With All My Love

Dear Elder Schenewark It was wonderful speaking with you yesterday. I miss you! I miss all your brothers. Having all my children around me is my greatest pleasure. I don't know what I'll do when I'm home alone. The good news is I had so many kids, and for a long period, that I won't be left alone for very long. I think I'll be about 64 when Breyer graduates from high school! Hunter is having a grand adventure in Washington DC and Philadelphia. I'm excited Julie can see all those iconic sites with him for the first time. Tanner is thriving in New York City with his family, especially as the weather warms. I know Nora was sick for a bit has recovered. Porter will be coming home soon. That's probably why we didn't hear from him this week. I found a new bottle of ginger beer on the shelves in Kroger, sent him a picture, and found out Aunt Janel had also found the same kind, and had sent Luke an identical picture on the same day. We call them our twins. Speaking of Aunt Janel, Annaliese is getting married in August. She's been going to the Orthodox church, and met a young man, named Cooper Hayes, just a bit younger than her, who is a farmer. So she's been working on the farm, specializing in chickens. Sawyer is scrambling. He's hopping between end of the year activities - National Honor Society Induction ceremonies for new members, FAA banquet, lots of gatherings with his friends. And a calendar full of more to come. He just ordered his stole. Is going to wear your cap and gown. And hopes to get a tassel from a classmate who was shipped two. He attended the awards ceremony Thursday evening. The Bachs came in just in time for the ceremony, and have made my working days fun for those left behind. They've also spent a lot of time driving littles here and there as Dad was trying to get his classes wrapped up. Miller has enjoyed quite a few jaunts to the frisbee golf course, including the weekly Thursday tournament where he again placed first and earned $22 - plus entry fee winnings is always a bonus. He's won first three times, and third place once, and keeping track of his winnings. Miller played in 7x7 touch football Monday. It was only 95 degrees. Two games. But the breeze was delightful. His choir concert was Friday night. He had us all in tears, watching him escort his blind friend across the stage - for the last time - helping him up and down the risers - add in amazing songs - it was a great night. Breyer wrote a Memorial Day essay about my grandmother's brother - Roy Hill. He died while serving in world War II - and she won out of all the fifth graders at Oak Woods Elementary. She now has to appear at the Memorial Day Program and find out who won. The winner will be reading their essay. I'll share her essay later. She might have been on the computer, got up to do something, and had the vacuum fall on the screen. I think the computer is still working but half the screen is not visible. She was at Splash Kingdom for a little while on Friday, and got a sunburn on top of a sunburn. Breyer also tried out for the talent show, and for the first year - made it! She's very excited, has a very cute routine with three other girls to Guacamole, sung by The Best Tees and GoNoodle. 31 May 2022 This is weeks later - I don't even know when I started the above letter, but I will try to finish it. Our lives have been out of control this month - which always happens with a senior. Graduation on Friday was wonderful. So much better than the ceremony Porter and Cooper had in the convention center. There was live music, a balmy lake breeze, no bugs, and fireworks. Lots of names to read - around 550 - from A to Z, with the majority of the names before M. So the best was saved for almost last. Coach Breazealle was waiting at the exit ramp of the podium to greet Sawyer with a final hug. The coach was almost sobbing. He does love Sawyer, and told me he's "a hard one to let go," and one of five players on his all star team. There were a lot of pictures, a few graduation parties, more than a few late nights and one all night event for Project Graduation, so now he's in recovery mode. He's gearing up to work at the snow cone trailer, and start the outstanding leather orders. Soon. Dad leaves in the morning for Utah. He's going to ordain Hunter to the office of High Priest. I think just Miller is going. I don't feel good about leaving Breyer home alone, and I need her for the puppy. Miller will have a grand adventure, and a big brother to ride home with as Porter is coming home for a vacation of sorts. Sorry I couldn't chat as long - but know I love you! I miss you. I'm actually starting to get excited for your return! Sawyer got his paperwork all done just in time for President's trip to Europe. We're waiting to see if a counselor can push the button, or if we can reach him over Zoom. Until next week - Mom

Granbury Memorial Day Essay Contest

Memorial Day essay contest during a community celebration on May 30, 2022, at the Jim Burks Firefighters Memorial Park. The contest is named in memory of J.C. Campbell, a veteran and community leader who initiated the program to encourage students to commemorate armed services personnel who have died in service to the nation. The program objective for the fifth grade competition states, “Many students think Memorial Day is simply a day to ‘celebrate’ a day off from school. They don’t realize it is instead a day to ‘commemorate’ or remember those who have lost their lives in all American Wars. The objective of this contest is to help students understand the true meaning of this day.” Burrell was one of five Granbury ISD campus winners vying for the top prize. Others were: Virgil Farris, STEAM Academy at Mambrino; Sofia Ferguson, Acton Elementary School; Breyer Schenewark, Oak Woods School; Rainn Sherwood, Baccus Elementary School.

What Memorial Day Means to Me

Memorial Day isn't about having a good time and partying, or even getting together with family members. It is about honoring those who have died in our nation's wars and remembering that they gave their life to serve our country and provide for the freedoms we enjoy in the United States. We should live our lives in such a way to give htem all the respect they deserve. I have a lot of ancestors who served in a war but one man stood out to me. Not because he was in history books or in newspapers, but because he was just a normal man whose story of how he got to war and whose love of his country touched me. My ancestor, Roy Angus Hill was not born in the United States but in Victoria, Canada in 1918. he immigrated to the US in 1922 at only 4 years old. I understand how young 4 is as my niece is 4 years old. He enlisted in the United States Army when he was 22 years old. I have a brother that's almost 22 years old. Roy served in the 44th Infantry Battalion, Sixth Armored Division of the Third Army and was led by General George Patton. Roy arrived in France in July of 1944. He was ready to make our country proud, and he was prepared. He was part of Patton's great drive across Europe, and was part of the great rescue of the 101st Airborne at Bastogene, in the Battle of the Bulge, as a Tech Class 4. Those who held this rank were often addressed as Sergeant. Technicians possessed specialized skills that were rewarded with a higher pay grade. I don't know much about World War II, or Technician 4's, or the Battle of the Bulge, but my father showed me pictures of men digging holes for safety in a frozen land, in December, in Belgium. And of tanks, and the things of war. I've also seen images of war from Ukraine. Roy died the 1st of April in 1945 in Butbach, Germany, one month before the Germans surrendered, when he was 25 years old. I have a brother that's 25. Roy Hill was not even able to be buried in the United States but instead was transported for burial in Margraten, Limburg, Netherlands. I can hardly say the names of these lands, and probably will never be able to visit. Not one of Roy's family members has visited Roy in the Netherlands. No one has been able to lay flowers on his grave. So I choose to think of him more. to visit those I am able to visit more, to try hard in school so I can become a better citizen, and understand more the freedoms I am so fortunate to enjoy. This year, especially for Memorial Day, I remember Roy. Breyer Schenewark

San Jose California Mission Moments

Oak Woods Elementary School Talent Show

Granbury High School End of Year Video

Emmie Vaughn and Ellie Patrick showed the End of Year video at the drive in last night free of charge. The kids took donations and then donated $600 back to the drive in. It was super cool for them to let the kids come and watch the video. They had concessions and the kids played yard games before the video started. Hopefully making this a tradition!

Oak Woods Elementary Fifth Grade Awards Ceremony and Senior Clap Out

Granbury High School Varsity Basketball Graduation Party

Granbury High School Decision Day

Granbury ISD Gifted and Talented Display Night

Oak Woods Elementary School Splash Kingdom Day

San Jose California Mission

 

Memorial Day Essay Campus Winners

Campus winners in a fifth grade essay contest for Memorial Day were honored at the Granbury ISD school board meeting on May 16, 2022.

The contest is named in memory of J.C. Campbell, a veteran and community leader who initiated the project eight years ago.  Campbell felt it was important for students to commemorate armed services personnel who have died in service to the nation.

The program objective states, “Many students think Memorial Day is simply a day to ‘celebrate’ a day off from school.  They do not realize it is instead a day to ‘commemorate’ or remember those who have lost their lives in all American Wars.  The objective of this contest is to help students understand the true meaning of this day.”

The winners at the campus level were:

Acton Elementary School: Sofia Ferguson

Baccus Elementary School: Rainn Sherwood

Brawner Intermediate School: Claire Burrell

Oak Woods School: Breyer Schenewark

STEAM Academy at Mambrino: Virgil Farris

The top essays will be judged, and an overall winner will be announced at the community Memorial Day event on Monday, May 30.

Pictured are (left to right) Mickey Allen, Rainn Sherwood, Virgil Farris, Sofia Ferguson, Claire Burrell, Breyer Schenewark, and Julia Pannell.  Allen and Pannell represent Friends of Memorial Lane.

Missionary Moments

Granbury High School National Honor Society

Granbury High School’s National Honor Society dedicated a tree in honor of former security dog “Ben” on May 9, 2022.

As an honorary “assistant principal,” Ben patrolled the halls and parking lots of GHS and other Granbury ISD campuses for many years, beginning in early 2013 and retiring in May 2019.  Popular with students and staff, the canine made some return appearances following his retirement.  Ben passed away in 2021.

“Ben was my good and faithful friend – and, most importantly, my partner who I trusted,” commented GISD security chief Jeff Hastings. “I will never forget his ability to build bridges between the students, teachers, officers, and parents.”

The tree is located just outside the Crossland wing of the high school with a commemorative plaque noting Ben’s years of service.

Named chief of safety and security in 2019, Hastings has been involved with the school district since he started with the Granbury Police Department in 2007.  He began as the DARE program officer, leading the drug and alcohol education program at GISD elementary schools.  Hastings later became a school resource officer before assuming his current post with the district.  The chief now has a second dog “Annie,” who is a regular fixture on campuses.

With All My Love

 Dear Elder Schenewark,

I saw your call come in last week while I was with Miller, walking through the forest, up the hill, avoiding poison ivy plants in flip flops, trying to get back to our vehicle. I meant to call you when I was in the car, but forgot. Something is definitely wrong with my short term memory. I had hoped Dad picked up on the call, but found out later he didn't. 

Miller is playing 7x7 football just for fun. Since he doesn't want to play quarterback or football next year they're letting him be the wide receiver. His team won both games. They have multiple AMS and GMS teams, as well as teams from other schools participating on the four Monday evenings in May.

Our favorite BYUTV show - Relative Race - sponsored a fireside in Arlington on Sunday. We didn't get to go!

I was logged into my email account, and in the ad space on the right side, was one from the church. "Fresh starts can start today. Follow Jesus to a happier future. Ask missionaries how >.

There is news of Hunter being asked to serve in a BYU ward bishopric. As such, Dad will be headed to Utah right after Memorial Day weekend to ordain to the office of High Priest. That's a lot to ask of a law student, plus one that's going to be a father - but he's in good hands.

Because Dad now has a definite date to travel west, Porter now has a definite time table in which to ride back with home for a quick respite in Texas.

Sawyer continues to do Senior stuff - including supporting his friends and former baseball team - now bi district champions and moving to regionals. He has gotten three or four orders off his Cowpoke Instagram account, instead of his usual friend of a friend, as well as another truck console.

Miller still frequents the frisbee golf course. He can enter small tournaments weekly at the Granbury course. He won last week - $30, and hopes to win the ace pot of $800. Dad and I dropped him off Saturday morning, voted, walked downtown including visiting your bench, and got back to the baseball fields just in time for his phone call. It was a good plan. The poll was whether or not we should increase our property taxes to support the $339 and $39 billion dollar bonds for a new high school and athletic fields. I don't think so. And others felt the same way. Our  mortgage payment has gone from $1250 to $1750. Don't think we want to pay even more.

Your grandmother took a nasty fall Saturday night, while trying to step over Uncle Aaron's flexible fence, after leaving his house with dinner leftovers. She fell flat on her face, bleeding, fat lip, and hurt her hand. An ambulance was called, but she refused transport. Aunt Rachael spent the night, and Aunt Jenny and Aunt Becky spent Sunday. Because your grandmother already had an appointment Monday, she decided to wait until then to be seen. When she got to the doctors, she was short of breath, so very tired. She did go by ambulance then, met by Aunt Jenny who works in the area, and after a few hours, a few tests, went home with a pulmonary appointment and a cast on her broken wrist.

Breyer and I still have guinea pig time everyday. We are still getting acclimated to the newbies - they're still not as eager to feed from us - but seem to enjoy being held. She always has an animal truck or two up her sleeve. This week it's a friend that's getting ride of a hamster, including hamster equipment, and a puppy that's available on DFW German Shepherd rescue.

Thank you for your letter! It warmed my heart Sunday evening. We love you. We cherish you. We remember you!

Mom

Granbury High School FAA Banquet - Entomology Substitute

 

Missionary Moments

Just a quick update about the last 3 months. 

Elder Latimer left me for Argentina and I got to spend 6 weeks with a previous companion, Elder Hall. Elder hall is a big outdoorsman, growing up in the mountains of Arizona so every Nonday, we weren't indoors till we went to bed. We went gold panning, fishing, hiking, you name it, we considered it if we didn't do it. For the home of the 49er's, the hills have an abysmal amount of gold. We did manage to find fool's gold in the apartment complex volleyball court though (the little gold speck in the blurry photo). 

We also managed to catch a stingray with some fishing poles I found by the dumpster. Our best guess was that it weighed about 15 pounds. Not bad for dumpster poles!

But I only got six weeks with Elder Clint Hall before he got sent down south. I ended up with Elder Harris and we've been companions for another 6 weeks. 

While we were hiking one monday, we stumbled onto a rattlesnake slithering on and off the trail. He looked to be about 2 1/2 feet long and had 7ish layers to his rattle. Elder Hollis and I stayed close for another 10 minutes to make sure the snake didn't sneak up on the rear party of missionaries.

Now for scripture time. In Genesis 3:19, God is speaking to Adam about eating the forbidden fruit. So you don't have to look it up, I've pasted it here. 

"19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return."

It's a pretty straightforward verse, but I'm going to throw a twist on it. Another name for Jesus is "the bread of life". So if we replace "bread" with "bread of life" the scripture changes meanings just a little. Instead of sweating to put food on our tables, we have work hard to feed our souls. That's basically it. It's just another way to say "faith without works is dead", but it was a lot more meaningfull to me

Sorry for not writing, I've just been caught up in missionary work and haven't had much free time.

If I keep up this schedule, this is probably my second to last email so feel free to read it again

- Elder Schenewark

The colossus of clout

FOUNDATION HONORS TOP GHS STUDENTS, TEACHERS

The Granbury ISD Education Foundation honored the top 25 students in the Granbury High School Class of 2022 during the tenth annual Academic Recognition Banquet on May 5, 2022, at La Bella Luna. The banquet also included the students honoring the Granbury ISD employees who most influenced their education.

The GISD employees were not just from the high school, as the group also currently works at other campuses and departments.  Some were retired educators who previously taught in the school district.

In a fitting end to the nationally-observed Teacher Appreciation Week, the teachers and other employees were honored with the reading of a statement written by each student about the impact that they have made not only on their education but also their life.

Students and district employees honored were:

Hannah Baker - Michelle Smith, GHS CTE receptionist

Trinity Belott - Cindy Leatherman, GHS social studies teacher

Kaylee Black - Cindy Jackson, GHS science teacher

Parker Bradley - Heather Garcia, former GMS teacher

Kori Brawner - Lyn Brawner, retired GISD teacher

Sully Brown - Tahlequah Kirk, GHS band director

Alexander Call - Tammy Bodine, GHS CTE teacher

Sydney Dennis - Laurie Wiliams Cox, retired AMS teacher

Emily Dolan - Jason Pullano, GISD instructional technology coordinator and GHS swim coach

Halli Eagle - Kylee Peterson, GHS business teacher

Alexander Funk - Henry Pearson, retired AMS teacher

Reese Holmgreen - Claudia Hurst, GHS counselor

Kenlee Hubble - Jon Allen, GHS engineering teacher

Lu Johns-De La Garza - Misty Boaz, GHS science teacher

Kaylee Langer - Jacqueline Bradshaw, GHS English teacher

Parker Lutgen - Bryan Naradovy, GHS English teacher and coach

Alek Mankowski - Jose Ochoa, GHS math teacher

Kaylee Palmer - Christy Pieren, GHS health science teacher

Ellianne Patrick - Kelcey Daffan, GHS art teacher

Fernando Puente - Cari Morisette, GHS health science teacher

Sawyer Schenewark - Andrew Boomer, GHS social studies teacher

Garima Shrestha - Sha Robinson, GHS science teacher

Julianne Smith - Kendra Fisher, GHS choir director

Jordyn Stevens - Brianne Langdon, GHS culinary arts teacher

Matthew Walters - Jenni Gilmer, former AMS teacher

Lillian Welch - Stephanie Bosch, AMS band director