By Donnie A. Lucas

Albany students and staff will head back to the classroom next week, with teachers and staff reporting on Monday, Jan. 9 and students coming the following day on Tuesday, Jan. 10.

The regular bell schedule will ring for students on Tuesday, with the second bell ringing at 7:55 a.m. at Nancy Smith Elementary and 8:00 a.m. at the secondary campus.

The break started with an early-release day on Wednesday, Dec. 22.

Teachers are going back a day earlier for staff development and to plan for the new semester.

By Sam Waller

Moran ISD begins its spring semester Monday, Jan. 9 with a staff-development day before resuming classes Tuesday, Jan. 10.

In order to stay on its four-day week schedule, Moran will hold classes on Friday, Jan. 13. It is the only Friday class day scheduled for the spring semester.

The new semester also sees the start of the fourth six-week grading period. The period ends Thursday, Feb. 16.

Spring break is scheduled for the week of March 13-17. The final day of classes is Thursday, May 25, with graduation on Friday, May 26.

By Sam Waller

Moran’s Connor Hail added to his list of postseason honors last week when he was named an honorable mention selection on the Texas Six-Man Coaches Association All-State football team for Class 1A Division II as a punter.

Earlier last month, Hail was named first-team punter on the All-Region IV Division II team. He also earned first-team honors at running back and punter on the All-District 14-1A Division II team.

By Sam Waller

Rev. Stan Allcorn’s dedication to God has made him put retirement on hold.

Again.

Allcorn,  who served as senior pastor at Abilene’s Pioneer Drive Baptist Church for 22 years, takes over as interim pastor at Albany’s First Baptist Church this week. It is his second interim posting since he retired, following a two-year stint at a church in Tuscola.

Julia Bowman and Taylor Scott  were recognized by Midwestern State University Honor Rolls for the Fall 2022 semester.

Julia Bowman, majoring in Radiologic Technology, was named on the President’s Honor roll. This list includes students who complete 12 hours with no grade lower than A (4.0).

Taylor Scott, also majoring in Radiologic Technology, was listed on the Provost’s Honor Roll.

Students who complete 12 hours in one semester with a GPA of 3.75 to 3.99 and no grade lower than C are included on the Provost’s Honor Roll.

By Donnie A. Lucas

Seating is already limited for the first performance of a new concert series hosted by Albany Live at the Aztec Theater set for Saturday, Jan. 14.

Fewer than 50 general admission tickets are available for the Paul Cauthen concert on Saturday, Jan. 14 at $75 per seat. All reserved seating has been sold.

Concerts are planned for five out of the first six months of 2023, opening with a return performance by Cauthen, who performed in the first series last year.

By Sam Waller

Albany’s Kenzie Neve brought home an armful of awards from the Arizona National Livestock Show, held Dec. 27-31 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix.

Neve, an Albany High School sophomore, claimed the grand champion intermediate cattle showman prize for the second year in a row.

“There were something like 80 exhibitors in her division, so that was pretty fun,” Neve’s mother, Leslie, said.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lady Lions look to build on momentum gained from their holiday tournament as they resumed District 10-2A play with a win on Tuesday.

After going 2-2 and earning the top spot in the bronze bracket at the May tournament, played Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 27-29, the Lady Lions (8-11 overall, 1-3 district) started the 2023 portion of their schedule Tuesday, Jan. 3, with a close 38-37 win Hamlin. Details will be reported next week.

After an open date on Friday, Jan. 6, Albany resumes district play Tuesday, Jan. 10 at home against Stamford.

By Sam Waller

Three members of the Albany Lady Lions volleyball team were recognized for their efforts in 2022 by bigcountrypreps.com.

Middle blocker Kiana Roberson and setter Abi Hale were named reserves on the All-Big Country Preps third team, while senior outside hitter Ella Webb earned a spot on the website’s Max Effort team.

The Lady Lions posted a 24-8 record and a share of the District 6-2A championship before their season ended with a bi-district loss to Sonora.

By Sam Waller

The Albany Lions basketball team entered the 2023 portion of the schedule with a 3-2 record after getting the season off to a belated start because of the football team’s state-championship run.

The Lions tipped off their season with a 44-37 loss to Haskell on Tuesday, Dec. 20, just six days after the final football game, in the District 10-2A opener for both teams.