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KHS band
celebrates historic Div. I rating
Monitor Staff Reports
KEMP—Wednesday night, the Yellowjacket Band returned to an impromptu
hero’s parade to celebrate their history-making achievement of a
superior Division 1 rating in marching band competition.
Though the concert band had achieved superior ratings before, this was a
first for the Kemp High School marching band, director Jimmy Polk said.
To celebrate the historic achievement, early Thursday morning, Kemp
mayor Matt Ganssle inked a proclamation, naming Thursday “Pride of
Yellowjacket Band Day” in the city of Kemp.
Courtesy Photo/Alisa Laird
At 10:30 p.m. Wednesday, KHS band students continue the celebration by
piling on band director Jimmy Polk to mark the school’s first perfect
Division I rating at the inaugural North East Texas Marching
Invitational.
He read the proclamation to the 73-member band at its morning session
Thursday.
The band performed a Blues Brothers-themed rendition at the inaugural
North East Texas Marching Invitational held at the Texas A&M University
at Commerce campus.
This is the first time all (three) judges have award the superior (1)
rating to the Kemp High School Marching Band. The win was under the
direction of drum major Matthew Wakeland and drum line captain Matt
Betts.
The contest was a pre-UIL competition and drew a field of 15 high school
bands.
Students participating in the historic achievement are:
Seniors–Lauren Torres, Jordan Shumway, Jessica Martinez, Matthew
Wakeland, Chris Malone, Jay Addison, Todd Looney, Kevin DeSilva, Abraham
Gonzalez, Clayton Sherbert, Tanner Stephens, Matthew Betts and Julian
Hamilton.
Juniors–Celia Vaquera, Sydney Browne, Ashley Musketnuss, Hailey Stovall,
Jasmyn Prince, Veronica Valentin, Kelly Cofer, Ramon Villanueva, Toni
Old, Tyler Swanner, Leila Gower and Raymond Morris.
Sophomores–Jennifer Dickson, Megan Smith, Rhyan Pennington, Darcee
Alphin, Hailey Houston, Sabrina Jewett, Kalee Weber, Cory Malone, Dayton
Chambers, Caleb Murray, Patrick Renfro, Juan Montoya, Laura Laird, Jered
Hulick, Luis Baeza, Bryan Szczerba, Christine Day, Bill Neighbors,
Taylor Dunn and Kayleigh Hukill.
Freshmen–Emily Loper, Katy Mast, Jennifer Sparks, Estela Valles, Stormie
Lambert, Meagan Powell, David Richardson, Kristen Rodriquez, Constance
Wiggins, Kaylee Tyler, Christian Tyler, Hearther Rupe, Cody Milberger,
Ben Addison, Rhiannon Johnson, Meagan Baker, Ben Dillon, Garrett Haley,
Ryan House, Morghan Webb, Ashley King, Travis Bell, Sammy Clark, Codi
Griffin, Tully Beck, Harley Hudspeth and Silas Shumway.
Many of the students have been under Polk’s instruction since the sixth
grade. This is his second year as the high school band director,
assisting him is Marc Christy.
“I am just so proud of these musicians. They really pulled it off,” Polk
said.
So proud in fact he called his wife and several parents to inform them
of the win and asked that they prepare a resounding welcome.
As a result, a police escort was waiting for them when they exited U.S.
Highway 175 and parent lined Kemp city streets all the way to the
school, cheering their children’s achievement.
They are “stoked and ready” for the next UIL competition at Mesquite
Memorial Stadium, Wednesday, Oct. 21, Polk said.
Players compete for ‘Dig Pink’
Monitor Staff Reports
KEMP–Kemp and Eustace volleyball teams gathered Tuesday night to kick
off the “Dig Pink” breast cancer awareness fund-raising drive.
Players from both schools will be competing to raise funds for breast
cancer research, joining together with the National Volleyball
Association and other schools across the nation.
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the National
Volleyball Association, with help from Kemp and Eustace players, is
seeking to raise $1 million toward finding a cure for this deadly
disease.
Both teams will meet again Friday, Oct. 23, in Eustace, Kemp head coach
Peggy Swierc told the audience as varsity and sub-varsity players from
both teams gathered on the new Kemp High School court.
At Eustace, the teams will have booths set up to hand out literature to
the public, “with information we hope will help people to realize and
take an active part in the battle,” Swierc added. “At that time, each
school will present their donation to the Breast Cancer Society.”
Monitor Photo/Kerry Yancey
Kemp and Eustace varsity and sub-varsity
volleyball players gather Tuesday to kick off the "Dig Pink"
fund-raising drive for breast cancer research. The drive will conclude
with a special presentation and public awareness event when the two
teams meet in Eustace for their second-round district match Friday, Oct.
23.
“We are planning to have an auction between matches that night, as
well,” Eustace coach Chuck Powers noted.
One in four women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their
lifetime. More than 200,000 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with
breast cancer this year, and more than 40,000 will die from the disease.
Breast cancer also occurs in men. Although male breast cancer is rare,
more than 1,000 men will die from the disease this year.
A monthly breast self-examination is the first line of defense for
women. It is vitally important for women to know how their breasts look
and feel through self-exams, which should begin no later than age 20.
Although a lump in the breast is a common symptom, there are many breast
cancer symptoms that don’t involve lumps, such as a sudden change in
breast size, or a breast that is warm to the touch.
Many younger women feel they don’t need to do a self-exam because of
their age, but breast cancer can strike women of any age. Just being
female and growing older are proven risk factors, according to the Susan
G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
Breast cancers in young women are typically more aggressive, and have
lower survival rates, making early detection more important.
Mammography is not recommended for most women until age 40, which
sometimes results in younger women not being diagnosed early enough.
Also, younger women often have thicker breast tissue, making a mammogram
diagnosis difficult – another reason self-exams are so important.
A lump in the breast is not a certain sign of breast cancer. More than
80 percent of all lumps turn out to be benign or due to some other
cause.
Having a history of breast cancer in the family is a known risk factor,
but not having a history is no reason to believe breast cancer won’t
strike.
No one yet knows why one woman might get breast cancer and another
won’t.
For more information about breast cancer, check the websites
www.breastcancer.about.com,
or www.komen.org.
KISD wants
staff to ‘get up and move’
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
KEMP–Creating a healthy life-style has become both a goal and a
challenge in today’s society, where often as not, “free time” is at a
premium.
Kemp Independent School District has come up with an attractive solution
– exercise classes, free to Kemp teachers and staff.
“We just believe a healthier life-style can possibly translate into less
absenteeism for the faculty and staff,” Superintendent Dr. Peter Running
explained.
“We are creating an opportunity for our staff to get up and move,” he
added
The Jazzercise classes are taught by Karen Fate from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m.
each Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
Monday, 24 Kemp teachers and staff members
take advantage of the school district-sponsored Jazzercise class for a
quick workout inside the Intermediate School gym.
This allows personnel to work out directly after getting off work,
instead of having to go home, change and come back to a workout
facility, Running said.
The reason for the effort to secure fitness classes is to promote
wellness for students and teachers alike, he said.
He pointed out existing student programs and the past wellness program
for the staff. That program encouraged them to move around more by
awarding checks for those who had the most hours walking or other
exercises.
At the same time on Tuesdays and Thursdays, yoga and Pilates classes are
taught by Elian Bakke.
“I think yoga and Pilates are good for everyone, because it gives them
stability and flexibility. That’s the essence of my class,” Bakke said.
The exercise system was developed in the early 20th Century by
German-born Joseph Pilates.
Pilates called his method contrology (from control and the Greek term
logia), because he believed his method uses the mind to control the
muscles.
The program focuses on the core postural muscles, which help keep the
body balanced and provide essential support for the spine.
“It is approachable for everybody, because it is not necessary to lose
weight,” she said. “And if you have minor joint problems, do not
hesitate to take part. It’s fun and easily modified.
“After the class, you feel both energized and relaxed at the same time,”
Bakke added.
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