SMITH FAMILY pg 8
Vol 17, No. 3 •August 2017
BUDDIES pg 9
News You Can Use
No disputing the call,
Ragin scores as first African American, female umpire baseman, when she was growing up. By Lucy Weber Ragin saw news about the first female In her gray slacks, highly referee in the NFL, who happens to be polished black shoes and from Mississippi, and that inspired her to black shirt and cap, Mary check into umpiring, even though "it had Ragin looks like just been at least 18 years since I took the another umpire on the field." field. Her love of the All-American pastime But, Ragin of and her belief that she could make a difRienzi became the ference on the field and in the lives of first African the athletes convinced Ragin to go American woman for it. "You've got to love sports." to be a part of a Ragin attended a team calling games MHSAA baseball clinic in for the Mississippi Tupelo in February - as High School Activities the only woman in Association this past the group -- and spring. This summer, started working she honed her skills her first junior behind home plate as high game just she called games for a few weeks the youth league later. One of the games at leaders of the Booneville's city workshop told her park. "he was proud to see "It was fun. It was me and hoped I'd be exciting, and it was an inspiration," she motivational. A lot of Mary Ragin said. girls tell me I inspired "He also told me, 'You've got a great them and they want to do it now," said the eye for the ball,'" Ragin said. mother of two grown sons. During the school season, she umped "Both boys played baseball, and I was at every game. I loved it," said Ragin, who nine games, three high school and six junior high as the base umpire. Ragin admitwas an avid softball player, and a second ted being a bit nervous that first game but the support of Return Address: P.O. Box 1292 Corinth, MS 38835 mentors, family and friends helped her through it quickly. Scoring her season, Ragin POSTAL PATRON gives herself a 6 at the beginning but an 8 by the end of it.
see RAGIN pg 4
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Christian marches to the beat of Booneville High band in the stands. During the half-time show, By Lucy Weber they are the conductors on the grassy Strike up the band, Kobe stage. Christian has already started Christian. preparing for his new role as drum Christian, a junior at major, one he's aspired to for years. Booneville High School, will lead "I've always wanted to serve and help the Blue Devil marching band onto my band," he said. the football field this season as Having the band perform at a co-drum major. He is the its highest level requires dedifirst African American cation, which Christian said drum major to direct the is evident in all the students 110-member group, and teachers. "It takes prac"I'm honored to give tice and a lot of work from back to my band," he the band directors, section said. "I love all my leaders and everyone." bandmates." Marching practice for the As drum majors, he band begins in late July with a and partner Riley two-week band camp so the Chandler will serve as extensions of the band Kobe Christian director on the field and see CHRISTIAN pg 4
First woman in Selmer Fire Department proud to be in service By Lucy Weber Selmer native Julie Penley never imagined a job with the city's fire department when she was growing up. Now, she can't picture doing anything else. For two years, the mother of three has worked as a first responder/firefighter to protect city residents. She was the first woman hired by the department in July 2016, and she is now one of two women who work as firefighters on a part-time basis. "I typically work 24 hours a week, two 12-hour shifts," said Penley, adding "my other job is at home taking care of the kids." Penley signed up as a volunteer with Julie Penley
see PENLEY pg 4