NEWS ARCHIVE
The following items previously appeared on the News page.
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Ramey to head Buck Band (posted 05/10/02)
Dick Ramey, drum major of the Fightin' Buck Band for the '67-'68 and '68-'69 school years, has been named band director at Alpine High School beginning with the '02-'03 school year. Dick and his wife Karen currently reside in Houston, where he is a principal in the Channelview School System, and Karen is involved in music education. Karen will become band director at Alpine Middle School. Dick and Karen will assume their new duties in Alpine in July. Dick is a 1969 graduate of Alpine High School. He later earned his BA in music from Sul Ross, and also holds post-graduate degrees from Texas A&I. His mother, Dr. Ethelaura Ramey, was a professor of education at Sul Ross for many years.
Submitted by Ray Hendryx
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Lady Bucks District Champs (posted 02/23/02)
Feb. 7, 2001
TOMMY DAVIDSON, Alpine Observer Staff
The Alpine Lady Bucks were behind by four points 22-18 at halftime to the Kermit Lady Jackets Friday night. And they knew that it would only get tougher as the game progressed. But a huge offensive output by senior Ariana Dominguez in the second half was too much for Kermit to handle and Alpine fought to a huge 65-54 victory in Kermit for the undisputed District 4-3A crown. Alpine improves to a hefty 21-4 and a sterling 10-0 in district after their victory over Monahans on Tuesday.
Alpine head coach Marta Huelsberg should get a lot of credit guiding her girls this year. Though thin on the bench, the Lady Bucks only suited up seven players during the regular season; Huelsberg has led her talented team to 12 straight victories and a district championship. Huelsberg should be the front runner for district Coach of the Year for her great job with the Lady Bucks this season.
"We kind of sensed that this would be our year and it took all seven of them to do it," said Lady Buck head coach Marta Huelsberg. "We've been working hard in practice and this is what we've been waiting for. I'll take this seven over anybody at anytime. They have big hearts."
Alpine's Ariana Dominguez played a game for the ages when the chips were down. The senior shooting guard poured in 42 points, 32 in the second half alone, and drained five treys, four in the third quarter, to demoralize Kermit. The athletic Dominguez also had five steals, four boards and sparked her team to a huge win and the district crown.
Alpine was sluggish to begin the game and fell behind 12-9 after two free throws and a bucket from Lady Jacket Julie Simms. But a basket from Ariana Dominguez and one from sophomore guard Monica Salmon put Alpine up by one. A two by junior Marisela Garza at the horn made it 15-12 Alpine after the initial period.
But Kermit came on strong in the second quarter. A foul shot by Simms and a basket by Amber Broadway tied the game 15-15 to begin the second stanza. A bucket and two free throws from Amanda Saltero gave Kermit a four-point lead 19-15 with 4:29 to go in the half.
At 20-17 Kermit a deuce from Amber Broadway was answered by Dominguez at the buzzer and Kermit took a slim 22-18 lead into the locker room at the half.
The Lady Bucks came out and pulled away midway through the third quarter behind a shooting clinic by Ariana Dominguez.
A two from Marisela Garza and two baskets by Kermit had the Lady Jackets taking a 26-20 lead early in the second half. A basket by Dominguez and a trey from senior guard Cameron Burns had Alpine to within one 26-25. Two baskets by Dominguez and deuces from Kermit's Tiffany Johnson and Cassandra Garcia kept the game tight. But Dominguez got red hot from outside. A trey by Dominguez was a followed by a two from Kermit to make it 32 all.
But another three by Dominguez and a deuce, for her 24th point of the game, gave Alpine a five point lead 37-32. Alpine got the ball right back after athletic play in the paint by senior post player Sandy Fuentez and Dominguez drained yet another trey to keep Alpine rolling. Two Dominguez free throws and two late Kermit buckets saw Alpine take a 42-36 lead into the final period.
Dominguez opened up with a three right after the horn sounded for the start of the fourth quarter. Cameron Burns followed with a three of her own and Alpine was pulling away 48-36. A free throw by Burns and two from sophomore guard Christina Ruiz made it 51-38 Alpine and the Lady Bucks could almost smell a district crown.
A basket after a steal by Dominguez and two buckets from Lady Jacket Tiffany Johnson, and one from Amber Broadway, made the score 53-44 with 4:42 remaining in the game. A two by Cameron Burns and another basket after a steal by Dominguez had Alpine getting close to putting things away. A two by Monica Salmon was followed by four straight free throws by Kermit to keep them breathing. But that didn't last long.
A bucket and four free throws by Dominguez in the closing seconds closed the door for good and gave Alpine the 65-54 victory and the 2001-2002 District 4-3A title.
To go with Dominguez' 42 points, Monica Salmon added nine and Cameron Burns tossed in six. Marisela Garza added four points for the Lady Bucks and Sandy Fuentez and Christina Ruiz each canned a deuce in Alpine's huge win.
The Lady Bucks will have a bye in the first round of the playoffs and should play their first post-season contest either next Thursday Feb. 14 or Friday Feb. 15. And no matter whom the Lady Bucks go up against coach Huelsberg said they'd be well prepared.
"We'll continue working hard," said Huelsberg. "And we'll be ready
Submitted by Leo Dominguez
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AISD Job Openings (posted 08/31/02)
Alpine I.S.D. currently has the following openings:
For an application or more information, contact the district administration office at 837-7700.
Submitted by Ray Hendryx
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Wildenthal Considered for Position (posted 05/16/02)
According to the Austin American Statesman, Dr. Kern
Wildenthal, AHS '58, is one of the top prospects for the position of chancellor or the UT System. Kern is currently president of UT-Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. He was valedictorian of the class of 1958 at Alpine High School. He graduated with honors from Sul Ross State College in 1960 (BA - English). He was also man of the year at Sul Ross in 1960. UT regents will meet next month to narrow the field. They hope to name a new chancellor before the summer is out. The chancellor of the UT System oversees over 153 thousand students, nearly 80 thousand employees, and a budget of 6.4 billion dollars.
Submitted by Ray Hendryx
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Update on Juan Ortega, Jr. Texas Tomorrow Fund
(posted 05/25/01)
Thanks to you all who helped! Please remember Juan and his father in your prayers.
They have a long road ahead of them.
Terry Chandler
Great news for all those that participated in the Juan Ortega, Jr. Texas Tomorrow Fund. Our goal of $14,000 has been exceeded by about $400. Juan Ortega, Sr. was the single largest donor. The $14,000 in the Texas Tomorrow Fund guarantees the 4 yrs. tuition cost for Juan,
Jr.! The bank account with the $400 surplus will remain open, accepting contributions at the Ft. Davis State Bank to be used for college costs other than tuition. Whether you gave $ 1 or $ 1,000, we extend a heartfelt thank you.
For Maria, Heber, Lynette and Lizbeth, we honor your memory.
Sincerely,
Anne Calaway
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Retirement Party for Berta Valenzuela (posted 05/11/01)
To all ex-students and co-workers:
After 36 years of hard work and dedication to Alpine and area schools, it's time to
take a break! Please join us as we offer Berta Valenzuela best wishes on her retirement
at a surprise party on Saturday, June 9, 2001 from 8:00 pm to 12:00 am at the Alpine Civic
Center in Alpine, Texas. Music will be provided by Mariachi de la Paz and DJ Dolfo Monclova.
Submitted by Gloria Canaba
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Birth Announcement (posted 04/22/01)
The next generation of KVLF announcers and Alpine Bucks arrived in Alpine 4/12/01. Brice Marshall Hendryx was born to Otis (AHS '95) and Kelly Hendryx at the Big Bend Regional Medical Center. Maternal grandparents are Dan and Lesley Vrudny of Alpine. Paternal grandparents are Ray (AHS '71) and Rita Hendryx.
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Project for all Alpine everywhere! (posted 04/24/01)
As a teacher in Alpine who knows nearly everyone who has graduated since 1975, I want to inform you all of a happening. You are still Fightin' Bucks so please read the following and dig deep to assist this project.
The Big Bend Community still reels from the tragedy that occurred Christmas Eve 2000, when a one vehicle accident took the lives of Maria Ortega and her children Heber, Lizette, and Lizbeth. At Paisano Pass, sixth grader Juan Ortega Jr. was thrown from that car and could only stand by while his siblings were burned up in the car. What a shock to lose four members of your family, but we can not imagine the horror of standing by helplessly and watching them die.
Maria Ortega worked tirelessly to give her four children the opportunity of an education. Although she did not speak English, she was up at the school more often than most parents. She constantly monitored her children's grades and always backed the teacher. Her children were always immaculate and happy. She valued school, education, and teachers in a basic, old fashioned way --- a way we seldom encounter anymore.
Juan Jr. is a terrific, studious, serious boy. After he lost so much of his family, Anne Calaway wanted to do something to honor Maria and help her surviving son. Anne has known the family since they moved here a few years ago, and Juan Sr. worked for her at the locker plant. Most aware of Maria's reverence for education, Anne explored the Texas Tomorrow Fund to prepay college tuition for Juan Jr. Anne discussed this project with Rep. Pete Gallego. He made the first donation (a very healthy donation) and offered to serve on a board to distribute the money as needed.
Many people have asked about the father. Juan Sr., an uneducated laborer, has really stepped up to the plate since the tragedy. He is now regularly attending the Spanish Assembly of God Church where Maria was so active. With the help of the church and many others in Alpine, he is becoming an involved father and a more responsible member of our community.
Generous donations have come from Fort Davis State Bank, Emilio Salmon, McDonald's corporate offices, West Texas National Bank, Jeff Haynes, the staff at Alpine schools, and many more. We had hope to raise $10,000. At this time we have about $7,500! Whatever the amount raised, it will go to good use. Our completion date is May 15, 2001.
We know that many of our local organizations fund scholarships to Sul Ross, and we have been told to have him apply for those when the time comes. This Texas Tomorrow Fund will give Juan the opportunity to pursue his education at any state college he desires in Texas. Also he has clear proof that the community cares about him now, but also expects him to go on with his education which was Maria's dream.
Whether you live in Alpine literally or only in your hearts, I know that you want to be a part of this project. After I told Anne that I would help her solicit funds, I went to my personal Jimminy Cricket, fourth grade teacher Elda Fuentez. We discussed the long reaching ramifications of helping Juan. We talked about how very much we have in material possessions and in family and friends. Of course we spend every penny we get, but we think nothing of eating out, going to the movie or buying a new purse or Tommy jeans for our kids. We have been so blessed but often forget to share. Our hope is that people will donate at least what they would spend for a good pair of Nike's for their own kids. Could you do this?
Please feel free to email me terryc@alpine.esc18.net or call me at 915-837-3744 in the evenings.
Terry Chandler
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Retired (posted 1/22/01)
This is Elidia Chavarria of the class of 1965 and I just retired in May of 2000! I retired after teaching for 25 years with the Alpine Independent School District. I taught elementary school for 17 years (3rd grade) and 8 years of Spanish at Alpine High School (Spanish I &II). I retired with 28 years total because I had worked as an Elementary secretary and aid before I got my degree.
Robert and I are the proud parents of 2 grown children. My oldest , Jo Elda, is a teacher in San Benito, Texas . My son Robert Jr. will be graduating in May from SRU with a double major. (English & Art) I
am a proud grandmother of six grandchildren.
If you have any questions feel free to contact me .
Sincerely,
Elidia C. Polanco
retired2000@overland.net
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Lewis' Team in State Tournament (posted 6/5/00)
Scott Lewis (AHS '75), head baseball coach of the Coahoma Bulldogs, is leading his troops to the state tournament for the second straight year. Actually, this is Coahoma's fourth straight appearance at the class 2-A state tournament, and the second year under Scotty. Coahoma will play Weimar Thursday, June 8th, at 10am at the minor league field in Round Rock. This is the semi-final game. The winner plays for the state championship on Friday, June 9th.
Submitted by Ray Hendryx
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Bryant Selected for All Star Team (posted 6/2/00)
Jennifer Rose Bryant, daughter of Pete (AHS '76) and Rose (AHS '77) Bryant has been selected to the 2000 Texas Coaches Association West All Star Softball Team. Only twenty-four girls in the state of Texas are selected each year. The East/West All Star game will be played, July 11, 2000 @ 7:00 p.m. at the Dr. Pepper Park north of "The Ballpark" in Arlington. Jennifer, will be the starting third baseman for the West squad. She is a 2000 graduate of Midland Lee High School. Jennifer, was the first four year starter in the school's softball program. She was named to three All District teams, one All State team and several All Tournament teams. Jennifer, was a highly recruited student/athlete and elected to stay in Midland and signed a full scholarship with Midland College.
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The Dan Reesing Memorial Scholarship Fund (posted 4/25/00)
Class of 1989,
The Dan Reesing Memorial Scholarship Fund has reached
$700.00!! We would like to thank all of the kind people who have donated
this year. If you are a class member and have not made a donation, you
still have time before the 2000 scholarship will be granted. If you are
not a member and would like to donate, please make contributions to the Dan
Reesing Memorial Scholarship Fund at First National Bank of Alpine.
Thank You,
Mary Mania
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Photo (posted 4/25/00)
Does anyone recognize this building? Drop a line to Feedback@AlpineHighSchool.com .
This is a recent photo of an old schoolhouse in Bartlett, Texas!
Photo submitted by Ray Hendryx
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