Congratulations, you have reached one of the most important milestones in your life so far.  For the last 12 years you have dedicated yourself to this moment, enjoy all that comes with the opportunity to share this time with your family, friends and especially your classmates.  You will never have this moment again with all of your classmates, savor it!  For those of you that will be furthering your education elsewhere, I wish for you the same successes you have achieved at Dalhart High School.  For those of you entering the workforce, I hope that we have adequately prepared you for the tasks that will follow.  To all of you, I wish for God’s blessing in your life and may you always bless those around you.  Good luck Class of 2009!

The 2009 Dallam County 4-H Memorial Scholarship Recipients have been announced.  Cindy McMurry presented $750 each to Jordan Meador and Julian Baca at the Dalhart High School Scholarship Awards program on May 12th.  Rosabell Baca presented Garth McDonald a $750 Scholarship.

Cargill has awarded a $1,000 college scholarship to Nicholas Turner of Dalhart, a 2009 graduate of Dalhart High School. As part of the Cargill Community Scholarship Program, the high school will receive $200 from Cargill in Turner’s honor to support the school’s library.

Toree Lianne Winchell was born and raised in Dalhart.  Growing up, Toree was deeply involved in horses, rodeo, 4-H, and sports.  While attending Dalhart High School, Toree was a member of numerous clubs and teams including National Honor Society, Student Council, FFA, and 4-H and rodeo clubs.  Toree also ran track and was a three-year varsity volleyball player.  Aside from school activities, Toree was also crowned the 2004 XIT Rodeo and Reunion Queen.

The Dalhart Chamber in partnership with Community Connect and the WT Small Business Development Center are excited to present an opportunity for you to learn more about starting your own business.

DISD Superintendent David Foote offered the invocation, which was followed by the introduction of coaches.  The coaching staff for the 2008-2009 school year included Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Stephen Young,  Assistant Athletic Director and Assistant Football and Track Coach Joey Read, Head Boys’ Basketball and Head Golf Coach Dustin Klafka, Head Girls’ Basketball and Head Cross Country Coach Renvy Smith, Head Volleyball Coach and Track Assistant Chris Smith, Head Tennis Coach, Assistant Football and Assistant Basketball Coach Matt Walker, Head Softball Coach and Assistant Football Coach Ryan Jackson, Head Track Coach and Assistant Football Coach Trevor Scott, Head Powerlifting Coach and Assistant Football Coach Oscar Murga, Assistant Volleyball, Basketball and Track Coach Stephanie Watson, Assistant Football, Powerlifting and Track Coach Corey Elrod, Assistant Volleyball, Basketball and Track Coach Audrey Hurley, Assistant Softball Coach Chad Dovel, Assistant Football, Basketball and Baseball Coach Michael Royal, JH Volleyball and Track Coach Chele Saavadra, JH Coordinator and JH Football and Varsity Baseball Coach Kendall Cotton, JH Football, Track and Basketball Coach Terrill Amburn, JH Football, Basketball and Track Coach Russell Conrad, JH Track, Volleyball and Basketball Coach Megan Frische and JH Cross Country, Basketball and Track Coach Leigh Ann Lay.

A ribbon cutting was held for Simmons Vehicle Detail on Tuesday, May 12th.  Present were Red Coats Ed Hopkins, Kristen Olson, Rita Gergen, Dorothy Lindmark, Pearl Ingram, Ted Hoover and John Plunk. Present from Simmons Vehicle Detail were Gill Encinias, Brian Simmons(owner) and Cas Fuentes.

Student members of the DISD 6th grade band, 7th and 8th grade band and Golden Wolves band performed at the Dalhart High School Auditorium Tuesday evening, May 19th.  Directing the bands were Rick Ball and Daniel Garrett.  The evening began with a great deal of energy as Mr. Ball lead the 6th graders in “Strike Force” before ever announcing to the crowd of parents, friends and family that the show had begun.

Students attending Dalhart High School were honored on Tuesday, May 12th.  Many students participated in UIL competitions during the 2008/09 school year and the awards ceremony honored those who participated and those who placed during the various competitions. 

The Dalhart Independent School Board held a regular meeting on Tuesday evening, May 19th at 7:00 p.m.  The meeting was called to order by board President Jeff Lloyd.  All items on the agenda were held in open session.  

Beginning May 26 through May 29, all residents are asked to not park or leave their vehicles unattended for long periods of time along the specified street locations listed below.  This will enable the crews to sweep off the dirt and debris in advance of the seal coat contractor.  As a last resort, all vehicles not moved will be towed away. 

Valedictorian - Jasmine Lea Bohlender - 4.429 GPA

Jasmine, the daughter of Rod and Linda Bohlender, has attended school in Dalhart from K-12.  Her first six grades were spent at Dalhart Christian Academy and from 7th to 12th grade she attended Dalhart Public Schools.
Both her brother and sister were Valedictorians of their senior classes, 

The open house held at Sandy Trails Farm on May 16th was both an end and a beginning.  It was the end of nine years of planning, and building a “state of the arts” meat facility.  It was the beginning of providing quality meats for sale to the public—born, raised, processed and sold on the family farm four miles west of Kerrick.

On Monday, the World Heath Organization (WHO) reported that 40 countries have officially classified 8,829 cases as influenza A (H1N1) infection, swine flu.  Mexico has reported 3,103 laboratory confirmed human cases of infection, including 68 deaths. The United States has reported 4,714 laboratory confirmed human cases, including four deaths.  The stage 5 alert issued by WHO continues to be in effect.  The United States has not surpassed Mexico in the number of confirmed cases.

The Red Cross is seeking individuals to take part in training in Dalhart and become a disaster action team (DAT).  A disaster action team (DAT) consists of Red Cross volunteers who are trained, empowered and prepared for immediate response in the event of a disaster.  DAT members are not generally policemen, firemen, or members of the city’s emergency response teams.  In case of disaster emergency responders already have important jobs to do and could not serve in the capacity of a Red Cross DAT member.

A new survey states that judges rely heavily on the opinions of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) when hearing cases about abused and neglected children.  “I am gratified but not surprised at the results,” said Ann Bookout, Executive Director of CASA 69.  “CASA volunteers represent the best interest of foster children in court,” added Bookout. “CASA volunteers are everyday people that step forward to help judges make the very difficult decisions and speak up for the best interest of the child in court.  The volunteers get to know the child and talk to everyone involved in that child’s life from doctors to teachers to parents.” 

Because Memorial Day is a national holiday and most people have that day off from work, it may be tempting to sleep in late and let the day pass without taking a brief moment or a few minutes to stop and honor the men and women who the day honors.  Many will fire up the grill and cook hamburgers and hotdogs as Memorial Day is often thought of as the official start of the summer season.  Others will take advantage of a day to catch up on errands, get some late spring cleaning done, shop, or even sleep.  Whatever the plans are for the day, some time should be set aside to pay reverence for each and every soldier and sailor that has lost their life in order to preserve American freedom. 

You will see the soon to be infamous “purple potty” placed in various yards around Dalhart.  The Dallam Hartley Counties Hospital District’s Relay for Life team put their minds together and come up with the “purple potty” as their way to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  Why a purple potty?

Teens from throughout the Panhandle are headed to state competition after winning their respective contests at the annual District 1 4-H Fashion Show, held April 18 at Bushland High School.