THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
Page 6
June 2016
Judson inducts new honor students The Candlelight Induction Service for new members into the Judson Middle School National Junior Honor Society was held on May 17, 2016, in the Judson Middle School cafetorium.
Principal Dennis Mitchell are Kayla Smith, Kiyra Rose, Deja Thomas, Jasmyn Berlanga, Dalysiann Ingram, Zarea Collins, Chase Caviness, Adrian Henderson, James Tucker, Jacob Still, Coy Sanders, and Timothy Nardi. Not pictured is Nicholas Johnson
Valynnsia Bodie wins Mayor Mack Scholarship
Haleigh Hamm, Kimberly Delgado, Stephanie Rodriguez, Javion Magee, Madison Stewart, Jennifer Capella, Domonique Bowie, Pricila Cardona, Alexis Gillo, Tarah Lister, Isabella Castillo, Emily Tran, Cameron Roberts, Carmon Williams, Shueilla Soto, Kate Pimentel, Daisy Nieto, Tatum Fenton, Madeline Bates, Katelyn Taylor, Samantha Neely, Joshua Lawson, Wythe Roberts, Sebastian Dart Soto, Ian McCarty, Jonathan Tutt, Adriunna Hawkins, Lyzvette Martinez, Melanie Martinez, Christian Benitez, Christian Aviles Gutierrez, and David Parks. Not pictured is David Graham
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ayor Andy Mack announced the winners of his inaugural scholarship during the May 25 City Council meeting, among them was Longview High School graduate Valynnsia Bodie. “As a single mother, working hard to graduate high school and care for her daughter, Valynnsia faces challenges that many young people do not face,” said Mayor Mack. “And to approach them while thinking of the future generation, well, it is just plain amazing. I was inspired.” These funds are coming out of the Mayor’s annual stipend. Rather than take a salary, the mayor’s stipend will be used to invest in students’ futures. Bodie was one of four graduating seniors from Longview, Pine Tree, Spring Hill, or Hallsville high schools. Other winners include Christopher Brown from Pine Tree, Jack Barron from Hallsville, and Mabry Nichols from Spring Hill. The application includes a one-page essay on how you desire to make an impact on improving Longview. Here is Valynnsia’s winning essay: My mother has always been the leading influence in my life, and with the assistance of her support and example, I have finally pieced together my life’s goals and developed a strong penchant for helping others. Although I have volunteered and participated in many community-centered activities, my most memorable experience involved a shy, little girl at the Boys and Girls Club. During the two months I volunteered at the organization, I became well acquainted with the children in grades fourth and fifth. However, I often noticed a little girl who isolated herself from the others, and she sat engaged in different games or craft activities.One day, I approached her, and she immediately withdrew from me, revealing her introverted personality. I immediately became drawn to her because I had a similar personality in my childhood.
In Memoriam: Ronald Charles “Ron” Horaney Longview ISD offers our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of this former Longview Lobo.
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on Horaney, 54, beloved husband, son, father, uncle, cousin, nephew and friend died tragically on Monday, May 30, 2016. Funeral services were June 4, 2016 at Trinity Episcopal Church, with Rev. Kevin Wittmayer, the Rev. Jonathan Jehorek and the Rev. Janeen Laurinec officiating. Entombment followed at Rosewood Park Mausoleum under direction of Rader Funeral Home. A visitation and reception was held in the Fellowship Hall of Trinity Church prior to the
service. Ron was born on January 30, 1962 in Longview to Albert and Betty Horaney where he resided until his untimely death. He graduated from Longview High School in 1980 and later earned an associate degree from Kilgore College. Ron also studied overseas at the University of Jordan in Aman. He loved to travel as was evident by his visits to twenty-four countries, where he made many friends. Ron loved people, never met a stranger, and enjoyed doing things to help others while never wanting or expecting recognition for his good deeds or service. On January 6, 1996, Ron married Faezeh Pour Mogahdam at Trinity Episcopal Church and they were blessed with five wonderful children to whom he was very devoted and with whom he enjoyed playing golf and being together for other family gatherings and outings. Faezeh was a loyal supporter of all Ron’s endeavors. His family and his Lebanese heritage were very dear to him, and he always instilled the importance of both to his children. Ron was owner of Horaney’s Feed and Seed, and Agri-
culture business in Marshall and co-owner of Horaney’s Longview. He was extremely proud of Horaney’s being the recipient of the Small Business of the Year award from the Baylor University Hankamer School of Business. He was a 32nd Degree Mason in the Longview Masonic Lodge #404, a Shriner, a member of the Harvest Festival Board and a member of Trinity Episcopal Church. He and his family were longtime supporters of the Harvest Festival, where his mother, Betty, established a scholarship in memory of his father, Albert. He loved Longview and was proud to be a citizen, one respected and loved by so many friends, customers, and business associates. Ron was preceded in death by his father, Albert Horaney, his grandparents, Harry and Lorraine Horaney, and Charley and Asma Barkett; his uncles, Shibley Horaney, Richard Horaney and Sam Barkett; aunts, Alice Barkett Thomas, Edna Barkett Gani, Jeanette Barkett, and his sister-in-law, Genny Horaney. He is survived by his wife, Faezeh; his mother, Betty; his brother, Albert “Al” of Tyler; his children, Betty Jeanette, Ronald Albert, Alia Michelle, Jonathan Charles and Layla. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Golestan Pour; brothers-in-law, Parsa and Mohammed Pour; father-in-law, Reza Pour all of Sweden; sister-in-law, Fahimeh Asperand, and an aunt, Pyre Smith and husband, Butch of Tatum. Other loving family members who survive Ron are his uncle, Johnny Barkett and wife Mary Lou of Marshall; aunt, Mary Lois Fadal and Husband, Dr. Ronald O. of Waco; cousins, Michael Horaney of Phoenix; Dr. Philip Thomas of Dallas; Dr. Bradford Thomas and wife, Gina of Galveston; Gregory Gani and wife, Kathy of Marshall; Dr. Ronald N. Fadal and wife, Dr. Jennifer of Longview; Robin Scott Fadal and wife, Rita of Spring; and nephew, Alexander Horaney of Tyler. Many other cousins, great nieces and nephews also survive Ron. Pallbearers who are honored to serve are Dan Fiscus, Dr. John Ross, Robin Fadal, Dr. Ronald Fadal, Dr. Phillip Thomas, Jonathan Williams, Eric Joseph, Dr. Ben Mack, Daryl Atkinson and Lindsey Terry. Honorary Pallbearers are Gregory Gani, Dr. Bradford Thomas, Trip Tidwell, Jon Draper, Larry Iltis, Mark Atkinson and Bruce Bridges.
Our relationship initially began with simple conversation which soon progressed to her gifting me hand drawn pictures. With time, I was able to help her talk to the other children at the Boys and Girls Club, which was a sign of social development. I knew I had made a difference in a child’s life, and it made me feel impactful. Although it was only one child, maybe one day, she could do the same for another. I simply enjoyed the idea that I was able to make a positive difference in someone’s life, but most importantly, I was becoming a role model for my daughter and someone for my mother to be proud of.Therefore, I decided that, once I have established a career, I will return to Longview and open a free, recreational center on the south side of Longview to keep children occupied and off the streets. I believe that by positively impacting their lives and giving them a chance at opportunity, I can deter them from the wrong path sooner rather than later. I strongly feel that my plan will make a difference in the Longview community considering the immense amount of crime in the area. In fact, educating youth is a major factor, and education itself, truly, is a luxury that some people take for granted.However, for me, it holds value because I’ve decided to use it as my method to defeat all the odds placed against me as well as others who share my story. In addition, being a single parent only makes education more desirable; it holds much more significance and supplies me with more determination now that I have a child. An education could benefit us in the long run by providing me with a multitude of opportunity. By acquiring more knowledge in college, I may be capable of teaching A’Lynnsia and other children how important education is. Along the way, my college experiences will serve as life lessons for them as well. Longview ISD joins the CIty of Longview and Mayor Andy Mack in congratulating Valynnsia on this award, and wishing her success as she continues to help make Longview a better place.
J.L. Everhart teacher treats students to formal dinner
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ressed in their best attire, a few J.L. Everhart Elementary students recently experienced a formal dinner. Fourth-grade teacher Carol Pruitt treated her students to a formal dinner May 24 at The Summit Club in Longview. Pruitt purchases the dinner for her students each year. “They deserve it,” Pruitt said. “These students have worked so hard and had such a great year but also to introduce the students to etiquette in a formal dinner setting.” The dinner began with Pruitt welcoming students and playing classical music on a portable CD player. Students individually got up and told jokes via a microphone. The students wore formal attire for the event and could be heard saying that the experience was “just like on TV.”