updated tiger talk.indd

Volume 40
Issue 1
October 2014
What’s Inside
SStories
& Photos
Band Beau,
Sweetheart...Pg. 2
Homecoming...Pg. 3, 17
New Teachers...Pgs. 4-9
New Band Director...Pg. 9
Homecoming
Week...Pg. 10-11
Hall of Fame...Pg. 12-13
Football..Pg. 14
Volleyball...Pg. 15
Cross Country...Pg. 16
Student Feature....Pg. 17
Blood Drive.....Pg. 18
FFA Education Day...Pg. 18
Teacher Feature...Pg. 19
Tiger Roar...Pg. 20
Pg. 2 Tigertalk
Cesar Villa and Meg Lomeli were crowned Band Beau
and Sweetheart prior to Friday’s game against Pine Tree.
Tigertalk
NEWS STAFF
Co-Editors: Alicengrace Gray and Kenzie Messer
Staff Writers, Photographers, Designers: Cindy Aguilar, Patty Bazan, Raegan Davis, Kilah Foster, Karla Landeros, Darby Old, Na’Chyna Rogers, Lauren
Williams, Yami Zuniga
Journalism 1 contributors: Abigail Amerson, Yasmin Alvarado, Ashley
Blalock, Stacy Brown, Ashlynn Burns, Tia Culmer, Cameron Dale, Ariana Garrett, Caitlyn Gillean, Crystal Gomez Heavenlee Griffith, Briana Gutierres, Daniela Gutierrez, Abi Hobbs, Dylan Ingram, Madora Jemison, Carolina Martinez,
Julia Martinez, Angel Medina, Jennifer Mora, Lissette Moreno, Oscar Munoz,
Allison Norfleet, Melissa Ortiz, Connor Reese, Kendria Roberson, Payton Tyler
Nora Viramontes and Jennifer Zuniga.
Advisor: John Whitten
The Tigertalk is published five-six times a year by the newspaper and journalism classes of MPHS. Address is P.O. Box 1117, Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455.
Letters to the editor are encouraged but must be signed and the staff reserved the
right to edit because of space. Submit all letters to Mr. Whitten in Room 401 of
the CATE Building.
Gaona crowned 2014 queen
By CINDY AGUILAR
& YAMI ZUNIGA
Tigertalk Staff Writers
Maria Gaona was crowned 2014
Homecoming Queen prior to the Tigers
recent football game with Pine Tree.
Gaona was one of five girls on the
homecoming court.
She is a daughter of Mr. Juan Gaona and Mrs. Blanca Gaona and is a
member of the varsity soccer and cross
country teams. Gaona enjoys playing
soccer and working out. She plans to
graduate high school and go on to a
university with dreams of becoming an
optometrist.
She dreams of visiting Spain in the
future. Maria says her favorite food is
fajitas y frijoles, a Mexican plate that
includes a mixture of fajita meats. Her
favorite restaurant is Two Senoritas and
her favorite class is History. She would
like to give a special shout-out to the
soccer program.
Other nominees for the court were
Lupita Barraza, Madai Ruiz, Claudia
Zapata and Catherine Zarcone.
Barraza is the daughter of Ricardo
and Veronica Barraza. She is captain of
the Tiger Dolls and also a member of
FFA and National Honor Society.
Barraza enjoys crafting and her role
model is her mother. Her future plans
include to graduate from Texas State
University, become a physical therapist
and to open her own gym.
Her favorite cuisine is Italian and her
favorite restaurant is Texas Roadhouse.
She said her favorite class is calculus
because she likes being challenged.
Ruiz is the 17-year-old daughter of
Noe and Anahi Ruiz. She has accomplished various things throughout her
high school years. She has been in Tiger Dolls for four years with two years
as an officer and is currently the 1st
Lieutenant. Some awards given to her
were Tiger Doll of the week and being
named Best Sophomore. Madai is also
an officer for Future Business Leaders
of America (FBLA), along with being
Gaona is crowned by last year’s queen Stephanie Hernandez.
Lupita Barraza
a member of Junior Chamber of Commerce (JCA), and National Technical
Honor Society (NTHS).. She is also the
vice president of her graduating class.
Some hobbies Madai enjoys are dancing, arts and crafts, and baking. The
person that Ruiz is inspired by and
looks up to is her own mother. Madai’s
future plans are to attend NTCC for one
year and then transfer to the University
of Texas at Austin to become a physical
therapist or psychologist.
Her favorite food is bacon, cheese and
chicken quesadillas and her favorite
restaurant is Chili’s. She said “History
Madai Ruiz
is my favorite subject simply because
I love learning about the past and how
everything came to be. I find it really
interesting.”
Another nominee was Zapata, who is
the daughter of Clemente Zapata and
Erika Chavez.
Zapata has always been involved in
high school activities throughout the
past four years. This includes being the
class officer for the class of 2015 since
freshman through junior year, a member of Student Council all four years of
high school, and a current 2014-2015
See Homecoming, Pg. 17
Tigertalk Pg. 3
New staff joins MPHS
By MADORA JEMISON,
DYLAN INGRAM,
ASHLEY BLALOCK &
HEAVENLEE WHITAKER
Tigertalk Staff Writers
The high school welcomed a number of
new staff members to the campus this year.
Some are experienced teachers, some are
new and even some are former Tigers who
returned to teach at their alma mater
David Bagley is an MPHS alumni who
has returned to coach and teach. He teaches
U.S. History/Advanced Topics and is also
an assistant football coach. He graduated
from Harding University with a Bachelor
of Arts degree in Social Science. He has
a wife named Kim and three daughters,
Brooke and twins Claire and Keely. He’s
taught for 12 years in Plano and Irving
MacArthur. In college, he earned NCAA
Division II National All-Star football honors.
Drew Barkley teaches advanced quantitative reasoning and is a varsity boy’s assistant basketball coach. He attended East
Texas Baptist University and graduated
with a Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology. He previously taught at Hallsville,
Bullard and Linden-Kildare for the past six
years.
He has been married to Racheal Barkley
for two years and has an 8 year old daughter named Bri, and a newborn boy named
Beckett. Barkley is a world traveler and has
visited Poland twice, Malaysia six times,
China, Hong Kong and Brunei.
Rachel Barkley teaches Algebra 1 at
MPHS. She graduated from LeTourneau
University with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies. Barkley has six years
of teaching experience with Marshall ISD
and Linden Kildare ISD. Barkley is married to Drew Barkley, which they have one
daughter Bri who is eight years old and
newborn, Beckett.
Mrs. Barkley enjoys “traveling and participating in mission trips local and overseas.” She has visited Jamaica, Morocco,
Ethiopia, Malaysia and China. Not only
does she enjoy mission trips and traveling,
she also loves sports. She said she enjoys
using athletics to build relationships with
kids and develop character.
Margaret Bradley, a 2003 MPHS grad-
Pg. 4 Tigertalk
David Bagley
Drew Barkley
Rachel Barkley
Margaret Bradley
Logan Brinkley
uate, has returned to her former school and
teaches Principles of Hospitality, tourism,
CAP, and Child Development and Education. She graduated from University of
Arkansas at Monticello and also attened
Letourneau University. She is married with
one child. She has taught at Chapel Hill and
Hebron. In high school, she was a member
of the band and color guard.
Logan M. Brinkley teaches Environmental Systems (Biology). She graduated
at Schreiner University with a Bachelor’s
Kennie Cook
degree of Science Biochemistry. This is her
very first year to teach; she says “I am so
excited to be at MPHS!”
A native of California, Brinkley moved to
Texas for an interesting reason. “I moved
to Texas form California for college. Texas
was one of the few states that had a college
with a competitive shotgun shooting team.”
One of the benefits of still living in Texas
was that her parents are nearby, living in
Forney.
See New Teachers, Pg. 5
New Teachers from Page 4
Kennie Cook Jr. is an assistant band director for the high school and also helps
with music programs on other campuses.
He earned a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from University of Arkansas-Monticello and a master’s degree in
theology from Liberty University.
A former teacher at Paul Pewitt, Cook is
working on his doctorate degree at Grand
Canyon University. He is also an associate
minister at Hendrix Temple Church of God
in Christ (COGIC) in Atlanta, Texas.
Angie Pope Criss, a former Harts Bluff
and MPHS graduate, is an American History teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Arts
degree at Southwestern College Winfield,
Kan. in 1993. She has been married for 17
years to Matt Criss, She has two sons Cole
Criss (15) and Cooper Criss (13).
She started teaching and coaching at Harts
Bluff ISD in 1993. She moved to Pittsburg
ISD and taught Reading and Math for 5
years, and she began her career here this
year. She attended Harts Bluff from firsteighth grade and MPHS all four years of
high school.. She graduated at MPHS in
1987, and went on to play both college
softball and basketball. “I am thrilled to
be back home at MPHS where every day
is a great day to be a Tiger! Truly, home is
where the heart is!” Criss said.
Jamie Denman teaches sports medicine
and is one of the new trainers. This is her
first year to teach. She attended college
at Texas Lutheran University where she
earned a bachelor’s degree in athletic training. She also earned an MAT (Concentration- Physical Education) at the University
of West Alabama.
Her parents are Michael and Elizabeth
Denman and her brother is named Travis Denman. She worked in the Army All
American Bowl as a student athletic trainer.
Sandy Dunson is a new health science
teacher. She got her RN degree at Eastern
Oklahoma State. She is married to Daniel
Dunson, has two children 13-year-old son
named Hunter and a 4-year-old daughter
named Haidyn. Prior to becoming a teacher, she spent 14 years in Home Health (labor/delivery).
Janet Floyd is no stranger to teaching or
MPHS. After taking a year off from teaching, Mrs. Floyd returned to the classroom.
She teaches Algebra I and II, This marks 35
years in education. Previously she taught at
New Diana and Daingerfield. This marks
Angie Criss
Sandy Dunson
Cuday Harmon
her 20th year here.
She attended college at Texas A&M Commerce where she got her BA degree and
Texas A&M Texarkana where she got he
MS degree.
She is married to her husband John Floyd
and has 4 children and 7 grandchildren, two
of which are students here at MPHS, Melody Mott and Emily Mott. Something interesting that has happened in Mrs. Floyd’s
life is she is a survivor of the first church
shooting in the U.S. at First Baptist Church
Jamie Denman
Janet Floyd
Stefan Harmon
in Dangerfield on June 22, 1980.
Cuday Harmon is a coach and also works
in ISS. A graduate of Louisiana Tech, he
has spent the past four years teaching at
Beckville. Harmon said about his job, “I
love doing what I do, which is coaching a
being in a child’s life.”
Stefan Harmon is starting her education career by teaching freshman skills at
MPHS.
The daughter of Larry and Debra Alex-
See New Teachers, Pg. 6
Tigertalk Pg. 5
New Teachers from Page 5
ander, Harmon married her husband Cuday
on Jan. 11 of this year.
Jefferson Jackson is a new English
teacher and coach. He has a master’s degree in education administration from Texas A&M-Commerce.
He and his wife Amy have two children,
Hunter, 5, and Audree, 2.
Jana Jenkins is an English teacher. She
earned a bachelor’s degree at Eastern Illinois University and a master’s leadership
at Saint Xavier University. She and her
husband, have three children; two girls
who are 13 and 10 and a 6-year-old son.
She has taught for 14 years.
Something interesting that has happened
in her life is taking a bath in a volcano and
walked under the Atlantic Ocean.
Echo Johnson is a new English teacher
and also works with transitition students.
She is a graduate of UT-Tyler with a bachelor’s of science degree in kinesiology and
is currently enrolled in graduate school at
Lamar University for teacher leadership.
She is married to Kelly Don Johnson
and has taught previously at MPISD from
2003-2008 and Paul Pewitt from 20082014. A graduate of Pewitt, she got coach
volleyball at her alma mater. “I love teaching, and I love people,” Johnson said.
Jack Jones is an engineering teacher. He
also teaches video game design. He holds
a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physics from UT-Austin and also a master’s in
STEM Education.
He also has taught at Travis high school
in Austin for seven years.. He has a wife
named Melissa and a son named Jake.
Laura Kirkland takes over as the Art
teacher. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Kirkland is married and has three
boys. She previously taught at Sam Houston Middle School and Garland ISD.
“This year so much has changed. Life is a
roller coaster. I am looking forward to this
new experience. I feel so blessed to be here
at MPHS,” Kirkland said.
Heather Lockler teaches English I and
this is her first year teaching.. Mrs. Lockler
attended college at Texas A&M-Texarkana.
She majored in Interdisciplinary studies.
She is married to Daniel Lockler and has
two children, Shelby who is 15 and Savannah who is 13. An interesting thing that
she helped with ABC’s Extreme Makeover
Home Edition. It was in Colorado Springs.
She used to live in Georgia, Maryland, and
Pg. 6 Tigertalk
Jefferson Jackson
Echo Johnson
Laura Kirkland
Colorado. She has also been a military
wife for 8 years.
LaNetra McCowan-Fuller is another
former MPHS graduate who has returned
home to teach.
McCowan-Fuller teaches Biology. She
has previously taught in Garland, Duncanville, Commerce, Cedar Hill and Paul
Pewitt districts. She has a bachelor’s of
science degree and a master’s in secondary education from Texas A&M-Commerce. She also has a bachelor’s degree
See New Teachers, Pg. 7
Jana Jenkins
Jack Jones
Heather Lockler
LaNetra McCowan-Fuller
New Teachers from Page 6
in Anatomy from Parker University and is
currently working on her doctorate.
She and her husband Marion have three
children -- Chaya, 10, Joshua, 9, and
Landon, 8. Said McCowan-Fuller, “I married my high school sweetheart, and I was
able to complete eight months of cadaver
dissections. I love living in Mount Pleasant. I graduated from MPHS, and I love
being back home.”
Victoria McLendon teaches Principles
of Engineering and Technology along with
Engineering Design and Presentation. She
is a graduate of Texas A&M University
with a degree in Agricultural Development
with an emphasis on Education and Communication. A first-year teacher, McLendon
is married to Orrin and has two “children”
a dog named Sally and a cat named Joey.
After college graduation, she and her husband moved to North Carolina where they
worked in the poultry industry.
“We lived there close to a year before
moving back to the fine state of Texas. My
husband took a promotion working for our
new company. I, myself, am happy to get
started as an educator,” McLendon said.
James Morgan-Hadnot is a football
coach and also teaches freshman skills. He
holds both a bachelor and master’s degrees.
He has a girlfriend, Emily Mawson, and a
daughter, Kennedi Morgan. He said an
interesting thing that happened in his life
was receiving Christ in his life on Feb. 21,
2009.
Tracey Reynolds is a tenth grade English teacher. She went to the University of
Arkansas-Little Rock and got a bachelor’s
degree in English. She and her husband
Jimmy have two children Trace and Avery.
She has previously taught at Yantis, Sulphur Springs and Harts Bluff.
Ross Scholta is the new History teacher. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree
from Texas A&M-Commerce.He and his
wife Sherrie have one son Joshua.
He previously taught at Rains. He also got
married this summer.
Matt Smith teaches Government and
Economics and is also a coach. A graduate
of the University of North Texas, he and
his wife Tricia have a son Brady, 6, and
daughter Maddie, 2. On the day after his
marriage, Smith survived after being struck
by lightning.
He has previously taught at Carrollton
Farmers Branch, Allen and Plano East.
Victoria McLendon
Tracey Reynolds
Matt Smith
Tricia Smith is starting her education
career this year. She is eaching Principles
of Business, Finance and Marketing, Principles of IT, BIM 1 and Service Technology. She is a graduate of Illinois State University with a bachelor’s of science degree.
She and her husband Matt have two children Brady, 6, and Maddie, 2. She has ran
two 1/2 marathons.
Angie Sneed is an English teacher for
11th-12th graders. She graduated from
Eastern Illinois University.
See New Teachers, Pg. 8
James Morgan-Hadnot
Ross Scholta
Tricia Smith
Angie Sneed
Tigertalk Pg. 7
New Teachers from Page 7
She has been teaching for 16 years total.
She has taught seven years in Illinois, one
year in Colorado, six years in in Indiana,
and two years in Arkansas. She is married
to Keven and has a daughter named Abby
who is a freshmen, and a son named Lucas in sixth grade. Something interesting
about Mrs. Sneed is she once received a
letter from the vice president while he was
in office.
Roderick Sneed coaches, teaches Speech
and has study hall classes. He has a communication’s degree from the University of
Colorado.
He has taught 11 years, previously at Dallas Pinkston and Richardson Lake Highlands.
Rogelio Solorzano teaches Geometry,
Algebra and Math Models. A graduate of
Texas A&M-Texarkana, Solorzano is beginning his first year as a teacher after four
years as an aide at P.E. Wallace.
His wife teaches English at Wallace. They
have one son and another child on the way.
Aimee Sweeden teaches Ready Set Teach.
She earned her degree at Texas A&M Commerce and has taught for six years, previously at Winnsboro and Mount Vernon.
Mrs. Sweeden has been happily married for
19 years to Phillip Sweeden and has twins
who are 16 years old, Mason and Marshall.
Sweeden laughingly said something interesting that has happened in her life is “I
was once stranded on a deserted island for
three years and forced to make friends with
a bowling ball, he sank deep into the ocean
during her attempt to return to civilization.
She also said, “Do not believe half of what
you hear or read from me or about me, but
know this...I am proud to be a Mount Pleasant Tiger!”
Kelly Taylor teaches freshman skills and
web tech here. She graduated from Texas A&M-Commerce with a Bachelor’s in
Business Administration. She previously
taught two years at MPHS, then spent five
at the junior high before returning back.
Mrs. Taylor has been married to her husband Chad for 18 years. She has two children, Daniel who is 11, and Makenzie who
is 8 years old.
Tammy Thomas is teaching 10th grade
English. She attended both Stephen F. Austin State and Texas A&M-Texarkana.
She has three children, Mikala, a senior
and Tiger Doll officer, Cassidy, a student at
the junior high and Jake, who attends Annie Sims Elementary. She also has two cats.
Pg. 8 Tigertalk
Roderick Sneed
Rogelio Solorzano
Aimee Sweeden
Kelly Taylor
Tammy Thomas
Shea Verner
She attended SFA and Texas A&M-Texarkana and has 14 years of experience in
education. She has taught elementary students at Trinidad, English at Chapel Hill
and also was a diagnostician for MPISD.
In college, she was a cheerleader at SFA.
Shea Verner teaches Algebra 1 and is
also a former MPHS graduate. This is her
first year to teach.
She graduated from Texas A&M-Texarkana with a bachelor’s degree. She and her
husband Tyler have a 3-year-old daughter
Abigail
As a child, when she played softball and
was a member of a team that qualified for
the World Series on three different occasions.
John Whitten is the new journalism and
TNT sponsor. He teaches yearbook, newspaper, intro to journalism, TNT and Digital
Interactive Media (DIM).
Mr. Whitten is a graduate of the University of North Texas with a bachelor’s degree
in journalism. His wife Suzy is a health science teacher at the high school. They have
See New Teachers, Pg. 9
New Teachers from Page 8
two children, Grace, a seventh-grader, and
Caleb, a fourth-grader. Both attend Harts
Bluff.
This is eighth year to teach. He spent the
past seven at Pittsburg High School. He is
also a sponsor for both UIL Journalism and
SkillsUSA Photography. Prior to teaching,
he worked 12 years as sports editor and
five years as managing editor of the Mount
Pleasant Daily Tribune.
“I am excited to join the MPHS staff. I
have some talented and awesome students
who are Built Tiger Tough,” Whitten said.
While working at the Tribune, Mr. Whitten won several awards including being
honored with the “Best Sports Story” by
the Texas Associated Press Sports Editors.
Joel Windham III teaches credit recovery. He went to college at Stephen F. Austin State University and got his bachelor’s
degree. He also went to Lamar University
and earned his masters. Joel has been mar-
John Whitten
Joel Windham
ried for 14 years to his wife Michelle who
teaches kindergarten at Anne Sims. They
have three boys, Will, 15, Payton, 13, and
Brock, 8.
He has 15 years of teaching and coaching experience. He taught five years at Bra-
zosport, two years at Angeleton, one year
at Maud, three years at Paul Pewitt, and
two years at Spring Hill. When we asked
if there was anything interesting that has
happened in his life he said, “My three
boys make every day interesting.”
Luckett takes over band program
By ALICENGRACE GRAY
Tigertalk Co-Editor
New band director Theodus Luckett III didn’t let bullying keep
him from his dreams.
Luckett, an accomplished musician and band director, found music as a safe haven and an outlet for him to display his talents.
He started playing the trumpet in sixth grade and by the next year
he knew how to play all instruments. Luckett was a top student
in academics and found inspiration from educators and musical
directors and overcame challenges that many students face.
Throughout Luckett’s high school career, he earned many musical accomplishments.
Luckett was selected for the all-state band and all-state choir and
received many other music related awards.
Luckett attended college at the University of Arkansas at Monticello and earned his bachelor’s degree in music. Luckett then
earned his master’s in music education at Stephen F. Austin and
is currently working towards his doctorate degree in leadership at
Grand Canyon University.
Luckett started his teaching career at Daingerfield, where he
spent one year. He then taught at Longview Middle School for
four years.
After teaching at Longview he taught at Paul Pewit as the head
director for four years prior to taking the job here.
One of the highlights of the football halftime show is the band’s
theme featuring Batman along with villains Joker, Riddler and Mr.
Freeze.
Luckett’s idea for the Batman: City of Villains theme came from
the current rave over the superhero.
“I knew that the students would love the concept of the show and
then I thought about the community at large and I knew that they
would really like it,” Luckett said.
Luckett has high goals for the band this year. He is striving for a
Luckett has high goals for the band.
sweepstakes band. To earn this the band must receive a one (top
rating) at UIL marching, a one in UIL concert and sight reading.
But Luckett is also already thinking ahead.
“My ultimate goal is to be a state band and really represent the
school and district well,” Luckett said.
With all the chaos from being a new director, hosting his first
marching competition, to having a new addition to the family,
Theodus Luckett lll is a great addition to the MPISD staff and the
band program.
Tigertalk Pg. 9
Pages designed
by Darby Old
Pg. 10 Tigertalk
Tigertalk Pg. 11
From left are Laurence, Miller, Minter, Pope and Stansberry.
MPHS inducts first class
into Athletic Hall of Fame
Four former MPHS athletes and one former head coach were recently honored as members of the inaugural Tiger Athletic Hall of
Fame class. Each inductee was recognized against Sulphur Springs
and served as honorary captains for the game and participated in
the pre-game coin toss.
As recognition of their selections, each inductee received a gold
jacket featuring the Athletic Hall of Fame crest. Pictures of each inductee will also be displayed in the hallway of the Willie Williams
Gymnasium. Guaranty Bank and Trust is the official sponsor of the
event, which will be held annually.
Head Coach Donnie Laurence and athletes Tony Miller, Barry
Minter, Jerilyn Pope and Keith Stanberry were chosen by a selection committee based on their accomplishments while at Mount
Pleasant High School.
Donnie Laurence
Mount Pleasant High School former Head Coach Donnie Laurence coached at Mount Pleasant from 1971-1978 and is credited
with taking a Mount Pleasant Tigers team the farthest ever in football—to the state championship in 1973.
“My greatest memory was how the town, administration and so
many parents and fans got behind all seven teams that I had the
privilege to coach,” Laurence said. “It’s right along with being
able to work with a great coaching staff that believed so strongly
in our players and each other. I also was amazed at how our entire
teaching staff supported and backed our student athletes. That is
what I remember the most and still cherish. Because of this type of
backing, we were successful in all sports—girls and boys.”
Laurence recalls that particular season, 1973, just like it was yesterday. In fact, that season Laurence coached both Ronny Homer
and Randy Homer, father and uncle to new Mount Pleasant Head
Coach Corey Homer.
Pg. 12 Tigertalk
Laurence attended Baylor University and majored in physical education and math, played football, baseball and basketball as a Bear.
Laurence was inducted into Baylor’s Hall of Fame in 1993.
Laurence is now humbled by the honor he received. “I don’t know
that I can put into words the meaning of this honor,” Laurence said.
“I humbly accept the honor for all who made this possible. No one
is honored like this on what he did by himself. As I walked through
the MP fieldhouse, I saw the pictures of so many players that made
this happen and was reminded of so many that didn’t have pictures.”
Tony Miller
Tony Miller, a multi-sport athlete, graduated from Mount Pleasant
High School in 1989 While in high school, he participated in several athletic sports including football, baseball, track and basketball,
serving as team captain.
He was selected to the Basketball All-District and All Area team
during his junior and senior year and earned the track and field
All-District and All-Area awards in 1988 in the 400m. He was a
member of the state championship 4x400m relay in 1988 capturing
the third fastest time in the nation. He was also a district, regional and state championship winner, school recorder holder and First
Team All-American and Golden West Finalist in the 400m.
His greatest memory as a Mount Pleasant Tiger came in 1988 and
1989. “We won back-to-back in the 4x400m relay in 1988 (teammates included: Calbert Cannon, Lawrence Fields and Jerry Warren)
and in 1989 (teammates included: Calbert Cannon, Kenyon Brooks
and Jerry Warren),” Miller said. After high school, Miller continued
his success as a track standout at Baylor University. Among his many
accomplishments, he was a 15 time All American. His greatest memory as a Bear in track and field is competing in the Olympic Trials in
See Hall of Fame, Pg. 13
Hall of Fame from Page 12
1992 and 1996. He also has fond memories
of the Pan Am Games in 1995 and winning
the NCAA Championships with his teammates at Baylor. Miller was also inducted
into Baylor’s Hall of Fame in 2011.
Tony, who holds a Bachelor of Business
Administration degree in marketing, is married to Toinette Miller and has two children:
son Cameron, 14 and daughter Candace, 8.
He and his family live in Frisco where he
serves as the track and field coach at Southern Methodist University.
Barry Minter
A 1988 graduate of Mount Pleasant High
School, Barry Minter enjoyed success in
several sports as a Tiger. As a three-year
football and track letterman and a two-year
letterman in basketball, Minter’s classmates
voted him Most Athletic in 1988. He also
received First Team All-District honors in
both football and Basketball before graduating in the top 25% of his class.
After graduating from Mount Pleasant High
School, Minter spent the next five years
playing football on a full scholarship to the
University of Tulsa. He played both safety
and linebacker and became a two-year starter. He finished at Tulsa with a college career
267 tackles (11 for losses), six sacks and six
interceptions.
After graduating from the University of
Tulsa with a Bachelor of Science degree in
health and physical education, Minter was
drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1993. He
was then traded to the Chicago Bears that
same season and spent eight years playing
professional football.
“It was all a wonderful experience,” Minter explained. “I would not be the man, husband, father, teacher, and coach I am today
if it were not for the coaches and teachers I
was blessed to have at MPHS. These men
and women, along with my mother, molded
and shaped my work ethic, character, and
desire to become someone better and greater than who I thought I could be. All my
success I owe to God and them for what
they instilled in me while I was in their
presence.”
Today, Barry is married to his high school
classmate, Shawnya Jones Minter, and they
have three children: Gia, 25, Bari, 22 and
Jordan, 19. The family lives in Houston
where Barry teaches and coaches.
Jerilyn Pope
Mount Pleasant native Jerilyn Pope has the
distinction of being a member of the first
fast-pitch softball team at Mount Pleasant
MPHS Head Football Coach Corey Homer presents Pope with jacket.
High School.
“I went to the superintendent my senior
year to request that ladies softball be added
to the athletic program under Title IX,” said
Pope who was the team’s pitcher.
“I, along with my peers and some very
supportive parents in the community, later
presented the request to the school board
for approval. The softball program began
Spring 1992 and we went undefeated our
first season.”
Pope graduated from MPHS in 1992 and
received full scholarships to Hill College
and Northeast Texas Community College.
She attended Hill College, but decided to
return to NTCC to support and participate in
the inaugural season of the fast-pitch softball locally.
“I was awarded Most Valuable Player and
All Region awards at the collegiate level.
After I graduated from Northeast Texas
Community College, I attended Texas Tech
University and then transferred to Stephen
F. Austin State University where I graduated with a B.A. in psychology with a minor
in child development and family studies.
I continued my studies at the Texas A&M
at Commerce where I received my M.S. in
Counseling and became a Licensed Professional Counselor,” Pope said.
Pope now lives in Arlington where she
works as a senior Organizational Effectiveness Strategist for a health system in the
Dallas-Fort Worth area developing leadership programs and coach leaders in healthcare. She is also volunteer trauma counselor
and volunteer for the Texas Rangers Women’s Club.
Keith Stanberry
Keith Stanberry, a 1981 Mount Pleasant
graduate, is considered one of the top defensive backs in the state. He received All East
Texas, All State and Blue Chipper honors
for his work on the football field. He was
named Mr. MPHS and was captain of the
football team.
Stanberry remembers one high school
game in particular as a Tiger. “It was my junior year when we beat the #1 team in the
state that year, Paris, 7-6 in front of a record
crowd,” Stanberry said.
Stanberry went on to have a stellar collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma
playing football all four years.
Stanberry, who suffered a near-fatal car accident in 1984 was unable to make a bid for
the pros, is proud of the Hall of Fame honor
he is receiving from his alma mater.
“This is one of the most meaningful events
of my life,” Stanberry said. “Having the
place that I started recognize me and my accomplishments is uplifting and encouraging
knowing that all of my pain and struggles
were appreciated. It makes me feel like it
was all worth it. Nothing comes easy, hard
work is the key to success.”
Keith, who now lives in Katy and works
as an inspector, is married to Sibyl Stanberry and has a blended family of six children
ranging in age from 10 to 30. He credits being an athlete with shaping him into the man
he is today.
Tigertalk Pg. 13
Travion Holloman is the team’s leading rusher this year.
Tigers not giving up despite
having tough football season
By NA’CHYNA ROGERS
Tigertalk Staff Writer
It’s been a difficult season for the varsity football team this
year. They have come close to winning a few games only to
come up short on the scoreboard.
The Tigers fell short to Pine Tree during homecoming, losing by two points, 31-29. They had a chance to beat Pine
Tree, but an interception at the end of the game ended the
hopes for a comeback win.
Despite the difficult season, Head Coach Corey Homer remains proud of his team
“I am very proud of our boys and what they have done.
They have laid an unshakable and unbreakable foundation
since January 6th. They come in each day, punch the time
card, roll up their sleeves and go to work. They have great
attitudes and they do not understand the word, ‘Quit.’
“They have fought every game and left it all on the field.
I am very blessed to have had the opportunity to work with
them.”
Even though the season has been very challenging for the
Tigers, Homer is happy to be here.
“The season has not gone the way we wanted it to but
there is no other place that I would rather be. Mount Pleasant is my home as well as theirs. I would not have it any
other way,” Homer said.
Athletics has played a great part in the player’s character
this year.
Pg. 14 Tigertalk
“I love these kids. Athletics teaches so much more than
inside the lines. They are learning how to improve their
character, academics and more importantly how to become
men. This is a very special group,” Homer said.
Lineman Mitchell Parra said the team still has the chance
to end the season on the positive side.
“I believe that if we keep working hard like we’re doing
we’re going to end the season on a positive note,” Parra said.
Earlier this season, the football team lost by one point to
Greenville in a heartbreaking game.
“We were heartbroken because it was by one point. We just
didn’t finish, but it was helpful because it showed us that we
can be great when we play great,” Parra said.
Parra said he believes fans still have faith in the team.
“I believe that it does have something to do with it, but I
believe that it’s because we were so close to a win and people that still believes in us,” Parra said.
Travion Holloman is the team’s leading rusher with 576
yards on 111 carries with four touchdowns, while quarterback Joseph Griffin is third in the district in yards passed.
Griffin has completed 92 of 145 passes for 1,274 yards with
six touchdowns.
Jaquille Rodgers is the team’s leading receiver with 35
catches for 691 yards and has nine touchdowns on the season.
Hunter Lide leads the district in punting average with an
average of 37.26 yards.
Brittany Burns and Nikki Martin go up for a block.
Volleyball about to wrap up season
By LAUREN WILLIAMS
Tigertalk Staff Writer
The Lady Tigers are about to wrap
up their season as they conclude the
year with Sulphur Springs on Tuesday.
In a thrilling contest against Greenville on Senior Night, the Lady Tigers rallied after losing the first two
sets to win the final three and end
the home portion of their schedule
on a winning note.
Junior Sophie Sanchez said the
best thing she likes about volleyball
is her teammates.
“I love my team, through our wins
and our losses we always stick together,” Sanchez said.
Sophomore Tootie Grant said she
also likes being with her team and
the battles they face on the court.
“I like spending time with the
team, and also competing against
other teams to make us a better volleyball player,” Grant said.
Even though the team has struggled some this year, Sanchez said
the team has never quit.
Sophie Sanchez reaches for the volleyball as Sarah Flanagan watches.
“So far the season has gone good.
Yes we’ve lost some games but we
put up a good fight,” Sanchez said.
Grant said a challenge she faces
is being the only sophomore on the
team.
“It’s very challenging because I
am the youngest on the team. Also
everyone is experienced on the varsity,” Grant said.
On Senior Night, the team honored
Labrisha Hargrave, Brittany Burns,
Brooke Thompson, Sarah Flanagan
and Heather Dryden.
Tigertalk Pg. 15
Girls cross country advances to region
Boys fourth at district
By PATTY BAZAN
Tigertalk Staff Writer
The girls cross country team took second place at the district meet Tuesday.
Grasiela Gaona was third with a time
of 20 minutes, 45 seconds. Juslissa Sanchez got sixth in 20:52, Briana
Castaneda was seventh at 20:53, Emily
Brown ninth at 21:07, Laura Oviedo
23rd in 22:21, Lissette Dejesus sixth in
22:51 and Karina Pena 32nd in 24:01.
The boys varsity came in fourth as a
team with Jorge Hernandez leading the
way. He got fourth overall in 16:05 to
qualify for region.
Hugo Valdez was 21st at 17:37, Jesse
Morales 26th at 18:21, Giovanni Moreno 28th at 18:26, Alexis Equihua 32nd
at 19:03 and Gonzalez Salatiel 47th at
20:58.
Reyes Vargas also ran for Mount
Pleasant and had a time of 18:26.
The JV girls placed second as well
with Maria Gaona leading the way by
getting third in 22:22. Shelby Daniels
was eighth at 23:17, Lesley Muruaga ninth at 23:19, Kayla Robles 10th
at 23:25 and Jasmin Martinez 13th at
23:46.
Also, Natalie Ramirez cam in 23rd
at 25:21 and Morgan Martin 27th in
26:06. Other runners competing and
their times were Jacquelin Guerrero
at 26:13, Ilse Vazquez 26:33, Odette
Garcia 27:00, Veronica Pina 27:01 and
Janelle Wright 28:12.
The JV boys team took fourth place
overall as well. Angel Flores was
the team’s top runner at 19:39 which
placed him 11th.
Gonzalez Emmanuel came in 19th
at 20:23, Israel Gomez 24th at 21:12,
Aguilar Noah 25th at 21:14, Damian
Gwin 28th at 21:55, Zuniga Tristan
29th at 22:02 and Diego Rivera 31st at
22:43.
Others competing were Eduardo
Hipolito with a time of 23:47, Richard Gonzalez at 24:39, Diego Lugo at
19:45 and Daniel Huerta at 22:53.
Pg. 16 Tigertalk
Girls varsity and cross country members pose with their trophy and
medals they won at the district meet.
Jorge Hernandez took fourth overall to qualify for region.
Foreign exchange student adjusting to life here
Luna visiting from Spain
By YAMI ZUNIGA
Tigertalk Staff Writer
Miguel Luna is a foreign exchange student this year at the high school and is
currently in the 10th grade. He came from
Madrid, Spain and is now going through
a whole new different high school experience. He has so far met new people, tasted
lots of Mexican foods and is hoping on
having a wonderful year here.
Traveling from a faraway country to the
states and having to get used to going to
a new school is challenging. For Miguel,
MPHS is a huge school with lots of different subjects and organizations to learn
about and join. He considers these subjects not to be boring and that the teachers
here are as nice as can be.
“I like it because everything is very big,
and there are many subjects that are not so
boring such as in Spain. And the people,
including teachers, are very nice,” Miguel
said.
Since it is Miguel’s sophomore year,
he plans to make it a successful one. He
hopes to pass all his classes while also
have a great time and enjoy it here. Some
differences between Spain and Texas that
he has noticed are that MPHS is very big
compared to the small schools in Spain,
Luna said his favorite food here is Tex-Mex.
and how people spend their free time by
going out to random places.
“The school here is very big, and the
ways that a person could spend on their
free time… There is a lot of differences,”
Miguel said.
Luna says that he is starting to miss
home somewhat but not so much. “I’ve
been here one month and now I’m starting to become a little homesick, but not a
lot,” he said.
Luna has several interests such as the
types of music genres he listens to which
are all kinds. Some of his favorite foods
from Texas are Tex-Mex types that are
very difficult to find in Spain. Miguel has
also been to other countries besides Texas. He’s been almost all over the country
of Spain and including Tunisia, which is
located in Africa.
“I’ve traveled almost all around Spain
and I’ve been in Tunisia, in Africa,” Miguel said.
To all those students and teachers who
see Miguel around school, make sure to
greet and make him feel right at home.
This way, Luna will not feel out of place
or left out on any school activities.
Homecoming from Page 3
chapter officer for FFA. She is also a
cheerleader manager.
Claudia’s hobby is being involved in
Saint Michael’s Catholic Church Choir
in the 1:00 P.M. mass. Her role model is her mother since she has always
told Claudia to achieve for what she
wants in life. After graduating, Zapata
plans to study at NTCC for two years
then transfer to Texas A&M or Baylor
College of Dentistry and graduate as an
orthodontist.
Her dream vacation is spot is Acapulco and her favorite food are enchiladas.
She said her favorite place to eat is her
grandmother’s house and her favorite
subject is English.
Zarcone is the daughter of Gregory and Judi Zarcone. She is a member
of both the varsity cheerleading squad
along with HOSA. Her role models are
Claudia Zapata
her parents. After high school, Zarcone
plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and become a registered
nurse.
Her dream vacation spot is Austra-
Catherine Zarcone
lia and her favorite subject is English
because “It’s the only subject without
numbers,” Zarcone said.
Her favorite food is Mexican and her
favorite restaurant is Two Senoritas.
Tigertalk Pg. 17
Students, staff donate 111 units of blood
By RAEGAN DAVIS
Tigertalk Staff Writer
High school blood drives are an important part to saving lives in the United States.
Students and staff here had the chance
recently to donate for the Carter BloodCare.
They were able to donate 111 units
of blood during the first drive of the
school year.
“This is an amazing number as we
usually only total about 60-70 units per
blood drive,” high school nurse Heidi
Skelton said.
Skelton said blood drives are very
important to helping save lives. Each
unit donated has the opportunity to
help more than just one person in need
of blood.
Blood donations are critical because
despite all the medical advances that
have been made in recent years, there
Senior Presley McClendon eagerly donates blood.
is still no good substitute for human
blood,” Skelton said.
“Each unit of blood donated has the
potential to save three lives. With the
FFA Education Day
Photo spread
by Allie Norfleet
Pg. 18 Tigertalk
need for blood growing every day, I encourage everyone who is able to help
save a life by donating during the next
blood drive in February.”
Twenty Questions with Mr. Newman
By KARLA LANDEROS
Tigertalk Staff Writer
In each issue, Tiger Talk will feature a story on a staff or faculty member. This issue
highlights Marty Newman, who teaches
sophomore English and also coaches the
color guard/winter guard.
1. What collage did you go to?
University of Texas at Arlington and Texas
A&M University Commerce
2. What did you major in?
I majored in English with a minor in Instrumental Music and Accounting.
3. How long have you taught at MPHS?
Going on 17 years.
4. How have the years at the school treated you?
Like any job there have been good years
and bad years, but I must say there have
been more good than bad.
5. What is the name of your spouse and
children? How old are the children?
I have been married for 11 years to Rhonda Newman and we have two children:
Zoe-8 and Zac-4
6. If you had a day to teach whatever you
wanted, what would you teach and why?
I don’t know because I pretty much teach
what I like…
7. What is your favorite book and why?
I have several favorite books. In Cold
Blood By Truman Capote (because it’s such
a unique novel- I always wonder how much
of it is fiction), The Odyssey (Gotta love the
Odyssey and his journey), and the Witches
of Eastwick.
8. How long do you hope to teach?
I don’t know.
9. Do you students remind you of your
children?
Sometimes.
10. What’s been the craziest thing that a
student has done in your class?
Nothing really stands out in my mind. Every day is crazy.
11. Have you always liked English?
NO! I despised it in High School.
12. What kind of student were you in
high school?
Lazy and Average.
13. How do you feel about being Teacher
of the Year (2013-14)?
It was an honor to be chosen amongst so
many great teachers.
14.What do you like best about Color
Guard/Winter Guard?
Watching the kids perform and creating
routines.
15. Has teaching always been your goal/
dream?
No. I wanted to be CPA when I left high
school.
16. Have you always lived in Texas?
Yes.
17. What other activities besides teaching do you do?
Not much! Teaching is exhausting.
18. Is it difficult to balance everything
you do for school and home?
YES!!! I sometimes feel I’m not home
enough. I try to take my wife and kids on
all our contest trips and such.
19. What do you plan to do after you retire?
Travel all over the U.S.
20. If you had the chance to plan your final meal, what would it include?
Hot dogs and cheesecake.
Football
Sweethearts
Pictured from left are Freshman Sweetheart Briceth Alcala,
Junior Varsity Sweetheart Taylor
Craig and Varsity Sweetheart
Labrisha Hargrave.
Tigertalk Pg. 19
Tiger Roar
What is the first thing that comes to mind
when you hear “Built Tiger Tough?”
Tiger Roar page by Tigertalk Co-Editor Kenzie Messer
“Coming together to be
“To push yourself to do
better than ever.”
good.”
-- Destinie Myers, 11
-- Casey Cutler, 10
“More energy in the pep
“To work hard and be a
rally.”
leader.”
--- Valerie Medina, 9
--- Connor Gage, 10
“Mighty Tigers.”
“Coach Homer.”
-- Alyson Cortez, 11
-- Kerry Harper, 11
“Won’t be beat easily.”
--- Abbeh Sims, 10
“Tough, strong,” --- Bobby Morgan, 12
“Strong, independent.” --- Shaundalyn Minter, 12
“For sports to get better.”
“Strong team.”
-- Ariana Garrett, 9
-- Maria Oieda, 12
Pg. 20 Tigertalk
“Desire to go far.”
--- Luis Ramirez, 11