Teen Court Issues Scholarships
And Hosts Awards Dinner
by: report from June Lucky
Over $2500.00 in scholarships and cash prizes were given to Teen Court Merit Club members at the Awards Presentation and Senior Recognition dinner held on May 6th at B & B Steakhouse in Sulphur Springs. Twenty-seven businesses and individuals were also recognized for their participation as sponsors and supporters.
A great number of Merit Club members, parents, sponsors and board members attended the celebration to honor those who have worked throughout the year to keep the Teen Court of Hopkins County functioning. The guests enjoyed a delicious buffet style meal of assorted meats, vegetables, fresh fruits, salads and cobblers, for dessert.
The meal was followed by a slide show of pictures of Merit Club members set to music and prepared by Dillon Millsap. Robbin Vaughn, president of the board of directors, opened the program by introducing the Teen Court board of directors: Butch Adams, Seleta Edge; Joseph Flemens; Katie Hettich; Monica Littlefield; James Litzler; June Lucky; William Howard McDowell; Kathy Nix; Eddie Northcutt and Dustanna Rabe.
June Lucky presented a talk about What Is Teen Court? Katie Hettich presented a speech about What Teen Court Has Meant To Me.
Next came the presentation of awards. There were 9 graduating seniors honored with certificates of appreciation, awards and poems written by coordinator Jana Jenkins. Coordinator Rhonda Neal presented Colleen Lucky with the $1000.00 scholarship for her four year of participation as court clerk and juror. Chelsey Tiegiser was awarded a $750.00 scholarship for her four years of participation as an attorney and juror. Kendall Scudder was awarded a $250.00 scholarship for his four years of participation as an attorney and juror. Kendall was also given the Judge’s Award for being the most improved attorney during those four years by Judge Dempsey Bullock. Jacob Jones was awarded a $250.00 scholarship for his three years of participation as an attorney and juror. Other seniors recognized with certificates of appreciation were: Rachel Carrington, Leah Davis, Trenton Kennedy, Andrew Panter, and Olivia Stribling,
$75.00 cash prizes were given to those in grades 9-12 for those who had earned the most points for the year. Those winners were: 9th grade – Taylor Hale and Katie Hu; 10th grade – Coby Steele and Michelle Malone; 11th grade – Whitney Hu and Andrew Dulude; 12th grade – Colleen Lucky and Chelsey Tiegiser.
Twenty-seven businesses and individuals were recognized for their participation as sponsors and supporters. Those receiving certificates of appreciation and plaques, recognizing their monetary support were: S.S.P.D. Chief Jim Bayuk; District Attorney Martin Braddy; Law Office of Eddie Northcutt; Farmers Electric Cooperative; Dr. Tod Conner-Trinity Mother Francis; Dominos; Pizza Hut; Pizza Inn; Ronnie Parris-ABC Autoplex; Brookshires Grocery Store; Jeff Byrum-Coca Cola/Dr. Pepper Bottling Co.; Wal Mart Super Center; City National Bank. Certificates of Appreciation were given to the following businesses and individuals: KSST Radio; Sulphur Springs News Telegram; Bobby McDonald-Front Porch News; Patsy Bolton-S.S.I.S.D.; Asst. District Attorney Samantha Crouch; Clay Johnson; Hopkins County Sheriff Butch Adams; Texas Ranger Phillip Kemp; Texas Ranger John Vance; John Hipkins; Judge Ronny Glossup-PCT. 2; Judge Yvonne King-PCT 1; Judge Phyllis Rogers-Sulphur Springs Municipal Court.
A VIP was recognized last, but not least. Mrs. Mary Taylor was presented flowers and an engraved pen set for her 10 years + delivering pizza to the Merit Club members prior to court sessions. Mrs. Taylor has done this without compensation for all those years, even rescheduling appointments when they conflicted with her “job”. She was given a standing ovation by everyone present for her service to the organization.
The next Teen Court session is scheduled for June 17th at the historic, Hopkins County District court house, at 6:00 p.m.
