The Tulia Herald (Tulia, Tex.), Vol. 84, No. 53, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 31, 1992 Page: 1 of 27
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Tocker Foundation Grant and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Swisher County Library.
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REASON FOR THE SEASON — Large snowflakes the serenity of the lighted nativity scene at Christ
gently floating from the skies lend themselves to Evangelical Lutheran Church. — Staff photo
Life Behind Bars . . .
Students Hear Prison Inmates
(Editor's note: Eighth grade U. S. history students
recently heard a program presented in the Tulia Junior
High Auditorium by inmates at the local prison. Fol-
lowing are observations from two of Steven Schmidt's
students.)
By Gloria Carrasco
The inmates told their story on "life behind bars." The
stories interested many viewers.
Johnny (Fictitious name) told of his life on the road,
trying to escape from the law. But in the end the law caught
up to him and the law book went into action.
Johnny informed us on how he broke the law and what
punishment he received for his crime. He regrets not being
with his family. He said he took things for granted but didn’t
realize what the state took away from him, his family and
most of all his "freedom."
These men gathered up their courage and their hearts
and told the students at TJHS on how sad their lives arc, and
how it just starts out when young, and still in school. The
people encouraged students to slay in school, because you
don'? know how far school can take you.
These men's stories touched many students. It got many
students thinking about the future.
The prisoners reached their goals. Their goal was to tell
kids right now, at a young age, about how it is when you
break a law, and not to make the same mistakes as them-
selves.
Questions were asked and answered. Many students
have a good picture on how the prisoners live life day-by-
day, and know that it is not a pretty picture.
Prisoners who arc trustees now hope one day they will
unite with the real world again.
By Another Student
I think that they should have gone into a little more
detail about the way life is in prison such as, the sexual part
of it or the environment of being in an all man prison. What
they did cover though I found interesting and something that
I really need to think about so I don't end up that way.
1 thought it was neat how they really wanted us to learn
and listen to what they had to say. I also think it is sad how
they don’t get to really sec their families, but 1 also think it is
neat how they arc smart enough to be trustees and not mess
up.
I would have liked to know how things were from the
time they were picked up, until the time they were pul in
prison, or the procedure they go through before they arc put
in prison.
My father went through this procedure similar to the
one here in Tulia because he was dumb enough to get
involved in drugs. This doesn't really bother me because I
was too small to even remember any of iL I was told that I was
even searched even though I was a baby.
I just hope that what those men said got through some
of those students' skulls and that they really learn to watch
out for themselves, and that goes for me also because I surely
know that I don't want to end up like my father.
‘jfjh® IPtaflaa m®smM ®
MiSHF-s'
THE FINEST PEOPLE AND THE RICHEST LAND * *
VOL. 84, NO. 53
ONE SECTION
THE TULIA (Swisher County) HERALD THURSDAY, DECEMBER 31, 1992
Teen Pregnancies: A Real Life Crisis
Fifth in a Series
By Jim Reynolds
What is the answer to teen pregnancy?
After a recently released study by the University
of Texas Center for Social Work Research revealed
that Swisher County ranks second among the state's
254 counties in birth rate per 1,000 females aged 19
and younger during 1990, The Tulia Herald editor
talked with various individuals who arc involved with
young people to gamer their ideas.
A myriad of ideas about the causes and sugges-
tions to improve the situation were received. Two
common thoughts were forthcoming: (1) this is a
community problem and will require a concerted
effort and (2) citizens have proverbially stuck their
heads in the sand too long.
AT-RISK GROUPS
Individuals interviewed insisted that teen preg-
nancy is not necessarily restricted to any economic
group, race or religion.
However, the conclusion drawn by this editor
from their input is there are two primary at-risk
groups. One of these involves young females bom
into families where previous generations have histo-
ries of child-bearing out of wedlock, physical and/or
sexual abuse, poverty and alcoholism.
The other is "miniature adults," whose parents
attempt to prematurely transform children into adults.
Lending to the "miniature adult" theory as a cause
of teen pregnancy, Gwen Ann Shannon, a Tulia
school nurse, says, "We rush kids to grow up. By 15,
some girls have done everything. Life becomes bor-
ing; what else do they have?"
NO SINGLE CAUSE
"It would be foolish to believe there is one single
cause of teen pregnancies and, therefore, a single
solution," contends the Rev. Bobbi Kaye Jones of
Austin, co-chair of the Texas Summit on Adolescent
Pregnancy Prevention (TSAPP) which held an Oct.
27-29 conference of 100 regional members. Goal of
the three-day meeting was to develop a statewide plan
to reduce teenage pregnancies.
Such issues as abstinence, sex education, birth
control and providing free condoms to sexually active
teens were topics of discussion.
Mrs. Shannon believes teen pregnancy is a health
issue which should be included in the overall school
curriculum. She points out that in today’s society,
"schools arc having to take up the slack" in educating
young people about sex, as well as being forced to
assume other parental responsibilities.
She advocates broadly-based sex education study,
starting in kindergarten with a study about the body,
the fact that one’s body is unique and why it is unique.
The school nurse emphasizes "these thoughts
should be developed in the home but frequently are
not."
Self-esteem enters the picture, Mrs. Shannon adds.
The plan she envisions would have sex education
advancing with the grade level and "should help
prevent pregnancies before girls get out of school. If
we leach this all the way through, we have a better
handle on it. These thoughts should be developed in
the home but frequently are not."
REALIZATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES
While some individuals believe sex education
leads to promiscuity, Mrs. Shannon believes just the
opposite could be true. Her idea is that it should
include a study of family life, "exposing students to
such things as child bearing, labor pains, responsibility
of child bearing and rearing, taking care of a kid on a
day-to-day basis."
Greater realization of child bearing and respon-
sibilities of rearing an infant, the nurse believes, could
well cause a teenager to be more reluctant about
entering into a sexual encounter.
The Rev. Jones emphasizes one-third of all high
school dropouts arc pregnancy related, and annual
costs associated with dropouts in Texas are estimated
at $17 billion.
She says babies bom to teenagers are at greater
risks of lower intellectual achievement, behavioral
problems and problems of self-control.
"The high adolescent pregnancy rates take a heavy
toll on young premature parents in the form of lost
wages and educational opportunities, higher infant
mortality rates and increased health care costs," Jones
says. "Yet, Texas has no strategy for dealing with the
crisis. All Texans, including teens and parents, must
join together to develop solutions to the problem of
children having children."
SURPRISING STATISTIC
She points to a surprising statistic: "In a study in
the state of Washington, 75 percent of the young
Continued on Page Three
9 Gifts Await First '93 Child
Bom To Parents In Tulia Area
Nine gifts from local merchants await the first child bom in 1993 to
parents who reside in the Tulia trade territory. Parents who believe their
infant might qualify for the gifts are asked to contact The Tulia Herald with
a letter from the attending physician certifying the lime of delivery.
Gifts awaiting the firstborn include: a case of baby food from Joe Bob’s
1G A, a $50 U.S. Savings Bond from First S late Bank; a case of Gerber baby
food from B&R Thnftway; a crisp $20 bill from First National Bank; $10
worth of cleaning from Shirley’s; a newborn sleeper from J-Gec Depart-
ment Store; two lines of bowling for the parents from Tulia Bowl; a
Johnson’s baby gift set from City Drug Store; and a 5x7 color portrait of
mother and child from Memory Maker.
The Tulia Herald hopes to publish a photo of the first child.
Prison Population Expected To
Range Between 540 And 560
"We’re expecting to stay between 540
and 560" inmates, facility administrator
T. J. Mcdart said of the Swisher County
Detention Facility. He added Texas De-
partment of Criminal Justice officials
recently reiterated to him plans to keep
the prison census at that plateau.
The facility, located at the western
edge of Tulia, is expected to continue to
house jail overflow prisoners, at least for
the foreseeable future. A rapid turnover is
anticipated to continue due to these indi-
viduals being reassigned soon after arriv-
ing here.
17 BAPTIZED
Seventeen men were baptized Tues-
day night of last week at the facility by
county pastors. As the result of an active
prison ministry, 67 individuals were
baptized at one lime earlier this month.
A songfest, which was religious in
nature, attracted approximately 80 men
last week.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY
TREAT YOURSELF
SPECIAL TODAY
1. Do something for someone
2. Laugh
3. Take a chance
4. Share a joke
5. Forgive someone who has wronged
you
6. Sing a song
7. Give yourself a present
8. Listen to a friend
9. Let someone do you a favor
10. Send a greeting to a shut-in
11. Have faith
12. Start a new hobby
13. Give your smile to someone who
doesn't have one
14. Take a walk
15. Dress up
16. Write a letter to a friend
17. Walk barefoot in the grass
18. Have something new for dinner
19. Give someone a compliment
20. Complete a task you have been put-
ting off
21. Tell someone "I love you"
22. Apologize if you were wrong
23. Pet an animal
24. Have a picnic
25. Talk with your best friend
Continued on Page Four
Cypert, McCormick Secured As
County Livestock Show Judges
Brett Cypert of Sweetwater and David McCormick of Dimmitt have accepted
invitations to judge animals in the annual Swisher County Livestock Show on
Monday, Jan. 18. Cypert, former Lynn County Extension agent, is scheduled to
start placing lambs at 9 a.m. and steers at 1 p.m. McCormick, ag science instructor
at Dimmitt High School, will climb into the ring "30 minutes after (completion of)
the steer judging" to begin choosing top swine.
Animals are scheduled to be weighed in Sunday, Dec. 17. Concluding the
annual county stock show at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, the 19th, will be the parade of
champions, special awards and premium auction.
Seven County Officials
Will Take Oath Monday
Seven individuals who were elected or
re-elected during 1993 are to take the oath
for four-year terms in a ceremony
scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 4.
The brief ceremony will be in county
courtroom of Swisher County Court-
house.
The individuals, all Democrats, in-
clude (listed by ballot order):
•Terry D. McEachcm, district attorney
of 64th Judicial District
•Donald L. Bookout, county attorney
•Lany Stewart, sheriff
•Shirley Whitehead, county tax asses-
sor-collector
•Lloyd Rahlfs, commissioner. Precinct
One
•B. F. (Smitty) Smith, commissioner.
Precinct Three
•Weldon Smith, constable.
Family members, friends and other
interested persons arc welcome to attend
Master Gardener
Program Outlined
Swisher County resident with the
proverbial "green thumb" can sharpen
their gardening skills and help others in
their community by taking part in a new
program being offered by the Texas
Agricultural Extension Service.
"We’re joining other South Plains
counties to conduct an intensive Texas
Master Gardener program", said David
Gibson, county extension agent. "This is
50 hours of outstanding instruction in all
aspects of ornamental horticulture and
gardening and can lead to designation as
a Certified Texas Master Gardener," he
said.
Persons wishing to enter the program
should already have knowledge and
skills in basic ornamental horticulture,
gardening and general related areas, the
county agent said.
Continued on Page Four
GLANCING INTO FUTURE — Jordan Beth Cox gets a better vantage
point as she is hoisted upward by her grandfather, A. G. House, during
the holiday open house at First State Bank. Many persons, including
the 6 1/2 month old daughter of Alex and Shelly Cox, will be looking
at a new year on Friday —Staff photo
Kicking New Year
Off On Light Vein
Kicking the new year off on a
light vein, The Tulia Herald
features good natured predic-
tions from various firms in this
issue.
The intent is to start 1993 off
with good cheer after a year
which did not always repre-
sent the best of news.
Balloting Underway
For CofC Directors
Mail balloting is underway to choose
four directors to serve three-year toms as
Tulia Chamber of Commerce directors.
Ballots must be returned to the CofC
office in Swisher Memorial Building no
later than Jan. 8.
Listed alphabetically, nominees and
their places of employment arc. Kelly
House, Soil Conservation Service; Greg
Kennedy, Winn's; Chuck Kinkcl, Rip
Griffin’s Fastop; Sherry Malone, Swisher
Electric Cooperative; Forrest Mote, First
National Bank; Brent Tutor, Tulia Ford;
and Yolanda Villegas, Hair Design &
Supply.
Back To Stud ies Monday
All too quickly for students, public
school studies will resume next Monday,
Jan. 4, following the Christmas-New
Year holidays.
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Reynolds, Jim. The Tulia Herald (Tulia, Tex.), Vol. 84, No. 53, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 31, 1992, newspaper, December 31, 1992; Tulia, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth507269/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Swisher County Library.