The Hackett Sr High Lady Hornets had a quartet of matches set up for them this week and with two games already finished, the Sr Lady Hornets are still flying high. On Monday, Hackett took the Elkins Lady Elks to court and walked away with a winning verdict due to the set scores of 25-17, 25-13, and 25-17. Then on Tuesday, Hackett turned around and faced the West Fork Lady Tigers and achieved net results with victory sets of 25-18, 25-4, and 25-20. The Sr Lady Hornets are now upgraded to 14-1 on the season and 12-1 in conference play.
On Monday and Tuesday combined, Kenadi Wright brought in 8 kills, 3 digs, and 1 assist. Kayla Richardson earned 5 assists and 26 digs. Madi Taylor made 2 kills, 2 aces, 13 assists, and 10 digs. Brooke Holt scored 5 assists, 3 digs, 1 ace, and 1 block. Sarah Moss netted 1 kill and 1 assist. Rain Vaughn obtained 15 kills, 9 digs, and 1 assist. Kandace Byrd acquired 7 kills, 7 aces, 3 assists, 10 digs, and 2 blocks. Madeline Freeman made 10 kills, 10 aces, 23 assists, and 11 digs. Jamye Durham got 13 kills, 2 digs, 8 blocks, 1 ace, and 2 assists. Emma Infalt made 1 kill and 3 assists. Shayla Foster snagged 6 kills, 5 aces, 15 digs, and 2 assists. Chloie Patton earned 1 kill and 4 digs. And Sarah White picked up 2 digs.
Tonight, the Hackett Sr Lady Hornets will host the Lincoln Lady Wolves starting at 4, and Thursday, October 15, Hackett will play in Charleston with games starting at 4:30.
The Greenwood Education Foundation is pleased to announce that the induction of the 2020 Hall of Honor will be held on Friday, October 16 on the field at Smith-Robinson Stadium beginning 6:45 p.m., pregame of the Greenwood-Russellville football game.
A reception honoring the inductees will be held in the GHS Student Union from 5:30-6:30 p.m. The members of the 2020 Hall of Honor Class for the Greenwood Education Foundation are: Dr. Ken Hamilton Dr. Lee Johnson Mr. Curtis Weaver
Dr. Ken Hamilton is a 1967 honor graduate from Greenwood High School and a member of the 1967 GHS Hall of Fame. Coming from a family with a widowed mother, he was the first in his family to attend college. He carried his academic successes and desire to achieve from high school to college and graduated with a B.A. Biology and B.S. Medical Technology from Arkansas Tech University and a Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Missouri/Kansas City. While many GHS graduates were looking elsewhere to start their careers, Dr. Hamilton was drawn back to Greenwood. He practiced dentistry in Greenwood and at St. Edwards Mercy Hospital from 1978-1989 until he was forced to quit due to a congenital neck condition. But this did not slow him down in his desire to use his education and skills in the medical community.
At the age of 40, he was hired at Westark Community College to start and direct a Medical Laboratory Technician program. He started a legacy of success with a 100% pass rate as he raised the program to national recognition. He became a site visitor for the accrediting association (NAACLS) and was instrumental in the review for accreditation for other nationwide programs. Dr. Hamilton was a tenured faculty member who was nominated for an excellence in teaching award before leaving Westark in 1997. After leaving the Westark faculty, he was elected to the Board of Trustees for Westark Community College and served four years. He was on the board as vice president during the transition from Westark Community College to University of Arkansas/Fort Smith.
He joined the staff of the Arkansas Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) in 1997 and served until 2012 when he retired as the State Director. During this time he visited coaches and student-athletes across Arkansas to encourage them to “make a difference” in their local schools and communities. As state director, he also organized summer sport camps, One Way to Play-Drug Free programs in secondary schools, and the First Serve Tennis Program in Sebastian and Crawford Counties. Although he has retired from FCA, his legacy as a leader is still felt throughout the state, and the programs he organized still continue to thrive.
While being very involved with Westark Community College, he championed other causes within the community. He has served on the Sebastian County Library Board for over 30 years, endeavoring to maintain and increase library services in South Sebastian County. He has been the recipient of an American Cancer Association award as well as the recipient of a Community Leadership Award in the area of religion from Leadership Fort Smith in 2009.
For the last 20 years, Hamilton has served as a volunteer coach for the GHS Boys and Girls Tennis Teams. Under his tenure, GHS Tennis has achieved statewide recognition and respect, winning 15 conference championships, three state titles, and three overall championships. He has been named Conference Coach of the Year 15 times. A member of the 1966 state championship GHS baseball team, he is the only GHS graduate to play for a state championship team as well as be the head coach for GHS state championship teams.
Ken and his wife Ann have three children, Audrey, Kasey, and Jessica. Although he is considered “retired”, his grandchildren, his family and his biblical studies continue to fill his days. Complete retirement from coaching the GHS tennis teams is still a future focus.
Through his mentorship and dedication to programs for young men and women, Dr. Kenneth Hamilton’s legacy will continue to grow through future generations who will continue to be affected by his impact. The Greenwood Education Foundation is honored to have Dr. Ken Hamilton as part of the 2020 Hall of Honor.
The Hackett Jr High Lady Hornets knew they were going to be faced with 4 days of volleyball matches when they started the week. With 2 days down, the Jr Lady Hornets remain undefeated 13-0 in conference play and 15-0 overall. On Monday, Hackett hosted the Elkins Lady Elks but quickly sent them packing as the Lady Hornets successfully took both sets 25-8 and 25-16. Then on Tuesday, Hackett traveled to West Fork and nearly crippled the Jr Lady Tigers in winning sets of 25-4 and 25-1.
From both matches combined, Prairie Vaughn made 3 aces, 1 kill, 1 block, 16 assists, and 1 dig. Makenzie Freeman earned 4 kills, 3 digs, 11 aces, and 2 assists. Lexi Gann got 5 aces, 6 kills, and 6 assists. Aubree Ruggles netted 1 ace, 9 kills, 1 block, 1 assist, and 1 dig. Alona Rothwell got 1 ace, 6 kills, 3 blocks, and 5 digs. Michaelyn Freeman scored 4 aces, 6 kills, 1 block, and 5 digs. And Addison Nemeth made 1 kill.
With two days of volleyball left for the Jr Lady Hornets, the girls are ready to host the Lincoln Lady Wolves tonight and then wrap things up tomorrow, October 15 at Charleston.
The Mansfield Jr High Lady Tigers sat undefeated 13-0 before heading into the semifinals of the 2A West District Tournament Tuesday, October 13. Last night, #1 Mansfield took on #4 Life Way Christian to battle it out for a chance in the championship round. And in true Jr Lady Tiger volleyball fashion, Mansfield won with two sets of 25-10 and 25-10 upgrading their record to 14-0 and sealing their spot to compete for District greatness. “Jr High has not lost a single set all year,” expressed coach, Kaylie Pyles. “This is a great opportunity for the Mansfield volleyball program to win a District title which has not been done in 6 years!”
Cole Smith walked away from the semifinals match with 1 ace and 8 assists. Harlie Fuller got 7 aces, 1 kill, and 5 assists. Kaylee Ward got 2 aces and 4 kills. Alyson Edwards earned 5 aces, 7 kills, 3 assists, and 4 digs. Kynslee Ward netted 6 aces, 3 kills, and 7 digs. Rachel Johnson obtained 2 aces, 4 kills, and 3 digs. And Trinity Triska got 3 digs.
The Jr Lady Tigers will take on the #2 Lavaca Jr Lady Arrows on Thursday, October 15 at 6 pm for the District Championship. Plaques will be presented to the Jr Conference Champions and the District Champions following the game.
The women of the Farm Bureau Leadership Committee serve the community and educate the younger generation on farming and agriculture.
Regina Oliver, along with seven other women, will serve on the 2020-2021 State Women’s Leadership Committee.
Members of the committee are: Chair- Magen Allen, Hot Spring and Clark County Vice Chair- Kerry Stiles, District 1, Lee County District 2- Amy Young, Jackson County District 3- Nita Cooper, Boone County District 4- Regina Oliver, Scott County District 5- Divella Gray, Yell and Cleburne County District 6- Susan Bitely, Jefferson and Lincoln County District 7- Doreen Antley, Hempstead County
Oliver, and her husband Mike, own and operate Double O Farm, a beef cattle, hay and timber farm. She is a third generation farmer and resides in Scott County.
“My husband, Mike and I live in Waldron. We live on Lake Hinkle, formally the Oliver family land, where the lake was built and where Mike’s family farmed. We also farm some of the same land and additional family owned and homesteaded land west of us, where we raise beef cattle. The farm is my favorite place to hang out, working cattle or just watching the calves being born or as they run and play. We have two sons, Aaron and Tyler, their wives and four grandsons, Keyton (11), Brady (6), Dawson (3) and Rhys (3). We all spend many hours together on the farm hunting, fishing, working cattle or just skipping a rock on the creek.
I was not raised on a farm, but had family members that were, and have been around cattle and lived a country life always. I married Mike in the early 1980s and was introduced in beef cattle farming and then later to the timber industry. We are still involved in both. I love anything to do with the farm from cutting hay (which has become my job) to feeding on the coldest winter days while everyone else is snugged up by a fire.
I have worked for the city of Waldron for 25 years as a secretary and have been involved in many projects and events. I am a member of the Waldron school board and have served as secretary. I was introduced to Scott County Farm Bureau WLC in 2013 and have been deeply involved ever since. I now serve as its committee chair. I enjoy anything that involves our local students and when you add farming to the equation, it’s even more rewarding. My main goal is to educate students in agriculture and to keep small farms alive within our county.
In my down time, my passion is my grandkids. I also love taking pictures, gardening, canning and just sitting on the porch watching the sunrise or sunset. Farming with my husband and kids is my joy. There is no better way of life that I want nor chose to live, but this one.”
Congratulations to Oliver on being named to this committee, we appreciate the time and effort she contributes to our community and schools.
Fred Joe Brigance, 87, of Waldron, AR passed away October 9, 2020, peacefully in his sleep, at his home in Joplin MO. Fred was born on January 19, 1933, in Buck Knob, AR to Andrew Jackson (AJ) and Effie (Wagnor) Brigance.
Fred graduated from Waldron High School in 1953. From there, he enlisted in the army, where he served for two years during the Korean War. Once he returned home, he and Jean Cossey were married on October 26, 1957. Fred started Brigance small engine, where he became the first Homelite Chainsaw dealer in the state of Arkansas. He then expanded the business and opened Fred’s Chainsaw supply, where he worked for over 40 years until he retired to spend time with his family. Fred and Jean had one child, Alan, who lives in Baxter Springs, KS.
Fred enjoyed many hobbies throughout the years. Drag racing with his friends, turkey shoots and having coffee with his coffee buddies. Gardening and growing the best and earliest tomatoes was a passion of his. Fred and Jean traveled to many different countries together and Fred always enjoyed his yearly deep sea fishing trips to Destin Florida.
Fred is survived by his wife, Jean, of the home. Alan Brigance and wife, Joy, of Baxter Springs, KS. Two grandchildren; Jennifer Brigance and Jack Brigance of Webb City, MO. One great grandson, Brantley of Webb City, MO.
Fred is preceded in death by his Mother and Father. His five siblings Omer, Stella, John, Ruby and Virgie.
Fred’s life celebration will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 17, 2020 at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Waldron, Arkansas with Rev, Roger Rice officiating. Interment will follow in the Duncan Cemetery in Waldron, Arkansas. Arrangements are being entrusted to the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas.
Fred’s pallbearers will be Jack Brigance, Richard Brigance, Roger Brigance, Mark Brigance, Keith Brigance, Larry Brigance, Eric Brigance and Bryan Bingham.
Fred’s visitation will be Saturday, October 17, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home.
During these trying and difficult times, we must follow the guidelines we have been given to do our part to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. Family and friends that do attend the service must wear a mask and maintain a social distance of 6 feet apart. For those who would like to attend but are more comfortable watching from the comfort of your home or remaining in your vehicle, the funeral service will be live streamed on our website.
In last Friday nights Hackett Sr High Hornets game versus the Cedarville Pirates, the Hornets were a prime example of what determination looks like. Although they didn’t take the 28-20 win, they did take the second half butt-kicker trophy. Down 12-0 by halftime, Hackett shot back on the field to deliver three towering touchdowns before ending the game.
QB Ethan “Superman” Slavens
QB, Ethan “Superman” Slavens completed 13/26 passes for 176 yards, 3 TDs, and 1 interception. Weston Winters had 21 carries for 85 yards. Fischer Shipman earned 7 catches for 129 yards and 3 TDs. And Peyton Hester snagged 3 catches for 51 yards. Defensively, Isaiah Carter and Mason Oelke each made 1 pancake with Carter also making 3 solo tackles and 1 sack. Weston Winters had 14 solo tackles and 9 assists. Peyton Hester scored 11 solos and 8 assists. Fischer Shipman got 7 solos and 2 assists. Logan Slavens delivered 6 solos and 1 assist. And Jesse Esparza gained 4 solos and 1 assist.
“We did not execute good enough to win,” explained head coach, Michael Meador. “We had our chances and came up short. I am most impressed by our players’ effort in the whole game. We didn’t give up. We were down by 14 in the fourth quarter and came back and tied it.” This game puts the Hornets at 1-1 in conference play.
This Friday, October 16, the Hackett Hornets will have an exciting away game with the Charleston Tigers who sit 3-0 in conference. “Friday should be another hard-fought game. Charleston is well-coached and has some good players. We need to execute better and play our game. That will give us the best chance to win. Our O-line has a big week as well as the D-Line. This game will be won in the trenches!”
In the most unusual of high school volleyball seasons, the Paris Lady Eagles completed a perfect home record for the 2020 season with a 3-0 win over Booneville Monday night. The Lady Eagles will travel to West Fork on Thursday for their final conference match of the regular season. Paris will play a non-conference, varsity only match at Hot Springs Fountain Lake on Saturday.
Although the Lady Eagles are undefeated, including a 3-2 win at Hackett earlier in the season, Paris will likely be denied the top seed going into next week’s district tournament. The reason is a loophole in the Arkansas Activities Association’s (AAA) policy on make-up games and the determination of seeding for the state tournament due to COVID reasons. Absent from the AAA policy is an element that requires that all missed games due to COVID reasons be made up. Simply put, if a team, such as Paris, misses a game due to COVID quarantine, and finishes the season with fewer conference wins, the loss of conference games played will lower the team’s seeding to a team that has played more conference games. In short, if a team refuses to schedule a make-up game, even though there is ample opportunity to make-up the missed game, there is no penalty from the AAA for refusing to play. Paris will likely go into next week’s district tournament as a number two seed to Hackett, who will likely go as the top seed in the tournament. This, in spite that the Lady Eagles have a head-to-head win against Hackett, and have not lost a conference match. Paris lost the opportunity to play conference matches for reasons beyond their control, yet teams have the opportunity to take control and not agree to schedule the missed matches. Due to COVID, Paris lost the opportunity to play Charleston on September 22, Green Forest on September 28, Elkins on September 29, Lincoln on October 1, and Hackett on October 6. The Lady Eagles quarantine was lifted on Saturday, October 3 for most of their players, and the full Paris roster was out of quarantine on Wednesday, October 7. Dates such as Wednesday, October 7, Saturday October 10, Wednesday, October 14, and Saturday, October 17 were all available dates for make-up games. Add to this; if all of the conference games throughout the 3A West had been made-up prior to October 17, there would have been no district tournament held the week of October 19. So, just for illustration purposes, the opportunity was present from the AAA policy to not play a make-up game, gain a higher seed, and take your chances in the district tournament by playing fewer games to reach the championship by using a higher seed. As I pointed out, that scenario is also possibly unfolding in football, and it will be very interesting to see, if for example, if Booneville now having lost the opportunity to play two conference football games, will actually look at the possibility of losing a top one or two seed due to the loss of opportunities to play due to the AAA policy. Will there be more noise made by the football powers than what has happened in volleyball? We will see.
It is a tragedy that this loophole exist. Kids pay for the absence of the requirement to play the missed matches, and their parents and fans who support them all year are left wondering what has happened…how can this be? This is not the fault of any school or schools; the blame lies with the AAA for allowing it to happen.
But more on that later. Resident Press will have a preview of next week’s district tournament as soon as the tournament bracket and match-ups are known.
In Monday night’s game with Booneville, the Lady Eagles were pushed in the first two sets. Although Paris once again defeated Booneville 3-0, the Lady Bearcats competed hard in the make-up game with Paris. Booneville is to be commended for playing the make-up game, and for the progress the Lady Bearcats have made throughout the season. In fact, Booneville may be the most improved team in the 3A West conference, much like Waldron from a year ago. Booneville could be a dangerous team that could fight its way into the state tournament with the district tournament being held on their home floor next week.
Paris has struggled with good teams throughout the season. No doubt, the Lady Eagles are feeling the effects of unexpectedly having to suspend all activities for two weeks in the middle of the season. But at this point, it will be critical for Paris to continue working hard and to re-establish the momentum it had before the layoff. West Fork and Fountain Lake will provide opportunities for Paris to play its way back into the rhythm it had before the required quarantine and suspension of play. The district tournament, that was not previously scheduled, but now will be played according to AAA policy to determine state seeds from the 3A West conference, will provide another week for the Lady Eagles to get more games in before the state tournament. So, the goal for Paris is to hit their peak in two weeks so that they are again at the top of their game entering the all important week of state tournament play.
And in light of what has happened at the end of the conference season, the Lady Eagles should have plenty of motivation going into next week.
Resident Press will be in West Fork on Thursday to cover the Lady Eagles final conference match against the Lady Tigers. Watch for a recap of the match with West Fork on Friday afternoon in Resident Press.
Stay with Resident Press for Lady Eagles volleyball coverage and high school volleyball coverage all of the way to Hot Springs and the crowning of a Class 3A state champion!
By Mary Hightower U of A System Division of Agriculture
Arkansans shouldn’t let the COVID-19 pandemic distract them from a more familiar fall and winter foe: Influenza.
Last winter, Arkansas reported about 40,000 cases of flu, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. There were 118 flu-related deaths, three of which were children.
“Getting vaccinated against flu is more important now, than ever,” Bryan Mader, assistant professor for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and an extension nutrition specialist, said. “The flu vaccine can keep you from getting the flu, make the flu less severe if you do get it, and keep you from spreading flu to your family and friends.”
Mader says there are two misconceptions that sometimes prevent people from taking the flu vaccine.
“One common misconception about the flu vaccine is that it can actually give you the flu,” he said. “This is not true, and in fact, flu shots are made with inactivated viruses that will not cause illness.
“A second myth is that getting a flu vaccine will increase your risk of getting COVID-19,” Mader said. “This is also not true, and there is no evidence that getting a flu vaccination increases your risk of becoming ill from a coronavirus, like the one that causes COVID-19.”
The state Department of Health also holds mass flu clinics at various locations throughout the state. The Arkansas Department of Health does not charge out-of-pocket costs for a flu shot and does not require insurance for receiving a flu shot, but you are encouraged to bring insurance information if you have it, Mader said.
On Friday, October 9th, the Waldron Sr High Bulldogs hosted conference foes the Lamar Warriors. The first three-quarters of the game was evenly matched with each team nipping on the other’s heels. The fourth quarter started with a score of 26-21 Lamar. Fans were anxiously waiting to see how the next few minutes were going to pan out. But unfortunately, that is where the bus stopped for the Bulldogs as they would fail to put any more points on the board ending the game with a final score of 40-21 Lamar. Waldron now sits 0-2 in conference play. “The game Friday was disappointing,” explained head coach, Doug Powell. “I feel the guys played hard, but failure to do the small things kept us from being successful.”
#80 Hector Calderon
The Bulldogs brought in 258 yards offensively Friday night. “Not being able to execute what we practiced and mental mistakes put us in bad positions. When that happened, we needed big plays. Although we made some of the big plays, logic says you will not make them all.” Leo Lopez ended the night successfully making 3/3 PATs. Trenton Hunt ran the ball in from 11-yards out to deliver the first Bulldog TD. Waldron’s second TD came from a Braden Williams to Isaac “The Real” Villarreal 47-yard pass. And definitely the play of the game was when Gabino Grano knocked the Warriors ball loose allowing Matthew Tegtmeyer to zoom in for a scoop and score.
The Bulldogs defense getting the job done
“We continue to battle when faced with adversity. But we need to minimize how much adversity we face by executing more consistently.” For the next conference royal, Waldron will travel to Pottsville on Friday, October 16 to take on the Apaches. “Pottsville will be like the last two games. It should be hard-fought and highly contested. We do not have to shake anything up in terms of how we play. We just have to improve our consistency of execution on the offensive and defensive fronts.”
Leo “The Left Foot Kicker” Lopez
Isaac “The Real” Villarreal receiving the opening game ball
