“We were excited,” Larimore said. “After the win we went to Ihop for a classic team celebration.”

Larimore competed in the 100 Butterfly and the 500 Freestyle. He placed third in Butterfly and fifth in Freestyle, advancing him to regionals in both events.

“It felt good to be on the podium and win a medal,” Larimore said.

Along with Larimore, Jon Paul Canclini, Clark Blanton (100 Free and 50 Free), Sam Spoonmore (100 Free and 50 Free) and James Copeland (100 Breaststroke) all placed. For the girls team, Morgan Ingle placed first in the Individual Medley, and Madison Yelle placed second in the 200 Free and the 500 Free. Maria Castillo placed fifth in the 100 FLY and sixth in the 500 Free.

“I was satisfied,” Castillo said. “I was planning to go faster at regionals.”

Along with the relay team, numerous swimmers are seated in the finals, including Larimore. Both teams hope to end up winning and sending as many swimmers to state as possible.

“I’m really excited,” Larimore said. “Third time’s the charm.”

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The process as follows: the students place their plastic bottles into the first trash can, shake their tray and excess food into the next trash can, place their tray on the stack and then the custodians collect them and melt them into cubes to be sent off and recycled. The “Shake and Stack” program will help the environment by taking up less space in landfills and making the lunch trays into something new.

“It is an excellent opportunity to begin teaching the value and importance of recycling to students of all ages within the district,” manger of custodial services Jerry Nash said.

Aside from being eco-friendly, this program will benefit the district by saving thousands of dollars, that will go back into the district’s operations infrastructure.

“There are financial benefits to having less refuse hauled,” Nash said.

Sutton’s brother served four years active and four years reserve away in the Marine Core . He influenced her decision to join JORTC her freshman year.

“I missed him because he was gone for four years and never came to visit,” Sutton said. “Its kind of  scary because I never knew what would happen to him.”

One Sat. a month, JORTC holds competitions judging on how everyone look, dress, position and march. In competitions, JORTC splits into several groups called divisions. Each divisions are judged as a group based on every individual. JORTC next competition, Battle of Brazos, on Jan 28 in Waco.

“It requires a lot of concentration because you have to focus on what your feet and arms are doing because if you make a mistake [the judges] take points off,” Sutton said.

JORTC members are also involved in community service projects like working with special ed students and volunteering with Habit for Humanity. The students also go on field trips to the Texas Motor Speed Way, a sponsor.

“We do a lot of community service that most normal programs don’t do,” Sutton said.

With there being a very few girls in JORTC, planning the 2011 military ball was exciting for Sutton.

“It’s really fun seeing my designs and ideas all come to life,” Sutton said.

Sutton wants to go to college at Texas A&M University to study business or psychology. Sutton debated on whether to do ROTC in college, however ROTC requires members to sign a contract. Stating that the military can pay for college education, but members have to be involved in the military for certain amount of years after finishing college.

“I would rather get scholarships from other sources rather than have the military pay and have them take my time later,” Sutton said. “I want to keep my options open when I’m done with college.”

“I think it’s great, I feel lucky to be apart of it and hope that we can do something,” Book club sponsor Sandra Villarrel said “I know that this year is going a little more slowly than last year but hopefully this will be something that we will continue to do.”

Mr. Mason got the idea for the book drive last year when he was reading an article in the Mansfield News Mirror about a grant Erma Nash recieved to give books as prizes to students. This year they chose Tarver-Rendon.

“I think it is great.” Mr.Mason said. “This is a way for them to get a book no questions asked take it home and do whatever they want with it.”

Senior Art Club member Alvin Scott likes the idea of a book drive for the elementary school because it helps kids get into reading.

“I want to inspire the youth to read and be educated about literature,” Scott said.“I think its a good idea because it feeds into Legacy, they are future Legacy kids.”

National signing day is designed for seniors athletes to agree and sign to the college or university in the presence of the school’s representative. Some signings involve scholarships. The athletes who sign have finished their fall sport, but is mainly concentrated on the athletes who’s playing spring sports such as soccer and track.

This year eight seniors signed to colleges and universities.

Girls
Caitlin Rinehart: Socer – Texas State
Mckenzie Koch: Soccer – Texas Christian University
Jessica Whetzal: Soccer – Texas Wesleyan
Lauren Kee: Soccer – Texas Wesleyan
Alex Edwards: Soccer – Midwestern
Kensli Pounds: Soccer – Midwestern
“It’s bitter sweet,” Pounds said. “The bitter part is leaving high school and having to grow up.”
Maecee Brinkman: Soccer – Oklahoma Baptist

Boys
Connor Copeland: Soccer – Wofford College
“I’m kind of nervous, i just signed four years of my life away,” Copeland said “They’re sponsored by nike, and that was a big factor”