I have missed very few deadlines over the years, but last week was one of them. I wasn’t sick, gone from the country, or lost somewhere. I failed to watch carefully as I pushed the send button.
So, Edmonds Roses was the recipient of last week’s column. I doubt they had a clue as to what was happening. I will watch more carefully this week.
If you missed the dedication of the elementary building on Friday, you missed a precious event. It was a walk down memory lane honoring a wonderful mother, dedicated teacher and principal, and active leader in the activities of this little community. There was no one area that she was not able to handle in a competent and caring fashion. I met Mrs. Irene Hopkins Pearce when Russ and I first married. I did not have the privilege of getting to know her well. The memories shared at the dedication showcased her marvelous personality. I talked with Alan Taylor, who was unable to get to the ceremony. He said he had the privilege of receiving swats from her in the seventh grade. It seems he and another unsupervised student decided to throw a ball around the classroom. Like all rambunctious boys, they overreached their skills and ended up breaking the window of the classroom. Apparently, she had a good arm as well as the famous “look.” So proudly, our little elementary building is decorated with the letters that state it is the Irene Hopkins Pearce Elementary. Thank you, Mrs. Pearce, for 45 years of dedicated service. Many thanks to those who attended and to the family members covering three generations who spoke so lovingly of Mrs. Pearce.
The ceremony itself was organized by Mrs. Johnson. She handled all the details of the event. Mrs. Perry organized the students to present a sign song for the attendees. One Small Voice was a great success.
The sound of young voices touches my heart. They did an excellent job, and I bawled like a baby. Patsy Hall read remarks from Melanie Smith who was unable to attend. As usual, Mrs. Smith’s insight and Patsy’s excellent reading skills made the presentation especially memorable. When I spoke with Panzi Fikes on Sunday, she related that she had Miss Hopkins her eighth-grade year. So many of our Richland Springs inhabitants have been touched by this amazing woman.
Monday was the last Monday Church for the kids probably until late July. We are going to continue meeting with the older kids. Details will come as soon as Brother Mack and the Monday Church staff, sit down and work things out. The last few crazy weeks of school are upon us.
This week is the last review week before the elementary STAAR tests next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. High school is doing some this week and more next week. That means all work must be completed so that we can review. I keep telling my students that this test doesn’t count against them; it is a benchmark for the state to see where the state students, overall, are standing. We have tried to catch up that six months, but there is only so much work that can be completed. I can assure you that I have worked my poor kiddies to death. I can also say they have responded magnificently. I know my fellow teachers have done the same. I think the state schools may see the need to retain students that just couldn’t make up the massive load of material that was missed. It’s been quite the year. Again, I want to thank our administration, Mr. Fowler and Mrs. Wyatt in conjunction with the school board, for keeping us in school as much as possible this year.
I believe it has and will make a difference.
The Junior/Senior Prom was a huge success. Judging from the photos I have seen online, there were some exceptionally beautiful young ladies standing with some awfully handsome young men. Many thanks to our hosts, sponsors, and Mr. Perry for a delicious spread. Good job Mrs. Starr.
Eighth grade luncheon will be Tuesday the 4th at the First Baptist Church, and the senior luncheon will be May 11th at the First Baptist Church.
Please check the school calendar events on the website. These next 12 days of school are incredibly busy. There is going to be an elementary field day on the 18th, Mrs. Barker will take the kids on an AR field trip, and there are plans for a water day the last week of school. I will be having kids clean out lockers this week so that we are not rushed during STAAR and the last four days of school. I’m not sure why, but most kids do not recognize their clothing once it leaves their hands. If you have a particular item of clothing that you would like to get back home, please contact Mrs. Mask. I am having a volcano day because the kids missed it last year. It will be late one afternoon, probably towards the end of the last week.
On a serious note, we have many sick fighting either cancer or covid.
They need our prayers. Gerald McKee, ably assisted by Kay, is undergoing treatments as is Esmeralda Soto’s dad, Mario. Tiny Shannon had a setback but is surging forward towards his healing. They all need our prayers. Earl Patrick is home bound but doing well. My son-in-law, Mark has been ill, but he seems to be recovering well. One of my former students who is in his late 40s is not doing so well. He is a nurse, and apparently is not responding well to the medications.
We will be praying for those with covid. We are doing better, but this wretched disease is not done yet.
Please pray for the unrest in our country, our President, Congress, and local leaders. We need a return to civility and respect for others. This is a country built upon individual freedoms, and we need to uphold and respect them, even when we don’t agree. So many of our police officers are being targeted while in the line of duty. I pray that a sense of value for these public servants will be returned to the people they are here to serve. I praise God for the marvelous rain we received and pray that we will be blessed with a few more inches before the summer drought descends upon us. Hang on to your hats everyone, the year is almost done. Have a blessed week.