Volume 63, Number 36
Azle News
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
THE
www.azlenews.net
Honoring the ‘Greatest’ Page 1B
Basketball ladies topple Lake Dallas in Page 9A bi-district, 43-42
Perfect Valentine? Disabled Azle youth bags four-legged ‘chocolate’ by carla noah stutsman Michael White was excited to learn that Corporal Patrick Bovea and retired Lieutenant Lee Blaisdell wanted to take him hunting over the Valentine’s Day weekend. The 18-year-old, who graduated from Azle High School in 2014, got to know both Azle police officers when he joined Explorer Post 203 as a freshman. White, who has served as captain of the Explorers for about a year, had been to Blaisdell’s father’s ranch west of Abilene to hunt with the Explorers before and was excited to be invited to hunt with two of his mentors. But when their vehicle took a turn down an unfamiliar county road, White began to suspect something was up. “Oh, my gosh, look!” White exclaimed. “There’s a zebra over there!” The hunters – which included Blaisdell’s son Daniel and friend Michael Miller – were actually on the Droptine Ranch near Trent, not far from the Blaisdells’ ranch. And White was in for the surprise of his life.
Foundation funds hunt Enter the Texas Chapter of the Outdoor Adventure Foundation. Blaisdell’s connections in both the law enforcement and hunting worlds led to the special hunting trip for White. “With help from Weatherford Police Officer George Courtney, who owns a deer breeder operation called Brazos Valley Whitetails, I was contacted by the Outdoor Adventure Foundation out of Amarillo to see if I would be interested in hosting Michael for a hunt on the Droptine Ranch in Trent,” Blaisdell explained. “As the father of a child who has limitations, I wanted to do all I could to make this once-ina-lifetime hunt happen for Michael.” The Outdoor Adventure Foundation is a registered non-profit that provides outdoor adventures to children and young adults with life-threatening illnesses, as well as to combat-disabled veterans that have lost a limb or are Michael White, 18, of Azle, shows off the chocolate fallow deer he harvested Feb. 14 courtesy of wheelchair bound. Britt Cornwell, Director of the Texas the Texas Chapter of the Outdoor Adventure Foundation and Droptine Ranch. Azle PD Corporal Pat Chapter OAF and Matt Hicks of Ama- Bovea, left, and retired Azle Lt. Lee Blaisdell, right, took White on the surprise hunt. rillo, professional outfitter, served as guides for the Azle hunters, and Corey Pradon, owner of the Droptine Ranch, was also on hand as were several OAF Illness doesn’t slow White White suffers from kidney failure board members. and is currently in end-stage renal disThe hunt ease. The Droptine Ranch, located 20 In spite of three-times- weekly dialysis to treat his condition, he leads miles west of Abilene, sits on 1,260 a fairly active life with some limita- acres of high-fence and two sections tions. “I try not to let it stop me,” White says. by carla noah stutsman who would not have graduated other- Scott Nelson, Trevor Todd Nelson, PLEASE SEE DISABLED, PAGE 2A. The Azle Independent School Dis- wise have walked across the stage to Benjamin Earl O’Brien, Heidi Renee trict’s Board of Trustees had a long accept their diplomas from the Hornet Robbins, Nichlos Lane Vonck and Stormi Lashelle Walton. but fruitful meeting Tuesday, Feb. 16. Academy. Graduates included: Isabella HopeThe gathering began with a special called meeting for the purpose of tour- D’Nae Briseno, Devin Chase Brooks, Other business The regular February meeting foling ongoing construction at Azle High Emily Danielle Calvert, Mark Antholowed graduation and School. was held in the AHS LiRains earlier in the brary. day made it imposAmong other business, sible – well, maybe Trustees met and recognot impossible, but renized the winners of the ally messy – to tour AISD Science Fair as the future Career and well as administrators Technology Education and teachers from nine of (CATE) Center due to the district’s 10 campuses extremely muddy conwho received the Spirit ditions. of Grand Central Station However, Trustees Award. and administrators alike Superintendent Dr. Ray got a good look at progLea informed board memress being made at the bers that the Azle Educasite of the new competition Foundation’s annual tion gymnasium. Red Solo Cup BBQ Bash Weather-related deraised more than $75,000 lays currently have and has been deemed the both projects a couple most successful event to of weeks behind, but date. AISD Director of OpAs part of the monthly erations Todd Smith curriculum report, Astold Trustees he has sistant Superintendent of made it clear to conCurriculum and Human tractor Buford ThompResources Tanya Anderson Company that the son introduced AHS PrinCATE Center must be cipal Sam Robinson and complete when school AHS Principal Sam Robinson turns the tassel on Hornet Nurse Denise Mills, who starts in August. The gym is currently Academy graduate Chasity Harle’s mortarboard during showed a video made by Photo by Natalie Gentry AHS students to instruct expected to be ready to commencement exercises. staff and students alike occupy shortly after Lany Cervantes, Tasha Marie Coleman, in the use of Automatic External Debor Day, Smith said. Curtis Lee Cook, Jr., Haylee Christine fibrillators (AEDs). Upcoming events of note include Curtis, Hannah Ruth Gralla, Chasity Hornet Academy the Hanging With The Hornets Book Ann Harle and Christopher John HilNext up, the meeting moved into the Buzz slated for Saturday, Feb. 21 in AHS Auditorium where board mem- burn. Also graduating were Conner Dale the indoor practice facility, and the alTypical late winter Texas weather continued as bluebonnets dared to bers participated in commencement McKay, Nicole Marie Masterson, De- ways-anticipated Azle ISD Showcase begin growth only to have Old Man Winter give them an icy sheen. exercises for the Hornet Academy. Photo by Mark K. Campbell Now five years old, 194 students stany Lorene Nelson, Robert William May 21 at AHS.
Tour, Hornet Academy grads highlight AISD meeting
Spring Versus Winter
All-time greats sought by mark k. campbell of March. Among the categories considered: Think you have seen some incred• athlete ible athletes at Azle High School? • coach Then give them a nomination. • supporter The first-ever class of the Azle ISD • team Athletic Hall of Fame will begin ac• trainer/manager cepting nominations during the month
Individual nominees must have been graduated from Azle High School for at least 10 years. Teams must be at least a decade beyond their “greatest accomplishment.” Older graduates are especially encouraged to submit applications for
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This Week in Azle History
Nominations soon to open for AHS’ best athletes exceptional athletes that maybe forgotten today. The form requires the nominator to document the deeds of the athlete or ascertain that accomplishments can be verified through yearbooks, newspapers, online, or via other sources.
Applications can be printed from www.azleisd.net at “Athletics” and submitted from March 1-31 three ways. U.S. Mail at AISD Athletic Directors Office, 1200 Boyd Road, Azle, 76020 PLEASE SEE AHS, PAGE 2A.
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30 Years Ago In February 1985, 61 Azle ISD teachers received onetime $2,000 bonuses from funds set aside by the state.
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$1 Azle, Texas 76020