By Donnie A. Lucas

The first Staff Member and Student of the Six Weeks  for the 2021-2022 school year were named at the secondary campus earlier this week.

Seventh grader Adrian Wren was selected as the first student to be recognized, while new junior high science teacher Michelle Lowrey was chosen as the staff member.

Principal Glen Hill made the announcement on Tuesday, along with crediting the Albany Academic Booster Club with providing the prizes.

The student will be given a pair of Apple earpods, while the teacher receives $50 in cash.

Albany High School senior Luke Ivy, son of Paul and Ginny Ivy, has been named a Commended Student in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program, according to an announcement made last Thursday. 

A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which conducts the program, was presented to Ivy by local principal Glen Hill.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. 

By Donnie A. Lucas

The Ragin’ Red Band debuted new uniforms last Friday during halftime of the Albany vs. Anson game in preparation for upcoming marching contests.

The band will compete on Saturday, Oct. 2 at the Big Country Marching Contest at Wylie High School in Abilene. The local band will take the field at 3:20 p.m.

The band will be performing its contest show “Arabian Nights,” with music written by Luke McMillan and marching drill by Josh Shaw of Lubbock.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Both high school and junior high students will meet together for the fifth quarter fellowship after the Albany vs. Olney homecoming game Friday night.

The event will be hosted at the Feed Store and co-sponsored by First Christian Church. Food and beverages will be served.

“Everyone will meet at the Feed Store this week,” Tisha Wilkins, executive director at the youth facility said. “We are going to have games, corn hole, and karaoke, so it should be fun.”

The event will end at 11:00 p.m.

By Sam Waller

Football fans can warm up for Friday’s homecoming game at First Baptist Church’s Chili Supper.

Serving will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

“As soon as the parade’s over, we’ll have chili, beans, cornbread, crackers, desserts, and Fritos,” Brandi Balliew said.

She added that orders may be ordered to go.

The event benefits FBC children’s programs. 

While there is no set price, Balliew said at-will donations will be accepted.

First Christian Church will celebrate a Blessing of the Animals service on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 10:00 a.m. at the church. 

“Everyone is welcome to bring their furry friends or a photo for a word of blessing at this short and meaningful service,” said pastor Brad McBee.

Because St. Francis is considered the patron saint of animals, many churches offer animal blessing services on or around Oct. 4, the time of the Feast of St. Francis.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Sue Breeden brought home a blue ribbon from the West Texas Fair and Rodeo for the third year in a row, winning Class 6 of the Pinterest Division with her artwork “Apache Peace.”

The work displays a peace pipe, pipe bag, dream catcher, and protective cover for the pipe bowl arranged in a frame.

Breeden said she spent about 150 hours on the project, half of it on hand-beading the pipe bag.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions maintained their momentum last Friday, defeating the Anson Tigers 48-2 at Robert Nail Memorial Stadium.

The Lions get one last tuneup before the start of District 8-2A Division II play when they host the Olney Cubs at 7:00 p.m. this Friday for homecoming.

Against Anson, Albany quarterback Cole Chapman passed for four touchdowns. Two of the scores went to London Fuentes, who also scored on a 65-yard punt return.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions found themselves in an unusual situation Saturday, having to come from behind to defeat Strawn in District 6-2A volleyball action at Strawn.

The Lady Lions rallied to defeat the Lady Greyhounds in four sets to improve to 22-3 overall. 

“We are now officially halfway through district,” Lady Lions coach M.J. Reneau said. “We finished the first half undefeated, and that’s the goal for the second half.”

By Sam Waller

The 14th annual John Rose & Jim Law Memorial Albany Kiwanis Charity Golf Tournament and Fajita Fiesta has been postponed until Friday,  Oct. 15.

Kiwanian Zach Maberry said the decision was made to push the event back two weeks because of  a forecast calling for a 50+ percent chance of rain on Friday.

The event raises funds for the Albany K Charity Scholarship Fund as well as a number of other projects.

Maberry said that entries are still being accepted. As of Monday, there were 11 teams entered.