By Sam Waller

Albany graduate Luke Ivy fulfilled a dream recently when he signed to compete in track and field at Rice University.

Ivy becomes Albany’s first signee for NCAA Division I men’s track since Drew Hudson competed at Princeton.

“I never thought I’d be doing that,” Ivy said. “In the back of my mind, I thought it would be really cool, but I never actually believed that I could. Now that it’s a reality, it’s really exciting and something I’m looking forward to.”

By Sam Waller

Nine Shackelford County graduates are scheduled to participate in the Big Country Fellowship of Christian Athletes All-Star Games coming up next weekend.

On Friday, June 10, Albany’s Ana Balliew and Cooper Fairchild will play for the North teams in the softball and baseball games, respectively. The softball game will be played at Angelo State University’s Mayer Stadium with baseball at Foster Field.

By Sam Waller

Before the school year even ends, Albany coaches are making plans for the beginning of a new fall sports season.

Summer conditioning for all incoming seventh through 12th graders will begin Monday, June 13, and continue four days a week into July.

Summer workouts are regulated by UIL rules.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD hosted an end-of-year banquet last week at the Moran gym.

On Tuesday, May 24, the school awards banquet recognized academic achievements from the school year and included a pair of special awards presented by the Moran Masonic Lodge.

Awards Banquet

During the event, the Moran Masonic Lodge presented a Community Builder award to Jacob Spencer in appreciation of his renovation work on the Moran gymnasium.

By Sam Waller

On Wednesday, May 25, the Moran FFA banquet celebrated the accomplishments of the FFA chapter in addition to installing officers for the 2022-23 school year.

Seniors Johnnie Hise and Hannah Rogers were recognized for achieving the Texas Lone Star FFA Degree, becoming the first Moran recipients since Danny Connally in 1955.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Only a few tickets remain for the Chris Knight concert that was rescheduled for Saturday, June 11.

The event is part of the singer/songwriter series presented by Albany Live, a local non-profit organized last year to bring live musical events to Albany and the Aztec Theater.

According to organizers, only about 30 tickets are still available for the concert which was originally planned for Feb. 5 but had to be postponed due to winter weather conditions.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Class of 2022 held commencement ceremonies Friday, May 27 at Bulldog Field.

Former Moran superintendent Danny Freeman gave the commencement address as four seniors received their diplomas as well as scholarships from the Snyder family.

The Ralph Snyder Scholarship of $1,000 went to valedictorian Johnnie Hise.

The Maurice Snyder Scholarship of $750 went to salutatorian Hannah Rogers.

Harmony Slaughter received the $500 Mary Anna Snyder Scholarship, and Arren Hawley received the $500 Sam Snyder Scholarship.

By Sam Waller

Volunteers are needed for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s annual spring cleanup day on Saturday, June 11.

Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones invites local residents to participate in the project aimed at beautifying Albany. A meal will be provided, Jones said.

In addition to helping the community, the event offers an opportunity for those needing to accumulate volunteer hours.

By Melinda L. Lucas

Salaries for both clinic and ambulance workers were the main topic of discussion at a Wednesday night meeting of the Shackelford County Hospital District board of directors, delayed from the usual date of Monday, May 16 because of a conflict.

Four of the seven directors, elected in the recent May 7 election, were sworn in for two-year terms at the beginning of the session, including incumbent Myra Hise along with Kayla Herron, Mary Beth Jones, and Jason Price.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Thirty-four Albany High School seniors are slated to walk across the stage in the AHS main gym Friday night, May 27 to receive their diplomas, join in the singing of the Alma Mater, and toss their mortar boards in the air marking the end of their high school careers.

Commencement exercises are set to begin at 7:00 p.m. in the main gym, with a reception following at the Whitney Theatre downtown.

Following the class marching in and the playing of the National Anthem, the ceremony will open with class president Luke Ivy giving the invocation.