Donley County Social Hour 6
Archives for May 2020
Two CHS seniors earn college degrees
By Elizabeth Zongker
Harmond Drenth and Trenton Smith, members of the Clarendon High School Class of 2020, received their Associate’s in Science degrees from Clarendon College on May 8, meaning these gentlemen graduated from college before high school.
The majority of their college work was completed for free thanks to the Dual Credit Peak Scholarship, which is an agreement between Clarendon College and Clarendon CISD.
Harmond and Trenton made history by being the first CHS students to complete their high school and associate requirements at the same time.
Harmond and Trenton began this college course work while on CISD campus back in the Fall of 2018. Harmond completed 62 hours at CC and plans on attending Baylor University in the fall with a major in Computer Science.
Harmond said his degree at Clarendon College will allow him to directly go to upper level course work when he arrives in Waco in August.
“My most challenge course in college so far has to be Interpersonal Communication,” Harm said.
Trenton worked hard during the school year and summer terms to graduate from Clarendon College with a total of 77 hours. Trent plans to attend WTAMU and obtain his degree in Business Management.
“By completing my associates degree, I feel a sense of being stress free heading into WTAMU,” Trenton stated.
Like Harmond, Trenton found a certain college class, Elementary Statistics, to be hard.
New COVID case reported here Monday
One new positive case of COVID-19 has been reported in Donley County, according to Judge John Howard, MD.
Speaking Monday morning, Howard said the state had tested about 4,000 people in area meat packing plants with 1,111 positive cases reported afterward. One of those is a Donley County resident, Howard said.
Also on Monday, the judge said the Texas National Guard was in Clarendon to test more than 40 residents at the local nursing home as well as the staff at that facility. If any of those tests come back positive, the judge will be notified.
Meanwhile, the count of tests run on Donley County residents by the Clarendon Family Medical Center totaled 106 as of Monday. Three of those are pending, 20 have been positive, 83 have been negative. Six local people have now received a positive test outside the county, bringing the total local COVID cases to 26 with at least 21 of those having recovered.
On the state level, Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Monday the start of Phase II in the reopening of the Texas economy. He said gyms, child care centers, and boys’ and girls’ clubs could re-open with safety guidelines effective May 18 and said that restaurants could expand to 50 percent capacity starting on Friday. Rodeos, professional sports, scouting, youth camps, and other activities can also resume this month.
However, due to the spiking numbers, largely in the Amarillo area meat packing industry, the following Panhandle counties would be delayed one week in moving to Phase II – Potter, Randall, Deaf Smith, and Moore.
“We must continue to place health and safety first and foremost,” Abbott said. “Be a good neighbor. Be a Texan.”
For more on the governor’s plan to reopen the economy, visit Gov.Texas.Gov/OpenTexas.
CHS names top students for Class of 2020
Clarendon High School has announced the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the Class of 2020 are Harmond Drenth and Trenton Smith.
The Salutatorian for CHS is Trent Smith, son of David and Buffie Smith. He has a weighted GPA of 5.776.
Trent was very involved in extracurricular activities during his high school career. He was a member of the Bronco Band his freshman and sophomore years, a member of the State UIL Basketball team his freshman year. He competed in UIL Academics all four years and advancing to regional competition in math his freshman through junior years, was a member of the Student Council all four years serving as president his senior year, and member of the School Health Advisory Council all four years and a member of the Clarendon FFA his junior year.
Trent has been honored both in school and in our community. He was chosen as a CHS Servant Leader by his teachers all four years, he was a member of the local chapter of the National Honor Society his junior and senior years, served as president of his class his sophomore and junior years, was an A Honor Roll student his freshman and sophomore years, and an A/B Honor Roll student his junior and senior years. He has received many Honor C’s over the years and has received his Associates degree from Clarendon College in addition to being named CHS Salutatorian. Most recently he was named as Clarendon Chamber of Commerce Young Man of the Year.
Trent has also been involved in giving back to his community through community service. He participated in the American Run for the Fallen, served veterans at the school’s annual Veterans Day celebration, was a participant in Shattered Dreams Alcohol and Drug Awareness program, has helped light up the courthouse at Christmas, aided in highway cleanups, helped with the canned food drive and helped put flags out at the cemetery to honor our veterans.
Trent’s hobbies include playing video games, swimming, hunting, traveling, and hanging out with friends.
Trent plans on attending West Texas A&M University where he plans to major in Business Management.
The Valedictorian for this year’s graduating class is Harmond Drenth. He is the son of Tanya Bell and Jade Drenth and has a weighted GPA of 5.86.
Harm played football and baseball ever since enrolling in CHS, his sophomore year, and has been witness to and be a part of a lot of success in those sports as well. Harm has also participated in UIL events every year, as well as made it to regionals every year, and most definitely would have this year as well.
In addition to being valedictorian, Harm is also graduating with my associate’s degree from Clarendon College. This was made possible through the CHS dual credit program. Harm has received Honor Cs in several subjects: English II Pre-AP, Geometry, Algebra II, Spanish (Dual Credit), and was expecting several from this year.
Harm was able to participate in and help organize the canned food drives at CHS to donate to the needy. He also helped with the recycling program, collecting the recycling around the school. However, he was most proud of volunteering in the IT department of CHS. He assisted Mrs. Anderberg, Mrs. Grahn, and Mr. Noble with various tasks, and actually had a period dedicated to this.
They were a great help and provided Harm with references for college requests as well as practical experience.
Harm’s hobbies include computers, video games, and technology as well as vintage automotive repair and restoration.
Harm will be attending Baylor University for a degree in Computer Science, as a member of their ECS Scholars program. This will give Harm faculty mentoring as well as guaranteed internships in his field of network and computer security. Harm has a full ride through merit-based scholarships.
WOWW provides resources during school closures
AMARILLO – As the Texas Panhandle adjusts to the virtual shutdown of public life to slow the spread of coronavirus, parents are faced with the sudden need to provide educational support for children forced to continue their studies at home.
Window On a Wider World, which for almost 15 years has been providing learning experiences beyond the classroom for thousands of Panhandle kids, is stepping in to offer resources to weary parents doing their best to supplement their children’s education.
Clarendon Elementary has been a part of WOWW for years now. Principal Mike Word says, “It is so important our kids are exposed to experiences that they wouldn’t normally get in Clarendon. WOWW provided some of the coolest field trips I’ve ever seen.”
This current 2019-2020 school year Window On a Wider World provided 20 amazing field trips for Clarendon elementary students K-5 including: The WOWW Science Collaborative for 5th graders, bringing the Amarillo Opera to their school campus for the 3,4, & 5th graders, the WOWW Musical Performance at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts for the 2nd graders, and even learning song and rhythm for K-2 with Sweet Adeline’s.
“Before the middle of March, most parents had never imagined they’d be overseeing their kids’ studies,” said Catherine Meck, WOWW executive director. “While schools are doing the best they can to switch to distance learning, parents are having to fill in the gaps and keep their kids engaged. Because we have relationships with dozens of educational providers around the region, we felt we were in the best position to help.”
WOWW has compiled a resource directory of online educational resources offered by regional, state and national educational providers and posted it at www.windowonawiderworld.org/at-home-resources. The directory lists 45 educational resources ranging from the Mobeetie Jail Museum in Mobeetie, Texas, to the Smithsonian in Washington, DC
“These were existing resources that were seemingly designed for a time like this, but have been there all along,” Meck said. “In fact, this is what WOWW and our Learning Partners do the year around – provide learning experiences kids can’t always get in the classroom.”
WOWW was formed as the educational component of the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts when it was opened in 2006, where its base remains. WOWW provides enriched educational programs through arts, science and cultural experiences beyond the classroom to support the state curriculum of students in the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle.
Area schools provide funding of $8 per child to receive the benefits of WOWW that include campus visits by partners such as the Citadelle Art Foundation in Canadian and field trips to locations such as Creek House Honey in Canyon, the Don Harrington Discovery Center, Palo Duro Canyon and many other area attractions. Additionally, WOWW provides student tours of the Globe-News Center and organizes both the Science Collaborative and the WOWW Factor featuring a youth art show and a performance at the Globe-News Center.
“These experiences have been proven to deepen the learning experience for kids, and better yet, provide the inspiration for them to achieve a level of success they may not have without these enriching educational experiences,” Meck said. “And while we’d all rather be out with our friends gaining these valuable experiences, the online resources we are providing can be just as rewarding.”
Next school year when your student comes home and says, “We’re going to Palo Duro Canyon next week!”, know that Window On a Wider World books those programs for the teachers and makes sure both teacher and student have the best possible Experience Beyond the Classroom.
WOWW expects to have a great school year in just three short months and Window On a Wider World will provide an amazing service that will inspire our next generation.
For more information regarding Clarendon Elementary participating in the WOWW Program, call Window On a Wider World at 806/342-5600 and speak with Catherine Meck.
unControlled burn
James “Jimmy” Whitmarsh
James “Jimmy” Whitmarsh, 79, of Howardwick, formerly of Pampa, passed away Sunday, May 17, 2020 in Amarillo.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday May 19, 2020, at Carmichael-Whatley Colonial Chapel with Rev. Jim Fox, pastor at First Baptist Church of Howardwick, officiating. Burial will be at Memory Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Jimmy’s service will be live streamed at https://www.carmichael-whatley.com/page/live-streaming.
Mr. Whitmarsh was born on August 13, 1940 in Shattuck, Oklahoma to Byron and Lucile Whitmarsh and graduated from Vici High School in 1958. After high school, Jimmy moved to Pampa to work in the oilfield. He married Lynda Boyd on March 5, 1960 in Kingsmill. In 1961 Jimmy joined the U.S. Postal Service as a letter carrier. He retired after 38 years of service. While working for the Postal Service, Jimmy was also the Treasurer of Page Federal Credit Union. He attended First Baptist Church in Howardwick and was a band booster and officer with the Pride of Pampa Band. Jimmy loved to garden, play bingo, and spend time on the road in his travel trailer. He was fascinated by trains and never passed up an opportunity to ride one. Jimmy even built a train track in his game room, over the pool table. His pride and joy were his family.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Katrina Bradford on November 12, 2013 and infant grandson, David Allen Bradford.
He is survived by his wife, Lynda of the home; two daughters, Cheryl Levens and husband John of North Richland Hills, and Cynthia Whitmarsh and husband Andrei Kiiachko of Rockville, Maryland; a son-in-law, Steve Bradford of Frisco; seven grandchildren, Michael Levens and wife Brooke, Christian Levens, Dmitri Kiiachko, Vanessa Kiiachko, Theodore Kiiachko, Matthew Bradford and wife Michelle, and Chelsea Bardwell and husband Joseph; three great grandchildren, Adeline Bardwell, Levi Bardwell and Philip Bradford; a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Phyllis and Dean LaRue of Pampa and a brother-in-law, Danny Boyd.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Howardwick, 235 Rick Husband Blvd, Howardwick, TX 79226 or the American Lung Association, 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601.
Sign the online guest register at www.carmichael-whatley.com
City sales tax revenues tumble in March
Clarendon’s sales tax revenue plummeted when Texas Comptroller distributed May allocations to local government’s last week.
The city’s revenue fell 25.97 percent to $41,893.01 compared to $56,593.42 for the same period last year. Local officials point out, however, that the 2019 May allocation was unusually high, setting an all-time record for monthly sales tax revenue.
This month’s allocation is just 5.44 percent lower than 2018’s May allocation of $44,303.94 and is higher than 2017’s May allocation of $37,304.42.
Clarendon’s calendar year-to-date total is now down 5.82 percent at $170,762.12.
Hedley’s May allocation fell 41.92 percent to $1,359.44, and that city’s year-to-date figure is down 5.94 percent at $4,492.94.
Howardwick was also down 1.84 percent for the month at $1,197.96, but the lakeside city remains up 22.14 percent for the year at $6,899.08.
Statewide, Hegar sent $824.1 million in local sales tax allocations for May, 5 percent less than in May 2019. These allocations are based on sales made in March by businesses that report tax monthly, and sales made in January, February and March by quarterly filers.
Widespread social distancing requirements were not in place across much of the state until late March, meaning the impact of those measures affected only a portion of allocations for this month.
The comptroller’s office expects next month’s allocations, based on April sales, will show steeper declines compared to a year ago.
2020 Saints’ Roost Celebration in limbo
The schedule of the 143rd annual Saints’ Roost Celebration is largely unknown at this time as the COVID-19 pandemic has cast a cloud of uncertainty on July Fourth and other summer activities.
The Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association two weeks ago opened its sign-up period for the junior rodeo and ranch rodeo for the celebration, which is supposed to take place July 2, 3, and 4 this year. At the May 5 meeting of the Clarendon Economic Development Corporation, COEA officials said their events filled up in one night and that they have a waiting list of other teams wanting to participate.
Last Thursday, the Clarendon Chamber of Commerce board voted to proceed with plans for the annual Herring Bank Parade on July 4 with a theme of “Texas Strong: United We Stand.”
Both the Chamber and COEA officials say they understand things could change between now and July, which could cause the cancelation of these events, and it’s not clear what social distancing requirements may be in place by that time. Rodeo and parade awards will be ordered with no date inscribed on them in case they have to be held over for next year.
County Agent Leonard Haynes said Tuesday that no decision has been made on the annual Craft Fair scheduled for July 4 on the courthouse lawn. Haynes said he wants to wait another week or until Gov. Greg Abbott releases more information about changes to the pandemic response and social distancing requirements.
State officials are working to reopen the Texas economy, but many events planned for the coming months have already been canceled. Last week, the Clarendon Little League canceled its 2020 season and the Junior Rodeo Cowboys Association announced that it had also canceled its 2020 events, which would have included the JRCA annual rodeo in Clarendon in June.
No new COVID-19 cases locally since May 1
No new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Donley County since May 1, and 80 people have now tested negative for the virus at the Clarendon Family Medical Center.
Donley County Judge John Howard, MD, says his clinic has conducted 100 tests local residents, and, as of Tuesday afternoon, all of those test results had been received. Twenty local tests have come back positive, and five other local residents have tested positive at facilities outside the county.
The Texas Department of State Health Services is reporting 26 confirmed cases in Donley County. Howard said he is trying to get that number corrected because one patient is being counted twice, having tested positive at the local clinic and then again in an Amarillo hospital.
Of the positive cases, 21 have been listed as “recovered.” Howard says it’s possible that as many as three of the remaining four positive cases may also be recovered, but those are not under the care of the local clinic.
Howard still urges everyone to continue to follow social distancing guidelines.
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