Born to Excell Wins Gelding Title

"When Born To Excell, shown by Julie Ham Weathersby of Skidmore, Texas, nabbed the amateur 3-year old gelding world championship, Julie reached a long-time one goal. She was thrilled to win her first world championship, but was more excited about winning a belt buckle than the gold trophy." Read more in the American Quarter Horse Association story Bringing Home the Buckle.

Markham Earns Mention in Caller-Times

The Corpus Christi Caller-Times highlighted Skidmore-Tynan's Cory Markham among four area athletes to compete in tonight's Texas Association of High School Coaches All-Star game in San Antonio. Javier Becerra writes: Four locals wrap up H.S. football career.

Sandoval Website Documents Child's Battle with Cancer

Despite the great progress we reported back in November, (Parents Thankful for Child's Miraculous Recovery), little Jace Sandoval and family still have a difficult road ahead of them. Jace, who was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer in early 2007, is the son of former KFTX "Real Country" remote events coordinator "Big Josh" Sandoval. We are happy to report Jace now has his own website, SaveJace.org, where supporters can keep up with his progress and donate to his medical fund. "There is a clickable link after each update that enables ANYONE to leave a comment," reports father Josh Sandoval. "Jamie loves reading comments from everyone and she even reads them to Jace!"

S-T Class of 1965 Reunion

The Skidmore-Tynan Class of 1965 is holding a reunion Saturday, August 9th, at 5:00 p.m. at Shortys restaurant in Beeville. For more information, contact Esther Cuevas at 358-7854 or email ecuevas65@yahoo.com.

Skidmore-Tynan's Cory Markham to Play in Televised All-Star Game

Tune in to Fox Sports Southwest Tuesday, July 29th, to see former Bobcat Cory Markham play in the Texas High School Coaches Association 2008 All-Star Football Game. Game time is 7:30 p.m. at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. "The District is mighty proud of Cory Markham and his family," said S-T ISD Superintendent Dr. Brett Belmarez. Markham will play on the 2008 South Football All-Star team coached by Don Byrd of Alamo Heights High School. The north team will be coached by Darren Allman of Odessa Permian High School. Click here for more information at the Texas High School Coaches Association website.

Caran-Carriger Wed

The Victoria Advocate reports on the wedding of Morgan Shea Caran of Yorktown and John Hogan Carriger, formally of Skidmore. Click here for the full story.

Conjunto Music Pioneer's Roots in Skidmore

Old-time Tejano/Conjunto music lovers may remember Santiago Almeida, but most local residents appear unaware of the man who is arguably Skidmore's most famous former citizen. Though Mr. Almeida's career peaked over 50 years ago, he eventually received great recognition for his role in the birth of Conjunto music.

From Wikipedia:

Santiago Almeida (born 1911, Skidmore, Texas) was a Texas musician influential in the development of the musical genres of tejano and conjunto.

Almeida grew up on a farm, and in his teens played the bajo sexto in his family's ensemble, La Orquestra Almeida. In the mid-1930s, Almeida began playing with accordionist Narciso Martinez at local dances and festivals. In 1935, Almeida and Martinez recorded a single for Bluebird Records, "La Chicharronera" b/w "El Troconal" (the former a polka and the latter a schottische). These are generally regarded as the earliest known recordings of conjunto music. The duo would record extensively for Bluebird, releasing some 60 additional singles for the label between 1935 and 1938. The pair's popularity grew as a result, and they performed extensively, both live in South Texas and on record as backing musicians for conjunto singers. In the 1940s, the pair continued to record for Ideal Records and Disco de Oro.

By the late 1940s, Almeida had amassed a large family and found his musical success more difficult to sustain. He moved to Sunnyside, Washington in 1950, working as an apple picker and music teacher. He continued to perform locally at gatherings and in churches for the next several decades.

In 1987, his contributions to music were recognized when he was inducted into the Conjunto Hall of Fame in San Antonio, and in 1993 he was awarded the Governor's Heritage Award in Washington."

More information:
NEA National Heritage Fellowships, Santiago Almeida
Governor's Heritage Award - Santiago Almeida
This Week In Texas Music History: Santiago Almeida (audio)

Thanks to David Dubose for alerting the Signal to this story. If anyone has further information on Santiago Almeida's family and their life in Skidmore, please leave a comment below.

The Hooks Are Out for Blood

Skidmore-Tynan High School will host the "Homerun Heroes Summer Blood Drive" from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 29th. All donors will receive 2 Hooks Tickets, a special incentive, and Whataburger coupon.

S-T ISD Alumni Site Includes Section for Class Yearbooks

For those of you who have not signed up at the Skidmore-Tynan High School Alumni site, there is a section where you can upload scans of class yearbooks. So far, I've added partial yearbooks for 1949, 1951, 1961, 1971, and 1982 (my class). Click here to visit the new Skidmore-Tynan Alumni Site. A one-time registration fee of $10 gives you access to the entire site. The alumni site is not affiliated with S-T ISD or the Skidmore Signal.

Dolly Threatens Gulf Coast

Wind track from the National Weather Service.

A hurricane watch is issued for the texas coast from Brownsville northward to Port O'Connor. A hurricane watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area...generally within 36 hours. - National Weather Service Tropical Storm Dolly Forecast/Advisory

Cougar Days Coming

Coastal Bend College Counseling Department is preparing for its Annual Cougar Days events. Freshman planning to attend CBC this fall are encouraged to attend the registration activities. Why? There will be informative sessions, free lunch, a free T-shirt, drawings for prizes, the opportunity to meet with academic advisors and early registration.

Alice      Thu, July 31st (361) 664-2981 Ext. 3025
Beeville   Thu, July 24th (361) 354-2304
Kingsville Tue, July 22nd (361) 592-1615 Ext. 4077
Pleasanton Tue, Aug. 5th  (830) 569-4222 Ext. 1203

Students need the following to attend:

• Completed CBC application and official high school transcript -- turned into Admission and Registration prior to the event
• THEA/ACCUPLACER scores or TAKS scores that prove test exemption
• Completed FAFSA application

S-TISD Elementary Registration

All students, both new to S-T ISD AND returning S-T ISD elementary students, are required to register for the 2008-09 school year. Student registration for the new school year allows our school to have an accurate student enrollment number when the new school year starts.

Registration packets can be picked up at the elementary office beginning Monday, August 4, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and returned to the school office for their formal registration, according to the schedule below. Elementary students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when the completed registration packet, with parent signatures, is brought to the school office.

Monday, August 11
8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon – New* Student registration
1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. – Kinder and 1st Grade

Tuesday, August 12
8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon – 2nd Grade
1:00p.m.-4:00 p.m. – 3rd Grade

Wednesday, August 13
8:00 a.m.-12:00 noon – 4th Grade
1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. 5th Grade

*ALL NEW students registering must provide the district with the following information:

1. Original Birth Certificate
2. Immunization Record - Current
3. Original of Student’s Social Security Card
4. Legal guardianship papers if child does not reside with parent(s)
5. Proof of Residency: electric bill, phone bill
6. End of Year Report Card from Previous School (if applicable)

Please call 287-3426, ext. 4000 with any questions.

TRiO Upward Bound Team Upsets CBC Staff Softballers

TRiO Upward Bound student Jose Lopez was pitcher for the underdog team.

TRiO Upward Bound soundly defeated Coastal Bend College staff, 16-6, in the annual Leroy Robbins Memorial UB/CBC Softball Tourney. This was the first UB victory in three years. The tournament was recently renamed to honor a longtime CBC employee and avid softballer, the late Leroy Robbins. For photo and video coverage, go to http://www.coastalbend.edu/Trio/UB/ubsoftball08.

Sign Up Now for Bobcat Summer Football Camp

The 2008 Adam Arroyo Bobcat Football Camp will be held July 22-24 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the High School practice field. The $30 camp is open to boys from 3rd to 9th grades. Call coach Adam Arroyo at 287-3426, extension 3019 for more information. Click here to view the camp flyer and parental release form.

Check Your Mailbox for the Latest Issue of the Signal

Subscribers to the Signal print edition can expect to find the June 30 issue in their mailboxes in the next day or two. Subscriptions to the print edition (12 issues) are $15, payable to Skidmore Signal, PO Box 556, Skidmore, Texas 78389.

Leadership Bee County Mixer

Leadership Bee County will host a mixer on July 24 at 7 p.m. at Scores. All Leadership Bee and Live Oak County graduates and past board members are welcomed. Anyone interested in information about the Leadership class that starts this fall or the September retreat is encouraged to attend. To sign up for the next Leadership class and retreat, contact Glynis Holm Strause at 362-2633 or email ghstraus@coastalbend.edu.

Relive the Best Moments from the 2007 Bobcat Football Season

The 2007 Bobcat Football highlight tape is complete and available on DVD for $20. Click here to request your copy or mail payment to: Highlights Tape, P.O. Box 556, Skidmore, Texas 78389.