COUNTY LIFE
ATFS helps families touched by trauma
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
Affirming Texas Family Services was created out of a desire to help rural and underserved areas where victims of trauma often fall through the cracks.
Three years later ATFS is providing free counseling services across five counties helping put families and lives back together. Jenny Rizzolo is chairman of the six-member board that oversees the 501c3 non-profit organization that serves Montague, Clay, Jack, Stephens and Young Counties.
Settled in an office space provided by the Presbyterian Church of Bowie at 300 W. Nelson, Rizzolo and Counselor Tonya King-Smith discussed the needs and services addressed by ATFS.
The beginnings
The organization began three years ago when Joe Gambill, former church minister, offered up the idea and talked about it with a person studying to be a counselor. Rizzolo was pulled in to help with the paperwork.
“That first year we didn’t get the grant, but the church gave us a $20,000 donation so we could provide a part-time counselor the first year. The second year we got a grant and last year a slightly larger grant. We are very reliant on grant and fundraising activities. Luckily with our office spaces donated we don’t have the overhead to deal with at any of our locations. All the money goes to pay counselors,” said Rizzolo.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
COUNTY LIFE
Bellevue, PV graduating this week
Bellevue and Prairie Valley High School seniors will be first up on the stage this week as graduation ceremonies begin for Montague County area schools.
Bellevue High School
Bellevue seniors will graduate at 7 p.m. on May 16 in the school auditorium. Athletic Director Colby Broussard will be the program speaker. There also will be a mantle and rose ceremony.
Honor graduates are Cirstin Allen, Mason Criswell, Jayson Gill, Sarah Hamilton, Avrie Perry, Kason Roper, Richard Smith, Chesney Stanley and Mary Elise Stegerwald. Students listed alphabetically not by class order.
Mason Criswell, the 18-year-old son of T.J. and Stephanie Criswell, will be the senior class valedictorian. Cirstin Allen, the 18-year-old daughter of Jacqueline Allen and Donnie Leatherwood, is class salutatorian.
Prairie Valley High School
The Bulldogs will host graduation ceremonies at 7 p.m. in the gym. The program will include scholarship recognitions, and eighth grade graduation as part of the ceremony. Board President Scott Carpenter will present diplomas. Honor graduates are Tyson Easterling, Makaylee Gomez and Maddy Yeargin.
Tyson Easterling is valedictorian and Makaylee Gomez is salutatorian.
Meet these top graduates in your mid-week Bowie News.
COUNTY LIFE
Gold-Burg one-act ends season as state finalist
The Gold-Burg Bears ended their one-act play season as a top eight state finalist Monday, and while they didn’t take a medal, Director Linda Fitzner said it was a “phenomenal” experience.
“Interview,” was Gold-Burg High School’s entry into the state University Interscholastic League contest as they joined eight other 1A plays that worked their way to state.
It was a huge jump for the small school’s cast and crew to perform at the Austin Independent School District Performing Arts Center, coming from rehearsals in the school gym.
Levi Hellinger made the All Star cast and Corbin Gilbert received Honorable Mention All Star Cast.
“It’s was a beautiful and phenomental experience,” said Fitzner. “We are thankful to all those who share their kindness, love and support, because this was a beautiful and wonderful dream and experience for all.”
Guthrie High School won first, Benjamin was second and Avery third. The rest of the group received state finalist plaques. Critiques were on Tuesday.
COUNTY LIFE
Saint Jo VFD plans benefit for Hannah Reyling
Enjoy a summer kick-off event benefitting Hannah Reyling of Saint Jo from noon to 4 p.m.. on June 8 at Boggess Park.
A 21-year-old graduate of Saint Jo High School and student at Tarleton State University, she is the daughter of Chris and Paulette Reyling. She is battling bacterial meningitis and has undergone some life-changing surgeries.
All proceeds will go to her recovery, rehabilitation and prosthetics.
For the event there will be waterslides, water balloons, slip-N-slide, kickball, fire truck hose spray and more. One wristband at $20 will get you access to all the activities, as well as one meal including a hot dog, chips and a drink. Snow cones also will be available for sale.
Live music by Tyler Cook to follow.
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