8 Moran seniors to graduate

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD will put the finishing touches on the 2022-23 school year at 6:00 p.m. Friday, May 26, with high school graduation at Cisco College Auditorium.

Eight seniors will receive their diplomas, doubling last year’s senior class.

Chloe Hendricks has been named valedictorian, with Emily Murk named salutatorian.

Other members of the Class of 2023 are Alyssa Allred, Alayna Baker, Daphani Crews, Samantha Hinkle, Alli Scott, and Tyler Waddell.

Project Grad to start at AHS

By Sam Waller

After months of planning and fundraising, members of the Albany High School Class of 2023 will enjoy the fruits of their Labors Friday, May 26 with the annual Project Graduation party.

The final touches are being applied this week by parents and community members in charge of the event.

Albany News

Academic successes cited at banquet

By Donnie A. Lucas

A crowd of over 360 students, parents, and staff attended the annual Academic Banquet on Monday to honor academic excellence of students in a variety of activities including academic UIL events, journalism, band, FFA, one-act play, and FCCLA.

Sponsored by The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD, the event recapped the academic and co-curricular successes of the school year.

The group was welcomed by superintendent Jonathan Scott, proceeding to the buffet line for the meal prepared by Joe Allen’s Barbecue of Abilene.

Baccalaureate service planned this Sunday

By Donnie A. Lucas

The annual Baccalaureate service for the Albany High School Class of 2023 is set for Sunday, May 21 at 4:00 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

Albany librarian Jenny Scott will be the featured speaker. She will be introduced by class valedictorian Ella Webb.

A total of 32 seniors are expected to participate in the service, which is one of several events that will culminate with graduation on Friday, May 26.

CEII development to be annexed

By Melinda L. Lucas

Annexation of Phase II of the Clarke Estates (CEII) development and engine problems with the volunteer fire department’s newly purchased rescue truck were the main items of discussion at Monday’s Albany city council meeting.

During the session, council members started the process of posting bid opportunities for a property exchange and also looked at proposals for pavement and purchase of property around the Albany Volunteer Fire Department building.

Clarke Estates Annexation

Albany News

Sponsors needed for KIA veterans

By Donnie A. Lucas

The names of 13 veterans who were killed in action have not been added to the list on the veterans stone memorials on the courthouse square, according to Mary Kay O’Connor, who has been researching names of deceased veterans who are not included on the monument.

She is now seeking sponsors for a list of 13 county servicemen killed in action, mostly during World War II, that have never been added to the monument.

Albany News

Pool Splash Day planned June 1

By Melinda L. Lucas

The Albany City pool will open to the general public on Thursday, June 1 with a one-day-only, free-admittance Splash Day.

Meg Walser, who helped with the operation of the facility last summer, is the pool manager this summer. Her main duty will be to coordinate the lifeguards’ schedule. The city will operate the concession stand this summer, with lifeguards rotating through to make the sales.

Fandangle rehearsals gain momentum

By Donnie A. Lucas

Rehearsals are continuing almost daily for the June performances of the Fort Griffin Fandangle, with scene practices being held on Sunday through Thursday evenings at the Prairie Theater.

The dates for the 85th anniversary show are June 16-17 and June 23-24.

“Rehearsals are still going really well,” the show’s director Lorna Ayers said. “There have been some conflicts with the end of the school year activities, but that will also be over next week. We are expecting that everyone will come more consistently.”

Albany News

Project Grad plans reach final countdown

By Sam Waller

With just a week to go before the big night, parents of Albany High School seniors are putting the final touches on plans for the annual Project Graduation party.

Organizer Amanda Tabor said Project Graduation has received a wide range of support from the community to assist in preparations, including several gift baskets. Two gift baskets will prove especially useful for when graduates get out on their own, Tabor said.

Albany News

AISD staff celebrated by PTO

By Donnie A. Lucas

Teachers and staff at Albany ISD have been on a food adventure this week thanks to the Albany PTO, along with the support of local businesses and individuals.

Staff members on both campuses were provided with a passport for meals from around the world, along with gift bags in celebration of Teacher and Staff Appreciation.

The week-long celebration began on Monday with barbecue catered to both campuses, plus a visit to the Kona Shaved Ice truck.