Devine Lion’s Club Students of the Month

Students of the month Noah Davila and Bailey Oropeza with Lewis Stroud and DHS Principal Juan Gonzalez.

Meet Bailey Oropeza
This past September, Oropeza was accepted into Texas A&M University in College Station. She will major in Kinesiology, minor in Psychology.
“This will set me on track to receive my Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree,” Oropeza said.
“I have been a member of Arabian Volleyball and Track teams for 4 years. I also served as the secretary of Student Council for 3 years. As a freshman, I was elected President of my class and for the last 3 years, I have remained an active member and secretary for our class. I have also been a member of FCCLA for all four years of high school. Last year I was inducted into the National Honor Society and have been an active member ever since. Outside of school, I have been a member of Hosanna Baptist Church in Poteet for my 18 years of my life.”


Meet Noah Davila
Davila will attend Texas Tech, The College of Media and Communication in Lubbock.
“It is one of the best in the state and will provide me opportunities to experiment with all kinds of broadcasting and find internships at associated stations or even studying in D.C. and covering senate meetings,” Davila said.
“I’m the Editor –in-Chief of the school website, The Warhorse. I also work part time at The Devine News. Sometimes I’m the observed instead of the observer. I played base drums for the past four years in the Marching Band.”

Regional Semifinal Champs!!!

So close! The Lytle Lady Pirates clenched the Bi-District, Area, Regional Quarterfinal, and Regional Semifinal Championships this year before falling to Columbus by only 3 points. Above, Coach Lori Wilson and her team celebrate the Regional Semifinal Championship last weekend. Poster page and story inside. This awesome shot showing all the excitement of the night was captured by Samantha Martinez.

The Lytle Lady Pirates…Pictured in Front row L-R are: Athletic Director and Head Basketball Coach Lori Wilson, Amelia Martinez, Cameron “Fizz” Hutton, Calyssa Sevier,
Cadee Martinez, Mackenzie Sessom. Back row L-R: Ariana Garcia, Jessica Mata, Valentina Ayala, Lunna Reyes, Katara Whitfield, Assistant Basketball Coach Tammie Tilley,
Assistant Basketball Coach Kaitlyn Kyle, Team Manager Lola Patino, Olivia Vielma. Not pictured: Rose Scotello. Photos by Lorraine Migura.

STATE CHAMPS!
“Housing the Unhoused” wins Young Filmmakers Documentary Awards

Lytle HS filmmakers at the award show. Front Row L-R: Citlali Ferreira, Sarah Ytuarte, Alexandra Cabrera, Back Row L-R: Clarissa Hernandez, Marissa Hernandez, Elias Moore, Jose Gomez; Not Pictured: Kaden Moore, Chessa Hartley-Mapes, and Naveah Mercer.

By Kayleen Holder
Editor
It’s easy to see why Lytle students were able to capture the UIL State Championship and the prestigious Nobelity Social Impact Award this past week. The short 7 -minute video titled “Housing for the Un housed” gives viewers a glimpse into an awesome project underway in San Antonio in which a community of 208 housing units are being built for the homeless.
The 208 units in Towne Twin will consist of tiny homes, RVs and apartments, and there will also be professional support services on site to help individuals as they start a new life.
As one volunteer stated, this project is about showing that “people cherish one another”.
Lytle students did an excellent job of presenting an important story in a clear and concise way with short interviews from the volunteers who are making it happen.

Elias Moore focuses on his subject as the lead videographer on the documentary film production.


The following is a press release submitted by Lytle ISD:
On Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at the University of Texas’ Lyndon B. Johnson Auditorium seven of our top Digital Design / Skull Studios students had the thrill of watching one of our UIL Documentary Film Projects premiere on a theater screen to hundreds of their peers from across the state of Texas.
We could hear the audience’s sighs of heartfelt appreciation for our documentary, Housing the Unhoused – affirmation that hard work had produced something lasting, beautiful and important. Thrill number two was even better.


The Nobelity Project founders, Christy and Turk Pipkin entered the stage to announce the winners of the Nobelity Social Impact Award. Out of 125 nominated entries, Lytle’s documentary has been awarded 1st place and the program receives a $1,000 gift certificate to purchase more equipment.
After photos on the stage and back to our seats, thrill number three came quickly, they said.
The UIL Director Paula Rodriguez announces the Conference 1-3A UIL Young Filmmakers Documentary winners.
“The excitement built as they named third place, then second place, and in that final moment, we all hear them say, “and the State Champion Documentary winner is…Housing the Unhoused by Lytle High School!” What a moment of joy and excitement.

Citlali Ferreira and Sarah Ytuarte get the microphone ready for their interview with a Twin Towne Villages staff member.


“After a long drive home from Austin, our awesome Mayor of Lytle, Mr. Ruben Gonzalez still had one more thrill planned for our students. As we arrived back home, all were surprised by a siren-and-lights police escort through town all the way to the High School parking lot where Mayor Gonzalez could be seen in the dark waving a huge black Lytle Pirate Flag. Pirate Pride! He put the icing on the cake for our big day.”


Lytle students would love for you to watch Housing the Unhoused. Let us know what you think: http://bit.ly/LytleHSHousingChamp
Please watch through the credits to see ALL our students who worked so hard on this documentary. A special thanks to the following four who went above and beyond. They showed up before school, after school, during lunch, and even on school holidays to complete this video project. They showed true dedication and earned this history-making win.
Citlali Ferreira – photographer, video editor and naturally gifted interviewer 
Sarah Ytuarte – videographer, audio engineer and video editor
Elias – videographer and editor
Jose Gomez – videographer, music producer and audio editor
A special thank you to Skull Studios sponsor, Mr. Andrew Oser who coached this production team well and made all the arrangements for transportation, food and logistics to help our students be successful.


Finally, thank you to Lytle Superintendent Michelle Smith who has always been Skull Studio’s biggest fan. Her support has paved the way for this program’s success. With hundreds of films to compete against each year, we now have 7 film projects make it to the TOP SIX in the state since the UIL competition’s inception in 2014. Our lucky number 7 is our first CHAMPION!”
This 2-minute video in the following link is the closest we can get to sharing the thrill of our experience winning the UIL Young Filmmakers Documentary 1-3A State Champion title. https://youtu.be/nGe9q8cGQ3w
Lytle ISD extends Thank yous to Libby Stewart and all our Lytle leaders, faculty and support staff whose support made this thrilling trip possible. Special thanks to our Mayor Gonzalez and our Lytle Police Department who made our return home a victory parade.

Lytle ISD has no candidates yet,
4 seats up for election

As of press time on Tuesday, February 14, Lytle ISD has not had any candidates filing for any of the four positions below:
General Trustee Election
Single Member District 3 – full three year term.
Single Member District 4- full three year term  
Special Election
Single Member District 2 – unexpired one year remaining
Single Member District 5- unexpired one year remaining
The deadline to file for school and city elections is quickly approaching, this Friday, Feb. 17. The election will be May 6, 2023.

Several Devine FCCLA students
STATEBOUND !

ABOVE….Devine FCCLA students competed this past weekend in Corpus Christi. Several will advance to State (see article). Pictured in top row: Felix Mendoza, Collier Paige, Lalo Hernandez. Middle row: Hailey Eads, Brianna Chavez, Sirley Chavez, Hilary Barnett, Katelyn Dinwiddie, Maddie Dubose, Ashley Mattke. Bottom row: Cassandra Elias, Makayla Breiten, Kourtni Geyer, Barbara Merlo, Cynthia Maldonado, and Mariah Carrillo. See article for regional placements and list of teams advancing to State.

Devine FCCLA students had a great outcome at the Region V Conference this past weekend held in the American Banking Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Competitors included:
Spotlight on Projects
Arabelle Davalos – Career Connections
Priscilla Fuentes and Miracle Tovar – Stand Up
STAR Events
Ashley Mattke and Cynthia Maldonado – National Programs in Action Level 3
Hilary Barnett and Katelyn Dinwiddie – Focus on Children Level 3
Those placing and advancing to state include:
Mariah Carrillo and Maddie Dubose – National Programs in Action Level 2 – 1st place
Sirley Chavez and Cassandra Elias – Interpersonal Communications Level 3 – 1st place
Brianna Chavez and Hailey Eads – Interpersonal Communications Level 2 – 2nd place
Kourtni Geyer and Makayla Breiten – Chapter Service Project Display – Level 3 – 2nd place
Felix Mendoza – Job Interview Level 2 – 3rd place
Collier Paige – Nutrition and Wellness Level 1 – 1st place – Devine FCCLA’s first middle school competitor
Barbara Merlo served as Region V’s VP of Achievement for this year and led the House of Delegates meeting and the 2nd General Session meeting. She also organized a successful Leadership Track for members to attend on Distracted Driving. She contacted Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services to have a representative come present to FCCLA members.
Lalo Hernandez served as Region V’s VP of Competitive Events and helped to organize and lead all competitive events for the conference.
Our chapter won the Texas FCCLA News Across Texas Award for Region V, as well.
Overall, Devine FCCLA will have 10 members advance to state in Dallas March 30 – April 2.  Our two Region officers will also be completing their obligations for 2023 at the State Conference.

Lions donate to Youth Alive and Devine Salvation Army

Lions Club donated $200 in gift certificates for toys for a kindergarten program called Youth Alive. Pictured are (l-r) Abigail Beadle, Baily Kohlleppel, and Kellen Nixon (Lions’ Club Treasurer).
The Devine Lions Club donated $500 to the Devine Salvation Army. Pictured are (l to r) Lewis Stroud, president, Cliff Redus, Kellen Nixon, treasurer and Bill Herring, vice president.

Natalia ISD issues annual retention stipend to employees prior to Christmas

Natalia ECC staff Jennifer Velasquez and Karen Bedford with Natalia School Board President Eric Smith.

By Anton Riecher
The Natalia ISD board took action last week to approve and distribute $109,000 in retention stipend checks to the district’s more than 200 employees, board president Eric Smith said.
“Every person from the janitor to the superintendent will get a $500 check,” Smith said.

Continue reading “Natalia ISD issues annual retention stipend to employees prior to Christmas”

Mattke and Thacker win American Legion Oratory Competition

Competing from Devine were Noah Davila, Mia Clark, Harper Parson, and Ashley Mattke and from Hondo High School were Mikayla Birney and Katelyn Thacker.
First place winners were Ashley Mattke from Devine and Katelyn Thacker from Hondo.

The American Legion Constitutional Oratorical Contest was held at the Devine HS auditorium for both Hondo and Devine High Schools on Monday December 5th. Those competing from DHS were Harper Parson, Mia Clark, Noah Davila, and Ashley Mattke. Those competing from Hondo High School were Mikayla Birney and Katelyn Thacker.
Each competitor needed to present an 8 to 10 minute oration on any aspects of the Constitution without any notes or props. The two winners, one from each school, were Ashley Mattke of Devine and Katelyn Thacker of Hondo. Both Ashley and Katelyn will now advance to the District 23 Contest which will be held at the Hondo Public Library at 2pm on Sunday, Jan. 8th, 2023. Each of the winners were provided a Scholarship Award of $400. Second and third places also received $300 and $200 respectively.
American Legion Posts 524 and 128 are very proud of all six competitors who competed in this challenging event.

Vote…City of Natalia and Natalia ISD elections early voting continues
City has three, School has two positions up

Voting in both the Natalia ISD and City of Natalia elections will be hosted on the same ballots as the General Election ballot where the county and state races are listed. So voting can be done at any polling location in Medina County.
City of Natalia
City of Natalia has five candidates on the ballot running for three positions: Selica Vera (incumbent), Sam Smith (incumbent), Mike Fernandez (incumbent), and challengers Lorie Crouch and Jolene Talamantez.
Vote for one, two or three on the ballot. These are three at large positions.
Natalia ISD
Natalia ISD has three candidates running for two at large positions this year. They are Danielle Alderete, Gordon Gentry, Sr. (incumbent) and Darin L. Frazier.
Vote for one or two.
Polling locations:
Combined Early Voting will start on Monday, October 24, 2022 and run through November 4, 2022 in Medina County.
You may vote at ANY polling location within Medina County during the election, both early voting and on Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th.
The closest polls are in Devine for early voting at the Medina County Pct. 4 Annex Bldg, 317 Hwy 132 N., Devine across from Tractor Supply.
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 8th from 7am-7pm, you can vote in Natalia at the Natalia First Baptist Church Youth Bldg at 300 Pearson St, Natalia, Texas or in Devine at Medina County Pct. 4 Annex Bldg, 317 Hwy 132 N., or at any polling location in Medina County in Hondo, Castroville, D’Hanis, and even in Mico.
See Medina County election story for further details on times and locations of the General Election which includes the Natalia elections.