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VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 1

NOVEMBER 14, 2014

W i n t e r s H i g h S c h o o l

The Gale

For years the

Winters Exes Associ-

ation has selected a

Coming Home Queen

to be honored in half

time ceremonies dur-

ing the Homecoming

football game. How-

ever, there has never

been a Coming Home

King recognized in

the school’s history, until

this year.

Charles Bahlman, a

WHS graduate from the

class of 1964, has been an

active community mem-

ber, serving on the Win-

ters Area Business and

Industrial Corporation

Board of Directors, Lions

Club, Chamber of Com-

merce Board of Directors,

Appraisal District Board

and Texas Midwest Com-

munity Network. He was

escorted by his son Chris

Bahlman, a WHS 1989

graduate, and his oldest

granddaughter Christa

Bahlman, a senior at Win-

ters High School.

This was a particular-

ly interesting experience

because not only was Mr.

Bahlman the first Coming

Home King, but the date

of the Winters’ Blizzard

Highlights ...

WHS Homecoming Court, pg. 14

National Honor Society, pg. 5

Cheerleaders & UIL, pg. 7

New Teachers, pg. 11

Courtesy Corps, pg. 8

Color Guard & Band, pgs. 8-9

Blizzard Mascot, pg. 14

WHS exes crown first-ever Coming Home King

Inside this issue:

WHS Distinguished Alumni 3

Class Officers 4

Sports Highlights 6

WINTERS beats Ballinger 7

FFA & 4-H 9

Wheels of the Week 10

OAP & Theatre Arts 12

VOLUME 1 , ISSUE 1 NOVEMBER 14, 2014

See HOMECOMING COURT, pg. 14

2014 Winters High School

Homecoming Queen Ashley Guy

& Homecoming King Ty Cortez.

(photo by JT Photography)

2014 Winters Coming Home King Charles Bahlman

escorted by his son Chris Bahlman (WHS ’89) and

granddaughter, senior Christa Bahlman. (photo by JT Photography)

WHS Homecoming Royalty—

by Christa Bahlman

2014 District 6-2A Football Champions

See pg. 6, more play-off news next issue of The Gale...

See KING, pg. 12

Page 2 Volume 1, Issue 1

summer, she commuted

back and forth from Win-

ters to Houston for treat-

ments at MD Anderson all

summer long. With the

treatment, gas, and food

costs, her family accumu-

lated significant bills. In honor

of the elementary teacher,

Fran Kidwell organized a ben-

efit luncheon, which was held

in the school cafeteria.

On October 26, 2014 a

benefit was held in honor

of Karen Mills who fell

ill with cancer of the

tongue, throat, and lymph

nodes at the end of last

school year. During the

Spaghetti luncheon raises money for Karen Mills

Counselor plus... wisd.org High School Counselor’s Corner

Resources

*ACT website: http://www.actstudent.org - always sign up for the ACT plus writing portion to this assessment

*SAT website: http://www.collegeboard.org - no subject tests - SAT assessment only

*Apply Texas website:

http://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX

*Resource for applying to colleges:

College Application Checklist & Cappex.com

*Resource for applying to colleges: go to Zinch.com/webinar

*Resource for applying to colleges: TexasCollegeandCareer.org

*College Search: www.cappex.com

*http://www.collegeforalltexans.com

Scholarships

*College Scholarship opportunities per college: www.cappex.com

Templeton Press is sponsoring an essay contest. There are no special requirements - http://lawsoflifecontest.com

http://lawsoflifecontest.com/ - Templeton Press is offering scholarship from $1000 to $5000 for a response to a quote

either in written or video form.

San Angelo Area Foundation Scholarship- www.saafound.org

The American Legion Scholarship and Financial aid information- www.legion.org/needalift

www.scholarships4students.com/all-ink_com_college_scholarship_program.html- scholarship database

www.free-4u.com - scholarship database

www.cksf.org - awards scholarships to student through internet-based quiz competitions. No essay writing/long applica-

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

The following students have been accepted into college:

Jennifer Rios:Hardin-Simmons University,

Lubbock and Abilene Christian Universities

Ethan Bredemeyer: Texas A&M

Jordan Hamrick:Texas A&M

Lukas Kraatz: Texas Tech University

Jake Brock: Texas Tech University

Gabby Reyes: Angelo State University

Rudy Lara: Angelo State University

Elisabeth Wenzel: Angelo State University

Athena Mata: South Plains College

& Houston Community College

Sierra Ellis: University of Colorado

Kimble Bridgeman: University of Kentucky,

Texas State University

….I wish I would've known

that Junior year was the hardest

year of high school. It's when

everyone starts going their own

ways in school, college courses

start up, you start thinking

about college, NHS, and life…

….I wish I would've known to

ask questions…it's totally ac-

ceptable. Chances are some-

body else has the exact same

question. There are NO stupid

questions.

….I wish I would've known

that hard work really does pay

off.

DATES-TO-REMEMBER

November 14-End of 2nd Six Weeks

November 17-EARLY RELEASE

FFA- District LDE (Cisco)

Start of 3rd Six Weeks

November 22- FFA- Area LDE

November 26-28 THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY

December 1- EOC- ELAR 1- Retake

FFA- Big Country District Banquet (Eula HS)

December 2- EOC- Algebra 1 & History Retake

December 3-EOC-ELAR 2 Retake

December 4– EARLY RELEASE E/JH UIL Meet

December 5– ALL Make-Up EOC Retakes

December 9- FFA Meetings

December 13 & 14-NHS Retreat

December 19-End of 3rd Six Weeks/Semester

Hints ‘n tips from

SENIOR Lips

Q...When is the best time to do

laundry at college?

A...The weekends or late at

night are a good time to do

laundry. But most college stu-

dents have found it's better to do

laundry on Sunday afternoons.

There are washers and dryers in

the residence halls. Or, you

might find another student who

would do other student’s laun-

dry as a side job, for a fee.

Q...How many classes do I

take, per semester, my fresh-

man year of college?

A...To be considered a full-time

student, you must take a mini-

mum of 12 hours or more.

However, you might want to

take 15 hours just in case you

decide to drop a class.

You must understand that if

you take a minimum of 12

hours and you have to drop a

class…you won't be considered

a full time student. This would

affect your financial aid status,

so consider that when you sign

up for classes.

LIFE...IT HAPPENS! by Ashley Guy

by K’Lee Lindley

Graduation

Countdown

196 days

See MILLS, pg. 12

updated by Jennifer Rios

Page 3

Student Council is a student leader-

ship organization which governs the

Winters High School student body.

The organization helps promote school

spirit and pride, assists with fundrais-

ers and offer students the opportunity

to be involved in the community.

"Student council is a great organiza-

tion to be in-

volved with, es-

pecially if you

want to partici-

pate in communi-

ty service. I en-

courage people to

join,” said WHS

President Maggy

Mendoza. Other

officers include:

Vice-President

Gabby Reyes,

Secretary Nina

Mooney, Treas-

urer Brooklyn Gallaway, Historian

Shelby Stokes, and Parliamentarian

Justine Garcia.

Student council has already had a

busy year , organizing several events in

the first three months. WHS StuCo

started off the first week of school with

the Golden Game held August 28 at

Ram Stadium in San Angleo. Partner-

ing with Christoval High School that

night, over $900 was raised for child-

hood cancer research. On September 5

WHS collected money to be donated to

the Taylor Bowman and Ashley Virden

scholarship funds for Ballinger High

School.

At every home Friday night football

game student council members sell

football programs, and on Friday

mornings, sell cheekers. That money

was used to reward elementary stu-

dents with prizes for the best poster

contest during Red Ribbon Week.

WHS StuCo initiates several service projects to start school year by Brooklyn Gallaway

See STUCO, pg. 4

Winters ISD and the Winters

Alumni Association created an

award honoring two worthy WHS

Alumni, in 2013. The purpose of the

award is to recognize and honor for-

mer outstanding WHS graduates for

their contributions and achieve-

ments. During 2014 WHS Home-

coming festivities, WISD honored

Dr. Melba F. Lewis and JoRay De

La Cruz.

Dr. Melba F. Lewis grew up in

the Drasco community just outside

of Winters. She is now an otolaryn-

gologist (ear, nose and throat sur-

geon) in Austin, Texas. She’s been

listed as one of Austin Magazine’s

Top Doctors of 2013.

Graduating from Winters High

School in 1969. Lewis attended Rice

University, where she studied Eng-

lish literature and biology until grad-

uating in 1973. While continuing to

work in the clinical and research

labs of the Texas Medical Center

and Baylor College of Medicine, she

studied cell and molecular biology

at the University of Texas Graduate

School of Biomedical Sciences.

There she published and presented

papers in the areas of molecular bi-

ology, virology, and cancer, in re-

search journals and at national meet-

ings.

Lewis went to dental school at

Case Western Reserve University in

Cleveland, OH and returned to Tex-

as where she attended medical

school at Texas A&M College of

Medicine in Temple, Texas. In

Distinguished alumni honored at 2014

Winters HS Homecoming ceremonies by Karl Fink

2014 Winters HS Distinguished Alumni

are JoRay De La Cruz and Dr. Melba

Lewis. (photo by JT Photography)

See ALUMNI, pg. 12

The Gale is brought to you by the Sophomore & Senior GT/H English classes and the WHS Glacier Staff.

Raquel Nunez, Vicki Madrid & J.T. Ortiz (photo by Victoria Sanchez)

Page 4 Volume 1, Issue 1

WHS students elect 2014-15 class officers

Red Ribbon Week is a national

campaign for drug prevention educa-

tion, and was celebrated October 27-

31. In addition to the elementary color-

ing contest, the school was decorated

with red balloons and ribbons on all

three campuses and StuCo sponsored

spirit themes each day to facilitate

awareness.

The Hunger Games Food Drive

has started again this year and will

benefit the Winters Food Pantry, just

in time for the holidays. Two

"tributes" from each grade will be

selected through votes of canned or

non-perishable foods. Tributes will

steal each other's flags throughout

the contest, but classmates may sup-

port them by bringing even more

canned food to keep them alive.

StuCo sponsored a sign painting

contest between classes during

Homecoming and promoted school

spirit.

STUCO continued

by Desiree Wilson

FRESHMEN officers are Chris Diaz, Meagan

Jacob, Macey Gerhart and Joey Garcia.

SOPHOMORE CLASS officers are Kamri Soto,

Grace Bryan, Desiree Wilson and Brooklyn

Gallaway.

SENIOR CLASS officers are Kimble Bridgeman, Lukas

Kraatz, Rudy Lara and Maggy Mendoza.

(photos by Ashley Guy)

JUNIOR CLASS officers are Jonathan Sand-

oval, Brady Calcote, Magan Ballard and Sam-

uel Reyes.

This past six weeks,

the Winters ISD High

School classes each voted

for their class officers.

These officers consist of a

president, vice-president,

treasurer and a secretary.

Class officers are deter-

mined by voting of fellow

classmates on written bal-

lots.

The 2014-2015 fresh-

man class officers are

President Macey Gerhart,

Vice-President Chris Di-

az, Secretary Joey Garcia,

and Treasurer Meagan

Jacob. Sophomore class

officers are President

Grace Bryan, Vice-

President Desiree Wilson,

Secretary Kamri Soto, and

Treasurer Brooklyn Gall-

away.

Junior class officers

include President Jona-

than Sandoval, Vice-

President Magan Ballard,

Secretary Brady Calcote

and Treasurer Samuel

Reyes. Officers for the

senior class are President

Kimble Bridgeman, Vice-

President Lukas Kraatz,

Secretary Maggy Mendo-

za, and Treasurer Rudy

Lara.

Page 5 The Gale

The National Honor Society chapter at

Winters High School held their induction

ceremony on October 6, 2014 in the

WHS Auditorium. Five new members

were welcomed including: senior Elisa-

beth Wenzel and juniors Jonathan Sando-

val, Brady Calcote and Daniel Gerhart.

Junior Magan Ballard had been inducted

into NHS her freshman year in Ingram,

Texas and was welcomed to the Winters

NHS chapter on the day of their induc-

tion.

Officers for the 2014-15 school year

were installed by NHS Advisor Mandie

England. These officers include seniors:

President Lukas Kraatz, Vice-President

Kimble Bridgeman, Secretary Ethan

Bredemeyer, Treasurer Rudy Lara and

Retreat Chairperson Ashley Guy. Other

senior members include: Taylor Hooper,

Ty Cortez, Adreanna Lopez, Jennifer

Rios, Jordan Hamrick, and Christian

Tamez. There are now a total of 16

members in the Winters NHS chapter.

NHS has participated in the Fall Car-

nival that was held on November 1 with

three booths including a 3-point basket-

(a new, more advanced Lego Mind

storm kit.) Other than using the NXT

Mind storm programs, it is a lot more

confusing and advanced than in the

past.

The problem this year is called

“Food Frenzy,” and the robotics teams

have to move PVC pipes and waffle-

style balls, or practice golf balls. The

only issue with that is the waffle balls

cannot touch the game mat. The whole

point of “Food Frenzy” is to complete

the tasks on the challenge field. There

Each fall, Monte Angel, junior

high science teacher, seeks out mem-

bers for his robotics team. And with

new teams come new problems for

them to solve. Each robotics team

comes up with their own solution for

solving the problems to collect as

many points as possible within two

minutes.

It may seem really easy but, it is a

lot harder than expected, especially

with the new EV3 brains and program

are six major tasks that the teams

can perform. Not all the tasks have

to be performed, but they have to

follow the rules in order to gain

points.

The first competition was

Monday and was a successful prac-

tice contest for the high school

teams. Students were able to visit

with college students from Howard

College and participate in various

activities including flight simulation.

National Honor Society inducts new members, installs 2014-15 officers

ball shoot, washer throw, and a

Yeti fundraiser booth. The NHS

retreat is planned for the week-

end of December 13 at the Mil-

ler Ranch Retreat, located in the

northeast corner of Runnels

County. Any profit for NHS will

be used to pay for fabric for

Blankets for Blizzards and the

retreat.

Blankets for Blizzards is a

NHS tradition where members

make blankets which are later

donated to children in Winters

Elementary School. These blan-

kets are made by hand by NHS

members at the retreat. When

they aren’t busy making blan-

kets at the retreat members and

advisors partake in different ac-

tivities planned by the officers.

2014-15 NHS members are (back, L-R): Jordan Hamrick, Rudy Lara, Lukas Kraatz, Kimble

Bridgeman, Daniel Gerhart, Brady Calcote, Ethan Bredemeyer, Taylor Hooper, and Christian

Tamez, (front) Ty Cortez, Magan Ballard, Ashley Guy, Adreanna Lopez, Elisabeth Wenzel, Jen-

nifer Rios and Jonathan Sandoval. (photo by Victoria Sanchez)

by Lukas Kraatz

by Lizzy Ortiz

Winters will play the winner of

the Bi-District showdown

between Baird & Munday

this Friday night.

The Blizzards are scheduled

to play Friday evening,

Nov. 21 at 7:30 PM

Food Frenzy is theme for Robotics competition

FOOTBALL PLAY-OFFS

Page 6 Volume 1, Issue 1

Every two years, the University Interscholastic League

(UIL) realigns all public schools in Texas for academic and

athletic competitions. This year is unique in that the UIL

has added conference “6A” and has renamed the “six-man”

conference to class “1A.” These additions have made al-

most every school change classification.

Winters, with 149 students enrolled in high school, has

moved from 1A to 2A. In football, Winters changed from

Division 1 to Division 2. The new football district for the

Blizzards consists of Bronte, Menard, Miles, Roby, and

Roscoe Collegiate. The new basketball, cross country,

One Act Play, track, tennis and academic spring contest

districts will consist of Albany, Anson, Hamlin, Haskell,

Hawley, Roscoe Collegiate, and Stamford. In baseball,

the Blizzards will compete against Cross Plains,

Goldthwaite, May, Miles, San Saba, and Sidney for the

District glove. Softball will see new faces as they play

Hermeleigh, Loraine, Roby, Rotan, and Trent. These

new realignment districts will be for the 2014-2015 and

2015-2016 seasons.

opener. The Blizzards went on to

defeat Roscoe 32-15. Going into the

third district game 2-0, Winters felt

the momentum and proved it by

beating Bronte, 46-13. On Senior

Night, the Blizzards tallied their

fourth district win, defeating Miles,

48-20.

The district cross-country meet

was held on October 21, 2014 in

Hamlin. The cross-country team

placed as follows: Kimble Bridgeman-

22nd; Athena Mata-27th; Lisette Caril-

lo-28th; Baily Knight-32nd; Brenna

Knight-42nd; K’Lee Lindley-46th and

Brooklynn Anderson-48th.

The Lady Blizzards opened their

basketball season last Saturday with a

scrimmage at Irion County and a game

against Roby on Tuesday. The com-

plete basketball schedule can be found

on the Winters ISD website.

The Winters Blizzard football

team captured a district champion-

ship with a 41-7 win over Menard

last Friday. The district champs have

earned a bye in week one of the play-

offs.

The Blizzards finished the 2014

preseason with a 4-1 record prior to a

good district run. Winters defeated

the Roby Lions 47-0 in the district

Sports-at-a-Glance...

WHS realigned by UIL, now 2A school by Ethan Bredemeyer

by Jordan Hamrick

Blizzards named District football champs; WHS runners finish with district meet

The Blizzards take the field with Texas pride. (photo by JT Photography)

Blizzard cross-country runners (l-r) Lisette Carillo,

Brooklynn Anderson, Athena Mata and Kimble Bridge-

man. (photo by Meredith Caffey)

WHS realigned by UIL, now 2A school

Page 7 The Gale

Based on new

UIL standards, cheer-

leading is a high school

sport. Time constraints

for this sport are now

being monitored with

rules sanctioned by the

University Interscho-

lastic League.

As of June 10,

2014, the UIL voted to

approve a one year

pilot program for a

"Game Day Cheer"

competition.

Most impactful for

the WHS cheerleaders

and Winters communi-

ty is that practices are

now limited to eight

hours per week and the

squad can participate

in only two events

from Monday morning

to the end of school on

Fridays. Starting in the

2015-2016 school year, game day cheer-

ing will be a sporting event just like other

middle and

high

school ath-

letic sports and will include state champi-

onship competition.

“The move to UIL for the cheerleaders,

will take some getting use to by us and the

Cheerleaders now governed by UIL

Runnels County

Rivalry—

43 years…

First time since

1971, Winters

Blizzards defeat

the Ballinger

Bearcats.

by Christy Kruse

Jake Brock and Julian Soto take down the Bearcat

running back in the Runnels County Rivalry. (photos by JT Photography)

The scoreboard speaks for itself;

BLIZZARDS WIN over Ballinger.

Cheerleaders are (l-r) Brenna Knight, Brenna Edwards, Brooklyn Gallaway, Jessica Roman, Ashley Guy,

PINK OUT T-shirt fundraiser recipient Karen Mills, Gabby Reyes, mascot Baily Knight, Bailee Busher,

Christy Kruse and K’Lee Lindley. (photo by Magan Ballard)

community,” said WHS cheerleader sponsor

Beth Wortham. “We are limited on hours and

events during the

week. We may not

be able to partici-

pate in some of the events we have been in-

volved in, in the past. Now we will have to

choose wisely to make sure we represent the

school and community in various activities.”

Winters beats Ballinger, 27-7

“We are limited on hours and events during the week.”

Page 8 Volume 1, Issue 1

The color guard is not only a visu-

al addition to the Pride of West Tex-

as Marching Band; it is a challenging

extra-curricular activity. The Winters

Blizzard Band’s color guard twirl

flags and sabers and incorporate

dancing, to add dimension to the mu-

sic played by the marching band.

The WHS color guard is com-

prised of eight girls who had to try-

out for the positions. Prior to try-

outs, the color guard had to learn the

basics of flag work and then put that

knowledge to use to learn a routine.

Following try-outs summer band be-

gan in early August for the 2014-

2015 school year, consisting of a

week of two 4-hour practices each

day.

During this time, the color guard

learned three routines to

accompany the band’s

performance of Why Can’t

We Be Friends, He Ain't

Heavy He's My Brother,

and Leaving on a Jet

Plane. Each day since

summer band, the color

guard has practiced with

the Blizzard Band in addi-

tion to Tuesday night

practices.

On Saturday, October

4, 2014 the hard work of

every color guard member

was evident on the field at

the San Angelo Marching Festival.

They were awarded the Best 2A

Auxiliary in competition. Since

then, the color guard has performed

at UIL Marching Contest in Early,

pep rallies and at halftime of every

football game.

This year’s color guard includes:

Adreanna Lopez, Nina Mooney, Alexis

Walker, Lizzy Ortiz, Marissa Gray, Chel-

sea Gray, Michaela Rodriguez and Elisa-

beth Wenzel.

Color Guard earns Best 2A Auxiliary

at San Angelo Marching Festival

the Courtesy Corps holds the doors

open because it benefits all citizens

who show up to pep rallies and are

being surrounded by students.”

Fellow parent and frequent pep

rally attendee, Aracely Jimenez,

says, “The students opening the

doors is very beneficial because it

makes entering the pep rally much

more organized and it is nice because

they show other citizens where to

sit.”

A subgroup of the Courtesy

Corps, called The Big Blue Flag

Crew, has begun carrying the colos-

sal WHS flags purchased by the

Winters Athletic Booster Club.

Corps founder Cheryl Kruse has

The Winters High School Cour-

tesy Corps is an organization that

was created to increase student in-

volvement, particularly with stu-

dents who might not otherwise par-

ticipate in extra-curriculars.

Membership into the Courtesy

Corp is open to any student who

possesses the values the Corps was

founded on. The group’s main focus

is to create a welcoming environ-

ment at Winters ISD through being

helpful, friendly, and courteous.

The Corps is seen during pep rallies

as they help guide and greet people

as they enter and exit the Special

Events Center.

Wendy Cortez, a WHS faculty

member said, “It is very nice when

by Elisabeth Wenzel

by Christian Tamez

Courtesy Corps a welcome student investment at Winters ISD

See CORPS, pg. 13

Big Blue Flag Crew members

David Torres, Kamri Soto and

Brady Calcote. (photo by JT Photography)

The Winters High School Band has

been practicing since a week before the

start of the school year, during band

class and Tuesday evenings. On October

18, 2014 the Blizzard Band performed

in Early for District UIL Marching Band

competition.

Though the group earned an overall

II rating, Phillip Mooney, WHS Band

Director spoke highly of the band.

“They worked very hard to prepare their

show and did an excellent job at the

competition. Seeing how diligently our

Page 9 The Gale

Future Farmers of America (FFA)

and 4-H are Americas largest youth or-

ganizations and offer students a number

of leadership, service and skills building

opportunities year-round. Both Winters

programs are open to all ages and are

active at the community, county and

state levels.

These organizations offer numerous

competitions and events in addition to

community service and involvement.

Livestock exhibition, judging competi-

tions, leadership events, photography,

public speaking events, food challenges,

and much more are offered. There’s

likely to be an opportunity for nearly

every student interest between the two

organizations.

Winters was the first FFA chapter in

Texas is proud to hold the oldest FFA

charter in the state. The WHS program

is led by Agricultural Science Teacher

Shelby Miller. The 2014-15 WHS FFA

officers are: Ethan Bredemeyer, Presi-

dent; Macey Gerhart, Vice-President,;

Brendan Mikeska, Secretary; Sam

Woodall, Treasurer; Bailee Busher, Sen-

tinel; Brenna Edwards, Reporter;

Ashley Guy, Parliamentarian; Scott

Lange, Historian; and Baily Knight,

Chaplain.

The local FFA program has quali-

fied for the state competition for the

past four years in livestock judging

and also qualified for state competi-

tion in entomology judging last year.

On October 25, Winters FFA mem-

bers competed at the Texas State

University Leadership Development

Event Contest in San Marcos. Jace

Young was seventh in Junior Creed

speaking while Sonya Vasquez fin-

ished 13th. Brooklyn Gallaway

placed 10th in Senior Creed speak-

ing and Gwendalynn Walker was

12th. Karl Fink, Jace Young and

Efren Rodriguez placed ninth in Ra-

dio Broadcasting.

On November 4 the teams com-

peted at Tarleton State University

who hosted over 1,800 FFA mem-

bers on campus. Sonya Vasquez was

10th in Junior Creed Speaking while

Jace Young followed in 14th.

Brooklyn Gallaway placed ninth in

Senior Creed Speaking and Gwen-

dalynn Walker finished in 18th place.

Ethan Bredemeyer, Karl Fink and

Jace Young placed ninth in Radio

Broadcasting.

4-H is coordinated by Extension

Agents and local volunteers. Officers

for the Winters 4-H Club are: Presi-

dent, Sam Woodall; Vice-President,

Macey Gerhart; First Treasurer,

Ethan Bredemeyer; Second Treasur-

er, Brooklynn Anderson; Secretary,

Seth Gerhart; and Historian Megan

Tarr.

The Runnels County 4-H group

has earned prestigious honors this

past year. The Leaders For Life

Team, which is a parliamentary pro-

cedure team, won state and will be

competing at Nationals in Denver.

WHS senior Ethan Bredemeyer is a

member of the county team which

travels to Colorado in January.

Future Farmers of America & 4-H—

Pride of West Texas entertains with marching precision

Leadership opportunities available to Winters

youth through national Ag based organizations by Sam Woodall

by Sean Mooney

See BAND, pg. 13 The Pride of West Texas, Marching Blizzard Band performs at the San An-

gelo Marching Festival in October. (photo by Mandy Mostad)

See FFA & 4-H, pg. 12

Page 10 Volume 1, Issue 1

The Bluff Creek Cow-

boy Church has organized

their first Youth Ranch Ro-

deo Team composed of six

Winters ISD students. The

team will compete against

other churches to win buck-

les for the best time in sort-

ing, team penning, mugging

and branding events.

There are four age divi-

sions that compete at the

Bluff Creek Cowboy

Church Youth Ranch Ro-

deo including six & under,

10 & under, a junior divi-

sion, and 18 & under.

Those participating in the

youth ranch rodeo from

Winters ISD are freshmen

Jace Young, Brenna

Knight, Baily Knight and

Efren Rodriguez, junior

high students Taylor Gray

and Colton King and ele-

mentary student Emmitt

Rodriguez.

Bluff Creek youth organize ranch rodeo team

Winters High School Wheels of the Week by Rudy Lara

OWNED & OPERATED by BRADY CALCOTE Q...What kind of vehicle do you have? A...2005 Chevrolet 6.6L Duramax 2500

Q...Where did you get your truck? A…Lawrence Hall, Abilene, TX

Q...The most memorable moment in your truck is...? A...When I first had my sound system installed.

Q…How much would you sell your truck for? A...I wouldn’t sell it.

Q...What are your future plans for your truck? A...My future plans would include getting a Banks Big Hoss power bundle installed.

Q...If you could change one thing about your “wheels” what would it be? A...If I could change one thing, I would change the rear view mirrors.

WHS Wheels of the Week owned by Brady Calcote

2005 Chevrolet 6.6L Duramax 2500

by Efren Rodriguez

(top left)

Jace Young

(top right)

Efren Rodriguez

(bottom)

Baily Knight,

Jace Young

& Brenna Knight

Page 11 The Gale

The 2014-2015 Winters ISD teach-

ing staff is mixed with a lot of new

faces. From the elementary building

to high school, overall there are a total

of 25 new teachers in the school dis-

trict. It gives WISD great pleasure to

welcome so many new staff to be-

come a part of the Blizzard tradition.

HIGH SCHOOL

Valton Acree teaches freshman

English and English Honors as well as

Speech, In addition, he’s the head

boys basketball coach, assistant foot-

ball coach, head tennis coach, and

assistant track coach. Coach Acree

said, "I like it here a lot. It's a nice,

quiet town." This is his 18th year

teaching. He’s taught at several other

schools including Butler High School,

in Augusta, GA, Sevier County High

School, in Sevierville, TN, and in

Texas at Comstock High School,

Muleshoe and Springlake-Earth. He

said his favorite thing about WHS is,

"the kids....every school has its knuck-

le heads...but the vast majority of kids

here are AWESOME!"

Kristen Cowling teaches Special

Education, coaches cross-country, JV

basketball and softball. This is Ms.

Cowling's second year of teaching and

she attended Texas Tech University.

Ms. Cowling said, "I always knew I

had the heart to do something with

special needs children, so being in a

school was the perfect job."

Krystina Hunt teaches Account-

ing, Business Law, Career Prep, and

Money Matters. This is Ms. Hunt's

first official year teaching. She spent

some time as a student teacher before

instructing Career Prep, Math Models,

BIM and Dollars and Sense. Ms. Hunt

went to Angelo State University to

earn a Bachelor degree in Business

Management and Hardin-Simmons

University to earn her teaching certifi-

cate. She said, "I'm a firm believer

that people should feel comfortable

and at home wherever they are. When

I got to Winters for my job interview, I

had that feeling; I knew that this was

where I wanted to work."

Shelby Miller teaches a Welding/

Shop course, Livestock Production,

Horticulture, Advanced Animal Sci-

ence and Principles of Agriculture.

This is also Mrs. Miller's first year of

official teaching. She was a student

teacher at East Central, a 5A high

school in San Antonio, where she

taught Floral Design, Principles of Ag-

riculture, Food Tech and Woodwork-

ing. She graduated from Tarleton State

University and said, "They were

known for their great Ag Ed program.

While other schools graduated five to

15 Ag teachers, I graduated with a

whopping 30 Ag teachers!" When

asked what her favorite thing is about

WISD, she replied, "I think there are

too many things, I can't choose just

one. The faculty is great to work with,

the administration is so supportive of

the Ag program and getting the chance

to know my kids and their parents is

not something teachers in every dis-

trict have the opportunity to do."

Joshua Smith teaches IPC and

monitors dual credit courses. This is

Mr. Smith's first year teaching. He was

a student teacher at Glenn Middle

School where he taught sixth grade

science. He attended Angelo State

University. He teaches science because

he finds it interesting. "Science is dy-

namic and is always changing, that is

less true for most other subjects,” he

said.

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Matt Awalt teaches sixth and sev-

enth grade English Language Arts and

sixth grade Reading. Mr. Awalt earned

a BA in Creative Writing from the

University of North Texas. He is com-

pleting his certification while teaching

through the PACT program affiliated

with Tarleton State University. Fun

trivia to know...he is the grandson of

Jerry and Leslie Awalt, who have been

teachers at WISD for many years.

Maxx Hill teaches sixth and eighth

grade Math. Coach Hill graduated from

Tarleton State University and this is his

first year to teach. "I really just enjoy

the whole aspect of teaching and

coaching, and helping people im-

prove,” he said. Coach Hill really

wanted to become a Blizzard to get the

chance to work with WHS Athletic

Director Coach Stan Caffey.

Chad McDuffee teaches eighth

grade science, health and seventh and

eighth grade ARI. He is also assistant

football, track and field, and off –

season coach. This is Coach

McDuffee's first year as a teacher of

record and his second overall. He took

college online at the American Military

University. He spent last year as a long

term substitute in Ballinger. Coach

McDuffee said he liked Winters better

than he would have ever thought in the

beginning. He said, "I have taken to

being called a traitor as a source of

pride. I feel like this is a good fit for

me and I think I look GREAT in blue!”

Brent Rider teaches sixth and sev-

enth grade Social Studies and sixth

grade PE. He is also the defensive co-

ordinator for varsity football, assistant

varsity basketball coach, head golf

coach and head track coach. Coach

Rider received a degree in Exercise &

Sports Science along with his teaching

certificate from Texas State University.

He taught sixth and seventh grade So-

cial Studies and coached high school

football, basketball, tennis and track at

Springlake-Earth ISD. This is his

fourth year of teaching.

Winters Secondary welcomes several new teachers by Kamri Soto

CONGRATULATIONS

BLIZZARDS!

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS!!

GOOD LUCK in the PLAY-OFFS!

MILLS continued

Bredemeyer was also a member of the Livestock Judging

Team which placed sixth at state this past year. In recent

district 4-H competition, freshman Macey Gerhart competed

on the Runnels County Nutrition Quiz Bowl Team which

placed fourth, and is alternate to state competition.

Both the FFA and 4-H award millions of dollars in schol-arships to hundreds of students every year. Each organiza-

tion is actively seeking members. Check with fellow stu-

dents and local officers to find out how you can join .

year and three plays will advance from district competi-

tion instead of only two.

Both the theatre arts and One Act Play troupe traveled

to San Angelo on October 3 to watch Angelo Civic Thea-

ter’s production of Dearly Departed. Students took this

opportunity to see the play live and critique the perfor-

mance. Students were able to see a different group’s in-

terpretation of the play and were introduced to a theatrical

production with set design and music used in ACT’s pro-

duction.

While the theatre class is not actually performing

Dearly Departed, they are compiling a music log, work-

ing on set design and creating a prop list for One Act

Play’s production. The class is also working on costum-

ing, lights, and sound. They’ve also studied the origin and

history of theater, theatrical vocabulary, and practiced

improvisational acting through charades and Guesstures,

to become comfortable acting in front of others. Mrs.

Pritchard hopes to attend another live production with the

class in December.

It’s curtain call for Winters High School thespian stu-

dents, as theatre arts class is back in the curriculum and One

Act Play is starting up three months earlier than usual.

One Act Play will perform Dearly Departed, a comedy

by David Bottrell and Jessie Jones, about a dysfunctional

family’s struggle to put aside their problems long enough to

bury the patriarch of the family. Mrs. Pritchard plans to cast

all parts by Thanksgiving and hopes to be on stage for prac-

tice as early as late December. Students are to have their

lines memorized by the start of January, preparing for full

stage practice as soon as students are back from Christmas

break.

Winters is in a new UIL district this year and Pritchard is

looking forward to the move. “We have been in a district for

the past six years where regional and state contenders have

advanced from our zone,” said Pritchard. “It’s been great

competition, but some really good schools (Winters includ-

ed) have been left at home simply due to the depth of talent

in our zone.

“We look forward to heading back northeast for a change of

scenery.” In addition, some UIL rules have changed this

Winters HS Thespians gearing up for UIL

spring performance of Dearly Departed by Grace Bryan

Homecoming Game, just so happened to fall on the date

of the class of 1964’s 50th school reunion.

Mr. Bahlman said “It was an honor to represent the

class of 1964, just as much so, as it was to be the first

ever Coming Home King in the history of the Winters

Blizzards’ Coming Home tradition.”

1999, she opened her own practice, while also participating

in Austin Smiles, a group that administers surgery and an-

esthesia in third world countries.

JoRay De La Cruz, son of Jose and Nadine De La Cruz,

graduated from Winters High School in 1974. After gradu-

ation, JoRay attended Sul Ross State University and later

transferred to Southwest Texas (now Texas State) and then

to The University of Texas School of Allied Health Scienc-

es in Houston.

He graduated from The University of Texas with a

Bachelor of Science in Nursing with an anesthesia empha-

sis and did his residency in Pittsburgh Westmorland

/Latrobe School of Anesthesia, where he graduated and

successfully took the national anesthesia board exams.

From 1985-2001, he was also associated with Austin

Smiles. He is a veteran from the United States Army Re-

serves, where he became 1st lieutenant. His greatest accom-

plishments are his children who are all currently in college.

The fundraiser took donations for a plate, which con-

sisted of spaghetti, green beans, salad, garlic bread, de-

sert and your choice of tea or water. There were 75 auc-

tion items. The auction, along with the benefit, brought

in $6,400. The benefit served 300 people; the auction

had almost as many bidders.

Fran Kidwell was very pleased with all the members

of the community that came out to support Karen by ei-

ther serving, or eating at the benefit. Mrs.Kidwell says,

“A huge thank you to all the kids that worked and the

cafeteria ladies that helped out, as well as everyone else,

they really went above and beyond and we couldn’t do it

without them.”

FFA & 4-H continued

KING continued

ALUMNI continued

Page 12 Volume 1, Issue 1

students have practiced and how our seniors leave great im-

pressions on our newest players, I believe our band will al-

ways be one of the best in the state.”

This is a non-advancing year for the band but they still

competed diligently to bring together an entertaining perfor-

mance. The have performed at pep rallies and high school

football halftimes, captivating crowds with their marching

presentations.

This band has “done their school and community proud”

by representing this small West Texas town with spirit and

talent.

BLIZZARD PRIDE...Let it show! BAND, continued

CORPS, continued

received tremendous support regarding the Big Blue Flag

Crew. “I have had many compliments regarding how they

look and how they inspire the crowd to be more spirited.”

In addition, the Corps participated in the Veteran’s Day

Celebration by escorting guests to their seats and to and from

their cars. Prior to the ceremony the Corps helped serve

breakfast to Winters’ veterans. Kruse hopes the organization

will become more involved in future events.

The Courtesy Corps was patterned after a group Mrs.

Kruse had seen called the FFA (Future Farmers of America)

Courtesy Corps. Kruse says, "I created the Courtesy Corps at

Winters High School to assist others and because I enjoy

making people feel welcome to school events."

The Gale Page 13

Hunting is big business and vi-

tal to the economy of Runnels

County. Several Winters High

School students enjoy the sport of

hunting as a favorite pastime.

Whether a shoot-

ing sport or by

bow, fall and

winter hunting

seasons are upon

us. Turkey, deer

and quail are

now all in-

season.

All of the

planning and

setting of feeders,

trail cameras and the positioning of

deer blinds will hopefully pay off

for Winters ISD students. Though

the hunt to bag that one big buck

has begun, it is important to re-

member to follow the Texas State

Parks and Wildlife's regulations on

hunting.

The State of Texas requires all

hunters born on or after September

2, 1971, to successfully complete a

hunter education course. Check

with local law enforcement offi-

cials to find out where and how to

register for a course.

If you hunt by yourself be sure

to have your hunter’s safety educa-

tion course certification with you.

Make sure not to hunt illegally,

which is considered poaching.

Gamesmen may not hunt deer at

night and must possess a hunting

license.

Deer and turkey season are open

from November 1 – January 4. This

fall, Winters experienced one of

the best dove seasons in a decade.

A two week winter dove season opens from December 19-January

7. Quail season opened October 25

and runs through February 22.

contest among the students to find a

name; the winner would win $2.50.

There was a teacher named Myrtle Bar-

ber, who had a brother named Truett,

who was a student at Winters. They

were eating their sack lunches (since

there was not a cafe-

teria at that time)

and Myrtle said, “I

think it would be nice and sounds good

too, if we were the

Winters Blizzards!”

Truett jumped up

and ran to the office

to turn in the Bliz-

zard name. He won

the contest and the

$2.50.

The article was

written from the memory of Ray Young

who was there while the discussion took

place. Thanks to Myrtle and her broth-

er, Winters boasts one of the most

unique mascots in the state of Texas.

Through the years, alumni have con-

tinued the “winter” theme. The fight

song is sung to the tune of “Winter

Wonderland,” the yearbook is named

the Glacier, and the school newspaper

is The Gale.

by Nina Mooney

Aimee Green

Safety Education

course required

All youth hunters—

by Scott Lange

WHS Homecoming Court—

Ty Cortez, Maggy Mendoza, Taylor Hooper, Ashley Guy, Lukas Kraatz, Gabby Reyes,

Stephon Cleghorn, Nina Mooney & Rudy Lara (photo by JT Photography)

Mascots are the backbone for school

spirit. All across the country, schools

are associated with their namesake.

Whether you’re a student, teacher, ad-

ministrator or community member, we

all call ourselves the Winters Blizzards.

When you are at a pep

rally or football game

and the cheerleaders are

leading a yell like, “We

Are the Blizzards”, we

all join in...BUT do we

know how we became

the Blizzards?

I have been a Bliz-

zard since I was four-

years-old and I can re-

member asking my

mom, “why are we the

Blizzards?” She couldn’t

answer then and until recently, neither

could anyone else. That is, until WHS

alum and local businessman Randall

Conner, returned my email with an arti-

cle from an old issue of The Winters

Enterprise.

The article was titled “Blizzard

Name Chosen in 1924” and talks about

a time, 90 years ago, when Winters’

school athletic teams decided they need-

ed a name. It was decided to hold a

Blizzards—How did WHS name its mascot ?

Page 14 Volume 1, Issue 1