Eagles young and not-so-young will square off
DIANA, TX, Feb. 8, 2009 -- Saturday, Feb. 21st will be the chance for alumni Eagles to show they still have what it takes to 'knock the cover off'.
The New Diana Athletic Boosters are sponsoring the New Diana Alumni Baseball game at the ND baseball field.
Kicking off the festivities will be a Booster Pancake Breakfast at 8:00 a.m., with the game starting at 11:00 a.m.
Gina Donald, event organizer, says "The Eagle baseball team is really looking forward to this event. They players will be helping out that day by assisting with registration, concessions, and of course - chasing foul balls!".
The proceeds from the event will help purchase baseballs, baseball equipment, and field equipment and other items needed throughout the season.
Activities for the kids are available, and good ol' fashioned ballpark hotdogs will be on sale.
Contact Gina Donald at 903-738-4883 for more information.
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KC announces 9.7% increase in enrollment since last spring
KILGORE, TX, Feb. 5, 2009 -- Kilgore College President Dr. William Holda today announced that the college’s enrollment is steadily growing, up 9.7 percent from last spring. The college recorded 5,550 students enrolled on the twelfth class day, Jan. 28. On the twelfth class day last year, enrollment was 5,059. The enrollment count is the largest in the 74-year history of the college.
“Kilgore College is fortunate to experience continued healthy enrollment growth,” Holda said. “We are committed to providing increased access for students of all ages and look forward to the opportunities to serve our community with diverse educational opportunities.”
The enrollment figures are preliminary, however, pending some final administrative requirements. The deadline for spring enrollment data to be submitted to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is March 15, so certified enrollment figures will be available around that time.
“This number is unofficial and will decrease a little bit over the next couple of weeks as we go through the process of verifying and correcting information,” said Staci Martin, registrar and director of admissions.
The increased enrollment announcement comes on the heels of a December report by Community College Week magazine that ranked KC as one of the fastest-growing colleges in the nation. The magazine ranked the top 50 community colleges with 2,500-4,999 students by percentage of enrollment increases, and named KC 37th on the list with a 9.2 percent increase in students from fall 2006 to fall 2007.
Enrollment has increased by 16.6 percent since the fall of 2006.
One factor in KC’s enrollment growth is the increase in the number of high school students taking advantage of the dual credit program. The program gives high school students an opportunity to enter their freshman year of college with college credits.
KC’s dual credit program has increased in the number of students since last spring by 54 percent, and by 65 percent in the number of semester credit hours taken.
Last spring, 448 dual credit students were enrolled in 2,069 semester credit hours. This spring, 691 students are enrolled in 3,425 semester credit hours, with 23 local high schools participating.
“It shows significant growth in both areas as a result of local independent school districts working to make dual credit available to their students,” said Terry Booker, dean of liberal and fine arts. “We were very pleased with the spring numbers.”
Last fall, KC had 725 students enrolled in 3,485 semester credit hours.
Trey Hattaway, Director of Enrollment Management and Marketing, said that he also attributes the continued growth to the economy.
“The same economy that helped us in 2007 is now seeing a downturn,” Hattaway said. “However, a slow economy usually sends people back to school for re-training, a change of vocation or just to upgrade their skills.”
Because of the economy, Hattaway said that students who would normally start their educational careers at a four-year school may start out at a two-year college because of the rising cost of higher education.
“Kilgore College is committed to being a ‘community’ college,” Hattaway said. “We are continually listening to our community partners in industry to see how we can assist them in keeping a qualified workforce available so that the downturn in the economy is minimal.”
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Ronny Chalk inks four year deal to play football in Kansas
Pictured:Larry Minter, Jeff Baker, Darold Turner, Derrick Floyd, Lance Morrow, Tracy Green, Ronny Chalk.
BIG SANDY, TX, Feb. 4, 2009 -- With his mother and coaches looking on, Big Sandy senior Ronny Kaye Chalk Jr. today signed a four year athletic scholarship today with Emporia State, a 146 year old university in Kansas.
Chalk, a two year starter for Big Sandy, was named All-District two years while playing at the wide receiver, defensive back and most recently, running back spots. He gained 1234 yards this year in rushing, scoring 14 touchdowns for the Wildcats. For his efforts, he was named First Team All-District running back.
Big Sandy head football coach Darold Turner said the Wildcats would miss Chalk on the field, noting that Chalk had eight interceptions at DB, and played equally well on both sides of the ball.
"We're going to miss him tremendously. His leadership and being a team player. This is a great opportunity for him to continue his education" said Turner.
Turner went on to note that Chalk is an all-around athlete who, as a guard on the Wildcat basketball team, is currently second in East Texas in scoring. He is also on the track team, running the quarter mile and relays.
On the home front, Chalk, who played drums for his church and the Wildcat band, will be leaving his mother, Tracy Green, and two sisters, one older and one younger.
Green is proud of her son's achievements. On his signing, she said "I'm excited, but I'm going to miss him".
Chalk will be playing ball for the ESU Hornets in the MIAA Conference. Head Coach Garin Higgins, going into his third year at Emporia, recently announced that Chalk was among 25 recruits to sign.
“I think we really addressed most of the needs we identified going into recruiting,” Higgins said, "On paper this is a very athletic group,".
Coach Turner had one last bit of advice for Chalk: "In college, they expect you to perform at a higher level, both on the field and academically".
The Advocate is betting Mr. Chalk does just that, and congratulates him on his success.
Note: The ESU news release can be found at http://www.emporia.edu/athletics/football/news/09ESUFBsignees.htm.
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TPWD Fly Fishing seminar to be held at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center Mar. 7th
ATHENS, TX, Feb. 3, 2009 -- If you’ve ever thought about taking up fly-fishing, Fly Fish Texas is for you.
The annual event takes place this year March 7 at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All Fly Fish Texas activities are free with regular paid admission to the center.
"Fly Fish Texas is a great show and the only event of its kind," said Walter McLendon of Lufkin, who has organized the show since its beginning. "Other shows cater to people who are already fly-fishers, but we try to introduce fly-fishing to the public, and that is better."
A special feature of Fly Fish Texas this year will be classes designed specifically for youth ages six to 18. The classes will be taught by Bill Sargeant, other members of the Dallas Fly-Fishers and TFFC staff. At the conclusion of the class students will receive basic fly-fisher certification. An adult should accompany students to the class. Both morning and afternoon sessions will be offered, and attendance will be limited. Interested persons should meet at the TFFC admissions booth at least 15 minutes prior to class times of 10:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Fly Fish Texas focuses on helping people master the set of skills required for fly-fishing. Instructors hold classes throughout the day on everything from fly-casting to fly-tying to knot tying. Seminars give information on subjects ranging from how to fish specific bodies of water to tips and techniques for fishing for different species. Skilled fly-tiers make flies all day long. Anyone wanting to learn how can give it a try themselves or simply watch.
Casting is arguably the thing that attracts most people to fly-fishing, and Fly Fish Texas will offer casting instruction for everyone from the rank beginner to the advanced angler seeking the coveted Certified Casting Instructor (CCI) designation from the Federation of Fly Fishers. Master Fly-Casting Instructor Al Crise will head a team of volunteer instructors that will include the father-daughter team of Rex and Taylor Walker, both CCI candidates; Bill Hoot, CCI; Jim Bass, CCI candidate; and Ryan Watters and Sheila Anderson.
Fly Fish Texas differs from most outdoor shows in that the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center has several ponds and streams stocked with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, sunfish and channel catfish, and you can tie a fly, walk 50 steps and catch a fish with it.
Fly Fish Texas is sponsored by the Sabine River Authority, Holiday Inn Express-Athens and the Dallas Fly-Fishers.
For more information, visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/.
By-line/Copyright/Photo Credit: © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
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Eagles young and not-so-young will square off
