Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 2012 by Amanda Leija

Section A

S napshots Horizons 2012

Away from the line of ﬁre Training keeps Brown County Sheriff’s deputies safe on the job BY STEVE NASH

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

“P

olice!” The shout was immediately followed by the startling loud thump of a battering ram against a door. The door flew open, revealing the silhouetted forms of Brown County Sheriff’s deputies who rushed inside. “Police! Get down, get down! Search warrant!” About a half-dozen deputies moved quickly through the building, guns drawn, ordering anyone they encountered onto the floor. A few seconds later, the deputies began yelling out that that the various portions of the building were “clear!” There were no suspects inside, no illegal narcotics, and the deputies’ guns were unloaded, and made further safe by neon-colored strands of nylon threaded through their firing mechanisms. This was training. The deputies were at a compound of empty buildings on Camp Bowie’s Texas Army Na-

Thrill of the ride

tional Guard Training Center. The buildings — some single story, some two-story — have nothing inside other than rooms, hallways and in some cases, stairs, intended for training scenarios such as this one. Kevin Morton, a 27-year veteran of the Fort Worth Police Department who is now a reserve deputy for the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, was the deputies’ instructor. Morton helped develop the curriculum when he was a team leader with the Fort Worth Police Department’s SWAT team and was in charge of training there. “My intent is simple: to show them what worked well for us,” Morton said in an interview a few days after the training session. Most of the deputies have not only

LEFT: Deputies Nathan Land (front) and Scott Bird move through a building as part of a training exercise. ABOVE: Deputy Brandon Arnold prepares to lead fellow deputies inside one of the buildings. STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

SEE TRAINING,, 5A

Need to be kneaded

BULLETIN

BROWNWOOD

BROWNWOODBULLETIN.COM

Page A2

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Sunday, February 26, 2012

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Thrill of the ride

Goldthwaite man looks back at 16 years as PRCA bullfighter BY MIKE LEE

SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN

PHOTO BY MIKE LEE

Goldthwaite resident Chad Beavers shows buckles he received for working the West of the Pecos Rodeo for 15 years, and for being selected as one of two bullﬁghters for the Dodge Texas Pro Rodeo Circuit ﬁnals.

tarting from his feet and working up, Chad Beavers has broken both of his ankles. He has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on his left knee that required surgery. He has suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) on his right knee that required a brace. He has a seven-inch scar from the 126 stitches required after a bull put his horn through his right thigh. He has broken almost all of his 24 ribs. He has suffered a broken nose. He can’t turn his neck very far in either direction because of calcium deposits on three vertebrae. He has suffered a broken shoulder blade and torn rotator cuff on his right shoulder. He has suffered a broken elbow. He has suffered a crushed wrist that required a metal T plate and six screws. His left ring finger was broken and almost ripped off. “I guess that’s about it,” said the 44-year-old Beavers, who retired four months ago after 16 years as a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) bullfighter. “I probably broke some other things and didn’t know it.” The broken bones don’t include countless bumps and bruises that still cause lingering effects today. Why would any man choose to make a living by jumping in front of 40-50 bulls a night at rodeos and Professional Bull Riders (PBR) events? “It has to come from the heart. If you’re going to step in front of a 2,000-pound bull, you have to have the heart to do it,” said Beavers, who has lived in Goldthwaite since 1971. “Who would want to take a bullet for the President? It’s something special. It’s hard to explain.” A lot of it has to do with adrenalin – the rush of doing something dangerous and the challenge of conquering it. “You’re dealing with a raging animal that could kill you,” Beavers said. “You’re going to get by him or not. I wasn’t competing against the other bullfighters. I was in competition with the bull. It was the adrenalin rush of ‘I beat that bull and I saved that cowboy’s life.’ “If I could bottle that adrenalin and sell it, I’d be a millionaire.” As odd as it sounds, fighting bulls came naturally to Beavers. He began riding calves at local rodeos when he was 5. By the eighth grade, he focused solely on riding bulls. He tried to make the rodeo team at Tarleton State University, but discovered it was safer to be a bullfighter than be a bull rider and have your hands tied down to the back of the bull. “Rodeoing was a family deal,” said Judy Beavers, Chad’s mother who lives in Goldthwaite. “We traveled all over. Chad rode calves and bulls. Angela (Chad’s older sister) did the barrel races and the poles. Chad was always a dare devil.”

The role of bullfighters The No. 1 job of bullfighters is to help bull riders get off their bulls and get away safely. That often means the bullfighter gets hooked or horned. Hooked could be taking a hit from the bull in the ribs or other body parts, being mashed to the ground, pinned against a fence or thrown into the air. Horned is when the bull’s horn penetrates the skin. “We’re like the Secret Service for the President,” Chad Beavers said. “We take hits and get hooked and run over and hung up to help the cowboys get away. We help them get untied from the bull if they need it. “Most of the cowboys are very appreciative. If it wasn’t for us, they couldn’t go to as many rodeos. They ride one or two bulls a night. We fight 40 to 50 bulls a night.” The fun part of the job is that bullfighters often perform skits to entertain the crowd, especially the kids, during lulls in rodeos or bull-riding events. Typical attire for a bullfighter includes a hard plastic chest protector much like police ofPHOTO BY JENNINGS (above) and BY PHIFER (below left) ficers wear, elbow pads, ABOVE: While distracting a bull to let the cowboy get away, Chad Beavers takes hip pads, thigh pads, a hit that sends him ﬂying in the air during a rodeo in Waco in 2005.

PHOTO BY JENNINGS

Chad Beavers gets knocked through the air by a bull in Del Rio in 2000. “It knocked me out. They told me the lights were on, but nobody was home,” Beavers said.

shin pads, knee pads or braces and ankle braces. They don’t wear helmets, opting for cowboy hats or ball caps. Bullfighters also wear baggy shorts held up by suspenders, colorful shirts, and athletic footwear, including some with cleats. Beavers also wore a couple of bandannas through his belt loops, which he said may distract the bull or get in its eyes long enough for him to get away safely. Bullfighters also wear makeup on their faces, which is primarily for skits and the kids, and leads some to refer to them as rodeo clowns. “I don’t mind being called a rodeo clown because we do wear makeup and we do some things to try to entertain the crowd,” Beavers said. “A lot of these younger, new-age bullfighters, they don’t wear makeup. They want to be called athletes instead of bullfighters.” Two bullfighters usually work each ride, and knowing your partner is crucial. “You’ve got to know what you’re partner is thinking and where he’s going to be,” Beavers said. “It’s like a quarterback and a receiver being on the same page in football. If you’re worried about where your partner is going to be, you’re going to be late to help a cowboy. “If I didn’t know my partner, I got to know him ahead of time. When you step into that ring, it’s game on.” Beavers was one of the best partners out there, according to Ace Lloyd, a 28-year-old bullfighter from Slidell, Texas. Beavers and Lloyd often partnered over the last eight years. “You never second-guessed Chad because you knew he always had your back,” Lloyd said. “That’s important because you’re putting your life on the line every time that chute opens. “Chad’s like a brother to me. He took me under his wing when I was a rookie. He showed me what to do and what not to do, and off we went.”

You can’t be scared of injuries Despite the obvious dangers of his job, the 5-foot-11, 178-pound Beavers said he was never scared. “My first time back after that bull horned me in the leg, I wasn’t scared. But I was nervous,” he said. “I had the same bull that horned me. His name was No. 77 Jungle Love. He was so mean, cowboys didn’t want on him. But I wanted him. If I was going to be a bullfighter, I had to do it. Fighting that same bull gave me confidence. “It’s like getting back on that bicycle and learning to ride after you fall off.” Along with not being scared, Beavers said bullfighters can’t worry about being injured. He tried to block the inevitable injuries out of his mind. “When you walk into that arena, it’s like walking

SEE BULLFIGHTER, A6

BELOW: Beavers goes airborne in a rodeo in Del Rio in 2000.

Chad Beavers gets between a bull and a cowboy during a rodeo in Sonora in 2000. Beavers noted this photo was taken before he had to wear knee braces. PHOTO BY JENNINGS

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 A3

Sick call... Chad Beavers has broken both of his ankles. He has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on his left knee that required surgery. He has suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) on his right knee that required a brace. He has a seven-inch scar from the 126 stitches required after a bull put his horn through his right thigh. He has broken almost all of his 24 ribs. He has suffered a broken nose. He can’t turn his neck very far in either direction because of calcium deposits on three vertebrae. He has suffered a broken shoulder blade and torn rotator cuff on his right shoulder. He has suffered a broken elbow. He has suffered a crushed wrist that required a metal T plate and six screws. His left ring finger was broken and almost ripped off.

Chad Beavers gets struck by a bull as he tries to distract the him so the cowboy can get away during a rodeo in Huntsville in 1999 as. PHOTO BY JENNINGS

Early 325-643-4900 800-643-9152

Coleman 325-625-2186 800-870-3773

1102 Early Blvd., Early

~ Thank You ~ “Thank You” to all of our employees. It is your dedication and tireless effort that make our companies a success. “Thank You” to the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation, City Council, Chamber of Commerce, and the Brownwood community leaders for supporting our efforts to grow. “Thank You” to Citizens National Bank, and American State Bank – Early Branch for putting your trust in Us.

BROWNWOOD

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Without the support of the entire community, we would not be where we are today. ~ Thank You.

Barr Fabrication Barr Field Services BF Transportation McDermett Milner 4501 Danhil Drive Brownwood, TX 76801

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Call or stop in today for all your light truck and automotive tire needs!

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Brown County deputies train for the real thing

STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

ABOVE: Deputies (front to back, on the left) Brandon Arnold, Byron Langley and Robert Ramirez, and Terry Sliter, right, stand inside a building. LEFT: Sheriff Bobby Grubbs listens as instructor Kevin Morton briefs deputies.

STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

LEFT: Deputy John Harper moves through a building. MIDDLE: Deputy R.C. Lehman prepares to place a tie-down around the action of his unloaded AR-15 to make extra sure the weapon is safe. RIGHT: A deputy places a tie-down around his unloaded pistol to make the weapon safe.

See video at www.brownwoodtx.com

Congratulations to our long-term employees!

Stephen P. Kelly, M.D.

Medical Director

Thanks for many years of dedicated service 25 + Years of Service

Gerry Laing Sporting Goods 29 years

Heart of Texas Outpatient Cataract Center

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Meli Moreno Hardware 25 years

20 + Years of Service

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Elecia Weaver Main Office 24 years

Richard Jones Hardware 21 years

David Davis Sporting Goods 20 years

Jennifer Thompson Main Office 20 years

15 + Years of Service

Juana Gonzalez Main Office 18 years

We deliver quick, competent title service in a relaxed, yet professional atmosphere.

Rosie Morris Hardware 16 years

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE: • Title Searches • Title Insurance • Run Sheets

10 + Years of Service

Diane Ringler Hardware 14 years

Kathy Kelly Hardware 11 years

Teri Corrales Hardware 10 years

YOU’VE WORKED HARD TO GET TO THIS STAGE IN YOUR LIFE.

Heartland Title Co.

Jim McDaniel Hardware 10 years

1414 Austin Ave 646-0536 102 Fisk Ave 646-2200

Competent, Fast Title Service

Donnie Lappe

325.646.0509 404 North Fisk Brownwood, TX 76801 www.heart-landtitle.com

Ronnie Lappe

YOU’VE COME THIS FAR BY DOING YOUR PART... NOW WE’LL DO OURS.

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 A5

TRAINING: Course helping deputies stay safe CONTINUED FROM PAGE A1 been through similar training but have served numerous search warrants when it’s the real thing. For the veteran deputies, it was a refresher course, a chance to practice and hone their skills. There were also some newer deputies who were experiencing the training for the first time. “The more we can do of this, the safer our officers are and the safer our operations are,” Sheriff Bobby Grubbs said of the “excellent” training. “I would like to express my appreciation to the Guard and their willingness to let us use (the training facility).” Sheriff’s investigator Scott Bird, who has been part of numerous entry teams that serve narcotics search warrants, said things “absolutely could go wrong” when serving a search warrant in a home occupied by armed individuals. “That’s where training comes in,” Bird said. “You always have to keep training. “Training protects us, and there were some guys who hadn’t been through that same training. When you do the real thing, you rely on your training do get the job done, and done safely.” — There are three elements to a successful search warrant: speed, surprise and domination, Morton told the deputies. If any of the three is lacking, “it can go bad.” Once the door is breeched, Morton said, they must move through the structure quickly and effectively, taking control of

each area. “That doesn’t mean you abuse them,” Morton said of the people inside. What it does mean is that you don’t give them time to process what’s going on and to think about reaching for weapons. Morton covered numerous topics including tactics, officer safety and firearms discipline. Once the door is breeched, Morton said, the officer with the battering ram should not toss it away because, for one thing, it could go flying into another person, and for another, it could get lost. Instead, Morton said, the officer should set it down in a place where it can be quickly retrieved if it’s needed again. — “They did very well,” Morton said later of the deputies, who “seem very dedicated and professional.” When it’s the real thing, Morton said, “you pretty much try to focus on what your job is … you concentrate on the information you have, the briefing what your assignment is. It’s a very dynamic and fluid situation.” Bird agreed, saying “you’re really just concentrating” as officers serve a search warrant. “Each team member has an assignment. “The more you train, the faster you can secure the house. A lot of times (the people inside) are in shock. They don’t know what’s happening. Luckily we haven‘t had anybody pull a weapon on us.”

STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Sheriff Bobby Grubbs (not shown) and deputies listen as Instructor Kevin Morton briefs deputies.

Deputy Nathan Land (foreground) and other deputies “stack” outside a door as they prepare to enter a building. STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

WORSHIP SERVICES DIRECTORY 2012

Senior Pastor Duane Sheriff Resident Pastor Stan Roberts Service Times

Sunday Morning Worship Services: 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Children’s Church Ministry/Nursery Both Services Wednesday Evening Services - Pastor Duane Sheriff 7:00 p.m. Pastor Duane Sheriff in person 1st Wednesday of each month Revolution Youth and Children’s classes Nursery available Care Groups meet in homes throughout the week

901 C.C. Woodson • Brownwood, Texas 325-646-3420 www.myvictorylife.tv/brownwood

Victory Life Academy Pre-K through High School Victory Life Child Care Center 2 yr. old and 3 yr. old classes Before and After School Care Program Before School 7:00 am After School open until 6:00 pm Monday through Friday The Academy’s goal is to provide a quality education in a Christian environment, geared to meet the intellectual, spiritual, physical and social needs of its students.

Victory Life Academy

901 CC Woodson Blvd 325-641-ABCD www.victorylifeacademybrownwood.org

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

BULLFIGHTER: Retiring at 44 after 16 years CONTINUED FROM PAGE A2

through a cloud of smoke. Nothing bothers you when you come out on the other side,” Beavers said. “You might break a leg, but you don’t worry about that until it happens. If you’re worried about getting hurt, you’ll be late to help a cowboy and not doing your job.” Beavers’ first major injury was the crushed wrist in 1997. In addition to the metal plate and screws in his wrist, doctors had to remove some bone from Beavers’ hip to replace the ball joint in his wrist. “After you have your first injury, that’s when you find out if you’re a bullfighter,” Beavers said. “Your mind can play tricks on you. You have to ask yourself if you’re tough enough, and do you still want to do it.” Despite all his broken bones and surgeries, the longest Beavers was sidelined by an injury was six weeks because of the broken elbow, which was in a sling strapped to his stomach. Wanting to recover from the injury and return for his favorite event, the Super Bull competition in Del Rio, Beavers used ice, acupuncture, calcium pills and electric shock. He made the Del Rio event. On other occasions, Beavers has injected himself with pain-killing medication, primarily for his knees and shoulders. “For all that stuff, ice is the bullfighter’s best friend. Ice and Ibuprofen,” he said.

Rewards and retirement

On good weekends, Beavers said he was paid between $600 and $1,000 a night, which has allowed him to pay off his house and pickup. “I wouldn’t step into the ring if I wasn’t going to get paid,” he said. “If I got hurt playing around, I couldn’t do my day job (welding and ranching). I couldn’t have paid the bills and put food on the table. “I made a good living at it. I’ve enjoyed some of the luxuries of life. Now, I’m back to reality.” Reality is working at his family’s ranch and raising his own bucking bulls, which is ironic considering Beavers spent 16 years fighting bucking bulls.

PHOTOS BY JENNINGS (left) and BRIAN (right)

LEFT: Chad Beavers distracts a bull to help a cowboy get away in Huntsville in 2005. RIGHT: Beavers flys high in Rosenberg in 2004. There were other rewards in bullfighting in addition to the pay. Beavers got to see a lot of the country, performing in Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, California, Iowa, Kansas, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota. “My only regret is that when I traveled, I didn’t stop and see the sights,” Beavers said. “I just went to the rodeo and came home. Like one time, I was an hour away from Mount Rushmore, and I didn’t go see it. When you’re young, you think you have a lot of time to go back to those places. Now that I’m older, I don’t know.” Another reward of bullfighting was receiving thanks from appreciative bull riders. “When a cowboy comes up and says thank you for taking the hit, it’s worth every penny and all the bruises and broken bones,” Beavers said. The top 15 professional bull riders in Texas showed their appreciation to Beavers by electing him as one of only two bullfighters to work the Dodge Texas Pro Rodeo Circuit finals five times: 2000, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2008. “That was a privilege and an honor – kind of like being named MVP of the NFL,”

Beavers said. “They want the best to work that event, and that told me they knew I was going to take care of them.” Another reward of bullfighting was the friends Beavers made and the camaraderie with his rodeo family. His rodeo contacts have helped with his bucking bulls business. Last year, he received a gold and silver belt buckle for working the West of the Pecos Rodeo for 15 years. Beavers retired Oct. 1, 2011, after a bullriding event in Robstown. At 44, he was six or seven years older than the normal retirement age for bullfighters. He began having trouble getting up in the morning and began feeling like an 80-year-old in a 40-year-old body. He said his body told him it was time to quit, but there was another reason. “I’m going to stay closer to home and take care of my mom,” Beavers said. “She has been battling cancer for four years. She’s tough. She’s winning the battle.” Chad and Judy Beavers always shared a special relationship. The danger of Chad’s bullfighting seemed to make it stronger. Judy annually attended about half of Chad’s rodeos, even showing up once in Gallup, N.M. If Chad took a hard hit and his mom was in the grandstands, he waved

to signal he was OK. If Judy stayed home, Chad called to let his mom know he was OK or to report his latest injury. “My mom’s my biggest fan,” Chad Beavers said. “She has been there when I was knocked out and run over. She has seen the blood. She has taken me to doctors in Dallas for surgeries, MRIs and X-rays.” Judy Beavers said, “He was happy doing all that, and not everybody can say they’re truly happy with what they do for a living. But the other part of me hid my eyes and prayed a lot. “He retired at about the right time. He was the oldest one out there. He wasn’t as fast as he was before.” Besides the pay, the PRCA also provided Chad Beavers with health insurance. Since he retired, he said he doesn’t have health insurance. His once-blond hair has grayed. His knees often pop and occasionally lock. He sometimes struggles to sit down and stand up – lasting effects of a hazardous profession. But if 2,000-pound bulls didn’t scare him, neither does facing potential health issues because of all the broken bones and injuries. “I take it day by day,” Beavers said. “I’m healthy right now. We’ll worry about anything else when it happens.”

Worship Services Directory 2012

NEW BEGINNINGS CHURCH BIKER FRIENDLY CHURCH SERVICE TIMES: SUNDAY SCHOOL PRESCHOOL - ADULT 9:30 A.M. • SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:30 A.M. • SUNDAY EVENING 6:00 P.M. • NURSERY EVERY SERVICE • WEDNESDAY SERVICE 7:00 P.M. YOUTH CLASSES FOR ALL AGES • THE MOST EXCELLENT WAY (AN ADDITIONAL MINISTRY) OUTREACH SERVICES: FOOD PANTRY 3RD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH 10:00 A.M. - NOON PRISON MINISTRY AT T.R. HAVINS UNIT 2ND FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 1001 BELLE PLAIN • 643-6089

Union Church a congregation of the P.C. (U.S.A.) 700 Fisk Avenue Brownwood, Tx http://www.unionpresbrownwood.org. • 325-646-8569

Christian Education (all ages)...9:15 a.m. Fellowship Time.............10:10 a.m. Morning Worship.......... 10:30 a.m. Soaking Prayer Wednesday........Noon - 1:00 p.m. Serving the Community.........Food and Toiletries Ministry Tuesday and Wednesday 11:00am - 1:00pm “Take Care of Your Heart”

The Rev. Mary D. D’Alessio, Pastor

Ave. W Church of Christ

Central United Methodist Church

800 Ave. W 643-6003 Ministers: Billy Willis Bruce Stewart

Darrell Kirbo Roland Finch

Sunday Services: 10:30 am and 2:00 pm Wednesday Service: 7:00 pm

“A warm welcome awaits you...”

AUSTIN AVENUE CHURCH OF CHRIST 1020 Austin Avenue

Rev. John M. Beckling Jr. Sunday Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:50 a.m.

1501 2nd Street 646-9621 cumc@web-access.net www.centralbrownwood.org “God Cares, We Care”

Everyone Welcome

Growing in grace… Practicing hospitality…. Praising the Lord!... Join us for your spiritual journey!

646-0855

A loving, caring, friendly congregation with a place for you.

Bible Class 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship 10:30 a.m. Evening Worship 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Midweek Service 7:00 p.m. J. Tom Washburn, Pulpit Minister Sean Fitzgerald, Youth Minister Roland Bowen, Minister Julie Moore, Director of Childrenʼs Ministry

Everyone Welcome

First United Methodist Church 1073 Early Blvd. Early, TX 76802

325-646-2300 earlyfumc@gmail.com Sunday School (all ages) 9:45 a.m. Worship - 11:00 a.m. Sundays Youth - 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays Barbeque every third Sunday (y’all come!)

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 A7

Need to be kneaded?

Brandon and Kathleen Mazy open Texas Massage Academy as demand for massage therapists grows BY GENE DEASON

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

“Do you need to be kneaded?” the business card of Brandon and Kathleen Mazy asks. A growing number of area residents are answering that question in the affirmative, and the Mazys are not only providing massage therapy, they are also training more Texans who are interested in massage therapy as a career. The field is definitely Kathleen and in a growth mode, as the American Massage Therapy Association calculates that consumers spend as much as $6 billion a year on visits to massage therapists. Next door to the Mazys’ Fancy Day Spa in downtown Brownwood is the Texas Massage Academy, a school licensed by the Texas Department of State Health Services. It’s the only such facility operating within more than 100 miles. Since schools in Abilene and San Angelo have closed, the next nearest place where instruction is available may be Killeen. The Texas Massage Academy is drawing students from as far away as Midland. Finding students who are within a onehour’s drive from home is more common. But location is not the only draw for students. “Our approach is different from others GENE DEASON / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN you might find,” Brandon Mazy said. “We Kacey Prickett, foreground, massages the feet of another student at the Texas Massage take our training and education knowlAcademy next to Fancy’s Day Spa in Brownwood. Behind her are other students Barrett edge to a level that will prepare stuAllen and Misti Blankenship.

dents for a successful career.” He said their belief is that there is more to the career than a traditional massage. The training provides an extensive knowledge of the human body. Indeed, the classroom portion of the instruction is heavy on anatomy. In one session earlier this month, students examined projected images Brandon Mazy of bone structures and then were given modeling clay to duplicate them. Classes began Jan. 7, and run all day on Saturdays and on Sunday afternoons. That’s unusual, Brandon Mazy said, because most schools do evening classes but don’t offer instruction on weekends. While the schedule can be grueling for the Mazys, it doesn’t interfere with the operations of the Day Spa on weekdays. The entire course runs three semesters, and the initial class will go from January to June, the June to November this year, and complete the instruction from November 2012 to April 2013. Subjects such as health and hygiene, anatomy and physiology, hydrotherapy, pathology and business and professional ethics are covered in the first semester. The second semester involves a clinic internships at the students’ own pace. The third semester involves classroom SEE TEXAS MASSAGE, A8

Worship Services Directory 2012 CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Eucharistic Services: 6:30 a.m. Wednesday with the Brotherhood of St. Andrew and 5:15 p.m. Wednesday Sunday Service 9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer Tuesday and Thursday 9:00a.m. with nursery provided during service. The Very Reverend Andrew F.L. Bradley SSC, Rector 1800 Good Shepherd Drive • 646-8791

High Mesa Cowboy Church If youʼre looking for a friendly, casual and down home atmosphere, Cowboy Church is the place for you. 1100 High Mesa Dr. Brownwood, TX 76801 Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Wed. Worship 7:00 p.m.

Pastor: Todd King Church 641-9192 Secretary 642-0474 Pastor 642-0355

First United Methodist Church, Brownwood Dr. Don Scroggs, Minister Located at the corner of Tenth Street & Asbury across from the high school (325) 643-1555 umc11@verizon.net www.fumcbrownwood.com Regular Sunday Services Worship 8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Common Ground Service 10:45 a.m. Traditional Service Sunday School 9:40 a.m. Youth & Kids in Mission

Coggin Avenue Baptist Church 1815 Coggin Avenue Brownwood, TX 76801 325-646-1506 Church Office Pastor Tim Skaggs Sundays:

Bible Study 9:45 AM Worship Services: 8:30 AM (Blended) 11 AM (Contemporary) and 6 PM

Mondays:

Wee Kids Mother’s Day Out: 9 AM

Wednesday Activities:

Wee Kids Mother’s Day Out: 9 AM Prayer Meeting: 6 PM Awana Children’s program: 6 PM (School year only) 180 for Youth: 6:45 PM

Thursdays:

Celebrate Recovery: 7 PM

Fridays:

MOPS (Mother’s of Preschoolers): The 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month 9:30 AM (school year only)

There are many other activities and events throughout the year such as children and youth camps, mission trips, women’s conferences, etc. For more information,please call the church office.

First Baptist Church of Blanket 504 Main Street • Blanket, TX 325-748-5721 Pastor James F. Looby

Sunday School - 9:45 a.m. • Morning Worship - 11 a.m. Youth Bible Study - 5 p.m. • Evening Worship - 6 p.m. Wednesday - 6:30 p.m. - Youth Activities, Children’s Church, and Adult Bible Study Nursery Available for all services. Everyone Welcome!

ST. JOHNʼS CHURCH Schedule of Services:

Sundays: 8:00 am Holy Eucharist 1928 BCP, 10:30 am Holy Eucharist, Rite I, 9:15 am Sunday School Wednesdays: 6:30 pm Holy Communion The Rev. Canon Nelson Koscheski S.T.M., Rector Serving the community (those in need) Food & Toiletries Ministry Main & Depot Streets

646-7482

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

TEXAS MASSAGE ACADEMY: It’s not a ‘one size fits all’ philosophy CONTINUED FROM PAGE A7 training in advanced subjects in topics covered in the third semester plus kinesiology. The core program runs 500 hours, the minimum required by the state to be licensed as a massage therapist, and the advanced core massage therapy program covers 570 hours. “Fancy’s Day Spa opened five years ago, and it’s really been welcomed by the community,” Brandon Mazy said. “We’ve been really busy.” That fact led to the realization that the couple could use some help. “Our technique is different, and it’s been embraced by local local medical clinics, physicians and physical therapists,” Brandon Mazy said. “We firmly believe that massage should not be viewed from a ‘one size fits all’ standpoint,” the academy catalog explains. “Massages should be a tailored/ customized experience to accommodate the specific needs of each individual: health, history, pain, etc.” The idea of opening the Texas Massage Academy began to take shape years ago. “It’s been a labor of love,” Brandon Mazy said. “This just doesn’t happen. It took three years for us to open. It’s been very intense.” Having come this far, the Mazys are prepared to stop now. They envision their classes growing at the academy, expanding beyond their current 3,400-squarefoot facility at 400 Center, and ultimately including a series of Fancy’s Day Spas in other communities across the state. They also hope to be able to employ as many of the graduates of their academy as possible. And the students planning to be the academy’s first graduates range from just out of high school to working mothers. Before those students are ready to begin their new careers, however, they will have to complete clinical internships — and that will give members of the Brownwood community the opportunity to enjoy services at a discounted rate. Speaking of price, tuition at the Texas Massage Academy is another plus for students. The cost for some schools can

GENE DEASON / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

LEFT: Brandon Mazy, an instructor at the Texas Massage Academy, offers guidance to Barrett Allen and Misti Blankenship. Their “clients’ are other students in their class. RIGHT: Sonia Flores works on a project during an anatomy class. run as much as $15,000, Brandon Mazy said. The Texas Massage Academy is able to offer its specialized instruction for a total of approximately $5,700 for the core program and $3,300 for the advanced core program. A weekly payment plan can be as low as $29 a week for the advanced core program, according to academy literature. “This course is tough to do,” Brandon Mazy said. “We understand that.” The Mazys are Brownwood natives, and Brandon Mazy had a lucrative position in computer graphics and Kathleen was a seventh grade teacher in San Antonio. But he was slowed by severe back pain, and during treatment, they decided it was time to change careers so they too could help people. “God was telling us there was something more,” Brandon Mazy said. They pondered the decision, and one night, he said, the couple started “a new journey.” “We thought this would be fun, it would be great for both of us,” Brandon Mazy said. “We took a leap of faith.”

They both began attending a massage school, working long hours at their jobs and then class. “We were amazed during our clinical experience by the effect massage had on our clients,” a letter to academy students states. With family and friends still in the Brownwood area, the Mazys decided to return home. Doors opened, and their building was made available. “It was scary,” Brandon Mazy said, “but it was the best decision we’ve ever made.” The Mazys limit enrollment at the academy to a maximum of 18 students per semester, and 10 students are currently enrolled. The three semesters and academy facilities are designed so that new classes can begin while students who started previously can continue instruction simultaneously. With the semesters moving from classroom and lab, to internship and back to classroom and lab, three classes can be ongoing. The first is under way this winter.

Kathleen Mazy said their technique involves a different positioning of the table on which the client rests, and a more personalized approach to the hands-on effort. “The client can tell the difference,” Kathleen Mazy said. The massage therapist can tell it, too, from the sometimes unexpected reactions of clients lying on the table. Brandon Mazy doesn’t disagree that his is a physically demanding profession. “Wow,” he said. “The students find muscles they didn’t know they had.” So perhaps it’s good that during the clinical portion of their training, they switch out with their classmates, with half of them serving as clients and half of them providing the massage under the Mazys’ watchful eyes. Then, they change places. Brandon Mazy said he feels confident in his plans for expansion, because the success of Fancy’s Day Spa has allowed the couple to proceed with their current plans without incurring debt.

Worship Services Directory 2012

1st Christian Church 2411 Coggin Ave. • 646-8901 Sterling Lentz, Pastor

Helping People Discover and Follow Jesus 208 Austin Avenue • 646-8505 • Dr. Rodney McGlothlin Pastor

Sundays - Worship Services at 10:50 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Bible Study for all ages at 9:30 a.m. Wednesdays - Fellowship supper at 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Bible Study for all ages www.fbcbrownwood.org

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:45 AM SUNDAY WORSHIP 10:50 AM WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 6:00

www.fccbwd.org • fccbrownwood@harrisbb.com Nursery Provided For Each Service

EVERYONE WELCOME

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LAKE BROWNWOOD FIRST UNITED METHODIST

Rev. Curtis W. Schneider Sunday Services:

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1401 1st Street (1st & Coggin) 646-2045

John M. Beckling, Jr., Minister

Sunday School 9:00 am Morning Worship 10:15 am

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St. Mary’s Queen of Peace Catholic Church 1896

2012

Saturday Confession --- 4:30 p.m. Saturday Evening Mass---5:30 p.m. Sunday Mass 11:00 a.m. & 5:30 p.m. English 9:00 a.m. Spanish Daily Mass Mon-Thurs Times vary. Call for times. Rev. Francis Njoku - Pastor 1105 Main Ave • 646-7455

Everyone Is Welcome to Attend

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 A9

Classroom and clinical massage instruction

LEFT: Brandon Mazy provides instruction to Stephen Ortiz, who is massaging the foot of classmate Jonathan Luna. ABOVE: Kathleen Mazy leads a class in anatomy. ABOVE RIGHT: Students Clayton Brim and Tish Whetstone work on a class project duplicating vertabral columns in clay.

See video at www. brownwoodtx.com

ALL PHOTOS BY GENE DEASON / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

ABOVE, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Texas Massage Academy students Melanie Harris, Misti Blankenship and Kacey Prickett work on a modeling project in the classroom portion of their education.

Worship Services Directory 2012 4th & Stewart Church of Christ 3201 4th Street • 646-7102 Ryan Smithey, Minister SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday School : 9:45 a.m. Morning Worship: 10:40 a.m. Evening Worship: 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Evening Worship 7:00 p.m.

EVERYONE WELCOME *' ''& 614'

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

A10 Sunday, February 26, 2012

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Section B

S napshots Horizons 2012

Going strong after 10 years Iron Horse Ridin’ Club continues to help the community BY AMANDA LEIJA BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

“O

ne by one, motorcycles start pulling into the parking lot at Smitty’s Bar-B-Q. As each of the riders makes their way into the restaurant, they pull out their wallets and stand in line waiting for their time to turn over the cash and sign in. Each rider then takes a seat and waits for the meeting to start. At first glance, one would think Smitty’s Bar-B-Q was overtaken with bikers. While some may think the bikers are up to no good, they would be completely wrong. “We voted to help the Bangs Project Graduation, and we need to set a date,” Eddie Cardiel said. “Based on the Bangs school calendar, we are looking at March 24.” After Cardiel describes the lo-

More than just ink

gistics, Luis A. Zapata calls a vote from the riders and a unanimous ‘I’ fills the room. Each rider is a member of the Iron Horse Ridin’ Club, a club that was created in 2002. “A friend from Superior Cable needed help — he had cancer, so a group of us got together to help raise money for him,” said Zapata, president for Iron Horse. “We started getting people together who want to ride and help out.” With that first benefit, the first five members would set the standard of what Iron Horse would be about — helping those in need. What first started out with five members has now grown to more than 30 members. The SEE CLUB, B9

Searching for hang time

LEFT: The family of Tony Esparza presented Iron Horse Ridin’ Club memebrs a plaque thanking the club for its support. The plaque hangs inside Smitty’s Bar-B-Q. ABOVE: Ofﬁcers for the Iron Horse Ridin Club include president Luis A. Zapata, kneeling, acting vice-president Joe Aguirre, treasurer Eddie Cardiel, sergeant at arms Travis Reeves and assistant treasurer Clemont Smiley. AMANDA LEIJA / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

BULLETIN

BROWNWOOD

BROWNWOODBULLETIN.COM

Page B2

Page B7

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

More than just ink Early tattoo shop creates living art

BY AMANDA LEIJA BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

“A

metallic buzzing sound fills the air as Robert Rodriquez works on the details of a butterfly cross. While some artists use paint and a brush to create their art, Rodriquez uses ink and a tattoo machine to illustrate his creations. “When I was in the seventh grade, I had a friend who always did tattoos and he showed me how,” Rodriquez said. “Since then, I’ve been tattooing for more than 20 years and have done between 10,000 to 15,000 tattoos.” Rodriquez learned how to tattoo with the help of a homemade tattoo machine consisting of a Walkman motor, pen and a needle. At first, he would do tattoos for friends and by the time he graduated high school, he had already done more than 1,000 tattoos. “I will never go do anything like that again,” Rodriquez said. “I know some people are still using homemade machine to do tattoos.” Rodriquez, a Brownwood native, would later go on to receive his first professional tattoo machine in 1997. Years later, he would start working at Studio 279 at Lake Brownwood for a few months before finding a job closer to home. Rodriquez worked at The Edge in Early for two and half years. When Brian and Michelle Moore decided to move to Houston, Rodriquez decided it was time to open up his own tattoo shop. “While working at The Edge, I had a lot of my own clients,” Rodriquez said. “I really didn’t want to work under anyone else, so I decided to open my own shop.” Although it’s common to see a larger variety of people with tattoos, Rodriquez notes some still believe the stereotypes regarding tattoos — people with tattoos are either bikers or on drugs. “A lot of people will base their judgment on what they see,” Rodriquez said. “I had some people meet me and then later tell me I wasn’t what they expected.” Rodriquez credits the growing acceptance of tattoos in rural areas to reality shows centered around tattoo artists and their shops. “Now days, tattoos are more acceptable and people you wouldn’t think

ABOVE: Gilbert Trevino works on fixing a tattoo for Danielle Rawls. Even though the tattoo was done at a different shop, Trevino will fix up the tattoo for Rawls. RIGHT: Jana Buckingham works on the details of a butterfly tattoo while shop manager Louis Rodriquez watches.

would be getting tattoos are getting them,” Rodriquez said. “They are just getting them where it’s not easily seen.” While Sharpshooters Tattoo is not the only shop in town, Rodriquez prides himself on offering his clients quality work in a clean shop environment. Unlike some shops that re-use certain equipment with the help of an autoclave — a machine used to sterilize equipment, Sharpshooters Tattoo uses disposable needles and tubes to guarantee clients have zero chance of getting an infection due to improperly sterilized equipment. “A lot of clients come in asking if we have a clean shop environment,” Rodriquez said. “Using disposable needles and tubes ensures things are a lot cleaner.”

Robert Rodriquez stands infront of his crew outside of Sharpshooters Tattoo in Early. Pictured with Rodriquez, from left, are Gilbert Trevino, Eric Lopez and Jana Buckingham.

Meet the crew

When Rodriquez opened Sharpshooters Tattoo in June, 2011, he enlisted the help of his older brother Louis Rodriquez Jr. to be the shop manager. “I knew he was going to open his own shop,” Louis said. “It was only a matter of time.” As shop manager, Louis books appointments, answer calls and helps out in any other way he can around the shop. Louis, who is on disability, has been limited on what he can do in terms of work. “I’m grateful for my brother letting me help,” Louis said. “It gives me someplace to go unlike before. I feel like I’m part of the shop.”

Passion for drawing

When Gilbert Trevino’s older brother, Daniel, decided he was no longer going to pay for tattoos, it seemed only natural for him to ask Trevino to start tattooing. Trevino spent a majority of his life drawing and painting as a way to get away from the craziness from life, he said. “I remember Daniel coming up to me and telling me, ‘You can do this,’” Trevino said. “The next thing I know, I got a professional tattoo gun in the mail.” In 2006, Trevino gave his very first tattoo, a tribal piece,

AMANDA LEIJA / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

ABOVE: After clients decide on what tatttoo they would like to recieve, the tattoo artists create a stencil from the desired artwork for the tattoo. The drawing above is a piece Gilbert Trevino has created for an upcoming tattoo he hopes to get in the upcoming weeks. LEFT: Robert Rodriquez works on the outline for a tattoo he is inking for Jeff Philips from Brownwood. to his brother followed by a rose for his mother. Since then, he has given his two brothers more than 12 tattoos, ranging from tribal pieces to lettering to old school roses. At first, Trevino was teaching himself how to use the newly acquired tattoo machine. When Trevino needed help, he would turn to an old friend, Robert Rodriquez, who Trevino first met when he was 17. “Not knowing anything about how to tattoo, I would ask him on what depth the needle should be and about the tattoo machine,” Trevino said. “Sometimes, I would just sit and watch him give tattoos and learn from what I saw him doing.”

With Robert Rodriguez’s guidance over the years, Trevino was able to enhance his tattooing skills and land himself a job as a tattoo artist. “One day, he approached me and told me he had an open chair,” Trevino said. “I’ve been with him ever since.”

No longer just a boys club

When you walk into a majority of tattoo shops in Texas, chances are very high that the majority of artists will be male. For the most part, the tattoo industry tends to be a ‘boy club’ with few females picking up a tattoo machine. Jana Buckingham, a native of Shreveport, La., decided she had gotten so many tattoos from Robert Rodriquez that she wanted to learn. “I love to draw, and one day I told Rob, ‘I spend so much time up here, I really want to do a apprenticeship with you,’” Buckingham said. “I knew female tattoo artists were limited, and that doing it would set me apart from the male artists.” During the apprenticeship, Buckingham spent countless hours working with Robert Rodriquez to learn the basics of tattooing and techniques needed to produce both color and black and gray tattoos. “The apprenticeship is done for free,” Buckingham said. “It’s a lot of hard work and effort for no money, but it was all worth it.” After the countless hours of drawing and practicing on plastic skin — a plastic material commonly used when learning how to tattoo— Buckingham was finally able to work on clients. Buckingham has been tattooing now for almost a year, and in that short time period has done more than 600 tattoos. “I get more request for tattoos than I expected,” Buckingham said. “A lot of the requests have been from females, and I have even had clients drive in from San Antonio.” Sharpshooters Tattoo is located at 708 Early Blvd. and is open from 2-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 2 to midnight Fridays and Saturdays for walk-ins and appointments.

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 B3

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Size doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I really donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know when I realized I was different than everybody else,â&#x20AC;? Sonnenberg said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But, ust like everyone else, Amanda SonnenI did notice it more when it came to berg puts her jeans on one leg at a time, athletics class in school. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t and is fully capable of caring for herself. do sports because they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Just shy of four feet tall, the Early native appeal to me, not because of was born with Achondroplasia, the most my size.â&#x20AC;? common form of dwarfism where those While Sonnenberg never affected have average size torsos, slightly let her size define her, her larger heads and shorter limbs. elementary classmates â&#x20AC;&#x153;There are times when I do need help,â&#x20AC;? always used Sonnenbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sonnenberg said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But, when I ask for help, size to dictate what she I often get a little too much help. I can do could do. things for myself.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;When I was little, I Sonnenberg credits the Little People of loved playing house,â&#x20AC;? America in helping her better understand Sonnenberg said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But, I her condition and building relationships hated that I always had with other little people who have already to play the baby. I just gone through some of the situations Sonwanted to play somenenberg has also faced. Sonnenberg first thing else.â&#x20AC;? attended a LPA convention when she was In high school, Sonnen2-years-old, which was held at Puerto Valberg would reach her peak larta, Mexico. height of 3 foot 11 inches. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are such a good source of informaAlthough she was never tion,â&#x20AC;? Sonnenberg said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The conventions picked on during her high have allowed me to interact with other little school years, she felt that people and their parents. There are some CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS some classmates shunned families who we have kept in contact with her from activities. ABOVE: While some of the characteristcis over the years.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;It does upset you when of dwarďŹ sm could be seen early on, the While going to school in Early, accommocharacteristcs would become more distinct that happens,â&#x20AC;? Sonnenberg dations for Sonnenberg were never an issue said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;During high school, I since they were already made 14 years prior as Amanda Sonnenberg grew. never confided in my parents for her sister, Tina McMillan who was born about what was going on BOTTOM LEFT: Sonnenberg has always with a type of dwarfism known as Diatried to do things for herself. Here at age 3, while I was in school. I just strophic. Accommodations included doors she attempts her hand at playing the piano kept it to myself. It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t with dooruntil I had already gradulike her dad, Otto Sonnenberg. knobs on ated when I finally told the bottom them.â&#x20AC;? of the door and having stools To help deal with the tough days that come with available. being a teenager, Sonnenberg found herself creating Despite her small size, the digital art through a program called Print Shop with 29-year-old didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see herself her larger creations being movie posters. any different than her fellow â&#x20AC;&#x153;I love art,â&#x20AC;? Sonnenberg said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was my escape and classmates over the years. outlet from those bad days.â&#x20AC;? Although she was always Later, Sonnenberg learned she could make a career smaller than her classmates, from making her digital creations, and looked into going to Sonnenberg did not let that school. Although she feared college would be similar to high hold her school, Sonnenbergâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sister encouraged her to pursue the caback. reer and advised her that college would be different. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter how tall I was,â&#x20AC;? Sonnenberg said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was at the exact same level as everyone else at TSTC.â&#x20AC;? Sonnenberg went on to graduate with an associateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in digital multimedia from Texas State Technical

BY AMANDA LEIJA BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

ABOVE: Like most high school students, Amanda Sonnenberg wanted to attend her senior prom. Here she is in her formal gown as a senior before the Early High School Prom.

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Despite being half-sisters, Amanda Sonnenberg, center, and her sister, Tina McMillian, right, were both born with a form of dwarďŹ sm. The sisters are pictured with their parents, Otto and Georganna Sonnenberg.

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 B5

SIZE: Sonnenberg shopping sprees limited where she gets awkward stares and looks from people. “I can always tell when hunting season starts,” Sonnenberg said. “I get all kinds of looks from out-of-towners. Sometimes, I will get a few folks come up to me being overly friendly and tell me how awesome I am.” While Sonnenberg is a laid-back, easy-going person, there is one topic that infuriates her to no end — midgets. Though the term is widely used in Hollywood, Sonnenberg feels the term is degrading. “We are dwarfs, little people or lps,” Sonnenberg said. “We are not midgets. I had some people argue with me about midgets being a type of dwarfism. Midgets are not a form or type of dwarfism. To me, calling me a midget is like calling anybody else an ugly, derogatory word.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE B4 College in Brownwood in 2005. While finishing her internship with KYOX in Comanche, Sonnenberg found a job with the Brownwood Public Library were she converts old courthouse records, old family photos and family histories into a searchable digital image as an archivist. Like most women, Sonnenberg enjoys shopping for clothes and shoes, but her small size has made shopping at stores difficult. With a children’s shoe size of 2.5, it’s hard to find shoes that aren’t too childish. For the most part, Sonnenberg either has to travel to larger cities or shop online. “Not every place carries my size, and when they do, it often has some cartoon character, like Dora the Explorer on them,” Sonnenberg said. “I’m a kid at heart, but I’m not that much of a kid.” With very few other little people in the area, Sonnenberg notes she often gets confused with a Howard Payne University student who also has dwarfism. Yet, there are times

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Amanda Sonnenberg sits on a chest at one of the stores in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, during her ﬁrst visit to a Little People of America convention. AMANDA LEIJA / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

BY AMANDA LEIJA BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Driving through Brownwood and Early, residents can see them skating up and down the streets. At times, they can be found at the Margaret and Stuart Coleman Plaza pavilion. While some residents may think they are up to trouble, the skaters are just looking to get some “air.” “Most people think we are trying to tear people’s stuff up when we skate at their businesses,” Alek Isbell said. “We are just trying to have fun and participate in a sport we love.” Growing up in Brownwood, Isbell started skateboarding when he was 13-years-old after watching many of his friends enjoy the same hobby. “Some people think we are a bad influence on younger kids, but skateboarding kept me out of trouble,” Isbell said. “When I see a young person skateboarding, I tell them to keep it up because it could keep them out of trouble.” Isbell moved to Cisco for a few years, and although he was away from his friends, he continued to skateboard. “There were a few good spots, but most of the time we would drive to Abilene to skate at Rose Park,” Isbell said Isbell recently moved back to Brownwood and, through mutual skateboarder friends, he met Austin Smith, a skateboarder from Coleman. Smith, 22, first picked up a skateboard during the summer of his sixth grade year after a kid moved to Coleman and showed

Sunday, February 26, 2012 B7

him a some tricks. “After he taught me a few tricks, I was hooked to the adrenaline,” Smith said. “The fun and possibilities with skateboarding are truly endless.” Working around their work schedules and the weather, Isbell and Smith try to skateboard as much as they can. When they aren’t working on different tricks, they are simply playing a game of skate — similar to the basketball game of horse, but with skateboarding tricks. At times, concerned residents and businesses confront Isbell and Smith about their skateboarding — with the majority of the confrontations asking them to stop skating. “I think some of the residents and businesses think we’re out causing problems and being destructive,” Smith said. “But that’s the last thing we want to do.” Both Isbell and Smith agree a skate park is needed in the Brownwood and Early area, not only for the skateboarders in the area, but for those who have bike scooters, roller blades and roller skates. “A skate park is a safe and fun place that is needed,” Smith said. “We don’t need anything fancy, just a safe place to skate where no one has to worry about us damaging their property.”

AMANDA LEIJA/ BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Austin Smith, left, and Alek Isbell, right, spent their afternoon skate boarding under the Margaret and Stuart Coleman Plaza pavilion. When they aren’t practicing tricks, they are playing a game of ‘skate’ which is similiar to the basketball game of horse.

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

IRON HORSE RIDIN' CLUB

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Members of Iron Horse Ridinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club gathered at Smittyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar-B-Q to present Tony Esparza and family a check for $2,742.50 to help cover medicial expenses. AMANDA LEIJA / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

ABOVE: Club president Luis Zapata presents Jason Bennett an Iron Horse Ridinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club a member patch on Feb. 7, 2012. Bennett is the newest member to join Iron Horse after proving to members he is ready to step up to the plate and help. RIGHT: Members of Iron Horse Ridinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club attended the Kicken 4 Cade beneďŹ t held on Feb. 2, 2012, at Uncle Daveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and made a donation of $350 to the Cade Boyle family. BELOW: Members of Iron Horse Ridinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Club met at Smittyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar-B-Q for their monthly meeting to discuss upcoming beneďŹ ts and community projects.

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 B9

CLUB: Over the years, Iron Horse members raised more than $50,000 CONTINUED FROM PAGE B1 riding club has helped raise more than $50,000 over the last 10 years to benefit families who are going through hardships brought on through illnesses. “We have helped a lot of cancer patients over the years,” said Cardiel, treasurer for Iron Horse. “Most have been from around the area, but some have been in Brady because we have members in Brady.” While some in the community may think of the Iron Horse as a motorcycle club, members of Iron Horse would prefer they didn’t make that association. When the members can find the time to fit it in, they take day trips to enjoy the open road. “We are not a MC, we are a riding club,” Zapata said. “There is a difference. A riding club is more family-orientated.” Each month members meet to discuss any upcoming benefit or community projects. While most of the club’s officers are present, one officer has been absent for the last 11 months. Shortly after being elected vice-president, Sgt. 1st Class Martin Zapata learned he would have to serve another tour in Afghanistan. Martin Zapata had already served two tours of duty in both Iraq

and Afghanistan. “We are so ready for Martin to come home safely,” said Joe Aguirre, acting vice-president. “As soon as we know when he’s coming home, we will start working on a welcome home celebration.” Luis Zapata credits the success of the Iron Horse’s fundraising capabilities to two things — the support from the members and support from the community. During months when a benefit is planned, the monthly member dues are paid through briskets instead of cash. For each fundraiser, member Ravia McArthur with Smitty’s Bar-B-Q prepares all of the brisket. “We use all of our talents that we have to help somebody else out,” Cardiel said. “We also have families of those we’ve helped raise money for ask us when the next benefit will be so they can help by either donating another brisket or even a pot of beans.” For each benefit, members sell brisket plates at Service Masters located at 307 W. Baker. Despite work schedules causing conflicts for some members, the club always manages to work around those conflicts to have enough members present to work the

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Sgt. 1st Class Martin Zapata, far right on front row, is currently serving his second tour in Afghanistan where he is the platoon sergeant for his unit. benefit. “We really appreciate the community for their support,” Zapata said. “If it wasn’t for them — whether they donated an item to auction off or purchased plates— we couldn’t do what we do without them.” Besides holding benefits, members from the Iron Horse are often called upon to assist in funeral processions. With their dress shirts, Iron Horse members will assist with traffic control from the funeral

home to the cemetery. “We do have several members who were in the service, so we know the ins and outs of what not to do,” Cardiel said. “A lot of times, police officers don’t have the time to do them. They’ll see us stopped and directing traffic and they’ll leave us be.” Despite the stereotypes about clubs, Zapata wants those who are unfamiliar with the Iron Horse to know they are here to help. “When we’re out together in a

group, we know everyone is watching us and we have an image to uphold,” Zapata said. “The last thing we want is for people to get the wrong impression and think something negative about Iron Horse.” Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Iron Horse Ridin Club can contact any of the current members for more information on how to join. “We are a good club,” Zapata said. “We are always looking for new members that are ready and willing to step up to the plate and work with us.”

See video at www.brownwoodtx.com AMANDA LEIJA / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Members of the Iron Horse Ridin Club include, from left to right front row: Cliff Denison II, Chad Norman, Wayne Burkett, Jimmie Robinson, J.A. Castaneda, Robert Montellano, Derek Montemayor and Margarito Montemayor; back row, Eddie Cardiel, Joe Aguirre, Warren Bryant, Ravia McArthur, Jason Bennett, Ray Chapman, Tony E. Jones, Hardie Barnes, Michael Pena, Travis D. Reeves, Calvin Wright, Luis A. Zapata and Clemont R. Smiley. Members not pictured include Martin Zapata —currently serving in Afghanistan, Wade Hayes, Eddie Mireles, Hammer and Big Mike.

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

B10 Sunday, February 26, 2012

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S napshots Horizons 2012

A different atmosphere Small school districts emphasize the positives about their size BY STEVE NASH

BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

tand in the hallways between classes in Brown County’s four rural high schools — Blanket, Brookesmith, May and Zephyr — you’re struck by what’s missing: there is no ocean of humanity sweeping through long, wide corridors, no roar of betweenclass chatter from several hundred students you’d see and hear in larger schools. It’s more of the calm brook of unhurried students moving through shorter, narrower — and much fewer in number — hallways, conversations from probably 100 or so students at a much lower volume. The districts’ individual campuses and administration buildings are a few seconds’ walk from each other, and one of the districts — May — has more than one principal.

Acts of kindness

Talk to some of the students and staff, and they’ll tell you about some of the disadvantages of the small schools such as fewer opportunities in sports, fine arts and other extracurricular activities. But they don’t believe small school equals small-time education, and they’ll take much longer to tell you about their schools’ advantages than their disadvantages. “I’d put our teachers up against anybody,” Blanket principal Damon Wilson said. Opportunities at the high schools include dual credit courses through distance learning with Ranger College. The advantages include small class size and “more of a community SEE SMALL SCHOOLS, C4

Meeting the challenge

STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

LEFT: Zephyr first-grade teacher Christi Burks looks over Korey Mayes’ work during a math lesson. ABOVE: Craig Kirschke sits at a table with other students in the first-grade classroom at Blanket Elementary School as teacher Debra Jo Bostic reads with the students.

Bulletin

BROWNWOOD

BROWNWOODBULLETIN.COM

Page A5

Page A7

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Big Time

at small Brown County schools

Blanket pre-K student Karli Kinkade takes to the gym floor as other students wait their turn during a P.E. class. STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Brookesmith Elementary School first-graders Mya Williamson, Brylee Thompson, Sharon Beth Bradley and McKenna Cash gathered under a picnic table and arranged themselves for a photo.

BELOW: May Elementary School Gifted and Talented students gathered in the library for a photo. First row, from left, are Danica Marrow, Morgan Ilgenfritz, Brian Kunkel, Sarah Johnston, Alissa Allen. Second row, from left, Ian Henderson, Brianna Steele, Elizabeth White, Clara Brown, Kelsey Chambers, Melanie Murphree, Jenny Stewart, Lane hardy, Reese Chambers. STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Zephyr kindergarten student Kinsey Squyres shows principal Stanton Marwitz a sample of her work as Marwitz pays a visit to the class. Nikki Rogers is the Zephyr kindergarten teacher.

STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

May High School juniors Chelsea Galloway, Jared Howard and Heather Gentles explain the benefits of attending the school during a dual-credit English class. STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Zephyr third-graders Ethan Santos and Stormie Porter are hard at work in Robin Ellisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; class.

STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

ABOVE: Brookesmith High School teacher Misty Schoen assists a student with a math lesson as students use laptops provided by a grant.

RIGHT: Blanket second-grade teacher Ruth Watkins gives a grammar lesson.

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 C3

STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Zephyr kindergarten student Leland Chaput concentrates as Nikki Rogers conducts class.

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STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Blanket fifth-grader Austin Jacobs listens to his teacher Leann Hagood.

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

SMALL SCHOOLS: Students feel prepared for college CONTINUED FROM PAGE C1 feel,” Brookesmith principal Josh Smith said. “Kids don’t come out here and get lost in the shuffle, so to speak. We’ve got really good kids, really accepting kids. Some students who didn’t fit in at Brownwood have found a home in Brookesmith, which has a total of 198 students and 18 teachers in the district, Smith said. Smith, who grew up in Coleman and worked there previously, is in his first year as Brookesmith principal. “We’re limited in some areas … we don’t have a band yet. If we had the numbers for it, we would look at that,” Smith said. Athletic programs listed on the districts website are basketball, cheerleading, cross country, football, tennis and track. There will be a couple of new programs next year, Smith said — ag and theater arts. Blanket principal Damon Wilson said he attended a “big school” in Garland, and even though the campuses were close together, they might as well have been 20 miles apart. That’s because the students on the various campuses never saw each other, Wilson said. In Blanket, which has a total of 220 students and about 23 teachers, older students help the younger ones, Wilson said. “It’s a family atmosphere,” Wilson said. “You get to know the kids. You can monitor which of the kids are doing a little better. When we get a new kid, they seem to get pulled in and involved rather quickly. “We’ll see a little bullying but it’s harder to hide. We’ll see it faster.” Wilson is in his fourth year as principal and has been in the Blanket district for nine years. Previously, he taught for seven years in the Early district. Larger schools do offer more selections in activities such as sports and choir, Wilson said. Athletic programs in Blanket are football, basketball and track, according to the district’s website. At May High School, junior Jared Howard likes having “more of a chance” to be one-on-one with a teacher. “It’s a good experience. I have many parents here.” Other students said they like the family atmosphere and like having fewer distractions, although some are disappointed at not having more sports opportunities, but said they believe they are getting a better education than they would receive at larger schools. The district’s website lists football, basketball and track as the district’s athletic programs. “You get to know the students pretty well, what makes them tick,” ag teacher John Rhine said, citing a low studentteacher ratio as among a smaller school’s advantages. May math teacher Susan Edwards said she loves teaching in a smaller district. “You get a chance to know all of your students. … they get a good education, if not better, because we can work oneon-one with them,” Edwards said. Disadvantages include less access to equipment and no access to laptop computers, Edwards said. May school counselor Danny Allen cited the lack of distractions and “just the family atmosphere.” “There’s a feeling of safety here,” Allen explained. Allen said disadvantages include not being able to offer “a lot of things the bigger schools do. For example, we only offer one foreign language.” Natalie Steele is in her first year as principal at May Elementary School after teaching the previous five years in the dis-

trict. Steele said she and her husband, Craig, both graduated from high school in Sidney, which is a smaller district than May. Steele said she felt “completely prepared” for undergraduate college studies at Tarleton State University and graduate studies at Abilene Christian University. “We feel that this is a great environment to raise our kids, and the community aspect and the school working together, we really appreciate that,” Steele said. The May district is involved in a construction project to build a 23,900-square-foot facility that will include a 600-seat gymnasium, five new classrooms and office space. Voters in the May district approved a $3.6 million bond issue in May to fund the project. At Zephyr Elementary School one recent morning, first-grade teacher Christi Burks walked her class through an exercise in adding the numbers 72 and 22. “ … And we’re going to add our ‘tens’ portions ...” Burks said. “Nine,” someone called out. “You got it,” Burks replied. “ … Now we are about to start something brand new.” The Zephyr district has about 200 students and 28 teachers, school principal Stanton Marwitz said. Class sizes range from four in the second grade to 26 in the fifth grade, said Marwitz, who is in his second year as principal and has been in the Zephyr district for five years. “You get more individual attention,” Marwitz said of schools the size of Zephyr. “Teachers can focus on students a little more. Kids have a chance to participate in more than just one thing” “I call it ‘relaxed.’ It is like a family. Marwitz agreed there are disadvantages: “We’re not going to be able to offer band. We’re not offering choir. Some of the extracurricular activities just aren’t there.” Sophomore Darian Smith said she likes a smaller school because “you can make friends faster. You can get one-onone time.” Smith said she formerly attended school in Early and acknowledged she does miss the opportunity for choir in May. “I like a smaller school because you can know everyone,” sophomore Taylor Miller said. Other students in a group that included Sabree Porter, Karina Rincon, Kelcie Roberson, Cheyenne White, Ryan Jameson and Smith called out their appreciation for a small school: the opportunity to know everyone, the lack of bullies, the closeness of the students, the close attention from teachers, the lack of a clique or a “popular group.” The students said they’d like to have more variety and would appreciate activities such as band, tennis and acting. Zephyr, like May, is involved in a construction project — a facility that will include a new physical education complex with a gym, staff offices, classrooms and technology labs.

STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

ABOVE: May High School chemistry teacher Ginger Anderson interacts with her students. BELOW: May eighthgrader Brody Elkins reads aloud from “The Hunger Games” in teacher LaRhonda Kelton’s reading class for seventh- and eighth-grade boys.

This is a rendition of how the new multi-purpose building under construction in the May school district will look upon completion. STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Brookesmith librarian Regina Whitt reads to fifth-grade students from a book about U.S. presidents. STEVE NASH / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 C5

Not-so-random acts of kindness S.W.A.G. students have a simple goal: Help others BY CANDACE COOKSEY FULTON BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Their goal is simple. They want to help others. And the three young founders of S.W.A.G. — which stands for “Students With A Goal” – have found out, their goal is not very different from most of their friends, or even their friends’ friends. In the year since Bailey Watkins, Maddie Oines and Jordan Griffin (all eighth-graders at the time) came up with a premise of doing things to help others as often as they possibly could, S.W.A.G. has grown to a membership of roughly 80 members. The youngest among them is 5-year-old Allie Jameson. Their oldest member is Bailey’s sister, 23-year-old Amanda Anderson. Now of course, Bailey, Maddie and Jordan are all ninthgraders. The three may vie just about any other three teens anywhere with their busy schedules. The girls are active in sports, music and band, their church youth groups and they’re better than average students. But they’re never too busy to tend to their goal of helping others. “We try to have something once a month,” said Bailey. “Actually, we’ve got at least one activity planned through this year. If more things come along, we’ll add them.” In the group’s charter year, members raised about $3,000 for different local charities and performed at least a half dozen services in kind for groups. S.W.A.G.’s acts of kindness have included hosting a cook-out for Brownwood firefighters. They also collected bottled water for firefighters who were deploying to fight wildfires in South Texas last summer, and, they collected 9-volt batteries, also for the firefighters. S.W.A.G. sponsored a drive for the ARK, the area’s domestic abuse shelter, and collected cleaning supplies, clothes and other useful, necessary items. “We filled a whole truck with the items we collected,” said Bailey. The group held canned food drives for the Salvation Army and for Good Samaritan Ministries. The money from one of their fund-raisers went to help the “Backpacks for Kids” program through GSM, which supplies backpacks full of food for children who might not otherwise have food to eat through the weekend. “If we find out there’s a need, we try to find a way we can help,” said Bailey. “As we get more people, it’s easier and easier to do more things.” S.W.A.G. meets monthly — at Coggin or Alcorn Park, at CiCi’s. They plan together what they want to accomplish, and what sort of activity will help them accomplish what they need to do. “Everyone agrees and everyone has a say in what we do,” Bailey said. Coming up in April is the group’s most ambitious project yet, and, if it’s as successful as early predictions indicate, the group will more than double the amount of money it raised all last year. Proceeds will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brown County and go toward sponsoring teams for BBBS’s “Bowl for Kids’ Sake” scheduled for the end of April. The project? It’s called “The Butterfly Ball and the

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

ABOVE: One of the early-on first year S.W.A.G. service projects was to collect cleaning supplies, and other “useful, necessary items” for The Ark, the area’s domestic and violence abuse shelter. S.W.A.G. members, pictured left to right, are Harley Harrell, Bailey Watkins, Maddie Oines, Val Garcia, Jordan Griffin, Nicole Gravit and Sherlyn Hogue.

BELOW: From the first S.W.A.G. meeting in March, 2011, the goal was to help others. Two of the three founders, Bailey Watkins and Maddie Oines “advertise” their first project, a food drive for Good Samaritan Ministries. BOTTOM LEFT: The third S.W.A.G. founder, Jordan Griffin, and Bailey Watkins “man” the GSM food collection site. Grasshopper’s Feast,” a title that’s derived from a ‘60s folk ballad. The event is a spring parade and butterfly release. Butterflies are available for a $10 donation to BBBS, but they must be pre-ordered. Call the BBBS office at (325) 643-5600 to place an order. The butterflies will be delivered and can be picked up between 10 and 11 a.m. on April 14 at Coggin Park. Then, at 11 a.m., there will be a walk around the park parade, at the end of which, all the butterfly buyers will be able to release their butterflies. “Our first year our projects were mostly about raising money and collecting items. This year, we’ve added some students from Howard Payne and one of the ways they want to serve is to help individual families with things like repairs or painting at their houses, which would be great,” said Bailey. “If you think about it, there’s so many ways to help others, which is our goal. The sky’s the limit, really.”

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

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Feels just like home Area students excel at Howard Payne with help from Heart of Texas Scholarship Program BY COBY KESTNER SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN

Taylor Combs, a 2011 Brownwood High School graduate and freshman at Howard Payne University, has just a few minutes to talk between her classes and duties as a pledge to the Delta Chi Rho sorority. “I’ve been really busy,” she says with a laugh as she balances her textbooks and a cloth-covered “pledge book” she is required to carry with her at all times throughout the week of spring pledging. Over the next few days, she (and the 15 other pledges) will find time to visit with each of the sorority’s 36 members. The 19-year-old psychology major has adjusted to the university life quite well. She is active in the Baptist Student Ministry, plays intramural volleyball, basketball and football and hopes to go on international mission trips while at HPU. But, she admits she might not be here at all if not for the Heart of Texas Scholarship. “I knew I wanted to attend a quality, Christian university,” she says. “I looked into several, but nothing beat the scholarship I was given to attend HPU.” The Heart of Texas Scholarship is awarded to graduates of Brown, Callahan, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, McCulloch, Mills and San Saba county high schools who meet unconditional admission requirements and enroll full-time each semester. It pays $54,000 over four years. A total of 140 students have enrolled at HPU with the Heart of Texas Scholarship since the program began in 2009. According to Jenny Williams, counselor at Brownwood High School and 1977 HPU graduate, that’s 140 more people who might have otherwise left the Heart of Texas area. “For some reason, people often think they need to move away to attend college,” she says. “Several Brownwood High School students have received the scholarship. It’s quite a blessing to keep these quality students in Brownwood.” The scholarship is made possible through the Harris Family Scholarship, the Sam and Nettie Hughes Scholarship, the Charley and Mary Swindle Scholarship and numerous other sources. “It is a pleasure to work with our local students and to share information with them about the Heart of Texas Scholarship,” said PJ Gramling, HPU’s director of admission. Says Taylor, “I love HPU, and the scholarship was the main reason I came. And I got it just for living in Brownwood.” For more information about this and other university scholarships, contact Gramling at (325) 649-8406 or via email pgramling@hputx.edu. To learn more about HPU, visit www.hputx.edu and follow us on Facebook (www. facebook.com/hputx) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/ hputx).

Howard Payne University at a glance • HPU has provided quality Christian higher education for 120 years. • Howard Payne University earned recognition in the 2009 edition of “America’s Best Colleges” published by U.S. News and World Report. • HPU’s student-faculty ratio of 12:1 guarantees close interaction between professors and students. • HPU offers more than 50 majors, minors and pre- professional programs, including the nationally recognized Douglas MacArthur Academy of Freedom multidisciplinary honors program. — From the university’s website

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 C7

Early GT meeting the challenge BY CANDACE COOKSEY FULTON BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

The assignment on the board that Monday was to write a personification sentence. It should have, and could have, been a challenge for high school — perhaps even college — students. But the seventh- and eighth-grade LIFT (stands for Learning Involvement For Tomorrow) students at Early Middle School went right to work. And, in fewer than 15 minutes, when teacher Lori Beck asked the students to read their sentences aloud, they delivered. “The paper glared at me as I wrote on it,” offered Will Donaho, a seventh-grader. “The thunder spoke to me, saying it was angry at the world’s mistakes,” read classmate Danielle Contreras when her turn came. Then, eighth-grader Holli Hullum’s read her sentence with a slightly dramatic flair. “The lightning cracked its whip, screaming to the bewildered earth that its angry storm was about to harshly hit.” “The rain pounded at my window, making a tireless effort to make it into the room,” read Caleb Callaway, also a seventh-grader, when his turn came. Beck knew the assignment would be easy for the students, she expected to be impressed with how well each student would finish the assignment. Both inclinations were correct. Later in the class, Beck would compliment the group, saying the seventh- and eighth-grade class was among her favorites, though she loved all her classes. “We’re the chocolate chips in her cookie,” assured one of the girls. The LIFT program is a storied tradition at Early Independent School District. Sherry Clark, now an assistant superintendent for the district had been involved with a gifted and talented program as a young teacher in Fort Stockton, and when she became the kindergarten teacher at Early in the late 1970s said if there were ever a GT program at Early, she would want to be involved. As it turned out, Clark said, by the time the state issued the mandate in 1990 that all public school systems have a GT program, Early was two years into theirs. “GT has always been my love,” Clark said. “It was exciting when we got the go-ahead. I researched programs throughout the state, got the necessary training and college credit.” But she laughs, “What did I know?” A competitive program just being designed for GT students called “Future Problem Solving” intrigued Clark, so she ordered more materials, and decided it would be a good program to try with the first group of GT students, which were third through fifth grade. In a Future Problem Solving competition, each team of students spends two hours completing a written booklet that combines research with creative approaches to solving problems related to the international competition topic. (This year, the international competition topic is “Trade Barriers.) In addition, the students present their action plan in a staged area with limited props. Written booklets and presentations of the action plans are all considered by a team of judges. Clark was a kindergarten teacher at the time, but worked with the older GT students in the afternoon when the kindergarteners had their rest and recess periods. That first year, Early’s Future Problem Solving team went to the state bowl, a feat that every year since they

CANDACE COOKSEY FULTON / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

ABOVE: Danielle Contreras reads her personification sentence, written during “warm up” exercises at the start of the seventh- and eighth-grade LIFT class. Will Donaho, at right, listens. LEFT: Maggie Yantis reviews her sentence before she’s called on to read aloud. BELOW: Each day, a challenging “warm up” assignment is written on the board.

have repeated. “Some years it’s been one team. Some years we’ve had as many as 18 teams and individuals, but we’ve gone every year,” Clark said. Three or four years, Early teams have advanced out of state FPS Bowl, on to the international bowl. Clark said Early’s program has continued to grow and develop, and so has the Future Problem Solving program and design. But, she also clarifies, that while to some LIFT and Future Problem Solving are thought to be the same thing, Future Problem Solving is actually only a large break-out of the overall GT program. The state requiring public schools to provide a “GT” program, allows schools to fulfill the special needs of the intellectually gifted or especially talented students. It’s a completely necessary provision, Clark said. “These students have special needs just like other students in special needs classes. We work really hard to see that all students’ emotional and intellectual needs are met.”

GT students need to be challenged, pushed sometimes and allowed to work to their full potential, she added. “We are continually creating new curriculum. “One of the things I believed when we began, and I still believe,” Clark said, “is that GT students need to be with other GT students at least part of the day. At Early ISD we have that.” When Clark was promoted to principal, she gave up her LIFT teaching duties and Lora Christmas took over the program. When Christmas retired, Lisa Beck became the GT teacher, and when Beck moved out of the district, Lori Beck, an Early alumna (no relation to Lisa Beck) became the GT teacher. “I still drive the bus,” Clark said, laughing. “This is a program I’m passionate about.” But it’s a program, that is easy to take pride in too. “We see our students meet the challenges in their lives, and accomplish so much,” Clark said. “By the time they are in high school, they’re doing advanced work, dual credit, involved in research and debate programs. They excel in what they do.”

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LEFT: Beale Madison Gordon reads the thesis of this year’s Future Problem Solving topic, “Trade Barriers,” which the class discusses after their warmup. RIGHT: Sherry Clark, now assistant superintendent for the Early Independent School District, was the first teacher, and helped start, the district’s GT program.

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Remembering Judy Moore Instructor taught generations of local youth more than just dance “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” — Ecclesiastes 3:3-5 BY RACHEL MASSEY BROWNE SPECIAL TO THE BULLETIN

In November, I made the fivehour drive to Brownwood. I’d planned all along to be there with my wonderful family for Thanksgiving, but the loss of a dear friend, and tremendous influence in my life, brought me home the Tuesday before. We needed to gather to say goodbye to one we loved so much, and give thanks for the life of Judy Moore. I took dance from Mrs. Moore for nearly 13 years, but Mrs. Moore was so much more than a teacher to me and her hundreds of pupils in Brownwood. Though I could type for days about all I learned from Mrs. Moore; I’ve tried to highlight the things I have held — and will always hold — most dear.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Judy Moore touched hundreds of lives in Brownwood, through her dance academy. She died Nov. 20, 2011, after a lengthy illness.

Life and dance lessons First is the discipline. Discipline is an important part of life, a necessary, vital part. We all wore pink tights and black leotards for lessons. I wish I had a picture of those outfits, but I don’t. We were expected to be on time and work hard. We had a lot of fun — a whole lot of fun. But just like in Ecclesiastes, there was a time to laugh, and there was a time to dance. Through learning to remain disciplined, we learned success and near perfection, grace and confidence. And we also learned that sometimes, the time to dance coincides with the time to laugh. We learned respect. We respected Mrs. Moore, as evidenced by the fact that most of us still, even as

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Too many years have gone by, and unfortunately some of the little dancers’ names have been forgotten. But dancers include: Front row, Rachel Massey Brown, Marcia Wall Christian, don’t know, Ashley Dobbs Benson; second row, Misty Brown Fry, don’t know, Jamie Beakley Ivey, Danica Mikeska and Marissa Martin Miles; and third row, Ashlie McMillan Kerr, don’t know, Mia Painter, Jenifer Taylor Rodriguez and don’t know. adults, refer to her as Mrs. Moore. It wasn’t because she was stiff or unconnected with us, it was just respectful. Every day when we left, she hugged us and gave us a lemon drop, even if we hadn’t been as productive that day as we should have been. We learned about love. Mrs. Moore loved us. She loved watching us dance. She wanted us to be proud of ourselves, and she taught us that those who work hard will see the fruits of their labor. Grace, poise, discipline and practice will take you far in every aspect of life, not just on the stage. But, of course, as William Shakespeare said, “All the world’s a stage.” He finished the quote, “We are merely players.” We were dancers, too, and enjoyed all the special privileges of that. Rewards Mrs. Moore believed in rewarding our milestones.

She made everyone feel important and she always made us feel special, like we mattered to her. Each student got a present based on longevity. The biggie was the flowers on your fourth year. Your dad would present them to you during the awards ceremony after the show. Super. Big. Deal. I honestly am not sure I have ever been as proud as I was when after my fourth-year recital I was presented my flowers. After the fourth year you got jewelry. Necklaces that you could add a new gold bead to each year. I still have my necklace. Mrs. Moore taught me to hang in there, and that continuing to show up is worth everything. I’m sad to say that I quit dance before I graduated from high school. I got busy doing other SEE DANCE, C9

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 C9

DANCE: Former student takes a true ‘Sentimental Journey’ CONTINUED FROM PAGE C8 things and it was hard to find the time for twice weekly lessons. I still remember the day I told Mrs. Moore and the disappointment I saw in her eyes. Still, to this day, it’s one of the biggest regrets of my life. Sometimes I have dreams that the recital is going on and I haven’t learned the dance because I quit! That’s another lesson Mrs. Moore taught me, I think. Don’t quit the things that matter, even if it takes a little extra effort to get them done. Sticking with it was important to her, another very admirable trait. Rhythm and time She wanted us to remember “you sound better when you work together.” I can’t tell you how many times Mrs. Moore and Terry, her daughter, would tap together so that we could hear what it was supposed to sound like. It was supposed to sound like one person, not 14 little girls tapping to their own beat. There was always a time for your own beat, but in most situations, working together as a group makes a better performance. Mrs. Moore loved a good song. I happily remember bringing her new music and she would always listen, find the beat, tap it with her toes and count out the 8’s. She loved the oldies but was open to the new stuff too. She honored our opinions. Someone said on Facebook they could still remember the giddy feeling of pulling out the costume magazines. I remember that so well. There was no dancing that day. We all sat in the floor around Mrs. Moore and picked out what we liked. The show must go on I wish I had a picture of Mrs. Moore in the wings at the recital doing every step of every dance (and there were lots of them). She faithfully gave us our cues: When to go, when to smile and when to leave the stage. Mrs. Moore was the ultimate professional and she knew how to put on a recital. It was more than just little girls doing their dances,

it was a first-class production. One of my favorite sayings, “No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up,” is definitely Mrs. Moore inspired. Putting on our costumes was like being the beauty pageant winner. A little sparkle and some red lipstick, to this day, can lift my spirits. She taught us how to feel beautiful and like we were the most important girls (and boys) on earth. In life as well, not just in dance, the show must go on. I was lucky to have someone to teach me that, and to know that she had my back if I forgot the steps. We learned to be comfortable in front of a crowd, to smile even when we messed up, stay on our toes and never stop dancing.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

“We loved to dance and we learned to love to perform.” Here, on stage, are Jenifer Taylor Rodriguez, Rachel Massey Browne, Melinda Harris Howson and Marissa Martin Miles.

Fond farewell We gathered together on a chilly Tuesday afternoon to say goodbye to Mrs. Moore. There were lots of family, friends and former students there. How good it was to see them all, even under such sad circumstances. I watched her daughter Terry dancing in her chair to “In the Mood,” one of Mrs. Moore’s favorite warm up songs and it was all I could do not to break into the time steps or a jazz square. I hope all of Mrs. Moore’s daughters and grandchildren know how very much we loved their Meme, and how much we love them. We all felt like we were an extended part of their family, and I’m ever so glad they let us be a part of it. Mr. Moore picked out “Sentimental Journey” as the last song they played at the funeral. It was so fitting. We all, to some degree, have gone down a sentimental road remembering a lady who was the epitome of class and grace wrapped in love. Mrs. Moore changed our lives for the better. The pastor said that when we all meet in the air someday, Judy Moore won’t be hard to pick out. She’ll be the one dancing. We will always love Mrs. Moore and cherish her memory. I have no doubt that someday when I get to heaven, the angels will already know the time steps.

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

ABOVE LEFT: Upon completion of their fourth-year dance classes, after their recital, dancers’ fathers would present them flowers and here Bert Massey presents his daughter Rachel with her bouquet. “I honestly am not sure I have ever been as proud as I was in that picture,” she remembers. ABOVE: “This picture is one of my earliest recitals, but I remember feeling so pretty (clearly, based on my pose), and like I was a rock star about to go on stage.” LEFT: “Putting on those costumes was like being the beauty pageant winner. A little sparkle and some red lipstick, to this day, can lift my spirits.”

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Section D

S napshots Horizons 2012

Collector extraordinaire David Cole doesn’t stop with the TV lamps he’s best known for BY AMANDA LEIJA BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

hen some residents hear the name David Cole, the first thing that comes to mind are the 1950s- and 1960s-era TV lamps manufactured by Texans Inc. in Bangs. While Cole does have a large collection — containing more than 500 lamps and items made at the plant — that’s hardly his only collection. He started out collecting a variety of items shortly after he and his wife, Martha, were married Feb. 18, 1962. “We’ve been collecting now for 50 years,” David Cole said. “It started out as necessity but then ended up being a hobby we both enjoy.” The newlyweds, who resided in Brawley, Calif., at the time, unknowingly began collecting household items for their home. “At the time, the items were not antique, they were just on sale.” Cole said. “It was unbelievable some of the stuff we were able to buy.” During the early years of their marriage, the Coles bought their first collectible — an 1870

Dream fulfilled

sewing machine that worked. At the age of 26, Cole started his second collection, Hutchinson soda bottles. Coles said he first started collecting baseball cards as a kid, but he no longer has that collection. His bottle collection has grown to include various types of soda bottles, milk bottles and medicine bottles. “I don’t remember what first got me interested, but I only collect Texas-made bottles,” Cole said. “Now, I have more than 3,000 — including whiskey, milk and medicine bottles made in Brownwood.” Visiting the Coles, one can see collection after collection throughout the house. Martha’s collections include — but are not limited to — rolling pins, Depression

LEFT: David Cole holds a Lyndon B. Johnson Vice Presidential soda bottle that was made for a party held on LBJ’s ranch. ABOVE: Cole shows off one of the many medicine bottles he has in his collection.

AMANDA LEIJA / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

SEE COLLECTOR, D2

Changing course

Bulletin

BROWNWOOD

BROWNWOODBULLETIN.COM

Page D4

Page D9

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

AMANDA LEIJA / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

ABOVE: David Cole holds up a can of Pecan Valley Peanut Butter, just one of the many cans the Cole’s kitchen. RIGHT: The 1870 Willcox & Gibbs sewing machine the Coles purchased while living in California still works.

COLLECTOR: Bangs couple acquires pieces during 50 years of marriage CONTINUED FROM PAGE D1 glass, Texas advertisements and children’s mini dishes — can be seen on the first floor of their home, while David’s collections takes up most of the second floor. “We collected everything in the world,” Cole said, “from old radios, clocks and anything involving Brownwood or Bangs.” While the TV lamps and glass bottles make up the bulk of his collections, Cole also has old radios, bottle caps, model trucks, various sports memorabilia, syrup dispensers, match covers and much more. When the Coles found the time, they

traveled to antique shows across the state to add to their collections. Cole credits the creation of eBay for enhancing his collection. “It was the best thing that could happen for a collector,” Cole said. “It allowed me to purchase from other collectors in places like Canada and further — places I wouldn’t have been able to go.” Cole hopes to one day have his collections available for display in a museum-like setting. Until then, he will continue to give tours of his collection. “I have had several people come look at my collection,” Cole said. “They say it’s as good as any museum they have ever seen.”

LEFT: Various sizes of jugs line the stairs up to David Cole’s collections, housed on the second floor of him home. RIGHT: Martha Cole, former employee for TexasBank, was able to get the clock mechanism from the old TexasBank location to give to her husband. BELOW: One of the radios Cole owns is an Atwater Kent Breadboard 1921 radio with a horn-speaker. The radio was the first commercially available radio and until 1921 all radios were sold as kits. AMANDA LEIJA / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Making a dream a reality BY AMANDA LEIJA BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Caudill, and at the age of 24, he received his driver’s license. “I know my limitations when it comes to driving,” Caudill said. “I know how much of a privilege it is to have a driver’s license, so I’m extra careful and only drive when I feel comfortable.” Caudill has never had an accident, and he credits his specialized glasses for helping him remain accident-free.

It was attending the funeral of a childhood friend, and later the purchase of a hearse, that got Jacky Caudill, 52, interested in the funeral home business. “Attending a funeral in the seventh grade for a brother’s friend really sparked my interest as a kid, but I really never gave it another thought until I bought an old hearse in 1985,” Caudill said. “That really set Foot in the door it off. I really considered it, After the funeral directors and started checking into the turned him down, Caudill schools.” decided to drop his pursuit Before applying to the of working at a funeral home. school in 1986, Caudill wanted Caudill went on to work difto make sure he could handle ferent jobs here and there, working for a funeral home. but for the most part he was He went to all the funeral a general laborer. Then one homes in Brownwood in hopes day in 2004 , he came across one would hire him. One by an advertisement that brought one, each funeral director back the dream of working in turned him down. a funeral home. “For the most part, they “I was looking at the Browndidn’t think I could do it wood Bulletin classifieds, because of my eyes,” Caudill when I came across an ad said. “None of the old-timers looking for someone to help would give me a chance so I with cemetery services,” Caustopped pursuing it.” dill said. “So I decided to call Caudill was born with a to find out more.” genetic disorder that left him Caudill learned J.K. Edens legally blind. Although Caudill was looking for a contractor can still see certain aspects to train to dig graves with a of images, his eyes lack the backhoe and set up tents and muscles needed to keep his chairs. Since Caudill had backeyes steady. His eyes are hoe experience, he decided to constantly on the move, result- take the job opportunity. ing in fuzzy images. While “At first, he eased me into this cannot be repaired, the the assignments,” Caudill said. Commission for the Blind has “After he saw I was getting it helped Caudill locate a doctor down, he turned the equipwilling to work with him. ment over to me so I could After several extensive eye start doing them myself.” exams and field tests, Caudill At times, the jobs were fruswas given a specialized pair of trating but, for the most part, telescopic lenses to wear when Caudill said he thoroughly driving. The enjoyed it. Caudill lenses help worked the contract focus imfor three years. With the use of telescopic ages for “I always made glasses, Jacky Caudill is able sure things to drive. were always AMANDA LEIJA / perfect for BROWNWOOD BULLETIN the families,” Caudill said. “Funny thing is, the contract was with DavisMorris Funeral Home — one of the

funeral homes that originally turned me down.” One day while at the cemetery, Caudill met Brandon Blaylock. After observing Caudill’s quality of work, work ethic, and the compassion Caudill had for the families, Blaylock offered him a job on the days when Caudill wasn’t digging graves. Working for another firm meant Caudill lost his contract, but he was able to start working full-time for Blaylock. “I didn’t think there would be a conflict of interest,” Caudill said. “But I understand in their eyes it didn’t look good for me to work for their competitor.”

his wife, Mary, for 30 years and has one son, Ron, and one step-son, Jonathan Irwin. “I have never thought of him as disabled,” Mary said. “I’m just so proud of him for coming this far and getting to do what he always wanted.”

Jacky Caudill holds the pair of telescopic glasses he was given by doctor when he was 24. AMANDA LEIJA / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

One step closer to a dream

Working at Blaylock Funeral Home has allowed Caudill to expand past digging graves and setting up the graveside services. Caudill has been able to become involved in every aspect other than making the actual funeral arrangements. “We were a small staff so I was able to do more,” Caudill said. “From helping renovate the building at first to helping with services, I thoroughly enjoy what I do.” After getting compliments from some of the families regarding the services, Caudill decided he would give mortuary school another chance. On Jan. 17, Caudill started his first semester at Amarillo College seeking a degree in mortuary science with the classes being completed online. “It’s easier for me to take the classes online,” Caudill said. “I’m able to adjust the computer screen — as close or far as necessary.” Caudill said he plans to take his time on pursuing the degree, limiting the number of hours per semester he takes in order to concentrate on being at the top of the class while working full-time. “The best way to get me to do something is to tell me ‘no,’ ” Caudill said. “It may take me some time, but I’ll figure out a way to do it.” Caudill has been married to

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Brandon Blaylock, left, hired Jacky Caudill, right, after he saw Caudill’s quality of work and seeing Caudill’s compassion for the families. As a part of Caudill’s application process to mortuary school, Blaylock wrote him a letter of recommendation.

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Sunday, February 26, 2012 D5

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012

A place where the sweets are endless Creative baking from the pink house in Bangs BY AMANDA LEIJA BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

Driving through Bangs, residents cannot help but notice the pink house on Hall Street. Maribelle Solis, owner of Endless Sweets Bakery, has been baking sweet creations even before she opened the doors of her bakery. Solis has been an avid baker since she was 12, but she never ventured into cake decorating until she came across a photograph a friend posted on her Facebook page in 2009. Curiosity led Solis to ask her friend if she made the cake, and Solis was surprised to learn she did. “I’ve always been into creative things,” Solis said. “I asked her how she created the cake and found out she took the Wilton cake decorating class.” Solis began searching to see where she could take the Wilton cake decorating class. She took the first course, decorating basics, in Abilene. The course taught Solis step by step the right way to decorate cakes, making the basic buttercream icing and using decorating bags and tips to create roses, shells, leaves, flowers and many other things in icing. Solis enjoyed what she learned from the class and started making cakes for herself and friends. Solis even decided to take another Wilton cake decorating class, this time to learn about using fondant. In December 2010, Solis received her first customer. After that cake order, Solis started getting more requests to make cakes. In April 2011, Solis started to gain momentum baking and decorating cakes. But she soon hit a ‘brick wall’ that made Solis turn her hobby into a business. “I didn’t know it was illegal to bake and sell from home,” Solis said. “After three people reported me, I received a letter from the city. I immediately stopped baking.” That letter fueled Solis to find a space to open a bakery. Finding a location was a challenge in itself. After weeks of searching, a house on Hall Street became available. “We jumped on the chance of buying the house,” Solis said. “But, the house was a HUD house and since I was going to use it for a business, I had to wait 30 days before I could make an offer. It was the longest 30 days ever.”

Solis purchased the house later that summer, and quickly began transforming the house into her shop, Endless Sweets Bakery. On Nov. 14, 2011, Solis opened the doors of Endless Sweets. Made fresh each morning, Solis offers made from scratch muffins, cake donuts, apple fritters, cookies, cupcakes, brownies and kolaches, along with having a variety of cakes, pies and other treats available to order. “My first day was crazy busy,” Solis said. “There was a lot of back and forth, and I had my sisters and mom helping me out. Business was great the first few weeks.” Shortly after opening, Solis closed for two weeks to take a family vacation during the Christmas break. While the vacation was a much needed break, Solis notes some customers got the wrong impression. “Everybody thought I left, even my regulars,” Solis said. “I have one customer who comes in everyday for two apple fritters, two kolaches and a coffee and he stopped coming in. I saw him one day and asked him why he stopped coming in, and he commented he thought I had closed.” In the weeks after re-opening the shop, Solis notes business has slowly started to pick up again, but nothing like before she closed for vacation. Besides the misunderstanding about her shop closing, Solis notes her location has a few disadvantages even though it’s on the main road. “A lot of customers don’t realize I’m here,” Solis said. “When they get to the light at Hall and Second Street, they usually turn towards Brownwood.” Besides baking the daily goodies, Solis averages around three to five cakes a weekend. Although cake orders need to be placed in advance, Solis prides herself for accommodating last minute orders — something some bakeries won’t do. “I remember being in that spot and having places turn me down,” Solis said. “If I can squeeze the order in, I will. One weekend, I had six cakes to make and a customer called me up the day before because her place cancelled on her at the last minute. I made her cake because that’s what I do.” Solis hopes to expand on the business, including adding a drive-through and serving specialty coffees. “I have lots of ideas of how I want to expand, ranging from baking breads to Mexican pastries, ” Solis said. “Its just a matter of figuring out when to do it.”

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Maribelle Solis, owner of Endless Sweet Bakery, stands behind the counter where she serves up homemade treats from 7 a.m. to noon on Monday through Friday. Solis also takes orders for celebration cakes, ranging from character themed birthdays, weddings and baby showers. The cakes pictured are some of the many creations Solis has made, including a tres leches cake with fruit.

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Visitors Guide 2012

Welcome

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Home of the Dragons

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high school and auditorium. The new high school promotes easy access from Highway 67/84 so that school competitors can easily maneuver their buses to the competition. Bangs ISD covers 210.86 square miles with the majority of the district in Brown County. Its enrollment classifies it as a 2A school in Texas. Bangs ISD offers a top notch education for any student who enrolls in Bangs ISD. Bangs ISD offers a strong academic program for all grades including foreign languages, Gifted and Talented Programs, Special Education and college classes through a partnership with several local colleges and trade schools.

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Anderson, who was a finalist on Nashville Stars. Bangs ISD serves students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Bangs ISD contains five different campuses; J.B. Stephens Elementary School, located at 2000 N. Sixth St., Bangs Middle School on 400 N. Third St., Bangs High School located across the street at 305 N. Third St., the alternative school located on 800 Grant St., and a campus located in Early ISD for severely handicapped students. Bangs ISD boasts a new $5 million elementary school and a new $7 million high school; which contains a 650-seat, state-of-the-art auditorium. Bangs High School proudly hosts UIL events and One-Act Play competitions in the new

Whether it’s in sports, band or academics, Bangs students excel in a variety of areas.

A friendly welcome awaits in Bangs Bangs, located in western Brown County eight miles west of Brownwood, a rural community of 1,700 residents with farming and ranching being the primary economic interests. There is a minimal amount of oil and gas production in the surrounding area. The Bangs community has several stores catering especially to Bangs residents, including drug stores, a bank, and restaurants and convenience stores. As of 2010, the population of Bangs was 1,529. The median home cost is $54,650. Bangs ISD also incorporates a large portion of Lake Brownwood, including the Lake Brownwood State Park, more than one half of the Bangs ISD students live around Lake Brownwood and other rural areas. Bang ISD serves these students with 13 bus routes that run twice daily. Lake Brownwood attracted 166,588 visitors in a recent season. The Central Texas area offers excellent hunting, fishing, camping, boating and golfing opportunities for the sports enthusiast. Bangs is also the hometown of 1997 graduate and recording artist, Coffey

Bangs ISD Est. 1892

over 100 years of excellence in education Bangs is a 2A District offering: • District winning UIL teams. • Outstanding vocational programs from business to agriculture. • Competitive Athletic program with several state qualifying teams

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treated waste water, and 2 million to 4 million gallons of effluent water go into a creek each month. Smith has described a scenario in which the city would install transmission lines to carry effluent water from the city’s waste water treatment plant to some, or all, of the following facilities: the city’s baseball field, the city park, the school district’s football field and the school district’s baseball field. Smith has said he would seek a state grant that would cover 90 percent of the cost, which, Smith said, would be anywhere from $135,000 to $800,000. The school district would have the option to buy effluent water, at about half the cost of the treated water it currently buys, for its fields, Smith said. Brown County has also expressed an interest in buying some of the water, Smith said. He said the city would sell the water to the county at a reduced rate for compaction of roads. The water can also be used for firefighting, and the city would not charge the county for water used for that purpose, Smith said. “We’re not doing this to make money,” Smith said earlier of the project. “We’re trying to do our part for conservation.”

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Bangs City Administrator Leo Smith manages operations of the City of Bangs.

City government moving on projects

BANGS — The city is moving forward with projects that include a community improvement project, funded by a $1.5 million in certificates of obligation, and a plan to use effluent waste water to irrigate city and school facilities. Representatives of Southwest Architects met with city officials just this past Friday and will produce plans in a couple of weeks, City Administrator Leo Smith said. While the details of what will be built are still being worked out, city officials have discussed a general concept that would include a swimming pool, an events center, a walking trail, ball field and park improvements and a downtown pavilion. Plans are for the project to be located on a 5-acre tract of land on the north side of U.S. Highway 67, across from the Dollar General store. Bangs City Council members earlier appointed a committee whose members are tasked with deciding what projects will be accomplished. The council approved issuing certificates of obligation last year to fund the project, and also approved hiring a grant writer to pursue state grants to help fund the project. Smith said the effluent water is clear,

The annual Bangs Christmas Parade is always a crowd-pleaser each December.

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Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

Sunday, February 26, 2012 D9

Total transformation

Weight-loss journey leads Marie Smith to fitness competition BY AMANDA LEIJA BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

It all started with 167 pounds. After giving birth to her son, Nick, in 2004, Marie Smith was topping the scales at 167 pounds and a size 12. Weighing around 108 pounds for a majority of her life, Smith knew she needed to make some changes to lose the baby weight. “I was the biggest pregnant woman you ever did see,” Smith said. “After Nick was born, I knew I didn’t want to be that big anymore because I’d always been so small.” Along with two friends also trying to lose their baby weight, Smith started the Weight Watchers program. Within a year, Smith was able to drop 27 pounds by diet alone. Smith began to wean off the Weight Watchers diet and started making healthier food choices. “Some of the weight came off pretty quick,” Smith said. “I got down to 140 pounds and thought I would never get any smaller and I would have to just live with it.” Transformation begins Stuck at 140 pounds, Smith credits a friend, Krista Johnson, in helping her realize she could lose more weight if she added an exercise regiment to her healthier eating habits. While Smith did exercise some before, it was mostly just walking. Smith started working out harder and differently than before, including taking Tae Bo classes. “I saw a change in my body structure and the way my weight was distributed,” Smith said. “I then decided to challenge myself by trying to get certified as a Tae Bo instructor.” While getting certified in any fitness class can be tough, Smith notes obtaining a Tae Bo instructor certification is one of the toughest. Smith spent a weekend in California, with Billy Blanks and his daughter in November of 2007 and endured a series of hardcore mental and physical workouts. “It took a lot of will power,” Smith said. “Billy doesn’t care if you can do the moves, he really cares if you have the attitude and heart to do it. You have to really want it and show him you want it.” About two weeks after the weekend, Smith received an email stating she was now a certified Tae Bo instructor. At 130 pounds, Smith began teaching Tae Bo classes around two times a week for a year, which is how long she could teach before having to re-certify. “After the year, I chose not to re-certify,” Smith said. “I did it more for the challenge of if I could do it.” Over the years, Smith would continue to teach fitness classes including Turbo Kick, kickboxing, group fitness and boot camp. She also received instructor certifications in Turbo Kick in 2010 and personal training in 2011. Competition time When Smith decided to obtain her personal training certificate, she had made a complete lifestyle change compared to when she first started her weight loss journey. By this time, she was 115 pounds and eating clean — eating chicken, fish, limited amounts of red meat, fruits and vegetables. “Through my diet changes and workouts, I lost quite a bit of weight,” Smith said. “I just got it into my head that I wanted to be healthier. It was a gradual process that

took me a while to get down what was right for my body.” While obtaining her personal training certificate, Smith met with Jen Rankin, an International Federation of Bodybuilders Pro competitor and sister of one of Smith’s friends. “She was my inspirational person,” Smith said. “I saw her and I knew I wanted to do what she does.” In November 2010, Smith decided to compete in the Texas Shredder Classic in Austin (held in May 2011) after talking with Dave Goodin, organizer of the event. She started researching online different meal plans and workouts and even enlisted the help of a personal trainer to help get her ready. “I really tried to do it all on my own,” Smith said. “With the competition getting closer, I wasn’t seeing the results I needed.” Five weeks prior to the competition, Smith made the decision to hire a competition trainer. Luckily, Smith was able to find a competition trainer, Greg McCoy, with the help of Rankin and started working with him in March. McCoy owns and operates Metroflex Gym in Plano. Along with training competitors, McCoy also competes. “He told me that he would do what he could in the short time,” Smith said. “He told me that it was going to be hard.” In those five weeks, Smith would undergo a strict diet — consisting of eggs, protein shakes, chicken, fish and greens — and worked out three hours a day. Although it was tough, Smith managed the diet, workouts and a full-time job. “I have the most laid back, supportive husband,” Smith said. “He totally picked up the slack at home and dealt with me and my moodiness from the strict diet.” With her family and a few friends in the audience for support, Smith qualified to walk the stage at the Texas Shredder Classic. In the show, Smith participated in the open bikini division. Smith placed 15th out of 35 competitors. “I knew the minute I walked across the stage that I would do another competition,” Smith said. “Looking back, I had no clue that I could make my body look like that for the competition.” Needing a break, Smith took June and July off before she started training for her next show, the South Texas Classic in October. For this show, Smith decided to compete in the masters bikini division. The decision proved to be the right decision for Smith as she walked away fourth place and a saber as a trophy. “In the masters division, also known as the ‘old lady’ division, I was competing with other women who had to overcome the same obstacles I did,” Smith said. “In open bikini, most of the competitors were in their 20s and didn’t have any kids.” Smith looks forward to the upcoming show season, and hopes to get closer to completing her next challenge. “The support I have gotten from family and friends makes me want to do better,” Smith said. “I told my husband the other day, when I grace the pages of the Natural Physique Committee Magazine is when I will quit.” More than just a bikini While training for both competitions, Smith posted photographs of her progress on Facebook. With her strict diet, she would often times carry along her protein shaker and turn down anything that was not included in her diet. By doing so, Smith was criticized by both fitness industry friends and non-industry friends. “I’ve gotten a few attiSEE TOTAL, D10

Marie Smith holds the fourth place saber she was presented with at the South Texas Classic held in San Antonio. AMANDA LEIJA / BROWNWOOD BULLETIN

PHOTOS CONTRIBUTED

ABOVE: Marie Smith spent three hours a day in the gym in preparation for the Texas Shredder Classic in Austin. Smith’s workouts include lifting weights and cardio. LEFT: Smith poses on stage during the South Texas Classic held in San Antonio. Smith walked away taking fourth place in the masters bikini division. BELOW: Billy Blanks poses with Sara Nadurata, Marie Smith and Krista Johnson during their trip to California to gain a Tae Bo instructor certifications.

Brownwood Bulletin Horizons 23

D10 Sunday, February 26, 2012

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TOTAL: Even her career is changing CONTINUED FROM D9 tudes, mostly because of my pictures and the fact that I made them public,” Smith said. “When I turn away food, some people think I’m being snobby, but I eat to fuel my body not to eat for the sake of just eating.” While some may think the competitions are similar to beauty pageants and competitors show up one day and put on the bikini, they would be completely wrong. Smith notes the road to the Texas Shredder Classic and the South Texas Classic were not easy. “It’s a very competitive sport,” Smith said. “You just don’t slip on a bikini and prance around on stage. For months, I was on a strict meal plan, in the gym for three hours a day and taking classes to learn how to pose on stage. It’s just like any other sport and the bikini is just the uniform. The judges need

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Career change Through the weight-loss to competition journey, Smith has realized her passion with nutrition and in the last couple of months decided on a career change. “I love to see how nutrition can affect chronic diseases,” Smith said. “Through it all, my real passion has been more nutrition than physical. Research shows that the key to weight loss is 80 percent nutrition and 20 percent physical.” While working late one night, Smith came across a friend’s comment on Facebook regarding a holistic nutrition school. After visiting the website, Smith decided she wanted to pursue a certification. “Immediately after I read about the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, I emailed it to my husband and told him I wanted to do this,” Smith said. “He was

hesitant at first, and asked how I was planning to fit the certification in my already full schedule since I worked full-time and had personal training clients in the evenings.” While the school is based in New York, the certification program can be completed online. Smith started the online certification in January, and spends eight to nine hours a week completing coursework. Smith decided to go into the health and fitness industry full-time and resign from her full-time job as an account executive. In June, Smith will be allowed to start taking in clients as a part of her certification. “I will be helping clients meet their nutrition goals, whether it is to lose weight or to treat or prevent a chronic disease,” Smith said. “I will still take on personal training clients. I will just be able to help them with both aspects of weight-loss — nutrition and diet.”

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