Doherty tapped into Phi Alpha Theta
Kyle Doherty of Pattison, was recently tapped into Phi Alpha Theta at Millsaps College at the College’s Tap Day ceremony. Membership is composed of students and professors, elected on the basis of excellence in the study and writing of history. It encourages the study, teaching, and writing of history among all its members. Doherty is the child of Mr. Thomas Doherty and Ms. Sarah Springer.

Waller HS student named
State Farm Scholar Athlete
Austin - State Farm Insurance has named Waller High School student, Deandrea Bowdry, a 2006-2007 State Farm Scholar Athlete. Deandrea received this recognition due to her extraordinary success achieved in the classroom as well as on the playing field.

Deandrea, a senior at Waller High, is ranked fourth in her graduating class of 295. She has earned a 4.4 grade point average. Deandrea is an active member of the varsity power lifting team as well as the National Honor Society and Spanish Club. She exhibits strong leadership skills and serves as a positive role model for youth in the community.

State Farm Insurance has supported the scholar-athlete program for five academic school years, and will be awarding 100 scholarships this year to deserving student athletes in Texas. “State Farm is committed to education and is pleased to award a scholarship to such a talented student. Deandrea has chosen a path of great success and leadership. We want to recognize these outstanding efforts and support her goals,” stated Steve Spencer, State Farm Agent.

To be selected as the State Farm Scholar-Athlete of the week, a student must exhibit leadership and good citizenship in both academics and athletics. The individual should actively participate in academic competitions, as well as sporting practices, games and competitions on a daily basis. Most importantly, a scholar-athlete is an individual whose academic progress and success serves as a priority.

Blinn to sign second
partnership with TEEX
BRENHAM – Blinn College and the Texas Engineering Extension Service will hold an official signing ceremony on April 25 to mark a second partnership to give students both college credit and hands-on experience in public service fields. The agreement allows Blinn criminal justice students to participate in TEEX’s Central Texas Police Academy as a component of their associate in applied science degree or certificate.
The signing ceremony with Blinn President Dr. Donald Voelter and TEEX Interim Director Gary Sera will take place at 10 a.m. at the TEEX Public Safety & Security division in Building 7751 at the Texas A&M University - Riverside Campus on Highway 47 in Bryan.

The TEEX Police Academy faculty will provide classroom and hands-on field application and training experiences for qualified Blinn students. Under this agreement, students will have access to the 2,000-acre Riverside Campus for the practical field experiences they need to work as police officers. This includes access to a firing range, driving track, and residential prop houses that provide realistic scenarios.  See the full list in the April 19 print edition.
 
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Royal ISD new student registration date set
Royal I.S.D. PEIMS Office announces registration for new students for the 2007- 2008 school year at Royal Early Childhood Center.
Registration will be held Wednesday, May 2 and Thursday, May 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Early Childhood Center in Pattison.
Please bring the following documents: Certified Birth Certificate, Social Security Card, Shot Record, Proof of Residency and Photo Identification of Parent.

No students will be admitted to class until all records are in their file.
Students will not be admitted to class without their immunization up to date or they are on schedule.

Immunizations are available at the Fort Bend Family Health Center, Inc. (mobile medical unit) located at the United Way Center, 531 FM 359 South, Brookshire on every Tuesday and Thursday of the month from 8 until 11 a.m. and 1 until 3:30 p.m. All immunizations are free for students. Call 936-857-2726 for more information. Royal ISD PEIMS office will not register students the first day of school, August 27, 2007.

ECC collects $1,282 with
Pennies for Patients fundraiser
ROYAL – Students at Royal Early Childhood Center carried in the pennies from their piggy banks and the change from their parent's pockets to collect a grand total of $1282.33 for this year's campaign.
Students also received checks from local community members and the grandfather of the winning class. Students at Royal ECC raised the funds to find cures for leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma research and for patient services. The Pennies Program allows the students to develop compassion and learn the value of helping others as they work for a good cause.

Royal Early Childhood Center raised the money in honor of David Salais, a kindergarten student in Mrs. Susana Gonzalez's class. David enjoys coming to school, and we are excited that he is in remission from leukemia.

The top fundraising classes were Laura Connell's kindergarten class, Carol McVay's kindergarten class, Jill Rogers’ kindergarten class, Susana Gonzalez's class, and Sandra Haynes' PK class. These classes will be recognized during announcements.

Waller Co. 4-H Youth participate in Houston judging contests
Waller Co. 4-H was well represented at this year’s Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo judging contests! Youth participated in Dairy Judging, Poultry Judging, Horse Judging, and Livestock Judging, as well as Meats Judging and the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program.

Dairy judgers included Blake Hollan, Jakob Mielke, Westin Seets, Baylee Smith, Malorie Hegemeyer, Mandy Hegemeyer, Holly Mielke, Jacob Schmidt, Kristi Buck, Dale Cooper, Katie Schmidt, and Mason Seets. Baylee Smith was eleventh High Point Individual.

Thanks to Randy Hegemeyer and Melissa Hegemeyer for coaching these youth. Congratulations to all Dairy Judging Contest participants.
Poultry judgers included Malorie Hegemeyer, Mandy Hegemeyer, Katie Schmidt, Baylee Smith, Miranda Bailey, Monica Bailey, Trent Rape, Jacob Schmidt, Kristi Buck, Holly Mielke, Tyler Roesner, Mason Seets, Dale Cooper, Jakob Mielke, Cameron Rape, and Westin Seets. Thanks to Melissa Hegemeyer, Charles Hegemeyer, and Cody Tomlinson for coaching the poultry judgers.

Youth who participated in the Horse Judging Contest included Megan Bonefas, Brandyn Brzycki, Sierra Garren, Kayliegh Anderson, and Chesla Douglas. Thanks to Kathy Anderson and Pat McKeever for working with these youth.

Livestock judgers included Blake Hollan, Emily Foreman, Miranda Jones, Presley Wilson, Baylee Smith, Mandy Hegemeyer, Austin Kelley, Holly Mielke, Malorie Hegemeyer, Allyson Payne, Julia Payne, Jakob Mielke, Kyle Friedel, Sarah Friedel, Jenna Hamlett, Tracie Matticks, Caylie Dunham, Dale Cooper, Diane Velasco, Patrick Jones, Joseph Jones, Joseph Seiler, Katherine Seiler, Kimberly Seiler, and Mason Seets. Thanks to Brandon Borgstedt for coaching these youth. Keep up the hard work, livestock judgers.

4-H youth travel to Texas State University
for annual contest

Twelve youth from Waller County 4-H traveled to the Texas State Consumer Decision Making Contest. In Consumer Decision Making, participants learn to make wise decisions about their available resources. Project activities focus on decision making, understanding the economy & how it affects consumer decisions, money management, consumer rights and responsibilities, and how consumer decisions affect the environment.
Congratulations to the junior team for placing third. Team members included Baylee Smith, Jakob Mielke, Jenna Hamlett, and Cherokee Nash. Baylee, was awarded the High Point Junior.

Intermediate teams included Holly Mielke, Malorie Hegemeyer, Miranda Bailey, Monica Bailey, Kristi Buck, and Katie Schmidt. Seniors included Sarah Bonefas and Jessica Rittenberry. A big thank you to this year’s CDM coaches Maria Straten, Melissa Hegemeyer, and Heather Nash.

HES connects with Kenya
HEMPSTEAD – Mike and Sylvia Eden recently returned from a trip to Eldoret, Kenya where they visited an orphanage that Mike was instrumental in constructing in 2005. Thanks to the students in Mary Ann Springs’ fifth grade class, the couple took a part of Hempstead, Texas with them. Mrs. Springs’ students prepared a photo album for the Edens to present to the children at the orphanage school in Eldoret.

Prior to the making the trip to Kenya, the Edens visited with the students in Mrs. Springs’ classroom. The students were very interested in the information that the Edens shared with them about the children in Africa. They had many questions concerning the children’s lifestyle in the village.
Mike Eden has been traveling to Africa since 2000. This was his eleventh trip and the third trip for Sylvia. Mike became moved by the plight of the orphans and decided he needed to design and build an orphanage to house the children.

Construction on the first orphanage in Nyaharuru, Kenya began in 2001 and was completed in 2002. A second orphanage in Eldoret, Kenya began construction in 2003 and was completed in 2005. A third orphanage is currently under construction in Kennagop, and Mike feels it will be finished by the end of the summer 2007.

After returning from Kenya in 2005, Mike was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The latest trip acted as a fact finding and inspection of the home’s progress in anticipation of his return with the team this summer to complete the orphanage.

A year to remember for Waller Co. 4-H
at the Houston Livestock Show
By Misty L. Young
Extension Agent

Another Houston Livestock Show has come and gone, but it will not soon be forgotten for Waller Co. 4-H. The “Year of the Volunteer” at the stock show was definitely memorable for all.

This year’s Junior Market Steer exhibitors from Waller County 4-H included Shannon and Mishelle Bronikowski and Presley Wilson. Shannon and Presley showed ABC steers and Mishelle showed an AOB steer. Presley placed second in her class and made the auction.
Christopher Lucherk, Madison Miller, and Samantha Spears participated in the Junior Market Swine show.

Competition was tough, but all did a great job. Kimberly Sparks participated in the Junior Breeding Gilt Show. She placed second in her class with her Berkshire gilt.

Emily Foreman and Blake Hollan participated in the Junior Market Broiler Show. Congratulations to Blake for placing 39th and for making it to the auction. See the full story in the March 29, 2007 print edition.
 
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Royal ISD students receive
community camp awards
Four Royal ISD students received awards from The Wesley Wilson Youth Summer Camp (WWYSC) on Friday, March 23. The WWYSC is a summer camp program that has served the Waller County area for the past eleven years and is very proud of the fact that many of its campers have gone on to excel in school as well as in the community.

Last year’s camp provided excitement once again to all that participated. This year’s awards are as follows: Ashton Stanford - bowling, girls division; Hollis Andrew Ulbricht - junior camper, boys division; Epiphany Wilson - junior camper, girls division; and the watermelon eating contest winner and Rayann Stanford - all around running events, track.

The WWYSC staff would like to thank all the parents and campers for their community support and is looking forward to spending another fun-filled summer this year. For more information on the camp call 979-921-0926 or 713-459-5125.

Students participate in fashion show
Nine Waller Co. 4-H youth participated in the 2007 County Fashion Show. The contest was held on January 11 at Schultz Middle School. The Fashion Show is associated with the Clothing & Textiles Project in
4-H. The objectives of the Clothing & Textile Project are to recognize 4-H members who have excelled in clothing projects and exhibit skills in the following: application of knowledge of fibers and fabrics to wardrobe selection, fashion interpretation and understanding of style, good grooming & poise in front of others, modeling & presentation of themselves & their garments, practice leadership skills, take part in community affairs, and demonstrate responsible citizenship.
Results for the Buying Division are as follows: Clover Kids: Kylie Matticks, Casual; Intermediates: first place Casual-Tracie Matticks and second place-Kristi Buck; first place Dressy-Sara DeBerry. Results for the Construction Division are as follows: Juniors: first place Specialty-Westin Seets; first place Active Wear-Katie Schmidt; first place Casual-Malorie Hegemeyer; first Place Dressy-Mandy Hegemeyer; first place Specialty-Mason Seets.

Congratulations to the following for advancing to the District 9 4-H Fashion Show: Tracie Matticks, Malorie Hegemeyer, Mandy Hegemeyer, Mason Seets, Westin Seets, and Sara DeBerry. The District Fashion Show was held on February 24 at Royal High School. Results were as follows in their respective categories: Sara DeBerry-second; Mason Seets-fifth; Westin Seets- fourth; Malorie Hegemeyer-third and Mandy Hegemeyer- fourth.

Agent Young would like to thank all of the 2007 Clothing & Textile Project Leaders, and a special thanks to Melissa Hegemeyer for serving as the 2007 County Fashion Show chairperson.

Waller Co. 4-H WHEP teams take top honors
Eleven 4-H youth from Waller County participated in the Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Contest. WHEP is a 4-H Program designed to promote youth development in the areas of interpersonal/social skills, leadership, decision making, oral and written communication, and team work. It is also designed to increase youth understanding of wildlife ecology by teaching the fundamentals of wildlife management through habitat valuation and manipulation,http://whep.tamu.edu/about.cfm.
Senior team one-Joseph Jones, Patrick Jones, Adam Magstadt, and Joseph Seiler-placed first. Joseph Jones was High Point Senior Individual, Patrick was second, Adam was fourth, and Joseph Seiler was sixth.
Senior team two-Miranda Jones, Timothy Magstadt, Kimberly Seiler, and Katherine Seiler-placed fifth. Miranda Jones was fifth High Point Senior Individual. Miranda and Timothy are juniors, but competed in the senior division.

The Junior team-Emily Foreman, Kyle Spears, and Chelsea White-placed third in their division. Emily was eighth High Point Junior. A great big “thanks” goes to Harvey Laas for coaching these winning teams.

Parent asks for RISD
superintendent’s resignation
By Courtney Burleson
Managing Editor

Royal Independent School District superintendent Walter Fenn came under fire Thursday night during the district’s regular school board meeting as a RISD parent asked for his resignation.

In a Tuesday phone interview Fenn confirmed that parent Karen Maresh asked for his resignation during the public comments section of the meeting. However, Fenn said he was not planning on resigning and had no other comments regarding the request.

RISD school board president Emily Hillsman said in a Wednesday phone interview that the board is happy with Fenn and they have no intention of asking for his resignation.

“We know that anytime there are expectations and changes that need to be made people are going to grumble,” said Hillsman. “We know we have changes to be made and Mr. Fenn will make them.”

Before requesting Fenn’s resignation, Maresh went through a laundry list of concerns, ranging from student passing rates at the middle school and teacher resignations to district-wide disciplinary problems. Then, Maresh accused Fenn of stealing personal signs along Durkin Road, and on that note, asked for his resignation.

“I saw him and there were many witnesses,” said Maresh. “I’m upset about his infringement on my right to free speech and I find it very arrogant of him to try and hush concerns about issues between the schools and community.” See the full story in the March 8, 2007 print edition.
 
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Royal ECC collecting “Pennies for Patients”
Royal Early Childhood Center is participating in The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's 13th Annual “Pennies for Patients” program. For three weeks in March Royal ECC students are collecting spare change and other donations to help the society further its mission to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life for patients and their families.
 
Did you know that leukemia is the number one disease killer of children under the age of 20?

This year, the students at Royal Early Childhood Center, are raising money in honor of David Salais. He is five-years-old and is in remission from leukemia. David is a kindergarten student in Mrs. Susana Gonzalez's class. He was diagnosed in April 2003, and has been in remission since May 2006.

Last year, 274 schools throughout the Gulf Coast raised more than $325,000 to support patient service programs and to help fund research to find a cure for blood cancers. This year, Royal Early Childhood Center has committed to help reach the 2007 Pennies for Patients goal of raising $400,000 to fight blood cancers. See the full story in the March 8 print edition.
 
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Waller County 4-H Judging teams
travel to San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
The Waller Co. 4-H Dairy, Consumer Decision Making, Poultry, and Livestock Judging teams all participated in the judging contests at this year's show.

Dairy Judging Team members included Mandy Hegemeyer, Baylee Smith, Jacob Schmidt, Holly Mielke, Chelsea White, Jakob Mielke, Kristi Buck, Katie Schmidt, & Malorie Hegemeyer. These youth did an outstanding job in the contest. Thank you to Randy Hegemeyer and Melissa Hegemeyer, Dairy Judging coaches.

Waller Co. 4-H walked away with top honors in the Consumer Decision Making Contest. In Consumer Decision Making, participants learn to make wise decisions about their available resources. Project activities focus on decision making, understanding the economy and how it affects consumer decisions, money management, consumer rights & responsibilities, and how consumer decisions affect the environment. See the full story in this week's print edition, in racks now!!!!!
 
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Blinn Phi Theta Kappa inductees announced
Two students from Waller County are among the spring semester initiates into the Beta Kappa at Blinn College in Brenham. Phi Theta Kappa is the international academic honor society for two-year colleges.
For a student to be invited to join the chapter he or she must have completed at least 12 hours and have a minimum 3.45 grade point average.

The newest inductees in the Beta Alpha Chapter on the Brenham campus are: Iliana Gonzales of Brookshire, and Tamara Peir of Hempstead.
Blinn’s Beta Alpha Chapter has distinguished itself through the years and is the only chapter in the world to have an international award named after it -- the Beta Alpha Award for Continued Excellence.

Kiener takes the helm at RMS
By Courtney Burleson
Managing Editor

It’s only her second day on the job, but Anissa Kiener says she has already fallen in love with the Royal Independent School District.

“I met with Mr. Fenn [RISD superintendent] a couple of weeks ago and I was impressed and I met with the board and it continued to exceed my expectations,” said Kiener. “There is a true love and concern for learning here. It is obvious from the people who work and make decisions here.”
So, with a positive outlook and enthusiasm, Kiener takes the helm at Royal Middle School as the campus’s newest administrator and principal.
From the small town of Troup, Texas, Kiener began her career in the classroom as a math teacher.

“Math is my passion,” says Kiener.

A graduate of Stephen F. Austin University, Kiener is certified to teach math grades one through twelve and reading grades one through eight. She has four years of teaching middle school math and four of teaching high school math. She also served as a School Improvement Support Specialist, or math coach, at Spring Branch ISD. See the full story in the March 1 print edition.
 
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SHSU awards degree to former area students
Sam Houston State University in Huntsville awarded degrees to the following students in December 2006: Curtis Thomas - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science; Katina Johnson - Psychology Bachelor of Science; Robert White - Management Information Systems - Bachelor of Business Administration; William White - Criminal Justice - Bachelor of science.

SHSU names Dean’s List/Honor Roll students
Sam Houston State University in Huntsville named the following students to the President’s Honor Roll for the Fall 2006 semester: Caroline Gottfried of Brookshire, Gracie Brown of Waller, Keith Evans of Waller, Lisa Hall of Waller, Robert White of Waller and Ryan Zak of Waller.
The President’s Honor Roll consists of full-time students having a perfect grade point average of 4.0 for the semester.

The following students were named to the Dean’s List for the Fall 2006 semester: Caroline Gottfried of Brookshire, Matthew Woodard of Brookshire, Jessica Banfield of Brookshire, Angelica Adam of Waller, Davis Atkins of Waller, Gracie Brown of Waller, Keith Evans of Waller, Lisa Hall of Waller, Courtney Herzog of Waller, Ryan Zak of Waller, Chance Gillett of Hempstead and Tiffany Scott of Hempstead.
The Dean’s List consists of full-time students having grade point averages of 3.5 and above.

Wahoski makes SFA Dean’s list
Michael P. Wahoski of Brookshire has been named to the Dean’s List at Stephen F. Austin State University for the Fall semester. To be eligible for this honor, a student must be enrolled in 12 or more semester hours and maintain a grade point average of no less than 3.5.

Blinn announces academic honor
students
SEALY – Blinn College has announced its academic honor students for the 2005 fall semester on its Sealy campus.

The college recognizes those students who take a minimum of 12 college credit hours and earn a grade point average of 3.25 to 3.74 as Distinguished Students and those with at least a 3.75 as President's Scholars.

Claribel Barrera of Sealy and Iliana Gonzales and Rebecca Wilson both of Brookshire have been named to the President's Scholars list.
Thomas Mock and Jeremiah Morris both of Sealy, Eduardo Cadena of Glidden and Tatiana Etterbeek of Katy have been named to the Distinguished Students list.

RHS names honor roll students
ROYAL – Royal High School has named its honor roll and student of the month recipient.

In the top picture are ALL A Honor Roll, including all grades. Pictured, left to right, are Miriam Bedolla (freshman), Chelsea Dilworth (Senior), Courtney Ivy (Senior), and Christopher Stroud (Sophomore). Not pictured are Christopher Burke and Tiffany Harrison.

In the second picture are Junior ALL A and One B students. Pictured, left to right, they are Cory Fenn, Jasmine Rusk, John Gottfried, Joshua Glover. In the bottom row, left to right, are Teal Frizzel, Yessina Avalos, and Chanell Dawson. Not pictured is Diane Rodriguez.

In the third picture are sophomore and freshman ALL A and One B. Pictured, left to right. are Barae Frizzel, Bernice Gaona, Jared Barajas, Colton Cornett, and Ashley Tiney. Not pictured are Eduardo Contreras, Raechel Dawson, Andrew Ruth, Tricia Tatum, Danny Baker, Daniel Emerson, Adriana Sanchez, Logan Smith, and Ashley Walthall.

Also recognized this six weeks was Student of the Month Alfredo Lopez. He is a junior at RHS. Lopez is enrolled in AP classes and is an excellent student. He is an officer in the science club and plays baseball and runs cross country. He is also a member of the One Act Play cast.

Waller Co. 4-H youth travel
to Fort Worth Stock Show
HEMPSTEAD – Several Waller Co. 4-H youth traveled to the 111th Fort Worth Stock Show in January.

Patrick Jones and Andrew Zulim participated in the Junior Heifer Show. Patrick placed second in his class with his Santa Gertrudis heifer. Andrew won his class with his Charolais heifer.

Whitney Herzog and Presley Wilson showed in the Junior Market Steer Show. Whitney placed eighth in her class with her European Cross steer, and Presley placed fourth with her Brangus steer. Both made the sale with their steers.

Joseph and Patrick Jones participated in the calf scramble and both caught. They will return to Fort Worth next year to show heifers they will purchase with their certificates.

Pattison resident donates to local school
Pictured to the right are Pattison resident Patricia Muske and Dylyn Stamps. Dylyn is a kindergarten student in Mrs. Rogers' class. Muske supported the literacy program at Royal ECC by donating books for the Early Childhood Library. For more information on how you can support Royal ECC, call the school at 281-934-3147.

RHS athlete receives full
scholarship to Tulane University
By Courtney Burleson
Managing Editor

Royal High School senior J.D. Jeanes signed Wednesday morning with Tulane University out of New Orleans, Louisiana for a full four-year football scholarship. The scholarship includes tuition, room and board, and books, according to RHS counselor Cheryl Fenn.

A member of the RHS football team since his freshman year, Jeanes has played a variety of positions including right offensive tackle and defensive tackle this past year. Jeanes was also named to the Texas Sports’ Writers Association 2006 3A All-State football team. Furthermore, he was named to the District 24 3A, All-District football team for offensive tackle.

He is scheduled to start in the left tackle position at Tulane.
“I’m really excited and overwhelmed with joy,” said Jeanes at the signing. “I was starting to get worried and then they just showed up out of the blue, it was unexpected.”

Royal Athletic Director and head football coach Ken Wallace commended Jeanes for his dedication on the field and in the classroom.
“J.D. is a very deserving guy and we are very proud of him,” said Wallace. “This is a case of a good guy getting something good.”

Jeanes will begin classes at Tulane in Fall 2007. He is undecided on his major but says he has an interest in engineering, architecture and business.

Sargent named to Dean’s List
Katie Sargent was recently nominated to the Dean’s List at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi, for the Fall 2006 semester.
Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 for the semester, be enrolled full-time, and earn grades of C or higher in each course to attain Dean’s List status. Furthermore, they must meet the standard, in the judgment of the Dean of the College, of being a good citizen of the College community. Sargent is the child of Mr. John S. Sargent of Austin and Ms. Karol K. Sargent of Brookshire.

RHS academic team places in El Campo meet
ROYAL – The Royal Academic Team recently traveled to El Campo to compete in the El Campo Speech, Drama and Academic Meet.
Royal placed second in the small school division. Other schools competing in Royal's division were Barbers Hill, Boling, Brazos, Gonzales, Hempstead, Holy Trinity, Industrial, Palacios, Santa Fe, Shiner, Stafford, Columbia, La Grange, and Sweeny. Individually they also competed against Alief Kerr, Aldine, Bay City, Brazoswood, Brenham, Calhoun, Memorial, and El Campo.

The journalism team had an outstanding tournament. Andrea Alvarez was the meet champion in Editorial Writing. In Headline Writing Rose Tenorio placed third and Jacob Chavez finished sixth. Ricky Flores ranked third in News Writing and in Feature Writing Ricky was sixth. Mirranda Stroud also placed second in the Feature Writing event.
The number sense team composed of Cindy Rodriguez, Joshua Chavez, and Jacob Chavez placed third, while Joshua placed third individually. The mathematics team including Rikki Stone, Cindy Rodriguez, Jacob Chavez, and Joshua Chavez also finished third.

Shane Fife had an outstanding day, ranking second in the Accounting event. In Computer Applications Jessie Leonard placed second and in Science Rikki Stone was fourth and Perla Rodriguez was seventh.
The CX Debate team composed of Cindy and Perla Rodriguez finished third and in the Poetry competition Alex Miller advanced three rounds to place third. The teams next meet will be in Yoakum on February 10.

RMS wins on the court, in the community
On Saturday, Jan. 21, the Royal Middle School seventh and eighth grade basketball teams kept the Gold at home by clinching first place finishes in the first annual RMS Winter Basketball Tournament.

The tournament provided the Parent Athletic Organization (PAO) with an opportunity to not only raise funds for the program, but also offer the community a chance to see competitive games. The coaching staff and PAO members recognize and value the support of the community, and continuously look for ways to give back. With this thought in mind, a portion of the proceeds from the tournament were donated to The Oaks at Brookshire Nursing Center.

"We're able to offer the residents many extra activities thanks to donations…we really appreciate the staff at Royal Middle School for thinking of us…it's a blessing," said Evelyn Bolds, The Oaks Community Activities Director.

Most Valuable Players of the tournament included: Damian Lasker, Chris Hynes, Eric Abanathy, Eugene Lasker and Demetrian Ames.
Other teams in the tournament included Waller Jr. High, BC Elmore of Houston ISD, and Oak Village of North Forest ISD.

Local youth wins at Fort Worth Stock Show
Andrew Zulim, a 4-H member from Hockley, exhibited a first place heifer in the Charolais Junior Breeding Beef Heifer Show at the 2007 Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show on January 22. Junior show entries totaled 10,505 at this year's show which ends February 4.

"The junior livestock show program provides youth with valuable lessons in life and business and builds a foundation that serves them long after their show years have passed," said W.R. Watt, Jr., president and manager of the show. "Our commitment to this program is a top priority."

Winning exhibitors are awarded cash "premiums" - this year to exceed $89,000 - in addition to monies generated from the sale of animals in the show's sale of champion steers, lambs, barrows and wether goats. Besides record junior entries the show set an overall entry record of 22,673 cattle, sheep, swine, horses, mules, donkeys, llamas, goats, poultry, pigeons and rabbits.

The Stock Show showcases the nation's dynamic livestock industry to over 950,000 visitors mostly from the Metroplex and surrounding areas.
Approximately 20 percent attend from other parts of the nation and 89 countries. Besides livestock, the show includes educational exhibits designed to educate visitors on the livestock industry and provides 4 acres of shopping to suit most any taste.

Now in its 111th year, the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo features entertainment events for the entire family, including livestock shows, educational experiences and 30 exciting performances of the World's Original Indoor Rodeo.

Walker selected to NIAAA faculty
The National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association has selected Lamar CISD Athletic Director Fletcher Walker for its 2007 Faculty. There are 12 on this faculty, which teaches courses providing leadership training for Athletic Directors.

These courses are taught at mid-winter conferences, coaching school and National Federation of High School Sports Clinics. Coach Walker will be teaching Course 502: Athletic Administration - A Comprehensive Guide, this spring at the Mid-Winter Conference at The Woodlands.

Royal FFA Parade Committee
announces theme
The Royal FFA parade committee met recently to plan activities for the upcoming parade to be held in conjunction with the chapter's 51st annual FFA Livestock Show and Sale, March 1 through March 3.

This year's theme will be “Royal FFA celebrates American Agriculture of Today.”

Participants will once again assemble at the intersection of Koomey Road and Hwy. 90, north and west of the Brookshire police station. Sign in registration begins at 9:00 a.m. There is no entry fee. Trail ride groups will tag-in at Hardtimes BBQ in Pattison at 7:30AM. A route from that point will be announced at a later date.

The parade will commence promptly at 10:00 a.m. and proceed through downtown Brookshire. Participant groups will be judged on creativity and showmanship. First, second, and third places will be awarded in each category. A trophy for "Best of Theme" will be presented to the overall winner. A traveling trophy is up for grabs to the Royal ISD campus that best displays the spirit of the theme. Last year's winner for "Best of Theme" went to the Pattison Area Volunteer Fire Department. Parade awards will be presented at 1:30 p.m. in the Royal High School FFA show barn.

“Whether you are an alumni or in the first grade, no matter what organization you are or were a part of, come out and show your Falcon pride,” a committee spokesman said. “You are cordially invited to be a part of this great community tradition.”

For additional information, contact one of the following parade committee members: Mary Ann Jordan - 375-6832; Josie Avalos - 934-1105 or Judy Branch - 375-7601.