By Melinda L. LucasAlbany High School  seniors are on the final countdown to graduation,and their parents and community members are finalizing plans for the traditional Project Graduation party.

By Donnie A. LucasThe Albany bands will end the year with a concert set for Thursday, May 19 in the main gym at the high school beginning at 6:00 p.m.The concert will open with selections by the high school band, followed by the sixth grade and seventh grade bands, both separately and combined.

By Sam WallerThe final week of the school year will start off with two days of fun and games for Nancy Smith Elementary School students.The annual track meet will be held Monday, May 23 at the high school track.A field day will be Tuesday, May 24 at Webb Park.Lunch will be provided both days.

By Sam WallerFirst Baptist Church of Albany will present Bibles to members of the Albany High School Class of 2022 at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 22 in the FBC sanctuary.

By Sam WallerA reception honoring retiring Albany Methodist Church pastor Tim Trimble will be held 2:00-4:00 p.m. Saturday, June 4 at The Feed Store.Trimble is retiring after more than 16 years in the ministry, the last nine in Albany.

By Sam WallerThe youth department of First Baptist Church of Albany will hold a spag­hetti lunch fundraiser following church services on Sunday, May 22, at the Fellowship Hall.FBC youth minister Eduardo San Lucas said there is no set price for the meal. Instead, donations will be accepted.

By Sam WallerCloset Angels and The Local Exchange are expanding hours during the summer.Both ministries will open the second and fourth Saturdays for the next few months. The Local Exchange will open for one hour, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Closet Angels will be open from 10:00 a.m. to noon.

Albany High School graduate Sarah Cotter has been awarded the Nancy and Ted Paup Big  Country Athletic Hall of Fame Scholarship. This scholarship fund is managed by the Community  Foundation of Abilene.

Jillian Guinn graduated Summa Cum Laude from Texas Tech University on Saturday, May 14 from the College of Media and Communications.Because of her high grade point average, she was inducted into the elite Kappa Tau Alpha honor fraternity during a special ceremony the previous day.

By Sam WallerAlbany athletes came home with three medals – one gold, one silver, and one bronze – from the Class 2A state track meet, held Friday, May 13 at Myers Stadium in Austin.