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Senior Class Officers
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Archives for August 2025
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Employee of the Month
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Golden 50
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CC livestock judging program begins new era
One of Clarendon College’s signature programs is entering a new era with a leadership transition underway.
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Since the inception of the livestock judging program at Clarendon College in 1976, only two men have ever held the distinction of head coach – Jerry Hawkins and Johnny Treichel.
That steady leadership has resulted in one of the most stable and consistent judging programs in the country. After careful consideration, CC officials announced this week that Ty Gillespie will be taking on the position of head livestock judging coach and judging teams’ coordinator.
Gillespie is a familiar face to the program, having served alongside Treichel since 2019. He grew up in Joshua and is a CC alumnus himself, having attended Clarendon College to judge livestock in 2015. He continued his education at Texas Tech University, where he was a member of the livestock judging team under the direction of Jon DeClerck and Ryan Rathmann while obtaining a bachelor’s in Animal Science. He then went on to receive a master’s degree in Agriculture from West Texas A&M University.
Gillespie not only brings a wealth of knowledge from his days as a judging competitor and assistant coach but also brings experience in the trenches of production agriculture, where he and his family manage a show cattle operation that focuses on selling steer projects to 4H and FFA members in Texas and surrounding states.
“There’s no doubt I have big shoes to fill,” Gillespie said. “This program has been built and led by exceptional individuals. My goal will be to preserve the rich history and tradition that has been forged while continuing to progress the program in a positive direction. At the forefront will always be the development of students into winners and leaders in the game of life.”
Clarendon College is excited to welcome Gillespie into his new role and looks forward to the vision and leadership he will bring to the program as we build towards a strong future.
In July, Treichel was promoted as the new Dean of Students. He assumed the role of head livestock judging coach in the fall of 2003 and has served diligently in that position for the past 22 years. He leaves behind a legacy marked with immense success both in and out of the judging circle.
During his time, he has coached teams to win contests and had many students named to the All-American team. Individually, he has been named a distinguished alumnus at both Clarendon College and West Texas A&M University. Most importantly to Treichel is the long list of great students he has had the opportunity to see grow and flourish both while at Clarendon and beyond.
It has been a pleasure to uphold the tradition that was set before my arrival as coach,” Treichel said. “I would like to thank all of the students and their parents that I have had the pleasure of working with over the past years. Many of whom have become lifelong friends. Seeing them succeed in life has given me much more pride than a banner or trophy ever could.“
As the program facilitates this smooth transition, Treichel will still carry the title of judging teams’ consultant and will be available to assist where needed. He will also continue to travel with the team in the fall.
“Johnny and I have made a great team over the past six years,” Gillespie said. “Johnny has been so much more than a co-worker to me. When you spend that much time together, you become like family. I will forever cherish his mentorship, and it will be reassuring to have him remain close to the program and be there to lean on and offer support and advice.”
HCISD okays deficit budget for FY 2026
Hedley CISD trustees adopted a deficit budget Monday night following a public hearing as the school continues to look for ways to increase enrollment.
“We had a good meeting and good discussion, and we adopted a deficit budget due to a lack of enrolment,” Superintendent Tracey Langford said.
The shortfall of about $500,000 will be made up from the school’s reserves. Langford says Hedley has suffered a decrease in state funding with enrollment being below 90 students for the last two years. Hedley’s enrollment is 86 this week.
Langford says if they can boost enrollment back above 90, the state funds will increase. School officials continue to consider programs and incentives that might interest kids and families to help boost enrollment, and the school’s adoption of a hybrid calendar this year might draw some interest also. Under the hybrid calendar, Hedley will go to a four-day week following the Thanksgiving break.
Langford said the hybrid calendar was adopted for this year after a survey of teachers, kids, and parents. Classes will be held from 7:40 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. with the school year ending on May 21. Once a month teachers will have to stay an extra day to fulfill contract obligations, and students will be able to use those days for tutoring.
“We’re going to try it and see what it looks like,” Langford said. “We will survey again in the spring to see what people think about it.”
Langford said one thing trustees have not talked about going for another Voter-Approved Tax Ratification Election (VATRE). Last November, Hedley ISD voters said “no” to a proposed 12-cent increase in the school’s tax rate.
The VATRE rate could have brought in about $257,000 in new revenue but was turned down at the polls 108-135.
Hedley trustees Monday approved a tax rate of $0.65610 per $100 valuation, which Langford said is about 2.98 increase over the current rate.
Langford said the school is looking forward to a positive year.
“We have a good staff and good group of kids, and we’re off to a good start,” Langford said.
City, Republic work on trash deal details
The Clarendon City Council and Republic Services worked on their franchise agreement last Thursday as the company prepares to take over the city’s trash collection October 1.
Republic representative Matthew Peterson said his company is working now to bring in new and refurbished Dumpsters to replace those now owned by Waste Connections.
Peterson again discussed his company’s intention to get involved in the community, noting that they are joining the Chamber of Commerce and highlighting his employees participating in Friona’s big cheeseburger cookoff. Republic won that cookoff this year and donated the winnings back to the community in the form of backpacks and school supplies.
Peterson asked what his company could do for Clarendon, and Alderman Brittany Wolfe replied, “Just pick up our trash regularly.” To which Peterson replied, “We are really excited to show you how it’s done.”
As the transfer day get closer, residents may notice new Dumpsters showing up in their alleyways before the old ones are removed.
In other city business, aldermen appointed Paula Lowrie as the city’s tax code officer and voted to plan for the voter approval rate of $0.560241 per $100 valuation.
Action was taken to set garbage rates according to Republic’s rates plus $1.50 per residential account and $3 per commercial account and top increase water and sewer rates by three percent.
The council also approved the lease of a dump truck and F-250 pickup truck.
Following a 24-minute closed session to evaluate City Administrator Brian Barboza, the council approved extending his contract to September 2027 and an increase in pay.
New HISD faculty
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CHS Bronco Booster Club hosts classic golf tourney
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The Clarendon Bronco Booster Club Classic drew strong community support while raising money for local athletics last Saturday at the Clarendon Country Club.
Floyd’s Automotive claimed first place in a chip-off, earning $500. BJM Sales also finished second and earned $300, while Speed’s won a chip-off for third, earning $150.
Special contest winners included Brad VandenBoogaard, closest to the pin ($50); Junior Ceniceros, chipping contest ($50 United gift card); and Anthony Ceniceros, putting contest ($50 United gift card).
Raffle prizes went to Caleb Mitchell, Yeti cooler; Raylan Shelton, Turtlebox speaker; Stormy McAnear, Proffer Aesthetics package; Ronda Haynes, Corrective Aesthetics package; Michael Thompson, all-weather bag; Dalton Benson, men’s Pelican cooler; and Joel Horn, women’s Pelican cooler.
Silent auction items brought in top bids from Bryan Caison, $300 for a Cole Franks and Friends basket; Ashlee Wortham, $255 for a beef package; and Joe Bilbrey, $200 for a fishing pole and bucket.
Organizers extended special thanks to REFZ for providing fajitas and top sponsors Mike’s Pharmacy, Stone Bros. Collision and United Supermarkets for their donations.
Back to School Bash
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Senior Citizens 50th anniversary set for Saturday
The Donley County Senior Citizens will hold their 50th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser Saturday, August 16, from 5 to 8 p.m. at 115 E. 4th.
Activities will include dinner and a show, music, cowboy poetry, comedy skits, a 50/50 raffle, and a quilt raffle. Cookbooks will be for sale also.
Bring your chair, appetite, and a sense of humor to celebrate this milestone.
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