Albany softball players earned recognition on the District 7-2A All-District team, which was announced this week following the elimination of the final district team from the playoffs.

Junior Caitlyn Holson was named the Offensive Player of the Year by the coaches for the district, while junior Aubrey Moon received the district’s Fighting Heart Award. Moon battled injuries throughout the season, still managing to compete in most of the games.

Sophomore Torie Fuentes was picked for second team All-District at the third base position.

Photo packages ordered of the Albany High School baseball and softball players are now available for pickup at The Albany News, as well as junior league and softball league teams.

Other photos that were delayed because of rain should be arriving in the next 10 days to two weeks, including Little League, t-ball, and coach pitch teams.

May 22 • 5:30 p.m.

 at Albany High School

Abilene Sports Medicine and Orthopedics (ASMO) will be here to give free physicals to all incoming 7-12 graders. 

Please turn in paperwork prior to that date.

All students participating in an extracurricular activity, including cheerleading, must have an annual physical.

Because of the doctors’ schedules, these exams occasionally start late & sometimes must be rescheduled.

The Albany Softball Association will have a meeting on Monday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Shackelford County library.

“We will be electing board members,” said president Cynthia Smith. “The public is encouraged to attend and join the meeting!”

Current officers are Smith, vice president Amy McDaniel, secretary Mike Bean, and treasurer Jolene Hinkle.

Coaches include Beth Roysdon, Matt Stapp, and Jimmy Cox.

Teresa Purcell is in charge of the concession stand.

The school year is almost over and students at the Moran Independent School District are busy with a host of end-of year activities.

This Week

State mandated STAAR testing took place this week, including math and reading exams for students in third, fourth, sixth, and seventh grades, and science tests for fifth and eighth graders.

Eighth graders are taking the STAAR social studies exam today, May 16.

Senior students are preparing a slide show that will be presented at graduation.

By Melinda L. Lucas

One new teacher was hired and a resignation accepted during a special early morning meeting of the Albany ISD board of trustees on Thursday, May 9.

The session was initially planned to canvass the board election held May 4 that seated two new trustees and one incumbent.

The election figures were approved, confirming that Kelly Head retained his Place 5 seat, while Joe Tidwell will assume Place 6 and Kim Neece Place 7.

The trustees will be sworn in for the regular May 20 meeting.

Teacher/Coach Hired

The annual Baccalaureate service for the Albany High School Class of 2019 will be held Sunday, May 19 at the AHS auditorium.

Spencer Newsom, youth minister at Matthews Memorial Presbyterian Church, will be the keynote speaker, delivering the message at the 7:00 p.m. ceremony. He will be introduced by valedictorian Caroline Masters.

A total of 28 local seniors are expected to participate in the service and subsequently receive their diplomas during commencement exercises set for Friday, May 24.

The community is invited to the Albany ISD retiree reception in honor of Danita Johnston, Lavelle Vinson, Karen Martin, and Debra Overton to be held next Thursday, May 23, at 2:30 p.m. in the foyer of Nancy Smith Elementary School.

Family, friends, colleagues, and community members are all invited to the come and go reception, according to AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott. 

“We wish them the best in their retirement,” said Scott. “They will truly be missed.”

Danita Johnston

Four Moran junior high students placed at the district tennis meet in Eula on Tuesday, May 7.

Caleb York took second in boys singles, and Daphani Crews was third in girls singles. 

Brook Orsak and Emily Murk were third in girls doubles.

“This was the first year for all of these participants, and they are off to a great start,” said coach Jo Hise. “I am very proud of how well they represented Moran ISD.”

Boys Singles

Caleb York lost to a player from Eula 6-4; defeated a player from Eula 6-1 for second place.

Girls Singles

Moran senior Kobee Lapp placed fourth in the triple jump at the University Interscholastic League 1-A Track and Field State Championships in Austin last Friday, May 10.

Many would be satisfied by qualifying for state, but according to coach Dakota Fowler, Lapp was disappointed with his fourth place finish.

The 42-08.5 Lapp cleared at the state meet is five and a half inches less than his personal record of 43-02 recorded at the Albany Invitational meet at the end of March. Those extra inches would have earned him a bronze medal.