By Lynsi Perry

After earning top honors at regionals, Albany sophomore Kylee Bennett will make her state debut at the UIL Academic Meet in Austin next week.

Bennett won the gold medal in news writing at the Region II Academic Meet last month to qualify. The top three places in each event at the regional contest advance to the state meet.

She will compete Monday morning, May 19, on the campus of the University of Texas. Results will be announced at the UIL awards ceremony at 7 p.m. that evening.

Albany High School senior Myleigh Leveridge has signed with Cisco College to join the school’s cheerleading program, becoming the first AHS cheerleader in more than a decade to continue the sport at the collegiate level.

Leveridge received a call from the Cisco College cheer coach on Wednesday, April 30, and quickly scheduled a campus visit. After touring the school and trying out on May 5, she was officially offered a spot on the team—along with a scholarship—later that same day.

She will begin daily practices with the team on Monday, August 18.

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany Lions continued their postseason run with a two-game sweep over the Wink Wildcats in the area round of the Class 2A D2 baseball playoffs, played Thursday, May 8 in Colorado City. 

Albany now turns its focus to the regional semifinals, with a best-of-three series scheduled against the Gruver Greyhounds. 

All games will be played at Ackley Park in Elk City, Oklahoma – possibly the first time the Lions have ever played a game of any kind out of state.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany High School will be represented by two mixed doubles teams at the UIL State Tennis Tournament – an achievement that reflects a standout season for the program.

The state tournament will take place May 15-16 at Blossom Tennis Center in San Antonio, with Albany’s teams preparing for a send-off scheduled for 10:45 a.m. Wednesday.

Albany High School celebrated its top athletes during the annual Athletic Banquet on Tuesday, May 13, highlighting a year of achievement and perseverance across all sports.  

Sponsored by the Albany Athletic Booster Club, the event honored teams, individuals, and 10 senior athletes with special awards given in memory of influential community members that acknowledge athletic achievement, leadership, and character.

Nancy Smith Elementary School will host its annual field day Friday, May 16, beginning at 8:15 a.m. at the Albany High School track. The event will conclude before early dismissal at noon, due to scheduled baseball playoff games that afternoon.

Elementary PE teacher Makinzie Tomascik, who is coordinating the event, said the field day will open with “a quick and fun surprise” from teachers before student events begin.

The Albany ISD band program will present its annual spring concert Thursday, May 15, at 6 p.m. in the Albany High School gymnasium.

Director of bands Jessica Watkins said this year’s format will feature three groups – sixth grade, seventh grade, and high school – set up in one large band. Each group will perform individually, and all will join together to close the concert with a combined piece.

The sixth grade band will perform “Bandroom Boogie” and “Big Beat Boogie.” 

Today marks the 150th anniversary of The Albany News—a milestone few newspapers, especially in small towns, have the privilege of reaching. For a century and a half, this paper has chronicled the lives, stories, struggles, and celebrations of Albany and Shackelford County.

By Melinda L. Lucas

After being rained out in April, the 18th annual Albany Classic Car Show is getting a second shot this Saturday, May 10 – and organizers are ready to roll.

Volunteer coordinator Robert Snyder remains optimistic about the rescheduled event. 

“We’re hoping for the kind of weather that makes classic car owners want to get out and show off their rides,” Snyder said. “If it rains again, I’ll keep start asking local ranchers for donations – guaranteed tank water!”