Saturday, July 27, 2024
During the July 22 meeting of the Gatesville Independent School District Board of Trustees, several individuals were included in the “spotlight.” The categories included Student Spotlights, Community Spotlight, and the recognition of a Hornet Legend. GISD Superintendent Dr. Barrett Pollard had the following to say about these individuals:
Student Spotlights:
Bralen Veazy
Bralen Veazey is being honored tonight for his accomplishments on and off the field. Coach Chase Smith had the following to say about Bralen: "What makes Bralen such a special athlete is not only his dedication to his craft but his willingness to help out the community and kids in it. He has spent countless hours doing community service tasks. From picking up trash on the side of the road to volunteering to help out numerous youth baseball players, Bralen has always gone above and beyond to give back to his community. He has earned superlative awards every year he has played for us starting with Newcomer of the Year in our 2021 Defensive MVP in the 2023 season and Pitcher of the Year this past 2024 season. He was also named to First Team Super Centex, and, to round out his accomplishments, he was named to the 2nd Team All-State Team at Pitcher and 1B. He is the first Hornet Baseball player to ever accomplish the feat of receiving 2nd Team All State and was the only player to make the 2nd Team All-State team at multiple positions. He will go down as the greatest pitcher to ever come through Gatesville, thus far also earning the following Hornet Baseball Records: 1st All Time Season Strikeout Leader - 125; 1st All Time Career Strikeout Leader - 275; 1st All Time Season Win Loss Record - 9-1 (2024 Season); 1st All Time Career Win Loss Record - 22-5; 1st All Time Career ERA - 1.93. Bralen intends to continue his playing career at Temple College this fall."
Lawson Mooney
We want to recognize Lawson Mooney for his accomplishments on and off the field as well. Lawson was recently honored as the Waco-Tribune Herald's 2024 Male Athlete of the Year. Coach Aaron Hunter had the following to say about Lawson: "As a four-year starter for the football team, Lawson's impact on the field has been profound. Twice elected football captain by his teammates, he earned 1st team all-district honors in 2021 as a sophomore; was named co-defensive MVP in 2022 as a junior; and was voted the 11-4A defensive MVP his senior year. Additionally, as a senior, he was voted 2nd team all-state defensive back on the 2023 TSWA (Texas Sports Writers Association) All-State Team. During his four-year career, he broke the school record for all-time career tackles with an impressive 519, a record that has stood since 2000. Lawson also excelled on the baseball diamond, being named first team all-district outfielder as a freshman; first team all-district and co-offensive MVP both his junior and senior years; while also receiving first team Super Centex honors as a senior. On the track, his accomplishments include becoming a district champion in the 4x100 relay and a regional qualifier in both the open 100 meters and the 4x100 relay. His commitment to academics is equally commendable, as evidenced by his recognition as a 1st team Academic All-State honoree in 2024. Lawson has committed to run track at Dallas Baptist University this fall.
Jonathan Chavez
Mr. Jonathan Chavez was named a Texas State Solo Ensemble Contest (TSSEC) Outstanding Performer. This is an equivalent to being named a State Champion. To be named an Outstanding Performer, students must be among the best of the approximately 25,000 musicians that judges hear each year. Less than 2% of students who perform solo performances in Texas receive this award. Jonathan performed with such great musicality that his adjudicator stated, "OH BOY!" Jonathan also recently passed his Certified Nursing Assistant examination to become a fully certified CNA. GHS nurse Tori Cummings stated, "Jonathan always has a positive attitude. He is willing to step up in any situation and is a team leader. He was loved by all the residents at the Meadows, and they missed him when he was not there." GHS principal Liz Shoaf remarked, "Johnathan stood out as a student who always had a smile on his face and a can-do attitude. In addition to his musical talents, Johnathan's health science training allowed him to help the campus. Johnathan worked with our nurse, Tori Cummings, and the campus broadcasting team to help create videos that modeled how to perform CPR, use an automated external defibrillator, and the Heimlich maneuver. These videos were used as teaching tools for all GHS students during the month of February when the campus was focused on the fundamentals of first aid. Johnathan's leadership skills and work ethic are going to take him places. We can't wait to see what his future has in store for him."
Community Spotlight:
Lee Jaynes
Lee Jaynes started Hornet Radio in 2012 as a way to bring the excitement of Gatesville Hornet Athletics via the air waves. The broadcasts began with Hornet Football, then the lineup expanded to include other GHS sports and playoff competitions. Hornet Radio added video live-streaming in 2020, and its coverage and viewership of Hornet sports expanded both locally and outside of Gatesville. Lee and his on-air staff enjoy an extensive audience of viewers from near and afar on game nights. Those game nights now include football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, baseball, softball and tennis broadcasts, and there has even been a live-stream track meet as well. Besides its live streaming of athletic competitions, Hornet Radio also provides a weekly 5th Quarter Show throughout the school year that recognizes and promotes Hornet teams, athletes, coaches and athletic department. Besides promoting everything related to Hornet sports, Hornet Radio also streams and promotes other non-athletic events in the community, they provide scholarships to student-athletes, and their presence is felt community-wide.
Hornet Legend:
Dennis Taylor
Dennis Taylor received his bachelor's degree in 1966 and his master's degree in 1975 (both from Tarleton). In 1966, Mr. Taylor began his 33-year career in education with a one-year teaching stint at Pearsall ISD. The next two years Dennis would teach at the State School for Boys. In 1969, Mr. Taylor began teaching in Gatesville and would dedicate the next 30 years of his life to GISD. He was a positive male role model to generations of young people. In one of his annual evaluations, Don Edwards said the following about Dennis, "Mr. Taylor does an outstanding job of teaching. He is a great deal of help to me with various problems that arise in the elementary building. He is always available for other teachers if they have a serious discipline problem, and I am in the Primary building. He is an asset to our school program." In the middle of his career, Mr. Taylor would become the principal of the elementary campus. Tracy Barnes wrote, "Dennis is an excellent instructional leader. He is receptive to new ideas and information to improve professionally. He is a very capable administrator." For all these reasons, Dennis Taylor is a Hornet Legend.
