COUNTY LIFE
Saint Jo twins don’t let life’s circumstances define them
Jamie and Jessica Hurd received awards at the recent Saint Jo High School Awards night. (Photo by Barbara Green)
By BARBARA GREEN
Twin sisters Jamie and Jessica Hurd are typical high school seniors who blush when you ask about boyfriends and ecstatic to cheer on their baseball team in the playoffs.
They make good grades, are well liked and have jobs to help make their own way. However, the outcome could have been much different without the help of a family member and their own perseverance to rise above circumstances that saw them living in a homeless shelter and at one point in their family car; and where their parents were in jail and unable to care for them.
The pair could have easily become an unhappy statistic, but instead they are thriving and excited for what the future holds after graduation.
Family life
The identical twins were born Jan. 23, 2000 in Muenster to Julia and Bryan Hurd. Their childhood was fraught with instability as the parents attempted to provide for their young family.
The children recall spending a lot of time with their grandfather, Earl Hurd, who lived in Forestburg. They attended Forestburg School until they started eighth grade at Saint Jo. The girls recall their grandpa’s large garden and riding horses as special memories from that time, “he took good care of us,” exclaims Jessica.
Jamie recalls her father was in and out of their younger years spending time in prison for drug related charges. While talking about this missing figure is obviously painful, Jamie says struggling to provide made both her parents go the wrong way.
“In order to provide they thought they had to do wrong things, that was the situation. Desperation, yes,” explains Jamie.
Jessica recalls at one point their mom was in jail and they were living in Nocona with their dad and brother, Justin, five years their senior.
“Our dad was not really there much, so our brother provided a lot for us,” she said.
The trio of children stuck together taking care of each other. Jamie says Justin took care of them as much as he could at his age helping get them to school. They are still very close.
As the children grew times got tougher. The girls with their mother ended up in a homeless shelter in Wichita Falls where they lived for a period of time. One day they just left the shelter, but they still had no where to go.
Read the full story on this Saint Jo graduates in your weekend News.
Nocona and Saint Jo High Schools will be sending students to the state University Interscholastic League academics meet in Austin next week.
NHS had two students qualify after contests last weekend. Abby Hill, sophomore, placed first in feature writing and fourth in news writing. This was her first year to compete in journalism. Her first place win sends her to state in feature writing where she will compete on May 14.
Isaac Fulumana, junior, placed first in current events, and this also is his first year to compete. He had the highest score across the state on the regional test.
Fulumana placed third in literary criticism and this is his second year to compete at the state level in this category. He will compete on May 15. The school placed 12th overall out of 50 schools at regionals.
The Saint Jo spelling team are the regional champions and will compete at the state UIL contest. Its members include Maxey Johnson, Francesca Voth, Paola Sanchez and Bailie Nobile. Johnson was second place individual.
Other students competing at the Region 3 academic meet were Layla Polk, fifth place in persuasive speaking and Maxey Johnson, fifth in ready writing. Good luck to all of them.
(Pictured top) Saint Jo’s spelling team of Maxey Johnson, Francesca Voth Paola Sanchez and Bailie Nobile. (Right) Nocona’s Abby Hill and Isaac Fulumana.
Young ladies interested in competing for Miss Jim Bowie Days 2024 are invited to attend a mandatory pre-contest meeting at 4 p.m. May 18 at the Bowie Rodeo Arena (highway side).
This annual contest is open to girls ages 14-21 for Miss Jim Bowie and those 13 and under for Little Miss. An application and contestant photo will be due at that time. There is an application fee of $50 and a sponsorship fee of $100 (name of sponsor will be placed on their sash).
The Miss JBD contest will be on June 28 with horsemanship at 8 a.m. at the arena. A brunch will follow and time will be allotted to change clothes.
Contestants also will be required to ride Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in the grand entry and rodeo; Saturday morning parade at 10:30 a.m. and attend every festivity during the festival.
Queen prizes will be a saddle certificate from Teskey’s, a $500 college scholarship, clothing allowance and more. Little Miss prizes include a saddle certificate from Teskey’s, clothing allowance and more.
For application forms or those with questions may call Rilla Brock, 817-228-6914 or Shalee Rater at 254-979-5780.
With a wet April already in full swing and more storms expected in the coming months, the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District staff is here to provide tips and tricks on creating your very own rainwater harvesting system.
Nearby counties received between 24-28 inches of rain last year, and just a fraction caught from roofs and barns can sustain landscaping, livestock, or family homes.
Rainwater harvesting helps alleviate stress on local groundwater systems, preserves streets and roadways, and can even slash your monthly utility bill. View our recommendations below and consider a harvesting system today.
The district recently named the five finalists for the 2024 grant program for rainwater harvesting system.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
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