Southwest

62 turn tassels at Southwest
A total of 62 Southwest High School students tossed their hats high after graduating on Thursday.

3 Southwest track records fall at SBU
Senior Robert Humphries (steeplechase), junior Braydan Rose (javelin) and senior Juliauna Sierra (javelin) all set school records at the Southwest Baptist University Relays, which featured 59 schools in classes 1-2-3. Humphries won the 2000-meter steeplechase in 6:42.70, beating 41 other runners.

Prom-goers cut rugs across county
Jackson Hilburn, left, and Izabella Pack had the floor nearly all to themselves at Purdy’s prom on Saturday, using the opportunity to spin freely at the Barn at Bear Ridge.

14 inducted into Southwest NHS
National Honor Society membership is open to sophomores, juniors and seniors with a GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4-point scale. Eligible students must also complete an application and submit a brief essay or reflection. A faculty council reviews the applications to determine if the students fulfill the qualities of service, scholarship, leadership and character. Sometimes, an interview is necessary to earn acceptance.

Southwest off and running
Only five meets into the season, Southwest’s track team began to see personal records fall. Led by seniors Robert Humphries, Kameron Kelley and Juliauna Sierra, the Trojans and Lady Trojans have lofty goals this year, hoping to use its strengths in distance running to reach the state meet in May.

Young Lady Trojans grow in tough season
By the end of the season, the Southwest girls basketball team did not have a senior on the floor. The Lady Trojans (2-24), whose only senior suffered an injury, had one junior, one sophomore and four freshmen handling the minutes, and Coach Destiny Jalbert said they were undaunted by the task.

Trojans bring strength on the mound
The Southwest baseball team will rely on its pitching to produce another winning season, hoping to stay healthy and make a run more district hardware for Trojans athletics this year. Derek Mann, Southwest baseball coach, said the Trojans were hit hard by injuries at the start of last season, going 1-9 in their first 10 but finishing 13-11 overall.

Trojans reflect on successful season
In the summer of 2023, the Southwest boys basketball team declined to set any expectations. Coming off its first district title in 57 years, the Trojans had lost half the team to graduation and had yet to find an identity.
Rebuilding with mechanics
Six starters return to a Southwest softball team billing itself as in a rebuilding year and ready to battle through growing pains. Emily Snyder, Southwest softball coach, said the Lady Trojans have been working through the summer to improve, specifically in regard to mechanics.

SOUTHWEST SCHOOL BOARD QUESTIONNAIRE: Daniel “Danny” Dalton
As a veteran board member I have enjoyed my time on the board and want to continue serving the patrons of our area in helping to provide a quality education to the children of our district.