This article will conclude my service to the Groveton Ex-Student’s Association as president. I am proud of the 10 years that I served and am grateful for all the support I have had from the executive board members, the school district and community.
Best wishes to Tim Coker, the new president, who will be replaced as treasurer by Laura Worsham Anderson. I know they will enable the association to continue in the successful way it has over these many years.
Homecoming 2024 was a huge success. The Smoke Signal was a great publication celebrating the 1984 State Championship football team. Special thanks to Tim Coker (treasurer) for his help in selling ads as well as Marlena Stubblefield (Publicity chair) for her assistance in editing ads and sending them to the publisher. Thank you to Betty Whittlesey as she helped with so many things, including the mailouts, registration, and Hall of Fame preparation. Liz Ledbetter, our secretary, assisted me with Hall of Fame information, printing, and everything else.
More than 25 members of the team, band, coaches and cheer squad gathered before the game to be recognized and celebrated. A special thank you to Coach Michael Waldie for gifting memorial shirts for those attending. What a special way to remember such a wonderful time for GHS and the community. The halftime show included the crowning of homecoming queen, Cassidy Mitchell. The street dance following the game was well attended and the weather was great. Folks reported to us that they loved the band. Thank you to Melissa Kemper and crew for her planning and implementation of the event. It was excellent.
Saturday morning brought the parade, and we thank all who participated and offered us the fun of watching. Thank you to Kathy Clark and Kathy Sharples from Conroe who came to judge. Congratulations to 1st place winner, Freshman Class, 2nd Place Skills USA/Cosmetology, and 3rd Place, GISD Food Service. Honorable Mention went to Jerry Wilder with his Hot Dog bike entry. Thank you to everyone who spent their time and money to create your entries. We enjoyed them all.
Leaders of the parade were our Hall of Fame Inductees Taylor Hemness, Gina and Jimmie Price and Jean Rasbeary. Thank you to the following people who loaned us a convertible for our Hall of Fame Honorees as they rode in the parade: Luther and Kathleen Cockrell, David and Tammy Perry, and Trendon Rose. We thank you. An extra thank you to Kathleen for her help in gathering information from lots of sources for our Hall of Fame nominations and her help in getting the word out about our recognition of the team before the game. It was a special time for us all.
Our Hall of Fame Induction ceremony was well-attended, and we were so proud to welcome Taylor, Gina, Jimmie, and Jean into the Distinguished Student Hall of Fame. This group is certainly worthy of the honor. We thank those who nominated them as well as the committee who reviewed the nominations. Good job. Several reunions were held on Saturday afternoon. Our Facebook page documents the events so I hope you will visit our page. It was so wonderful to touch base with those we spent so much time with during our youth at GHS. Thank you for coming home. We hope to see you again in 2026.
•Our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and classmates of Winfred Buell Anderson, Class of 1963 and Elizabeth Lou “Becky” Dial Halpain, Class of 1976. They are loved and remembered by so many. Our prayers are with the brokenhearted and we wish them peace and comfort.
I ask God to continue to bless this organization, school district, and community. I am humbled and proud to have served in the footsteps of the visionaries who created this awesome organization. My best wishes.
Dr. Jo Ann Anderson Beken is the former president of the Groveton Ex-Students Association.
The following stories were inadvertently left out of the Smoke Signal.
Groveton High School Baseball Team: A Year of Triumph and Tenacity
By Cash Moore
As autumn settles in and summer’s warmth gives way to cooler breezes, Groveton High School’s baseball team is still celebrating a season filled with exceptional achievements. The Groveton Indians have once again proven their prowess on the diamond, capping off a year of notable success and setting a high bar for future seasons.
The 2023 season was a standout year for the Indians, marked by an undefeated run through their district games and a well-earned district championship. The guidance of Head Coach Wayne Williams, along with the strategic support of assistant coaches Kevin Parker and Richard Stuebing, played a crucial role in their remarkable performance.
Coach Williams’ leadership was pivotal, combining experience with innovative strategies that propelled the team through a challenging season.
“He always kept us in line and brought much needed energy to the team,” senior Dax Parker said.
The contributions of Assistant Coaches Parker and Stuebing were equally essential, refining the team’s tactics and fostering a winning mentality that was evident throughout the year.
The Indians’ success continued into the regional playoffs, where they faced the Grapeland Sandies in the first round. Tanner Stuebing, the team’s ace pitcher, was instrumental in securing the playoff victory. His dominant performance on the mound kept Grapeland’s hitters at bay, reflecting his exceptional skill and composure. Stuebing’s contributions, combined with the collective effort of the team, were crucial in advancing further in the playoffs.
“There are some key losses to overcome, none bigger than the loss of Tanner Stuebing, but more importantly this year’s team will need to replace his leadership,” Athletic Director Mike Waldie said. “His daily habits and high character will be hard to replace.”
The success of the 2023 season was a team effort, with each player contributing to the Indians’ impressive performance. Here’s a look at the roster that made it all possible:
• Billy Thomas – 3rd Baseman
• Brody Thornton – Outfield
• Dax Parker – Catcher
• Austin Williams – Outfield
• Ty Torregrosa – Outfield/Pitcher
• Brendon Flinn – 1st Baseman
• Daiton Chandler – I/R
• Jake Plotts – 3rd Baseman/Pitcher
• Angel Maldanado – Outfield
• Tanner Stuebing – Pitcher/Outfield
• Trystin Ard – Outfield
• Jack Sullivan – 2nd Baseman/3rd Baseman
•Jackson Cathey – Shortstop/Pitcher
• Cash Moore – DH/1st Baseman
• Cade White – Outfield
• Logan Townsend – Outfield
Each player brought unique skills and dedication to the field, contributing to the team’s overall success. The versatility and commitment of the roster were evident in every game, from defensive plays to offensive strategies.
With the new season on the horizon, the Groveton Indians are poised to build on their past achievements. The team will benefit from a blend of returning players and new talent, all set to continue the winning tradition. Coach Wayne Williams, along with Assistant Coaches Kevin Parker and Richard Stuebing, will continue to lead with their proven expertise and enthusiasm.
“This 25’ Baseball season is going to be extremely exciting. A great nucleus of players return and Coach Williams does such a great job leading the program,” Waldie said.
The upcoming season promises to be another thrilling chapter in Groveton’s baseball history. Fans can look forward to seeing key players like Dax Parker, Jake Plotts, and Jack Sullivan as well as others from the current roster, and new talents eager to contribute to the team’s success.
Groveton ISD Celebrates a Year of Unprecedented Achievements
By Shannon Klare
The 2023-2024 school year was a landmark period for Groveton ISD, marked by incredible victories, academic excellence, and noteworthy achievements across all levels. Our district’s commitment to hard work, determination, and collaboration has set new standards for success and highlighted the talent and drive of both our students and staff.
Sweeping UIL Victories Across All Campuses
Groveton ISD proved itself as a powerhouse in UIL competitions, taking home first place at the elementary, junior high, and high school levels. These victories represent more than just awards; they reflect the countless hours of preparation, dedication, and resilience shown by our students, educators, and staff.
“There is such a positive and competitive energy at GISD right now,” UIL Coordinator Jeremy Gentry said. “At every level, coaches continue to lead by example, devoting personal time and energy to guide their teams to success.”
The competitive spirit and teamwork that led to this success were felt across the district, creating an environment where excellence is the standard.
“Even more inspiring is getting to see students taking ownership of their teams, teaching themselves and helping each other in competitions that often require them to go well beyond the high-school level,” Gentry said. “This is the kind of thing that makes me proud to wear the red and white.”
In addition to our district-wide victories, six students qualified for the state UIL meet, showcasing their skills on the biggest stage. Among the standouts, Megan Hannah shone bright by placing in both Copy Editing and Editorial Writing.
“Since Freshman year, I had put countless hours into journalism events,” Groveton alumna Megan Hannah said. “This achievement was exciting and rewarding. Four years of hard work and dedication allowed me to achieve my fina goal and allowed for scholarship opportunities.”
A special highlight was the Groveton High School Literary Criticism team, which claimed first place in their category for the third consecutive year.
When asked about his team’s victories, Gentry said, “It was kind of amazing to see us not merely continue to win--and I feel so lucky to be able to do so--but to see my students rewrite every GHS record? To watch them outscore every team in Texas in all conferences? To learn that one of my students would score higher than literally every student in Texas? I’m still kind of in awe of the whole thing. It’s such a privilege to get to be part of the story.”
College Signings: The Next Chapter
Groveton ISD continues to be a launchpad for student success, with numerous seniors signing on to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level:
• Logan Townsend - Football, Centennial College
• Wyatt Lee - Football, Dubuque University
• Bryan Thomas - Football, Texas Wesleyan
• Tanner Stubing - Baseball, Austin College
• Jarrett Loftin - Basketball, Tabor College
• Daiton Chandler - Basketball, Oklahoma Wesleyan University
• Landry Martin - Softball, Concordia University Texas
• Megan Luce - Softball, Angelina College
• Molly Parson - Theater, Panola College
• Adriana Vazquez, Andrew Gonzalez, and Jaden Hart - Band, Angelina College
These students have put in the work to not only excel in their respective fields but also to open doors for their futures. Their accomplishments are a source of pride for the entire community.
Madison Turrentine: A Musical Talent on the National Stage
In the realm of the arts, Groveton is honored to celebrate the achievements of Madison Turrentine, a member of the Groveton Tribe of Pride Band. Madison has earned a full scholarship to attend the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy, where she will join some of the nation’s most talented young musicians.
According to a press release from Interlochen Arts Academy, “Approximately 17% of the nation’s professional orchestra musicians have roots at Interlochen, and the alumni community has been awarded more than 100 Grammy Awards.”
Her journey is even more impressive as she was also named a UIL Outstanding Performer at the 2024 Texas State Solo-Ensemble Contest—a rare and distinguished honor that speaks volumes about her talent, dedication, and hard work.
“Madi is one of only seven classical trumpet students to be accepted this year from across the country and around the globe,” Groveton High School Assistant Band Director, Deb Turrentine said. “The opportunities she will have are unlike anything she could experience at any other high school.”
Business Professionals of America: An Impressive Debut
Groveton High School marked a new milestone this year with the introduction of the Business Professionals of America (BPA) program. In just its inaugural year, the program saw overwhelming success, sending 20 students to the regional competition.
“It was a pleasant surprise to have so many students advance to state,” BPA sponsor Crystal Antley said. “Of course, we know and believe in our kids, but BPA was a totally new experience for us as sponsors and them as competitors. It was a learning curve for sure, but the kids worked really hard to excel in their competitions.
All 20 participants placed in their respective events, with 18 advancing to the state competition — a phenomenal start for a program that is sure to continue growing and thriving.
“We look forward to another year of success and growth as we continue to build the Groveton High School business department,” Antley said.
A Community of Excellence
As we look back on this school year, it is clear that the success of Groveton ISD is driven by a shared commitment to excellence and a belief in the potential of every student. The achievements of our students and staff reflect the hard work, determination, and spirit of our entire community. The future is bright for Groveton ISD, and we look forward to continuing this tradition of success in the years to come.
