Schools & Sports

As high school and college seasons closed, I recalled the Museum’s century format, remembered Don Morrison, and thought to myself, “Self, you lately haven’t written about basketball! I will work backwards.”

Her name is SHIRLEY KOST, and she is better known to many as “The Cookie Lady.” For about three decades now, she has been a staunch and stalwart Rangers fan, through good times and bad—but to her, they have all been good times, because she “loves her Rangers.”

The Forney ISD Warren Middle School dance team, the StarSteppers, recently competed at the American Dance/Drill Team Nationals in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, March 27 and were named the Junior High National Champions. It was the first time the squad had received the top honor.

The Forney ISD Warren Middle School Cheer Squad has had a great deal of success throughout the school year. The squad’s most recent success included their achievements at the National Cheerleading Association’s (NCA) competition held in Ft. Worth, Texas on March 6 and 7.

No, Matt Bush is not part of a presidential family nor a Forney family, at least not one of which I know. I do know that he is a recently “turned” 35-years-old man, who has a recently born daughter, his first child, and he is a LONGSHOT…..and for more than one reason!

The Jackrabbits braved the drizzly elements to compete at Waterview Golf Club in Rowlett on February 8. The boys JV team got 2nd place overall in the team competition. Leading the way was freshman Neil Nuzum with his personal best score and tied for 7th place individually. Other notables were Juniors Michael Prasnikar, Austin White, and freshman Christopher Whitehouse.

The inaugural Daytona 500 was held in 1959. Since then, the race has become one of professional racing’s biggest and most popular events.

It was a Friday at lunch time; the year was 1973; the new school year was about to begin all over Texas; a “young Forney boy” was about to head off to Goliad, Texas, to probably teach Jr. High English Literature and Language, Journalism, and Remedial English……And then, the “call” from FISD Administration came; two interviews took place; some soul-searching, praying, and discussing ensued; the trip to Goliad was cancelled; the signing of some preliminary documents took place; the School Board ratified a new coaching/teaching contract at the Monday night meeting; Don Themer was off to Coaching School with Head Coach Richard Norwood and several men he did not know until that day!

I loved his name and his nickname—Terwilliger and TWIG!

Texas Republicans are again trying to limit the ways transgender youth can participate in athletics.

According to more than one teammate and reporter, pitcher Phil Niekro most of the time did not know where his “trademark pitch” was going, and neither did the catcher, hitter, and umpire!

Congratulations to Phoenix Tumey from Henderson Elementary School for being named the Forney ISD Elementary Student of the Month for January. Mr. Tumey was recognized by the Board of Trustees at the regular monthly board meeting on Monday, January 11, 2021.

Brandon Perez is a name you need to keep an eye out for this offseason and the 2021 football season. After starting on varsity his freshman year, Brandon knew he had found something he wanted to pursue wholeheartedly.