A year in review: looking back at 2015

This week, we will revisit the major events of 205 that occurred in the last half of the year. July After 34 years of service to Hughes Springs Independent School District in various positions, Rick Ogden retired from his post as Superintendent of schools. The District worked rather quickly, naming former Hughes Springs employee Sarah Dildine as Ogden’s replacement. Dildine had previously been employed by HSISD as an assistant junior high principal (where Ogden was her direct supervisor) and as the Director of Curriculum and Technology. Daingerfield High also employed new leadership, following the retirement of principal Larry Miears at the completion of the 2014-2015 school year. Ryan Carroll came to Daingerfield from Foster Middle School, where he served as the assistant principal. Carroll was approached by his good friend Bruce Harris, who teaches fifth grade at Daingerfield’s South Elementary. Carroll, a Texas Christian University Alumnus, played basketball for TCU and played basketball professionally overseas prior to becoming an educator. July also saw the first local efforts to raise money and awareness for LUPUS, which is a disease that affects many in the community, although many with the disease do not look to be sick. Tamara Stern, who suffers from LUPUS, made it her goal to help raise awareness of this disease. “I have been doing a Lupus walk every year to help raise awareness, but I have never organized one,” said Stern. Prior to 2015, there had never been a Lupus Walk in this area, according to Stern. August August was filled with sounds of bands warming up, football helmets and pads crashing together, and volleyballs being slammed to the floor, as local school programs prepared for upcoming seasons and back to school. August also saw the opening of the Community Theatre of East Texas, a community theatre organized by local thespians to bring a new experience to the area. After a passing on a theater scholarship following graduation from Hughes Springs high school, CTET vice-president Amanda Gammill found her way back to theater in a production with the Tyler Civic Theater. After that production concluded, Gammill returned home to start a local theater. After organizing the board of directors, the team immediately began casting for their first production, a pop musical entitled Cyrano de Burger Shack. Also in August, Hughes Springs softball player Peyton Blythe verbally committed to play softball at Texas Tech. Blythe is set to graduate from Hughes Springs in 2018. September Avinger hosted their third annual Wine Festival in September, with the location of the festival will be being the historic home located at 141 Pine Street, located in Downtown Avinger. Visitors to the festival had the opportunity to shop booths by many local merchants, offering a variety of wares including woodworking, jewelry, art, and beauty products. Those who chose to visit the Wine Garden were able to sample wines from a variety of Texas Wineries and Vineyards. State Representative John Ratcliffe made a stop in Daingerfield to visit with Morris County Judge Lynda Munkres and gather her opinion on what he could do to help the local governments. Ratcliffe also visited Pewitt High School, where he held a local round discussion event for citizens in Omaha and Naples. Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD also hosted their hosted their Sixth Annual Distinguished Alumni Banquet, which honored Joe Skipper, EG McMillan, III, and Dr. T. Randall Lee. Reverend Anthony Pondant, who wrote the Daingerfield High School School Song, was honored post humously, as well. To continue reading this article, purchase the January 7th edition of the Steel Country Bee, or go to our online e-edition at: http://www.etypeservices.com/Daingerfield%20BeeID312/default.aspx