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Cornelius in "Top 10" for Volunteer and Community Service Work
Skyler Cornelius, a 17 year old high school student in Floydada, has been recognized as a top 10 finalist by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. Skyler is well known in Floyd County as the young man who spearheaded the Veteran's Memorial Project. It was this volunteer work that led his high school principal, Wayne Morren, to submit Skyler's name for consideration of this award. The award, in its 8th year, honors outstanding acts of volunteerism, and is conducted by Prudential Financial Inc, in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals. More than 24,000 high school and middle level student submitted applications. As a top 10 finalists, a representative of Prudential will present Skyler with an engraved bronze medallion in a special ceremony at the high school. Skyler has also received a certificate from Governor Rick Perry. From the top 10 finalists, two are then chosen to represent the State in a ceremony in Washington D.C. From these state representatives two National honorees are chosen. The two top Texas volunteers chosen were: Laura Fisher, 17, of Houston, and Clayton Lillard, 14, of San Antonio. Fisher, a senior at Memorial High School, created and teaches a Saturday afternoon art class for young cancer patients at Texas Children's Hospital. Lillard, an eighth grader at Hobby Middle School, has collected and refurbished hundreds of used bicycles and donated them as Christmas gifts to children who have a parent in prison. All public and private middle level and high schools in the country were eligible to select a student for a local Prudential Spirit of Community Award. All local honorees were then reviewed by state-level judges, who then selected State Honorees and Distinguished Finalists based on criteria such as personal initiative, creativity, effort, impact and personal growth. "The recipients of these awards vividly demonstrate that young people across America are making amazing contributions to the health and vitality of their communities," said Art Ryan, chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial. "They truly deserve all the praise and encouragement we can give them." The Floyd County Veteran's Memorial project began as Skyler's 4-H Citizenship Project. Skyler enlisted the help of a newly created 25 member junior board of 4-Her's and 23 member adult board. Within the year the project accumulated 150 volunteers and 860 contributors that made the Memorial a reality. Through it all Skyler, and his mother Julianne Cornelius, organized and kept the project rolling. $95,000 was raised through individual and business contributions. Not one veteran had to pay to have his name included on the monument. The project was completed in a year and a memorial, with 4,011 Veteran's names, was unveiled in beautiful pageantry on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2002. Over 3,000 people attended the ceremony in Floydada, which included Honor Guards, Taps, and an Air Force flyover. Young Skyler was the main speaker and handled the podium with poise and confidence, along with Texas Speaker of the House Pete Laney, and Retired Air Force General Robert Dempsey. "I think this memorial will be a teaching tool for school children and a tribute to veterans for generations to come and a tribute to our country," said Skyler in his application submitted to Prudential. "This is a living memorial," said Skyler, "therefore the project will continue and names added as men and women are honorably discharged. And this granite memorial will be here longer than you or me. "I learned it takes a county to build a memorial. Teamwork and delegation of jobs makes everyone a part of any project, and makes it successful.....Freedom isn't free and sacrifice has taken on a whole new meaning for me." Skyler also encouraged other young people to follow their dreams. "If they can help one person feel better, it's worth doing....Give 100% and ask God to bless it, and the possibilities are endless." Felipe Alanis, Commissioner of Education, sent Skyler a letter congratulating him on his achievement. "The fact that you have been chosen as one of the finalists for this distinguished award indicates that you have met demanding criteria and have proven yourself an outstanding member of your community," said Alanis. "Volunteerism is especially respectable because it demonstrates integrity, virtue, and, most of all, selflessness...Your efforts in volunteering and the project you have completed have had a very positive influence on your community. "By taking the initiative to make our state a better place for everyone, you have earned the respect of your peers and recognition from the State of Texas."
Scoutmaster Bill Hunter, of Lockney, was presented with the Silver Beaver award, Saturday, February 8, at the annual South Plains Council Recognition Banquet in the Koko Palace, in Lubbock. The Silver Beaver is the highest honor the Council can give to a Scout. Upon nomination by the local council, this prestigious award is conferred by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America to hose who have given "Distinguished Service to Youth". Since 1931, the South Plains Council has had the privilege of awarding 257 Silver Beavers. Hunter was instrumental in organizing Lockney Boy Scout Troop #259, in the Haynes District and served as its Scoutmaster for over 15 years. Although he retired from the role of Scoutmaster last year, he continues to serve--as he has for more than 10 years--as a member of the Haynes District Committee. In addition to his Boy Scout activities, he is an active member of Main Street Church of Christ, and has served his community as both a Little League baseball coach and a girl's softball coach. He also assists with a Girl Scout Troop. Hunter is a Vietnam-era veteran of a United States Navy Construction Battalion--the Seabees--and is an lineman for Lighthouse Electric. Hunter has earned his beads as a Wood Badge-trained Scouter and is a past recipient of the District Award of Merit. He currently serves as the training chairman of Haynes District. Hunter and his wife, Kathy, have been married for 29 years. They are the parents of two Eagle Scout sons, Wesley and Jeffrey Hunter, and a Girl Scout daughter, Mandy . Lockney Man In Critical Condition After Accident A Lockney "homeless" man was critically injured after being hit by a vehicle on Main Street, in Lockney, February 10. Ignacio Rodriguez, known around Lockney as "Junior", (and also known as Benjamin Rodriguez) is in intensive care at UMC Hospital in Lubbock after being airlifted from Lockney early Monday. Police have no date of birth, or age, for Rodriguez. He carried no identification. According to the investigating officer, Casey Wallace, "A north bound Oldsmobile, being driven by Charlotte Hooten, of Lockney, struck Rodriguez with the front of her car. The accident occurred in the 300 Block of Main Street." A witness stated that Rodriguez was thrown over the top of the car. The accident occurred in the early morning hours. The report of the accident was called in to 911 at 6:54 a.m. Rodriguez was airlifted out of Lockney, shortly after 8:00 a.m. Relatives have stated that Rodriguez has suffered a broken back, two broken legs, head injuries, and internal bleeding. No charges have been filed at this time. STATE BOUND--Alex Hall, a Lockney High School
Freshman, won a first division rating in Class I Solo, at
the Vocal Solo and Ensemble Contest at Frenship High School,
February 8. She performed "Se tu m'ami". This win qualifies
her for competition in the State Solo and Ensemble Contest
in San Marcos in May.
LADY LONGHORNS 2003 DISTRICT CHAMPS--The Lady
Longhorns were presented with the District Championship
Trophy, February 4. Shown here are: (back row, l-r) Coach
Lisa Schumacher, Ashley Cuellar, Laci Schumacher, Kayla
Graves, Janee Hrbacek, Jalee Dietrich, Tori Terrell, Emily
Mercado, Amanda Hancock. Coach Casey Edwards, and Coach Todd
Hallmark; (front, l-r) Ashley Brock, Karah Hrbacek, April
Dorman, and Amber Dorman.
STATE SPECIAL OLYMPIC WINTER GAMES WINNERS--Special Olympic State winners at the meet in Austin, on January 23-26, 2003 were: (l-r) Robert Dunlap, Gold Medal, Bench Press Lifts, son of John and Judy Dunlap, of Floydada; Crissy Jimenez, Gold Medal, Bench Press Lifts, granddaughter of Angie Vargas, of Lockney; and Krystal Garza, participation ribbon, bench press lifts, daughter of Jimmy and Mary Lou Garza, of Petersburg. Coaches that made the trip were: Jim Hambright and Doris Wilcox.
Obituaries CARMON FERGUSON MASON Graveside services for Carmon Ferguson Mason of Austin were held Wednesday, February 5, 2003, in Hamilton. Mrs. Mason died Saturday, February, 2003 in Austin. Carmon was born in Floyd County to pioneer residents William F. and Glen Ferguson in the Starkey Community. She graduated from Floydada High School and attended nursing school in Lubbock. Carmon moved to Junction, where she met and married Willis A. (Sam) Mason in 1945. They made their home in Austin and Victoria. Sam passed away in Victoria in 1992. Carmon recently returned to Austin to make her home with her son David. Carmon was also preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Roberta Pugh of Darrouzett, and Pearl Ferguson of San Angelo; and three brothers, William (Bill), Bearl, and Leon Ferguson, all of Floydada. She is survived by two sons, David of Austin and Willis Jr. of Dallas; two grandchildren of Dallas; one sister Letha Atkinson of Pasadena; and one brother R.R. Ferguson of Floydada. Area relatives attending the services included Mrs. Leon Ferguson and Larry Ferguson of Floydada, and Robert Ferguson of Slaton. JOYCE SMITH JONES Services for Joyce Smith Jones, 69, of Floydada were held Saturday, February 8, 2003 at First Baptist Church in Floydada. Reverend Anthony D. Sisemore, pastor, officiated. Burial was in Floyd County Memorial Park under the direction of Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home of Floydada. She was born on June 13, 1933 in Fullbright to Lena Lester Osborne Freeze and the late Abiline Taylor Freeze. She married Neal Smith on March 28, 1948 in Quitaque. He preceded her in death on April 12, 1990. She married Paul Jones on December 31, 1993 in Floydada. He preceded her in death on September 12, 2001. She moved to Floydada from Plainview in 1965. She was a LVN and had worked in Floydada, Ralls, Lockney and Plainview. She and her husband owned and operated the Tastee Freez and Our Place drive-in from 1971 to 1986. She was a member of the Women's Auxiliary and Church of Christ and had been attending First Baptist Church in Floydada. She was also precede in death by one son, Jimmy Neal Smith on June 10, 1949 and one brother, Ross Freeze on July 29, 1987 She is survived by her mother, Lena Freeze, of Childress; three daughters and sons-in-law, Janice and Jimmy Nichols of Breckenridge, Vicki and Dale Derryberry of Floydada and Terri and Kirk Gordon of Luling, Louisiana; one sister, Imojean Farmer of Childress; ten grandchildren and four great-grandsons. The family suggests memorials to the First Baptist Church Exodus Fund, P.O. Box 610, Floydada, Texas 79235 or to the American Cancer Society, 3411 73rd st., Lubbock, Texas 79423. POLLY S. GILBERT Services for Polly Stovall Gilbert, 95, of Lockney were held Saturday, February 8, 2003 at the First United Methodist Church in Lockney. Reverend Neely Landrum officiated. Burial was in the Lockney Cemetery under the direction of Moore-Rose-White Funeral Home of Lockney. Mrs. Gilbert died Friday, February 7, 2003 at University Medical Center in Lubbock. She was born October 28, 1907 in Hill County to the late Edward Franklin Stovall and Lula Mae Chase Stovall. She moved to Floydada in November of 1920. After graduating from Floydada High School she attended West Texas State, Mary Hardin-Baylor and graduated from Wayland Baptist University. She married Marvin Gilbert on July 19, 1929 in Lockney. She was a school teacher in Petersburg and Lockney for 27 years until she retired in 1976. She lived in Lockney over 50 years until she moved to Lubbock in 1993. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, various teacher organizations and the El Progresso Study Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Gilbert and one grandson, Garry Gilbert. Survivors include one son, Orland Gilbert of Lubbock; one daughter, Sue Miller of Grand Prairie; two sisters, Virginia Vinsel of Ashland, Oregon and Dorothy Dell Shoemaker of Abilene; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. The family suggests memorials be made to the First United Methodist Church of Lockney, P.O. Box 7, Lockney, Texas 79241, and the Lockney Cemetery Association, box 708, Lockney, Texas 79241.
The front page of the paper this week is full of stories of outstanding volunteer work in our communities--and accomplishments of our youth. It made me feel proud to be part of a community that turns out this quality of people. My own son has benefitted from the volunteer work of Bill Hunter. I don't know what Lockney Boy Scouts would have done without Bill's work. Thank-you Bill for what you've done to help the youth in Lockney! I thought about the hard work of folks in Floyd County when I read this funny email. I wanted to share it with you for a laugh. A Letter From a Farmer, Now at Camp Pendleton Dear Ma and Pa, Am well. Hope you are. Tell Brother Walt and Brother Elmer the Marine Corps beats working for old man Minch by a mile. Tell them to join up quick before maybe all of the places are filled. I was restless at first because you got to stay in bed till nearly 6 a.m., but am getting so I like to sleep late. Tell Walt and Elmer all you do before breakfast is smooth your cot and shine some things. No hogs to slop, feed to pitch, mash to mix, wood to split, fire to lay. Practically nothing. Men got to shave but it is not so bad, they get warm water. Breakfast is strong on trimmings like fruit juice, cereal, eggs, bacon, etc..., but kind of weak on chops, potatoes, ham, steak, fried eggplant, pie and other regular food. But tell Walt and Elmer you can always sit between two city boys that live on coffee. Their food plus yours holds you till noon, when you get fed again. T's no wonder these city boys can't walk much. We go on "route" marches, which the Platoon Sergeant says are long walks to harden us. If he thinks so, it is not my place to tell him different. A "route march" is about as far as to our mailbox at home. Then the city boys gets some sore feet and we all ride back in trucks. The country is nice, but awful flat. The Sergeant is like a schoolteacher. He nags some. The Captain is like the school board. Majors and Colonels just ride around and frown. They don't bother you none. This next will kill Walt and Elmer with laughing. I keep getting medals for shooting. I don't know why. The bulls-eye is near as big as a chipmunk and don't move. And it ain't shooting at you, like the Higgett boys at home. All you got to do is lie there all comfortable and hit it. You don't even load your own cartridges. They come in boxes. Be sure to tell Walt and Elmer to hurry and join before other fellers get into this setup and come stampeding in. Your loving daughter, Gail
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