Schools & Sports

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) 2023–24 proposed freshwater fishing regulation changes focus on simplifying and clarifying fishing- related rules on waters within public parks, particularly Community Fishing Lakes (CFLs). Additional changes could remove unnecessary exceptions and clarify water-body boundaries.

Many sports include the throwing, passing, and communication of a ball. However, there is much more that happens—relationships are built, friendships and connections are made, and teammates can create traditions. Let’s take a look at some of Crandall Middle School’s basketball traditions.

O.H. Ivie kick-started the second month of the 2023 Toyota ShareLunker collection season Thursday afternoon with a pair of Legacy Class Lunkers, followed by one on Friday and another on Sunday to close out the week. This run of Lunkers boosted O.H. Ivie’s seasonleading total to six entries. With Lake Nacogdoches’ ShareLunker 634 from Jan. 23 added to the mix, the overall season total stands at seven.

Lake Nacogdoches recorded its first Legacy Class largemouth bass of the 2023 Toyota ShareLunker collection season when angler Jack York of Emory reeled in ShareLunker 634. York’s catch was certified at 13.51 pounds and is the second overall Legacy Class fish donated to the program this year. Nacogdoches has now produced a Legacy Class fish in three of the last four collection seasons.

Photos Courtesy of Jim Klenke

Egg prices continue to set all-time per-dozen price records, and a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert does not expect that trend to reverse in the near future.

Over 170 Angelo State University student-athletes and student-athletic trainers have been named to the Lone Star Conference Commissioner’s Honor Roll for the 2022 fall semester in recognition of their hard work in the classroom.

University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) graduated more than 7,600 students worldwide in fall 2022. Students from all 50 states, five U.S. territories, and 18 countries earned UMGC degrees. More than 2,200 graduates attended “Grad Walk” in Adelphi, Md., an in-person experience designed to place the spotlight directly on graduates and their achievements while helping protect the health and safety of their guests and the university community.

Matthew Adams of Forney, was named to the Mississippi State University fall 2022 President’s List.

The Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame committee is pleased to announce that Wally “Mr. Crappie” Marshall of Anna, Texas, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. Marshall revolutionized crappie fishing through innovative products, tournaments and promotion of the sport. Marshall generously gives back to the fish community through his philanthropic work, teaching youth to fish and donating time and products to multiple charitable organizations and events.

O.H. Ivie Lake claimed the first Legacy Class largemouth bass of the 2023 Toyota ShareLunker collection season Sunday for the second consecutive year. Tom Nilssen of New Braunfels landed ShareLunker 633, which registered at 13.52 pounds on the scale. O.H. Ivie has enjoyed a tremendous run of Lunkers, boasting 12 in each of the last two seasons.

A college education is an investment in one’s future. But the costs associated with attending a college or university can vary greatly, particularly based on the type of institution, so it benefits students to shop around. According to a study by CreditKarma, conducted with data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average annual cost of tuition and fees at a four-year private not-for-profit college in the United States is $33,230, whereas a fouryear public college averages $10,557. Public colleges, also referred to as “state schools,” can vary in price even further depending on the residency status of students. Students who reside in the state in which the college is located can expect to pay that $10,557 rate. However, out-of-state undergraduates at public colleges and universities will have an average cost of $24,847 for the same school. According to a 2021 College Board report, out-of-state students can expect to pay anywhere from double to three times the in-state sticker price. It can behoove students to establish residency where they plan to attend college or to apply to state schools where they live. To qualify for the lower price, in-state prospective students must meet various residency requirements, which vary by school and generally involve living in the state for a certain period of time prior to enrolling. Documentation such as a driver’s license, vehicle registration or proof of permanent primary residence are often needed.

High school students are undoubtedly familiar with the belief that extracurricular activities can help separate applicants when seeking admissions to competitive colleges and universities. But research has long indicated that extracurriculars are more than mere résumé-padding activities. A 2019 study published in The Excellence in Education Journal found that students who participated in extracurricular activities earned a significantly higher grade point average than those who did not engage in such activities. The value of that participation has been evident for decades, as the National Center for Education Statistics notes that a 1992 study found that more than 30 percent of students who participated in extracurricular activities had a GPA of 3.0 or higher, while just under 11 percent of non-participants performed that well academically. The potential impact that extracurriculars can have on students’ academic performance underscores just how valuable such activities can be and how much students should consider getting more involved at school as their academic careers unfold.