CC Golf Team
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HHS nominees
Life’s lessons
Lessons being learned by the Clarendon College men’s basketball team aren’t just being taught on the court this year.
The team is working to serve others and learn more about the game of life in the process.
“We feel like the message of being a servant and of having a servant’s heart is a lifelong lesson that maybe the kids can take with them.,” CC men’s basketball head coach Tony Starnes said. “They should give of themselves for the good of the whole.”
The idea of serving others applies also applies on the court.
“We tell the kids all time if they are more interested in serving their teammates, then we will not have to obsess over winning and losing; it will take care of itself.”
In recent weeks and months the team has answered phones at the MDA telethon, served meals at Faith City Mission in Amarillo, served meals at the Community Care Center, read to kids at the elementary school, put on basketball clinics in the area, participated in food drives, brought drinks to the Clarendon High School Football team after one of their practices, and much more.
“We have received a lot of positive feedback from people in town and the surrounding communities. There are such great people in Clarendon and in the Panhandle,” Starnes said.
And it’s not just the players who benefit.
“The people we serve appreciate the help, but they really appreciate and benefit from getting involved with the college kids. They see it as a mission field and are very willing to be positive role models for these kids.”
Coach Starnes’ classes have even joined in on the action.
His sports officiating students gathered canned goods last week and donated them to the First Baptist Church’s Downtown Ministry Center.
To expand upon their volunteer work, the men’s basketball team began hosting guest speakers last week.
“Every Wednesday at about 2:55 p.m., we have a guest speaker from the community who talks for about five to 10 minutes,” Starnes said. “The talks focus on being a success in life by being a good husband, a good father, and a responsible adult.”
Coach Starnes hopes to teach the players how blessed they really are through gratitude, selflessness, and an appreciation of others.
“I have learned that God has blessed me with an opportunity to play ball and get an education,” said men’s basketball player Barry Johnson, a sophomore from Lubbock. “I want to give back and be able to help others.”
You can catch the Bulldogs in action around town September 23-24. They will each be working three-hour shifts serving the community in local businesses.
Coach Starnes himself will be waiting tables at Bronco Burger after the football game on Friday, September 23.
Broncos corral Longhorns
Rebounding nicely from their one-point loss in their season opener against New Deal, the Broncos racked up 281 total yards in the win and it was the first for the season.
Vega’s strength came in the air, but their running game was easily handled by the strong Bronco defense that put up a brick wall.
Vega finished with a minus 22 yards rushing. Offensively, first-year varsity quarterback Chance McAnear hit Diego Santos on a 32-yard pass before half time for a five-point advantage going into the locker room.
The other scores came from Williams when he returned a Longhorn fumble for 18 yards and then ran it in from four yards out. The Broncos’ dominated the second half of play with a one-yard score by McAnear and a two-yard run from Williams.
The Broncos will travel to Wheeler Friday, September 9, to take on the Mustangs beginning at 7:30 p.m.
June Miller Cook
June Miller Cook, 87, of Amarillo, passed away on August 30, 2011.
Graveside services will be held on September 9 at 10 a.m. at Citizen Cemetery in Clarendon. Arrangements are under the direction of Rector Funeral Home of Amarillo.
Mrs. Cook was born as June Ruth Miller on April 15, 1924, in Mansfield, De Soto County, LA to Maynard Michael Miller and Ruth Lorraine Lewis.
She married Homer Charles Speed in 1942, in Amarillo. Following the death of her husband in 1973, she married a longtime friend, Fred Z. Cook in 1977. June attended Clarendon Junior College and Amarillo Junior College and worked a number of years in real estate sales.
June was a compassionate and loving person who always loved to visit the mountains of New Mexico. She spent many hours as a hospice volunteer and was a member of St Luke’s Presbyterian Church. Her life was spent in love and generosity toward her family and friends. She will always be remembered as a kind and caring person who was ready to listen to anyone who carried a burden in life and needed encouragement and understanding.
June was preceded in death by her two husbands and one son, Mark Abbott Speed. She is survived by two sons, Chuck Speed and wife, Cynthia, and Richard Speed and wife, Mary, all of Amarillo; nine grandchildren, Kayla Mann, Monica Speed, Michael Speed, Sean Speed, Chad Speed, Wendy Speed Smith, Dustin Speed, and Kaci Speed Linn; and eighteen great grandchildren, Jessica Mann, Nettie Jo Mann, Amanda Shipman, Logan Holman, Megan Holman, Kalee Speed, Chelsea Speed, Taylor Bergquist, Connor Speed, Derek Pummell, Aidan Speed, Christy Smith, Taylor Smith, Tara Smith, Savana Linn, Trevor Linn, Tristin Speed, and Dakota Speed; and one great-great grandchild, Shye Shipman.
The family requests that any memorials be made to Sandra’s Senior Care, 2100 SE 38th Street, Amarillo, TX 79118.
Take it and run
Dancing in the rain
Cross country runners
Ice cream social
The British Are Coming
The Enterprise sat down with these two young men, Alex Palomeque of Bristol and Jake Bond of London, both 18, along with their parents, Julia and Gavin Palomeque and Carol and Steven Bond, and Golf Coach and Athletic Director John Green to discuss their journey to Clarendon and their plans while attending CC.
Both Alex and Jake have played golf since age 12 and give almost identical answers to questions despite growing up 100 miles apart and only meeting Thursday.
Q: How did you find out about CC and what’s different about being here?
Jake – The sports agency suggested Coach Green. When I found out (about Clarendon) I looked forward to coming to Texas. I was excited. I had no idea what Texas would be like. Everyone is so friendly here is so friendly. People in London are so grumpy. The weather here is so much warmer and drier. It is quite lovely here.
Alex’s Dad – I expected everyone to be wearing cowboy hats but I’ve seen mostly baseball caps.
Alex – A friend’s brother had played football (soccer) through the agency that told me about Clarendon.
Coach Green – There are agencies in Canada, Europe, South Africa, and Australia. You build a relationship with them, and they know what you’re looking for. We look for the whole package – athletics and academics. I’m convinced that we’re going to the national tournament and these young men are going to us there.
Sports agencies work to connect athletes with colleges in U.S. Jake and Alex both intend to transfer to a four-year school after CC and both want to pursue careers in sports management – either as athletic directors or in the corporate world.
Jake – If I can keep a 3-point (grade average), I can move up.
Are their organized sports in schools in England?
Alex’s Dad (who teaches primary school) – There are organized teams but not like the American system. We have clubs outside of the schools.
What differences are there in school?
Alex’s Dad – Academics are different here, and I think both boys are apprehensive. Testing is a concern due to the language differences.
Jake’s Dad – We asked for the bill at a local restaurant last night and the waitress looked right through me. It’s a check… to us a check is something you draw funds from a bank with.
What food will you miss the most?
Jake and Alex – Indian food.
What other cultural differences here?
Jake – Everything is bigger and better here. We came in from the golf course yesterday and coach showed us the cinema (the Sandell Drive In). I thought he was joking. I thought it was an advertising board but it’s a huge outdoor cinema. You sit in your car and watch a movie. I’ve never seen anything like that in my life.
Jake’s Mom – Customer service is phenomenal here – worlds apart from England. The people at the Best Western could not have been nicer. We’re on first name terms with all of them.
Jake’s Dad – We’ve lived in our house 22 years and only know people 2 houses in any direction. Here everyone knows everyone.
Jake’s Mom – I talked to a lady named Pat Knowles at the supermarket and she tried to tell me where she lives and she offered to take care of my son.
Three other English golfers will be attending CC this year. None of these students will be receiving scholarships but instead will pay their own way to be here.
Why did you choose Clarnendon College?
Jake – The level of education is more in depth and is better in America and of course the opportunity to play golf.
Alex – Our main goal is to get on the golf tour but have an education to fall back on.
Alex’s Dad – Ever since Alex started (playing golf), it has been his dream to come to America.
Jake’s Dad – From the parents’ perspective, it was important to us for them to experience a different culture and experience new people. Either boy could have gotten into a university at home. This will make men of them hopefully.
Alex’s Dad – A big selling point for Clarendon was John Green. He has a reputation with the agencies in England, and that swung the balance to Clarendon.
Jake’s Dad – I spoke with two fathers who had previous experience with Coach Green and that made the difference for me.
Gavin – Other colleges wanted to know what Alex would do for them. John wanted to know what he could do for Alex and said he would take care of him.
Jake’s Dad – Jake was offered a scholarship at another college but we felt like Coach Green would take care of him.
The Clarendon Country Club is showing its support for the new team by hosting a CC Meet & Greet on Saturday, September 10, at 6:30 p.m. during which the public is invited to meet Alex, Jake, and the other members of the Bulldog Golf Team. The event will be held by the swimming pool and BBQ ribs with all the trimmings will be served for $10 per person.
“We’re excited (about the college program) and hope it will encourage more young people to get involved and people to get their kids involved,” Sherol Johnson, Clarendon Country Club Treasurer said. “These kids are paying their own way at CC, and that’s incredible.”
Green says he is impressed by the club’s enthusiasm for the team.
“I have never had this happen before in my 22 years of coaching.”
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