Trinity County News 2

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TONY FARKAS | TCNS Valedictorian Hunter Cassidy addresses the crowd and assembled students during the Trinity High School Graduation on Saturday at Sam Houston State University.

72 cross the stage

HUNTSVILLE — “I LOVE YOU, JIMMY” rang out, along with other exclamations of praise and congratulations, laughter and not a few tears, after the Trinity High School seniors’ processional.

THS held its graduation ceremony Saturday at Sam Houston State University’s Bernard G. Johnson Coliseum in Huntsville.

In all, 72 students tossed the mortarboards as they were declared graduates by Principal Brittaney Cassidy.

Salutatorian Emilio Cleveland thanked those in attendance for being there for the students’ final steps in their high-school careers, and the first steps into bright futures.

“The start of this year was different than any year we have experienced,” he said. “It was the first year back from the pandemic, and we had to adapt to the new life at school. Luckily, the faculty supported us the entire way, and on behalf of the class, I would like to thank you for that dedication.”

Cleveland also thanked his coaches for their inspiration, with a coach quoting Zig Ziglar to him: “You can’t have million-dollar dreams with a minimum-wage mindset.”

Hunter Cassidy, the valedictorian, said the year was not an easy one for students or faculty, but the dedication of the faculty help see it through.

“It has taken us 12 years to get to this chapter in our lives, and as this one concludes, I am thankful for all the good times we’ve had together, and to all the memories we have made,” he said. “The friendships we have made will stay with us for the rest of our lives.”

Sitting here today is proof, Hunter said, that they are capable of rising to any challenge.

“Time keeps moving forward no matter what we do,” he said. “Remember, when life gets hard, throws a few curveballs our way, keep your head up and look to the future, because before you know it, you will be there.”

TONY FARKAS | TCNS Trinity High School seniors celebrate their graduation on Saturday by tossing their hats in the air.

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COURTESY PHOTOS | DEBBIE OGDEN Case Robinson was very happy to show off his trophy and ribbon, won in the Houston Rodeo art contest.

TRINITY — The Trinity ISD Board of Trustees is taking off the mask — optionally.

At its regular meeting on May 24, the board approved making mask use optional, effective immediately, said Superintendent John Kaufman.

“This was on agenda before the governor’s mandate,” he said. “We felt that with the availability of vaccinations, it was time to relieve some of the requirements.”

Staff, students and visitors now have the option to wear masks.

In a separate matter, Kaufman said he was given permission to begin researching the district use of school uniforms.

Kaufman stressed that this is the beginning of a process, and any implementation of a policy is a long way off.

“I will start by formulating a parent survey of five or six questions, and later send that out throughout the district,” he said. “We’re a long way off at looking at that; it may not get past the parent survey.”

The rationale that was given for a uniform dress code was to help boost student self-esteem, school pride, the ability to have everyone on a level playing field, and increased attendance.

“The premise for uniforms is pride; they put everyone on a similar playing field where kids aren’t being made fun of for their dress, or harassed because of economic status,” Kaufman said.

In other business, the board:

• granted permission to Kaufman to hire and offer contracts throughout the summer months to new teachers; and
• approved a contract with SFE Food Service.

COURTESY PHOTOS | DEBBIE OGDEN Melissa Garcia, Joni Madera and Jennifer Harlow were named Employees of the Month for May. Each one received a certificate and $100; on June 7, at the End of Year…

COURTESY PHOTOS | DEBBIE OGDEN Lansberry Elementary Houston Rodeo Art Winners are (left) gold medalist Summer Daniels, Art Teacher Jenny Hurst and (right) Best of Show winner Case Robinson.

COURTESY PHOTOS | DEBBIE OGDEN Trinity Middle School and High School Houston Rodeo art winners are (from left) Alyssa Loesh, Best of Show, TMS; Ashlyn Roman, Best of Show, THS; and Julia Lozano, Gold…

COURTESY PHOTOS | DEBBIE OGDEN The Oath of Office was given by Debra Ogden to Judy Bishop and Elizabeth King following their re-election to the Board of Trustees for the next three years. Both ladies…

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Courtesy photo | Martha Mericle Groveton ISD seniors celebrate their commencement with the traditional tossing of the mortarboards at the High School graduation on Friday.

GROVETON — The Groveton High School on Friday celebrated the first post-pandemic graduation in style, and said farewell to 63 seniors with righteous pomp and circumstance.

Family and friends cheered and hollered in the red-bedecked gymnasium, as the event was moved from the stadium due to weather, and the excitement was palatable.

After a recitation of negativity that many students may feel, Valedictorian Emily Ecord said that students can be so focused on reaching the final goal that they lose sight of the importance of the individual moments.

“It undermines the value you have in yourself, and the value you have in each of your peers,” she said. “Those moments make up your life.”

Ecord also thanked the many people that have helped her find those moments throughout her high-school career.

Salutatorian Cole Sullivan congratulated his fellow classmates in the best way possible, by evoking Dr. Seuss.

“He teaches us life lessons — friendships, bonds, achievements, the hiccups, the failures, successes and relations,” he said. “Even though most people think of the ugly hairy cat in the red-and-white striped hat, Dr. Seuss went way beyond that.”

Sullivan listed the five “simple” life lessons that he and his classmates could use from now on:

• “Today, you are you, that’s truer than true. There is no one alive that is you-er than you.”
• “Why fit in when you are born to stand out.”
• “You have brains in your head, and feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose.”
• “Be who you are, and say what you think, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”
• “Today, I shall behave as if this is the day I will be remembered.”

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FILE PHOTO Groveton ISD logo

GROVETON — The Groveton ISD Board will schedule a public hearing on how to best spend a $2.19 million grant, and will appoint a committee to brainstorm possibilities.

Superintendent Don Hamilton said that the Texas Association of School Boards put out a resolution on the ESSER III grant, which requires publication of the districts use of funds; Groveton decided to do it as a board agenda item that will allow public comment.

“We’re looking at $2.19 million, broken into two parts,” Hamilton said. “The first will be 2/3, or $1.43 million, and the second part will be 1/3, or $727,000. We’re working on how to spend that money.”

Hamilton said that incoming superintendent Jim Dillard will assemble a committee to decide how to best utilize those funds, which will be presented at the public hearing.

“We’re looking at the grant requirements, what is allowed, and what will be the best fit,” he said. “We have until late July to get application in.”

In other business, the board:

• accepted the resignation of James Price, who is retiring, and Hunter Hartman, who is moving to a different district’
• approved the hiring of Rebecca Huff as assistant superintendent and Angela Richey and Britton Stovall as teachers;
• approved an amendment to the budget to pay for property near the school that purchased earlier in the year. The land is to be used for future expansion; and
• discussed the Health Advisory Committee Report.