Fifty-one FFA and 4-H students overcame pandemic res13rictions, quarantines, revised rules, adapted schedules, and a flagging economy to successfully compete in last weekend’s 2020 Hemphill County Junior Livestock Show and Sale, showing 81 animals. Only 51 animals went through the sale this year, compared to 57 in 2020 and 71 the year before that. Sales figures were roughly $62,800, with add-on money still coming in, compared to $65,700 last year.

In a school board agenda filled with fairly routine reports last Thursday evening, one stood out. The eighth-grade graduation report inspired a spirited discussion on the subject of whether or not to continue the tradition of graduation ceremonies for the Canadian Middle School’s eighth-grade class.

“All A” Honor Roll Eighth Grade: Brooklyn Beedy, Jessa Bell, Arionna Black, Lilly Bradford, Landry Cantu, Paula Castaneda, Connor Cipollone, William Davis, Julian Dominguez, Mackenzie Flowers, Margaret Hanes, Jacob Hayes, Delaney Huntress, Tucker Landry, Konnar McClendon, Iris Mondragon, Lucas Moreno, Morgan Orrell, Cooper Powell, Avery Ratliff, Cole Walser. Seventh Grade: Brianna Antillon, Kylie Cavalier, Collier Cook, Daniel Jimenez, Sophia Mills, Kimora Morales, Sarahi Moreno, Rene Osornio, Giovani Perez, Sage Saenz, Tate Wilhelm.

Reading the Chronicle of Higher Education on Jan. 6, I came across an advertising banner that gave me pause. It read, “A College Lifeline: Higher Education for incarcerated and rural students—and why it matters.” I downloaded this joint venture between Ascendium and the Chronicle of Higher Education. It provided some insight; however, the initial contrast between a felon and a person from a rural setting was startling to me. Charles Manson and Henry David Thoreau have similar needs and aspirations regarding educational aspirations? Profiling always misses the mark.