In The Spotlight
• Justin Schwartz graduated in December from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is the son of Ernie and Debra Schwartz.
• Seventh grader Julie Hirt, daughter of Linda and Kevin Hirt, was selected as the December junior high Student of the Month. Allison Jansa was chosen from the high school. She is a sophomore and the daughter of Allen and Lisa Jansa. From the elementary school, kindergartner Cody Halfmann, son of Becky and Ricky Halfmann, was chosen from grades K–2, while third grader Brittney Schniers was selected from grades 3–6. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Kathleen Schniers.
• GCHS Bearkat mascot Marianne Halfmann, along with 20 other all-star mascots from around the country, participated in the pre-game show at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando Jan. 1. She was selected as an all-star at the Texas A & M cheerleader/mascot camp last summer. Marianne is a junior and the daughter of Butch and Tammy Halfmann.
• Katelyn Hoelscher is the January Student of the Month from grades K–3. She is a third-grader and the daughter of Carl and Kara Hoelscher. Fourth-grader Diana Cansino, daughter of Walter and Shelly Cansino, is the student selected from grades 4–6. Chase O’Brien, a seventh-grader and the nephew of Keith and Tisha Burnett, was selected from the junior high, and Kaycee Schniers was the choice from the high school. She is a junior and the daughter of Kenneth and Kathleen Schniers.
• The Texas Math and Science Coaches Association (TMSCA) team from Garden City Junior High recently won fifth place in a Midland competition, going up against 5-A and magnet schools. The team consists of 14 kids and is coached by Linda Jones and Jerry Cannon.