Volume 62, Number 49
Azle News
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
THE
www.azlenews.net
Mr. Tidwell goes to Washington
Hornets win 7-on-7 tourney
Page 1B
Page 11A
Savage, Clements top AHS Class of 2014 BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN Their grade point averages are off the charts. Extracurricular activities abound, as do both community service and volunteerism. Not only classmates, but friends and even members of the same church, Thomas “TJ” Savage and Holly Clements have been named Azle High School valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Both Savage and Clements have grown up in Azle, attending AISD schools since kindergarten. However, they didn’t meet until their freshman year at AHS. Clements, the daughter of John and Meleasa Clements, has an older brother, Ryan, who attends Abilene Christian University. Her grade point average of 103.67 earned her the second highest academic spot in the AHS Class of 2014 – salutatorian. She’s been a member of the National Honors Society throughout her career at AHS and currently serves as its vice president. She’s also involved in PALs (Peer Assistance & Leadership), band, and INTERACT, overseen by the Azle Rotary Club. As an active member of Azle First United Methodist Church, Clements participates in local and national mission trips. She volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House and community events such as Relay for Life, UP-
WARD basketball, the Community Caring Center’s Backpack Program, and Vacation Bible School. She is an AP Scholar and was selected as Rotarian of the Month in October 2013. Clements says her goal has always been to be in the top ten students in her class. “Once I reached the number two spot, I definitely made it my goal to maintain that position,” she says. “Becoming salutatorian was hard work and perseverance. It took enduring overwhelming amounts of homework and not choosing the easy way out.” But Clements says it was all worth it. “I am very blessed to have had the support of my family and the Azle community throughout my education. I am truly honored to represent the class of 2014.” Clements feels the accomplishment helps her continue on to achieve other goals and dreams. “I believe the lessons I’ve learned on the path to salutatorian will stay with me as I start a new journey at Purdue University as a food science major,” she said. Savage is the son of Tom and Teri Savage of Azle. His grade point average of 105.09 has earned him the exclusive valedictorian honor. He’s also received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, where he plans to major in mathemat-
ics, commission into submarines, and eventually pursue a doctoral degree. Savage says his hobbies and interests include math and math history, Crossfit, activities at the Azle First United Methodist Church, philosophy, and the uninhibited exercise of his constitutional rights. His honors and awards are too numerous to list here, but include being named a Commended Student in the National Merit Scholarship Program, an AP Scholar with Distinction, Academic All-State, Varsity Swim Team Captain, and Most Valuable Swimmer. Savage also earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2014. He asserts several acknowledgments for being where he is today: “I acknowledge God, for whom, by whom, and through whom I have accomplished what I have and will continue to succeed in whatever I do;” Savage says. “My parents, for loving me more than words can describe and teaching me more than any class; my teachers, for inspiring me, encouraging me, challenging me, and believing in me; finally, to any and all who give of themselves for others, for your actions inspired my decision to attend the Naval Academy.” Savage says his parting words are found in James 2:26: For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Holly Clements, left, is salutatorian and TJ Savage is valedictorian of the Azle High School Class of 2014. They will lead their classmates at graduation at 7 p.m. Friday, May 30, at the Fort Worth Convention Center. Photo by Carla Noah Stutsman
2 fires displace 19 at Music in the Park lineup announced Stones, Beatles tribute bands are bookends apartment complex BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN Summer is almost here, and that means one thing in Azle. Music in the Park! The City of Azle-sponsored summer concert series has increased in popularity and attendance each of the four the second blaze. “That building has a split elevation years it’s been presented, and this summer’s lineup prom– one side is about two feet higher ises to bring throngs of people out to enjoy music under than the other side,” Wilson explained. the stars, as well. “There’s a void space about 10-inches wide between the two, and some of that hot tar dripped into the void space onto some areas of wood and paper packing.” That fuel-rich environment smoldered for some time, Wilson said, before it finally erupted into flames. Wilson’s department continues to work with the complex’s insurance company to determine a dollar amount of the damage caused by the two fires. “We have also required them to have a structural engineer evaluate the entire building before it can be occupied again,” Wilson said. Firefighters from Azle Fire Department, Lake Worth FD, Eagle Mountain VFD, Briar VFD, LaJunta VFD, and Silver Creek VFD as well as the American Red Cross, all responded to the scene for the second fire.
Hot tar to blame for second blaze BY CARLA NOAH STUTSMAN Two fires in as many weeks at the Azle Oaks Apartments in the 700 block of Jarvis Lane have displaced a total of 19 residents in one building, according to Azle Fire Marshal Kenny Wilson. The cause of the first blaze, which occurred on the afternoon of Sunday, May 4, remains under investigation, Wilson said. Seven people – four adults and three children – were forced to relocate from the four interior apartments as a result of the first fire. Twelve people – the remaining residents in the building’s four exterior apartments – were displaced following the second fire, which occurred Wednesday, May 14, about 8:20 p.m. Although the cause of the first fire remains undetermined, Wilson said his department’s investigation into the second blaze has concluded that hot tar, used by a roofing crew making repairs after the first fire, likely caused
If you haven’t made up your mind to go yet, try this on for size: it’s FREE. So bring your chairs, blankets, soft drinks (no alcohol is allowed), snacks, family, and friends to the amphitheater at Central Park, 263 W. Main Street just behind the Azle Memorial Library on Friday evenings at 8 p.m. in June and PLEASE SEE ECLECTIC, PAGE 2A.
Back by popular demand: Me & My Monkey, a Beatles cover band and Music in the Park’s most popular group, will again close out the series in July. Photo by Mark K. Campbell
Board hears competition gym construction update Youth summer food program also detailed BY MARK K. CAMPBELL more on the new competition gym, the The May 19 Azle Independent budget remains “in very good shape.” Bids are scheduled to go out May 21 School District monthly board meeting was filled with recognitions and and be returned by June 25. Construction officials said that they updates. will deliver the maximum price of the Hot tar used to make roofing repairs from a May 4 fire actually AHS construction project at the July 29 board meeting. caused a second fire in this building at the Azle Oaks Apartments Members examined paperwork that Trustees heard that, while avenues on Jarvis Lane May 14. Photo by Carla Noah Stutsman are still being sought to cut costs even showed three different tile colors that
Follow us on Twitter @TheAzleNews
This Week in Azle History
15 Years Ago
will be used throughout the edifice. The interior of the gym will remain all “Azle green” and white – the ceiling will be painted all white – with seating projections settling at 2,000. Superintendent Dr. Ray Lea said demolition of the church next to WalPLEASE SEE SCHOOL, PAGE 4A.
Like The Azle News on Facebook
In May 1999, Cross Timbers Golf Course was preparing to host a Southern Senior Tour stop with Azle’s PGA pro Robert Landers playing; he would finish tied for ninth.
22 pages plus supplements
$1 Azle, Texas 76020