2023: YHT’S YEAR-IN-REVIEW

SEPTEMBER:

Yoakum High School held its homecoming ceremonies at the Bulldogs-Port Lavaca Calhoun game with Destiny Rose crowned Queen, while TyJuan Garza was named King. Other members of the Homecoming Court included Emily Sanchez (Duchess), Colby Jendrzey (Duke), Dulce Medina (Princess) and Jayden Gonzales (Prince). Rios and Garza were also named YHS Football Sweetheart and Cheerleader Beau, respectively… With the continued drought conditions, a burn ban remained in place for Lavaca County… Bulldogs Chase Polk and Sam Sanchez were presented the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Scholar Athlete of the Week awards… The month was marked by several record high temperatures with September beginning with 12 consecutive days of 100 degree highs. The month also became the sixth month of the year to fall below normal rainfall averages. Daytime highs averaged 99.9 degrees and lows averaging 75.5 degrees. Rain totaled 1.98 inches.

OCTOBER:

With the continued drought conditions, a burn ban remained in place for the Lavaca and DeWitt Counties… Both the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs qualified for the Region IV Cross Country Meet… Lavaca County elections administrator, Amy Kloesel, submitted her resignation from the position… After briefly removing the Lavaca County burn ban, the burn was reinstated for the county. In addition, DeWitt County kept its burn ban in place… The Lady Bulldogs Cross Country Team placed seventh at the regional meet, while the Bulldogs finished 12th overall. Bulldog Aiden Alvarez placed in the Top 20 and qualified for the UIL State Cross Country Meet… The YHS Bulldog Band advanced to the UIL State March ing Band contest… The Lavaca County burn ban only lasted one week and was lifted… The court appointed Tenia Hudson as the interim elections administrator as well as Brandy Stuckey as the interim elections chief deputy… During the last week of the month, the area received its first cold front that brought with it around 1.6 inches of rain, the most in one day since May. Daytime highs averaged 83.3 degrees with lows averaging 63.4 degrees. Total rainfall was 2.7 inches.

NOVEMBER:

Bulldog band members, Delanie Dominguez and Krish Bhakta were named Band Sweetheart and Beau, respectively… Lee Mack Turner of Yoakum appeared as a contestant on the popular Wheel of Fortune television program and won $7,700… The Lady Bulldogs advanced to the Region IV Volleyball Tournament in Seguin and lost in the regional semi-finals to Poth… The Sweet Home Cougars Flag Football Team went undefeated in rural school games… Hannah Bordovsky was named the Yoakum Area Chamber of Commerce president… The Yoakum Youth Football League team advanced to the Golden Crescent Youth Football League Superbowl… The Yoakum St. Joseph Tigers were considered the best football team in the area for private schools… The Bulldogs met Lorena in bi-district and were eliminated from the football playoffs… Lady Bulldog Madilynn Steinmann signed a letter of intent to play softball at Navarro College in Corsicana… Work continued in improving the Yoakum Little League Park… McClennan Community College and former Bulldog pitcher, Conner Zaruba, committed to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville to continue his baseball talents… Incarnate Word and former Bulldog, Silas Robinson, was named to the Southland All-Conference first team as an offensive lineman… Yoakum FFA student competed in the Area XII Leadership Development Events at Blinn College in Brenham with Greenhand Spanish Creed speaker, Andrea Reyes-Martinez placing first and advancing to state… November was mild in temperatures and short on rain. Temperature highs averaged 70.4, while lows averaged 53.4 degrees. Rainfall totalled slightly more than two inches.

DECEMBER:

Irene Szwarc received the 2023 Texas Czech Heritage Annual Award… Lavaca County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace, Steven Greenwell announced his resignation from the position… William Linn was named the new Yoakum City manager… Lady Bulldogs, Macie Blakeney and Jayana Phillips, were selected to the Texas High School Girls Coaches Association 3A All-State Volleyball Team… The Texas High School Coaches Association released its All-State Academic Team with volleyball players Macie Blakeney named to the first team, while Addison Pekar and Madison Gonzales were selected to the second team. For football, Tristan Chomount was chosen first team with Sam Sanchez, Maryfer Penaloza and Ty Gordon receiving honorable mention. In cross country, Abbie Galvan was named to the first team for girls and Martin Perez selected to the second team for boys… The Lavaca Soil and Water Conservation District recognized Mike Hanslik for 25 years of service as a board member… As candidate filing ended, the Republican Party has three Lavaca County contested races that will be held in the March 2024 primary. Three candidates filed for sheriff including incumbent Micah Harmon as well as Anthony Vaccaro and Steven Greenwell. Incumbent Kyle Denney and James Reeves will face off for county attorney and incumbent Precinct 1 Commissioner Edward Pustka will have opposition from Travis Henderson… The month of December continued to be calm and exceptionally dry. Daytime highs averaged in the 70s, while lows averaged around 53 degrees.

As 2023 comes to end and a new year begins, the staff at the Yoakum Herald-Times wishes everyone a happy and blessed new year.