By Lynsi Musselman

The Masonic Lodge in Albany hosted a golf tournament last Saturday, Sept. 19 to benefit the Masonic Wisdom Foundation that funds scholarships to graduating seniors in Albany.

Out of the 10 four-man teams, first place winners were Charles Barrett, James Waters, Randy Walker, and Rodney Barton.

Albany Masonic Lodge member John Tate said the winners were awarded $900.

“The team did not keep their earnings but instead donated the money to the Foundation,” Tate explained.

By Melinda L. Lucas

With two more COVID-19 cases at the Albany’s secondary campus, making a total of five since the school year started, there are still just three active, as two students returned to their classrooms this week after the required 10 days of quarantine.

The three newest cases are all AISD staff members, according to announcements sent out by superintendent Jonathan Scott.

By Lynsi Musselman

Two Shackelford County youth exhibitors participated at the West Texas Fair and Rodeo in Abilene last weekend with junior heifers.

Myleigh Leveridge took home third place with her black maintainer heifer, and fifth place with her shorthorn plus heifer.

Gracie Price placed sixth with her class one other regular breed, and claimed seventh place with her Charolais heifer class six.

FFA advisor Chris Beard said that Shackelford County youth will show steers and swine next weekend.

By Lynsi Musselman

Polo on the Prairie, originally scheduled for May 2020 and then resceduled for Sept. 26, has been now been cancelled for 2020.

The event is now planned for Saturday, May 1, 2021 at the Musselman Brothers’ Lazy 3 ranch in Albany, with Clay Walker as the entertainment.

Polo on the Prairie chair Melinda Musselman said that POP has become a West Texas tradition, and its 2020 cancellation left polo players and spectators alike disappointed.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Application forms for Albany Chest funds are now available at both local banks and The Albany News, with a deadline of Friday, Oct. 2.

Forms can also be requested by email at news@thealbanynews.net.

Funding requests, which are mandatory to be able to receive Chest monies, will be reviewed at the board’s next meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 7, when a goal will be set.

Letters to previous Chest donors and new prospects will be mailed soon after the Oct. 7 meeting to kick off the 2020 campaign.

By Lynsi Musselman

Student council and class officer elections have both been held at the secondary campus and names of those chosen to serve during the 2020-2021 school year have been posted.

Student council president for the current school year is Tana Thompson, with Hannah Trail serving as vice president.

Torie Fuentes is secretary, Elia Hebel is treasurer, and Jackson Chapman will serve as reporter.

By Lynsi Musselman

In a year of unpredictability, Albany school officials have had to stay on their toes each step of the way this school year and Homecoming 2020 with all the festivities is no exception.

Albany Independent School District superintendant Jonathan Scott said the district is evaluating events and planning precautions for homecoming activities, but the plan is to move forward and go until we cannot go anymore.

Details for homecoming activities, other than the game, are still being discussed and will be announced later.

By Lynsi Musselman

The 30th annual See You at the Pole is planned for Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Nancy Smith Elementary School and at Albany Junior Senior High.

 See You at the Pole, a student-initiated, student organized, and student-led event, is a global movement of prayer where students meet at the flag pole before school on the fourth Wednesday in September.

 Students gather to lift up friends, families, teachers, the school, and the nation in prayer, as well as to share the Gospel with non-Christian friends on campus.

By Lynsi Musselman

The Ministerial Alliance of Albany president Jeff Turner invites Albany and area residents to an all-community prayer event at the Feed Store on Sunday, Sept. 27, starting at 5:00 p.m.

Turner said there will be a national call to prayer in Washington D.C. on Saturday, Sept. 26, and the Ministerial Alliance felt called to host one for the community of Albany.

“This is a no frills event, just prayer,” he said.

Several Albany pastors will help lead lead the prayer time, asking for emphasis in different areas.

By Lynsi Musselman

The Albany FFA Chapter has elected its officers for the 2020-2021 school year.

FFA officers include president Jackson Chapman, vice president Cade Neve, secretary Blanton Belcher, treasurer Addie Denton, and reporter Susie Cormack. 

Also serving the Albany High School chapter this year are sentinel Kam Browning, historian Gracie Price, parliamentarian William Webb, and chaplain Leddie Leech.