Courtesy Photo / Gail Hill
A Day of Remembrance
Courtesy Photo / Gail Hill
Courtesy Photo / Gail Hill
Clark, Wann are top grads for CHS
Clarendon High School recognized Gracie Clark and Maloree Wann the top students for the Class of 2025 during graduation ceremonies at the Harned Sisters Fine Arts Center last Friday, May 23.
Emily Grace Clark, daughter of Gregg and Catherine Clark, is the Valedictorian for the Class of ’25. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA and a place on the A Honor Roll for all of her four years at Clarendon High School. Gracie received Honor C awards in Algebra I Honors, Biology, Principles of Human Services, Geometry Honors, Algebra II Honors, English II Honors, Chemistry, Lifetime Nutrition & Wellness, and Anatomy & Physiology. During her junior year, Gracie participated in UIL Science and was a member of the regional qualifying team. Gracie served as the Vice President of Student Council during her senior year, and as a representative throughout her freshman and junior years. Gracie served as the Vice President of the National Honor Society during her senior year, and as a member during her junior year.
Gracie was a member of the Gifted & Talented Program since Kindergarten. She completed 53 dual credit hours and was on the President’s List for four semesters. She participated in service projects around the school and town such as Snack Pak 4 Kids, Angel Tree program, Highway Cleanup, Vacation Bible School, Bread of Life Food Bank, and Mustard Seed Ministry.
Gracie plans to attend Hardin-Simmons University and major in Communication Sciences & Disorders.
Maloree Wann, daughter of Carey and Brandi Wann, is the class Salutatorian with a GPA of 3.93. She attended CISD since pre-Kindergarten. Maloree was an extremely active member in multiple organizations while attending CHS. She was 2025 Class President, NHS President, Clarendon FFA President, Donley County 4-H President, and Student Council Secretary throughout her senior year. Maloree played softball four years and was Academic All-State First Team this year. She also participated in basketball one year, cross country two years, and cheerleading four years.
During her junior year, the Bronco Cheerleaders participated at the UIL State Spirit Competition and made finals. Maloree was a three-time state qualifier in horse judging and horse quiz through Donley County 4-H. She also enjoyed attending the major stock shows with her swine projects. During her senior year, Maloree placed fifth in San Antonio in the duroc class and third in Houston with a different duroc pig. She participated in UIL Academics for four years and was a UIL Regional Qualifier three of those years. Finally, she led and organized the all-campuses canned food drive held during December.
Maloree plans on attending Texas Tech University in the fall of 2025 to pursue a degree in animal science and pre-medicine.
Ehlert, Valles lead Hedley Class of 2025
Taylee Ehlert and Javier Valles were named the top students for the Class of 2025 for Hedley High School and were recognized during graduation ceremonies on May 15.
Ehlert was honored as the Valedictorian with a GPA of 3.904. She is the daughter of Thomas and Stephanie Ehlert. She has participated in basketball, track, tennis, One Act Play, cross country, yearbook, Plant ID, and cheerleading. Taylee is a National Honor Society member and was the Young Woman of the Year for Hedley.
Taylee plans to pursue a degree in horticulture and find a career that she truly enjoys.
Javier Valles is the Salutatorian for the Class of 2025 with a GPA of 3.758. He is the son of Patricia Valles. He has been actively involved in FFA, One Act Play, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Javier has received the Hedley Young Man of the Year award and earned a cheerleading scholarship to Wayland Baptist University.
Javier plans to attend Wayland this fall to pursue a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing.
HHS seniors earn $20k
Hedley High School’s Class of 2025 has received almost $20,000 in scholarships and awards, according to an announcement made during commencement exercises there on May 15.
Kyler Booth was the recipient of a Hedley Lions Club Scholarship worth $200.
Malorie Collins is recipient of the Monroe Family “Lila Kate & Kylie Monroe/Tom Hoobler Memorial Scholarship for $300 and a Hedley Lions Club Scholarship for $200.
Billy Curry received a Hedley Lions Club Scholarship for $200.
Taylee Ehlert is the recipient of the State of Texas Highest Ranking Graduate Scholarship, good for one free year of tuition at a public university valued at approximately $9,300. She also received a West Texas A&M University Merit Award for $2,500 per semester, the Greenbelt Electric Co-op Scholarship for $1,500, the Billy Talley Memorial Scholarship for $1,000, and a Hedley Lions Club Scholarship for $200.
Javier Valles is the recipient of the Cheer Team Scholarship from the 2025 National Cheer America Champions at Wayland Baptist University for $1,500 a semester. Valles also received the Donley County Retired School Personnel countywide scholarship for $350, a Hedley Lions Club Scholarship $200, and the Monroe Family “Lila Kate & Kylie Monroe/Tom Hoobler Memorial Scholarship for $300.
UPDATE: US 287 crossing at Kearney to close June 17
UPDATE: TxDOT has updated the closure date for Kearney Street at US 287. Kearney Street traffic was originally scheduled to be barricaded at US 287 starting next Tuesday, June 3, for work on the bridge behind the Donley County State Bank and Herring Bank. The state now says side street barricades are expected to be erected until June 17.
Southbound traffic will also be blocked from entering Sully, Jefferson, and Gorst streets from the highway.
Christ’s Kids seeks summer donations
Christ’s Kids Ministry is in need of monetary donations to provide daily meals this summer for their Summer Lunch Program. They will be feeding around 120 kids each weekday this summer.
To ensure they can continue feeding these children until school starts back, they are still in need of nearly $7,000 to buy food and supplies.
If you are able, please send any donations to Christ Kids, PO Box 45, Clarendon, Texas 79226 or contact Ted Shaller at 806-277-0562.
Obituaries
Holman
Billy Gene Holman, 60, of Clarendon died Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Donley County.
Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in the Community Fellowship Church in Clarendon with Rev. Larry Capranica, officiating.
Cremation and arrangements are under the direction of Robertson Funeral Directors of Clarendon.
Billy was born February 25, 1965, in Clarendon to Homer Gene and Wanda Ford Holman. Billy was a lifetime resident of Clarendon, and worked for many years as a county hand for Donley County. He also was a past 17 year member of the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department where he had served as a past assistant chief. Billy loved fishing, his pets, and working on anything in the garage. He married Sharla Currie on August 4, 2021.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a step son, Bryan McFarland.
He is survived by his wife, Sharla Holman of Clarendon; a son, Cody Holman and wife Ying of Amarillo; his brother, Mark Holman of Oklahoma; his sisters, Barbara Ellerbrook of Clarendon and Vicky Tolbert of Amarillo; his step son, Michael McFarland of Dallas; his step daughter, Marissa Fulcher of Muleshoe; 5 grandchildren, Joshua, Kassi, Elizabeth, Ryeleigh, and Padraig; several nieces and nephews; and brothers and sisters in law.
The family request memorials be sent to the Clarendon Volunteer Fire Department PO Box 364, Clarendon, Texas 79226.
Lady Broncos make history
By Sandy Anderberg
Two committed coaches, eight dedicated seniors, several underclassmen, and a throng of devoted Bronco Nation fans equal ‘history in the making’ for the Clarendon Lady Bronco softball team. Their endurance and tenacity have put them in the State Semi-final game with Riesel this week.
Coming off a three-game series win over Floydada, the Lady Broncos are hungry and looking to devour the Lady Indians with the first game starting in Abilene as the Enterprise went to press Tuesday evening, May 20. Game two, and game three if needed, will be on Thursday, May 22. Follow Facebook.com/TheEnterprise for game updates.
The Lady Broncos were able to get the win over Floydada last week in three games, which was the first time in the 2025 playoffs it took three of the best two out of three series. After being down by one in the opening game, the Lady Broncos dug deep in their arsenal and earned three runs late in the game to win 4-3 over the Lady Winds in Canyon.
Senior stand-out Kennadie Cummins was on the mound and did what she has done all season long. She, along with a solid group of players behind her, was able to hold Floydada scoreless for the last four innings to get the win. It took Cummins 134 pitches against 37 batters in the two-run win with 98 of them being strikes. Cummins allowed five hits, two runs, two walks, and struck-out two in the nine innings.
Offensively, the Lady Broncos had their bats going racking up seven singles and three doubles in the game. Senior Hayden Elam smashed a triple along with a single for on RBI and one run. K. Cummins racked up a single and a double with one run and Cambree Smith was good for a double. Riley Jantz, Maloree Wann, and Shelby Christopher all had solid hits.
The Lady Broncos struggled to get anything going in the second game and lost 2-11. The Lady Winds were doing everything they needed to do to stay in the hunt and used a huge second inning to get the nine-run win. Elliot Frausto blasted a one run home run in the fourth inning to center field and grabbed the lone stolen base.
Tandie Cummins was on the mound and gave up 14 hits for their 11 runs. Cummins faced 41 batters and struck out six. Each team committed seven errors in the field.
With the series tied at one each, the Lady Broncos came out in the third with a solid game plan. From T. Cummins’ double to left field that scored Elam in the first inning to the duo repeating it for the last score of the game, the ladies executed to perfection offensively to put runs on the board.
Their defensive stand began at the mound with K. Cummins and then spread to a well-disciplined infield and alert outfield. The Lady Broncos, with strong determination, stopped everything the Lady Winds tried. Cummins was able to strike out six batters allowing only one Floydada hit and one walk.
The magic happening at home plate was no surprise as the Lady Bronco bats have been spot on all season long. They were able to slam five singles, six doubles, and one massive Elam homerun in the win. The entire lineup swung the bat well and posed a threat every time. Elam, T. and K. Cummins, and Jantz all blasted doubles and Frausto earned a stolen base.
Behind every good team is a dedicated coach and head coach Brad Elam has been that guy for four of his 22 years with Clarendon. He knows the athleticism and mindset of this team and recognizes how tough the girls are. “What a great series,” Elam said. “(I am) so proud of these girls and how they fought. Down one with two outs and no one on in game one and we were able to tie it.” Despite the fact that the second game did not go as planned, Elam never lost confidence in his team. “(We) had a bad game two, but the girls were able to bounce back and dominate game three,” he said. “They never doubted, just really tough girls; really happy for them and the town.”
The Lady Broncos will put it all on the line once again this week. We know them, their game, and their ‘never quit’ attitude. There is more history to be made and this Lady Bronco team is the team to do just that.
O’Reilly’s opening store here
O’Reilly Auto Parts will open for business in Clarendon this summer and fill a long-vacant building fronting US 287.
District Manager Luis Gallardo said the company plans to start operating Saturday, June 21, but he acknowledged that weather and shipping delays could postpone that date.
“We’re excited to be coming to Clarendon, and everyone has been so nice,” Gallardo said. “We’re looking to serving the community.”
O’Reilly’s is currently renovating the former Family Dollar building on US 287 between Lowe’s Family Center and the Buckin’ Bean. The store was built and 2013 and has been vacant since 2019. Gallardo said exterior painting is complete and workers are now moving walls, installing new LED lighting, and removing floor tiles in favor of a polished concrete floor. He could not say how much money was being spent to renovate the building, but knew it was likely a significant investment.
“We like all our stores to look the same so customers have a familiar layout,” he said.
Gallardo is based in Perryton and manages O’Reilly stores from Clarendon to Ulysses, Kansas, with the exception of Amarillo, which is in its own district. He started with O’Reilly’s right out of college and has worked his way up the company ladder. He said O’Reilly’s will employee a minimum of eight people and up to ten people at the new Clarendon store, and applications are now being accepted.
“Just go to oreillycareers.com and select “Clarendon, Texas,” and you’ll see the openings we have,” he said.
The company is currently going through internal candidates to select a manager for the new store, he said.
Legion’s Memorial Day services set
The Adamson-Lane, Post 287 of The American Legion in Hedley will hold its annual Memorial Day service at the Rowe Cemetery, Monday morning at 10:00 AM on May 25, 2025. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the Hedley Lions Club.
The Post members will place American Flags on the graves of 251 Veterans buried in the Rowe Cemetery. The Flags will be placed on the graves at 9:00 AM, Saturday May 24, 2024, and remain till Monday, May 26, 2024, in honor of those departed comrades that have served this Country.
The Memorial Day program will be conducted by members of the American Legion that will include the raising of the colors, the National Anthem, Pledge to the Flag and the ceremony honoring the missing in action and the Prisoners of War still unaccounted for.
The Memorial Day address will be given by Stan Cosby. Audra Berry will read the names of the 252 Veterans buried in the Rowe Cemetery. The program will be concluded with the laying of the memorial wreath and the playing of taps.
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