Collegiate funding
Albert D. Villegas/The Community News
NFL Hall of Famer Rayfield Wright poses with grant recipients and/or their family members during an awards ceremony at Los Vaqueros Restaurant in Willow Park Sunday, July 1 in which recent graduates received collegiate grants. Jeannette DeVader, Wright's publicist, said over $30,000 in grant money was awarded to 14 various graduates from Parker County through donations. For more information on the event, see the July 6, 2007 issue of The Community News.
The following were words described to introduce recipients who received grants totaling $30,000 to go towards their choice of college. Jeannette DeVader, publicist for Rayfield Wright, made the comments during a Sunday, July 1 event at Los Vaqueros Restaurant:
TANNER BEEN
“While at Aledo High School, Tanner excelled in football, track and powerlifting. Voted by his teammates to be the captain of the football team, Tanner helped lead the Bearcats to the state semifinal last fall. He was honored as First Team All-District. Needless to say . . . Rayfield Wright always smiles when he hears that an offensive lineman is highly decorated. Tanner will attend Tarrant County College this fall to pursue a career in economics. Accepting his certificate this evening is his mother.By the way, Tanner has a birthday this week and we pray that it’s a happy one.”
REYNALDO CALIXTRO
At a young age, Reynaldo had a mentor in his grandpa who owned a Texaco station for 25 years. Reynaldo’s inspired to have his own customized automotive shop – painting, fixing and restoring cars. His love for his mother, brother and sister is unsurpassed. In fact, Reynaldo’s hero is his brother who joined the Army and served in Iraq. Reynaldo is a 2007 Texas scholar, a member of the National Honor Roll and the recipient of the President Student Service Award for outstanding community service. He will begin fulfilling his dream this fall at Weatherford College and then plans to major in business at Texas Tech.
JACQUIE CASE
Jacquie is a graduate from Aledo High School where she demonstrated her leadership abilities as the drum major for the Bearcat Regiment and a performing member of the Texas Girls Choir. Although she has a tremendous love and talent for music, Jacquie has a deep compassion for people and will pursue a nursing degree at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. She learned her kindness towards others from her father, Darwyn, who is a firefighter and paramedic. And although Darwyn’s favorite Dallas Cowboys player was Dave Manders, we didn’t hold this against Jacquie. After all, Dave Manders was an offensive lineman.
AUTUMN FINCHER
Our only recipient from Peaster High School is Autumn Fincher. Autumn will be attending Tarleton State University where she will follow in her parents’ footsteps and pursue a degree in teaching. Autumn was in a tragic car accident last summer, which took the life of her best friend, Carter Robinson. Although her senior year was a tough one, Autumn maintained an A pus average and was the valedictorian of her class. Autumn and her parents are unable to be here this evening but accepting this certificate is her grandfather. He’s the one who saw our article in the newspaper and encouraged Autumn to apply.
ALLIE GARNER
A graduate from Aledo High, Allie enjoys soccer, football season, church life and running 5Ks with her family. She credits her parents for her decision to “be her own boss.” Although we’re not sure what Allie wants to study, she will begin her dream this fall at Tarleton State.
JUSTIN HAWKINS
While at Weatherford High School Justin was a dynamic member of several clubs and activities and served as co-captain of the Marching Roos Drum Line. He’s a dedicated worker and is 100 percent responsible for his own car insurance, maintenance, gas and all of his spending money. For a guy his age, Justin has truly taken the road less traveled during the past few years and he has been completely accountable for all of his educational expenses, college application costs, SAT exams and deposits. The optimism Justin has for his future at Tarleton State makes him a very prominent “Big Cat” candidate.
DREW HERREN
While at Aledo High, Drew secured a position o the drum line playing tenor drums and excelled on the tennis team. While having such an active schedule, Drew maintained a 95.5 percent GPA, was a member of the National Honor Society, the Student Council and the TRM-M Music Society. In his spare time, he enjoys lake life and his job at Leonard Golf Links. Drew will study mechanical engineering at Texas Tech this fall. By the way Drew, if you need a second career . . . perhaps you should consider comedy writing because your essay was very well written and absolutely hysterical.
KATE LESLIE
Kate is a graduate from Aledo High School where she was active in a number of activities including the Spanish Club, yearbook staff and National Honor Society. She is an accomplished pianist and has her own pet sitting business. The fall, Kate will attend the Gaylord School of Journalism and Communications at Oklahoma University.
EMILY PHILLIPS
Having traveled to far away places with her family, Emily has a passion for new and unique places. She also discovered this enthusiasm while traveling with the Aledo High School Band as a flutist. Emily enjoys attending Bearcat football games and playing in band ensembles. She will attend Baylor University to major in international business.
LETITIA ROBINSON
Although Letitia had a killer outside shot on the basketball court, she was confident in her decision to play volleyball and softball at Aledo High. Her community activities include feeding the homeless, remodeling homes with her church group and delivering gifts to sick children. When her grandmother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, Letitia realized that she wanted to practice a career in physical therapy. She will be heading to Texas A&M to pursue her dream.
WILL SAINT
Will’s “Just Do It” attitude in life came from some basketball icon by the name of Michael Jordan. Born a few years earlier, perhaps Will would have bee inspired by Oscar Robinson or Wilt Chamberlain. Whatever the source of inspiration, every child needs a mentor and we’re grateful that Will had a positive role model who gave him hope, vision and desire. Not only is he an accomplished basketball player, Will is smart, too. At Aledo High, he earned a 97.48 percent GPA. Personally, I would like to thank Will for allowing me to dig out my Thesaurus and dust it off so that we could read and review his essay. His aptitude for architecture and tenacious stance will ensure accomplishment in pursuit of his apparitions at Oklahoma State University.
JULE SWIFT
This fall, Julie will be attending Dallas Baptist University to pursue a major in art and to become an art teacher one day. During her years at Aledo High School, Julie joined the color guard and found a place of belonging. She also enjoys writing, painting, history and the weather. Julie feels like she is just a normal teen but in our eyes and God’s heart, Julie is very special . . . and very important.
ASHLEY TOWE
Ashley is our only candidate from Milsap High School where she was a member of the 4H Vet Science program and the Beta Club. Her love and passion for the health and safety of animals captured our hearts. Ashley told us that a “bird cannot fly with clipped wings” and we are confident that Ashley will soar to unbelievable heights as she begins her education this fall at Weatherford College.
DEIDRE WATSON
Deidre is a graduate from trinity Christian where she enjoyed attending football games and hanging out with her friends. She believes that education gives a person unlimited opportunities and we completely agree with her. Deidre will be attending Hardin Simmons University this fall.
