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Angelina College Athletics Weekly Update

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February 26 through March 5, 2023

Another busy week in Angelina College Athletics saw several tributes, plenty of action and the AC basketball teams hosting their home finales at Shands Gymnasium.

Here’s the re-cap, along with upcoming events.

Lady Roadrunner Basketball:

AC’s ladies just endured their toughest three-game stretch of the season, facing in succession the top three teams in Region XIV. After last Saturday’s 81-62 loss to No. 5 Trinity Valley Community College, the Lady ‘Runners fell 72-66 to defending national champions Tyler Junior College in Tyler before wrapping up the home finale Saturday against the nation’s third-ranked team (Blinn College) at Shands Gymnasium.

The Lady ‘Runners were just moments away from the huge upset before the Lady Bucs managed a couple of tough shots in the final minute, leaving AC on the short end of an 81-75 loss. Makayla Williams was 5-for-6 from three-point range to lead the Lady ‘Runners in scoring with 15 points. Makenzie Paul finished with 14 points.

Prior to tip-off, the AC coaching staff and the crowd hosted Sophomore Day, honoring the Lady ‘Runner sophomores playing in their final games at Shands Gymnasium: (L-R in the attached photo): Makayla Williams, Shanbriah Rule, Teniola Kuyinu, Jada Stewart, Jakayla Parks, Matilda Gordon and Taylor Jarrels.

The Lady Roadrunners (15-12, 8-7) close out the regular season Wednesday at Coastal Bend Community College in Beeville. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

Roadrunner Basketball:

The Roadrunner men suffered a pair of tough losses this week, falling 74-42 at league-leading Lee College Wednesday in Baytown. In Saturday’s home finale, AC’s men rallied late but couldn’t overcome the Jacksonville College Jaguars, with the ‘Runners dropping a 66-63 decision at Shands Gymnasium.

Before the game, the ‘Runners recognized lone sophomore Willian Santos in a brief ceremony.

AC’s men (14-14, 8-10) will close out the regular season Wednesday in Brenham, as the Roadrunners face Blinn College in a 7 p.m. matchup.

Roadrunner Baseball:

After dropping both ends of a conference doubleheader Wednesday at Navarro College in Corsicana, the Roadrunners bounced back to sweep Bossier Parish Community College Saturday in Bossier City, Louisiana.

In the opener, AC rallied for the win behind a two-run seventh inning. Sam Hardcastle drove in Dalton Mullins with a fielder’s choice, and Trip Cromer drove in Mason Swidersky with a single to left field. Mathew Tippie threw six innings, giving up just one earned run, and Peyton Fosher earned the win after pitching a one-run seventh inning. Mario Mendoza homered earlier in the game.

AC bats erupted in the nightcap, with Swidersky rocking a homer and driving in three runs, Mendoza collecting another three RBI and Jaxon Hansen and Christian Letendre driving in two runs each. Taz Pate and Dalton Mullins each doubled twice in the win, and Elian Balmaceda picked up the win on the mound after holding the Cavaliers to two earned runs over seven innings. Tyler Seay threw three scoreless innings of relief.

The Roadrunners will host Tyler Junior College in a conference doubleheader scheduled to start at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Poland Field on the AC campus. AC will play at Panola College on Saturday in a twin bill set for a 1 p.m. start.

Lady Roadrunner Softball:

The Lady ‘Runner softball team packed in six games over three days while hosting this past weekend’s Angelina Invite on the AC campus. In Friday’s games, AC lost 4-1 to Trinity Valley Community College and 8-1 to Grayson College.

On Saturday, Grayson blanked the Lady ‘Runners 8-0, but AC rebounded for 12-4 win over Paris Junior College that evening. Skyler Martin homered and drove in three runs, while Bailey Frenzel, Kaetlyn Dunbar, Emma Kovasovic and Brynn Davis collected an RBI each. Pitcher Mia Gilmore earned the circle win, and Gianna Wade pitched a third of an inning in relief.

Sunday’s tourney finale saw the Lady ‘Runners drop a 4-2 loss to Northeaster Oklahoma Community College before getting some payback against TVCC in the nightcap. AC beat the Lady Cardinals 4-2, with Madi Baker driving in three of those runs with a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly. Dunbar accounted for the other RBI, and Gilmore tossed a complete game, striking out five while allowing no earned runs over seven innings.

AC’s ladies are home on Wednesday against Tyler Junior College in a doubleheader scheduled for a 3 p.m. start; the Lady ‘Runners travel to Louisiana to face Bossier Parish Community College Saturday in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.

LIVIN COUNTDOWN:

With the Roadrunner baseball team’s two wins this week, head coach Jeff Livin is now just six wins away from his 800th career win.

REGION XIV BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT:

The 2023 Region XIV Women’s and Men’s Basketball Tournament will take place from Tuesday, March 7 through Saturday, March 11 at Tyler Junior College’s Wagstaff Gymnasium. Both Angelina College teams have qualified, but seedings and schedules won’t be available until next weekend. We should have both AC teams’ tourney schedules in next week’s update.

Angelina Beautiful/Clean Hosts Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day

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Angelina Beautiful/Clean will host their Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day on March 4, 2023 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. located at Regional Recycling Center, 500 Southpark Dr., Lufkin, TX 75904.

“It is Angelina Beautiful/Clean’s largest annual service project, and is a fantastic opportunity for community members to properly dispose of material that is considered hazardous to our natural environment,” says Emily Thornton, Executive Director of AB/C. “We encourage anyone in our Deep East Texas region to participate in hopes of cutting down on illegal dumping and recycling some of the material we receive. We believe that HHW is a true testament to our mission of educating and empowering East Texans to take responsibility for enhancing our community environment.”

For more than 30 years, Angelina Beautiful/Clean, a non-profit organization, has kept true to its mission of educating and empowering East Texans to take responsibility for enhancing their community environment. Each year, Beautiful/Clean and its proud community members work hard to maintain, enhance, and preserve our part of Texas. They want to make Angelina County a beautiful place to live, play, and work. One way they make this a reality is by hosting events like Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day.

“HHW is a fantastic resource for our community,” Thornton says. “It’s a free resource and allows community members to properly dispose of material and get it off their hands. Having this collection each year gives AB/C the opportunity to empower our community to make the right decision and properly dispose of material that can be hazardous to our natural environment.”

Household Hazardous Waste will be accepting paints, automobile batteries, household cleaners and other hazardous household products; white goods (old appliances, refrigerators, stoves, hot water heaters), and electronic wastes (printers, scanners, Palm accessories, power supplies, battery backups, cables, toner/ink cartridges, hard drives, CD-ROMs, speakers, VCRs, DVD players, stereo equipment, video game consoles, any audio or video equipment, networking equipment, tape drives, test equipment, fax machines, keyboards, voice/tape recorders, radios, Walkman products, calculators, cellular phones, and phone accessories). Motor oil, antifreeze, and cooking oil will also be accepted.

You do not have to be living in Angelina County to participate in HHW so don’t miss out even if you don’t live in the county.

No TV’s or computer monitors can be accepted at this moment in time.

This collection is for households only so large quantities from businesses, farms, or commercial operations will not be accepted.

In addition to this, tires, infectious and medical wastes, biological and radioactive materials, compressed gas cylinders, ammunition, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and explosives are prohibited.

For more information, contact Angelina Beautiful/Clean at (936) 632-5326.

Truly A Hidden Gem

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Salmon Lake Park is one of the most beautiful parks in east Texas. It is very family-friendly with many things for you and your family to do. Salmon Lake Park is 115 acres of incredible fun. The swimming hole/lake, which is spring fed, is 2 acres with a sand bottom, perfect for kids to swim and play. You can stay in a tent, camper, RV, or in one of their vintage cabins. Some cabins even have a stunning lakefront view. The new owners, Trent and Bethany, have owned the park since October of 2020. Salmon Lake is located at 247 Salmon Lake Rd Grapeland, TX 75844. Salmon Lake Park is a place like no other, and it is a must-add to your bucket list. It is truly a hidden gem in Deep East Texas.


A Little History

Mr. Salmon bought the 115 acres for his homestead in the mid-1970s. He raised cattle and had three daughters. He damned up the creek on his property to create a watering hole for his cattle. His daughters, however, had different plans. Their friends loved to swim and play in the lake. Soon, word got out in the small town of Grapeland that there was a place to swim. The whole town loved the swimming hole. During this time, a friend of Mr. salmon, who was a major bluegrass artist, suggested he turn his property into a place to have festivals. That year they held the first annual bluegrass festival. He also moved houses, and any houses people didn’t want on their property anymore he moved to the park. he turned those houses into cabins.


How Did Trent And Bethany Get To Salmon Lake

Trent and Bethany say that Salmon lake is a perfect place to relax and find some peace. They first heard of Salmon Lake for a camping event with her parents, four years before purchasing the park. In 2020, when COVID-19 shut the world down, everyone was stuck in their homes but Trent and Bethany remembered the beautiful park they had once visited. They were only planning on staying there a couple of weeks in May, but weeks turned into months. Soon they knew they had to make an offer because their love for this place grew so big. The owners at the time finalized the agreement in October of 2020 and that is how Salmon Lake park is now Trent and Bethanys’ new home.


The Bluegrass Festivals

Salmon Lake has two Bluegrass Festivals, which are both incredible. First, the gospel bluegrass festival is held every memorial day weekend, in May. Then, the traditional bluegrass festival is held every labor day weekend, in September. The traditional Bluegrass festival is one of the longest-running bluegrass festivals in Texas. Both Bluegrass festivals have musicians from all over the country. Eventually, These festivals were even nationally recognized.


For more information on the Bluegrass Festivals or anything about Salmon Lake Park, visit salmonlakepark.com. Everyone needs to visit this incredible Park at least once in their lifetime!

Honoring Dunbar: Remembering Brilliance

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Angelina College Hosting Tributes As Part of Black History Month

Angelina College will cap off its celebration of Black History Month with a two-night tribute to the Dunbar school system.

Titled “Honoring Dunbar: Remembering Brilliance,” the events take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24 and 25, at the Convention Center on the AC campus.

The events will feature numerous Dunbar alumni and guest speakers, and both events are open to the public.

Friday’s ceremony will include Olivia Adams Wilson serving as the master of ceremonies, with a welcome from AC president Dr. Michael Simon. The Reverend David Avant will offer the invocation, and Tina Webber and Brent Shankle will perform the musical selection.

Guest speakers for Friday include Dr. Daniel Spikes and Winifred Ferguson-Adams, Dean of Health Careers at Angelina College.

Saturday’s schedule includes a pair of Angelina College basketball games at Shands Gymnasium: The Lady Roadrunners host Blinn College at 2 p.m.. and the Roadrunner men host Jacksonville College at 4 p.m. Those are the home finales for both AC teams.

The Dunbar tribute on Saturday will feature Brenda Anderson Tankersley as the MC, with Bishop Oscar Dixon, Sr. offering the invocation. Adrianne Collins and Tina Webber will perform the musical selections, while the guest speakers include Jonathan Kegler and Sellestine Collins-Hunt.

Randy McKelvey, who organized the events, will offer the closing remarks. For further information, contact Daisy Brumley at dbrumley@angelina.edu or Randy McKelvey at rmckelvey@angelina.edu.

My five cents… A weekly column from Sen. Robert Nichols

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On February 24, 1836, William B. Travis wrote his famous letter from the Alamo. He wrote the defenders would never “surrender or retreat” and ended with the iconic line “Victory or Death.”

Here are five things happening around your state:

1. Governor Abbott announces emergency items

Last week, Governor Greg Abbott gave his State of the State address. In that address, he listed his seven emergency items that he is asking the Legislature to address this session. Emergency items identified by the Governor are special because the Legislature can begin to address and vote on them immediately rather than waiting the requisite 60 days for passing normal legislation. The seven items the governor identified include cutting property taxes, ending COVID-19 restrictions, expanding school choice, school safety, continued bail reform, border security, and combatting the fentanyl crisis. Outside of his emergency items, the governor mentioned several other priorities including increasing infrastructure funding, creating new economic development tools, and mandatory minimum sentences for illegal gun possession by criminals, among other things.

Now that the Governor’s emergency items have been established, the Legislature can begin working on these issues. Committees should also begin meeting in the next few weeks and the bill filing deadline is on March 10.

2. Bill filed to move Stephen F. Austin State University to the UT System

This week, I filed Senate Bill 1055 which would formally place SFA within the UT System and sets up a framework for that to happen. The bill directly names the university as Stephen F. Austin State University, a member of the University of Texas System. It was important to the community that the university retain its name, colors, and mascot as part of its identity. An important note about the legislation as filed, the caption reads that the bill is “abolishing Stephen F. Austin State University.” I’d like the community to know that language is necessary for SFA to be eligible to receive certain funds in the UT System. This bill will not alter SFA’s current presence or change much on a day-to-day basis for students and faculty. The transition to the UT System will take place over the summer at the direction of the UT Board of Regents. Both universities are excited about the transition and are working together to ensure a seamless transition. This is an exciting time for both SFA and the surrounding community.

3. Senate Finance work groups announced

The Senate Finance Committee Chair Senator Joan Huffman announced work groups for Senate Finance this week. In the Senate, the Finance Committee breaks the entire budget down by article and assigns groups of senators to go through them line-by-line to make decisions on agencies and their appropriation requests. This session I am honored to again chair the work group on Articles 6, 7, and 8. Those articles cover agencies that relate to natural resources, business and economic development, and regulatory agencies. Joining me in our work group are Sen. Royce West, Sen. Charles Schwertner, and Sen. Charles Perry. Together we will oversee billions of dollars in appropriations. I look forward to working with my colleagues on making recommendations to the rest of the Finance Committee and Chair Huffman.

4. Texas A&M Forest Service offering grants for volunteer firefighter recruitment

The Texas A&M Forest Service announced last week that it is offering new Volunteer Recruitment Resources grants design to help rural volunteer fire departments recruit and retain firefighters and enhance public safety. Eligible departments can apply for reimbursement of all of the total costs for recruitment up to $3,000. Those allowable uses include reimbursements for banners, mailouts, billboards, and other promotional items. The fund has a total of $300,000 in federal funds available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Eligible departments must serve a rural area with a population of 10,000 people or less, must be certified by the Texas Division of Emergency Management and have a National Incident Management System, must not be debarred, suspended or declared ineligible, and must be comprised of at least 80 percent volunteer personnel.

5. Texas ranked first in Aerospace Manufacturing Attractiveness

Texas once again came in first as the best state for Aerospace Manufacturing Attractiveness, according to PwC. In the publications ninth ratings report, the rankings considered key variables such as cost, labor, infrastructure, industry, economy, and tax policy. Texas ranked number one in tax policy and economy and number two in industry. Rounding out the top five were Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio, and Indiana. Texas is already home to several space-related organizations like Blue Origin, Space X, and NASA

4 Places to Play and Stay

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Photo by @invadingkingdom on Unsplash

Spending time outside, admiring the beauty of nature can be relaxing. From hearing the birds sing in the morning to feeling the breeze against your face, there are truly wonderful experiences to behold. Since spring break is coming up, taking a day, a weekend, or a week at a local park is a good way to spend your break!

Pineland Park

Many people have left good reviews about Pineland Park saying that the scenery and walking trails are quite good and beautiful. It’s a great place to take your dog for a walk or take your kids out to play. Pineland Park has a playground and a pool, great for family and friends to go hangout and have fun with each other!

Dr. Dann Memorial City Park in Hemphill

Dr. Dann Memorial City Park is a great place for younger children to go play at. It’s a small and quiet park, great for getting some time to read a book or just rest in the great outdoors.The park has some good walking trails, bathrooms, and playground equipment. Scenery here is beautiful and there is plenty of shade with the trees.

San Augustine Park

San Augustine Park is just off of Lake Sam Rayburn Resevoir. This park has areas for camping there with a tent or with an RV! There’s a swimming area, you can fish while you are there, and the scenery is just amazing! This is a great place to stay during fishing tournaments since it’s so close.

Ebenezer Park

Ebenezer Park is in Jasper, and it’s also right off of the banks of Lake Sam Raburn Resevior. It’s a wonderful place to bring your family and friends to have fun and goof off for the weekend or week as there are areas here too for tents or RV’s. You can take a dip in the lake, or even take a canew out with a friend. There are trails to walk and explore with amazing sights!

Take These 6 Steps to Manage Your Blood Pressure

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High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, affects nearly half of adults in the United States, and only about 1 in 4 with this condition have it under control, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hypertension can be dangerous and in many cases, fatal. In 2020, it was a primary or contributing cause of more than 670,000 deaths nationwide. Medical experts say that controlling your blood pressure is possible and it starts with having the right information.

“Nearly half of all American adults have high blood pressure, and many don’t even know it. High blood pressure is a ‘silent killer,’ often having no overt symptoms, but increases the likelihood of heart attack, stroke and other serious health risks. I urge you to know your numbers and make the simple lifestyle changes that can help you control your blood pressure and live a long and healthy life,” says Jack Resneck Jr., M.D., president of the American Medical Association (AMA).

To get on the right track, consider these tips and insights from the AMA:

  1. Know your numbers. Hypertension is diagnosed when your systolic blood pressure is greater than 130 mmHg or your average diastolic blood pressure is greater than 80 mmHg. Visit ManageYourBP.org to better understand your numbers.
  2. Monitor blood pressure. Once you learn your blood pressure numbers, take and keep regular records using an at-home blood pressure monitor. For an accurate reading, the CDC says to sit with your back supported for 5 minutes before starting and wait at least 30 minutes after drinking or eating a meal. You should also avoid stimulants for at least 30 minutes beforehand, as the CDC says that smoking and drinking alcohol or caffeine can elevate your blood pressure. If you take medication for hypertension, measure your blood pressure before your dose. Share your numbers with your health care provider.
  3. Eat right. Reduce your intake of processed foods, especially those with added sodium and sugar. Eat less red meat and processed meats, and add more plant-based foods, such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and olive oil to your diet. Also, reduce your consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and drink more water instead. Drinking sugary beverages, even 100% fruit juices, is associated with a higher all-cause mortality risk, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open.
  4. Drink alcohol only in moderation. If consuming alcohol, do so in moderation as defined by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans — up to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men, and only by adults of legal drinking age.
  5. Be more physically active. Do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity activity. Be sure to include a mix of cardiovascular exercise, strength training and flexibility. Obtain guidance from your doctor if you aren’t sure if it is safe for you to exercise.
  6. Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, losing as little as 5 to 10 pounds may help lower your blood pressure. Consult your doctor about safe ways to maintain a healthy weight.

“Unmanaged hypertension can have life-altering consequences,” says Dr. Resneck. “The good news is that there are many ways you can take control of your blood pressure and your health.”

Patrick Colvin to Participate in “Reach for the Stars” Show at County Fair

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Patrick Colvin, a Junior at Lufkin High School, helped care for livestock at a ranch near Fort Hood. Patrick is one of the students participating in the Reach for the Stars show at the Angelina County Youth Fair at the Angelina County Fair.

One of the best events you’ll see at the Angelina County Fair is called Reach for the Stars “Celebrating the Possibilities”. It will be a livestock show on Thursday, March 23 at 5 pm that will showcase the talents of special needs youth from across our county. Participants will be paired up with a 4-H or FFA buddy to exhibit livestock and learn that they can succeed in the show arena as well.

Patrick is the 17-year-old son of Chris and Teresa Colvin, and has one younger brother, Garrett. Patrick is a student at Lufkin High where he is a Junior and participates in the Self-Contained Program.

The Colvin family recently relocated to East Texas after dad Chris retired from serving in the Army for 20 years. Teresa is originally from Nacogdoches and says, “The Lufkin area feels so inclusive and is very encouraging.”

When asked what led them to participate in the show, Teresa said “We wanted to be more involved in the community, especially in events that are inclusive, so when we heard about this opportunity, we decided to sign up.”

At home Patrick loves to ride his bike, hang out his friend Chelsi, watch movies, and he says, “I love Sonic!” Patrick and his family have a beagle dog named Bella and a cat whose name is ‘Kitty’. His mom says that being around animals helps calm him. When his dad was stationed at Fort Hood, Patrick helped at a ranch where he would feed and water the livestock.

Karen Stafford is one of the volunteers leading this show. Stafford says, “I had started seeing this type of show in other counties around Texas, and I’ve seen some special needs kids showing at the major stock shows, and I just felt like it was time for us to offer something like this in our county and our community.”

“The support and enthusiasm have been overwhelmingly positive,” Stafford continues, “The response from the 4-H and FFA kids willing to donate their animals and be show buddies for the exhibitors is very heartwarming. This year, in less than 24 hours, we had 37 youth fair exhibitors sign up to volunteer. Our Angelina County kids want to help in a big way.”

Looking ahead, she states, “I hope these exhibitors will see that livestock showing really is achievable for them and maybe they will consider joining a 4-H or FFA group and becoming a part of the Angelina County Fair in the future. Also, animals have calming and therapeutic effects, and I’ve seen what it can do for kids with different ranges of disabilities. These livestock animals might be what a kid needs, but they just might not know it yet.”

Patrick’s mom, Teresa stated, “Being able to participate in the County Fair means so much because they have taken the time to consider those with special needs. This is a wonderful opportunity to participate like his peers, because this event is geared towards his developmental level and ability.”

Registration for the Reach for the Stars show is available online at AngelinaCountyFair.com. This is an opportunity for special needs children in grades 3 – 12. The event is free, but you must pre-register by March 17th at the website. Click on Exhibitors, then “contest” and follow the link to the Special Needs Livestock Show.

The public is invited to see the Reach for the Stars show at 5pm on Thursday, March 23 in the main arena of the EXPO in Lufkin.

Angelina College Softball Hosting Weekend Tournament

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Angelina Invite Runs from Friday through Sunday at AC

Weather permitting, the Angelina College Lady Roadrunner softball team will host its annual Angelina Invite this weekend, with games on tap Friday through Sunday at the AC softball field in Lufkin.

The round-robin tournament will feature five teams playing over three days. Friday’s schedule includes the following games: AC vs. Trinity Valley Community College, 1 p.m.; Grayson College vs. TVCC, 3:30 p.m; and AC vs. Grayson College, 6 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule includes Northeast Oklahoma College vs. Grayson College at 10:30 a.m.; AC vs. Grayson College at 1 p.m.; NEO vs. Paris College at 3:30 p.m.; and AC vs. Paris College at 6 p.m.

The tournament wraps up on Sunday with a trio of games: AC will play NEO at 11:30 a.m.; NEO faces TVCC at 2 p.m.; and AC will play TVCC at 4:30 p.m.

Admission to all AC athletics events is free.

For more information, contact AC’s Sports Information Director at gstallard@angelina.edu.

Angelina College shortstop Hailey Fuentes takes a throw at second during a recent game. The Lady Roadrunners will host the Angelina Invite – featuring five teams playing over three days – starting on Friday at Lady Roadrunner Field on the AC campus.
Angelina College shortstop Hailey Fuentes throws across the diamond for an out during a recent game. The Lady Roadrunners will host the Angelina Invite – featuring five teams playing over three days – starting on Friday at Lady Roadrunner Field on the AC campus
Angelina College’s Brynn Davis connects for a base hit during a recent game. The Lady Roadrunners will host the Angelina Invite – featuring five teams playing over three days – starting on Friday at Lady Roadrunner Field on the AC campus.

Honoring Dunbar: Remembering Brilliance (Angelina County)

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Angelina College invites the community to celebrate and honor Dunbar, Remembering Brilliance.

Friday, February 24th:
Angelina College, Conference Center
Dinner will be provided

SPEAKERS:
Dr. Daniel Spike
Mrs. Winifred Ferguson Adams

Saturday, February 25:
2 pm – AC Women’s Basketball vs. Blinn
4 pm – AC Men’s Basketball vs. Jacksonville
Location: Angelina College, Shands Gymnasium

5:30 – 7:30 pm:
Angelina College, Conference Center
Dinner will be provided

SPEAKERS:
Mr. Jonathan Kegler
Mrs. Sellestine Hunt