Events

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The Marble Falls High School Class of 2017 graduated Saturday, May 2017, entering to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance onto Mustang Stadium, filled for the first time on both sides of the field.

Not only was a capacity crowd there to cheer them on, but viewers at home were welcomed to the commencement via live-stream telecast.

Valedictorian Madelyn Maples addressed the crowd as well as Salutatorian Meikala Hester.

National Honor Society (NHS) President Wolf Williams welcomed family and friends assembled for the occasion and NHS Vice PresidentStefanie King introduced guests on the podium, located for the first time on the north end of the field of Mustang Stadium. Prayers were offered up by NHS Secretary Megan Offutt and NHS Treasurer Abigail Weber.

Falls Career High School will holds its graduation ceremony tonight, Friday, May 26, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church,901 La Ventana Drive, Marble Falls.
Marble Falls High School commencement for the class of 2017 is scheduled, rain or shine, for Saturday, May 27, at 7:30 p.m.
To make the event accessible to as many Mustang fans as possible, attendees are invited to sit in both the visitor and home stands in Mustang Stadium.
“With attendance to the commencement ceremony out-growing available home side only seating, the graduation stage this year will be located on the north end of the football
field facing toward the field house,” said assistant superintendent of operations Jeff Gasaway.
“This stage alignment will allow attendees in both the home and visitors’ stands to see the festivities and their graduates as they cross the stage.”

Becoming an active participant in your own rescue is the goal of a free seminar to be sponsored by the Burnet County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, May 31.

“Civilian Response to an Active Shooter/Mass Casualty Incident” will be held at the new Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, 607 North Vandeveer Street in Burnet.

Conducted by the Texas Law Shield, a division of the U.S. Law Shield company, the course focuses on members of the community who frequent restaurants, hospitals, theaters, churches, convenience stores and other locations considered soft, vulnerable targets by domestic and international terrorists.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The Faith Academy Class of 2017 graduated Friday, May 12, in ceremonies at Hill Country Fellowship in Burnet, ready to meet the world with diplomas in hand.

It was at the May 9 Senior Dinner that they learned the valedictorian would be Kristina Lane and salutatorian, Sophie McCannon.

They led a group of that included five other Highest Honor Graduates with grade point averages of 97 or higher: Abby Seymour, Casey Sellers, Jared Rutherford, Dean Fairleigh, and Abby Mueller. The class Honor Graduates, with grades of 93-96.4 were Addison Floyd, Laura Benac and Sydney Ward.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

At the Marble Falls High School (MFHS) Senior Scholarship Assembly Thursday night, the announcement came: Valedictorian of the Class of 2017 is Madelyn “Maddie” Maples and the Salutatorian is Meikala Hester.

The announcement by MFHS Principal Emmett Aubrey made the announcement along with the nam,e of the individual National Merit Commended Scholar, Jack Harvell-Degolier and the National Hispanic Recognition Program honoree Stefanie King.

Set your DVR.
The Marble Falls High School band will be participating in the National Memorial Day Parade on Monday May 29 in Washington D.C., according to announcement today by Brad Behrens, director of bands for the Marble Falls Independent School Districe.

The event will be televised, beginning at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time, so even fans going to work or Memorial Day events will have a chance to record it.

"The students have worked very hard for this event," said Behrens. "The band will debut the new marching uniforms in this parade as well. 

"We are proud to be representing our school, community and state in the National Memorial Day Parade. Please check us out."

If you can watch live or want to save the event for posterity, visit NationalMemorialDayParade.com for station listings and to set a DVR.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Morning rain did a little to dampen the evening crowd this year at the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department (MFAVFD) Bull Ride Challenge but about 400 enthusiastic fans did turn out for the benefit.

The department paid out $4,900 in prize money to the top riders among 30 entrants in the event at the Charley Taylor Rodeo Arena in Marble Falls.

Jesse Parker of Pinehurst took the top spot, followed by Cimmaron Rucker of Liberty Hill and Elliott Jacoby of Fredericksburg.

Jacoby is a qualifier in National and Professional Bullriders championships and fourth in ranking, Reid Barker of Comfort, is a National finals qualifier.

Shanel Waggoner of Horseshoe Bay, a 2013 Burnet High School graduate, posted the colors at the opening of the event as Faith Academy graduate London Baileigh sang the National Anthem.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

Bull riders don't mind a romp in the mud, so even if a little rain pours down on the Charley Taylor Rodeo Arena in Marble Falls, the Annual Bull Ride Challenge will be going on Saturday, May 20.

“We have contracted with Diamond Cross Rodeo Company to bring in another top-ranked bull riding event,” said Manny Trinidad, president of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department (MFVFD). “We have 30 riders signed up, seven more than last year.”

Both pro and amateur riders are welcomed into competition and Rodeo Barrel Man Leon Coffee will keep riders safe and audiences entertained.

Only hazardous weather could interrupt the fire department fundraiser, Trinidad said.

“Events start at 6:30 p.m., but gates open at 5:30 p.m., so we tell folks to get there early for good parking and good seats,” he said. “Admission is $10 and kids five and younger get in free.”

Fans of Texas mystery writers will hit a bonanza in May. Ben Rehder will speak in Burnet Thursday, May 11, and Reavis Z. Wortham will be in Marble Falls Friday, May 12.

Rehder will be at the final Coffee Talks program of the season at Herman Brown Free Library, 100 East Washington Street, in Burnet at 1:30 p.m. Wortham will be part of the Lunch at the Library at 11:30 a.m. at the Marble Falls Public Library, 101 Main Street. Both programs are free, but reservations are requested especially in Marble Falls where space it limited.

Each author is firmly rooted in Texas and its ineffable brand of humor and sensibilities. Each has a new book to share.

By Glynis Crawford Smith

The Highlander

The four days of Marble Falls MayFest 2017, this Wednesday-Saturday, May 10-13, promise to be packed with fun for the whole family.

Whether you love MayFest for the music, the carnival, shopping the vendors or the games, you can join in at Johnson Park, 230 Avenue J in Marble Falls.

The carnival gets the whole thing rolling and spinning and whirling, playing games of fun and chance and eating and smiling. It all goes on 5 p.m.-midnight Wednesday-Saturday.

Here is what's new on Saturday:

· Volleyball Tournament – Players 16 and older register at 9:30 a.m. to start at 10 a.m. Registration is $10, but the winning five-member team gets carnival pass wristbands.

· Kids Sack Races—free to kids age 4-12 years from 3-4 p.m.