Meet the Teacher Nights in Devine

For students in Elementary and Intermediate, post cards with your teacher’s name should come in the mail next week sometime. All campuses in Devine Independent School District will host parents and students to a “Meet the Teacher” night at the following dates and times:
JJ Ciavarra Elementary Thursday, August 17 – 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Devine Intermediate Thursday, August 17 – 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Devine Middle School Tuesday, August 15 – 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Devine High School Tuesday, August 15 – 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Parents and students may go to teachers’ classrooms any time during the time periods listed above.
At the elementary and intermediate campus, parents may bring labeled school supplies to their child’s room. Parents will be able to put money in the child’s lunch account, join PTO, and confirm bus numbers and routes.
Elementary and Intermediate students should receive a postcard in the mail soon stating their teacher(s) for the school year. At both campuses, parents may check in the office during “Meet the Teacher” if they are unsure of their child’s room assignment and/or if registration information is not complete.
Middle and high school teachers will be in their classrooms to talk to parents about their classes and about the expectations of the class. Middle school students may pick up their class schedule in the cafeteria. If you have any holds such as immunizations or proof of residency, report to the office to turn in your documents and pick up your schedule. High school student schedules will be given out in the multi-purpose room.
Reminder: All immunizations (when applicable) and proof of residency requirements (3rd, 6th, and 9th graders) must be complete before students can pick up their schedule and attend school on the August 23rd. If your student recently received immunizations, please bring an updated record to the school office at your earliest convenience. Proof of Residency documents should be emailed to enrollment@devineisd.org or dropped off at the campus office.

Coach Gayle Sessions reminisces on her 34 years teaching/coaching in Devine

The sign is still in her yard as of 2023, Coach Sessions said. It is an old Devine street sign that players had borrowed and repainted. They had gone to state that year so each side was lettered with accomplishments. Cindy Hundley may have been one of the players who put it there in 1973, she adds.

An icon in Devine, we hope you enjoy this interview with Coach Gayle Sessions as she shares treasured memories of her 34 years teaching and coaching in Devine with Devine News columnist Kathleene Runnels . She talks of tales starting back in the 60’s when Devine schools “had no air-conditioned classrooms or gym, square dancing was a class, and there was still a designated smoking area for students at school.”
“In the fall of 1964, Carolyn Williams was hired as the Arabian Basketball Coach, and I came with her to coach at Devine Jr. High. Marvin Gustafson, legendary and Hall of Fame football coach, was the athletic director. Ralph Rice was superintendent and hired me over the phone. The junior high was in the “Green Alamo,” today’s VFW building.
It was a culture shock, coming from Tennessee with its green yards, gardens, and tall trees. I found out the hard way that you don’t go barefoot in the South Texas brown grass in 100+ degree weather! I could easily have packed up and gone back to Tennessee. Instead, it was 34 years later that I did return to take care of my aging parents. Why did I stay? It was the PLACE, the PEOPLE, the PROFESSION.
The PLACE, Devine, a small, rural, tight-knit community had a general store – Loggins and Lilly – with a motto “Everything from a rat skin to a ranch.” What more could you ask for? The school was known for its small town athletics and academic excellence. It had very few discipline issues and excellent community support. All South Texas knew how successful the football and basketball programs were under Coach Gus, and the girls’ basketball team had won the state championship two years earlier.
The PEOPLE were friendly, welcoming, and eager to help me adjust to different surroundings. My very first day at the junior high, Neva Muennick Saathoff, an 8th-grade athlete, offered to take me to the cafeteria, and on the way said, “Don’t worry; Devine doesn’t have knife fights in the school like they do in San Antonio.” Wow! That made me think!
Carolyn Williams met Mrs. Gene Ward, a high school teacher, who immediately invited us to her home to meet her daughter, Betty, a former Arabian who was on the 1961 basketball team that finished 3rd in State. We became great friends, and Betty, for many years, wrote all our basketball articles for the Devine News.
Imogene McAllister Tschirhart was a 7th grade athlete my first year, and I became friends with her parents, Alda Rose and Walter. We were often invited to eat with them on Thanksgiving or other special occasions. They became “my second family.” Walter was our summer league softball coach. He was tough and did not give us any slack. His favorite saying was “AGAIN,” and our first team was the DEVINE NUTS, and later, the ROADRUNNERS.
During those years, we had adults from Poteet and Jourdanton, mixed in with some talented younger Arabians. We won two State Softball Slow-pitch titles and qualified to Nationals. But, school was about to start, and we could not leave.
Imogene was the Tschirhart’s oldest daughter, and of course she played for me. Then she went into coaching at Medina Valley, and even beat me! So, I hired her to help coach the Devine Fillys. She stayed in Devine long after I retired and was responsible for much of the Arabians’ successes through her early indoctrination while they were in 7th and 8th grades.
Denise McAllister Boehme never had any other coach but me (poor girl) because she went to high school the same year that I went. She became a teacher, an elementary principal, and, last I heard, was still helping in the MVISD system.
Theresa, the baby McAllister, was born when Imogene was a 7th grader. When she was a youngster, she told her mother she was worried that if she played high school basketball, they might squash me in the huddle. She became a coach and just recently retired as Superintendent of Jourdanton ISD.
Some other former players that also became coaches were Diana Rohmer, Cindy Hundley, Marley Fewell, Debbie Shields, Samantha McClure, Sherry Head, Sandy Beck, Holly Graham (who went on to coach at several universities), Shana McGinnis, Terri Wells (DHS volleyball coach and recently retired as Girls Athletic Coordinator), and I only wish I could remember more.
In 1966 I met Don Sessions at an end-of-the-year basketball party. He was helping BBQ, imagine that! We married in 1967, and since he was a Texan, Devine definitely was now home.
My PROFESSION was teaching. In the late 60s, there were no air-conditioned classrooms or gyms. I taught tumbling and square dance in the “should-have-been-condemned” basement in the Green Alamo. Women teachers were required to wear dresses to school and to games. There was even a designated smoking area for students. The buses were governed and could only go 55 mph. Volleyball and basketball were the only UIL sports for girls, and basketball only in junior high. There were no cell phones, game films, college sports for girls, summer leagues, no all-weather tracks, and the girls played half court, 3-on-3; not full court, 5-on-5. Until Title IX in 1972, I had late basketball practice starting at 5:15 every day.
I started teaching at Devine High School in 1967 where many lasting and treasured friendships began. The staff had Christmas and end-of-the-school year parties, often at our house. Don cooked lots of briskets and taught many his technique. The parties might last so long that Don and I would go on to bed and leave our company outside in our yard. When Bob Bendele became principal, he wanted to cook and host the end-of-the-year get-together. That was certainly great with me!
We played Secret Santa games at Christmas. I have and still decorate at Christmas with a dinner plate that has a Christmas snow scene painted by English teacher, Kathleene Runnels (who began the Secret Santa tradition).
I was so impressed with the first prom decorations I saw. The theme was Las Vegas, and they painted and placed a huge mural of the Las Vegas skyline in front of the entire bleachers at the old high school, now the intermediate school. Then I remember that our old gym floor was warped and never the same after a prom waterfall leaked onto and under the wooden floor.
Often the class sponsors tried to out-do the decorations from the previous year. That was extremely hard to do, following my group of sponsors. We had Joyce Bendele, DHS art teacher, in charge of art and decoration ideas, JoAnn Lindsey (HomeEc teacher) for food, and Phil McAnnely for props. The rest of us did what we were told. Our proms were, in my opinion, spectacular.
Does anyone know of another school in which parents host an Around the World party for graduating seniors? For years, the last stop always had a swimming pool. After all the wonderful food and activities, some sponsors ended up being thrown into the pool. I always took as many seniors in with me as I could!
Spending a week with the seniors on their senior trip to Colorado was challenging and required several days of rest afterwards. We left at 4:00AM for a 2-day school-bus ride to Colorado Springs. I saw my first dust storm in the Texas Panhandle, snow on Pike’s Peak, the Royal Gorge, the Garden of the Gods. We tried to keep the seniors very busy, and the responsibility always kept me alert.
In my last 15 years, Bob Bendele was our high school principal. He emphasized values that I also believed: “Take pride and do your best in all activities at DHS.” He disciplined us when needed but he treated us like we were his brothers and sisters. He was amazing!


My PROFESSIONAL PASSION was coaching. In the 60s, no large schools in San Antonio played girls basketball. It was played only in small, rural schools. Devine was even Class AA. There was no 3-point shot; no AAU travel or elite teams, no individual paid instructors. A few girls shot a jump-shot and the euro step was not even thought of and would have been a walking violation. The defensive players never practiced free throws because when they were fouled, the coach was allowed to let her best offensive shooter to shoot for them. Imogene Tschirhart made 30 free throws in one game; that was common. Girls played half court, and the three offensive players stayed on one end while the defensive players advanced the ball up the mid-court line after a steal, rebound, or missed shot. No player could cross the center line. Our uniform shorts were very short – both the boys’ and girls’ – and the Dilly Queens wore skirts with shorts underneath.
Only the District Champion advanced to the playoff Bi-District game. The winner went straight to the Regional Tournament, and the four Regional winners went to State, where we were assured of two games. Winners played the championship game, and the losers played for 3rd place.
I became the Arabian Coach in 1967-68, and we lost our first four games but ended up playing at the Regional Tournament at Kingsville A&I, now A&M. Their old gym was so small that the defenders had to back up 3 ft from all out-of-bounds lines to allow the offense room to pass the ball inbounds.
In 1970, we went back to Regionals with a super exciting one-point victory, 70-69, over Canyon of New Braunfels, a much taller and more talented team. It was an unexpected win. Then we lost to Calallen for a second year in the finals.
In 1972, we lost to Calallen for a third time in the Regional finals. This Arabian team was loaded with talent from both the senior and junior classes. We were experienced, gutty, and probably my best team so far. I took this loss personally, which is never a good thing. They were a special team, and after that loss, I did not praise them as I should have. I sure tried later to let them know how proud I was of them. Glenda Robertson Lehnhoff, who just recently died, was senior on that team.
Maybe the 1973 team was motivated by those Calallen loses, as that year we won our 1st Regional Championship! We were going to State! It also helped that Calallen was now in Class AAA. But, getting there was still heart-stopping. We had won Bi-District, 64-62 over Boerne and had to come from behind in both Regional games to beat George West by one – 55-54, and then Granada, 52-42.
Not knowing any better, I allowed the UIL to make our lodging arrangements. We stayed in the oldest hotel in Austin with all its antique furniture and no place to park the bus. Don was driving all our bus trips, so he had to park and walk a half mile, back and forth, each trip.
At the State Tournament, our excitement met reality. We played undefeated Midway Waco, by far the best team in any classification in the state. Immediately we knew we were in trouble when 5’5” Clara Campsey’s jump shot was aggressively blocked by the 6’2” defender! In fact, they had three players over 6’ tall. Our tallest player was Diane Rohmer Patton at 5’9”, maybe! A unique thing about that team was that all four seniors had Marie as their middle name: Diane Marie Rohmer, Donna Marie Sollock, Clara Marie Campsey, and Emogene Marie DuBose. They were the “Maries of ‘73” playing in our first trip to Austin.
We made it to the State Tournament four times total. Our second trip again was not easy. We beat Hays Consolidated in overtime, 58-53. They missed a wide-open lay-up with seconds left that would have won the game for them. At Regionals, we nipped Palacious by 2 in the Regional finals. In our State game, we were trailing Abilene Wylie late in the game and needed to foul intentionally but make it not look intentional. Our guards were in foul trouble, so I put in freshman Tina Morris. According to her story, she was scared and did not understand what I meant when I said, “Push her.” So she did! The Wylie player went flying across the center line, and we were called for an intentional foul. So, they shot and got the ball back. But, that was not why we lost the game. We just did not shoot very well, and I had a sick player trying to play in the very hot, old Gregory Gym. Abilene won 69-54.
Our third trip to the State Tournament was in 1987 and was our best chance to win a game. We had talent, plus height, which was unusual, with 6’2” Holly Graham, Melissa and Theresa Haglund, point guard, Tracey Fewell, and a host of other talented players. But, we could not overcome the efforts of Sweeney and lost, 60-51.
Our last trip was 1989 when we, once again, had two nail-biting games, the first with Liberty Hill. We won 52-51 on a lay-up by Vanessa Lorraine with four seconds left to play. The final game was a rematch with Jourdanton and their star player, 6’1” Beth Burkett. We were equally matched teams. We had split in District play with them and were fortunate to have won Regionals in overtime, 56-54. In the State Semi-finals, we lost to power house Canyon Eagles from the Texas Panhandle by 40 points! That was painful!
We had a disappointing loss in our last trip to the Regional Tournament in 1992. However, the Area game just before was one of the best. We were losing by 5 points with 1:21 left in the game. Their fans started singing the “Na, Na, Na, Na, Good-bye” song to us. But “the fat lady had not sung yet, as Holly Sadler made a steal and an unbelievable save. She passed to Annie Martin, who scored. Annie followed up with two more baskets after we stole a pass and intercepted an inbound pass. We won 54-53, much to the disappointment of the Edna fans.
Bill Bain today will sometimes remind me of the win over Medina Valley when we went into our 4-corner stall for almost the entire game. Mandy Davis Cross, the assistant principal of Ciavarra Elementary, was the point guard in that game and loved to run the stall.
Terri Caldwell Wells, a former Arabian on the 1977 State qualifying team, came back to Devine to take over our volleyball program in 1982. Within a few years, her program was the envy of South Texas. She won back-to-back State Volleyball Championships in 1987 and 1988. Nothing is more exciting than winning it ALL! Stacy Hamilton Sparagna expressed that excitement well after our win; she did a back flip in her volleyball uniform on the court in front of all those fans. Good job, Stacey!
I started the girls cross country, track, and softball programs and had the pleasure of coaching all of them in the first seasons. I was the only girls coach in the program until 1980. So, I had to coach cross country and track. I did not know anything about track fundamentals, so I ordered a track book. The girls laughed (of course, behind my back) when they saw me reading the book at practice. Does anyone remember those old, gold, fuzzy track warm-ups? Yuck! With no money budgeted for track equipment, we even picked up aluminum cans to raise money. We had a dirt track as long as I was coaching in Devine; so, we had to roll, water, and line the track before every meet. Coach Glenn Randow taught us how to run an efficient meet, so people liked to come to Devine until other schools started getting all-weather tracks. Kayci Waters was our first State Track Champion, winning the 3200 meter run three times in a row, 1995-96-97. She was State Runner-up also three times in the mile (1600 meter) run in 1995, ’96, ’98.
We started softball in 1994, and I chose to coach the team with Don assisting. During the Christmas holidays before the first season began, Don, Jim, and I set all the fence posts in concrete, and several parents helped the school build the backstop and today’s dugouts. We were having a great season when, just before our 1st playoff game, our star catcher, Erica Ramos, was killed in a car accident. That was the worst of times. But, somehow, we pulled it all together with Brianne Obaya filling in as our catcher, and we made it all the way to the State Tournament. In our first game at State, we came from behind to win the game in the top of the 7th inning. Leah Lorraine got a critical hit into right field to aid in that victory.
The next morning, we had a big lead over Belleville early, but they kept cutting into our lead. We were up two, with one out in the 7th inning, when Belleville, with two runners on base, got a hit to the outfield. One run scored when the throw to home was late. But, quick-thinking catcher, Brianne Obaya, threw to third base to tag a runner who was making a wide turn at third. That was out number 2. In all the confusion, the Belleville coach decided to steal third as we were getting ready to give the ball to our pitcher. Alert Traci Steele saw what was happening and took the ball from Leah Lorraine Land and dove in a cloud of dust to make the tag for the 3rd out. We won 9-8 and were going to play in the Championship game. We were all celebrating wildly. Does anyone remember Coach Wells’ reaction as she was trying to find someone to hug and couldn’t? That was funny! Our luck ran out as we lost 9-2 in the Championship game.


Other fun times were team overnight camping trips to Con Can, Christmas parties at my house, and end-of-the-year parties with my brownies and Don’s brisket. We had to make our own money in order to give the players gifts. So, besides collecting aluminum cans, we ran the volleyball concessions stand. I always gave all Arabian athletes a small Christmas gift such as an Arabian key chain. At first I gave my seniors a charm with their name and uniform number. On the back was engraved their team accomplishments. Later, I changed it to a big plaque with their pictures in each sport they played, and I listed all their individual and team accomplishments.
I loved filming and creating the Sports Banquet Highlight film. It was so much work, before the time of computers. But, the athletes looked forward to seeing it, and I loved doing it for them.
An old, concrete City of Devine street sign appeared in my yard, lettered with our championship accomplishments in 1973. It is still in my yard. I have had to repaint it several times. I’m still not sure who borrowed it and gave it to me!
Some of my players loved to toilet paper the big oak trees in my yard. It happened so often that one year Don told me I had to put a stop to it or at least slow it down. I got permission from the parents of those I thought were the ring leaders to toilet paper their rooms. So, while I had them at practice, some friends went to their houses. They not only papered their bedrooms but emptied their dresser drawers. Their clothes and toilet paper were hanging from light fixtures, curtains, door knobs, drawer knobs, lamp shades, bed posts, and any area you can imagine. It was a mess, but their parents thought it was hilarious as they watched the clean-up.
Before Don and I were married, he got on our bus as we were leaving for Jourdanton for a game and announced that he had an engagement ring for the winning coach. No pressure? We did win by 3 points, beating coach Carolyn Williams, my close friend.
In 1978, I got to coach the very last 3-on-3, half court game in Texas. It was the summer before we started playing 5-on-5, and I was coaching the All-Star game at the Coaches’ Clinic. We were severe underdogs, but we snuck out a win. It was an exciting night as my parents had come from Tennessee to watch me coach.
The year I retired, the San Antonio Basketball Officials honored me by dedicating their roster book to me. There was an official who looked like the actor, George Jefferson. I was invited to their dedication meeting, but I was already coaching in Tennessee and could not be there. Neva and Jim went for me and told me later that they had a very cute skit with George Jefferson and me in my rocking chair in the Devine gym. I still regret that I could not attend.
Several coaches I hired are still coaching or teaching in Devine. Over 40 years ago, I hired Candi Darnell to help in basketball and to coach tennis. She is presently the middle school principal and still coaching tennis. Shana McGinnis Beaty, a former Arabian, helped coach in the middle school for years and is still teaching. I talked Gary Schmidt into helping me, and he coached several years after I retired. Jim, who is now Athletic Director, is still coaching the Arabians. I hired him in 1997-98, my very last year. People come to Devine and just want to stay. I sure understand that!
What a pleasure to coach Holly Graham. She was voted South Texas Women’s Sportsman of the year in 1998 and Most Outstanding Female Athlete in the Greater San Antonio Area. Shaquille O’Neal, Shaq of the NBA, was the male winner that same year. Holly got a 4-year scholarship to the University of Texas, and, after her volleyball season ended, she played basketball for Jody Conrad for the last half of the season.
I was blessed to be a part of the evolution of women’s college basketball from the 3-on-3 game to the fast-paced full court fame of today. Today’s players are highly skilled and talented.
Some pioneers in this development were Sue Gunter, LSU and Stephen F. Austin coach, Jody Conrad from the University of Texas, and Pat Head, the Summitt, Tennessee, coach. In the early 70s, they were fighting for equal rights for women in sports. Finally, with the passage of Title IX, equal opportunities for women, the college game grew by leaps and bounds. Now, women get college scholarships, play for the WNCAA championship, and the best, can play in the WNBA.
Sue Gunter came to Texas the same year we came. She really wanted to coach women’s college basketball when there were no opportunities. So, she did! I was a sophomore at Middle Tennessee State University, and Sue put together an “Intramural travel team.” We put our number on a “T” shirt, drove our own cars, and paid all our expenses. She was a tough coach and had one rule I always remember: “You had better be in control all the time that you are in the game; if not, you are coming out, and you had best be in control when you come to the bench.”
I played and coached against so many notable players and coaches. Cathy Self Morgan, a former Jourdanton Squaw, won Seven State Championships and 1,170 games. She had the record of the longest winning streak, winning 105 games. That streak was broken in the State Championship finals.
There was WNBA player Clarissa Davis from John Jay High School and Nell Fortner, today’s Georgia coach and former ESPN commentator. Nell is from New Braunfels.
Leta Andrews, coach at Grandbury, Texas, may still have the record nationally for the most high school victories, 1416.
Joe Lombard won game #1000 in the State Championship finals. He has 1379 wins.
Since retiring, I just enjoy watching games with daughters of former players: Sandy Wilkerson Beck’s Willie Jo; Nicki Malone Taylor’s Allyson and Sierra; Shannon Marsh Ramirez’s Kailee and niece Oakley; Imogene Tschirhart’s Kara and Karla; Kelly Hellums’ twins, Megan and Brooke – also Arabians. Brooke won the Tennis State Championship. Dawn Hoog Zapata’s daughter, Jordon; Monica Ybanez’s Yessika. Joselyn and Jillian Cuajardo’s Aunt Maria was a player for me. There are so many more I wish I could name. But, it is time to get this to the Devine News and KK DuBose Calame, who is also a former Arabian, with daughters who played.
So, thanks to all former Arabians for the memories, and good luck to the future and present ones.
By the way, if you are thinking Coach Sessions sure has a great memory for details, NO! But I sure have great scrapbooks!

Local boy wins again, Golden Gloves Nationals is next,sponsors needed so he can make the trip!

Esteban Rodriguez qualified for the Golden Gloves Nationals in August but is needing some help with sponsorships to make the trip to Orlando, Florida. To qualify for Nationals he won the Golden Gloves Championship in Texas in February and won this trophy. The medal is Jr. Olympics Champ, and the belt is for being a USA Boxing Nationals Champs.

Esteban Rodriguez, 16 years old, of Natalia brought home his third championship this year in boxing as he won last week the USA Boxing Nationals Champion 138lb JR Division at the competition in Houston June 29-July 2.
He dreams of going to the Golden Gloves National Championship in Orlando, Florida on August 6-9 and is seeking local sponsors to help make the trip a reality.
Esteban’s record is 7-1 for 2023 and he has been racking up the hardware. In February he won his division at the Golden Gloves Texas competition in San Antonio, Texas and a trophy. Then in March he won his division at the Junior Olympics Championships in Corpus Christi, Texas and brought home a Olympic medal. Now in July he won a belt as the Champion at the USA Boxing Nationals.
His coaches are Eric Rodriguez and G. Guerrero.
Esteban has been boxing since he was 12 and got the inspiration to start boxing from his mother Sandra who used to wrestle when she was a teenager and loved it. His sister Senayda, 12 yrs old hopes to follow in his footstep someday soon.
He is the son of Esteban and Sandra Lopez.
If you would like to help Esteban get to the Golden Gloves Nationals by sponsoring him, please contact his father Esteban at 830-428-1340 or estebanlinan140@gmail.com.

Celebrating 40 years of Devine Mini Cheer Camp

The 1983-84 was the first cheer team asked to host cheer camp as part of the new Community Education Program 40 years ago during the summer of 1983. They are Cindy Langley Morales, Rhonda Edwards Korczynski, (left) Mascot Kirsten Schneider, (right) Charie Boyd Morse, Monica Trollinger Malone, Mikki McGinnis Taylor, (at top) Suzanne Crouch Putz, with Little Mascot Tiffany Schneider (at bottom).

By Autumn Copeland
Monday, June 26 to Thursday, June 29, the Devine High School cheer team and sponsors hosted the 40th year of Mini Cheer Camp.
At Mini Cheer and Dance Camp, young cheerleaders from the area attend a four day-long camp where they work with the high school cheerleaders to learn routines and dances, even getting to perform for their loved ones on their last day.
The tradition started 40 years ago at Devine High School when several different summer camps were set up through the Devine Community Education Program by Dora Fernandez. The high school cheerleaders were asked to host a cheer camp, so they volunteered their time to teach younger kids all about the ins and outs of cheerleading.
Cindy Morales was a cheerleader at the time the first mini cheer camp was held during the summer before her senior year of high school in 1983. Morales enjoyed cheer camp because she had the opportunity to work with the youth.
“My favorite part was teaching traditional cheers that have carried on throughout the years,” said Morales. “Tradition is so important for schools.”
The first cheer camp was held in the old high school gym just like it is now, but the camp lasted for five days and campers would pay $25. Now campers pay $45-$65, depending on their grade level. The money raised from cheer camp has to be stretched throughout the year since cheer is not a part of athletics at DHS. The money pays for things like pep rally decorations, tryout choreography, judges and an auditor for scoring.
“This year’s money will go to much needed cheer equipment to make Friday night football a better experience for everyone,” said DHS cheer sponsor Alejandra Valdez. “The girls have to raise money for anything and everything they do.”
Senior lieutenant cheerleader Yancey Parson says her dreams have come to life since becoming a cheerleader. She always looked up to the older girls during her days at cheer camp as a little girl and now she gets to be an inspiration for the younger campers.
“One thing I’ve noticed is how much these little girls look up to you and want to be your friend and dance with you, or even watch them dance with their groups,” said Parson. “It reminds me of myself at their age.”
For the older generations of cheerleaders and mini cheer campers, the hopes to continue teaching Devine pride through deep traditions remain high.
“It gives my heart joy to see cheer camp continue 40 years later,” said Morales as she watched granddaughters Reese and Riley cheer at camp.

45 Medina County grads enlist to Serve Our Country

By Autumn Copeland
As we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day, we’d like to honor these local Medina County graduates who have made the decision to serve our country.
As most of the local 2023 graduates enjoy their summer breaks before college or entering the workforce, these young men and women are getting ready to leave for basic training.
In Devine, a total of 10 graduates are planning to enter the military. Jordan Erxleben and Juan Hernandez will be joining the Navy. Theodore Hinkle and Zachery Martinez will be going into the Army. Entering the Air Force are Owen Fowler, Joselyn Guajardo, Noah Macias, and Kristina Moralez. Ryan Mclain Connor, Carlo Rivera, and Aaron Salazar will be joining the Marines.
In Lytle, graduates Nivea Sanchez, George Hernandez, and Mackenzie Sessom have committed to serving in the military.
Natalia’s graduating class consisted of two military commitments. Joshua San Miguel will be joining the Air Force and Austin Sutton will be joining the Navy.
Hondo had seven graduates going into the military. Marco Aguilar Rios and Paul Ramirez will be going into the Army. Benjamin Cardenas, Eric Camjo, Avery Ortiz, and Devin Velasquez are entering the Air Force. Going into the Marines is Hayven Villareal.
In Sabinal, there are three graduates entering the service. Jacob Flores and Ryan Wells will be going into the Navy while Jesus Gonzales will be going into the Marine Corps Reserves.
Medina Valley’s graduating class consisted of a total of 20 students enlisting in the military. Angel Mariscal, Miranda Salas Perez, and Cristobal Gil will be joining the Army. Garrett Edwards, Sharlotte Sarro, Zachary Guinn, Gavin Guerrero, Alan Segura, and Emiano Rodriguez will be joining the Marine Corps. Rene Contreras, Madaly Gaultier-Soliz, and Clayton “CJ” McCulloch will be joining the Navy. Anberlin MacCauley, Kason Saulter, Natalie Perez, Elisa Simmons, Jaiden Gonzalez, Eric Barrentes, Jacob Lascano, and Cristian Zarazua will be joining the Air Force.
The young people of Medina County entering the military have expressed their joy about entering the service and sorrow about leaving the community. Jordan Erxleben will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
“I’m very excited for the next chapter of my life,” said Erxleben. “I’m sad about leaving my friends, family, and home in Texas, but my time in Annapolis and the assignments beyond inspire great excitement for what is to come.”
Erxleben’s mother Lacey Erxleben also had some sentiments to share about the bittersweet feeling of her daughter leaving.
“It’s the best of both worlds- getting an education and serving our country,” said Erxleben. “I’m sad but happy for the opportunity for her and I know that, like all of my children before her, I need to let her go in order for her to accomplish great things.”
Juan Hernandez expressed how he is happy to be joining the military because he believes it is a great option right out of high school.
“I wanted to enlist because I want to travel the world and work out as much as possible, so what better way to do it than to join the Navy,” said Hernandez.
Kristina Moralez shared her nervousness and hopefulness in regards to joining the military.
“I have always loved challenges, being pushed past my limits, and staying active which is why I think I will love serving my country,” said Moralez. “I’ve always thought of myself as a leader so I would like to show those qualities of myself in the service as well.”
We thank the brave young men and women who have made the decision to serve their country, dedicating themselves to the nation’s independence.
Please note, unfortunately not all pictures were made available to us as of press time, but we are happy to feature any student who was left out in future weeks.

Lytle wins gold and silver medals at Texas State Contest

Soloist Stefan Grigsby
Quartet members Cambri Davila, Victoria Garcia, Citlali Ferreira, and Natalie Williams.

On February 5 Lytle High School Band students participated in Solo and Ensemble and advanced to Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Pflugerville. On Saturday, after the dust had barely settled from graduation, soloist Stefan Grigsby (11) and quartet members Cambri Davila(12), Victoria Garcia(11), Citlali Ferreira(12), and Natalie Williams(12) went to TSSEC held at Hendrickson High School.
This was Stefan’s first trip to TSSEC and he earned a 2nd division, silver medal, on his French Horn Solo.
For the past six years a flute ensemble has gone to state. This was Cambri and Citlali’s, third time at state. They actually qualified all four years of high school, but were unable to go in 2020 due to Covid. They also received gold medals every year they participated. For Natali and Victoria, this was their second time to qualify and participate at this competition, also receiving gold medals both times. “I am so proud of these young women as they brought home 1st division gold medals, especially since this will be the last event for our seniors,” said MJ Robles, Lytle JH Band Director.

4 DISD Educators Receive Top Honors;13 retire, 5 hired

Middle School teacher of the year Christian Guerra recieves her award from Superintendent Grandjean.
Elementary-Cindy Zuercher
Intermediate-Melody Riou
High School-Marisol Rangel Garcia


At the conclusion of the school year, Devine ISD awarded top honors to four dedicated educators this year. The following teachers receiving the Educator of the Year Award for their respective campuses in Devine ISD are:
Elementary–Cindy Zuercher
Intermediate–Melody Riou
Middle School–Christian Guerra
High School–Marisol Rangel Garcia
Dr. Grandjean also awarded service pins to many dedicated educators who have served our district 5, 10 and even 25 years, and awarded a special certificate of appreciation to Wendy Martinez for doing such a good job protecting students at the crosswalk.
Retirees
Devine ISD had 13 employees retire this year and have hired five new teachers for the next school year. They currently have many openings in the district: Elementary – 3, Middle School – 5, High School – 9, as well as others within the district.
Steve Anderson, 26 years to DISD, 29 years total in educatio
Mark Berg, 5 years to DISD, 19 years total in education
David Cardenas, 30 years all in DISD
Cristina Esquivel, 2 years to DISD, 29 years total in education
Linda Evans, 27 years all in DISD
Jeff Miller, 13 years to DISD, 30 total years in education
Shawn Mullins, 22 years all in DISD
Barbara Nelson, 39 years all in DISD
Nannette Pilaczynski, 21 years all in DISD
Gary Schmidt, 26 years to DISD, 27 total years in education
Shirley Wimett, 10 years to DISD, 32 total years in education
Scott Taylor, 24 years to DISD, 24 years to DISD, 29 total years in education
Cindy Zuercher, 17 years to DISD, 35 total years in education
New Hires:
Gensen Merritt, 5th grade teacher
Justin Marcrum, 5th grade teacher
Alexandra Escobar, Intermediate Spec Ed Teacher
Humberto Sanchez, Head Band Director
Larry Waddle, Ag Science Teacher
Open Positions:
Elementary School Counselor (PK-2)
Elementary School Teacher (PK-2)
Elementary School Special Education Aide (PK-2) (2 positions)
Middle School Science Teacher/Boys’ Athletic Coach (6-8)
Middle School Art Teacher (6-8)
Middle School Special Education Math & Inclusion Teacher (6-8)
Middle School Math Teacher (6-8)
Middle School Instructional Aide (6-8)
High School Teacher (9-12) (ESSER Funded)
High School Math Teacher (9-12)
High School Math Teacher/Boys’ Athletic Coach (9-12)
High School Science Teacher OR High School Science Teacher w/Boys’ Athletic Coach (9-12)
High School Spanish Teacher/Boys’ Athletic Coach (9-12)
High School English Teacher (9-12)
High School Family & Consumer Science Teacher (9-12) (2 positions)
High School Nursing Science Teacher (9-12)
High School Attendance Clerk (9-12)
Speech Language Pathologist or Speech Language Pathology Assistant
Substitutes for Nurses
Bus Drivers
Custodian(s)
Cafeteria Worker

Golden Pennies…Tax ratification election proposed to help Devine ISD budget woes

Devine ISD school board president Nancy Pepper takes in a presentation of proposed solutions to a possible $2.5 million budget shortfall expected by the district. The board met in special session Monday to consider possible action. (Photo by Anton Riecher)

By Anton Riecher
A tax ratification election in November is being considered as part of the complicated resolution to a possible $2.5 million Devine ISD budget shortfall attributed to uncertainty of appraised property values (since so many were protested).
Going the tax ratification route would allow the district to regain any funding lost from tax collection by means of state aid, Superintendent Todd Grandjean told the board in a budget meeting Monday evening.
“With being able to go out for a TRE we would have a more assertive way to tell (voters) that this is going to happen,” he said.
Much of what was discussed hinges on a pending special session of the Texas Legislature called by Gov. Greg Abbott to further debate property tax relief and other issues.
The school board is also considering taking $717,961 from $1.1 million in remaining elementary and secondary school emergency relief (ESSER) funds to support budgeted salary increases.
As explained by the district’s chief financial officer Shannon Ramirez the proposed election revolves around the use of $689,624 in “golden pennies” or Tier II funding set aside by the school board in its formula to “compress” the tax rate. (Editor’s note: The state’s definition of “golden pennies” is stated as follows: Golden pennies provide tax revenue that is not subject to recapture by the State of Texas. Using golden pennies is an exercise of LOCAL control. Voters decide to access the pennies; all the revenue generated by them stays in the school district.
Compression refers to an intentional act to lower the tax rate which, in turn, reduces what taxpayers owe.
“When this passed we did a resolution to keep five of our pennies,” Ramirez said. “There are still some pennies out there that we could get back. It would go to the voters in November in the general election.”
Beside the golden pennies still available, the district could also reclaim nine copper or Tier I pennies held in reserve totaling $46,875, she said.
(Editor’s note: A Texas Tribune article on school finance explains “copper pennies” as “Any money a district raises with pennies seven through 17 — so-called “copper pennies” — is subject to recapture. If a district raises more than $31.95 of revenue per copper penny, that overage goes back to the state.)
“The golden pennies are the ones that we want more of,” Ramirez said. “We only have three to four but it would bring in over $680,000.”
She said she was unsure whether a tax ratification election to certify reclaiming the pennies and a bond election could be held on the same ballot, a reference to any attempt to remount the district’s failed $32.2 million bond issue in May.
Grandjean said tax relief measures still being considered by the Texas Legislature are expected to compress tax rates an additional 25 cents.
“We need four pennies of the 25 cents the state is about to give (taxpayers) back,” he said. “So in effect their tax rate would be compressed by 21 cents and the way we don’t lose funding is the money we generate and collect off our taxes we just get back from state aid. This is how they are making this all whole.”
Board president Nancy Pepper said that winning approval in the tax ratification election cannot be relied on. Using the budgeted ESSER funds to drive down the expected deficit would be more reliable.
“We can’t even know if this is going to pass,” Pepper said. “I would think we could use the ESSER funds and we would at least be a little bit better off.”
During Monday’s meeting Ramirez reviewed a host of positions at the various district campuses that have been filled, remain unfilled or have been dropped in the effort to further reduce the budget. Other cuts discussed included items such as a $40,000 tractor dropped in favor of several new buses.
Unbudgeted open positions at the high school include one FCS (family and consumer sciences) teacher and one ESSER teacher. High school openings that have remained unfilled all year and are not now in the budget include math teacher, a joint math teacher-coach, science teacher and webmaster teacher.
At the middle school, open positions for an ESL aide and an ESSER teacher/aide are not included in the budget. The elementary and intermediate schools have no unbudgeted positions, according to Ramirez’ PowerPoint presentation to the board.
The budget workshop was limited to discussion only with no action taken.
Ramirez told the board in May that questions over final appraised property values might make it impossible to meet budgeted salary increases for teachers. She cited property value protests, ADA (appraised district appraisals) losses and provisions in state tax law as contributing to the expected shortage.

Collavo, lone finalist for Natalia ISD Superintendent

Dr. Lana Collavo was named Lone Finalist in a unanimous vote.

On Tuesday, May 9, at a Special Board Meeting of the Natalia ISD Board of Trustees, Dr. Lana Collavo was named the Lone Finalist for Superintendent for the Natalia ISD (7-0 vote). Dr. Collavo earned her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M College Station, her master’s degree from Corpus Christi State University, and her doctorate from Texas A&M – Kingsville.
“I truly believe that Dr. Collavo was God sent,” Natalia ISD Board Vice President Tiffany Rodriguez said. “We are truly blessed to have her joining us to lead our awesome staff and students, and we have full faith in her abilities.”
She is an experienced educator, serving as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, program director, assistant superintendent for special education and special programs, and superintendent. She was superintendent for Jourdanton ISD for 11 years and has been an interim superintendent for Natalia ISD twice and for Kenedy ISD.
She states, “I am excited to be back in Natalia ISD and look forward to working with the Board, the staff, the students, and the community. I plan to continue the school community’s efforts to continually provide effective and innovative programming for the students of Natalia ISD.” Dr. Collavo is married with three grown children and six grandchildren.
By law, the Board must wait 21 days before they are able to offer her a contract. 
“I appreciate the feedback we received from our district administration which allowed this process to be very short and easy,” Natalia ISD Board President Eric Smith said. “Dr. Collavo is a team player, a calm and steady hand, and a true educational veteran who will lead by example and truly build a team where input and collaboration are allowed to help maximize our potential. I look forward to working as a team of 8 for our community, our staff, and most of all, our students.
Dr. Collavo and her husband plan to move to the Natalia ISD community, where she will be involved in the great things happening in our district and community.