West Texas Wind Festival This Saturday

T. G. Sheppard

Plans are being finalized for the eleventh annual West Texas Wind Festival this Saturday, and organizers are expecting a large crowd, especially for the free concert and the fireworks show.

The downtown streets will be lined with vendors all afternoon and evening, and the downtown shops will be open for business. The Roscoe Historical Museum will also be open, and the Roscoe Express Shuttle will be on hand to take people to and from selected parking areas, the Plowboy Mudbog, and downtown all afternoon at no charge.

The Plowboy Mudbog competition begins at noon at the baseball field at Second and Sycamore in east Roscoe. It will go on until 4 or 5pm depending on the number of entries. Admission is $5 for adults (17 and older) and $3 for kids (11-17), with free admission for children (10 and under).  Proceeds from gate and concession stand will benefit the Roscoe Collegiate High Class of 2018.

The Roscoe Collegiate School will be holding an open house Saturday afternoon at the Edu-Drone office in the Shelansky Building. Edu-Vet will also be in the same building to answer questions and inform visitors about the program, and the Early Childhood Center on South Main Street will be open for tours.

Lyndall Underwood & the Dusty Creek Band.

Music for the free concert and street dance on Cypress Street will begin at six with Lyndall Underwood & the Dusty Creek Band.

Then at around eight, American country singer/songwriter T. G. Sheppard will take the stage. A country music legend, he has had 21 No. 1 hits on the U.S. Country charts, including eight consecutive number ones between 1980 and 1982 and over thirty others in the top ten. He has also been named one of the top 100 country artists of all time.

No. 1 hits include among others “Devil in the Bottle,” “Last Cheater’s Waltz,” “I’ll Be Coming Back for More,” “War is Hell (on the Home Front Too),” “I Loved Them Every One,” “Faking Love,” and “Slow Burn.”

The fireworks show will follow Sheppard’s performance at about 9:40pm and conclude this year’s Wind Festival, although those who aren’t ready to go home yet can move over to the Lumberyard, where Lyndall Underwood & the Dusty Creek Band will play until midnight with no cover charge.

Plowboy Mudbog

As always, mudboggers will be coming in from near and far to try their vehicles in Roscoe’s blackland mud at the Plowboy Mudbog,

Registration for entrants begins at 9:30am Saturday morning at the northwest corner of George Parks Baseball Field at Second and Sycamore Streets.  The driver entry fee is $30.

Entries will be in six classes:

1. Street: 35” tires and under with limited engine modification
2. Super Street: 35” with engine vac under 13”
3. Modified: 36” to 39” with limited engine modification
4. Super Modified: 36” to 39” with engine vac under 13”
5. Open: 40” and over.
6. Tractor Wheels  

Since there’s an advantage in going last rather than first, each mud vehicle makes two runs, with the second run in reverse order from the first. Street and Super Street classes will do both their runs first, and then the rest of the classes will follow in order.

The public gate will open at 11:00am with the mudbog competition beginning at noon.  Admission is $5 for adults (17 and older) and $3 for kids (11-17), with free admission for children (10 and under).  Proceeds from the gate and concession stand will benefit the RCHS Class of 2018.

Spectators are encouraged to bring sun block, canopy, and lawn chairs. For more information, see the Plowboy Mudbog Facebook page, or contact Felix Pantoja at 325-514-8384.

Downtown Schedule:

6:00pm/7:30pm – Dusty Creek Band
7:40pm – Announcements - Giveaways
8:00pm – T. G. Sheppard & Band
9:40pm – Fireworks Show
10:00pm – Event Ends

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PLOWBOYS RIP ROBY 47-6

Nick Limones (12) runs behind the block of Rey Martinez (74). (Photo by Tamara Alexander.)

It was a long night for the Lions. They came into Friday night’s game undefeated with a 5-0 record and high hopes of defeating the Plowboys—or, failing that, at least playing them a close game. But the Plowboys were ready for them, and, as the game wore on, it became more and more apparent that neither was going to happen.

Blame it on Friday the 13th if you will, but when a school like Roby has only around half the students as the other schools in its district,* their game results are likely to be negative, as they were Friday evening. The Roby boys played hard throughout the game, and their quarterback showed both talent and grit, but the game was an uphill battle for the Lions from the outset.

*Texas Football lists the District 4-2A-II school enrollments for grades for 9-12 as follows: Seagraves 154, Tahoka 153, Roscoe 138, Plains 127, Hamlin 115, Roby 74.

The first possessions of both teams were stopped by interceptions, but then about mid-quarter the Plowboys put together a drive that ended with a Jayden Gonzales pass to Clemente Aguayo for a one-yard touchdown, and the Plowboys led 6-0. The next time the Plowboys got the ball they scored again, this time on a 48-yard pass play from Gonzales to Brandon Lavalais. After missing his first extra-point kick, Jose Ortega succeeded on the second, and the Plowboys led 13-0.

Roby came back, though, with a drive early in the second quarter that ended with an 8-yard Kyler Covington run around right end to the end zone. The extra-point attempt failed, but the Lions were still in the game, behind by seven, 13-6. The Plowboys responded on their next possession when Gonzales hit Jose Ortega with a 14-yard scoring pass that made the score 19-6. And before the quarter was over, they got another touchdown when Francisco Garcia broke a couple of tackles on his way to a 62-yard touchdown run that gave the Plowboys a commanding halftime lead of 27-6.

The Plowboys made two more touchdowns in the third quarter to put the game out of reach. The first was a 5-yard pass from Gonzales to Garcia and the second a 5-yard Garcia run that made the score 41-6. They got another in the fourth on a 52-yard Garcia run to make the final score 47-6.

For the game, the Plowboy offense made 493 total yards to Roby’s 155 and 24 first downs to Roby’s 8. Jayden Gonzales completed 15 of 32 passes for 177 yards and 4 TDs. Brandon Lavalais caught 4 passes for 73 yards and 1 TD, Jose Ortega 3 for 39 and 1 TD, Francisco Garcia 3 for 36 and 1 TD, and Clemente Aguayo with 4 for 28 and 1 TD. Diego Garza had 1 catch for 11 yards. The leading rusher was Garcia, who had 14 carries for 232 yards and 1 TD, Nick Limones had 5 carries for 41 yards, Gonzales 3 for 22, and Ortega 2 for 21.

Leading the defense was Parker Payne with 7 tackles, followed by Garrett Bowers with 6, Paul Pantoja with 5, Ortega with 4½, Aguayo with 4, Garza with 3½, Limones with 3, and others with 2 or 1.

The Plowboys are now 4-2 on the season and 1-0 in district, while Roby is 5-1 and 0-1.

 Plowboys vs. Cowboys at Plowboy Field Friday

The Plowboys will play at home again Friday night, this time against Plains, another district foe. The Cowboys are currently 2-3 on the year and coming off a 21-14 loss to Hamlin in their district opener on Friday. They have victories over Smyer and Sudan and losses to Lubbock Christian and Wink, as well as to Hamlin.

Kickoff at Plowboy Stadium is at 7:00pm.

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PLOWBOY, TWO PLOWGIRLS QUALIFY FOR REGIONAL IN CROSS COUNTRY

Alfonso Islas

Victoria Martinez and Riley Sheridan (Photos by Tamara Alexander)

Plowboy Alfonso Islas, Jr., and Plowgirls Riley Sheridan and Victoria Martinez will be competing at the Regional Cross-Country Meet in Lubbock on October 23. All three qualified at the District 8-2A meet at the Anson Golf Course on October 10.

Alfonso, a junior, finished ninth in the varsity boys’ 5K run with a time of 20:53.09. Riley, a freshman, placed fifth in the girls’ varsity 3200-meter run with a time of 13:40.40, and Victoria, also a freshman, placed tenth in the same race with a time of 14:31.23. Runners had to finish in the top ten to advance to the regional meet. Fifteen boys competed in the boys’ 5K run, and 43 girls competed in the girls’ 3200-meter run.

Kadee Martinez won the JV girls’ 3200-meter run, and several other Plowboys and Plowgirls competed in the 7th, 8th, JV, and varsity races.

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ROSCOE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S FALL FESTIVAL THIS FRIDAY

A contestant throws rings on bottles at a previous fall festival.

The Roscoe Elementary School is holding its annual Fall Festival this Friday, October 20, 5:00-7:00pm, at Circle Drive in front of the Elementary School building.

As always, there will be activities of all kinds, prizes, and games of luck and skill, including a cake walk, bingo, snacks, and much more to make the festival a fun evening for everyone. Proceeds benefit the Roscoe Elementary School.

The festival will precede the Plowboys’ home football game with the Plains Cowboys.

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RCHS ONE OF THIRTY SCHOOLS INVITED TO JOIN GLOBAL LEARNING NETWORK

Roscoe Collegiate High School has been designated a “World-Leading Learner” and is one of thirty schools worldwide to join the Global Learning Network.

The following is the official press release of the Global Learning Network:

Roscoe Collegiate High School Among 30 Schools Named “World-Leading Learners” and Invited to Join Global Learning Network

Roscoe Collegiate High School to Join the Global Learning Network’s 2017 Cohort of 30 Schools from the United States, Singapore, Switzerland, Germany, South Korea, and Canada

Roscoe, TX – October 16, 2017 – Today, Roscoe Collegiate High School was named a 2017 World-Leading Learner and invited to join the Global Learning Network (GLN), a community of educators from exemplary schools that develop, practice, and share innovative approaches to education that ensure their students are prepared for career and lifelong success.

In December, leaders from Roscoe will head to Boston and meet school leaders from the U.S., Singapore, Switzerland, Germany, South Korea, and Canada for the Global Learning Network’s 2017 Convening of World-Leading Learners: Rethinking Education for the 21st Century, co-hosted by America Achieves and the OECD.

“We’re thrilled to join the Global Learning Network and to be recognized by America Achieves and the OECD,” said Dr. Kim Alexander, Superintendent of Roscoe Collegiate Independent School District. “I’m so proud of our work in Roscoe and look forward to sharing our approach to rural innovation and career preparation with leaders from school around the world, and learn how other schools are preparing their students for success beyond the classroom.”

“We are witnessing the most significant and fast-paced economic change in recent global history. We need to recognize the significant implications these changes have on the workforce and the knowledge and skills students will need for their future careers,” said Jon Schnur, Executive Chairman of America Achieves, which runs the Global Learning Network. “Schools need to change as the world is changing. This year’s cohort is made up of exemplary schools from around the world that are adapting to prepare their students to be successful in a fast-changing labor market. I’m looking forward to meeting the leaders of these schools at the Global Learning Network Convening in December.”

“Modern schools need to help all students achieve their highest potential, and to play active roles to shape societies and economies of future in a changing world.  We look forward to the convening of world-leading learners to share the best practices between schools and explore new ways for schools to develop as learning organizations”, said Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills and Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the OECD.

America Achieves’ Global Learning Network, in partnership Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), invited a cohort of 30 high schools from around the world to participate in the Global Learning Network’s 2017 Convening of World-Leading Learners: Rethinking Education for the 21st Century. In the United States, state departments of education and partner organizations nominated schools for this opportunity. Once nominated, schools were interviewed, and 17 schools were selected from 7 states. Outside of the U.S., 13 schools from 5 countries were invited by the OECD. Each school was selected for their strong progress in at least one of the following categories:

• Excellence - schools that exhibit high academic achievement;
• Equity - schools that are reducing the achievement gap between racial and socioeconomic groups;
• Innovation - schools that are aligning classroom outcomes with local labor market skills that are crucial to success in the 21st century economy.

For more information about the Global Learning Network and the 2017 cohort of World-Leading Learners, please visit www.globallearningnetwork.americaachieves.org

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BUSINESS US 84 CLOSED AT RAILROAD CROSSING TODAY AND TOMORROW

The Cypress railroad crossing downtown.

Business US 84 at Cypress Street will be closed for street repairs today and tomorrow at the railroad crossing in downtown Roscoe. The Union Pacific Railroad is making some long-needed street repairs there, and the temporary closing will necessitate a detour for anyone who uses the crossing to enter or leave Roscoe.

County Road 111, where the Co-op Gin and Sanders are located, will be the easiest way to enter town for travelers coming from the northwest, while those who want to cross the railroad tracks from the east can use Cemetery Road (CR 104) just east of American Legion Post 227.

The Union Pacific has already been working on the crossing at night, as some have learned the hard way. Barring any unexpected delays, they expect to be done by tomorrow evening.

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WEATHER REPORT: COOL, CLEAR, AND BEAUTIFUL

Clear skies over Front Street during Monday's sunset.

The past week has moved from the warmer days of the latter part of last week to decidedly cooler weather that started on Sunday and has continued up to the present.

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday had warm afternoons and almost perfect evenings. The high temperatures were 87°F on Thursday, 91° on Friday, and 88° on Saturday with clear skies. Early Sunday morning a cold front moved through, dropping the temperature and bringing a strong north wind. The high on Sunday was only 73° with winds from 15 to 26mph and gusts up to 36mph. It also brought a light shower that measured less than a tenth of an inch, hardly enough to mention.

Monday and yesterday were beautiful with almost no wind and highs of 70° and 80° respectively. Early morning temperatures were chilly, however, with a low of 41° on Monday and 44° yesterday.

Today should be warmer with sunshine, a few clouds, and a high of 84°.  Tomorrow and Friday will be a bit cooler with highs of 79° and 81° and the south wind picking up on Friday and Saturday to around 20mph. The weather for the Wind Festival on Saturday should be warm and windy with an afternoon high of 88°. Another norther is due late Saturday or early Sunday, and temperatures will be considerably cooler with a high of only 74° and lows dropping from Saturday morning’s 64° to Sunday’s 51°.

There is no rain in the forecast.

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† ALFONSO PANTOJA

Holy Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00am tomorrow, October 19, at St. Joseph’s Mission in Loraine for Alfonso Pantoja, 78, of Roscoe, who passed away at his home Monday, October 16. Father Michael Udegbunam will officiate. Rosary is today at 7:00pm at McCoy Chapel of Memories in Sweetwater.

Alfonso was born August 2, 1939, in Loraine to Felix and Florencia Pantoja. He married Maria Diaz on January 4, 1958, in Loraine. He was a member of Saint Joseph's Mission Catholic Church in Loraine. Alfonso was a Tejano trumpet player, a truck driver, a farmer, and a painter. He attended school in Loraine. He loved going to anything for his grandkids and also enjoyed mud bogging.

Survivors are his wife, Maria Pantoja; sons, Tony Pantoja of Kerrville, James Pantoja and wife Connie of Arlington, Ray Pantoja and wife Gabby of Arlington, David Pantoja and wife Lus of Roscoe, Felix Pantoja of Roscoe, and Ruben Pantoja and wife Leslie of Maypearl; daughters, Martha Ensenia and husband Paul of Sweetwater and Isabell Moore of Roscoe; 24 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pallbearers are Anthony Pantoja, Zeke Ensenia, Fernando Pantoja, Kevin Pantoja, Vincent Pantoja, and Dominic Pantoja. Honorary Pallbearers are Sam Pantoja and Anthony Torres.

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