tell them their growth and if they see the expectation they have to reach, they reach it and have a higher chance of sustaining it. I’m ready to bust the seams

here as best I can.”

The goal for his first season as tennis coach is to lay the foundation for future success, Jones said, which includes strengthening the team bond.

“The main thing is camaraderie,” Jones said. “Getting the team solid, so it’s not just individuals playing, but a solid team where they can rely on each other, on and off the court, inside and outside the classroom so it’s not just an eight-court facility, but a community facility where we have parent involvement, coach involvement, teacher involvement.

“Build from the inside out, so when we get a core, we can start working on the foundation of consistency, footwork, strategy and then building upon that,” Jones continued. “Then we work on future goals and shortterm goals of winning matches, winning tournaments, progressing into district, area, regionals and state.

“I’m happy to start here and see what this program can do,” he said.

PANTHER TENNIS Aug. 13-14 @GEORGETOWN

TOURNAMENT Sept. 10 Copperas Cove Sept. 15 Lampasas @Taylor Sept. 24 Sept. 26 Smithville Oct. 13 Caldwell Oct. 15 Burnet

Student Trainers help keep players safe

1st PHOTO TEXAS

Student trainers for the 2015-2016 school year include Kaylee Greenstreet, Laci Fisher, Chloe Dupre, Ashlyn Duderstadt, Daniel Taylor, Garret Boyd, Krystyn Holder, Kaitlyn Holder, Haley Burlison, Genessee French and Allison Johns. Student trainers are under the direction of Charles “Doc” Harrington and Sabrina Queen.

Lines

The Liberty Hill offensive and defensive lines square off during practice.

PHOTO BY SEAN SHAPIRO

Continued from Page 1C

“We hang out as one group. On Tuesdays, we go out and have dinner,” he said. “We try to do as much bonding as we can, so we can be brothers. (Being) brothers is big on the team. We’re always taught to be together as a group, as a whole, so it’s always what we’re looking for.”

For the defensive line, it’s looking like it’s going to be another year of the “smashmouth” style of play.

“We’re really solid all around, we’re really good,” said defensive end Carter Ware. “We’re a little young in the backfield, because we’ve got some guys who haven’t played much, but they’re going to be big keys this year.

“We got Logan Hester who had a knee injury last year, but he’s an athlete. You’ve got Dylan Joiner who has great hands, great speed.

Guys returning like Grant White, when you’ve got him covering it

makes it easy to go after the quarterback. Then you’ve got guys like Caleb Grant, who’s an animal. Colby LaDuque, who’s just crazy. Ryan Ragle, Zane Scott and linebackers like Colton Cunningham…They’re animals, they just fly to the ball.

“We’re great up front, we’re big, we’re fast. We play well. We’re really solid.”

Returning linemen with playing experience is also a boon to the defense, Ware added.

“We have a lot of guys returning, so that’s good. We’re real experienced, so some of these guys who haven’t been there, who haven’t done a lot, they can learn from those guys,” he said.

The defense looks to continue the style they’ve always played, but with more aggression this season.

“We’ll play a little bit of a pass defense or we’ll look like we want to

cover the pass but we’ll hit you no matter what, we’ll hit you right in the mouth,” Ware said. “That’s what coach Vance, what all our coaches tell us, we’re going to go up and hit you in the mouth on every play.”

In the locker room, coaches preach that there isn’t one star player on the team, and that everyone contributes to a win.

“Everything we do is so intertwined in each other. I don’t know that there is any one key position,” said coach Vance.

“Our kids buy into the fact, it doesn’t make any difference who you are, when you’re out there and you’re performing, you’re just as important as the guy carrying the ball,” Vance said.

Page 12C

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Thursday, August 13, 2015

1st PHOTO TEXAS

Senior football players

Entering their final high school season, the Liberty Hill seniors are looking to end their careers with a state championship.

The senior football players are: #5 Grant White, #7 Caleb Guerin, #8 Tyler Weger, #9 Tyler Glasgow, #10 Ryan Ragle, #11 Matthew Maby, #12 Keylan Herman, #18 Tanner Vrabel, #20 Bass Hamilton, #21 Chance Runnells, #24 Thomas Gillintine, #26 Cade McKinnis, #29 Xavier Williams, #32 Gage Fulps, #34 Colton Cunningham, #43 Luke Alexander, #44 Mason Herrin, #50 Levi Curik, #51 Bryce Robinson, #54 James Shamblin, #55 Zane Scott, #56 Justin Wilson, #50 Ethan Shirey, #60 Thomas Vires, #62 Colby LaDuque, #66 Kalub Foster, #70 Lance Champion, #71 Grant Smith and #88 Lance Champion.

LAUREN JETTE PHOTO

The Liberty Hill All Sports Booster Club raises money throughout the year to support the Liberty Hill ISD Athletic Department. Funds raised are used to purchase equipment for student athletes in all sports, and provide scholarships for graduating seniors. The club is run by parent volunteers who serve on the Board of Directors. Above are members of the 2015 Board of Directors. Front row from left are Michele Stratton, Concessions Co-Chair; Stacy Oncken, Treasurer; Elaine Macias, Co-Merchandise; James Macias, President; and Bart Turek, Executive Vice President. In back are Christy Grant, Secretary; Kevin Vickers, Concessions Co-Chair; Julie Covington, Co-Merchandise; Tim Roberts, Executive Vice President 2. Not pictured is Christine Huppee, Membership.

By SEAN SHAPIRO The Independent Sports Like any of the fall sports teams at Liberty Hill High School, the Liberty Hill All Sports Booster Club has goals for the 2015-16 school year.

But instead of tracking down wins, the booster club is searching for new members.

As of Tuesday, the club had 40 family memberships, while there were 31 business members.

James Macias, the booster club president, would like to see the

Supporting all the teams

number of family memberships reach 100 before the end of the school year. On the business side, he would like to see 50 businesses involved.

“For the size of Liberty Hill’s athletic program we have a small booster club,” Macias said. “I want to change that. I want people to come out and support these kids that work so hard.”

Enrollment is open and the booster club is ahead of last year’s pace.

There were 43 total family mem-

berships for the 2014-15 school year and 34 businesses.

“We’re ahead of last year, but let’s get way ahead of last year,” Macias said. “I want to really have our community out and support the kids.”

And, Macias said, membership isn’t a difficult commitment.

“All we are asking for is $25, and it all goes to helping us really show what this community is all about,” he said.

Macias indicated Liberty Hill’s third-place finish in the 2014-15

Lone Star Cup Standings -- a multisport competition by the UIL -shows how important athletics are to the community.

“That’s why we need more members,” he said.

Unlike other schools in central Texas, Liberty Hill has a single booster club. While other schools have sport specific clubs, Liberty Hill has a single-prong approach to best serve athletes and work with athletic director Jerry Vance.

Much of the tape, wraps, and other

training room equipment has been provided by the booster club. The club has also provided ankle braces basketball and volleyball players.

“We help fill in those gaps the school needs,” Macias said. “We work closely with Coach Vance to make sure our athletes have the best available.”

The booster club is also continuing its fundraising efforts in 2015, and will be offering two more scholarships this school year.

In the past, the booster club pre-

sented nine $1,000 scholarships to seniors. This year the plan is to present 11, and much of that money comes from projects like concession stands and the varsity football program.

Macias said the booster club also wants to expand its merchandising footprint this school year.

“We want to sell more merchandise and make it available at the middle and elementary schools,” he said. “Wherever there’s a campus, we should be supporting.”

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Thursday, August 13, 2015

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Page 13C

Cheering on the Panthers

By LAUREN JETTE The Independent Sports This is going to be a year of firsts for Liberty Hill High School Cheerleaders with a new coach, a class period built into the bell schedule, and a UIL competition to look forward to later this year.

Both the varsity and junior varsity teams have already started working on the upcoming season, by making new dances and participating in cheer camp before school starts.

For Captains Camila Montelongo and Makenzie Moreno, last season was a chance to glean some leadership experience.

“We both got to be co-captains last year as juniors, so we got to see what it’s like to have some authority and be leaders and prepare for that,” Moreno said.

A significant amount of work has gone into preparing and polishing for 2015, the captains said.

“We’ve worked on formations and stunts and working out what’s going to work best for the team, who is going to work best together, just really looked at everyone,” Moreno said.

“And we have a pretty small team, so it’s good to get to know everyone and know what their strengths are.”

“We’ve tried to perfect cheers and make us the best we can be,” Montelongo added.

Both teams spent two days working with cheerleaders from the Uni-

versal Cheerleading Association working on techniques and cheers, from the comfort of their own gym here in Liberty Hill.

“We found out we learn more when they come to us, because it’s like private coaching the whole time,” Moreno said.

“It’s definitely good for techniques,” Montelongo said. “It’s also a lot of bonding time, being stuck in the school for a few hours so we all have to get to know each other. It’s pretty fun because you always have wacky things going on when you first try to teach (the) cheers and of course people mess up some times, and it’s great laughs.”

For friends who have been cheering for a while, nerves aren’t an issue when performing on Friday nights.

“Both of us have been cheering since we were little bitty, so performing isn’t the big thing,” Moreno said. “Now that we have to make the decisions of when to do what cheer and make all the calls. Having all that authority… (It’s like) Oh, it’s up to us now.”

With new coaches in Katy Leiskau for the varsity squad and Laura Brown leading the junior varsity, the captains are excited about the new leadership. “(It’s been) a good transition,” Moreno said. “We’re very excited because (Leiskau) was a cheer-

leader and knows what she’s doing and she’s just been awesome so far in coaching and she’s been serious about coaching and making sure we’re the best we can be. It’s been really great and we’re super excited.”

That experience will come in handy as the team will compete for the first time this school year.

“We are going to compete in January, so that’s new,” Montelongo explained. “Cheerleading is now a UIL-recognized sport instead of a club. We’re going to have an athletic class this year, which usually we practice outside of class time, so we’ll practice every single day for one class period.”

The recognition from the UIL of the work that goes into cheerleading is welcomed, Moreno said.

“It’s really good to be recognized as a sport because all these girls work really hard,” she said.

Just as the expectation for every other sport at Liberty Hill High School is to bring back a championship, the cheerleaders also hold that same expectation for their first year of competition.

“It will be very nerve-wracking and a lot of pressure, but I think we can do it,” Montelongo said.

“We’ve got a good group of girls together and hopefully (we can) pull off a win for the first time. That would be really great.”

1ST PHOTO TEXAS PHOTOS

Liberty Hill High School Varsity Cheerleaders are, back row from left, Bree Watson, Captain Camila Montelongo, Captain Makenzie Moreno, Ashlee Perkkio, Kelby Jones and Sophia Garcia. Front row from left are Brooke Buescher, Shay Weathers, Amanda Marvin, Victoria Yarbrough, Courtney Smith, Shanese Stephens and Payton Swieczkowski. Mascot is Erin Goodson.

Welcome back to …

T^MAHKUPA COUNTRY Home of the Liberty Hill Panthers!

Liberty Hill High School Junior Varsity Cheerleaders are, back row from left, Hayley Frank, Abigail McClain and Rachel Gibbs. Front row from left are Haley Griffin, Lainey Slocun, Cassie Franklin and Kylie Spearman. Mascot is Makayla Adkins.

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Page 14C

THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Thursday, August 13, 2015

1ST PHOTO TEXAS PHOTOS

The 2015 Liberty Hill High School Panther marching band has been practicing its fall marching show since August 3. Under the direction of Band Director John Perrin and Assistant Directors Kevin Baird, Jared Clarkson and Andy Anker, the group will perform a marching program “Moments.” The first public performance is August 28 at Panther Stadium when the Panthers play La Grange.

LHHS musicians to perform ‘Moments’ marching show

By DANA DELGADO Staff Writer With another year at hand, Liberty Hill’s Band Director John Perrin who has built a respected and rec-

ognized program since he assumed its leadership in 2009 is ready and eager to strike up the band for yet another banner year.

“We’re ready to go!” Perrin said.

“We want to continue the high levels of success we’ve experienced in the past. The kids are really excited.”

This year’s marching program is called “Moments” and features three

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tunes including “Living in the Past”

by Jethro Tull, “Turning Tables” by Adele and “Remembrance” by composer Paul Hart.

The program comes on the heels of a successful 2014-2015 when the marching band won a host of awards including garnering sweepstakes honors at two invitational competitions, and saw two of its members -saxophone player Ciara Montgomery and clarinetist Clayton Luckadoo -- capture All-State honors.

About 113 high school band members including the color guard are expected to carry on the Panther tradition in 2015-2016. This equals the size of last year’s band, but the Director expects that number to increase in the next few years.

In addition, Perrin returns his entire cadre of assistant directors from across the school district including Jared Clarkson, Kevin Baird and Andy Anker.

A major change this year is the emergence of a fully trained corps of student band leaders led by Catherine Wamsley, Head Drum Major, and Jordan Marsh and Rachel Eldridge, Assistant Drum Majors.

Wamsley, who has been playing the French horn since sixth grade and has been a member of the marching band four years, said she is honored to have been selected to the band’s top student leadership post.

“Being the Head Drum Major is one my proudest moments in my life,” the senior said. “I was an assistant drum major as a junior and want to carry that drive this year. I’m

The 2015 Drum Majors from left are Jordan Marsh, Catherine Wamsley and Rachel Eldridge. really excited what the season will bring and owe a lot to all our band directors.”

In her second year as Assistant Drum Major, senior Marsh said her leadership roles as well as her involvement in band have really helped her grow as a person.

“I’ve made a lot of friends and being in the band has helped shape my character and made me a much more rounded person,” she said.

Eldridge, in her first year as an Assistant Drum Major, is equally excited about the upcoming year.

“I feel like this year is going to be one of our best years,” the junior leader said. “We want to build a family and strengthen our bonds as one team. I feel that this is going to

push us to be better than ever.”

Perrin said that all three drum majors are exceptional musicians in their own right, have a lot invested in band, and have a full understanding of what it takes to succeed.

Also on the student leadership team for this year are Band President Grace Alexander, Vice Presidents Andrew Frerichs and Hannah Landry, Audio Video Tech Sarah Johnson and Historian/Librarian Shannon Warren. Other students supporting the band are Section Leaders Robyn Burnett (Flute), Kate Browning (Clarinet), Michaela De La Houssaye (Saxophone), Kayla Allison (Trumpet), Robert Candler

See BAND, Page 15C

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THE LIBERTY HILL INDEPENDENT -- PANTHER SEASON OPENER

Page 15C

SHELLY WILKISON PHOTOS

The 2015 Liberty Belles are front row from left, Lindsey Miller, Maddy Glasgow, Social Officer Kendra McCoy, Kylie Castillo, Jr. Lt. Brittney McKinney, Captain Madeline Brand, Social Officer Bailey Fife, Grace Bednarz, Haeven Gibbons, Carrie Haskell and Allison Itz. In back are Social Officer Adrian Ussery, Sr. Lt. Ashlyn Brown, Social Officer Kassidy Strickland, Co-Captain Paige Roberts, Director Emily Pirtle, Jr. Lt. Sofia Miller, Maddie Eddings, Brittni McWilliams and Kendal James.

Liberty Belles working on perfecting routines

By LAUREN JETTE The Independent Sports The Liberty Belles are already hard at work learning and perfecting their dance routines for the upcoming season.

The Belles went to a three-day dance camp to learn eight routines, said Captain Madeline Brand.

“When I was a freshman, it was really difficult for me, so I feel like for the new girls coming in, it’s kind of hard,” she said. “When we go to the camp, we get about two hours to learn a dance, so it’s a time crunch for all of us. For seniors, I feel like it’s a little bit easier for us, but it’s still pretty difficult to try and keep it all straight in our heads.”

Between halftime show routines and dances to each song the band plays in the stands, the Belles have a lot to learn and retain for each season.

“We sent the girls home with a bunch of videos of the dances we do during football season and they’ve been learning those and some of the new dances,” Brand said. “They’ve been learning that throughout the summer.”

Band

Some of the dances were spruced up for this season, said Liberty Belles Co-Captain Paige Roberts.

“We’re adding some more hip-hop into our dances,” she said. “We’ve changed up all of our dances that we do to the band. This year they are all new dances.”

In addition to the new dances this fall, the Belles are excited to explore a different culture during their competition season later in the year.

“We’re doing something different for competition this year, we’re going to have officers do a lot more dances. This year we just had one officer routine,” Roberts explained.

“We’re doing a Bollywood routine this year, a team dance. That’s the one we’re really excited about. For our field trip this year, we went to Ballet Austin and they taught us a Bollywood dance and that was super fun.”

The Belles perform at halftime at every football game and at every pep rally, Roberts said. They also go to the other campuses for pep rallies and hold an end of the year, spring show, where they perform every dance they’ve learned throughout

the year.

“It’s exciting to show off what we’ve accomplished this year and how far we’ve come from where we were at the beginning, and where we are at the end,” Roberts said.

Football games are when everyone gets to bond together, Brand said.

“Football games are always fun because we get to travel to all the away games with the team. It’s just kind of a bonding experience for all of us.”

The Belles have enough dance routines for the regular football season, so when the Panthers make a deep playoff run, sometimes they tweak their routines, Brand said.

“Usually towards the end of the season, we’ll have competition dances,” she said. “So we’ll have a kick routine we might do if we have a playoff game that far. We like to mix it up. We’ll make the routines we have a little more complex or just change them up.”

The Liberty Belles are under the direction of Emily Pirtle, who is starting her third year as director.

Continued from Page 14C

(Horn), Robbie Walker and Reese Merritt (Low Brass) and Allie Fullmer (Percussion). Serving as Percussion Lieutenants for the 2015-16 season are Matt Fleetwood and Grace Bryant.

“We met with all our leadership and all went well,” Perrin said. “It’s been a real good feeling watching the leadership talk to their sections.

The kids are really excited and saying that they want to have a good year, but it’s going to be all about communication.”

In agreement with Perrin, Assis-

tant Band Director Clarkson said, “We’ve taken major strides in our leadership team and how they approach things. We’re going to rely on them much more.”

The entire 18-member student leadership group underwent oncampus training July 30-31 with a nationally recognized company, SASI (Solutions and Specialized Innovations). The two-day training focused on leadership development and teamwork and empowers participants to create a positive and life-changing culture that is benefi-

cial for them and their organization.

Another new initiative is the band’s Big Brother/Big Sister Program where juniors and seniors will be paired as mentors with sophomores and freshmen.

“We have great kids and we want to take advantage of it,” said Perrin.

The entire high school band including incoming freshmen and transfers began practices for their upcoming season on August 3. The marching band kicks off its season August 28 at Panther Stadium as the Panthers host La Grange.

2015 Belle Line Officers are from left, Jr. Lt Brittney McKinney, Sr. Lt Ashlyn Brown, Captain Madeline Brand, Co-Captain Paige Roberts and Jr. Lt. Sofia Miller.

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