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JERRY MORENO PHOTOS
By Gary Zupancic, Staff ReporterPhotos By Jerry MorenoDripping Springs photographer Jerry Moreno has been looking up at Dripping Springs’ sky since he was six years old. The heavens of his hometown sky made an indelible impression on him.“That’s how I got started in photography,” Moreno said. “I just wanted to take a picture of the stars. From there I started looking for other things of interest in the foreground—where people can make a connection with the image.”Moreno has now compiled his images into a coffee book that he is making available for sale. “After I decided to expand my photography beyond stars, I started driving around Dripping Springs, looking for places and things people would recognize. I don’t follow a set of rules, and I didn’t go to school for photography. Growing up I didn’t realize photography was an art, I just sort of grew into it. I find that my best photos just happen. I find that when I try to compose, it doesn’t turn out the way I want it to.”The 2011 graduate Dripping Springs High School did dabble in art while in school, however, and believes the seeds of his photography were always there. “In high school I did take some art courses in drawing, so I guess the ‘eye’ was always there. I just had to find the right medium, and for me that medium is photography.”Yet as varied as his photography subjects expand, he finds himself returning to the sky. “This town is full of amazing views and the fact that it's an International Dark Sky community helps as well. I love sharing my images with everyone including my night sky images as most people are indoors and in bed during the night. I don’t ever see myself moving away from Dripping,” Moreno said.He has been shooting images of the night sky since about 2014. When he showed his pictures to others, they were impressed and urged him to put a book of his photographs together.“Before making a book I decided to test my luck by making a calendar containing images from our town. The calendar did excellent and that pushed me to finally make the book. This is the first book I have published but I hope to continue making books in the coming years…My hope is to have my photos all over Dripping businesses in the coming year or two,” Moreno said.For more information about purchasing Moreno’s coffee book, email: [email protected] or phone 512-644-4404. Additional images by Moreno can be found on Instagram @morenojphoto .
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ETHAN’S COOL BIRTHDAY CAR PARADE
By John Pacheco, EditorAll photos submitted.Just because you’re in quarantine, doesn’t mean you can’t have creative fun. Especially if you have a little help from your friends.For his ninth birthday, Ethan Farber’s mom, Devon, had planned to take him to a car show, but unfortunately everything had been cancelled because of the covid-19 shut down. Then she had a thought, why not bring the car show to Ethan?“The power of social media can be so amazing right now!” Devon said. “I was brainstorming creative ways to celebrate Ethan’s ninth birthday during a quarantine and decided to seek the community’s help in asking if a couple of cool cars could drive by and wish him a happy birthday. I posted a request on Nextdoor to see if a few people with sports or unusual cars would be willing to drive by and wave ‘hi’ to Ethan for his birthday and surprise him. Well, the surprise was on me when I received an overwhelmingly positive response from over 90 drivers of amazing cars willing to participate in the drive-by parade.”Because of the unexpected large number of exotic, antique, and collector vehicles in the parade, Ethan’s mother decided to err on the side of safety and contact the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and North Hays County Fire/Rescue to make sure the parade was not a safety issue. To her surprise, both departments asked to participate in the parade.“We could hear the roar of the exotic car engines and the sirens before the cars actually got here, and I could see the joy on Ethan’s face as he realized what was happening,” Devon said. “I had managed to keep it a secret from him most of the week, but finally told him what was going to happen just a few hours before the parade.”Ethan has a strong growing interest in cars over the past year or so. “When he’s with me in the car, he’s always pointing out the cool cars to me—‘Mom, there’s a Porsche, or Mom, there’s a Tesla,” Devon said. “I’m usually too busy paying attention to traffic or the radio, but thanks to him I’m starting to spot the unusual cars as well.”In the past, Ethan has received car books and car calendars as gifts, which have expanded his knowledge of sports cars and exotics. As the parade drove by, he could identify many of the vehicles.Many of Ethan’s neighbors also enjoyed the parade. “As the number of cars in the birthday parade grew, we expanded the ‘parade route’ to go through four different neighborhoods,” Devon said. “The parade was a ripple of joy through our neighborhoods, as many people enjoyed the cars."For a neighborhood video of the parade, visit: https://rb.gy/decsju .
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TOP 10 STUDENTS ANNOUNCED FOR CLASS OF 2020
By Staff ReportsPhotos by Texas PhotographyThe Dripping Springs High School list of “Top 10” students by academic rank for the Class of 2020 has been announced by Principal Angela Gamez.The top-ranked senior and valedictorian for the Class of 2020 is Johnny Dollard. The second-ranked student and salutatorian is Jason Oliphant. Other students ranked among the top 10 are (in order): Ashley Rummel, Riley Wheaton, Cailey England, Rachel Stanley, Rebecca Depinto, Alexander Yount, Brooke Rummel and Cameron Duran. Dollard and Duran also were National Merit Finalists.All 10 students carried an overall weighted grade point average of 109 or higher."We are so proud of these amazing seniors and the work and time they have put into their studies at DSHS,” Gamez said. “This group has not only excelled in the classroom, but they are well-rounded students who have been successful in many extracurricular activities as well. I have no doubt that we will be seeing great things from each of them and deeply appreciate the way these students have represented Dripping Springs High School and our community in such a positive way.”The students will be honored during the virtual Senior Awards Night and at the Dripping Springs High School Graduation (details to be announced).Update May 14, 2020: Of the top 10 DSHS graduates based on academic rank, SIX of them were in the same first- and second-grade classes at Rooster Springs Elementary, taught by Tami Ballard, who is now the assistant principal at Sycamore Springs Elementary. The class looped up together between grade levels when Mrs. Ballard was moved to second grade. This includes four of the top five students. The members of the Class of 2020 "Top 10" who were in Mrs. Ballard's class are Jason Oliphant, Ashley Rummel, Riley Wheaton, Cailey England, Alexander Yount and Brooke Rummel.
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DSISD ANNOUNCES CAMPUS TEACHERS OF THE YEAR
By Staff ReportsDripping Springs ISD announced 2019-20 Campus Teachers of the Year on April 15. Campus winners were selected through a nomination and voting process of all staff at each school.Teachers of the Year are: Annette Hambright (Sycamore Springs Elementary, Special Education), Dave Hammond (Dripping Springs Middle School, special education), Jordyn LaMirand (Sycamore Springs Middle School, Special Education), Michael Lemonds (Dripping Springs High School, business/real estate); Lynne Maddox (Dripping Springs Elementary, first grade), Olivia Martinez (Walnut Springs Elementary, third grade), and Kristin Wright (Rooster Springs Elementary, fifth grade). The seven campus winners are now eligible for the DSISD Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year awards. Those two winners will be chosen through a virtual interview process by a district committee, and announced at the May 18th DSISD Board of Trustee meeting. They will then represent DSISD in the state-wide Teacher of the Year contest.Below is a brief career summary on each of the campus winners:ANNETTE HAMBRIGHT: Sycamore Springs Elementary teacher Annette Hambright is in her sixth year teaching and her third in Dripping Springs ISD. She is a Functional Academics teacher in Special Education, and works with students in multiple grade levels. Previously she taught for two years in Lago Vista ISD and a year in Fredericksburg ISD. In addition to her Special Education certification, Ms. Hambright also is certified as an Early Childhood-Sixth Grade generalist and in English as a Second Language. Ms. Hambright earned a bachelor’s degree in Major Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University. DAVE HAMMOND: Dave Hammond is in his second year as a Special Education teacher at Dripping Springs Middle School. He previously worked in Hays CISD for one year. An Air Force veteran, Mr. Hammond is certified in both Special Education and core subjects for Grades 4-8. Mr. Hammond earned his bachelor’s degree in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle University and his master’s degree in Education from Texas State University.JORDYN LaMIRAND: Jordyn LaMirand is in her fourth year teaching at the middle school level in DSISD, working at Dripping Springs Middle School for one year before moving to Sycamore Springs Middle School when it opened in the fall of 2017. After serving as a Special Education inclusion teacher in 2018-29, she is a FOCUS teacher this year. Mrs. LaMirand, whose husband also teaches at SSMS, is certified Special Education (all grade levels), core subjects through sixth grade, and English as a Second Language. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Texas A&M University and her master’s degree in Education from Texas State University.MICHAEL LEMONDS: Now in his fifth year at Dripping Springs High School, Michael Lemonds started his career in a business-related career. That background allowed him to bring real-world experience to DSHS students in the areas of business, financial markets, and entrepreneurship. He also created the Fundamentals of Real Estate course, which was the first of its kind in Texas high schools. He is certified in Social Studies and Business Education at the secondary level. Mr. Lemonds graduated from Texas A&M University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history.LYNNE MADDOX: Veteran teacher Lynne Maddox has spent the last seven years at Dripping Springs Elementary. Currently she teaches first grade. Previously she taught elementary school for 16 years in Spring Hill ISD. Ms. Thomas possesses multiple certifications: Elementary Self-Contained (Grades 1-8), Elementary English (Grades 1-8), Elementary History (Grades 1-8) and supplemental certifications in Special Education and English as a Second Language. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Tyler. OLIVIA MARTINEZ: Olivia Martinez is in her sixth year at Walnut Springs Elementary after spending one year at Dripping Springs Elementary. Currently she teaches third grade. She also spent two years teaching at a private school before joining the DSISD family. She is certified as an Elementary Generalist (EC-6), and English as a Second Language Supplemental (EC-6). Ms. Martinez graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor’s degree in English.KRISTIN WRIGHT: Fifth-grade teacher Kristin Wright is in her fifth year at Rooster Springs Elementary, and her 13th overall as an elementary teacher. Previously, she spent seven years with Eanes ISD and one year with Austin ISD. Ms. Wright has multiple certifications including Elementary Self-Contained (1-8), and Elementary Math, English, and Social Studies. She also is certified in Special Education (PK-12) and English as a Second Language Supplemental (PK-12). Ms. Wright is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.The DSISD Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by St. David’s HealthCare, in conjunction with the Dripping Springs Education Foundation.All Photos courtesy of DSISD.
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PARAMOTORING AT FOUNDERS MEMORIAL PARK
Photos by John PachecoDripping Springs parks host a great many sports and hobbies, but for Dripping Springs resident Oliver Reynold, the park is his personal runway for his Paramotoring hobby.“I’m a pilot, but my day job is welding inspector,” Reynold said. “Paramotoring is actually safer than riding a bicycle. I had someone look it up in an actuarial table. If something goes wrong I can just glide down. I also have a parachute should I need it.”Renold’s powered glider is foot launched and consists of an engine, small fuel tank, and propeller attached to his body with a harness. The unit is worn like a large backpack, which is in turn attached to a Paraglider that provides the lift. Reynolds has been a Paramotor hobbyist for two years, and said a local company, Austin Paramotor, helped him get started. He said he can fly as high as 12,000 ft with his device.Reynold’s Instagram with photos taken from the air can be found at https://www.instagram.com/omrenold/ .
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STARLIGHT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA MUSICAL HOLIDAY RADIO BROADCAST
The Starlight Symphony Orchestra presented “A Merry Musical Holiday Radio Broadcast,” on Sunday at the Wimberley First Baptist Church in Wimberley to a capacity crowd. The original show by Zachary Bobrowski and David Oertel was one of three SSO performed over the weekend.David Oertel, served as Music Director and Conductor for the show, with Marian Brackney as Concertmaster, and the night’s performance included dancers from Wimberley Dance Elite. The venue was free and open to the public.The holiday concert was given in the format as a Radio City Music Hall production, complete with the quirky humor of “On Air” personalities of Doug DeGirolamo and Phillip De Los Santos.The strings were powerful and sweetly in tune as the night’s music opened with “A Christmas Festival,” by Leroy Anderson, basically a collection of holiday classics ranging from “Jingle Bells,” to “Silent Night.” The piece also had a uniquely strong presence by brass and percussion.The second piece, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” made a quick movement into a jazzy sound and strongly hinted to the eclectic nature of the evening’s music.The evening did not disappoint, as it was an interactive, family-fun evening, filled with humor and heartwarming holiday favorites.About the Starlight Symphony Orchestra:The Starlight Symphony Orchestra is a regional community orchestra for the Central Texas Community composed of volunteer musicians, of wildly varying ages, from Austin, Bee Cave, Blanco, Buda, Canyon Lake, Driftwood, Dripping Springs, Kyle, Lockhart, Johnson City, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Oak Hill, San Marcos, West Lake and Wimberley. Orchestra members enjoy performing both classical and pop music and rehearse diligently to present exceptional concerts. A solo competition for students is held each year, inviting top students to perform and compete for music scholarships. The Starlight Symphony also works in conjunction with hill country school districts to augment their music curriculums with mentoring programs and music appreciation programs in each school.The nonprofit orchestra is supported by donations.For more information visit https://www.starlightsymphony.org .Photos by John Pacheco
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