DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

MARBLE FALLS — Even though Eric Penrod is a public school administrator, he’s also a father of three elementary-aged girls who has walked each one down that long hallway to her kindergarten class on the first day of school.

And during those walks and the days leading up to them, he has learned a few things about getting preparing for that big transition.

“You know, kindergarten is such a big step — not just for the child but the parents,” he said. “But making that first day, the first weeks and that first year smoother is sometimes just about getting ready.”

As the first day of school inches closer, Penrod said there are things parents of new kindergartners can do to make the adjustment to school — both for child and parent — smoother and more enjoyable.

“Yeah, it’s a big day,” he said. “I think one of the most important things we did was just talk about how exciting school is and how fun learning is. Just talking school up in a positive way has a big difference on how the kids approach that first day of class and even past that.”

Spicewood Elementary School Principal Leslie Baty has witnessed many kindergartners walk through the classroom doors as a teacher and an administrator. Like Penrod, she said the key for parents is not to wait until the morning of the first day to prepare themselves and their child.

“Definitely talk about school in a positive way and talk about how much fun school is,” she said. “And I know for some parents that can be a problem because maybe they didn’t have a great experience in school or didn’t really like it. But it’s so important that they give their kids a positive feeling for school.”

Even for children who have attended pre-school or daycare, the jump to kindergarten can be daunting. One way to ease the transition is to familiarize the child with the school. This could include a few trips to the school’s playground before the first day or driving by the campus several times and talking about how fun school is going to be to help ease any first-day anxiety.

Baty said something else parents can do is find another child who is attending the same campus. She recommended getting together with that child and his or her parents several times before the first day of class.

“That way, they’ll feel like they already know somebody at school,” Baty said. “Then, they’re thinking about seeing that friend on the first day of school and not so much about everything else.”

As a father, Penrod said one thing that really helps for the first day and the following few weeks is establishing a school routine before class starts. This means getting his daughters to bed at a regular time and setting a morning routine as well.

“It’s sounds so simple, but kids, they want a routine, especially when it comes to school,” he said. “So if you can get them in a routine a week or so before school, that first day goes so much better.”

Baty agreed.

“Get them to bed early, so they’re not so tired that first day,” she said. “Even start now because that first day can be so exhausting.”

Something else Baty recommends is reading to your child.

“I don’t think a lot of people put a lot of stock in reading, but it is so beneficial in so many ways,” she said. “There are so many studies that show how good reading with or just reading to your child can be. Even just having kids look at a book if they can’t read.”

Sometimes, the move into kindergarten isn’t just about the student. Parents can feel anxiety as well as they drop off their child on that first day in a place that’s even somewhat unknown to them. One way parents can ease that feeling is to attend “meet the teacher” nights at the campus.

But, in the end, parents just have to let go of their child’s hand, turn and walk out the door. Penrod knows that can be difficult.

“One of the biggest things parents should know is when they walk in that classroom door, that teacher loves their child so much,” he said. “Yeah, it can be tough, but these teachers are the best in the world. They love your child, and it’s going to be alright.”

daniel@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

MARBLE FALLS — When Kerri O’Connor, the director of the new Burnet County Consortium, and her crew of educators kicked off the Texas Afterschool Centers on Education in Burnet and Marble Falls school districts last year, they wondered what the year would hold.

Now, with a year under their belts and a couple of state awards, the staff plans to make the afterschool enrichment and academic program even stronger.

“Last year, I think there was a lot of ‘How is this going to work?’ and ‘What do the kids need and want?,’” O’Connor said. “This year we’re going to be more strategic. Now we know what we’re doing, so let’s plan it out better.”

Despite the first-year jitters, the Texas Education Agency honored the Burnet County Consortium ACE program with one of only six Golden ACE awards earlier this summer. The award recognizes the top six ACE programs across the state. The TEA also named O’Connor as one of the two top project directors in Texas.

The consortium and the ACE program came about through a grant that funds the afterschool program at Burnet Consolidated Independent School District and Marble Falls Independent School District campuses. The grant and program target specific demographics, so only certain campuses offer the afterschool tutoring and enrichment classes.

While O’Connor and her crew welcome last year’s success and accolades, they envision more growth and higher expectations this year.

“One of the things we want to do this year is try to identify the kids and their needs and really give them higher interventions,” O’Connor said. The ACE program includes two basic components. When students first arrive after school, they tackle homework or get extra academic assistance. After this portion, the student chooses enrichment classes or programs, which include arts and crafts, music and robotics among many others.

During the academic phase, O’Connor said the goal includes targeting the struggles of individual children and helping them in those areas.

The ACE staff also wants to emphasize two areas on the enrichment side as well.

“We’re going to really look at STEM and physical fitness,” O’Connor said. STEM focuses on science, technology, engineering and math. While physical fitness typically means gym class, O’Connor said the program will offer a more comprehensive selection that includes diet and making healthy choicess. “We want them to learn about complete wellness.”

Though ACE staff members have their own ideas for the direction of the program, they will keep an open ear to the students and listen to what they want and need.

“All of it’s about taking care of the kids,” O’Connor added.

Taking care of the kids also includes their families. The ACE program is enhancing the family engagement side with staff member Melissa Alexander tasked with developing relationships and keeping in touch with ACE families.

“Her role is to really serve the needs of families that’s beyond the school,” O’Connor said. “If a child is struggling in reading, maybe the whole family has some needs. So she’ll look into those and try to help the family. Sometimes, that might mean connecting the family with resources within the community.”

Along with developing stronger programs for students, the ACE staff wants to create connections with families, whether its through afterschool math labs, science programs or reading nights. O’Connor envisions holding a family game night several times throughout the year, simply because board games offer a great chances for families to just sit down together.

“Kids love to play games,” she said. “For families, it just opens up a great chance to have fun together and talk.”

With classes starting Aug. 25, the ACE programs gets rolling Sept. 2 at the Burnet campuses (Bertram Elementary, R.J. Richey Elementary, Burnet Elementary and Burnet Middle School) and Sept. 8 at the Marble Falls campuses (Highland Lakes Elementary, Marble Falls Middle School and Marble Falls High School.) Campus officials will send out information as classes begin. Parents can also go to mfisd.ss3.sharpschool.com and look under the “departments” heading for the ACE program to get more information.

“This is going to be an exciting year,” O’Connor said. “Last year was great, but this year we’re looking to really elevate the program and what it can do for the kids.”

daniel@thepicayune.com

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CONNIE SWINNEY • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — Children can learn a few things from a golfer about being good citizens.

“Golfers, in general, learn respect for the game because they monitor their own behavior,” said Charlie Keiser, owner/broker of Century 21 Keiser and Co. “They call their own penalties. They learn a little personal integrity by learning the rules of the game. Golf really teaches kids to be better people. It is a good life skills program.”

Keiser and his wife, Susie, were among community leaders and members of the Marble Falls Daybreak Rotary Club who donated seed money to launch a program at Colt Elementary School that uses golf as a vehicle in physical education programs to build character in young students.

Marble Falls Independent School District educators will incorporate the 1st Tee National School Program into their curriculum in September with teacher training, golfing equipment, resources and lesson plans provided by the program.

“It’s a unique model in that we actually train physical education teachers inside their own school, teaching them how to teach golf but also how to bridge a lot of the inherent values in golf into real-life situations,” said Jennifer MacCurrach, executive director of 1st Tee of Greater Austin. “In golf, we self-officiate. In real life, we’re supposed to self-officiate. There’s a lot of interpersonal communications that goes on.”

Founded in 1999, 1st Tee of Greater Austin owns and operates the Harvey Penick Golf Campus in Austin and hosts programs at Falconhead and Onion Creek golf courses, Mr. Tee’s Driving Range and Topgolf.

The Austin-area program is established at all elementary and middle school campuses in Manor ISD, in four elementary schools in Round Rock ISD and at two Austin Charter Schools.

Program officials reported a 98 percent high school graduation rate for children who participated, MacCurrach said.

To bring 1st Tee to Marble Falls ISD, more than a dozen donors contributed $3,200 for its Colt Elementary debut.

The starter kit includes equipment to serve up to 500 kids in kindergarten through eighth grade with modified golf clubs for 30 students at a time for indoors or outdoors activities.

Equipment and resources include targets, clubs, balls, tee mats and lesson plans.

“I think the kids are going to embrace it. The parents and the school system will embrace it (for) the life skills they gain and the enthusiasm they have to play golf,” MacCurrach said. “There is such a strong golf culture (in Marble Falls), so I bet the program will really take off.”

Keiser added that the program specializes “in making good citizens as well as teaching the etiquette of the game. It’s a great social as well as physical sport to be involved with all your life.”

connie@thepicayune.com

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JARED FIELDS • PICAYUNE STAFF

Steven Cooley watches with his scoresheet in hand as Julie Rodriguez maneuvers into a parallel parking spot Aug. 22 in a Marble Falls High School parking lot. Marble Falls Independent School District bus drivers went through a ‘bus rodeo’ Aug. 21-22 to practice skills before school begins. Staff photo by Jared Fields

MARBLE FALLS — Preseason practice isn’t only for high school athletes and band members.

Bus drivers need it, too.

That’s what the Marble Falls Independent School District’s “bus rodeo” was for Aug. 21-22.

“Getting behind the wheel and polishing their skills a little bit,” said George Hamilton, the district’s bus supervisor.

Five obstacles, in orange cone form, sat in the visitors parking lot behind Mustang Stadium at Marble Falls High School.

Drivers were scored on the course based on things such as how many cones they hit and how far away from targets they were. Time was not a factor.

For some, an obstacle called “offset alley,” in which drivers had to slowly swerve through a set of four cones, was the most difficult. For others, driving the passenger-side tires over a line of short cones without hitting taller cones a couple of feet away, was difficult.

Also, parallel parking a bus is no easier than it is for most drivers on a busy city street.

Hamilton said the district employees 45 bus drivers and seven bus aides. The district transports 1,800 kids per day.

Driving skills weren’t all that were tested. Drivers also had to inspect a bus, as they do every day before each route, and list everything wrong.

jared@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

AUSTIN — When State District Judge John Dietz ruled Aug. 28 that the Texas school finance system was unconstitutional, he wasn’t telling local school superintendents something they didn’t already know.

“It’s a broken system,” said Rob O’Connor, the Marble Falls Independent School District superintendent. “I think the judge’s ruling makes it apparent to everybody else what’s obvious to all of us in education: The system is broken, and we need to get it right.”

Though the district judge made his ruling, he likely won’t have the final say in the matter.

“(The Aug. 28) decision is just the first step on a very familiar path for school finance litigation in Texas,” said Texas Commissioner of Education Michael Williams. “Regardless of the ruling at the district court level, all sides have known this is an issue that will again be resolved by the Texas Supreme Court.”

In October 2012, several school districts consolidated their individual lawsuits against the state over how it finances public elementary and secondary education. The trial lasted 45 days, and Dietz ruled the system was unconstitutional on several points, but he opted to hold off implementing the ruling until after the 2013 state Legislature had a chance to rework school finance.

After the legislative session, the court reopened the evidence to consider how any laws impacted the school finance system.

In the end, Dietz again found the system unconstitutional.

He wrote in his opinion, “the Court finds that the Texas school finance system effectively imposes a state property tax in violation of Article VIII, Section 1-e of the Texas Constitution because school districts do not have the meaningful discretion over the levy, assessment, and disbursement of local property taxes.”

Dietz added the Legislature “has failed to meet its constitutional duty to suitably provide for Texas public schools because the school finance system is structured, operated, and funded so that it cannot provide a constitutionally adequate education for all Texas schoolchildren.”

He went on to add Texas students don’t have equal access to the same level of education because of the lack of educational funding.

“I am very pleased with Judge Diez’s ruling, and I’m cautiously optimistic as to what it might mean for Burnet CISD and school districts across the state in the future,” said Keith McBurnett, the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District superintendent. “The decision reaffirms what we have known for years, and that is the current school finance system is not equitable and it does not provide adequate funding to meet the goals established by the state.”

This isn’t the first time the courts have weighed in on school finance. The Texas Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s ruling in 2005 regarding the constitutionality of school finance that forced state legislators to rework the system during the next legislative session.

The session brought about the current system, which was supposedly created to make districts less dependent on local property taxes. At the time of the 2005 lawsuit, several school districts contended the school finance system basically forced a state property tax — a claim echoed in the current lawsuit.

At the time, many districts argued that, under the school finance system, they were being forced to raise their local property taxes to or near the state-mandated cap of $1.50 per $100 valuation for maintenance and operation.

The Legislature crafted new rules that would supposedly offer local districts, as well as property owners, some relief, which is the current school finance system.

But several of the districts that participated in the current lawsuit contend the school finance system has again forced them to push their local property tax rates to near or at the state cap.

In 2011, Texas legislators slashed about $5.4 billion from public school funding to help cover a severe state budgetary shortfall. This left school districts reeling as they found themselves cutting away at their budgets as well.

State leaders did bump up public school financing by $3.4 billion during the last session, but school officials still believe it’s woefully inadequate.

“2006 is the last time Texas has actually increased public school spending,” O’Connor said. “They did put some of the funding back in they initially cut (in 2011), but it’s not near enough compared to the needs of Texas public schools.”

Student enrollment in kindergarten through 12th grade in Texas public schools jumped from 4.7 million during the 2010-2011 academic year to 4.9 million during the 2013-2014 academic year.

School officials said the state has also upped the expectations and educational requirements during the past several years without providing additional funding.

“A school funding system must include enough money to meet the state’s educational goals while also accounting for enrollment growth and inflation,” McBurnett said. “The system must also account for varying needs of students while making sure that the same resources are available to each child. The Legislature has a very difficult job ahead of them in addressing this issue, but the work must be done sooner than later.”

Whatever the Texas Supreme Court decides, it’s just as likely the matter will end up in the hands of the Legislature.

“Texas is committed to finding solutions to educate every student in the classroom,” Williams said. “However, it should be our state leaders making those decisions, not a single judge. Any revisions to our school finance system must be made by members of the Texas Legislature. The Texas Education Agency will continue to carry out its responsibilities in providing funding for our public schools based on the current system and ultimately the legislative decisions made at the end of this legal process.”

editor@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

Joe Rispoli at his desk in his newly painted office on the Faith Academy campus Sept. 11. Rispoli was chosen as the school’s new administrator in June. Staff photo by Jared Fields

MARBLE FALLS — God often unveils his plan at his own pace — not at ours.

Just ask Joe Rispoli, the new administrator at Faith Academy of Marble Falls.

“Yeah, we actually came out here (to Texas) about nine years ago and looked around,” he said. “We had heard from so many people that if you’re going to raise children, the Austin area is the place to do it.”

But as he and his wife scouted for homes, Rispoli’s phone rang. The voice on the other line told him he had been chosen to lead Spirit Christian Academy in Orange County, California.

“We really wanted to come to Texas, but at the time, God had other plans,” he said.

But now, Rispoli sits in the Faith Academy administrator’s chair, a seat, he admitted, he didn’t see in his future until a phone call a few months ago from Faith board member Stuart Nunnally.

While things were going well at SCA for Rispoli, his wife told him it might be time for a change. SCA had reached its limit in expansion thanks to high property costs in California, and a move to Faith would give Rispoli an opportunity to help lead another institution into the future.

“I thought, ‘Lord, this is where you led me, this is where you’ll have me,” Rispoli said.

Not long after the initial phone call and an interview, Faith board president Curt Johnson called Rispoli in June to say he was the one the Faith family wanted.

“The irony is, nine years earlier, it was a phone call while I was in Texas that took me to California. Now, here I was in California, and it was a phone call that finally brought me to Texas,” Rispoli said.

While the road to Faith took a few years, Rispoli is ready to get to work as the University Model School enters an exciting time of growth. The campus is currently in the midst of an expansion with officials setting up several portable buildings while construction crews finish up permanent ones.

Under the university model, secondary students attend classes Monday, Wednesday and Friday while elementary students go to school Tuesday and Thursday. Kindergarten to 2nd graders attend Tuesday through Thursday. It’s nothing new to Rispoli because SCA used the same format.

It’s a format Rispoli believes in both on a professional level as well as a personal one.

“It really does prepare kids for college,” he explained. “When you’re in college, you have class three days a week. It’s not every day you take the same classes like most high schools. So with the university model, the transition to college is much smoother.”

Students who attend a University Model School such as Faith or SCA develop habits and skills starting in elementary school that help them excel at a college or a university. Rispoli said the university model format forces students to become more disciplined as well as encourages them to be more self-sufficient and even more curious. While teachers give students the instruction during class, it’s up to the students to tackle the work during their non-class days.

“Of course, there are kids who aren’t successful, but usually it’s not the model that was the problem,” he added.

Rispoli pointed out that the top three community colleges near SCA clamored for more of the school’s students since they often graduated at the top of the colleges’ classes.

As for the personal ties, Risoli’s three daughters all graduated from SCA. His oldest daughter, after starting out at Cal-Poly Paloma, recently transferred to Texas A&M University with her eyes set on veterinary school. Now, his other two daughters are looking to make their way to Texas A&M as well.

So, the university model does work.

The other key, he added, is academic standards at the school, something he feels Faith embraces.

Obviously, with only a few weeks at the Faith administrator’s desk, Rispoli hasn’t gone over all the academic details and standards for the Marble Falls school, but he’s working hard at it. It’s his own homework.

“My goal here is to find out what they do at the elementary and secondary levels and look at what I learned the past eight years and see what I can do to help all Faith students be successful,” he said. “One of the things we don’t do is teach to any test. I don’t believe that’s in the best interest of the student. We want what’s best for the kids, and that’s giving them an opportunity for a strong, overall education.”

daniel@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

Colt Elementary students wave American flags during a Constitution Day ceremony Sept. 17. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

MARBLE FALLS — When Colt Elementary School principal Keith Powell watched his students head back to class after a special Constitution Day ceremony Sept. 17, he didn’t hold any illusions that the youth would immediately become Constitution scholars or even really grasp the significance of the document.

“It’s about planting seeds,” Powell said. “It’s just a chance for the students and the rest of us to take a little time to remember what the Constitution is and why it’s so important. Hopefully, when it comes up in class or in the future, this will be something that helped get them interested in it.”

Colt Elementary School students and staff gathered around the flag pole on the campus grounds at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 17. A group of students read the preamble of the Constitution before all stood and watched as members of the local Scouting communities raised the American flag and then the Texas flag.

Before raising the colors, Powell addressed the students.

“This is Constitution Day, but every day is really Constitution Day. We’re honoring it today, but we should honor it every day,” he told the students. “Our Constitution protects our rights. It protects everybody’s rights. It doesn’t matter if your a boy or a girl.”

Teachers and staff handed out small American flags to the students. As they sat waiting for the ceremony to begin, some of the children waved the flags. But during the National Anthem, all the kids stood and enthusiastically waved the Stars and Stripes.

Powell said the ceremony would also serve as jumping-off point for more classroom discussion during the day.

But he reiterated that it’s not just this one day Colt Elementary students, and others, should remember the Constitution and other important documents.

“I think sometimes we can get wrapped up in our lives and forget about some of these very important documents such as the Constitution that have such an impact on our lives,” Powell said. “It’s important we take this day and remember and celebrate the Constitution. But we should do that every day.”

Go to www.archives.gov to learn more about the Constitution and other important historical documents.

daniel@thepicayune.com

Preamble to the Constitution of the United States

“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”

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SPECIAL TO THE PICAYUNE

MARBLE FALLS — A former Marble Falls school district superintendent is teaching a Texas history lesson Oct. 11.

Charles Hundley will be the guest speaker of the Jane Wells Woods Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas when the group meets 10 a.m. at the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 S. Main St.

The public is invited to attend. There will be social time and coffee at 9:30 a.m.

Hundley moved to Marble Falls in 1976 after accepting the district’s top job. He was joined by his wife, Patty, who taught English at Marble Falls High School, and his son, Hal, who attended school in the district from second grade through high school.

“Marble Falls was a big, overgrown, country town with one red light, the Dairy Queen and, of course, the Blue Bonnet Cafe,” he said. “My seven years were characterized by very rapid growth, rapid inflation and a shift from statewide funding of public education to local districts. Fortunately, I had an outstanding school board with such members as Jerry Edwards, Gay Bergman, Richie Giesecke, Nelson Lewis, John Mead, Truman Stinson and others. The staff and the community were excellent and very supportive of public schools. We worked hard on improving academics.”

Hundley remained in Marble Falls until 1983, when he accepted the same post in Abilene.

“Patty and I have very happy memories of those seven years; we especially enjoyed being part of First Baptist Church,” he said about his early years in Marble Falls.

At the time, the Marble Falls superintendent’s office was in the rear of the second high school building on Broadway.

“The Old Granite School, now used as the Falls on the Colorado Museum, was a run-down but functional sixth-grade center. We used every inch of it because we were very crowded,” Hundley said.

He had community and school board support to renovate the old building in 1982. Afterward, the building received an official Texas Historical Marker.

“Money was very tight, so we had to raise most of the money for the restoration,” Hundley recalled. “One Labor Day weekend during a statewide motorcycle rally, we ‘sold showers’ to bikers at Marble Falls High School for $1 per shower. Believe it or not, we raised a pile of money that weekend. I remember spending that long, hot weekend sitting in a chair outside the Mustang field house collecting shower fees and selling cheap bars of soap donated by a local motel.

“Being a school superintendent is never boring,” he added.

Hundley majored in European history at Baylor University for his bachelor’s degree and then received his master’s degree from Texas State University in U.S. history and served as an instructor of high school and college students. In Abilene, he sometimes taught graduate courses at the universities and received honorary doctoral degrees from both Abilene Christian University and Hardin Simmons University.

He served as a Texas school superintendent for 37 years.

He and his wife returned to Marble Falls to retire.

“From the very beginning, we felt at home here and we still do,” he said. “We fell in love with the lake and the atmosphere in Marble Falls.”

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

MARBLE FALLS — When Marble Falls High School choir director Bryce Gage took eight of his students to the district round of the Texas Music Educators Association’s all-state tryouts, he wasn’t sure how many — if any — would advance to the regional round.

When the judging was done, all eight advanced.

“It was pretty cool,” Gage said. “The kids did a great job, but it only gets tougher as the competition gets better and the process becomes more challenging.”

The eight students — Blaire Hambrick, Alyssa Anderson, Jordan Jones, Dale Gunlock, Emily Gunlock, Peyton Fishbeck, Anna Herrington and Lupita Mora — will compete in the TMEA regional round Oct. 28 at Vista Ridge High School in Cedar Park.

They earned the nod during the district competition Sept. 27.

The students must master additional materials beyond their classroom music and upcoming choir performance selections. The TMEA audition material is typically very challenging.

The materials remain the same throughout the try-out process, but judges may select different sections of each piece during the auditions. Gage said that in the upcoming region audition, judges add a new dimension by requiring a sight-reading part over a selection new to the students.

“And that counts as 20 percent of the score, so it’s pretty important,” he said.

The ultimate goal of the students is to earn a coveted spot on the TMEA All-State Choir, which performs during the organizations state meeting in February in San Antonio.

While the all-state audition process is closed to the public, the high school’s Fall Choir Concert is the exact opposite.

“All of our choirs will be there performing,” Gage said. “It’s our first big show of the year.”

The event is 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the high school auditorium, 2101 Mustang Drive. Admission is free, but organizers are encouraging people to bring a non-perishable food item for the school’s National Honor Society’s food drive.

daniel@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

MARBLE FALLS — You only look away for a second — or so it seems — as you check a text on your phone, but when you look back up, the world may appear entirely different. The fact is texting and distracted driving is one of the leading causes of automobile crashes.

And for teenagers, car crashes are the leading causes of death.

But a program sponsored by State Farm aims at changing that by showing youthful drivers during National Teen Driver Safety Week on Oct. 15-24 just how quickly things can change on the road if they’re not paying attention.

“I don’t think kids — or anybody — realizes how quick things can go wrong when you’re not paying attention behind the wheel,” Kara Stewart said. She and her husband, Shane, own a State Farm Insurance agency in Marble Falls. But a note that recently came across her desk highlighted the dangers of distracted teen driving as well showed a way to help prevent it.

And it could earn Marble Falls High School a $100,000 grant and a free community concert by The Band Perry.

“The big thing is really about helping kids see the dangers of texting and driving and just distracted driving,” she said.

For the students, the big day is Oct. 22, when State Farm will bring a driving simulator to Marble Falls High School for several hours. During this time, students can try out the simulator to really see how quickly things happen on the road when you aren’t paying attention.

“It’s an interactive simulator, so they’ll actually sit at it and ‘drive,'” Stewart said. “During the simulation, their phone will go off, with a text, and more likely than not, they’ll check it.”

As the student looks away from the “windshield” to check his or her message, another car or some scenario will play out on the simulator that could cause an accident. The driving program, which sent the text, simulates real-time, real-speed actions.

“Even I was amazed at how fast things can change when you look away for what you think was for a second,” Stewart said.

Along with the driving simulator, organizers are hoping to encourage teen drivers to make safe choices while behind the wheel through the 2N2 — two eyes on the road, two hands on the wheel — initiative.

“We’re asking teenagers to go to the website (www.)celebratemydrive.com and commit to driving safely,” Stewart said. “And it’s not just for teenagers, but the entire community. This is something everybody can commit to doing.”

And the more commitments a school and community make through the website, the more chances at earning a grant up to $100,000 and a concert by The Band Perry. State Farm is awarding 90 high schools with grants of $25,000 and 10 with grants of $100,000 based on the number of commitments made. And two high schools and their communities will land the concert.

“I realize we’re a smaller community, and maybe we don’t have a chance at The Band Perry concert, but who knows,” Stewart said. “We just need people to go to the website from Oct. 15 to Oct. 24 and make the commitment. Even if we aren’t the top school, maybe we can get one of the $25,000 grants.”

She pointed out that Marble Falls High School has already defied the odds, so to speak, by getting selected for the driving simulator. Of the 3,000-plus high schools across the country, Marble Falls was only one of a handful to be chosen for the special project.

Go to www.celebratemydrive.com to learn more or make the commitment.

daniel@thepicayune.com

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Marble Falls High School seniors Bryce Fry (left) and Abbie Salmeron were crowned the 2014 Homecoming King and Queen during the Mustangs’ game against Leander on Oct. 17. The Mustangs won the District 25-5A contest with a late-game touchdown, 49-46. Click here to read more about the game. Photo by Diana Cox

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

Jon Clark (center) discusses haunted house ideas with his Marble Falls High School theater arts students while they prepare the Fright Night Theatre haunted house in the Salem’s Center basement, 518 U.S. 281 in Marble Falls. The haunted house is open Oct. 23 (for Moonlight Madness), Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. Tickets are $7. The shows are 6-10 p.m. for ages 12 and older. A less intense production is 5-6 p.m. for ages 8 and older. Staff photos by Daniel Clifton

MARBLE FALLS — Planning a haunted house and writing a horror movie or book share an underlying issue: It’s just darn hard work to get it right.

“Anybody can jump out and scare somebody,” said Jon Clark, Marble Falls High School theater teacher. “But does that last? Are they still scared after they leave? After a few hours?”

It’s the same with the horror genre, a writer can go for the over-the-top slashing and killing, but when the audience walks out of the theater, what’s left? Clark and his students found themselves in a similar crossroads when they tackled the annual haunted house that kicks off Oct. 23 during Moonlight Madness.

Clark admitted he wasn’t a big haunted house aficionado (“I don’t think I’ve every been one”), and he prefers the classic horror films to the more modern takes on the genre. Still, he and the students dug in, did some research and came up with their haunted house, Fright Night Theatre.

Marble Falls High School theater arts student Jessica Eddy (left) works on Ryan Counts for the upcoming Fright Night Theatre as fellow student Isaac Manzanares puts on his best ghoulish face.

“We tried to create scenes and characters that were unsettling and disturbing,” Clark said. “It’s easy to go for the gross or gory scene, but think about that creepy barbershop that you can’t get out of your head. I want to leave a disturbing picture in people’s heads.”

That way, when they’re back at home feeling safe, a simple rattling of the door or the rustling of branches outside gets their heart beating a bit faster as they wonder if that creepy looking doll from Fright Night Theatre followed them home.

Fright Night Theatre is Oct. 23, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 in the basement at Salem’s Center, 518 U.S. 281 in Marble Falls. Tickets are $7 each. The shows are 6-10 p.m. for ages 12 and older. A less intense production for kids 8 and up is 5-6 p.m.

“I’ve had a bunch of adults ask me if they can go at that showing,” Clark said.

The twins in this photo keep their eyes on Marble Falls High School theater arts students as they prepare the Fright Night Theatre haunted house in the Salem’s Center basement.

When Clark and the students signed on to produce the haunted house, it seemed like a great way to promote their upcoming fall play, “Paganini,” which is the story of a 18th and 19th century Italian violinist, sometimes considered the worlds first big “rock” star. The story features some darker parts, so it seemed like a nice compliment. But as the students and Clark began working on the haunted house, they realized that, though a nice jumping off point, Paganini’s story just wasn’t a complete fit for scaring people.

“For one thing, ‘Paganini’ is more of a comedy, a dark comedy, but it would be hard to really take it to a level for what we’re trying to accomplish with the haunted house, which is to scare people,” Clark said.

So the students and Clark took some creative liberties with “Paganini” and worked up Fright Night Theatre. Now, Paganini probably makes an appearance, but he’s only one of a much more macabre cadre of players during the three-night production.

Clark and the students were already putting in three days a week after school preparing for the Nov. 13 and Nov. 15-16 production of “Paganini,” but the planning, designing and production of Fright Night Theatre tacked on an additional two days a week just for it — plus a few Saturdays.

“The kids have worked so hard,” Clark said. “They’ve been incredible. And a lot of what we’ve done comes from their ideas. I think every day I ask at least one student, ‘What do you think about this?’ or ‘How can we do this?’ It’s been incredible.”

The first time the students and Clark visited the Salem Center basement, they knew it was the perfect place for a haunted house. The underground setting already felt creepy.

“And we’ve used just about every available inch of space,” Clark said.

While the haunted house production is new for the program (proceeds benefit the high school’s theater department), the kids and Clark already know how much fun it is to give a good scare.

“Every time we’re working on (the haunted house), we’re always trying to scare somebody,” Clark said. “I just love scaring the students. And I think when the first night wraps up and the kids get together and start sharing some of the stories about scaring people, they’ll want to keep on going Friday, Saturday, Sunday… it’s that much fun.”

As for now, Fright Night Theatre takes over the Salem’s Center basement for three nights.

People will go through the haunted house in groups of five or fewer (make sure you get an accurate count going in because organizers would hate for you to leave somebody behind.) Clark estimates it will take eight to 10 minutes to get through (if you can make it all the way.)

But if all goes well (or in this case, bad), those minutes will keep haunting you for nights to come.

daniel@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

The Marble Falls Elementary School student council presents Patty McAlpin with a check for $1,000 on Oct. 30. The student body raised the money during the month of October during ‘Pennies for Patty.’ McAlpin is a breast cancer survivor who, along with a some friends, is participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day event Nov. 7-9 in Plano. The donation goes to support cancer research, treatment and awareness. Staff photos by Daniel Clifton

MARBLE FALLS — As Zachary Haley wiped the mix of chocolate, whipped cream and cherry sauce from the face of his father, Michael Haley, a big smile greeted him — a chocolate-covered one, but a big one without a doubt.

The second-grader’s few wipes were the first step in returning his dad and Marble Falls Elementary School principal back to, well, more principal-looking status.

“Wow, they’re having a lot of fun,” said Patty McAlpin, a Marble Falls Middle School counselor, who all the messy fun was for. It’s not often an elementary school principal, assistant principal and counselor allow students to turn them into human sundaes, but Oct. 30 marked a big accomplishment by the student body.

During the month of October, the students pitched in pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to raise more than $1,000 for McAlpin’s upcoming Susan G. Komen 3-Day Event on Nov. 7-9 in Plano.  McAlpin, a breast cancer survivor, along with five of her friends make up Team Treasured Chests. The group raised more than $13,800 to participate in the three-day, 60-mile walk to raise funds for breast cancer research, treatment, prevention and awareness.

What’s a little more strawberry syrup running down your nose when you already have chocolate syrup, whipped cream and sprinkles streaming down you as Marble Falls Elementary School Principal Michael Haley found out Oct. 30.

The students helped put the group well over their goal and gave McAlpin a hearty send-off.

“My heart is full,” McAlpin said after accepting the check from the MFES student council. “It’s such a great lesson for them about helping others.”

As part of the challenge, Michael Haley told the students that if they hit the $1,000 goal, he, Assistant Principal Jennifer Lockner and counselor Renetta McCall would let the kids turn them into human sundaes. On Oct. 30, the three kept their word.

Class by class, the students streamed up to one of the three administrators, poured chocolate syrup, lathered whip cream, streamed cherry sauce and sprinkled sprinkles on them. Some students even topped off the principal with a couple of cherries.

While the human sundae party was fun and served as a motivator, MFES student council president Isabel Dahl pointed out it wasn’t the real reason they brought in all the coins and donations they could find.

“When the idea of doing this for Mrs. McAlpin came up, we (the student council) all thought it was a great idea and great way to help her,” she said. While she didn’t know McAlpin personally, Dahl knows people who do, but she added it was always about helping somebody – whether the students knew her personally or not.

McAlpin laughed at some of the experiences during October regarding the MFES students’ efforts.

“I would be in the store shopping and come across a parent, and we’d start talking,” she said. “Then I’d introduce myself, and they’d say, ‘You’re the Mrs. McAlpin the kids are collecting pennies and coins for.’ It was really amazing to see how many people have come to support (Team Treasured Chests) and this event.”

McAlpin was in the midst of battling breast cancer last November during the 2013 Susan G. Komen 3-Day Event. She had remarked to her sister that when she was done with her treatments, she was going to participate in the 60-mile walk. Her sister, who is from the MetroPlex area, gathered some friends, raised money and participated in last year’s walk. Now that she’s finished with most of her treatments and she’s regained her strength, McAlpin decided to do it this year.

Along with Wendy Bingham, Kathy Wright, Judy Miller, Kay Batch and Judy Conrad, she heads for Plano on Nov. 6 with the 3-Day Event opening ceremony slated for 7 a.m. Nov. 7 at Collin Creek Mall in Plano.

McAlpin’s sister organized her team again this year, but McAlpin said they’ve combined the two into one and it’s one of the top 10 fundraising units for the Plano event.

“And this donation just makes it just so much better,” McAlpin said.

But the lesson the MFES students learned didn’t end when they dropped the last cherry on Haley’s head or when the three administrators finally scrubbed the last bit of chocolate syrup from their bodies. Student council vice president Hudson McBryde said experience can benefit them with other issues or goals they decide to tackle.

“I think this says that we’re a very caring school,” he said. “But we also learned that don’t let your age hold you back. If you set your mind to something, you can accomplish something – and something big. Who would have thought a bunch of elementary school students could raise $1,000 in month for somebody else?

“I think when we set our minds to do good things, good things happen to good people.”

Go to www.the3day.org for more information on the 3-Day Event.

daniel@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

SPICEWOOD — Hmm, how do you get people to come out and support Marble Falls High School Project Graduation after all the bake sales, car washes and golf tournaments have already been done — over and over again?

“We were looking for something new, something that really hadn’t be done,” said Colleen Gregg, a 2015 Project Graduate organizer and mother of a high school senior. “We wanted to try something fun and different.”

What they came up with was the first ever — well, at least for Marble Falls Project Graduation — Walk, Run and Stroll at Spicewood Vineyards on Nov. 9. And it’s just what it sounds like, participants walk, run or just stroll along a 3-kilometer or 5-kilometer course through the vineyards.

“We have mapped out a trek through the rows, and some of it takes you across the road to the other part of the vineyard,” Gregg said.

Along the way, Gregg’s husband created signs to describe the various grape plants — the kind they are, how old a particular vine is and how much wine it produces.

“Just little factoids, so people can learn about the vineyards and wine, if they want,” Gregg said.

Project Graduation is a drug- and alcohol-free post-commencement celebration. The event gives the graduating seniors a safe place for one last party together. For the 2015 graduating class, organizers are throwing the party at the Eagle’s Wings Retreat Center outside of Burnet. The venue offers lots of indoor and outdoor facilities. Gregg said Marble Falls Project Graduation organizers are lining up a lot of fun activities, including a gaming trailer with more things on the way. But the key is raising money, which is the reason behind the Walk, Run and Stroll.

The event starts at 2 p.m. (so no excuse that it’s too early in the morning because we all know how tough it is to make some 5K runs that start at, heaven forbid, 8 a.m.) with music starting at 3 p.m.

The entry is $15 for the walk only, but a $25 entry fee gets you into the event and also five tastes of wine or one glass. There will be additional wine, snacks, water and soda available for purchase. You can also enter a prize giveaway for $5 a ticket or $20 for five tickets.

While it’s billed as a running event, Gregg said people don’t have to — unless they want to. But runners shouldn’t expect a T-shirt or medal waiting for them at the finish line.

It’s just not that type of event.

“I don’t really expect anybody to run it for time,” Gregg said with a laugh. “We’re just not set up for that. But if they want to run it, go ahead. The idea is to have fun and enjoy yourself.”

People can register at mfhs-projectgrad.com, by emailing mfhsprojectgrad2015@gmail.com or by calling (512) 470-7255.

“Or, they can just show up and register at the event,” Gregg said.

Spicewood Vineyards is located at 1419 CR 409 in Spicewood.

daniel@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

Marble Falls High School theater arts student Morgan Harrison (left), portraying the Apple Wife, goes after Corey Bogue as Paganini after he upsets her cart. But Wolf Williams steps in as the Violin Merchant to thwart her reprisal and offer payment for the apples. The theater arts program is putting on ‘Paganini’ at 7 p.m. Nov. 13 and 15 and 2 p.m. Nov. 16 in the high school auditorium, 2101 Mustang Drive in Marble Falls. The play is a dark comedy that revolves around Paganini’s quest for salvation after a series of bad choices. Staff photos by Daniel Clifton

MARBLE FALLS — When Corey Bogue landed the lead role in Marble Falls High School’s production of “Paganini,” he began researching a man who, as a violinist and composer, created some of the most intricate musical pieces that still challenge musicians today.

But Nicolo Paganini also had a dark side, making the musician who lived from 1782 to 1840 the equivalent of a modern rock star.

“It was definitely challenging getting ready for this role,” Bogue said. “The time period is different, but what I did was try to imagine if he were alive today how would he react and what would he do.”

Theater arts teacher Jon Clark chose the production “Paganini” to challenge his students. As a dark comedy, “Paganini” forces the students to dig a bit deeper into their characters to draw out what makes them so compelling.

“This is not an easy play, not that any of the ones we do are,” Clark said. “But this one is so much more challenging on so many levels, from the characters to the stage setting.”

Nate Haywood (left), portraying the Clockmaker in the upcoming Marble Falls High School theater arts production of ‘Paganini,’ meets the title character, played by Corey Bogue, in the clockworks shop. The Clockmaker tinkers and creates lifelike puppets and dolls such as the Clockworks Girl, played by Christine Ashbaugh (center).

“Paganini” is loosely based on the musician’s life. As a child, Paganini’s father taught him the violin. The younger Paganini flourished, eventually becoming one of the most famous musicians of his time and often now referred to as the world’s first “rock star.”

His violin abilities set him apart from his contemporaries, but even today’s musicians marvel at the complexities of the pieces he composed. During his lifetime, some surmised in Faustian fashion that he made a deal with the devil to attain such skill as a violinist.

The play, written by Don Nigro, plays on this rumor but also tells the story of a man both blessed and cursed by his ability and fame.

“It’s all about Paganini’s salvation,” Clark said. “He wanders through life making poor decisions but also in search of salvation. I’ll save whether he finds it or not for the actual play.”

The production hits the stage 7 p.m. Nov. 13 and 15 and 2 p.m. Nov. 16 in the auditorium at Marble Falls High School, 2101 Mustang Drive. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for youth.

While other plays are less complicated, both dramatically and technically, Clark said “Paganini” offered what his students needed.

“Yes, I could have picked an easier production, but I need to challenge them. They need to be challenged,” he said. “If some of them decide to go onto college and study theater, they need the experience that a play like ‘Paganini’ gives them.”

The production pushes the cast both on and off the stage. With about 18 cast members, it’s one of the largest Clark’s students have tackled, making for several wardrobe changes. While the play only requires minimal set materials and props, each one of them were chosen for a specific meaning to the play.

“So you don’t just have a table or a barrel,” Clark said. “There’s a reason for that particular piece. And that has been one of the challenges: how to use the pieces so people can pick up on that meaning.”

The students began rehearsing shortly after school began. Among the rehearsals and regular school work, they also squeezed in creating a haunted house for Halloween.

“It’s been a busy year so far,” Clark said. “But the kids have been working hard.”

Bogue, who played an elderly man during the summer production of “Over the River and Through the Woods,” enjoyed the chance to stretch himself in another direction.

“Even though I’m closer in age to Paganini, he lived in a completely different time, so I’ve had to put myself in that time period,” he said. “But it’s really about putting myself into the character and finding out what makes him who he is.”

While “Paganini” deals with the darker parts of being human, it also focuses one thing everyone looks for — at least now and then — salvation.

daniel@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

Choctaw storyteller and author Tim Tingle shares a tale with Colt Elementary School students during a recent visit. Though high-tech gadgetry and online videos seem to be the rule of the day when it comes to children’s entertainment, and even education, Tingle says, more than ever, oral storytelling as well as the written word remain relevant and vital. Staff photo by Daniel Clifton

MARBLE FALLS — If you’re a parent of a young child, you’ve probably struggled to keep your children engaged at one time or another, especially with all the technology that surrounds them.

So what do you do if you have a roomful of antsy (it’s the last part of the school day) kindergarteners?

You hope Tim Tingle is nearby. And Colt Elementary School librarian Lenore Weihs was lucky to have him on campus Nov. 12 for a series of storytelling performances.

“Kids love this type of storytelling,” Weihs said. “It just shows storytelling, whether spoken like this or in a book, still has the power to engage kids and get them excited about it.”

Tingle, a member of the Choctaw tribe, agreed. He’s been a professional storyteller and author since 1996. Since that time, he’s visited hundreds of schools, shared stories with thousands of students and offered his insights to countless adults. One thing remains: Stories remain vital to today’s society, especially those told orally.

“There’s just something about the human voice that can’t be touched by any of the technology we have,” Tingle said. “It’s that connection you as the listener develop with the teller. And, to me, that’s incredibly important today, especially between parents and kids and teachers and students.”

He wrapped up his visit to Colt Elementary with the youngest students. At this point in the day, with the end of school looming, the kids are usually ready to go home. But Tingle quickly set the tone and the right atmosphere. He set a few ground rules, getting everyone to sit “criss-cross applesauce” and remain quiet until asked to participate. (And yes, the kids do get to participate.)

Tingle started with a little bit about himself and added a few things about Native Americans that counter the typical stereotypes. At one point, he asked the children if a Native American sees a bear in the woods, how does he alert another Native American?

He then turned around and whipped out an object — a cell phone.

“We call them,” Tingle said to a roomful of laughter. “We use cell phones.”

With that, Tingle began enthralling the students with a story about a coyote, a rock, a buffalo and two hawks. The lesson was about teamwork, but as he told it, Tingle acted out the story, casting himself as each of the characters but also inviting the students to join in at certain times.

Then, he followed up with a story about a talkative rabbit with a long, beautiful tail. The talking, however, eventually cost him his tail, something still haunting rabbits today.

By the time he had wrapped up the second story, 30 minutes had flown by and the kids were hungry for more. But it was time to get ready to go home, so reluctantly, the students thanked Tingle and headed out of the library — many recounting the stories Tingle had just shared.

“Storytelling and reading are so important, especially at this age,” Tingle said after his program. “Reading just opens up so much to kids. You really can’t do anything without being able to read.”

Tingle, the author of several award-winning books geared toward children and young adults, said that during his research for one of his young adult/adult novels, he visited with four or five prison wardens in Texas and Oklahoma. One of the most important things, the wardens told him, was how necessary reading is for a future that does not include incarceration.

“One of the things each of the wardens said was one of the things that separates people from outside of prison and those inside is most of them (inside) can’t read or can’t read very well,” Tingle said. “That was amazing to me. It just shows how important reading is.”

And equally important is oral storytelling because it shares so much with the written form, but in a different style. Many cultures, such as the Native American and Appalachian, cherish oral storytelling. It’s how they passed on history, information and stories from one generation to the next. While that’s an important part of keeping oral storytelling alive, Tingle said it also has the power to “wow” and educate people, from students through adults.

He recalled that some of his teachers used oral storytelling – though they may not have called it that – when he was between fourth and seventh grades, another time Tingle believes is critical in a youth’s exposure to reading and storytelling.

“One of the teachers would read classical literature to us — like Shakespeare and Twain — in a way that it really came alive,” Tingle said. “I had a history teacher who would stand up in front of class and present a 10-minute play on the lesson we were about to study. It just made such an impact on me.”

Those two teachers laid the groundwork for Tingle’s love for those subjects, and he eventually majored in them at the University of Texas. The storytelling also stuck with him, after all, he’s become one of the most sought-after oral storytellers in the country as festivals, schools and even conferences seek him out.

Tingle said using storytelling at home with your children doesn’t have to be complicated or intimidating.

“Do it while reading a book with your child,” he said. “You don’t have to start out with a story of your own or another one you heard. Books offer a great way to get started.”

Tingle pointed out that many books written for children lend themselves to oral storytelling, so you might find yourself imitating a character’s voice or mannerisms as you read.

“You’ll just find yourself open up to that animation,” he said. “Books at that level are written for that. But most important is just reading with your kids, no matter what their age.”

Go to www.timtingle.com for more about Tingle and storytelling.

daniel@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

Marble Falls High School senior Marshall Jett recently earned a nomination to the U.S. Air Force Academy from U.S. Congressman Roger Williams (R-Weatherford). Jett, the son of Chris and Michelle Jett, credits earning the rank of Eagle scout in the Boy Scouts in 2013 as a major factor in his nomination. He now must wait until spring to learn if the academy has accepted him for the next class. File photo

MARBLE FALLS — The contrast seems stark. For two weeks in the summer, Marble Falls High School senior Marshall Jett found himself deep in the northern forest. The first week, Jett, who earned his Eagle rank in 2013, helped work on wilderness trails as part of an Order of the Arrow crew.

The next week, however, he and a handful of other Boy Scouts and a guide loaded up three canoes and slipped deeper within the 6 million acres of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of northern Minnesota and the Atikaki Provincial Park. The only connection they had with the rest of the world was one radio — only in case of an emergency.

“The rest of the world could have been wiped out by Ebola, and we wouldn’t have known it until we stepped back out of there,” Jett said.

The weeklong paddling adventure forced Jett and the other scouts to rethink how they handled situations. There was no looking up directions on cell phones, sending out for pizza if they got hungry or playing hours of video games.

“You really learned to look for simple solutions,” Jett said.

The idea of canoeing and trekking in one of the most isolated spots of the lower 48 states and part of Canada appears to contrast with Jett’s lifelong goal of becoming an astronaut — a career that relies heavily on technology. Yet, both endeavors require many of the qualities Jett possesses such as problem solving, independence, team work and perseverance.

While he can scratch the wilderness canoeing adventure off his life list, on Dec. 16, Jett took a big step toward his pursuit of becoming an astronaut when U.S. Congressman Roger Williams (R-Weatherford) surprised the senior in his calculus class. Williams, joined by Jett’s parents, Chris and Michele Jett, announced that he was nominating the Eagle Scout to the U.S. Air Force Academy.

“That’s huge for getting in the academy,” Marshall Jett said of the nomination to the academy, something he’s been working toward since he was 10 years old. “It was one of the toughest parts, too, because it’s not something I really had control over.”

Jett first dreamed of becoming an astronaut when he was 3. Though many people spend years trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives, Jett has held tight to becoming an astronaut. He’s not sure what first captivated him about space travel, but he never wavered in his determination. As he made his way through elementary school, Jett learned what it took to becoming an astronaut and found a strong path led through one of the military academies — particularly the Air Force Academy.

“So I just started planning on going there,” he said.

Throughout his academic career, Jett challenged himself with the toughest classes (as a senior he’s taking engineering as well as six Advanced Placement courses.) But landing a spot in the Air Force Academy isn’t just about being smart, it’s about being a part of the community — both in school and in a wider context.

“You need to be active in extracurricular activities as well, and good at them,” Jett said. “You can’t just be there.”

As he began the application procedure for the academy, Jett knew a congressional nomination was a must. So he applied through Williams’ office. After a review of his application and essay, Williams invited Jett to an interview by a board that included many retired military officers. This, for Jett, was one of the most daunting steps because he found himself in a room in Killeen for several hours along with many other students seeking the coveted nomination.

“The hardest part was sitting there waiting,” Jett said. “I waited for several hours, and the interview didn’t last very long.”

Whatever Jett said there and wrote in his essay must have resonated with Williams and his staff because the Marble Falls student was one of only a few the congressman nominated this year.

“Marshall possesses all the important qualities the academies are looking for, and I was proud to nominate him. He is an outstanding young man and did very well throughout the application process,” Williams said. “Nominating students in the 25th Congress to the nation’s prestigious military academies is one of the greatest honors I have as a member of Congress. These students are exceptional leaders in their schools and communities, and they are going to be exceptional leaders of the free world. I am proud of these young men and women for choosing to receive a top-notch education along with a commitment to serve their country.”

Jett believes his years as a Boy Scout, especially attaining the Eagle Scout rank, was a big part of the reason behind earning the congressional nomination. It’s something he highly recommends others interested in an appointment to a service academy consider.

“Start early,” he advised students considering an academy or similar university. “Work hard, keep your grades up and be patient. And don’t give up.”

While the nomination is a big checkmark in the academy application process, Jett now must wait (remember that ‘be patient’) to see if it, along with all his other achievements, lands him a spot in the fall 2015 class at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

He anticipates finding out one way or the other in March. But between then and now, Jett’s not idling away. He’s part of a Marble Falls High School team that is building robots for a January competition, and once that’s wrapped up, he’ll help with the engineering class’ rocket, which the students are planning to launch this summer at the U.S. Army White Sands Missile Ranch in New Mexico. The goal: build a rocket that can reach 100,000 feet.

Though he’s earned his Eagle badge — the highest rank in the Boy Scouts — Jett still remains active in his troop, but he’s assumed more of a teaching role, sharing his knowledge and skills with younger scouts.

It’s skills and knowledge he’s used in his own life and will likely utilize in the future — including when he aims for the stars. While being an astronaut and camping in the wilderness appear far apart, the outdoor adventures require similar characteristics that will benefit Jett in aeronautical engineering and space flight. During part of the canoeing adventure, Jett and the other scouts found themselves facing a long paddle on a Canadian lake. But realizing they had a tailwind, the ingenious scouts lashed the three canoes together, fashioned a sail from a canvas, secured it with their paddles and sailed on.

daniel@thepicayune.com

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DANIEL CLIFTON • PICAYUNE EDITOR

Colt Elementary School student Samuel Farrell (left) works on a knitting project in the library as librarian Lenore Weihs assists Jacob Maldonado with a loom. While knitting is a way to make hats and scarves (which the school is donating to the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center), the process also helps students develop fine motor skills and sharpens concentration. Weihs offers the knitting, and other ‘maker’ stations, every other week when classes rotate through the library. Staff photos by Daniel Clifton

MARBLE FALLS — When Colt Elementary School librarian Lenore Weihs asked a group of fifth-graders who wanted to knit, several hands shot up as voices called out, “Me, me” and “I do, I do.”

Boys and girls tried to get one of the four spots at the knitting table tucked away in a side room in the library.

Knitting.

That’s what triggered all the excitement, not who wanted to go outside for recess, or who wanted another piece of pizza or anything else one would typically think would draw such a strong reaction from elementary students.

“They love it,” Weihs said. “And it’s boys and girls. All across the spectrum.”

Knitting isn’t what one typically thinks about when it comes to a school library. Usually, it’s books and reading. Now to be sure, the Colt library contains quite a few books, and kids line up to check them out.

A student works on a knitting loom in the Colt Elementary School library. Librarian Lenore Weihs introduced knitting as a way to help youth develop fine motor skills — which pay off across the academic spectrum — and sharpen their concentration.

“Our main focus here is reading,” Weihs said. “Everything really revolves around reading.”

But libraries of the 21st century are different than those 20, 30 or 40 years ago. Students still hunker down and read, but they also stack cups, work on puzzles, identify the pieces of a computer — and knit.

“This is part of learning,” Weihs said about the knitting. “There is a lot of research that has shown that when kids work with their hands, such as knitting, and develop those motor skills, it helps in all academics.”

These types of activities help develop new neural pathways or further develop ones already in a child’s brain.

The kids don’t just get to knit and do other activities in the library. Weihs offers these “makerspace” options every other week. On other weeks, she teaches lessons.

Though she offers knitting, Weihs is by no means a master knitter herself.

“I didn’t know anything about knitting,” she confessed after somebody recommended it as an option. But instead of using knitting needles, students use plastic looms. The devices come in several versions, but they all sport small plastic “posts” around which the students weave the yarn into patterns.

As a group of four kids worked the looms, Weihs urged them to push on, even if it seemed challenging at first.

“Soon, you’ll have that pattern down,” she said. “You’ll be opening new pathways in your brain.”

Knitting and similar activities also help students concentrate.

“And they get to see their success,” Weihs said holding up one of 13 knitted hats and scarves the students have made this fall.

The students are donating the knitwear to the Highland Lakes Family Crisis Center — another lesson, Weihs said. Each of the students had a hand in making the 13 items.

“We talk a lot about helping out the community,” she said. “And one of the ways we help is by giving back. Some of the kids would say, ‘I’d like one of these (hats).’ Which led to the conversation that the best gifts are ones you’d like to get. Which led to the discussion about being a part of the community and giving to it.”

Since it was the first time she’d offered knitting, Weihs only opened it up to third- through fifth-graders. But in the spring, she plans to let the younger students try it.

“So we’ll start making things for next year,” she said. “Our No. 1 focus is reading, but this is one of the ways to keep kids interested and get them involved beyond their own world.”

daniel@thepicayune.com

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JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

Marble Falls Middle School coach and teacher Kelly Clark has been inducted into the Angelo State University Athletics Hall of Honor. She is a 1982 graduate of Marble Falls High School. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro

MARBLE FALLS — Marble Falls Middle School teacher and coach Kelly Clark said her induction into the Angelo State University Athletics Hall of Honor is not the result of the countless hours of practice or the numerous jump shots she made in her backyard as a youth.

The credit, she said, goes to her parents, John and Pat Clark.

“He actually put the goal up on a wooden pole,” said Clark, a 1982 graduate of Marble Falls High School who played at ASU from 1982-86. “It was fun. That’s how I relieved all my stress. I was back there for hours, until Mom told me to come in.”

Clark is a member of the seventh class to be inducted into the college’s hall. The ceremony is Jan. 23 at the C.J. Davidson Conference Center at the Houston Harte University Center, 1910 Rosemont Drive in San Angelo.

Clark still holds many ASU records. She is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 1,863 points, the leading rebounder with 1,077 and is the only Rambelle to score at least 1,500 points and grab 1,000 rebounds. She is the all-time leader in field goals made (833) and steals (259) and still has the record for the most steals in a season (95). By the time she finished, Clark broke 16 records, although she credits her teammates for her accomplishments. In four years at ASU, she had three different coaches.

Kelly Clark (left) wins an opening tip to start a game for the Angelo State University Rambelles when she played from 1982-86. Courtesy photo

Clark played at ASU when Title IX — which prohibits sex discrimination in education — was still in its infancy, before select basketball was in existence and recruiting was handled more between parents and college coaches as opposed to select team coaches and scouts.

A lifelong Texas Tech basketball fan who loves West Texas, Clark wanted to play for Marsha Sharp, who guided the Lady Raiders to the 1994 national championship. The Clarks were unaware of the interest that college coaches had in their daughter until very late in her senior year. By then, most of the programs did not have a scholarship available.

So they took a road trip to San Angelo. When the Rambelles offered a four-year athletic scholarship, the player did not hesitate.

Kelly Clark is on her way to the basket. Courtesy photo

But Pat and John didn’t allow the distance to keep them away from their daughter’s games.   

“(My parents) never missed any game of mine,” she said. “When I went to college, the only ones they missed were the ones out of state. They were my biggest fans. They were the reasons for how successful I was.”

When Clark began playing at Marble Falls Junior High, girls basketball was a half-court game that resembled 3-on-3. So when the defense got the ball off a missed shot or a dead ball, it was thrown to the offensive teammates on the other end. She played that format for one year before it was changed to the modern 5-on-5 system that fans watch today.

“That drove me crazy. I just stood there,” the former player said of the half-court game. “I was glad they changed it. That’s when I fell in love with basketball. I loved to play defense and offense.”

The change allowed Clark to blossom on the court.

She still ranks in the top 10 of many offensive categories at Marble Falls High School. She scored 37 points in a single game, 648 in her final season and 1,906 in four seasons as a Lady Mustang before the 3-point line was implemented. She grabbed 23 rebounds in a game and a total of 301 in her last season.

And she accomplished those feats while playing with a boys regulation basketball that has a circumference of about 30 inches until her third year at ASU. That’s when the NCAA introduced the 28½-inch basketball that is used in women’s basketball today.

Clark said she knew even in that backyard from her childhood that she would become a coach. So when her father died, she moved back to be close to her mother. She teaches and coaches at Marble Falls Middle School after spending a season as the head volleyball coach at Marble Falls High School in the early 2000s.

“Playing is a lot less stressful,” she said with a laugh. “I love working with these kids. I couldn’t ask for a better job.”

The coach even told her players about the honor. She said they began cheering and asked if they could attend the ceremony.

“It brought tears to my eyes,” she said. “They were so happy and screaming.”

As she reflected on her playing and coaching careers that span almost four decades, Clark said she has lived a very blessed life.

“I wouldn’t have changed a thing,” she said. “I got a lot of great memories, got my college education paid for. I never fathomed (being in a hall of honor), not even when I was in my backyard. What an honor.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

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JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF

MARBLE FALLS — Sports fans have a lot of fun at Meet the Mustangs in August, so the Marble Falls Athletic Booster Club decided to sponsor a second one for this school year. But this time, athletes participating in spring sports will be introduced.

The event is 7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Max Copeland Gym, 2101 Mustang Drive.

“We feel like the athletes in the spring don’t get the recognition they deserve,” booster club president Maureen Everett said. “It’s the same format; it’s just in the ‘Max.’”

Fans can meet athletes in track-and-field, baseball, softball, powerlifting and soccer. Band, cheerleaders and Starlettes also will be there, Everett said. The event is free to attend.

“We know some of the (sports) teams haven’t chosen a varsity yet, so they’ll be introduced as a whole,” Everett said. “They’ve been left out the past several years. It’s something we need to do.”

The president noted several athletes have already began after-school practice, even if they are working out on their own to prepare for the upcoming season.

“They all do that because they love their sports,” she said. “I really want to encourage everyone to come out and support out athletes. They work hard all year long. They need to be recognized.”

jfierro@thepicayune.com

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