Liberty Hill Digest • June 2022

J U N E 2022

LHHS CLASS OF 2022

GRADUATING A CLASS OF CHAMPIONS June Special Focus Education, Trades & Learning A Multi-Feature Look at Resources, Opportunities & Achievements in Liberty Hill and Towns Around J U N E 2 0 2 2  L I B E R T Y H I L L D I G E ST

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INSIDE SPECIAL FOCUS A Multi-Feature Look at Education, Trades & Learning

Next Month...

RETIREMENT LIFESTYLE

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LIBERTY HILL ISD Growth and Achievement in the District

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SCHOLARSHIPS Unique and Local Opportunities

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EDUCATION FOUNDATION Grants for Teachers; Scholarships for Students

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LITERACY PROGRAMS 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

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SCHOOL CHOICES Making Informed Decisions

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GRADUATION Celebrating the Class of 2022

16 FEATURES & FAVORITES 18

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WHAT MAKES TEXAS "TEXAS"?

Juneteenth

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INDEPENDENCE DAY Nick Adams is All In for America

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FOOD Modern Day Cavemen

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FACTS TO BLOW YOUR MIND Measures of Men

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BELLE CHIMES IN Ode to Dad

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PARTING SHOT Teachers of the Year

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Australian by birth, American by Choice

ON THE COVER: Liberty Hill High School senior parade, May 21. Photo by Christianna Bettis J U N E 2 0 2 2  L I B E R T Y H I L L D I G E ST

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Liberty Hill digest

Published by Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC

PUBLISHER

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Ann Marie Kennon

Cathy Payne

COMMUNITY EDITOR

Megan Diane Beatty

Megan, a mom of two, has been a part of the Liberty Hill community for 11 years.

Originally trained as a nurse, today, she channels her passion to help others into throwing birthday parties for kids battling cancer. Megan’s other passion is running, and that same zest for life flows into her writing and sharing the inspiring stories of Liberty Hill.

SENIOR WRITER / EDITOR Charlotte Kovalchuk CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Cassidie Cox • Linda A. Thornton • Elle Bent GRAPHICS & DESIGN Sandra Evans • Ann Marie Kennon CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Christina Tucker • Christianna Bettis SOCIAL MEDIA DIRECTOR • Jenny Campbell DISTRIBUTION • David Schumacher IT/WEBMASTER • Jesse Payne CONSULTANT • W. Ben Daniel

ADVERTISING Emaleigh Roe emaleigh@lhtxdigest.com Direct 512-641-1370 Cell 281-710-5888

Liberty Hill Digest is a Fidelis Publishing Group, LLC publication and a product of AdvocateNewsTX Newspaper.

Copyright © 2022 All rights reserved. Liberty Hill Digest is published monthly and mailed USPS, free of charge, to homes and businesses in Liberty Hill, TX zip codes. Mail may be sent to Liberty Hill Digest, P.O. Box 213, Jarrell, TX 76537.

Email: info@lhtxdigest.com

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EDITOR’S NOTE | MEGAN DIANE BEATTY Dear Readers, We made it to summer break! I am looking forward to saying goodbye to my pale and hello to my tan. Most people can’t stand the Texas heat but I love to lay out by the pool and take in the sun's vitamin C. I already have my summer reading plan in place. Now, if only I could get my kids to set a reading plan…

While we are on the topic of reading, Liberty Hill Public Library kicked off a new program for our littlest readers.

There are many benefits to reading to very young children.

You can find more information about the free program in this issue. I love our small town library and the sweet librarians that run it.

Congratulations to our Liberty Hill 2022 graduates and foundation grant awardees. You have all come so far, worked hard, and achieved your goals. Now go out and make your mark on the world. Well done, Liberty Hill Independent School District for building champions!

My daughters absolutely loved their teachers and shed some tears when the school year ended. As a mother that is entrusting my kids to others' care, I could not have asked for better. Thank you for a wonderful school year.

In between, look for some wonderful education resources for next school year, or any time; a look at Juneteenth, America's second Independence Day and, of course, some love and recognition for all our dads and father figures...

Happy Father's Day, Liberty Hill.

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EDUCAT ION & T R A DES & LE A R NING

photo by Marsha Hood

Superintendent Steven Snell • Kat Yanez, a VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) medal winner, Liberty Hill Middle School • School Board President Megan Parsons • School Board member Kathy Major • School Board member Kristi Hargrove • School Board member Michael Ferguson • Liberty Hill Elementary Assistant Principal Aaron Russo • Kaleb Wells, Rancho Sienna Elementary • Thor Spalding, Liberty Hill Elementary • Ella Glidewell, Liberty Hill Elementary • Logan Anguiano, Liberty Hill High School • Dalton Svatek, Liberty Hill Middle School • Paula Kaderka, administrative assistant at Santa Rita Middle School • Valerie Baca, fourth grade math teacher at Bill Burden Elementary • William Barfield, Santa Rita Middle School • School Board member Anthony Buck • Brayden Rivera, Louine Noble Elementary • School Board member Kendall Carter • School Board member Terry Smith • Not pictured: Jackson Weidright, Bill Burden Elementary School, and Justice Bokelmann at Santa Rita Elementary School

Liberty Hill's May Champions Recognizing Panther Pride

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hen it comes to educating the next generation of Panthers, Liberty Hill ISD is committed to building champions inside and outside the classroom.

Every month, the school board celebrates champions who demonstrate everything from integrity to academic excellence to community involvement.

Superintendent Steven Snell says, “Part of our mission is to make our students become the best versions of themselves and make sure they get everything they need to maximize their potential. We want to cultivate the ideals of hard work, perseverance, and grit. Part of life is learning to overcome difficulties.”

ed to have more than 20,000 students. Part of Liberty Hill’s growing pains is trying to plan building schedules and attendance boundaries so schools don't become overcrowded,” Superintendent Snell says.

PLANNED DISTRICT BUILDS Elementary #6 in the Bar W subdivision scheduled to open August 2023 Elementary school #7 in the Santa Rita subdivision (across from SRMS) scheduled to open 2024 Middle school #3; Seward Junction area in fall 2024 High school #2 in the Seward Junction area coming in fall 2025

PLANNING FOR GROWTH

POTENTIAL & PROJECTED BUILDS

When he came to the district three-and-a-half years ago, Superintendent Snell engaged more than 100 community members to help him and his staff plan for growth. His objective was and continues to be prescient—one in four students was new to the district this year. The result of his strategic planning was the passing of a $491 million bond, passed last year, that will fund four school expansion and renovation projects: two new elementaries, one new middle school, and one new high school. “Three years ago we had an enrollment of 4,000 students. Today we’re at 7,100 and growing. By the end of the decade we’re project-

Eight elementary schools before 2030

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High school #3 in the SH183 & 3405 area

SCHOLASTIC SUCCESS AGAINST THE ODDS Managing thousands of student absences and hundreds of missed teacher and staff days during the pandemic period made 2021-22 a difficult school year for LHISD. “It’s tough when you’re on a skeleton crew,” Superintendent Snell says. “Talk about a championship effort. For instance, in January, we had as much

as 20 percent of our teachers and staff out at one time or other. Of course, our culture is all about teachers and staff stepping up so we did whatever it took to keep the schools running.” Teachers covered each other’s classes, staff filled in as subs when there were none to be found, and the community categorically responded when the district asked for help with lunch duty and arrival and dismissal duty. Parents “showed up in full force,” Superintendent Snell says. “It was all hands on deck.”

Despite COVID-19’s effects, “the kids have still been extremely successful. They’ve achieved great things.” Here are a few of those achievements, as well as other scholastic successes: 20 FFA students made it to the state competition Varsity football, boys and girls basketball, and fall tennis teams made the playoffs in their respective sports.

Varsity football played in the UIL state championship.

The robotics team competed in to two state competitions and several art students made it to state level competition as well.

Dhanush Kondapalli, a junior at Liberty Hill High School, earned a perfect 36 on the ACT. Less than half of 1 percent of students who take the ACT earn a top score. In the U.S. high school graduating class of 2021, only 4,055 out of 1.29 million students who took the ACT earned a top score of 36.

by Charlotte Kovalchuk

$8 million in the 2021 bond was allocated for new technology, including iPads, Chromebooks, and laptops for students and teachers.

The district hired Scott Stansbury to be the new technology director.

Teachers were given an 8.3 percent raise amounting to a $4,500 increase.

“We’re a small district so our salaries were lagging behind—we had some catching up to do. We were able to level the playing field financially,” Superintendent Snell says. With 1,500 new students this year and as many as 2,200 expected next year, the district plans to hire 100 teachers to keep up with enrollment growth. He adds, "We believe we are the best district to attend and to work for. This raise was a reflection of our beliefs and goals.”

ON THE FUTURE OF LHISD With strong conservative leadership from the board of trustees and great relationships with county and city officials, Superintendent Snell believes the future is bright for LHISD. He says, “Academically, we will continue to hire the very best teachers whose primary focus is always the students. Financially, we are in a great place to thrive via responsible spending—our CFO has already saved the taxpayers nearly $31 million in future debt payments. Our biggest challenge in the post COVID world is the rising cost of construction due to massive inflation. I am confident we will be able to save on those costs with diligence and smart planning with our architect and construction teams.”

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EDUCAT ION & T R A DES & LE A R NING

Liberty Hill Elementary's Thor Spalding (left) was recognized as a life-saver. He applied the Heimlich maneuver to rescue a teacher who was choking.

EDUCAT ION & T R A DES & LE A R NING

$

There's

F

FREE Money Out There

or high school graduates preparing for college, a daunting process awaits—searching for scholarships to ease the financial burden.

In the United States, students pay an average of $38,000 per semester at a private college, $22,000 at an out-of-state public university, and $10,000 at an in-state public university. Even the lowest cost adds up over the course of two or four years.

While the process of finding scholarships can be intimidating, students should know there are many unique opportunities available to fund their higher education.

In Texas, thanks to the Hazlewood Act, qualified veterans, spouses, and dependents may receive up to 150 hours of tuition exemption at a state school. Learn more at tvc. texas.gov.

GET SPECIFIC

Many students will appreciate the opportunities offered to those who fit into specific demographics or niche categories. For instance, the Tall Clubs International Foundation awards scholarships up to $1,000 to female students who are 5’10" and taller and male students 6’2" and taller who apply on their website.

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Students who can prove they are not averse to taking risks may apply at Bold.org for up to $25,000 in their "Be Bold" No-essay Scholarship. As well, all scholarships are not just for public or private schools.

OnToCollege.com lists many programs and awards specific to homeschool students. Some require only that the student learn at home for at least two years, while others, like the Mason Lighthouse Scholarship, award funds for college, trade school, or even mission work after graduation.

Students can also check out GoingMerry.com and let the free scholarship search and application platform do the work for them.

LOCAL MONEY

Students in Williamson County may submit a single application for scholarships to the Austin Community Foundation, which then matches their qualifications to relevant scholarships. Additionally, any student in Williamson County in the top 25 percent of his or her class is qualified for the Leola and Charles H. Hugg Trust Scholarship (huggtrust.org).

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by Elle Bent

Liberty Hill ISD students may also apply for scholarships made available only to them including the Liberty Hill Band Boosters and Diana Pogue Memorial Scholarship for band students, the Troy Joseph Memorial Scholarship for Liberty Hill High seniors and the Liberty Hill Young Farmers Scholarship, which can be applied for at the Texas Young Farmers website.

Scan the code for more college and career readiness from Liberty Hill High School.

Editor's note: Scholarships, like any other financial transaction, are subject to scams. While search platforms are helpful, some things to remember:

Do not pay fees up front to apply.

Research the name of the company and make sure the website provides contact information.

Do not provide financial information in your application.

Delete messages that say "You've been selected..." if you did not apply first.

Check an offer's eligibility requirements to make sure they match your qualifications.

When in doubt, ask your counselor.

Liberty Hill Foundation Grants

by Charlotte Kovalchuk photos courtesy LHISD Education Foundation and Julie Bowse

come back from. We want to continue to navigate it in a positive way.”

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dding to parents’ toolkits and giving special needs kids the chance to experience a carnival for the first time—district teachers were able to make a difference in students’ lives thanks to more than $20,000 in grants from the Liberty Hill Education Foundation. “We all know teachers pay out of pocket for innovative things more often than they should.

They shouldn’t have to do that,” Foundation President John Newberg says. “That’s where the foundation comes in, to help our teachers help our kids. It is our mission to help facilitate the things teachers are passionate about—innovation and student learning.”

Last year, Missy launched a program called PAWsitive Parenting, a series of speaker events designed to equip parents and reinforce caregiver skills. Inspired by a similar program at the district she worked in previously, one of Missy's speakers was Karen Silcox, a child psychologist consultant for school districts, who spoke about connecting with kids to help reduce their stress and anxiety.

The goal of PAWsitive Parenting, Missy says, is to reach out to parents in a positive way, not just when their child is struggling. “I really enjoy the opportunity to meet more parents,” she says. “As counselors, a typical interaction is making a hard phone call to say a child is struggling. That is diving right into the deep end, whereas this type of event allows us to meet and interact with parents at a time when we’re not having an awkward conversation. Getting to connect with parents in a positive and meaningful way is great.”

CARNIPALOOZA Knowing many of their special needs students may never have been to a carnival before, Liberty Hill High School teachers Christine Huppee and Julie Bowse asked themselves, “How can we bring a carnival to them? Can we expose them to an event like this in a way that is at their level but is not overwhelming?”

On April 12, the first annual Carnipalooza took place at Liberty Hill High School. Students with developmental disabilities were delighted to enjoy a petting zoo, bounce house, obstacle course, train rides, face painting, giant Jenga, corn hole and, for many, their first taste of cotton candy. “The smiles on their faces that day were amazing to see,” Christine says.

Several organizations stepped up to help make the event a success, including Two Brand It, which donated Carnipalooza T-shirts. They were joined by the Panther marching band and mascot, and 200 students from DECA (a career and technical student organization), the National Honor Society, and Art Club, all of whom volunteered at carnival stations. 

PAWsitive PARENTING Seeing parents and students struggle to re-acclimate to in-person learning this past school year inspired Santa Rita Middle School counselor Missy Whitsett to help families navigate the return to the classroom. “Two years at home were really unsettling and strange to

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EDUCAT ION & T R A DES & LE A R NING

Underwriting Success at Every Level

EDUCAT ION & T R A DES & LE A R NING

2022 GRANTS Caroline Montgomery, Noble Elementary, Professional Teacher Library: $2,850

Initially hesitant about volunteering at Carnipalooza, Mikyela's students enjoyed giving back so much that they wanted to fill carnival stations during other class periods.

“It was a rewarding event for students,” she says.

Encouraging students to volunteer helped meet another Carnipalooza goal—removing the stigma attached to people with developmental disabilities. “It was a good experience for students in regular classes to partner with kids they normally don’t have interactions with,” teacher Mikyela Tedder says. “It helps strengthen their compassion and understanding of how these students function on a day-to-day basis. It also prepares them to integrate with people having similar characteristics when they enter adult society.”

It was that inclusiveness that motivated LHEF to fund the project. “It’s not just about the kids with special needs,” John says. “It’s about the kids in the National Honor Society and DECA volunteering their time.

It’s learning lessons about how they can be part of creating a better community. Encouraging them to ask themselves How do we bring our community together?”

Organizers hope to build on this year’s success by increasing community involvement next time.

“We would love, in a perfect world, to turn it into a student-run event that involves the whole community and all people with developmental disabilities, not just our students,” Julie says.

Alison Jalufka, Rancho Sienna Elementary, Going Deeper in Mathematics: $575 Jolie Jenning and Tara Gray, Bill Burden Elementary, Listen and Learn with VOX Books: $965 Katie Ann Prescott, Jordan Hunt, and Wendy Stocker, Liberty Hill Middle School Audio Books for All: $1,000 Christine Huppee, Mikyela Tedder, and Julie Bowse, Liberty Hill High School Carnipalooza: $2,650 Jolie Jennings and Lauren Claymon, all campuses, Let's Go On A Story Walk! $986 Jennifer Hurley, Liberty Hill Elementary, Small Group Reading Activities and Book Club Chapter Book Sets: $1,043 Missy Whitsett, all campuses, LHISD PAWsitive Parenting: $1,200 Misti Schulz, Leslie Krizan, and Marie Layne, Liberty Hill Middle School, Community Bowls: $1,400 Katie Ann Prescott, Liberty Hill Middle School, Read & Ride: $900 Sheri Durham and Katie Ann Prescott, Liberty Hill and Santa Rita middle schools, Jennifer Nielson Author Visit: $3,000 Cathy Kieschnik, Santa Rita Elementary, Phonics-based Decodable Readers: $306 Jennifer Coates, Noble Elementary, News Broadcasting Equipment: $2,598 Cheryl Simmons and Bailey Wipff, Noble Elementary, Math For All: $914

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EDUCAT ION & T R A DES & LE A R NING

For the Kids

Education Foundation Scholarships To encouraging higher education and career readiness for Liberty Hill ISD seniors, the Liberty Hill ISD Education Foundation awarded $2,500 scholarships to 11 members of the class of 2022.

Education Foundation president John Newberg and VP of marketing and events Michelle Hawley

EDUCATION FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Abigail Basalla Greta Coker Kylie Harlow

Montgomery Madison Caitlin Neeley Reese Williams Katie Wilson

WALKER TOUGH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

Cole Jefferson

Haley Kuhlmann Dylan Lewis Jennifer Merrill

For the Liberty Hill ISD Education Foundation Scholarship, students were asked to write an essay about how they would advise a peer to become a successful member of the community. The LHISD Education Foundation was impressed by the submissions, says Miranda Walker, the foundation’s board secretary and scholarship chair. “It was enlightening to hear the ideas these students have about how to get engaged in and support their community.”

The “Walker Tough" Memorial Scholarship is a special program to honor the legacy of Liberty Hill High School football coach Jeff Walker. Students were asked to share in their essays about adversities or challenges they have faced, how they handled those challenges, and what they learned in the process. “The scholarship review committee felt extremely honored that the applicants took the time to share their heartfelt and personal stories,” Miranda says.

Below: LHEF Board Members & Seniors awarded at the Liberty Hill High School Senior Awards ceremony. Community partner LendFriend Home Loans joined to help honor the students

Scan the code to learn more or donate to the foundation.

JUNE 2022  LIBERTY HILL DIGEST

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EDUCAT ION & T R A DES & LE A R NING

1000 Books Before Kindergarten

by Megan Diane Beatty

Friends of the Schrock family reached out to library director Angela Palmer hoping to create a charitable donation to honor and strengthen their friends’ legacy.

Angela knew immediately which program to recommend.

With more than 100 children already signed up, the Liberty Hill Public Library introduced the newest chapter of the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten program. Generous donors helped establish the program in loving memory of Kimberly and Payton Schrock, beloved mother and daughter lost last year in an automobile accident.

SIMPLE BUT PRICELESS The 1000 Books Foundation is a non-profit public charity that provides an innovative and fun approach to establishing early literacy skills nationwide. Parents and caregivers keep track of books they read to their children using log sheets, journals, or smartphone apps. The goal is to help parents and caregivers help children become strong readers, which will empower them to be successful in school and life.

The challenge to parents is to read books of any kind—consistently—to newborns, infants, and/or toddlers. The goal is for each child to have listened to 1,000 books before he or she starts kindergarten. The foundation supports these

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efforts with information and resources for parents and caregivers, and helps libraries, schools, churches, and other host groups with local challenges.

One thousand books may seem like a lot but one book every night will allow children to meet the goal in just under three years. Reading three books a night will complete the challenge in less than one year.

JOIN THE FUN Angela says, “The program is an exciting and free way to start a child on the path to success. Any child younger than 6 may participate and it is never too early to start. Singing songs, saying rhymes, telling stories, and playing are all great ways to build literacy skills.”

Research demonstrates young children who are read to on a regular basis have an advantage when learning to read for themselves. Reading together also builds closeness and early literacy skills— the foundations for school success, which will impact them for their whole lives.

Angela encourages anyone interested in the program to call 512778-6400 or visit the library.

She adds that every book counts, even the same one read over and over again, which every parent knows is not an unusual request.

Each participating child receives a library log and, for every 100 books read each will receive a special reward from the librarian. Every child who reaches the 1,000 book goal will have his or her name placed on A R E C E N T U N I V E R S I T Y S T U DY F O U N D T H AT the Book Wall of C H I L D R E N W H O S E PA R E N T S , C A R E TA K E R S , O R Fame.

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S I B L I N G S R E A D TO T H E M AT L E A S T O N C E A D AY H E A R D N E A R LY 300,000 W O R D S B E F O R E T H E I R F I R S T D AY O F K I N D E R G A R T E N .

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EDUCAT ION & T R A DES & LE A R NING

Doing Your Homework on Education

by Linda A. Thornton

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o one knows your child better—or is determined to find the right academic setting to help him or her thrive—than you do. With so many options available, having all the specifics will help you make informed decisions about your child’s education journey.

PRIVATE

Location/Daily Commute: How far is too far? Is staying in your community important?

Private schools offer a smaller class size and a challenging curriculum, but come with a price tag and, most likely, admission requirements.

Teachers may have more control over the curriculum and teaching methods, but if the school does not seek state certification, teachers need not have a teaching degree.

The school size may not support advanced facilities and each promotes an individual religious or ideological doctrine. Private schools need not uphold the same requirements as public schools for special needs students.

School/Class Size: Evaluate the student-to-faculty ratio.

CHARTER

“Knowledge is power.” ~Sir Francis Bacon Start by considering the basics: School Type: Each school has its own unique mission statement.

Cost: From free to tuition-based, plus other expenses.

Style: What is your child’s personality? Does he require constant monitoring? Is she independent?

Does he need to be challenged?

PUBLIC Attendance at public schools is free and there are no entrance requirements. Your child will likely be exposed to a greater diversity of cultures and ethnicities while the experience is still community based—i.e., classmates live nearby.

Class sizes may be large, but public schools often offer more options for courses, after-school activities, and curricula. Some districts also 14

offer impressive facilities such as sports fields, swimming pools, art and music programs, and even theaters. Public schools are required to provide for the needs of all students—i.e., speech, physical, and behavior therapies. Standardized testing is required and public school teachers must be certified.

Charter schools began operating in Texas in 1996 and are free to attend with no admission requirements. These schools are subject to fewer state laws in return for more innovation and flexibility in their curriculum. School size will determine the amount of advanced facilities and special needs programs.

Although not entirely government funded and must seek other sources of revenue, charter schools continue to grow in popularity.

HOME-SCHOOL Home-school proponents passionately agree their goal is to not recreate public school at home, but to personalize each child’s

J U N E 2022  LIBER T Y HILL D IGES T

educational experience. Some parents prefer unschooling, a type of learning based on the child’s interests. While Texas is among the most lenient states when it comes to home-schooling requirements, it does stipulate that children must attend school from ages 6 to 19, learn required subjects using a written or online curriculum and receive a parent-issued diploma. Home-schooling is considered a private school, hence special needs children receive no added assistance. With a variety of support and resources available, the costs vary widely.

HOME-SCHOOL CO-OPS To avoid isolation and broaden the emotional experience, co-ops are communities of home-schooling families. Parents share skills, resources, and ideas—e.g., a parent with an art or science background teaches that subject to the whole group. Children enjoy socialization on field trips and in group activities.

Conferences and special events also provide parents with up-to-date information on laws and trends.

One person’s 'pro' could very well be another's 'con.' Educate yourself on the facts so you can make the best determination about your child’s education.

JUNE 2022 LH Digest and JULY 2022 Georgetown View

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LHHS Graduation

story and photos by Christina Tucker

Friends and family packed both sides of the Liberty Hill High School stadium to watch commencement exercises May 27th.

Ideal weather and 377 exuberant seniors were a satisfying wrap to a four-year journey that included a global pandemic, distance learning, and a 100-year ice storm. Content to have those exceptional challenges behind them, students, faculty, and administration agreed that being together on the field was reason enough to be grateful. No surprise, then, that there were hugs from friends and family—not standing on ceremony—coming onto the field even before the ceremony concluded. Congratulations and Godspeed, class of 2022.

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class of 2022 Note: For safety & privacy, student names are not included. The Liberty Hill Digest staff were pleased to attend the graduation ceremony and still have the opportunity to share the accomplishments of the Liberty Hill Class of 2022 with the community.

JUNE 2022  LIBERTY HILL DIGEST

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JUNETEENTH

AMERICA’S SECOND INDEPENDENCE DAY [ B L A C K S A N D W H I T E S ] M AY H AV E G OT T E N T H E R E I N D I F F E R E N T WAY S A N D AT D I F F E R E N T T I M E S , B U T YO U C A N ’ T R E A L LY C E L E B R AT E F R E E D O M I N A M E R I C A B Y J U S T G O I N G W I T H T H E F O U R T H O F J U LY. ~ REVEREND RONALD MEYERS, FOUNDER AND FORMER CHAIRMAN, N AT I O N A L J U N E T E E N T H O B S E R VA N C E F O U N D AT I O N

WHAT MAKES TEXAS “TEXAS”? by Ann Marie Kennon

IN 1980, TEXAS WAS THE FIRST STATE TO DECLARE JUNETEENTH A STATE HOLIDAY. ON JUNE 19, 2021 THE NATION CELEBRATED JUNETEENTH AS A FEDERAL HOLIDAY, THE FIRST NEW DESIGNATION SINCE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY. COMMUNITY MEMBERS, MYRIAD CIVIC GROUPS, CHURCHES, AND LOCAL AGENCIES IN WILLIAMSON COUNTY HAVE HELD THESE PUBLIC EVENTS FOR 70 YEARS.

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w hat makes Te xas “ Te xas”

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uneteenth is a day that traditionally recognizes the end of slavery in the United States. While many believe Abraham Lincoln’s executive order—the Emancipation Proclamation—freed the slaves, his 1863 order was just the first step.

IN BRIEF President Lincoln signed the document on September 22, 1862, and it became official January 1, 1863. It effectively changed the legal status—from slave to Juneteenth celebration free—of more than 3.5 million African in 1900 at Eastwoods Park in Austin.

Americans. However, the order was not Photo from Austin History Center recognized, nor would it be enforced, by states rebelling against the Union. But, Initially called Jubilee Day or Emancipation Day, the once a slave escaped the control of the Confederacy, biggest celebrations emerged in Galveston in the years by moving across Union lines, or through the efforts of following General Granger’s proclamation. In those early federal troops, he or she was permanently free. All others years, it flourished and grew, year over year, as former were legally freed either by state action, or when the 13th slaves returned to the city where it all happened, and Amendment was ratified in December 1865. new generations learned about and grew in apprecia-

MEANWHILE, IN TEXAS...

Texas was geographically isolated from the significant battles of the Civil War and, in a time without mass communication, slavery persisted in the state, even after the Confederacy surrendered in April 1865. Finally, on June 19, Major General Gordon Granger and 2,000 Union soldiers landed at Galveston. He read aloud from General Order Number 3:

THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS ARE INFORMED T H AT I N A CCO R D A N C E W I T H A P R O C L A M AT I O N F R O M T H E E X E C U T I V E O F T H E U N I T E D S TAT E S , A L L S L AV E S A R E F R E E .

T H I S I N V O LV E S A N A B S O LU T E E Q UA L I T Y O F RIGHTS AND RIGHTS OF PROPERTY B E T W E E N F O R M E R M A S T E R S A N D S L AV E S , A N D T H E CO N N E C T I O N H E R E TO F O R E E X I S T I N G B E T W E E N T H E M B E CO M E S T H AT B E T W E E N E M P LOY E R A N D H I R E D L A B O R E R .

“JUNETEENTH” BEGINS History says reactions among the 250,000 Texas freedmen were mixed—from disbelief to being gone before the General even finished reading the statement. Never the less, a great annual convergence of music, feasts, and rodeos, took root over the following decades.

tion of their parents and grandparents. As more families emigrated from Texas, they took the tradition with them and continued the celebration, first in border states, and eventually coast to coast.

The day was first celebrated in Austin in 1867, and in 1872, African-American leaders purchased land specifically designated for the annual event, now known as Emancipation Park. Celebrations across Texas continued to grow and by the 1890s, the name had commonly changed to Juneteenth.

In the 20th century, the Great Depression, World War II, and Civil Rights Movement brought many changes to the African-American community, and Juneteenth celebrations experienced surges and revivals over time; it was even an official destination at the Texas State Fair from 1936 to 1951.

In 1979, Texas state legislator Al Edwards was the first to introduce a bill to make Juneteenth a legal holiday and the first state-approved celebration took place in 1980. In the years since, all but three states passed legislation to officially recognize June 19th, or the third Saturday in June, as an official holiday or observance. In 2021, in an ever-evolving celebration of common bonds of freedom, June 19 was named a Federal Holiday.

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IN D EPEND ENC E DAY

by Ann Marie Kennon images courtesy Nick Adams/FLAG

Nick Adams is All In For America J

uly is a time to celebrate America, its history, and its exceptionalism. At the same time, we must not fail to recognize the vigilance required to maintain these legacies and help us reach our tricentennial intact. Fortunately, among the many who love America and are committed to these goals is a warrior born in Australia.

EXCEPTIONAL LIFE Nick Adams celebrated his 17th birthday on September 5, 2001. Less than a week later, from across the globe, he was pondering the terrorist attacks and realized the planes might have crashed in London or Sydney. "I believe history bestows a task of great importance upon every generation," he says.

"At that moment, I realized it is incumbent upon my generation to stand up for America."

Having survived three years of treatment for Stage IV Neuroblastoma (a rare childhood cancer), before he even started kindergarten, Nick recalls being drawn to America from a young age. It seems evident that the same grit he showed in his fight against cancer served him well in his service to his community in Australia and in his fight—on two continents—for America. "Growing up in Australia in the 80s and 90s, as in most parts of the world, nearly all the television and movies we had were from the United States.

There was something electrifying about the colorful characters and an optimism associated with all of those

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things. From Full House to Die Hard, I realized the U.S. was a different place than where I was living. I was attracted to that energy, hustle, and positive vibe."

His fascination with America crystallized while studying American politics, history, and government at university. He says, "Getting a sense of the United States' origins through the founding documents that represent its values, I fell in love, academically. It grew from curiosity to affection and admiration."

Nick's own energy and charisma did not go unnoticed. He was elected a Councilman in the Sydney area at the age of 19, and at age 21, became the youngest-ever deputy mayor in Australian political history.

during that first four-week tour, affection turned to love.

Now an enthusiastic 24-year-old, Nick had written to more than 70 clubs, chambers, political groups, and even fire stations across the country, offering to share his remarkable life story. His visit to America coincided with mainstream criticism of President Obama's perceived failure to stand up for American exceptionalism. Nick's goal, then, was to encourage others with his message about loving America. Fueled by his energy and enthusiasm, a five-stop tour turned into 23 speeches in 13 states.

"I first arrived as a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed tourist and over the months and years and many more trips, I got the attention of cable news networks," he says. "I signed book deals with major publishers and launched myself into a platform that has since reached more than 50 million people."

2ND BEST DAY

I expected America to be amazing.

It ended up being amazing on steroids.

COMING TO AMERICA Finally, on June 8, 2009, he arrived in America for the first time and

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On July 29, 2016, after a long and challenging journey to receive his Green Card, Nick returned to America for good. Being here, he says, "is like winning the best lottery of life." Remembering the challenges of his early childhood, he adds, "I learned to never, ever waste a minute. I have chased every dream and pursued every opportunity and now I speak about America—a country that rewards boldness—with the zeal of a convert to demonstrate how legal immigrants can help steer America to safety and celebrate her 300th birthday."

INDEPENDENCE DAY tions of influence to support bigger things. America also needs action now and my vision for FLAG is to become a voice for traditional America and the anti-woke—perhaps become to the everyday patriot what the NRA is to the 2nd Amendment lover."

EXCEPTIONAL MESSAGE Not content to just talk about the American dream, Nick founded the Foundation for Liberty and American Greatness, a 501(c)3 non-profit in 2016 in his apartment garage. The mission of FLAG is to: Rally everyday Americans against socialism and promote the American way of life.

Fight against the false narrative that America is a terrible country.

Create and distribute materials that teach civics and the greatness of America to K-12 students.

Spearhead a movement of legal immigrants, give voice to their patriotism and fight back against those who would eliminate their desire to do so.

To date, more than 1 million students have received at least one of FLAG's resources, including the world's first plain English versions of our founding documents for kids—the Student's Constitution©, Student's Declaration of Independence©, and the Citizen's Guide to the Electoral College. FLAG also provides classroom materials, videos, lesson plans, and guest speakers for classrooms across the country.

"We are non-political," he adds.

"Speaking in schools is an important commission but there will be a gap before those students are in posi-

Every day, Nick is outspoken about his distaste for those lucky enough to have been born here but do not acknowledge how special and wonderful it is. He says, "The whole world wants to come here but there are Americans who tell us how bad it is."

He has previously spoken in Georgetown and hopes to reach even more across Williamson County and all of Texas. "I came here because America isn't like everywhere else and I wanted to make sure it doesn't turn out like everywhere else."

such as Dennis Quaid, Laura Ingraham, and Bill O'Reilly. Pres. Trump also appointed Nick to the Board of the Smithsonian Institution's Wilson Center.

Nick invites everyone to be a part of FLAG as a volunteer, donor, or host for a speaking engagement.

"FLAG has now become one of the leading K-12 educational groups in America because we are all about aspiration and inspiration—we want every young American to tie their personal dreams to love of country.

We see that as the answer to the increasing lack of patriotic pride in our youth."

To learn more about FLAG's resources, attend the gala, or to book Nick for a group or school setting, visit his website FLAGUSA.org.

EXCEPTIONAL CITIZEN Nick is living the American dream.

He has been an honorary Texan since 2013 and eight other Governors have awarded him honorary status in their respective states as well. President Trump tweeted about his books so frequently that media outlets referred to him as the President's favorite author. He appears on Fox News frequently and between Nick Adams' Best Day speaking, running On December 20, 2021, when Nick beFLAG, fundraising and came an American Citizen, he had a major all other commitments, celebration and turned his home into a muhe is virtually in a differseum for all the awards and memorabilia he ent city every day. received in his time touring around America.

Every year, FLAG Nick says, "It's simple: I have big dreams, hosts a Gala that has and I want to leave a legacy." high profile speakers J U N E 2 0 2 2  L I B E R T Y H I L L D I G E ST

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FOOD

Modern Day Cavemen Yours may have been Prometheus personified, or perhaps wore a "kiss the cook" apron with black socks and sandals, but it is hard to imagine a greater grilling champ than a dad.

Beer Can Chicken • 1/4 cup kosher salt • 1 tablespoon light brown sugar • 1 tablespoon ground cumin • 2 teaspoons ground coriander • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika • 1 teaspoon black pepper • 2 (3 1/2-4-lb.) whole chickens • 2 (12-oz.) cans beer Stir together salt, brown sugar, cumin, coriander, paprika, and pepper in a small bowl. Remove giblets from chickens, and discard or reserve for another use. Sprinkle skin and cavities of chickens with salt mixture. Chill, uncovered, at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.

Preheat gas grill to medium (350°F - 400°F) on 1 side. Open beer cans; drink or pour out 1/2 cup beer from each can. Working with 1 chicken at a time, hold chicken upright with cavity facing down, and insert 1 opened beer can into cavity. Pull legs forward to form a tripod, allowing chicken to stand upright.

Place chickens upright on unoiled grates over unlit side of grill. Grill, covered with grill lid, until the skin is crispy and a thermometer inserted in thickest portion of thighs registers 165°F, about 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Remove from grill; rest 10 minutes. Carefully remove cans; cut chickens into quarters.

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F O O D

CLASSIC GRILLED CORN ON THE COB • 6 large ears yellow or white corn with husks (about 5 lb.)

• 1/4 c butter, cut evenly into 12 pieces • 3/4 t kosher salt • 1/4 t black pepper Preheat a gas grill to medium-high (400°F to 450°F) on 1 side, or push hot coals to 1 side of a charcoal grill.

BASIL BUTTER WITH PARMESAN

Working with 1 ear at a time, grab silks at top of corn with half the silks in each hand. Slowly peel silks down, 1 side at a time, peeling back all silks and husks in 1 motion. Discard silks; pull husks together to form a ponytail-like handle. Tear off 1 small husk piece; use it to tie a knot around husks to secure.

Process 1/2 c packed fresh basil leaves, 1/2 c softened butter, 2 t. fresh lemon juice, and 1/4 t. Kosher salt in a food processor until smooth, 1 minute. Arrange corn on a platter. Rub corn with butter mixture; sprinkle evenly with 1/2 c finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Coat corn with cooking spray; place on unoiled grates on lit side of grill. Grill, uncovered, turning occasionally, until charred in spots, 15 to 18 minutes. Hang husks over edge of grill to prevent burning.

Stir together 2T dark brown sugar; 1T smoked paprika; 1t fresh lime zest; and 1/2t each of ancho chile powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Sprinkle mixture evenly over Classic Grilled Corn.

Return corn to lit side of grill. Grill, uncovered, turning occasionally, until sugar is melted, 4 to 5 minutes.

Arrange grilled corn on a platter, and serve with lime wedges.

Remove corn from grill. Wrap individually in aluminum foil, excluding husks, placing 2 butter pieces on each ear. Put wrapped corn on unlit side of grill. Cover grill to keep warm until ready to serve, at least 5 minutes or up to 30 minutes. Unwrap corn; sprinkle with salt and pepper.

SMOKY BARBECUE RUB

GRILLED PEACH COBBLER • 7 cups 1/2-inch fresh peach slices or 2 (20-oz.) bags frozen sliced peaches, thawed and drained • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg • 2 tablespoons butter

BISCUIT TOPPING

• 1 cup all-purpose flour • 1/4 cup granulated sugar • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder • 1/2 cup heavy cream • 1/4 cup butter, melted Heat one side of grill to medium-high (350°F to 400°F). Place peaches in a large bowl. Stir togeth-

er sugar and next 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle mixture over peaches, and stir gently to combine.

Spoon peach mixture into a buttered 10-inch cast-iron skillet. Cut 2 tablespoons butter into small pieces over peaches. Cover skillet tightly with aluminum foil.

add cream and melted butter. Stir just until mixture comes together.

Uncover grill, and discard foil; dollop peaches with dough mixture. Cover with grill lid, and grill until biscuits are browned, about 15 more minutes. Remove skillet from grill, and let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Place skillet over lit side of grill, and grill, covered, until bubbling and hot, about 15 minutes.

Biscuit Topping: Stir together flour and next 2 ingredients in a small bowl.

Make a well in the center, and JUNE 2022  LIBERTY HILL DIGEST

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facts to blow your mind

MEASURES OF MEN Sonora Dodd (1882-1978) from Spokane, Washington, first suggested a “Father’s Day” in 1909 after listening to a Mother’s Day sermon. She hoped to establish a day to honor her father, William Smart, in a similar fashion.

William who was a widowed Civil War veteran with 6 children and a farm. President Nixon signed the holiday into law in 1972.

According to multiple surveys, in his lifetime, a man spends almost six months shaving but nearly a year staring at women.

The top 10 best TV and movie dads (according to Salon) include 1) Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird 2) The Little Tramp, The Kid 3) Charles Ingalls, Little House on the Prairie 4) Nathan Lee Morgan, Sounder 5) The Father, The Road 6) Stan, Killer of Sheep 7) The Father, Children of Heaven 8) Furious Styles, Boyz N the Hood 9) Shukichi, Late Spring 10) Andy Taylor, The Andy Griffith Show.

In the Gen-X survey, Andy Taylor is in the #1 spot.

Twenty-eight percent of dads said they always buy top brands without concern for the price.

Halsey Taylor invented the drinking fountain in 1912 as a tribute to his father, who succumbed to typhoid fever after drinking from a contaminated public water supply in 1896.

If "The Brady Bunch" creator/producer Sherwood Schwartz had gotten his way, Gene Hackman would have played Mike Brady.

In Ancient Persia, men debated ideas once sober and once drunk, because the idea needed to sound good in both states to be considered a good idea.

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M AY 2022  LIBER T Y HILL D IGES T

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BELLE

Ode to Dads D

ear Dad,

It's so easy to picture you by the grill and telling me to step away from the heat. I can see you cutting the grass, telling me I'm not old enough to do it safely by myself.

I can hear you telling me to stay away from your power tools because I'm not strong enough to use them without cutting off a limb or poking my eye out. I can smell the gun oil on your hands, earth on your hunting jacket, and the animals you told me not to look at because I wouldn't want to eat them after.

Here's the thing, Buz—I am so grateful to have grown up without an iPhone, or even a second TV, because all those times you didn't allow me to do stuff, I never walked away. I sat on the stairs, or in the driveway, or on the porch and just kept on watching you. Everything you did—every time you moved your own hand or foot out of the way, figured out how to measure a perfect cut or right angle without a ruler, knew exactly when to take the burger off the fire, or how to put something back together the right way—I had nothing else on my mind other than wanting to be close by to watch a master at work.

You would never have called yourself a master. You were just doing what dads have been doing for millennia and I was at your knee, or across the yard, marveling at how you somehow knew how to do just about everything. Solving problems was your element, and you were always kind of a glorious giant that I wanted to be like someday when I was big enough.

Maybe you worked too late sometimes, but that was okay. Working two and sometimes three jobs was just what your generation did. But you also played hard and in our home, as you were in life, everyone knew you to be Will Rogers, Muhammad Ali, and Andy Griffith all in one.

When you told us stories of hunting and fishing and saving people from burning buildings, we listened. We bought it. We never even considered that some of those stories may not have been true. Much like the ashy footprints coming out of the fireplace on Christmas morning looked curiously like the bottom of your fireman's boots.

You were more than recliner chairs and the big piece of chicken. You were more than football and dad jokes and watching Clint Eastwood shoot up a composite of archetypical thugs on weekend nights. Home was always the epicenter of You—the ground zero for everything 'dad' and infusing our little minds with life hacks before we even knew what those were.

They say smell is the sense most tied to memory. It's still hard for me to inhale the burn of charcoal, billowing sawdust, cut grass, or Aqua Velva without remembering you, your common sense, and the twilights when the magic-hour sunlight swam through the smoke from your cigarette and the talking began. Hard to imagine a greater hero, really.

Then we started getting older. We realized your cop friend could probably have beat you in an arm wrestle.

We sort of decided that well-done wasn't the best way to eat a steak. Like all of us, I worshiped you in childhood, ignored you as a teen and, as a grownup, realized that those childhood days were about so much more than fixing stuff or making dinner.

I love that, as a parent myself, I can imagine the perfectly imperfect person you were before fatherhood turned you into a responsible guardian. I am also proud, thanks to you, that I can clean a fish, a carburetor, and a gun. I can only hope my son looks at me with the same awe and wonder just once in a while. And oh, how I wish you could have met your grandson so I could study your face again in that moment.

By the way, you were also right about the power tools.

Apparently, 47 is still 'not old enough' to use them safely and even though you were called Home in 1993, I heard your wholly accurate voice in my head the very instant I cut off my thumb with a rotary saw.

Happy Father's Day from your loving and careless daughter.

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PARTING SHOT

image credits: Facebook/LibertyHillISD

Liberty Hill Teachers of the Year

Audra Cozart



It is an honor to be the LHISD Secondary Teacher of the Year. We have many wonderful teachers in our district, so to be recognized by them and our administration is very special.

As our district grows, I hope that I can use this position to encourage other teachers to join our school family.



Cassidy Ness

Being named District Elementary Teacher of the Year is an honor. However, the honor and privilege ultimately comes from being a part of Liberty Hill ISD and, even more so, a part of the Bill Burden family. With that said, my accomplishments have been made possible by my Lord— for through Him all things are possible— the patience and encouragement of my family, and my extraordinary fourth grade team.

I am fortunate to teach with a group of dedicated and talented educators who inspire me to be the best that I can be every single day. It is said that good teaching and good learning is all about love. I love where I work, who I work with, and the students that I am blessed to teach each year.

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J U N E 2022  LIBER T Y HILL D IGES T

Thank You! For making our 5th annual Justice 4 Children event a success!

We’d also like to say Thank You to First Watch for providing breakfast & Love at First Bite, courtesy of Liberty Hill Digest, for providing lunch

Benefitting:

wilcocac.org

P.O. Box 213, Jarrell. TX, 76537

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