De Leon's Monitor (De Leon, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 23, 1998 Page: 1 of 12
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Thursday, April 23, 1998
Reflecting our PAST, our PRESENT and our FUTURE
Volume 3 No. 43
New P.E. Facility/
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For instance, Chris Littlejohn por-
and friction could arise in groups
competition, but not in this cast.
Walker expects his transition date
"The shy," said Nations, "may ment. However, I find corporal pun-
! ■
Warren says of Buddy, "He'd be
I Got
NO REASON TO LIE
by Charles Chupp
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"He was hiding behind the waste basket,"
Donna said, "and he sort of surprised me
when he came out and wanted to leave the
restroom."
"So I heard," Jeanette responded, "my
ears are still not functioning properly."
The squirrel was also visibly disturbed
and sought cover and concealment in a re-
cess beneath a front office counter. He had
little ambition to come back out and be sub-
jected to more screaming, but the ladies per-
sisted and with the aid of a broom they even-
tually ousted the unwelcome visitor.
The last time he was seen, he was whiz-
zing south toward Comanche. Both girls
breathed a sigh of reliefat surviving a near-
death experience. Our drama had still not
reached a climax, but that fact was not
known until the next morning.
Tracy, who missed die "squirrel in the
restroom" segment was in sole charge when
John Robert Adcock made his appearance
the next day. Jeanette and Donna were out
selling advertising and snapping pictures for
viners was awarded District honors
in Brownwood on Mar. 30, and will
be advancing to Regional Competi-
tion on April 24. Under the direction
of drama coach Ronnie Nations, the
Jr., is set in a tiny Indiana town dur-
ing the Depression of the early 1930s.
The play focuses on a 14-year-old
a
"I love doing the makeup.” said
Sanders, "It's really fun."
Exactly what Donna Coan was doing in
that restroom ain't really anybody's business
but Donna's. Since that retreat does not fea-
ture a bathtub or a shower though, it's rea-
sonable to assume that she went there at the
behest of nature. According to Jeanette
Ward, Donna did not take a book along, so
that would seem to rule out a trip for intel-
lectual enhancement, and with those reflec-
tions, it is probably wise to stay on the safe
side and just state facts. Donna was in the
restroom, and that's all we need to know.
Her visit was of the abbreviated variety
was so small."
Jennie Mae Layman is played by
Amber Golden. Jennie Mae is
Buddy's older sister who takes over
COMANCHE
COUNTY LIBRARY
COMANCHE TX
EXP 09/01/98
0-0
the next issue of De Leon's Monitor, and
they missed John Robert's lamentation.
"My pet squirrel Nuts has escaped his
cage," John Robert said as a tear coursed
down his weathered West Texas cheek. In
his hand was a baggie of pecans, and his
grief was genuine. "I feel like I've lost my
most prized possession! 1 need to place
an ad for Nuts' safe return."
John Robert owns the building that
houses the Monitor, and the second floor,
which is yet in the embryonic stage was
where he kept his prized squirrel Nuts.
Tracy tried to comfort the distraught John,
as she took his order for a classified ad, *
and took his money.
When Donna and Jeanette returned,
Tracy recounted the stunning news and
sagely advised both women to maintain
silence and feign innocence in the entire
matter.
"He might raise our rent," was they way
she put it. "Take the fifth amendment if
John Robert asks you about that squirrel."
hope to move to De Leon.
"There's not a whole lot /rf real
estate to choose from," said Walker,
"but we will continue to look for hous-
ing."
"Walker liked De Leon's excellent
vious to his teaching career he
served as the Ranch Manager for *
his profession, and befriends Buddy.
In an attempt to bring salvation to
the role of motherhood to her brother
after their mother drowns.
"1 can feel like 1 have therespon-
eyes to even the most hardened in-
dividual.
"He does an admirable job," said
Nations.
a
howsomever, and the ensuing sound effects
would easily clipse an air raid warning sys-
tem. Immedii ly following Donna's scream
the door was i. 'ng wide open and two liv-
ing creatures emerged, and both were mov-
ing at roughly the speed of light. Besides
Donna, there was a four legged bushy tailed
member of the animal kingdom, and it was
migrating west. Jeanette, alerted by the
sound effects beheld its passing from the
heights of a chair.
"A rat!" screamed Donna.
"It's a squirrel!" Jeanette corrected the
mis-identification. "It is, however, a mem-
ber of rodentia, so you've made a natural
mistake."
"Don't bug me with triviais, "Donna re-
sponded, as she also entered the front office
in the squirrels wake. Her eyes, according
to Jeanette, were the dimension of salad
plates.
Pandemonium abated, and those ladies
made a decision to herd the squirrel back
into the great outdoors.
Snack Shack was located and the area
now used for parking, has been se-
lected as the building site.
"The site will be convenient to
both schools," said DISD superinten-
dent Dwain Bills.
gible amount was approximately
$222,200.
The school received 53.4% of the
eligible debt from the State of Texas.
1 F
another, even when obstacles are in board president Sherman Sides.
" . ' ~ ’ "After the interview," said Sides,
only interpret but lighten the serious-
ness of the play.
The Diviners is at once a simply dience differentiate between parts,
plotted and technically challenging
show, The interactions between char-
demands the audience fill in the set grandmother.
The Play with their own minds, thus allowing
The play, written by Jim Leonard, the audience to concentrate on the
characters.
"We use a blue wash for the
river," said Nations, "and use slow everything about any topic.
boy named Buddy Layman, who be- motion and lighting for the drown-
comes mentally impaired when he al-
most drowns as a toddler and loses
I The DHS cast has a wealth oftal-
einotion. The technical side is simple ent nrthiS year's production, along
sense the weather and find under-
ground water. C.C. Showers, played Brinson, Tiffany Sanders, John
by Justin Strube, is a backsliding Humphries and Dustin Froneberger,
preacher who is disenchanted with does an admirable job in keeping ev-
erything in line.
"We have to have it down," said
Buddy, C.C. Showers allows him to Froneberger. "Can't do the show
drown.
Walker officially named
DISD Superintendent
by Donna Coan
The De Leon Independent School and six years in administration. Pre-
Cast and Crew of the Area One-Act Play Champs — The Diviners
DHS One-Act Play The Diviners ■
Nothing watery about this production
by Donna Coan
acters and the basic plot are simple, Getting into Character
l-nyiuap,piayiTd by Ryan Warren in but with great depth of thought and
the TheC / *—*—*—-—' 1—
The DHS One-Act play The Di- in sets and props, yet amazingly coni- *iMt!!?<13fire Sir perfection. Although sibility of a'^TOWBBrWWfWr," said District Board of Trustees finalized
plex in lights and sound, which makes the actors are portraying characters Golden, "I have brothers of my own, its selection of Glynn Walker as the
for a dramatic play. who have no relationship to them- so I think that is how I can cry when new superintendent in a called meet- Grenada Cattle Corporation, dealing
ing Monday evening.
Superintendent Dwain Bills will be
light from the river to a congregation Norma Henshaw as portrayed by Everyone is really emotionally in- their own - and I expect that from children."
singing lets the audience visualize Amber Vaughan is great in her de- volved ih the play. everyone who works for me. Teach- Walker expects his transition date
"We pray before every perfor- ers somtimes get too involved in the to be around the first of June, at
mance and rehearsal," said Golden, subject matter they're teaching and which point his wife Chele, 10-year-
"and we pray after every perfor- forget that children are individuals. I old daughter Jessica and twin 6-year-
’’ will make it a priority that all teachers old daughters Caley and Caitlen,
portrayal of Norma Henshaw," said "*<--*-------“"■**” -i~- " u ------ •------------
Nations, "She was perfect for the said Warren, "we are mostly aChris-
role."
Ryan Warren is strong in his role
with a eulogy for Buddy, given by
characters Basil Bennet (played by
Paul White) and Melvin Wilder enabling features to stand out, young ball game.
(played by Cougar Sedillo) who not persons to have grey hair and hag- '
gard appearances. Makeup lends smart if'it* hadn't happened when he Sedillo, "it's like we know what the
credit to a character, helping the au- was so small." other is thinking and can cover."
The Show Must Go On _______
Like any production, tragedies school system. His tenure includes Having tracked the scores from three
Continued on Page 7 six years as an agriculture teacher Continued on Page 7
teacher on the job."
"The role of administration is to
create a balance," said Walker,
"which exists between the needs of
the child in the classroom and the
"We have 15 people from all dif- his interview with the board put him willingness of the taxpayer to fund
ferent backgrounds," said Nations, at the top." the school. My approach is from the
"Educators should teach the chil- conservative aspect first and to then
dren," said Walker, "treat them as do what is necessary to educate the
arrive at rehearsals and performances plicants. His philosophy on educa-
and have correct dates and times. tion, strong disciplinary action and
with beef cattle.
"He has a Bachelor of Science
The cast is made up of 15 mem- retiring June 1 after 18 years in the degree," said Sides, "a Master of Sei-
bers, which includes the crew. Strife De Leon school system. ence and is a candidate for a Doctor-
Out of 50 applicants the board ate of Education. He seems to be con-
servative in his spending; but you
Walker emerged as the clear favorite can't really tell how they will perform
Gym site selected
by Donna Coan
The new 23,400 sq. ft. P.E. Facili- culated.cost," said Bills. "We won't
ties/Gym, now has a place to call know exactly until we receive sealed
home. The property directly across bids, then we will cut back or modify
from De Leon High School, wherethe areas if necessary."
The ground breaking of the new
P.E. Facility/Gym can probably be
expected as soon as the first of
school summer break, Bills said.
"Ground should be broken, barr-
ing the unexpected, the later part of
The architectural firm of Fred May or first of June," said Bills.
Parker and Associates of Stephenville The school submitted an appl ica-
is drawing up the plans for the P.E. tion in December of 1997 to the TEA
Facility/Gym now that the building for$1.3 million dollars to build a P.E.
site has been selected. Facility/Gym for De Leon's high
"They were waiting for the sur- school and middle school. Areas not
vey," said Bills, "that will report where considered eligible by the TEA in-
to locate utilities, where the trees are eluded the concession stand foyer
located, etc. They are now drawing and some areas of seating. The ineli-
up the specs."
Bills said, "Some trees will have
to go, but we are going to try to save
as many as possible."
The project cost of $1.3 million The remaining debt is being financed
should be as originally projected through a lease purchase arrange-
when the application was submitted ment with Chancellor Financial Ser-
to the Texas Education Agency vices of Houston.
(TEA) in December of 1997. "We needed more space because
» "The cost should run in the same of overcrowding in the present gym,"
neighborhood as the previously cal- Continued on Page 7
350
Monitor
Home of Kate Brownlee
"I can relate," said Sedillo, "be-
ing of Buddy." cause I'm from De Leon, a farming
Without the lights, the audience community - even though the char-
his mother, who dies in the process would not know where to direct its acter Melvin Wilder doesn't think "You can see the unity grow; they're
of saving his life. Because of the trag- attention. The quick changing of fanning is a real job." a close-knit group."
edy, Buddy is mortally afraid of wa- light from the river to a congregation Norma Henshaw as portrayed by
ter to the extreme of not even wash-
ing himself; but is able thereafter to the mood and setting. piction of a very religious lady or
The crew, consisting of Amy Bible thumper who thinks C.C. can
inenn Tiffanv Qandprc Trahr^ "hgfll tllC boy.*
"Amber Vaughan is her part in her mance."
"Most everyone is pretty close," don't forget."
■ "I came up through administration
tian group." as an assistant principal," said
"We seem to have stronger con- Walker, "so I am very strict on disci-
without the lights. If the lights aren't as Buddy. Buddy is unkempt and victions in school now," said Sedillo, pline and believe in corporal punish-
The play is opened and closed about right, it wouldn't be what ev- dirty due to his fear of water, but "'rK~ -*“•" "-----—-—• -—
eryone expects." Warren is normally scrupulously overcome some of their shyness, ishment is not so effective on the high AEIS Report and TAAS scores," said
Makeup is a large part of any play, clean at all times, except after a base- They have become close friends with school students and feel preventing Sides, "which probably decided why
good chemistry." social activities a suitable detriment he applied here."
"If one of us misses a cue," said in the classroom." Walker said he was impressed with
Walker is currently the principal De Leon's Academic Excellence Indi-
of Mineola High School in East Texas cator System (AEIS) and TAAS
and has 12 years experience in the scores because of their consistency.
* Water! Find water! ",— Buddy
the Th* Divin fTSy_____
for a dramatic play.
Hit the Lights selves or their life experience, they Buddy dies."
Since DHS is limited in their use must create in-depth, believable per- Connections
of props in rehearsal, The Diviners sonages that everyone can relate to.
play has been a success in that it is has a very primitive set, with plat-
winning awards and bringing watery forms used for most of the props, trays Ferris Layman, Buddy's father;
Lighting is imperative in a play that but Chris has been raised by his who work so closely together in a chose six finalists for interviews.
The performers look out for one during the interviews, according to until you put an administrator or
Cougar Sedillo portrays Melvin their paths. They even make wake-
Wilder, a fanner who thinks he knows up calls to members, to ensure they "we knew he was the best of the ap-
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Chupp, Charles & Chupp Bouchier, Tracy. De Leon's Monitor (De Leon, Tex.), Vol. 3, No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 23, 1998, newspaper, April 23, 1998; De Leon, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1243876/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Comanche Public Library.