The annual field day and track meet for Nancy Smith Elementary School preschool through sixth grade students is set for Monday, May 20 at the high school track facility.

The events are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m., according to NSES administrative assistant Stephanie Gleitz.

Events for pre-Kindergarten, Head Start, kindergarten, first, and second graders will include sack races, hurdles, tug-of-war, water kickball, and water relay. Third through sixth graders will compete in those events as well as in some running and field events. 

Albany High School junior Addison Asher is headed to the UIL state academic meet at the University of Texas campus in Austin this weekend, along with sponsors Donnie Lucas and Jenny Scott.

A sendoff is planned Thursday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. as the group passes through the downtown area.

Asher is advancing in three events after taking first in headline writing and third in both news writing and feature writing at the Regional 1-2A meet in Odessa last month.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Albany will host a Regional Networking Luncheon of the Texas Midwest Community Network on Thursday, May 2 at the Feed Store.

Kathy Keane, Executive Director of the TMCN, sent an invitation to area members, asking them to “Enjoy a step back in history as we learn about the Stasney-Cook Ranch.” 

Spring will be celebrated by families this Saturday at the Old Jail Art Center as the staff hosts a family festival featuring crafts, games, food, and music inspired by May Day traditions.

The Mayfest will start at 12:00 noon, and participants are invited to come and go until 3:00 p.m.

“Mayfests have been celebrated throughout Europe each spring for centuries as communities come together to enjoy nature and warmer weather,” said education coordinator Molly Merck, “but this is the Old Jail’s first Mayfest.”

She encouraged whole families to join in the fun.

Much of Monday’s regular meeting of the Shackelford County commissioners was spent discussing a possible change in the way jailers and dispatchers are paid.

Sheriff Ed Miller requested that his LEC staff be “transitioned” from being paid on a salary basis to an hourly wage.

Booths featuring various agencies and businesses with health and wellness information, health screenings, and fun activities are expected at tomorrow’s 16th annual Shackelford County ResourceCare sponsored spring health fair.

The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m. with activities, including a bounce house, held outdoors at the Bank Park on Friday, May 3. 

“However, if it rains or is too muddy, it will be cancelled,” said program assistant Ragan Riley.

Academic excellence was honored at the Albany Independent School District’s annual Academic Banquet for junior high and high school students on Monday, April 29, in the main gym at Albany High School.

The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD co-sponsored the banquet this year.

New AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott welcomed the honorees and guests and then led the invocation.

Members of the Albany Parent Teacher Organization, parents of local students, and the Albany Masons plan to provide snacks, meals, prizes, and gifts to Albany Independent School District teachers and administrators during Teacher Appreciation Week May 6-10.

“I am grateful that there is a special week designated just for them,” said PTO president Ginny Ivy. “We sometimes get so busy that we don’t always stop and show the teachers how much we appreciate all the hard work they do.” 

The Albany sixth and seventh grade bands won top marks by the judges at the Clyde band festival on Friday, April 26.

“They did very well,” said band director John Stockdale. “Both bands got straight 1’s.”

Like the high school band contests, the middle school bands are not ranked against each other, but are critiqued and rated by three judges. The top score given is a 1.

The sixth and seventh grade bands will go to Six Flags on Thursday, May 16.

Student Awards

Parents of Albany High School graduating seniors are reminded to gather baby pictures for The Albany News’ upcoming graduation section.

Pictures are due by Thursday, May 9.

Parents need to select a clear, sharp baby picture of their graduate, preferably a face and shoulders close-up under age three or four.

Photos should be placed in an envelope with the student’s name marked, and brought to Jennifer Corbin in the AHS office.