âHear Ye, Hear Ye!â Blanco High School Wins State UIL Academic Meet
The Blanco ISD
“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!”
Volume 6, Number 37
May 27, 2016
Blanco High School Wins State UIL Academic Meet State Champions!!
Blanco High School State Champions (Top Row, L to R) Tyler Schlinke, Griffin Wearden, Drew Ritter, Chase Coggins, Jacob Robinson. (Bottom Row, L to R) Jayme Mowery, Katie Struck, Mark Kuebel.
The Blanco High School UIL Academic Team won the Conference 3A State Championship at the University of Texas in Austin on May 24-25. The team finished with 90 sweepstakes points to outdistance runners-up Callisburg with 71 points and Jim Ned with 69 points. “We’ve had several top-five finishes in recent years,” UIL coordinator Dr. Russell Kirkscey said. “I knew that we could be very competitive. We had several outstanding performances this year.” Drew Ritter and Mark Kuebel led the team with two individual state championships each. Ritter, a senior, placed first in persuasive speaking and in Lincoln-Douglas debate. Last year he was state champion in informative speaking and state runner-up in Lincoln-Douglas debate. “I’m sad to end this chapter of my life,” Ritter said. “But I’m glad to say that I have three UIL state championships to show for it. I’d like to give special thanks to the whole debate team over the years and our absolutely phenomenal coach, Dr. Kirkscey.” Kuebel, a junior, successfully defended his title as state champion in computer science and added another state championship in computer applications.
"I'm glad I had a great two days at state. It was a lot of fun,” Kuebel said. “I'm super happy that I won gold in computer apps as it is my first year. I would especially like to thank Mrs. Jody Schwarzlose and Mr. Bill Spurgin for coaching me in my events. I could not have done this without them." In other speech and debate events, Jayme Mowery finished fifth in Lincoln-Douglas debate and Griffin Wearden placed sixth in informative speaking. The mathematics, computer science, and speech teams each placed second. Mathematics team members included Kuebel, Katie Struck, and Chase Coggins. Computer science team members were Kuebel, Jacob Robinson, Tyler Schlinke, and Struck. “I’d like to thank the BISD school board and administration for tremendous support through the years,” Dr. Board of Trustees Darrel Wagner, President Kirkscey said. “We have a Joe Hernandez large number of team Troy Immel members returning, so we Larry Kuebel hope to be ready to comTim Nance Charles Riley pete at this level again next Liza Struck year.” Superintendent Dr. Buck Ford
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“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!”
Class of 2016 Graduation Set for Tonight Ceremony Scheduled for 8:00 PM at Panther Stadium
Blanco High School Class of 2016. (photo by Diana Schwind)
Sixty-seven Blanco High School seniors will walk the stage tonight in graduation ceremonies scheduled for 8:00 PM at Panther Stadium. “The 67 seniors that make up the Class of 2016 have been very successful in many areas during their high school careers,” said high school principal Casey Hollomon. “I expect that success to continue upon graduation!” “The seniors this year are very diverse and are planning to pursue many different paths to fulfill their future goals.” Students scheduled to graduate are: Michael John Adams, Dawson John Albin, Angel Alejandro Almanza, Connor Brendan Anderson, Kyle Lewis Arnold, Darrin Michael Baer, Ryan Jacolby Bible, Riley Elizabeth Bigler, Maasi Ann Louise Biscamp, Brock Alan Bonner, Canyon Michael Burkhart, Robert Scott Burnette, Skylar Madison Burns, Taylor Bleu Calder, Jon Cross Caldwell, Janessa Anne Conklin, Michael Joshua Copenhaver, Christina Marie Cortes, Christopher De La Torre, Trent Cole Dechert, Adrien Dominguez, Kelly Shea Eskew, Valeria Brianna Gonzalez, Jose Manuel Guerrero, Chase Colton Horton, Victoria Elizabeth Jeske, Carinne Adele Johnston, Sonya Juarez, Helen Rose
Kasberg, Ian Richard Kirkland, Clifton William Knoll, Alexis Marie Liesmann, Tori Lee Little, Joseph Lopez, Sara Jean Martinez, Gustavo Martinez III, Jared Lee Mayfield, Jacob Cy McCaslin, Maryn Delane McMain, Autumn Christian Moorhouse, Bret Leigh Nance, Ronaldo Nunez-Flores, Joseph Allen Perkins, Kenneth Langston Peyton, Trenton Jones Pruitt, Dylan Wayne Reinhard, Justin Gage Requenes, Alexander Kaine Requenes, Hunter Lewis Riley, Drew Elliot Ritter, Hugo Isaac Rodriguez, James Ray Rodriguez, Emily Elizabeth Romero, Ryan Guillermo Ronces, Hailey Nichole Satterwhite, Tyler John Schlinke, Cody Dean Seider, Tania Priscilla Simota, Vanessa Tanigh Skillman, Kathryn Elizabeth Romero Struck, Eduardo Alberto Torres, Aaron Reese Uballe, Jaclyn Nicole Vinton, Jordon Clayton Wagner, Daniel Jamal Weusi Boskind, Carlos Tyron White, Justin Jett Williams, Charity Melinda Windham. Hollomon said, “On behalf of the faculty and staff of Blanco High School, good luck to the Class of 2016.” “It has been wonderful getting to know these seniors, and I look forward to hearing what all they accomplish in the coming years.”
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“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!”
Bill Spurgin Retires after 50 Years at Blanco High School “It’s Time”
Bill Spurgin
The year was 1966. Young Bill Spurgin had just graduated with his teaching degree from North Texas State. A native of DeSoto, Spurgin was eager to embark upon a teaching career, but had not yet secured a job. “I had a friend who told me he had seen a want-ad in the Dallas Morning News for a teacher in Blanco, Texas,” said Spurgin. It was late summer, and the new school year was three days away from starting. Spurgin called and inquired about the job. “The superintendent was Mr. Cobb,” recalled Spurgin. “He met me at a Burger King in Temple, and I agreed to come to work in Blanco.” Spurgin arrived in Blanco on a Friday afternoon, missing out on the district’s teacher orientation. School was scheduled to start the following week. “I got me a bottom apartment at the Mobley Motel,” recalls Spurgin. “The man up there he works everything out.” The school’s new business teacher had six preparations that first year, and he was warmly taken in by the close-knit faculty. “We had twenty-one teachers in grades 1—12,” he recalled. “We knew everything that was going on.” “We’d meet every morning in that kitchen area at the current administration building. If someone said, ‘I got a new first grader,’ by the close of the day everyone one of us would have gone and looked at him. I remember every one of those students that first year.” One teacher that Spurgin speaks very dearly of is Ann Beckham. “Ann Beckham and I came to Blanco at the same time,”
he said. “We became very good friends.” Spurgin has honored her memory by presenting the Ann Beckham Memorial Scholarship at the high school’s annual awards ceremony. Spurgin divides his Blanco career into three categories. “The big time was 1993,” he said. “That’s the year we moved to the current middle school site. I had spent 26 years in that room where Olga and Danette are now at the administration building.” “In 2000 we moved again to our current location.” “Those were the three biggies.” Spurgin has seen six superintendents and eight high school principals during his tenure. He said he intends to enjoy gardening, travel, and family. Spurgin announced his retirement during the school’s morning announcements on April 1—April Fool’s Day. Many initially thought it was a joke, but it wasn’t. He said it was last October when he began to feel this would be his last year. “God has spoken to me very clearly four times in my life,” he said. “The first was coming to Blanco. Second, it was my wife. Third, was when I bought my house at 40. And fourth, was last October. It came to me, ‘It’s time.’” “Don’t misunderstand. I still love kids, and enjoy working, but it’s time.” “I’ve watched The Lion King many times with my grandson. It’s a great movie. There’s a part in the movie where Simba is talking with the orangutan, and the theme there is, “It’s time.’” “Well, for me now, it’s time.”
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Payton School Part of Blanco’s Education History Visit to Peyton Colony Resurrects Ghosts from Blanco’s Past
Lawrence Coffee, Jasper Upshaw in front of the Payton School.
Since 1884, the Blanco ISD has provided for the educational needs of its young people. The monument to this legacy is the district’s historical building, found at the intersection of Cherry and 11th Streets. It’s front façade still contains the original stones and design of that first building of 1884. There stands another building that once met the educational needs of the young people of Blanco County. Known as the Payton School, this building provided instruction for the south county’s black students. It is located on Peyton Colony Road, about 10 miles east of Blanco off Highway 165. The Peyton Community was settled by former slaves and that moved to Texas from Virginia with their owners around the time of the Civil War. Ninety-two year old Jasper Upshaw attended Payton School in the 1930s. He remembers the origins of the Peyton Community: Peyton Roberts was a slave. He took a wagon train from Virginia to Texas. His slave master offered him to stay with him and farm or move on. My grandfather Upshaw, my mom’s grandfather, the Coffees, they all came to Texas with him. They first stopped at Bastrop, and the weather was in the rain cycle. They had left Virginia because of the rain and mud. After the War, they moved into the colony at Peyton. Somebody granted 3,000 acres to newly freed slaves. It was approved in Austin. Burches, Upshaws, Coffees, Jones—these were some of the families that came.
Upshaw’s grandfather gave land for a church and a school. Both buildings were built upon the same acreage, and both became the center of life for the Peyton community. The school provided education for grades 1-8. After that, students furthered their education through enrollment at Anderson High School in Austin. “There wasn’t a commute to Austin. You stayed with kinfolk down there,” said Upshaw. The inside of the school was divided into two sections, separated by a wall and a door. The wall and door are no longer there, salvaged by locals after closure of the school in the early 1970s. “Somebody got them,” said former student Lawrence Coffee. The library consisted of a small bookshelf located in the corer of the room. Although the bookshelf was modest to say the least, the content of its shelves transcended its meager surroundings. Upshaw remembered: Judge Clark from Johnson City used to come out here and look around and brought books that they didn’t use and put them in our library. I read books before school started. They weren’t the regular kind of school textbooks. When you read those kind of books, when you got to Anderson, you were prepared.
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Payton School Cont’d from Page 4... Upshaw said he lived in town, and would be transported to school in an old Model A car. The school day began at 8:30 AM. Students would line up outside the entrance, the boys on one side and the girls on the other. Upon entering, students would assemble in the room, sing the school song and say the Lord’s prayer. Discipline was strict. According to Upshaw:
Clarence Johnson was a teacher. He was a good one. He didn’t fear no man comin’ or goin’. There were two switches in the corner. If he whipped a student in here, the parents wouldn’t say anything about it. One time when we were assembled at the start of school, two of my cousins were cutting up. Mr. Scott kept right on praying. When that was over, he went and got the switches, and took my cousin by the collar, and worked him over. He never said a word. For four months, never had a word. When he whipped you, you stayed whipped. We would have an hour for recess, and he would walk around with his arms folded. As much as Clarence Johnson was known for his discipline attributes, the school’s next teacher was known for her teaching abilities. According to Upshaw: Our next teacher was Madelyn Moore. She was as good a teacher as you ever want to see in the world. When she graduated students to Anderson, they would ask, “Who was your teacher?” Students coming from Mrs. Moore would go right into the right grade no questions asked. The school was run by two teachers, one for the early grades, and one for the secondary grades. Pay was $45$55/month.
There was no running water in the school until the 1960s, when a bathroom extension was added to the building. “They came out here and put in those restrooms,” remembered Coffee. “The state said kids had to have an indoor restroom, or if not they were going to close the school.” “Juneteenth,” June 19, was a day of celebration in the Peyton Community. It commemorated the day that slaves were freed in Texas. Payton School and the church were the center of these celebratory activities. As Upshaw remembered: There was a big pit outside the school. On the 18th, we’d fill that pit with hot coals, and put a screen on top, with an opening on each side. Then, we’d Bar-B-Que! On Juneteenth, we’d have baseball games outside. And fiddling’ and dancin’ in the school. There were good fiddlers in those days. And they’d be carrying-on. And half the people here would be white people from downtown Blanco. Nobody paid any attention. Records indicate that the Payton School District consolidated with the Blanco Independent School District in 1964. However, local records indicate the school still served students as late as 1969. Over time, the schoolhouse fell into disrepair. About 2-3 years ago, Upshaw, Coffee, and several others got together to clean it up. They have done some restoration work, preserving an original chalk board, library bookshelves, and kitchen items. An additional relic that was proudly preserved was the desk of longtime teacher Hazel Robinson. “That’s the teacher’s bench,” said Coffee, pointing to a small table with a drawer. “That’s Mrs. Robinson’s desk. We brought it back. We got some old wood and put new legs on it. This is it. The teacher’s desk.” Today, the Payton School stands as a testament to a time when education facilities were separate for black and white, and small rural schoolhouses did the best they could to meet the needs of their local communities. The stories from Payton School remind us, like the books in a bookshelf, that we can’t judge a book by its cover. That regardless of surroundings, a quality education can take place with community support, and the talent and vision of an exceptional teacher.
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Baseball Playoff Road Ends at Regional Quarterfinals
Cross Caldwell knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning in the Panthers’ Game Two win vs. Lago Vista. (photo Diana Schwind.).
Blanco’s baseball season came to an end last weekend as the Panthers lost a three-game playoff series to district rival Lago Vista. “I was so proud of our kids,” said head coach Bryan Wyatt. “They played hard to the last pitch. Any coach in any sport hopes to have that with their team.” The Panthers lost Game One of the series, but bounced back to dispatch the Vikings 3—2 in Game Two. However, Lago Vista took Game Three 9—2 last Saturday in Liberty Hill. Nevertheless, it was a tremendous season for the Panthers as they out performed pre-season expectations. “The 2016 season was a great one for our program,” said Wyatt. “To go this far in the playoffs and only graduate two seniors means we are young and will be expecting big things next year.” “Seniors Jordan Wagner and Cross Caldwell were a big part of our success this year, and will be hard to replace next year especially their leadership.”
Spanish II Students Read Stories to Pre-K Classes
BHS Spanish II students wrote original stories in Spanish (of course), created illustrations, then voted for their best stories. On Wednesday the winners shared their stories with the PreK students. Kelby Cox and Jett Hood wrote the 6th segment of TACOMAN AND BURRITO BOY to some eager listeners.
Class of 2028
Blanco Elementary kindergarten students had their graduation ceremony this morning.
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Tips for A Drug-Free, Safe Summer
Blanco Elementary Millionaire Readers Celebrate Achievement
As part of our effort to reduce substance abuse by our young people, The Bell will be running Public Service Announcements each week to educate students and parents in regards to substance abuse. Today’s information is a continuation from last week, and comes from an article titled “How to Keep your Kids Drug-Free This Summer,” by Michelle Randall, 4/26/11, at www.howtolearn.com. 2015—2016 Millionaire Readers
During the summer months, when there is a decrease in supervision, teens are often faced with an increase in peer pressure situations that lead to first-time drug and alcohol use. In fact, each day in June, July, and August, approximately 6,100 youth try marijuana for the first time, a 40% increase over the remainder of the year. The following are some tips offered to parents to keep their children and teens safe from drugs and alcohol this summer:
Encourage teens to get a summer job or do community service: These activities give teens the oppor tunity to gain real-world experience and independence, while keeping them away from drugs and alcohol. Sign them up for a camp or summer sport: Teens will have the opportunity to enjoy their summer vacation with their peers in a safe, supervised environment. Daily check-ins: Par ents ar e encour aged to check-in with their teens throughout the day, to know where they are and who they are with at all times. Be aware of what is in your home: Teens ar e mor e likely to abuse substances that are easily accessible to them, as 31% of children ages 12 to 14 who drank alcohol in the past month, obtained the alcohol from their own home. Equally as dangerous, the medicine cabinet provides 2,500 teens every day with an opportunity to abuse a prescription drug for the first time. Have open dialogue: By engaging teens in an open conversation, parents are given the opportunity to express their concerns about their teen’s behavior and discuss the risks involved with drug and alcohol use, while teens are able to comfortably share their experiences with peer pressure and exposure to these substances.
Top Row: Kelly, Kinley, Roanna, Bennet, Cole Second Row: Noe, Dianka, Rylee, Natalie, Christian Third Row: Caleb, Henry, Torynce, Madison Front Row: Chloe, Meadow, Perry, Justin, Ever, Alex, Kira
The Blanco Elementary School Millionaire Accelerated Readers celebrated their achievement by eating lunch at the Blanco River Pizza Company and watching a book-based movie on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The 21 millionaires each read at least one million words this school year. Four of the fifth grade students and one fourth grade student read over two million words each. Words read are calculated by the Accelerated Reading (AR) program based on the length of books the students are tested on. The books varied in length and difficulty level. “This year we had students who read from 25 books all the way up to 136 books and made millionaire seven times over. We are all so proud of our students who set their goals high and were so successful academically,” fifth grade reading teacher Linda Miller said. As a campus, elementary students read 104,772,326 words this year. Last year the campus also met the 100 million word mark. Nationwide, more than 9.8 million students read 334 million books in the AR program last year.
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Blanco Elementary Recognizes “Kids Who Roar!”
Elementary “Kids Who Roar” Top row: Kolton, Keirsten, Brooke, Cassandra, Jacob, and Korina Bottom row: Mary, Jolene, Cyndel, Chloe, Christopher, Chloe, Taylor, Crystal, and Bryson Not pictured: Logan, Adrian, Christian, Brayden, Alex, Hemma, Dalilah, Gretel, Kailey, and Isaiah
Blanco Elementary recognized their Kids Who Roar for the 6th six weeks. The character trait which was recognized this 6 weeks was Citizenship. A good citizen does their share to make their school and community better. They cooperate with others. They are good neighbors. A good citizen obeys laws and rules. They respect authority and protect the environment. Congratulations to all of these Kids Who Roar!
SCHOOL’S OUT!! Last Edition of The Bell This School Year This will be the last edition of The Bell for this school year. The editors and staff of The Bell wish you and your loved ones the best during this summer break. The 2016 — 2017 school year will formally begin for teachers on Monday, August 15. The first day for students will be Tuesday, August 25. We hope to see you then! Congratulations on a great school year!
Elementary Walk-a-Thon Raises Over $10,000
2016 Walk-a-Thon Prize Winners Marissa Ruiz (top seller), Logan Schwarzlose, Sienna Maldonado, Perry Faught, Hemma Porter, Kelly Karnes, Clayton Murrah, Elizabeth Snodgrass, Wyatt Allison, Jay Hampton, Emily Cassidy, Miira Rodriguez, Leah Staas, Gracie Monasmith, Bennett Brock, Colton Moore, Nate Eiland and Nathaniel de la Cruz.
Blanco Elementary students generated over $10,000 in donations as part of a PTO sponsored Walk-a-Thon held at the Blanco Elementary school Circle Drive on May 13. The donations will go towards an 8 seat swing set on the playground. There was 100% participation because students walked during their PE class time. Most teachers and staff also walked. The PTO would like to thank Mobley Welding, Blanco National Bank, Lone Star National Bank, Western Development and Wal-Mart for donations towards prizes. The PTO also thanks Lowe's Supermarket for water and fruit donations for the students to enjoy during their walk. All students also received a treat of popcorn served in commemorative souvenir cups. Special thanks go out to the BES staff, parents & grandparents for their help in making this year's Walk-a-Thon a success! The class bringing in the most donations and receiving a popsicle party is Mrs. Clark's 5th grade class. Students bringing in $50 or more in donations were eligible for prize drawings.
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Blanco vs. Lago Vista, Regional Quarterfinals Game Two at Wimberley Photos by Diana Schwind
May/June Birthdays Sat, May 28 Sun, May 29 Sun, June 5 Mon, June 6 Mon, June 13 Sat, June 18 Sun, June 19 Mon, June 20 Tues, June 21 Sat, June 25
Danny Rogers Brian Hecimovich Lucy Courtney Lisa Duncan Kristan Marshall Stuart Schultz Diane Kainer Jody Schwarzlose Sharon Cox Gabriella Quintero Malissa Mollberg Tony Petri Keith Morgan, Jr.
July Birthdays Sat, July 2 Mon, July 4 Thus, July 7 Sat, July 9 Sun, July 10 Mon, July 11 Thurs, July 14 Wed, July 20 Mon, July 25 Thurs, July 28 Sat, July 30
Dena Torres Brooke Kotfas Ellen Johnson Logan Lucke Angie Sandoval Tamera Hall Linda Gray Kale Haschke Victoria Kretchman Melinda Couey Russell Kirkscey Jason Campbell Teresa O’Shaughnessy
August Birthdays Mon, Aug. 1 Wed, Aug. 3 Tues, Aug. 9 Thurs, Aug. 18 Sat, Aug. 20 Wed, Aug. 24 Thurs, Aug. 25
Bill Spurgin Veronica Hernandez Mary Jane Hill Kristen Schultz Becky Yerger Olga Campa Carolina Hernandez
“Hear Ye, Hear Ye!”
Volume 6, Number 37
May 27, 2016
Blanco High School Wins State UIL Academic Meet State Champions!!
Blanco High School State Champions (Top Row, L to R) Tyler Schlinke, Griffin Wearden, Drew Ritter, Chase Coggins, Jacob Robinson. (Bottom Row, L to R) Jayme Mowery, Katie Struck, Mark Kuebel.
The Blanco High School UIL Academic Team won the Conference 3A State Championship at the University of Texas in Austin on May 24-25. The team finished with 90 sweepstakes points to outdistance runners-up Callisburg with 71 points and Jim Ned with 69 points. “We’ve had several top-five finishes in recent years,” UIL coordinator Dr. Russell Kirkscey said. “I knew that we could be very competitive. We had several outstanding performances this year.” Drew Ritter and Mark Kuebel led the team with two individual state championships each. Ritter, a senior, placed first in persuasive speaking and in Lincoln-Douglas debate. Last year he was state champion in informative speaking and state runner-up in Lincoln-Douglas debate. “I’m sad to end this chapter of my life,” Ritter said. “But I’m glad to say that I have three UIL state championships to show for it. I’d like to give special thanks to the whole debate team over the years and our absolutely phenomenal coach, Dr. Kirkscey.” Kuebel, a junior, successfully defended his title as state champion in computer science and added another state championship in computer applications.
"I'm glad I had a great two days at state. It was a lot of fun,” Kuebel said. “I'm super happy that I won gold in computer apps as it is my first year. I would especially like to thank Mrs. Jody Schwarzlose and Mr. Bill Spurgin for coaching me in my events. I could not have done this without them." In other speech and debate events, Jayme Mowery finished fifth in Lincoln-Douglas debate and Griffin Wearden placed sixth in informative speaking. The mathematics, computer science, and speech teams each placed second. Mathematics team members included Kuebel, Katie Struck, and Chase Coggins. Computer science team members were Kuebel, Jacob Robinson, Tyler Schlinke, and Struck. “I’d like to thank the BISD school board and administration for tremendous support through the years,” Dr. Board of Trustees Darrel Wagner, President Kirkscey said. “We have a Joe Hernandez large number of team Troy Immel members returning, so we Larry Kuebel hope to be ready to comTim Nance Charles Riley pete at this level again next Liza Struck year.” Superintendent Dr. Buck Ford
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Class of 2016 Graduation Set for Tonight Ceremony Scheduled for 8:00 PM at Panther Stadium
Blanco High School Class of 2016. (photo by Diana Schwind)
Sixty-seven Blanco High School seniors will walk the stage tonight in graduation ceremonies scheduled for 8:00 PM at Panther Stadium. “The 67 seniors that make up the Class of 2016 have been very successful in many areas during their high school careers,” said high school principal Casey Hollomon. “I expect that success to continue upon graduation!” “The seniors this year are very diverse and are planning to pursue many different paths to fulfill their future goals.” Students scheduled to graduate are: Michael John Adams, Dawson John Albin, Angel Alejandro Almanza, Connor Brendan Anderson, Kyle Lewis Arnold, Darrin Michael Baer, Ryan Jacolby Bible, Riley Elizabeth Bigler, Maasi Ann Louise Biscamp, Brock Alan Bonner, Canyon Michael Burkhart, Robert Scott Burnette, Skylar Madison Burns, Taylor Bleu Calder, Jon Cross Caldwell, Janessa Anne Conklin, Michael Joshua Copenhaver, Christina Marie Cortes, Christopher De La Torre, Trent Cole Dechert, Adrien Dominguez, Kelly Shea Eskew, Valeria Brianna Gonzalez, Jose Manuel Guerrero, Chase Colton Horton, Victoria Elizabeth Jeske, Carinne Adele Johnston, Sonya Juarez, Helen Rose
Kasberg, Ian Richard Kirkland, Clifton William Knoll, Alexis Marie Liesmann, Tori Lee Little, Joseph Lopez, Sara Jean Martinez, Gustavo Martinez III, Jared Lee Mayfield, Jacob Cy McCaslin, Maryn Delane McMain, Autumn Christian Moorhouse, Bret Leigh Nance, Ronaldo Nunez-Flores, Joseph Allen Perkins, Kenneth Langston Peyton, Trenton Jones Pruitt, Dylan Wayne Reinhard, Justin Gage Requenes, Alexander Kaine Requenes, Hunter Lewis Riley, Drew Elliot Ritter, Hugo Isaac Rodriguez, James Ray Rodriguez, Emily Elizabeth Romero, Ryan Guillermo Ronces, Hailey Nichole Satterwhite, Tyler John Schlinke, Cody Dean Seider, Tania Priscilla Simota, Vanessa Tanigh Skillman, Kathryn Elizabeth Romero Struck, Eduardo Alberto Torres, Aaron Reese Uballe, Jaclyn Nicole Vinton, Jordon Clayton Wagner, Daniel Jamal Weusi Boskind, Carlos Tyron White, Justin Jett Williams, Charity Melinda Windham. Hollomon said, “On behalf of the faculty and staff of Blanco High School, good luck to the Class of 2016.” “It has been wonderful getting to know these seniors, and I look forward to hearing what all they accomplish in the coming years.”
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Bill Spurgin Retires after 50 Years at Blanco High School “It’s Time”
Bill Spurgin
The year was 1966. Young Bill Spurgin had just graduated with his teaching degree from North Texas State. A native of DeSoto, Spurgin was eager to embark upon a teaching career, but had not yet secured a job. “I had a friend who told me he had seen a want-ad in the Dallas Morning News for a teacher in Blanco, Texas,” said Spurgin. It was late summer, and the new school year was three days away from starting. Spurgin called and inquired about the job. “The superintendent was Mr. Cobb,” recalled Spurgin. “He met me at a Burger King in Temple, and I agreed to come to work in Blanco.” Spurgin arrived in Blanco on a Friday afternoon, missing out on the district’s teacher orientation. School was scheduled to start the following week. “I got me a bottom apartment at the Mobley Motel,” recalls Spurgin. “The man up there he works everything out.” The school’s new business teacher had six preparations that first year, and he was warmly taken in by the close-knit faculty. “We had twenty-one teachers in grades 1—12,” he recalled. “We knew everything that was going on.” “We’d meet every morning in that kitchen area at the current administration building. If someone said, ‘I got a new first grader,’ by the close of the day everyone one of us would have gone and looked at him. I remember every one of those students that first year.” One teacher that Spurgin speaks very dearly of is Ann Beckham. “Ann Beckham and I came to Blanco at the same time,”
he said. “We became very good friends.” Spurgin has honored her memory by presenting the Ann Beckham Memorial Scholarship at the high school’s annual awards ceremony. Spurgin divides his Blanco career into three categories. “The big time was 1993,” he said. “That’s the year we moved to the current middle school site. I had spent 26 years in that room where Olga and Danette are now at the administration building.” “In 2000 we moved again to our current location.” “Those were the three biggies.” Spurgin has seen six superintendents and eight high school principals during his tenure. He said he intends to enjoy gardening, travel, and family. Spurgin announced his retirement during the school’s morning announcements on April 1—April Fool’s Day. Many initially thought it was a joke, but it wasn’t. He said it was last October when he began to feel this would be his last year. “God has spoken to me very clearly four times in my life,” he said. “The first was coming to Blanco. Second, it was my wife. Third, was when I bought my house at 40. And fourth, was last October. It came to me, ‘It’s time.’” “Don’t misunderstand. I still love kids, and enjoy working, but it’s time.” “I’ve watched The Lion King many times with my grandson. It’s a great movie. There’s a part in the movie where Simba is talking with the orangutan, and the theme there is, “It’s time.’” “Well, for me now, it’s time.”
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Payton School Part of Blanco’s Education History Visit to Peyton Colony Resurrects Ghosts from Blanco’s Past
Lawrence Coffee, Jasper Upshaw in front of the Payton School.
Since 1884, the Blanco ISD has provided for the educational needs of its young people. The monument to this legacy is the district’s historical building, found at the intersection of Cherry and 11th Streets. It’s front façade still contains the original stones and design of that first building of 1884. There stands another building that once met the educational needs of the young people of Blanco County. Known as the Payton School, this building provided instruction for the south county’s black students. It is located on Peyton Colony Road, about 10 miles east of Blanco off Highway 165. The Peyton Community was settled by former slaves and that moved to Texas from Virginia with their owners around the time of the Civil War. Ninety-two year old Jasper Upshaw attended Payton School in the 1930s. He remembers the origins of the Peyton Community: Peyton Roberts was a slave. He took a wagon train from Virginia to Texas. His slave master offered him to stay with him and farm or move on. My grandfather Upshaw, my mom’s grandfather, the Coffees, they all came to Texas with him. They first stopped at Bastrop, and the weather was in the rain cycle. They had left Virginia because of the rain and mud. After the War, they moved into the colony at Peyton. Somebody granted 3,000 acres to newly freed slaves. It was approved in Austin. Burches, Upshaws, Coffees, Jones—these were some of the families that came.
Upshaw’s grandfather gave land for a church and a school. Both buildings were built upon the same acreage, and both became the center of life for the Peyton community. The school provided education for grades 1-8. After that, students furthered their education through enrollment at Anderson High School in Austin. “There wasn’t a commute to Austin. You stayed with kinfolk down there,” said Upshaw. The inside of the school was divided into two sections, separated by a wall and a door. The wall and door are no longer there, salvaged by locals after closure of the school in the early 1970s. “Somebody got them,” said former student Lawrence Coffee. The library consisted of a small bookshelf located in the corer of the room. Although the bookshelf was modest to say the least, the content of its shelves transcended its meager surroundings. Upshaw remembered: Judge Clark from Johnson City used to come out here and look around and brought books that they didn’t use and put them in our library. I read books before school started. They weren’t the regular kind of school textbooks. When you read those kind of books, when you got to Anderson, you were prepared.
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Payton School Cont’d from Page 4... Upshaw said he lived in town, and would be transported to school in an old Model A car. The school day began at 8:30 AM. Students would line up outside the entrance, the boys on one side and the girls on the other. Upon entering, students would assemble in the room, sing the school song and say the Lord’s prayer. Discipline was strict. According to Upshaw:
Clarence Johnson was a teacher. He was a good one. He didn’t fear no man comin’ or goin’. There were two switches in the corner. If he whipped a student in here, the parents wouldn’t say anything about it. One time when we were assembled at the start of school, two of my cousins were cutting up. Mr. Scott kept right on praying. When that was over, he went and got the switches, and took my cousin by the collar, and worked him over. He never said a word. For four months, never had a word. When he whipped you, you stayed whipped. We would have an hour for recess, and he would walk around with his arms folded. As much as Clarence Johnson was known for his discipline attributes, the school’s next teacher was known for her teaching abilities. According to Upshaw: Our next teacher was Madelyn Moore. She was as good a teacher as you ever want to see in the world. When she graduated students to Anderson, they would ask, “Who was your teacher?” Students coming from Mrs. Moore would go right into the right grade no questions asked. The school was run by two teachers, one for the early grades, and one for the secondary grades. Pay was $45$55/month.
There was no running water in the school until the 1960s, when a bathroom extension was added to the building. “They came out here and put in those restrooms,” remembered Coffee. “The state said kids had to have an indoor restroom, or if not they were going to close the school.” “Juneteenth,” June 19, was a day of celebration in the Peyton Community. It commemorated the day that slaves were freed in Texas. Payton School and the church were the center of these celebratory activities. As Upshaw remembered: There was a big pit outside the school. On the 18th, we’d fill that pit with hot coals, and put a screen on top, with an opening on each side. Then, we’d Bar-B-Que! On Juneteenth, we’d have baseball games outside. And fiddling’ and dancin’ in the school. There were good fiddlers in those days. And they’d be carrying-on. And half the people here would be white people from downtown Blanco. Nobody paid any attention. Records indicate that the Payton School District consolidated with the Blanco Independent School District in 1964. However, local records indicate the school still served students as late as 1969. Over time, the schoolhouse fell into disrepair. About 2-3 years ago, Upshaw, Coffee, and several others got together to clean it up. They have done some restoration work, preserving an original chalk board, library bookshelves, and kitchen items. An additional relic that was proudly preserved was the desk of longtime teacher Hazel Robinson. “That’s the teacher’s bench,” said Coffee, pointing to a small table with a drawer. “That’s Mrs. Robinson’s desk. We brought it back. We got some old wood and put new legs on it. This is it. The teacher’s desk.” Today, the Payton School stands as a testament to a time when education facilities were separate for black and white, and small rural schoolhouses did the best they could to meet the needs of their local communities. The stories from Payton School remind us, like the books in a bookshelf, that we can’t judge a book by its cover. That regardless of surroundings, a quality education can take place with community support, and the talent and vision of an exceptional teacher.
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Baseball Playoff Road Ends at Regional Quarterfinals
Cross Caldwell knocked in the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning in the Panthers’ Game Two win vs. Lago Vista. (photo Diana Schwind.).
Blanco’s baseball season came to an end last weekend as the Panthers lost a three-game playoff series to district rival Lago Vista. “I was so proud of our kids,” said head coach Bryan Wyatt. “They played hard to the last pitch. Any coach in any sport hopes to have that with their team.” The Panthers lost Game One of the series, but bounced back to dispatch the Vikings 3—2 in Game Two. However, Lago Vista took Game Three 9—2 last Saturday in Liberty Hill. Nevertheless, it was a tremendous season for the Panthers as they out performed pre-season expectations. “The 2016 season was a great one for our program,” said Wyatt. “To go this far in the playoffs and only graduate two seniors means we are young and will be expecting big things next year.” “Seniors Jordan Wagner and Cross Caldwell were a big part of our success this year, and will be hard to replace next year especially their leadership.”
Spanish II Students Read Stories to Pre-K Classes
BHS Spanish II students wrote original stories in Spanish (of course), created illustrations, then voted for their best stories. On Wednesday the winners shared their stories with the PreK students. Kelby Cox and Jett Hood wrote the 6th segment of TACOMAN AND BURRITO BOY to some eager listeners.
Class of 2028
Blanco Elementary kindergarten students had their graduation ceremony this morning.
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Tips for A Drug-Free, Safe Summer
Blanco Elementary Millionaire Readers Celebrate Achievement
As part of our effort to reduce substance abuse by our young people, The Bell will be running Public Service Announcements each week to educate students and parents in regards to substance abuse. Today’s information is a continuation from last week, and comes from an article titled “How to Keep your Kids Drug-Free This Summer,” by Michelle Randall, 4/26/11, at www.howtolearn.com. 2015—2016 Millionaire Readers
During the summer months, when there is a decrease in supervision, teens are often faced with an increase in peer pressure situations that lead to first-time drug and alcohol use. In fact, each day in June, July, and August, approximately 6,100 youth try marijuana for the first time, a 40% increase over the remainder of the year. The following are some tips offered to parents to keep their children and teens safe from drugs and alcohol this summer:
Encourage teens to get a summer job or do community service: These activities give teens the oppor tunity to gain real-world experience and independence, while keeping them away from drugs and alcohol. Sign them up for a camp or summer sport: Teens will have the opportunity to enjoy their summer vacation with their peers in a safe, supervised environment. Daily check-ins: Par ents ar e encour aged to check-in with their teens throughout the day, to know where they are and who they are with at all times. Be aware of what is in your home: Teens ar e mor e likely to abuse substances that are easily accessible to them, as 31% of children ages 12 to 14 who drank alcohol in the past month, obtained the alcohol from their own home. Equally as dangerous, the medicine cabinet provides 2,500 teens every day with an opportunity to abuse a prescription drug for the first time. Have open dialogue: By engaging teens in an open conversation, parents are given the opportunity to express their concerns about their teen’s behavior and discuss the risks involved with drug and alcohol use, while teens are able to comfortably share their experiences with peer pressure and exposure to these substances.
Top Row: Kelly, Kinley, Roanna, Bennet, Cole Second Row: Noe, Dianka, Rylee, Natalie, Christian Third Row: Caleb, Henry, Torynce, Madison Front Row: Chloe, Meadow, Perry, Justin, Ever, Alex, Kira
The Blanco Elementary School Millionaire Accelerated Readers celebrated their achievement by eating lunch at the Blanco River Pizza Company and watching a book-based movie on Tuesday, May 24, 2016. The 21 millionaires each read at least one million words this school year. Four of the fifth grade students and one fourth grade student read over two million words each. Words read are calculated by the Accelerated Reading (AR) program based on the length of books the students are tested on. The books varied in length and difficulty level. “This year we had students who read from 25 books all the way up to 136 books and made millionaire seven times over. We are all so proud of our students who set their goals high and were so successful academically,” fifth grade reading teacher Linda Miller said. As a campus, elementary students read 104,772,326 words this year. Last year the campus also met the 100 million word mark. Nationwide, more than 9.8 million students read 334 million books in the AR program last year.
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Blanco Elementary Recognizes “Kids Who Roar!”
Elementary “Kids Who Roar” Top row: Kolton, Keirsten, Brooke, Cassandra, Jacob, and Korina Bottom row: Mary, Jolene, Cyndel, Chloe, Christopher, Chloe, Taylor, Crystal, and Bryson Not pictured: Logan, Adrian, Christian, Brayden, Alex, Hemma, Dalilah, Gretel, Kailey, and Isaiah
Blanco Elementary recognized their Kids Who Roar for the 6th six weeks. The character trait which was recognized this 6 weeks was Citizenship. A good citizen does their share to make their school and community better. They cooperate with others. They are good neighbors. A good citizen obeys laws and rules. They respect authority and protect the environment. Congratulations to all of these Kids Who Roar!
SCHOOL’S OUT!! Last Edition of The Bell This School Year This will be the last edition of The Bell for this school year. The editors and staff of The Bell wish you and your loved ones the best during this summer break. The 2016 — 2017 school year will formally begin for teachers on Monday, August 15. The first day for students will be Tuesday, August 25. We hope to see you then! Congratulations on a great school year!
Elementary Walk-a-Thon Raises Over $10,000
2016 Walk-a-Thon Prize Winners Marissa Ruiz (top seller), Logan Schwarzlose, Sienna Maldonado, Perry Faught, Hemma Porter, Kelly Karnes, Clayton Murrah, Elizabeth Snodgrass, Wyatt Allison, Jay Hampton, Emily Cassidy, Miira Rodriguez, Leah Staas, Gracie Monasmith, Bennett Brock, Colton Moore, Nate Eiland and Nathaniel de la Cruz.
Blanco Elementary students generated over $10,000 in donations as part of a PTO sponsored Walk-a-Thon held at the Blanco Elementary school Circle Drive on May 13. The donations will go towards an 8 seat swing set on the playground. There was 100% participation because students walked during their PE class time. Most teachers and staff also walked. The PTO would like to thank Mobley Welding, Blanco National Bank, Lone Star National Bank, Western Development and Wal-Mart for donations towards prizes. The PTO also thanks Lowe's Supermarket for water and fruit donations for the students to enjoy during their walk. All students also received a treat of popcorn served in commemorative souvenir cups. Special thanks go out to the BES staff, parents & grandparents for their help in making this year's Walk-a-Thon a success! The class bringing in the most donations and receiving a popsicle party is Mrs. Clark's 5th grade class. Students bringing in $50 or more in donations were eligible for prize drawings.
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Blanco vs. Lago Vista, Regional Quarterfinals Game Two at Wimberley Photos by Diana Schwind
May/June Birthdays Sat, May 28 Sun, May 29 Sun, June 5 Mon, June 6 Mon, June 13 Sat, June 18 Sun, June 19 Mon, June 20 Tues, June 21 Sat, June 25
Danny Rogers Brian Hecimovich Lucy Courtney Lisa Duncan Kristan Marshall Stuart Schultz Diane Kainer Jody Schwarzlose Sharon Cox Gabriella Quintero Malissa Mollberg Tony Petri Keith Morgan, Jr.
July Birthdays Sat, July 2 Mon, July 4 Thus, July 7 Sat, July 9 Sun, July 10 Mon, July 11 Thurs, July 14 Wed, July 20 Mon, July 25 Thurs, July 28 Sat, July 30
Dena Torres Brooke Kotfas Ellen Johnson Logan Lucke Angie Sandoval Tamera Hall Linda Gray Kale Haschke Victoria Kretchman Melinda Couey Russell Kirkscey Jason Campbell Teresa O’Shaughnessy
August Birthdays Mon, Aug. 1 Wed, Aug. 3 Tues, Aug. 9 Thurs, Aug. 18 Sat, Aug. 20 Wed, Aug. 24 Thurs, Aug. 25
Bill Spurgin Veronica Hernandez Mary Jane Hill Kristen Schultz Becky Yerger Olga Campa Carolina Hernandez
