
WOCCISD Website
School Board
Pete Amy
Harry Barclay
Eric Mitchell
Mary Fontenot Hardin
Ricky Jacobs
Vince Bottley |
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The WO-S
Homecoming
King, DaJewel
Nelson, was
crowned at
the pep
rally on
Friday and
Homecoming
queen
Taheisha
Hudson was
crowned
during the
halftime
ceremonies
Friday
night. Other
court
members were
senior
princesses
Cayla Adams,
Khrysti
Apacanis,
Lindsey
Blanchard,
Chelsea
Dixon and
Bethani
Orebo.
Junior
duchesses
were Kayla
Brown and
Danyale,
Sophomore
duchesses
Sarah
Ragsdale and
Ashleigh
Kelly,
freshmen
duchesses
Channing
Doyle and
Raven
LeBlanc.
Sweethearts
were
Shonnalee
Jacobs-football,
Gabrielle
Saucier-drill
team,
Eleanor
Papillion-cheerleader
and
Katherine
Sargeant-band. |
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When
Charles Sias played for WOS he always left it all on the
field. Those of us who saw him play know that we feel
safer with Sias on our side as a sergeant in the Army.
He enlisted right after 9/11 and was trained as a 92Y
(Supply) by instructors in Fort Lee, VA. His first duty
station was Fort Hood, TX where he spent 15 month of his
tour deployed to Iraq. While in Fort Hood Charles was
very successful in his job and with only 4 years in
service he had already been promoted to the rank of
Sergeant. After he returned from Iraq he had a
permanent duty station change to Vicenza, Italy. After
arriving in Vicenza in 2005 SSG Sias soon deployed to
Afghanistan. Since being attached to 1/503rd Airborne
Unit SSG. he has been deployed to Afghanistan twice and
will deploy again sometime late this fall. Sias is
married to LaReesha Sterling Sias. Both graduated from
WOS in 1998. |
The
West Orange – Cove CISD
Education Foundation, Inc.
was presented with a check
in honor of Eva and Gerry
Bready at its First Annual
Meeting Monday, Sept. 28.
Doug Bready and Dr. Lois L.
Bready presented the check
to WOC Supt. Dr. O. Taylor
Collins along with a
letter. WO-C CISD
2009-2010 Education
Foundation Board of
Directors officers were also
elected at the meeting. They
are Pete Amy, President;
Jane Stephenson,
Vice-President; and Terese
McKee, Secretary. Additional
members of the WOCCISD
Education Foundation board
of directors are Doug
Bready, Lois Bready, Sam
Kittrell, Al Granger, Carl
Thibodeaux, Margaret Adams,
Stephen Lee. Initial
Education Foundation Board
of Directors who served from
July to September were: Jane
Stephenson, President; Sam
Kittrell, Vice-President;
and, Pete Amy,
Secretary/Treasurer. Ex
Officio members of the
Education Foundation are the
Superintendent of West
Orange – Cove CISD, Andrew
Hayes, and the WOCCISD
Public Information Officer.
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| The
West Orange – Stark High School cheerleaders are ready
to lead the cheers Friday at Dan R. Hooks Stadium as
they host Nederland in a game you can hear on KOGT. They
are: front Row, Captain, Hannah Mobley and Co-Captain
Alayna Jacobs; second row, Mascot, Paige Pollard,
Ortasia Wilkes, Eleanor Papillion, and Mascot, Perry
Thompson; third row, Cornica Thomas, Samone Green,
Danyale Thomas, Kayla Brown, Leigh Anne Dallas; and back
row, Crystal Haynes, Sarah Ragsdale, Ishaneka Gant,
Ashleigh Kelly, and Jada Semien. The cheerleader sponsor
is Willie Ann Taylor. She is assisted by Gwen
Kelly-Hall. |
West
Orange –
Cove
CISD has
submitted
an
appeal
of the
2009
state
accountability
ratings
issued
for the
District
and West
Orange-Stark
High
School
to the
Texas
Education
Agency.
Specifically,
West
Orange –
Cove is
appealing
the
grades
nine-12
completion
rates of
all
students,
African-American
and
economically
disadvantaged.
This is
the only
indicator
keeping
the
District
and West
Orange-Stark
High
School
from
achieving
a rating
of
Academically
Acceptable.
WO-C
Superintendent
Dr. O.
Taylor
Collins
said,
“The
Grades
9-12
completion
rate was
negatively
impacted
by the
enrollment
of
Hurricane
Katrina
evacuees
in
September,
2005,
and
their
subsequent
withdrawals
after
Hurricane
Rita hit
Orange,
TX, on
September
24,
2005.
These
students
were
homeless
and
living
in
shelters
at the
time of
the
mandatory
Orange
County
evacuation.
As
homeless
students
they
should
have all
been
coded as
economically
disadvantaged
but were
not.”
The
appeal
states
that had
documentation
of these
students
as 2008
graduates
been
included
in the
2008
cohort
group,
the
grades
9-12
completion
rates
for all
students,
African
American
students
and
economically
disadvantaged
students
would
have met
the
Academically
Acceptable
standard.
TEA
releases
Accountability
Ratings
for 2009
and has
labeled
the
WOCCISD
School
district
as
Academically
Unacceptable.
The WOS
Middle
School
improved
their
Unacceptable
status
to
Acceptable
but the
WOS High
School
dropped
to
Unacceptable.
Anderson
was
Recognized
while
Oates
earned
Acceptable
status.
Other
area
district
scores.
Retired
West
Orange –
Cove
CISD
Superintendent
Andrew
Hayes
has been
appointed
to the
WOCCISD
Board of
Trustees
after
they
accepted
Board
Member
Nancy
Byers’
July 27,
2009
written
resignation
Monday
night.
Board
President
Pete Amy
said,
"Andrew
Hayes
has been
a
fixture
at WO-C
for over
50
years,
and I
believe
that he
will do
a great
job as a
trustee
of the
district.
It has
been my
honor to
serve
with
Andrew
in
several
different
capacities
while I
have
been on
the
board
and look
forward
to
serving
with him
as a
fellow
trustee.
He will
bring a
unique
perspective
to the
board
having
served
the
district
already
from a
teacher,
coach,
superintendent,
and now
a
trustee."
Hayes
served
as WO-C
Superintendent
from
2001 to
2005.
His 46
year
career
with the
District
also
includes
service
as
Assistant
Superintendent,
West
Orange –
Stark
High
School
Principal,
West
Orange –
Stark
East
Campus
Principal,
as well
as
assistant
principal,
coaching
and
teaching
assignments
at Stark
High and
Wallace
High
Schools.
Hayes’
wife,
Glynnie,
is also
a
retired
WO-C
CISD
educator.
Both of
his
daughters,
Vicki
and
Sheri,
are also
district
graduates.
“I
enjoyed
all of
the
years
that I
have
been in
the
School
District.
My goal
has
always
been to
do the
best
thing
possible
for the
students
of West
Orange –
Cove.
All of
my
decisions
will be
based on
what is
best for
them,”
Hayes
said.
Hayes
will
serve as
an
appointed
trustee
until
the May
2010
School
Board
election.
At that
time,
voters
will
determine
who will
complete
the one
year
remaining
on the
term.
WO-C
Superintendent
Dr. O.
Taylor
Collins
said, “I
look
forward
to
working
with
former
Superintendent
Hayes to
advance
the
achievement
and
well-being
of our
students.
He has a
great
depth of
knowledge
and
experience
in
education
and is a
great
addition
to the
Board of
Trustees.
“I wish
also to
thank
Nancy
Byers
for her
service
to the
children
and
youth of
WOCCISD
as a
Trustee.
She has
been a
wonderful
member
of the
Board.
Her keen
focus on
students
made her
input
very
meaningful.
I
appreciate
her
support
through
the
years,”
Collins
said.
 |
West
Orange
-
Stark
Lady
Mustang
Kristin
LeBouef
has
signed
to
play
softball
with
Bishop
State
Community
College
in
Mobile,
Alabama.
Kristin
graduated
in
May
from
WO-S.
and
will
leave
for
Alabama
in
August.
Kristin
is
the
daughter
of
Joe
and
Wendy
LeBouef
and
has
one
brother,
Brandon.
|
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Trey
Franks
and
James
Haynes,
two
members
of
the
WOS
State
Champion
Sprint
Relay
Team,
have
verbally
committed
to
play
football
at
Oklahoma. |
School Highlights 2008-09
 |
|
WO-S's
James
Haynes
received
a
certificate
from
Governor
Rick
Perry
Wednesday
in
Austin
at
the
Capital
at
State
Champions
Day.
All
spring
sports
and
academic
state
champions
were
invited
to
attend,
however,
Haynes
was
the
only
Mustang
who
could
make
the
trip.
Haynes
was
the
anchor
leg
on
the
4x100
team
made
up
of
Trey
Franks,
Philip
Jones
and
Josh
Gloston.
Haynes
was
joined
by
head
track
coach
Toby
Foreman,
principal
Paul
Hardin
and
Superintendent
O.
Taylor
Collins,
along
with
WO-S
Journalism
teacher
Meri
Elen
Jacobs
and
fellow
classmate
Shonnalee
Jacobs
and
several
other
supporters. |
| |
Three
WOS Lady
Mustangs
were
selected
to the
Academic
All-State
Softball
Team.
They are
Rebekah
Ragsdale,
Taylor
Jaynes,
and
Amanda
Ulbrich.
 |
West Orange-Stark Mustangs
3A State Track Champions
tribute page |
|
WOCCISD
reassigned
two
employees
into
principal
positions.
At a special
meeting
Monday Paul
Hardin,
whose mother
is on the
school
board, is
the new high
school
principal
and
Travis
McKelvain
will move up
from his
assistant's
position and
become the
new
principal of
the middle
school. |
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|
West Orange
– Cove CISD
is proud to
participate
in the Texas
Teacher of
the Year
Recognition
Program. The
program
begins at
the local
level where
campuses
select a
teacher who
has
demonstrated
outstanding
leadership
and
excellence
in teaching.
They are L
to R: North
Early
Learning
Center
Teacher of
the Year
Doris Allen,
PPCD
(Pre-school
Program for
Children
with
Disabilities)
Teacher;
Anderson
Elementary
Teacher of
the Year
Camille
Franklin,
Third Grade
Teacher; WOS
MS Teacher
of the Year
Ruth
Hancock, 7th
Grade
Reading
Teacher; WOS
HS Teacher
of the Year
Pat Geis,
Food
Production.
Not pictured
is Oates
Elementary
Teacher of
the Year
Vickie
Price,
Reading
Interventionist.
Franklin and
Hancock will
represent
WOC in the
Region V
Education
Service
Center
Teacher of
the Year
competition. |
| |
| Zach Quinn is Going Home After two years as basketball coach at WOS, Zach Quinn is the new basketball coach at Vidor, where he graduated in 1997. In two seasons with the Mustangs he was 32-32 with a playoff appearance this season. Quinn said he appreciated the opportunity at WOS but was looking forward to the new challenge of coaching his alma mater. |
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We LOVE
School!
We Really
Do!
Cody Hodge
and Tanner
Bates were
recognized
at the WO-S
Academic
Awards
program for
perfect
attendance
during their
entire
school
careers,
from
elementary
through high
school.
Other award
winners
|
The softball team
(24-10) captured its
first district
championship before
bowing to Taylor 5-3
in the Area Rd. game
played in
Huntsville.
21-3A All District
Team
| On Saturday May 9, former West Orange-Stark Lady Mustang Basketball coach and current Euless Trinity lady’s basketball coach, Sue Cannon was inducted into the Texas Coaches Hall of Fame. Former WO-S players Stephanie Johnson Ford Bonnie Henson Perry also attended this special occasion. Cannon has been coaching for 37 years (10 at WO-S) amassing over 900 wins during this illustrious career. |
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Mustangs in Muskogee
Eric Arnold, Josh Gloston, and Robert Jiles, pictured with new Offensive Coordinator Toby Foreman, signed football scholarships Wednesday to play at Bacone University in Oklahoma. The three will play for new coach Lloyd Spotted Wolf, who was the Off. Coordinator at Blinn JC. |
 |
West Orange-Stark held their All Sports banquet Monday night and Danyale Thomas and Hannah Mobley were selected as Most Valuable Female Track Athletes. To see the rest of the MVP's, All-Academic, and Dr. O. Collins' special award winners, click here |
WOS Regional Track
Qualifiers-
Girls: Danyale
Thomas, 100 meters
(first, 12.75), 200
meters (first,
26.24), triple jump,
second (34-9 1/2;
Johnesha Sims, long
jump (third, 16-5
1/2); Bethani Orebo,
shot put (first,
31-9:400 meter relay
team (Brittany
Brantley, Hannah
Mobley, Johnesha
Sims, Danyale
Thomas, first,
49.24); 800-meter
relay team (Brittany
Brantley, Michelle
Simpson, Johnesha
Sims, Hannah Mobley,
first, 1:47.08);
1,600-meter relay
team (Johnesha Sims,
Hannah Mobley,
Brittany Brantley,
Michelle Simpson,
first, 4:12.51).
Boys: Trey Franks,
100 meters (first,
10.52), 200 meters
(first, 21.75), long
jump (first, 22-11),
triple jump (first,
45-3 1/4; James
Haynes, 200 meters
(second, 22.36),
long jump (third,
21-1 3/4), triple
jump (second, 43-9
1/4); Marquest
Watson, 400 meters,
(first, 52.36),800
meters (second,
2:05.2); Chris
Bundage, 400 meters
(second, 52.89);
Phillip Jones, 110
hurdles (first,
14.73), 300 hurdles
(first, 40.36); Eric
Arnold, discus
(first, 134-10),
shot put (first,
51-3); Devon
Griffin, 3,200
meters (third,
10:51.97; 400-meter
relay team (Josh
Gloston, Trey
Franks, Phillip
Jones, James Haynes,
first, 42.15);
800-meter relay team
(Josh Gloston,
Justin Thomas, Ed
Ivory, James Haynes,
first, 1:29.26);
1,600-meter relay
team (Josh Gloston,
Mark Roberts,
Marquest Watson,
James Ross, first,
3:32.03).
After
seven years as West
Orange-Stark High
School Principal,
Mike Mason is being
relieved of his
duties. “I have
decided that the
best interest of the
District will be
served if we seek
new leadership at
the WO-S High
School,” said Supt.
Dr. O. Taylor
Collins. “We are
currently receiving
applications for
Principal of our
high school.”
Collins said Mason
will have an
opportunity to take
another position in
the district. Mason
says that nothing
has been decided at
this time. Another
principal position
is open at the
Middle School.
Anitrea Goodwin has
been named to the
central office
position of
Executive Director
of Federal Programs
and Special
Initiatives. “I am
pleased that Mrs.
Goodwin will be
leading federal
programs and some
special
instructional
initiatives. With
the influx of new
federal dollars in
the stimulus
package, there will
be much added work
in these important
programs,” said Dr.
Collins. She will
begin her new duties
July 1. Collins will
also have a decision
to make at Oates
Elementary. Bill
Conway was brought
out of retirement
and signed to a one
year contract to be
the principal there.
Collins said a
decision will be
made soon on whether
Conway will be back.
Collins is hoping to
have Sheila Perry
back as principal at
North but she has
been ill and Paul
Hardin has been
serving as interim
principal. Bennie
Smith is expected to
return to Anderson
Elementary next year
according to
Collins. "Mr. Smith
has done an
excellent job at
Anderson," Collins
said.
 |
Another
One
Bites
The Dust
The band
hall at
the WOS
Middle
School
as the
new
construction
continues
throughout
the
district. |
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|
After Day
One there
was
speculation
that WOS
could score
200 points
in the
district
track meet,
which is
rare feat.
Well they
finished
with 237,
Bridge City
finished
strong to
finish
second
overall but
111 points
behind WOS.
The Sprint
Relay team
of Phillip
Jones, Trey
Franks, Josh
Gloston and
James Haynes
started the
day with a
winning time
of 42.1.
Boys Results
Girls
Results
More
pictures in
our gallery. |
Boys
Total
1.
WOS 237
2. BC 126
3. Silsbee
104
4. HF 71
5. OF 67
6. HJ 16 |
Girls
Total
1.
Silsbee
158.5
2. HF 122
3. WOS 109
4. OF 103.5
5. BC 87
6. HJ 36 |
 |
Construction
begun April
8 on
a new front
for West
Orange-Stark
High School.
The "round"
building in
the front
that was
originally
the library
was taken
down this
week. When
finished
it's
expected to
look like
the picture
below.
 |
|
Enrique "Deelishis"
Warnell
swept the
top awards
at
Thursday's
Miss Mustang
Mock Beauty
Pageant
which raised
money for
WOS Project
Graduation.
Warnell
defeated
nine other
contestants
for the
crown.
Robert
"Tootsie
Pop" Jiles
was the
first
runner-up
and John "Dimplez"
Jefferson
was second
runner-up.
|
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WOS basketball lost to
Coldspring Tuesday, Feb. 17 in Dayton 58-45. Turnovers plagued the
Mustangs who finished the season 22-12 after a third place
finish in 21-3A.
 |
|
Tinesha Mix
and Rebekah
Ragsdale
will
represent
West
Orange-Stark
High School
in the
Orange
County
Miriam
Lutcher
Stark
Contest in
Reading and
Declamation.
The two took
first place
honors and
won $2000
scholarships
each in the
WO-S High
School
finals held
last week.
Mix won
first place
in
Interpretive
Reading.
Ragsdale won
first place
in
Declamation.
Placing
second and
earning
$1500
scholarships
each were
Samantha
Bailey,
Interpretative
Reading;
while
Earlisha
Thomas
placed
second in
Declamation.
Other
finalists
were Zeba
Nizami,
Amanda
Ulbrich,
Randy Wuske,
and Zachary
Tolliver.
The contest
is sponsored
by the Nelda
C. and H. J.
Lutcher
Stark
Foundation.
The WO-S
Finals were
presented by
the West
Orange –
Stark High
School
English
Department.
L to R:
Bailey, Mix,
Ragsdale,
and Thomas.
|
|
National
Signing Day
WOS QB
Ortavious
Hypolite
made it
official
Wednesday by
signing a
scholarship
to attend
SFA in
Nacogdoches. |
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|
WO-Stark's
Kevin
Robinson
wins Willie
Ray Smith
Defensive
Player of
the Year
Award.
West Brook's
Christine
Michaels
wins the
Offensive
Player of
the Year.
The Mustangs
have won six
Willie
Ray's, more
than any
other
school.
It's also
the ninth
win for
Orange
County.
Willie Ray
winners.
|
 |
 |
|
Rebekah
Ragsdale
(top) signed
a softball
scholarship
with
Galveston
College on
Thursday.
Teammate
Taylor
Jaynes also
signed a
scholarship
with
Angelina JC. |
 |
 |
John
Patterson,30,
has
announced
his
retirement
from
baseball.
Patterson
played six
seasons in
the big
leagues and
was 18-25
with a 4.32
ERA during
his career
with the
Diamondbacks,
Expos and
Nationals.
His best
season came
with
Washington
in 2005,
when he went
9-7 with a
3.13 ERA in
31 starts.
He suffered
nerve damage
in his right
forearm
after the
'05 season
and hasn't
been able to
fully
recover.
|
 |
West Orange
– Stark High
School choir
student Kia
Hartfield
has
qualified to
compete in
January 2009
for a place
in the TMEA
All-State
Choir. She
advanced by
placing at
pre area
auditions
held at West
Brook High
School
earlier this
month. She
is directed
by Ruth
Houston.
Angela Greer
is the
assistant
director. |
The WOCCISD
School Board voted
in December to cut
costs by eliminating
bus rides home after
athletic events.
Something they've
been doing since
Stark and West
Orange consolidated.
|
West
Orange-Stark's
Kevin
Robinson was
selected to
the 3A
All-State
First Team
Defense.
Robinson,
the 20-4A
Defensive
MVP, led the
Mustangs
with 104
tackles.
Robert Jiles
was chosen
to the
Honorable
Mention
team.
One other
local
product
selected to
the
Honorable
Mention Team
was Silsbee
QB Jeremy
Johnson. |
 |
The Mustang
football team
extended their
district win streak
to 29 with another
title. That streak
was almost broke by
Silsbee who lost in
overtime. WOS rolled
into the playoffs
with big wins over
Coldspring and
Caldwell before
losing to Gilmer
35-23 in the third
round. Kevin
Robinson was named
to the All-State
Defensive Team while
also being named the
district’s defensive
MVP. QB Ortavious
Hypolite was the
district’s offensive
player of the year.
 |
Former WOS
QB Andre
Bevil signed
with Lamar
University
Wednesday.
They will
begin
football in
the 2010
season.
He led
Navarro to a
10-1 record
in 2008 as
he passed
for 1,062
yards and
eight
touchdowns,
while
completing
65 pct of
his passes.
He also
rushed for
100 yards
and three
TDs. His
passing
efficiency
rating of
117.1 was
fourth best
in the
conference . |
|
West
Orange-Stark's
Homecoming
Queen and
King are
Courtney
Chatman and
Ortavious
Hypolite.
The queen
was crowned
by the first
homecoming
queen of
WO-S Tammy
Reed Taylor
(below)
while
Hypolite was
crowned
Thursday
night before
the
Community
Pep Rally.
 |
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 |
|
The 2008-09 WOS
Cheerleaders
|
West Orange – Stark
High School
Assistant Principal
James Acker has been
named an
“Outstanding
Regional Assistant
Principal” by the
Texas Association of
Secondary School
Principals (TASSP).
The recognition was
made at the Texas
Principals, Texas
Heroes Summer 2008
Workshop held in San
Antonio and
sponsored by the
TASSP. Each year the
organization
recognizes
outstanding
principals from each
of the 20 regions in
the state. Those
selected are chosen
by their peers based
upon their exemplary
performances as
campus
administrators.
Ackers has served as
Assistant Principal
at WO-S High School
since 2005. He has
been an educator for
14 years. High
School Principal
Mike Mason said, “It
is an honor to be
recognized by one’s
peer for their
contribution to the
school
administrative
profession. Mr.
Acker is very
deserving of the
recognition.”
Area Schools Receive 2008
Accountability Ratings
Results
Bridge City, Orangefield and
Deweyville School Districts
among the eight Recognized
Districts in Southeast
Texas.
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WOS Senior Rebekah
Ragsdale has committed to pitching for Galveston College
after graduation. Ragsdale said, "Coach Ken Delcambre
was extremely interested in me, and I feel I will have the
opportunity to play as a freshman and continue to get
better. I think Galveston will be a fun place to play and
live!" Ragsdale has helped make history at WOS with
the schools first playoff appearance and first playoff win.
The 21-3A MVP was also named to the 3A All-State Honorable
Mention Team this year. |
West
Orange – Cove CISD
Superintendent Dr. O. Taylor
Collins has announced that
three campuses in the WO-C
school system will have
assistant principal changes
for the 2008-2009 school
year. Robert Reid,
Oates Elementary Principal
the last two years, will be
assigned to WO-S High School
as Assistant Principal. He
resigned after the move. Two additional
changes in assistant
principals were also
announced. Aimee Hebert,
assistant principal at WOS
High School will become an
assistant principal at WOS
Middle School. Paul Hardin,
who is currently assigned to
the Administration Building
for special projects, is
being assigned as assistant
principal at Anderson
Elementary. The new
principal of Oates
Elementary will be
determined at a later date.
Benny Smith will remain the
principal of Anderson
Elementary and he will be
the principal of the new
elementary school in 2009-10
when Anderson and Oates will
combine.
2007-2008 School Highlights
|
West Orange-Stark |

Amarienne Williams
Valedictorian |

Virginia Anthony
Salutatorian |
The Mustang 800
Relay Team finished
second at the State
meet. Josh Gloston,
Seth Thomas, Nick
Reed, and Trey
Franks were just
three tenths of a
second behind Cuero.
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|
West Orange-Cove
CISD is proud to
participate in the
Texas Teacher of the
Year Recognition
Program. The program
begins at the local
level where campuses
select a teacher who
has demonstrated
outstanding
leadership and
excellence in
teaching. Campus
honorees were
recognized Tuesday
night at the school
board meeting. They
are Karen Beauxis,
WOSHS Math Teacher,
ninth and twelfth
grade levels; Mickey
Huber Smith, WOSMS
Band Director;
Pearlie Washington,
Oates Elementary
fifth grade teacher;
Donna Cole, second
grade teacher at
Anderson Elementary;
Sarah Landry, Head
Start Teacher at
North. Cole was
additionally
recognized as the
West Orange-Cove
Teacher of the Year.
Cole will represent
West Orange-Cove in
the Region V
Education Service
Center Teacher of
the Year
competition.
Regional winners
advance to the state
contest. The Texas
Teachers of the Year
become spokespersons
for public education
and are honored at a
special ceremony in
Austin conducted by
the Texas Education
Agency. |
21-3A
All-District Baseball Team
21-3A
All-District Softball Team
| Jesse Riojas has been
given the West Orange-Stark baseball job on a permanent
basis. Riojas was put into the head coaching position
on an interim basis following the dismissal of Derrick
Rivers during the season. WOS only won two games last
season but Riojas, a 2000 LCM grad, says he will make the
Mustangs respectable again. |
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| West Orange-Cove
Superintendent Taylor Collins shows the elementary
students how it's done as they broke ground on the new
elementary school Thursday, May 8 scheduled for opening in the
fall of 2009. The 200,000 sq. ft. school will be
located on 25 acres of land off MLK Dr. near Sparrow St. |
WOS held its Sports Banquet
Monday, May 5.
Winners
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April-
Pinehurst
businessman Grady
Johnson (left) was
honored by the West
Orange - Cove Board
of Trustees recently
for his generous
service and
contribution.
Johnson was the
owner of the
Pinehurst property
on which the
District’s new
elementary school
will be constructed.
The District
purchased the
property in March.
Upon completion of
the sale, Johnson
made a generous
donation to the
District. “His
support for what we
are doing in this
school district to
become the best in
Texas is just so
evident,” Supt. Dr.
O. Taylor Collins
said. |
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|
This happy group of
Mustangs plan on
playing football at
the next level
thanks to
scholarships they
signed Wednesday.
L to R: Ronnie
Dennis and Depauldrick
Garrett signed with Navarro JC, Tim
Matherne to Louisiana College, and Seth Thomas
signed to play at McNeese. Standing behind them is a
proud coach Dan Hooks. |
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|
Monday the 104th
Annual Stark Reading
and Declamation was
held at WOS High
School. Winners were
(left to right)
Interpretative
Reading, 2nd place
Zeba Nizami, 1st
place Megan Phares,
Mike Mason
(principal),
Declamation - 1st
place Chase Adams,
2nd place Rebekah
Ragsdale. Both 1st
place winners will
compete in the
County Wide Finals,
April 27 at the
Lutcher Theater.
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Mustang Proud Parents
recently presented
certificates to an
outstanding student from
each West Orange – Stark
High School grade level. The
students were recognized for
their citizenship and
positive contributions to
the WO-S High School
community. Pictured along
with Mustang Proud Parents
Charla McNamara and Terese
McKee are honorees Rebekah
Ragsdale, junior; Victoria
Rachal, sophomore; Sam Bess,
senior; and Reggie Garrett,
freshman. Each received a
recognition certificate, as
well as Sonic and Cinema
gift cards. The students are
selected by the WO-S High
School staff. |
| Tuesday
morning, Nov. 20, at practice the WOS Mustangs presented Head
Coach Dan Hooks with a plaque celebrating his 250th
win. He collected that milestone Saturday in
the Mustangs 51-14 win over Coldspring.
Photo by Meri Jacobs |
 |
Only 1180 Vote, WOC Prop 1 Passes
Voters in the West Orange-Cove
school district narrowly approved
the bond proposition to build a new
elementary school and improve
schools and high school sports
fields. However, the proposition to
add artificial turf to the high
school football stadium was
defeated.
A total of 1,180 votes were cast,
with the $48 million proposition
winning by 38 votes. The "for" on
Proposition 1 received 614 votes, or
52 percent, compared to 566 votes
"against", or 48 percent.
Proposition 2 to install artificial
turf had 418 votes "for" and 742
votes "against."
Superintendent O. Taylor Collins
said the district will get teachers,
parents and students to help draw
plans for the new elementary school.
The school district will close
Lorena Oates Elementary and move the
early learning center from North
School to Anderson School to have
only one elementary in the district.
North will also be closed. The
school board voted in October to
spend $300,000 to buy a site along
Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in
Pinehurst to build the new school.
Other projects include a new
entrance at West Orange-Stark High
School, renovations of Carl Godwin
Auditorium, and improvements to the
high school football stadium,
softball stadium and baseball
stadium.
West
Orange – Cove Board of Trustees
unanimously approved the acquisition
of property for use as an elementary
school campus at a special meeting
held Saturday, Oct. 27. Board members
authorized the purchase of
approximately 20+ acres on the east
side of Martin Luther King Drive in
Pinehurst. The property is south of
the Interstate 10 and MLK overpass.
Superintendent Dr. O. Taylor Collins
said, “We are purchasing this
property as a site for a future
elementary school and we are
purchasing it before the bond
election because whether the bond
passes or not, we are going to have
to build a school sometime in the
future.” Collins said that it is
important that voters in the Nov. 6
bond election know the location of
the proposed elementary campus as
the question has been posed to
District officials numerous times at
various presentations involving bond
election information. “We have been
working on the purchase of this
property for quite some time. This
has been one of our preferred sites.
We’ve already had engineering and
geo-technical studies done on it,”
he said. The property is being
purchased for $300,000 with funds
placed in savings from the sale of
the Bancroft and Jones Elementary
campuses; as well as funds from the
sale of the Border Street Complex.
If Proposition #1 on the Nov. 6
election is approved, construction
on a new elementary school will
begin as quickly as bond funds are
made available; with the goal of the
school opening to students as early
as the 2008-2009 school year.
 |
Kathy
Fuqua, a teacher at WOS
Middle School, along with
Misty Sampson-Roche of
Vidor's Pine Forest
Elementary have been named
Region V Teachers of the
Year. The winners were
chosen by superintendents
based on nominations and
they are now in the running
to be named Texas teachers
of the year in their
respective classifications.
Fuqua was recently honored
with a reception at WOSMS. |
 |
Senior
Carmyn Adams was crowned the
WO-S Homecoming Queen Friday
night during halftime of the
Mustangs 34-7 win over
Hamshire-Fannett. Senior
DePauldrick Garrett was
crowned at the Community Pep
Rally Thursday night.
|
The West
Orange – Cove Board of Trustees
voted Monday, Aug. 27, to reduce the
proposed bond issue from $51,990,000
to $48.4 million and to separate the
proposal into two issues. The
Trustees are seeking approval to
construct a kindergarten through
grade five Elementary School; new
additions to West Orange - Stark
High School and Middle School; and
the renovation of other facilities
in the District. “The citizens of
this community have been very
outspoken about their desire to give
our students the best possible
education and enhance their chances
of succeeding in life. This bond
proposal is in response to those
expectations,” Harry Barclay, Board
of Trustee President, said. The Bond
Election is set for Tuesday, Nov. 6
and will present two proposals to
voters. The first proposal for $47.5
million includes the construction of
a new elementary school plus
renovations to other facilities.
These include additions at WOS
Middle and High Schools, as well as
the renovation of the Carl Godwin
Auditorium. The second proposal, for
$900,000, includes the placement of
artificial surface at Dan R. Hooks
Football Stadium at WO-S High
School.
The West
Orange – Cove CISD Board of Trustees
voted unanimously Monday to adopt a
2007-2008 tax rate of $1.13175 per
$100 valuation, a .33265 cent
decrease from last year’s rate of
$1.46440. Specifically, the
maintenance and operation tax rate
decreases from $1.37000 per $100
valuation to $1.04005. Combined with
the 2006-2007 tax reduction from
$1.50 to $1.37, Trustees have
decreased the rate 0.46 cents per
$100 valuation in two years. As part
of the tax reduction, the 2007-2008
interest and sinking (debt service)
fund tax rate falls from $0.944 per
$100 valuation to $0.9170. WOC
reports that the reduction in the
tax rate reflects a nine percent
decrease in the maintenance and
operations budget and overall eight
percent decrease in total
expenditures in the District’s $22.9
million maintenance and operation
and debt service budget. As a result
of the tax decrease, taxes on the
average residence in the WO-C
District will drop $57.80. With the
tax decrease, the WO-C budget
projects an end of fiscal year
2007-2008 fund(s) balance of $10
million.
West Orange –
Cove CISD will administer Credit by Exam
tests during the 2007-2008 school year on
the following dates: Aug. 8, Dec. 11 and
Dec. 13, 2007; and April 29, May 15, and
June 4, 2008. Credit by exam is available in
grade levels one through 12. This includes
exams for credit by exam with prior
instruction and credit by exam without prior
instruction. A student planning to take an
examination for acceleration on August 8,
2007 is required to register with the
principal or designee by August 1, 2007.
Questions concerning Credit by Exams should
be directed to the WOCCISD Curriculum Office
at 882-5555.
2007 grad Richard Netherly
participated in the THSCA Basketball game and scored a game high 21 points in
the South's 104-85 win.
West
Orange – Stark High School teacher Charles Thrash has been
named to the position of WO-S High School Lady Mustang head
basketball coach. Thrash, 30, has taught content mastery and
psychology classes at WO-S High School for the past two
years. He also has teaching experience with the Beaumont and
Kountze school districts. Additionally, he accrued a winning
record as the junior varsity head boys’ basketball coach at
Kountze High School. While there, Thrash was an assistant
coach on the boys’ varsity 2004 state championship
basketball team. A Flint, Michigan native with family in
Southeast Texas, Thrash earned a scholarship to play college
basketball at North Texas University. He also played
basketball at Eastern New Mexico University where he earned
his degree in sociology and psychology. After graduating
college, Thrash played in the International Basketball
League. “I am a defensive minded coach and believe that
defense is something that can propel the offense. I like
organized chaos on the defensive end,” he said. He said,
“This is a great opportunity for me. I am going to accept
the challenge and I look forward to it. I’m happy that my
opportunity starts here at WOS.”
The
WOS Mustang 7-on-7 team traveled to the State Tournament in College
Station. On Thursday they lost to Pilot Point
41-40 and LaVilla 45-42. They defeated
Madisonville 48-35 and Gonzalez 56-24. On
Friday they defeated Harper 31-15 but lost to
Crane 40-32.
2006-2007 School Highlights
 |
B.Scott Makes
It Two In A Row!
Brittany Scott, who recently graduated from West
Orange-Stark and is headed to the University of
Houston, scored 16 points in the 3A Coaches All-Star
game in Austin Thursday and was named the MVP as the
South beat the North 63-62. Last year Brittany
James of WOS was named the MVP. |
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West
Orange- Stark High School
selected Mr. and Miss WO-S
for the 2006-07 school
year. They are Dominique
Rhodes, son of Dawn Fusilier
and Jelmar Rhodes and
Rebecca McMillon, daughter
of Garland and Nancy
Blanchard. |
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Zach Quinn has
been named the new boys basketball coach at West
Orange-Stark High School. Quinn, a Vidor grad,
was an assistant under Doug McCarter who took the
head coaching position at Katy Taylor High School. |
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Brandon Johnson, a senior at UCLA from WOS, ran a
season best 50.0 in the 400 hurdles to capture the
Pac-10 title. His time was also the fifth best
in the country this year. He also ran on the
UCLA 1600 relay team that finished fifth with a time
of 3:09. |
WOS announced
its annual winners at their Athletic Banquet. Award
winners.
|
Meity
Moostangs!
The
West Orange-Cove
CISD Team of Ruth
Hancock, Charlene
Field, and Brandy
Downey outlasted six
other teams to win
the 9th Annual GOALS
Adult Spelling Bee
held at LSCO on
Friday, Apr. 27. The
winning team stands
with Bee mascot
Robert Bruce
Simpson. The
ladies had
misspelled the word
umlaut, but so did
the United Methodist
Women of First
United Methodist
Church. So
Team Mustang got a
second chance and
correctly spelled
anomaly to stay in
the game and then
won it by spelling
Mayonnaise. UMW finished second
(Danielle Heil,
Laura Floyd, and
Jane Minor).
The Rotary Club II
(Alan Sanders,
Karlene Toohey,
Kelly Scarborough)
finished third with
LCMCISD (Karen
Colburn, Sherry
Combs, Claire Smith)
fourth, Rotary Club
I (Brooke Vernon,
Sarah Boehrme,
Andrew Duchamp)
fifth, Lamar State
College-Orange
(Bobbie Burgess,
Michelle Clingaman,
Gwen Whitehead)
sixth and the
Kiwanis Club of
Orange (Chris Smith,
Henry Seals, Jimmie
Lewis), last years
champs, went out
first. WOC
Head Cheerleader Ken
Wernig also won the
Spirit Stick Award. |
|
West Orange – Stark
High School students
may have the
opportunity to study
about the Bible and
its impact on
literature and
history if the West
Orange – Cove CISD
Board of Trustees
approves the
proposal to add the
class at a meeting
this month. WOCCISD
Superintendent Dr.
O. Taylor Collins,
holding the book,
said, “The
Principals and the
District Leadership
Team have been
studying the new
course and possibly
adding it the
curriculum at the
High School. As
presented, it is an
academic elective
course.
more |
The WOS Softball team
finished the regular season
18-8 and 9-5 (third) to
reach the playoffs for the
second straight year. The 21-3A
All-District Softball
Team
The Texas High School Coaches
Association announced the rosters of the THSCA Football All Stars who will be
competing in the annual All-Star game in conjunction with the THSCA Coaching
School in Fort Worth, July 29-August 1, 2007. Earl Thomas of WOS has been
selected as a member of the South Football team. The game will be played on July
31 at the Amon Carter Stadium on the TCU Campus at 7:30pm. The South team will
be coached by Weldon Nelms of Wimberley High School, and the North will be
coached by Kent Jackson of Sweetwater High School.
|
21-3A All-District Basketball Team
MVP- Ryan Donahoe, HJ
OFF MVP- Richard Netherly,WOS
DEF MVP- Earl Thomas, WOS
Newcomer- Jarvis Bernard, HJ
Coach of the Year- Todd Sutherland, HJ |
First Team
Jeremy Granger, OF
Buddy Broussard, WOS
Ben Garcia, BC
LeKarlis Diggles, Kirbyville
Terrence Jones, Silsbee
William Harper, Silsbee
Dom Bailey, Jasper
Trey Burrell, HJ |
Second Team
Ben Ludwig, OF
Jaden Dillon, BC
Andre Bevil, WOS
Shannon Robinson, Silsbee
Ahmad Jones, Silsbee
Roman Land, Jasper
Hagan Daigle, HF
Duane Durley, HJ |
 |
Callie Orebo
has stepped down as head girls basketball coach at
WOS after two straight trips to the Regional
Tournament. Asst. Coach Bonnie Perry also
resigned her position. |
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|
A special signing
ceremony was held Tuesday for three more WOS
Mustangs who will play football at the next level.
Linebackers Dustin Locks, left, and Justin
Alexander, center, will play football at McMurray
College in Abilene. Center Darren Gipson, right, will
play football for Texas Lutheran in Seguin under new
football coach Dennis Parker. |
2007 Coaches 21-3A
Girls All-District Basketball Team
MVP: Brittney Scott, West Orange-Stark
OFFENSIVE Co-MVPS: Denitra Kellum, Kirbyville & Ang
Green, Silsbee
DEFENSIVE MVP: Kristy Sanders, OF
Coach of the Year: Bob Killam, Silsbee |
First Team
Kaylin Little, OF
Jessica Shores, OF
Kia Hartfield, WO-S
Janae Hendreson, WOS
Brandi Fowler, Silsbee
Memri Carmon, H-F
Samieka Buckley, Silsbee
Katelyn Bernsen, H-J |
Second Team
Laura Riddick, OF
Paige Roy, OF
Latricia Moore, H-J
Cheyenne Craigen, H-F
Brittany Henry, Silsbee
Chelsye Tyler, Silsbee
Brittany Bronson, Jasper
Georgina Kelly, Kirbyville |
West Orange- Stark senior, Dominique
Rhodes, has been offered the Texas A&M Regents' Scholarship worth $20,000.
Former A&M President Dr. Robert Gates stated, " The Regents' Scholarship is
based on the premise that young people, having come from various backgrounds and
experiences, brimming with desire, determination, and a willingness to work
hard, are the cornerstone of this university. I, as with most of our community,
am very proud of Dominique and his accomplishments.
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After outstanding
football careers at West Orange-Stark, four signed
on the dotted Wednesday. L to R: Adrian Mims (Blinn), Jacoby Franks (Tex Tech), and
Earl Thomas (Texas). Andre Bevil also signed
with Navarro. Photos by Meri Elen
Jacobs |
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| West Orange-Stark honored
32 seniors who attended their
Cotlillion on Sat., Jan. 20 at the Brown Center. This year's theme was
Winter Wonderland. |
 |
Rhodes Orange
Chamber Student of Month
Dominique Rhodes was selected as the Student of the month of
November 2006. Besides his role in WOS athletics Rhodes is
dedicated to becoming an Aerospace Engineer at NASA. He's
also a three year member of the Honor Society. |
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| During the
night on Dec. 19, construction crews put up the new press at Dan R. Hooks
Stadium. It was built off-site and involved a 750 ton crane that
took three 18-wheelers to deliver. |
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On Dec. 15 WOS Coach Dan
Hooks congratulated Earl Thomas for
being chosen to play in the All-American Offense Defense Bowl to
be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on Jan. 4, 2007. The Texas
pledge was named to the 3A All-State
second team on defense.
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Brittany Scott signs basketball
scholarship with Houston.
 The WOS
Varsity Cheerleaders
Varsity-Bottom: Trey Batcham Co-head Cheerleader, Mascot Marie Scrillo, Jessica Anderson
Head Cheerleader. Middle: Traci Lewis, Simone Watson, Stevee
Kidwell, Ashley LaRose, Staci Boullard. Top: Kaycie Smith,
Vanquanisha Jordan, Jennipher Orebo, Lauryn Windham, Adamnetra Gans.
|
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Adamnetria Gans, with her father, and Buddy
Broussard were selected Homecoming King and Queen at West
Orange-Stark High School Friday night. |
West Orange – Cove Board of
Trustees voted unanimously Monday night to adopt a 2006-2007 tax rate of
$1.4604 per $100 valuation which is a 9.2 percent decrease from last year’s
tax rate of $1.58265. “I'm pleased that we are in a financial position to be
able to adopt a lower tax rate even though it will cause us to have a
deficit budget for one year,” Harry Barclay, President of the WOC Board of
Trustees said. “The steps the board has taken for the past several years,
combined with the great strides Dr. Collins has made in streamlining our
district, will allow us to deal with the many challenges brought on by
legislative changes in school finance while continuing to see improved
results in academic achievement,” Barclay said.
Seven journalism students attended
the Taylor Communications Workshop at Sam Houston State University during the
summer and brought home a first place trophy for theme development and “Most
Enthusiastic” staff. At the workshop, the WO-S staff developed the “A little bit
OFF” theme for this year’s Mustang Memories. WO-S journalism students who
attended the workshop are Editor-in-Chief Kaycie Smith, Managing Yearbook Editor
Stevee Kidwell, Photo Editor Jeremy Phares, Emily Domas, Laura Collins,
Shonnalee Jacobs and Newspaper Editor Brianna Meadows. The WOS Yearbook Advisor
is Meri Elen Jacobs.
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