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COUNTY LIFE

Future possibilities excite retiring St. Jo educator

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By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Few educators can look back at a career that ran the entire gambit from substitute, to teacher, coach, librarian and administrator, but for Denise Thurman she says all those experiences helped make her the educator she has become after 30 years with Saint Jo Independent School District.
Thurman, elementary principal, is retiring at the end of this school year, and will receive congratulations at a party from 3-4 p.m. on May 30 in the Saint Jo School cafeteria.
For the 50-year-old this decision to leave is “very bittersweet” because she truly loves everything about her job.
“It was a difficult decision, I struggle with it sometimes still, but I know I want to be there for my family more. This is a busy job and demands a lot of time and responsibility. Both my kids will be in college, we want to be able to travel and see them as they go through college,” explained Thurman.
Her husband of 26 years, Clint, retired two years ago as a firefighter in Richardson, but still builds fence and buildings. Cody, 21, attends Texas Tech University and Kile, is about to graduate at Saint Jo and will make a decision on college. She sees nothing but new experiences and family memories in her future.
Why a teacher?
Born in Duncan, OK, Thurman grew up in Nocona after the family moved there when she was four. After graduating high school in 1991 she attended Texas A&M-Commerce. At the same time, she began as a substitute teacher at Saint Jo and in 1995 she was hired as a paraprofessional for the high school special education classroom while she finished her degree.
With her bachelor of science degree in hand Thurman began teaching junior high English, accelerated programs at the high school and was yearbook advisor. In 1996 coaching was added to her job description for junior varsity girl’s volleyball and basketball.
When asked if she always wanted to be a teacher, Thurman says yes and no.
“I always looked up to so many of my teachers when I was growing up so the idea was there. At one point I wanted to be a pharmacist or a radiologist, but it came back to teaching,” she recalls.

Read the full feature in the weekend Bowie News.

Retiring Saint Jo Elementary Principal Denise Thurman stands in front of a colorful mural outside her office at the school. (Photo by Barbara Green)

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COUNTY LIFE

Nocona cheer squad hosting youth camp

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The Nocona High School cheerleaders will have a youth cheer camp for those in grades first-sixth on July 28-30 at the school.
Camp is from 10 a.m. to noon each day with participants presenting a showcase at 11 a.m. on July 30. Cost is $55 with a sibling discount of $10. Each camper receives a T-shirt.
Each participant will perform at a varsity football game with dates given at the showcase. Use the QR code at noconaisd.net/45108 to register. Those with questions can contact Becky Wilson at rebecca.wilson@noconaisd.net.

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COUNTY LIFE

Concert to raise scholarship funds

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The Mind’s Eye of Nocona will entertain with music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s in a concert to support scholarships for Montague County graduating seniors on July 12.
The concert will be at 5 p.m. on July 12 at the Veranda Inn Event Center in Nocona. Tickets are $20 for all table seating. Purchase six or more tickets for a reserved table.
The band invites you to brown bag your dinner and BYOB. Proceeds support scholarships for seniors from Nocona, Prairie Valley, Saint Jo, Bowie, Forestburg and Gold-Burg.
The Mind’s Eye is composed of local residents Donna Lemons, Larry G. Lemons, Carroll Fuller, Warren Young and Karen Young. To purchase tickets stop by the L.G. Lemons Art Gallery at 300 Clay or call Larry at 940-366-5782 or Donna at 940-366-6825.

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COUNTY LIFE

Lake Nocona was filled with sparkles during the July 4th holiday

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Fireworks abounded at Lake Nocona during the July 4th weekend. Along with the annual Lions Club fireworks, the Rusty and Billy Henley family fireworks lit up the skies. Saint Jo Firefighters also hosted their annual fireworks event. (Photo by Trena Henley)

Jason Harrison captured these fireworks at the Saint Jo Fire Department’s July 4th Show.
Saint Jo Fireworks by Jason Harrison.
Fireworks crew for the Nocona Lion Clubs show at Lake Nocona on July 4th. (Photo by Kristi Eldred)
Brendan Dunn shot this photo of the Lake Nocona patriotic boat parade prior to the fireworks show. See lots more photos submitted by readers in the Thursday edition. Thank you to all show submitted photos.
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