De Leon Since 1890 Thursday 50¢ May 22, 2008 Volume 117, No.46 14 Pages FREE PRESS DeLeon, TX 76444 Council Meets to Canvas Votes, Discusses Plans for Grand Opening of Community Park By LAURA KESTNER ning/weaving demonstration, and Editor an Air Evac presentation. The DeLeon City Council “We’ve also invited the met in a special called session DeLeon Volunteer Fire Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 5:30 Department and the Promontory p.m. to canvas the votes from the Park Volunteer Fire Department,” May 10 election. Neither Howard Owen said, “to bring any of their Gifford nor Norma Locke were equipment out.” present, having not run for re-elec- Owen noted that among the tion. area dignitaries who’ve been invit- Following the conclusion of ed to participate are Rep. Sid that meeting, council members Miller, and former DeLeon may- convened in another called meet- ors John Adcock and Jim Adams. ing, at 6 p.m., to discuss plans for “And I invited Charles Chupp the upcoming grand opening cele- to come out and have a book sign- bration for the new Community ing if he wanted to,” Owen said. Park, scheduled for Saturday, June “We want as many people as pos- 7. sible to participate.” “Jack Boen is heading up the Owen noted that his goal was, music for that day,” Mayor Danny “To have attractions that were of SALUTATORIAN. Mitch Barefoot. VALEDICTORIAN. Brody Hammonds. Owen said. “He has five bands that interest for every age group.” are going to play throughout the Some other “possible” activi- day, for two 40 minutes sessions, ties and events mentioned included Barefoot Named so that will carry way on in to the dominoes and other games under Hammonds Named evening. But there is room for the pavilion, a pet parade and a Salutatorian Valedictorian other bands, if someone were to bubble gum blowing contest; and By LAURA KESTNER want to participate in this.” some of the old fashioned games, By LAURA KESTNER school students. basketball, Brody’s high school Editor Mayor Owen also noted that such as sack races and three- Editor Mitch’s high school activities activities also included UIL. He is there was a representative present legged races. Kennon Mitchel Barefoot, the have included football, powerlift- William Brody Hammonds, a member of the National Honor from the Comanche County Car Also present at the meeting 18-year-old son of Kerry and Lana ing, track, UIL, FFA, National the 18 year old son of Brad and Society and was president of the Club, and that the club had agreed was Monty Stewart, who was there Barefoot, was named salutatorian Honor Society and Student Christi Hammonds, has been freshman class, as well as the sen- to participate in the days activities. to discuss the tractor pull, one of of the DHS class of 2008. Council. In football, Mitch was named valedictorian of the ior class, and was vice president of Also present were Linda the biggest parts of the days Mitch, who will graduate with named 1st Team All-District DeLeon High School class of the sophomore class. He was also Levens and La Joyce Johnson, rep- events. a 4.02 grade point average, has offense, as well as 2nd Team All- 2008. senior president of the Student resenting the DeLeon Chamber Another planning session was only been in DeLeon schools since District defense, and Academic All Brody, who will graduate Council. and Women’s Division, to discuss called for Tuesday, May 20, too his sophomore year, but when his District. He also received Abilene with a 4.11 grade point average, In his spare time Brody said their plans for the celebration. late for the Free Press deadline. family moved here (both sets of All Big Country Honorable said he has enjoyed his high school he enjoys playing guitar and, occa- Mayor Owen noted that there For more information, call City grandparents were from here), he Mention offense and defense, AP experience and is looking forward sionally, fishing. He is also active were numerous events or presenta- Hall at 893-2065. quickly became involved in All State Honorable Mention to going to the University of Texas. in his church, DeLeon First tions planned, including a spin- numerous activities, and is now offensive line, All State 1st Team “I’m going to the business Baptist. one of the busiest of the high Academic, regional qualifier in school,” Hammonds said, “and In the summertime, Brody powerlifting and Who’s Who I’m hoping for something in likes to be “out at the lake.” awards in IPC, Math, Chemistry administration/entrepreneurship, “I do a lot of water sports in DeLeon ISD Board Report and History. that kind of thing. I can see myself the summer,” Brody said. “I ski, After graduation, Mitch said being an executive officer or a real kneeboard, wakeboard and tube.” Special to the Free Press years. Following sanding, the ticipate in showing animals, as he plans to attend Tarleton State estate broker -- that type of thing.” Although not a big fan of tel- By DR. RANDY MOHUNDRO floor will be resealed, painted, and well as all members of the local University and pursue a degree in Although he doesn’t have any evision, Brody said he does enjoy The DeLeon Independent finished with a water based solu- livestock association. environmental engineering. plans for permanent relocation at watching comedy and action School District Board of Trustees tion. This will also allow for the As a final matter, completed In his spare time, Mitch said this time, Hammonds said he does movies, and counts Hawaiian Jack met in regular session on May 19 repairing of any dead spots that applications for the Perkins he enjoys lifting weights and exer- like the Austin area. Johnson among his favorite musi- with follow-up activities from the might exist in the floor. The old Scholarship, awarded to a graduat- cising. “I also like messing around “I go down there and see cians. May 10 Trustee election at the top gym will receive the regular sum- ing DHS senior, were distributed with computers, and video Taryn (his 22-year-old sister) a Brody believes a big part of of the night’s agenda. mer maintenance of adding a coat to Larry Don Womack and games,” he said. Mitch has one lot,” Hammonds said, “and I really his high school success is due to The Board heard positive of flooring finishing as is done Brandon Gilmore who will repre- sister, Mackenzie, who is in 8th like it there.” his parent’s support. He also cites remarks from Dick Senter regard- every summer. sent the Board in the selection grade. Brody said his junior year of three teachers as being especially ing several new programs in the The Board then selected process. When he gets the chance, high school was the best. positive influences on him: Diana district and the campus operation Daylon Whitehurst to serve as the Mitch said he likes to go deer hunt- “We were old enough to do Denson in elementary school, at the middle school. The Board Board’s delegate to the 2008 ing with his father. He also said the things we wanted to do then,” Leisa Nowlin in middle school, then canvassed the results of the TASB State Convention to be held AD/Coach most of his favorite television he said, “but we didn’t have to take and Michelle McIlvain for high May 10 election. in Dallas in September. Brandon shows are on the Discovery college classes yet. And we went school English and Theater Arts. It was noted that there was a Gilmore was selected to serve as Search Channel. He is also very active in to state in One-Act that year, and DeLeon High School gradua- counting error and that Lisa the alternate. his church, DeLeon First Baptist. we made it to play-offs in football tion ceremonies are set for Nowlin received five fewer votes The board then entered into Underway Positive role models were not and basketball -- a lot of things Saturday, May 31, in the high than had been previously reported. Closed Session for the purpose of difficult for Mitch to find, as his went well for us that year.” school gym at 2 p.m. The Board voted to accept the final discussing personnel and the The decision has been made to parents are tops on his list. He also In addition to One-Act, and results of the election showing Lisa superintendent’s evaluation. The conduct a search to fill the remembers a math teacher he had Nowlin receiving 137 votes, Board returned after approximate- vacancy left following the res- when he attended school in City Reminds Citizens to Brandon Gilmore 97 votes, and ly one hour, with no action being ignation of John Ward as Boys Holliday, Texas. “She was a good Zach Paul 73. taken. Athletic Director/Head teacher,” he said, “she made me Mow Grass and Clean Lots The oath of office was then The administration then pre- Football Coach. like math.” That love of math car- It’s almost summer, and the “I want to thank everyone in administered to the reelected sented the Board with a proposal The decision to conduct a ried over, as he noted that math is grass has started to grow. City advance for helping keep DeLeon trustees. The Board then conduct- for a new math intervention pro- search was made after the still his favorite subject at DHS. officials have announced that they looking nice,” said City Secretary ed its annual reorganization fol- gram for the district titled administration and Board of Although he’s made lots of will begin sending letters to prop- Karen Wilkerson.