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VOL. 76, NO. 44 I 50 CENTS GRADUATION PHOTOS AND SENIOR AWARDS COUNTY LINE FESTIVAL SNAPSHOTS ON PAGE.....

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013

Baldwyn election night produces winning candidates

Kayla Carpenter
STAFF WRITER

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Bearcats to host childrens basketball camp

By Demi Hughes
STAFF WRITER

Kayla Carpenter
STAFF WRITER

Local home featured in movie production

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Tradition and strategy are two major components in Baldwyn High Schools Bearcat basketball program. These two charactistics aid in their success and help make champions out of the players. This year, the Bearcats won the Boys Basketball 2A State Championship Title. This summer, the BHS boys and girls basketball teams plan to continue strengthening their future athletes by offering their annual childrens basketball camp. This years camp will be held at the BHS gymnasium May 29-31 for boys and girls entering grades 1-7. The boys camp will be held each day from 8:30 a.m.-12 noon with the girls camp following each day from 1:304:30 p.m. The cost of the camp is $35 which includes a $10 deposit that must be paid prior to camp. Concessions will be open each day of the camp so students can purchase snacks. Each year our players and volunteers help coach over 100 boys and girls teaching them basketball basics, good sportsmanship, and how to be leaders while a member of a group. Each child will receive a basketball, t-shirt, and trophy. Various awards for camp competitions will also be awarded, Coach Jason McKay said. We have seen success from working with the kids early on and want to continue to enhance our traditions with our basketball programs here at Baldwyn. Please come and support our camp. For more information or enroll your child in camp, please contact Coach McKay at 662-255-2095, Assistant Coach Richard Craven, Coach Reneetra Pippins at 662-3227900, or the BHS office at 662365-1020.

In the darkness of his eyes and through the sweetness of his hands, when Patrick Heny Hughes plays, it is the music of possibility and the sound of promise. Patrick Henry Hughes was born on March 10, 1988, without eyes and without the ability to fully straighten his arms and legs. This resulted in him being unable to walk. Additionally, two steel rods were surgically attached to his spine to correct scoliosis. Thanks to Patrick Henrys insatiable drive and his fathers dedication, these debilitating disabilities have never hindered him from fulfilling his ambitions. Despite these overwhelming circumstances, he has overcome his physical issues to excel as a musician, student, performer and public speaker. In 2008, Patrick Henry wrote a

I am Potential movie production on location in Baldwyn, MS at the home of Chet and Hope Jones.
book about his life and all his accomplishments as a musician entitled I Am Potential: Eight Lessons on Living, Loving, and Reaching Your Dreams. American Family Studios, based in Tupelo, decided to turn his book into a movie. They have been filming all over

COURTESY PHOTO

Northeast Mississippi including the Baldwyn home of Chet and Hope Jones. In order to renovate the couples house for the film, the crew hired individuals to redesign the house into a modern late 80s early 90s home. The Jones moved out of their house for a month during the renovation and while the movie was being filmed. Although they have finished filming in Baldwyn, Patrick Henry Hughes, his father, Patrick John and his mother, Patricia were on the set last week watching the movie being filmed about them. When asked about his disability and how it has affected his life Patrick Henry simply replied, What disability? With his bright smile and friendly demeanor, one would have to agree that Patrick Henry does not appear to
CONTINUED SEE POTENTIAL ON PG. 10

Graduation 2013 a bittersweet moment for bereaved family

By Demi Hughes
STAFF WRITER

A true hero never forgets

Kayla Carpenter
STAFF WRITER

High School graduation is one of biggest milestones in a teenagers life. However, there are some who are not fated to be physically present at their graduation services. But, while they are not there in body they can, instead, be there in spirit. Last Friday evening during their 2013 Graduation Ceremonies, BHS recognized the family of the late Marcus Martin and awarded them an honorary diploma on his behalf.

The late Marcus Martin

An empty chair with a cap and gown to symbolize Martins presence was stationed on the gym floor during
CONTINUED SEE MARTIN ON PG. 10

Presley honored in Hall of Fame at THS

Special To The News At this year's Tupelo High School graduation, Baldwyn's Alexandra Senter Presley was seated in a place of honor. As a graduate with a 4.0 G.P.A., Alexandra was seated on the front row with other academically exceptional students. The daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Donald Presley, Alexandra has worked diligently throughout her high school career. Her hard work has led to her induction into the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. She has been named a Rotary

Alexandra Presley

Scholar and an ACT Scholar. Alexandra has been a member of the Anchor Club, Future Medical Professionals and was a member of the staff of Hi-Times, Tupelo High
SEE PRESLEY ON PG. 10

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hero [heer-oh]noun, plural heroes; 1.a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. 89-year old Billie Hopkins of Baldwyn is a hero. While fighting in World War II he earned three Purple Hearts for courageous service. At first glance, Hopkins small frame and gentle smile warms everyone he meets, but his eyes still tell the story of the horror and sacrifice he saw while fighting for his country. At the age of 17 he decided to leave his job at the Kroger in Booneville and enlist in the war. Because of intense national pride and the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 194, many youth in the area volunteered. Hopkins was living on a farm with his grandfather when he traveled to Memphis to enlist. He passed the test, but was color-blind, and therefore, rejected.They told me that I would be a good Air Force gunner because of my petite size. I weighed 110 pounds and was five feet two inches tall," he said. "I thought that I would love that, but when I was drafted at age 18, I saw many planes shot down and

Above: Hopkins is pictured with his Purple Hearts and other acheivements he received while in the service. Right: A young Hopkins during his early years in the military.
decided it was best to stay in the Infantry." After going through boot camp, he was assigned to the 315th Regiment of the 72nd Infantry as a radio operator. The 72nd was shipped to Normandy, Omaha Beach on June 12, 1944 where Hopkins was wounded in the foot and leg with shrapnel. "I looked down at my foot and a piece of shrapnel had went completely through it," he said. "The medic said that he wanted to cut up my boot in order to get it out and I would not let him. It was hard to get a good pair of boots. I ended up pulling the shrapnel out of my foot myself. The medic said he would be back the next morning to wrap it. He never made it back because he was killed that night." Hopkins himself came near death a few weeks later on July 4,1944 in Saint Lo when shrapnel artillery hit and killed five of the seven men in their group. He lost his hearing
CONTINUED SEE HERO ON PG. 10

KAYLA CARPENTER

Momma Hazels
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