Another busy week has bitten the dust! I think students and teachers are hanging on by a thread. Insanity reigns all around us but we are standing strong! High school students are struggling with the absence of Mrs. Hall. Mrs. Hall went in for what she thought would be minor shoulder surgery, and instead had major work done which put her out for the rest of the school year. Mrs. Melanie Smith has valiantly stepped into the gap. We need prayers for all concerned.

Seniors are attending banquets left right and center! I’m sure every one of them is more than pleased for this means they will be receiving recognition and rewards that will assist them in their college journey. Monday was the Mirabeau B. Lamar Banquet. This is a time honored event that treats the seniors and teachers to a great steak dinner. It also singles out some very special people to receive the award for the year. The details will come out in next week’s edition. The appreciation for the event can be stated here on behalf of students, parents and teachers.

Last Thursday was an action packed school day! Elementary attended the year end field day. We had a longer hike this year due to the resurfacing of the San Saba track. We moved the venue to Zephyr. What a bang up facility they have there! I can’t believe they have such a beautiful field! It hurt even more when we found out 80% of the bond was picked up by the state and taxpayers only had to pay 20%. That sounded like pretty good return on the dollar. Mind you, I guess it still comes out of the taxpayer pocket no matter what! I only hope the next time we try to have a bond election to repair some of these old buildings and pay off the cafetorium debt that we can get it passed. I’d like the new track too, but that wasn’t on the ballot!

After the field day, we returned in time for the band students to have one last practice before the big concert that evening. I can’t begin to tell you what a wonderful job Mr. & Mrs. Bishop do with our young people! He has brought our band program out of the ashes and into glorious rebirth. His decision to retire and enjoy life a little left everyone teary-eyed. I just can’t imagine band without the Bishops! Thank you for two wonderfully productive years! We all hope you enjoy every minute of your retirement! We will miss you. We also hope you change your mind!

Friday morning the 5th grade left for Corpus Christie at 7:30am for the 2nd Annual USS Lexington field trip. We had 11 young people and five adults including myself in two vehicles. Brandon Ferguson, Jeremy Martin, Jordan Gossett, Jaycie Gossett, Paige Sloan, Peyton Sloan, Brett and Colten Shaw, Justin Patino, Justin Hallmark, and Robbie Bennett braved the long car drive with me. The entire trip, from start to finish, went perfectly. We accomplished everything we wanted to do, and came back by 6:20 p.m. Saturday. All the parents were there waiting to pick up their precious young ones, and no one was damaged! The Lexington has a super live aboard program. You become part of the Navy for one day. We shared the ship with a great bunch of ROTC kids. We, the girls, won the scavenger hunt Friday evening, listened to some spooky ghost stories that left more than one young person looking over their shoulder, and even had time to play some of the games in the game room! Colten Shaw should get the prize for the most number of push-ups! Candi Lewis and Sally Gossett corralled the girls, and Jason Lewis tried to keep the boys rounded up. I can’t thank them enough for their hard work. Sherry Hallmark did her share of rounding too, but her job was to keep me on track. I must make mention of the fact two of those ladies kept me guessing about where I had put my keys! When we were flagging the most, Sherry bought us all a yummy milkshake! Thank you, parents and kids, for another successful trip. I am proud of all of you. We toured that ship, visited the aquarium, played in the waves, shopped, and still made it home on time!

Mrs. Robbins told me that the 6th through 8th trip to Colorado Bend State Park was a smashing, or should I say, swimming success. They spent the day exploring the park. I took a class on an overnight trip there one year. We had a wonderful family time. I really think the park is a treasure. Of course, any day away from school right now is a treat. Everyone is ready for school to be over. This is the last week, and I hope everyone gets plenty of rest so that they can do well on their finals.

Sunday evening was the Senior Baccalaureate at the First Christian Church. The choir sang "To Dream the Impossible Dream". The ceremony was lovingly reverent, and our seniors, just too wonderful. Randy Couch read the scripture, John 13:31-35, and Kelyn Green tearfully thanked the congregation on behalf of the seniors. Pastor John Pennington spoke on Intentional Relationships. Pastor Fikes and Mr. Fowler blessed the seniors on their new journey, and encouraged them to take the good path. Light refreshments were served after the service.

I have to send Russ’ Tilley hat back to the factory. Tilley makes hats to protect people from the sun. They have the highest rating against skin cancer and they are also guaranteed for life. So, if your hat gets worn or broken, you can send it back for a new hat. Russ has just worn his down in several places. I contacted them and they said send it back, we stand by what we make. I admire that greatly. We all need to stand by what we do.

I hope everyone has a blessed and busy week. I have a dinner, a swim party, final exams and a teacher luncheon to get through this week. Please pray for our President, our government officials and our precious troops. God bless America.