A Celeste family is mourning the loss of a beloved family member after a tragic incident at Bonham State Park last Saturday. Several agencies responded to the park after a report of a young man entering the water and going under. The body of 20-year-old Jose Spradling of Celeste was recovered a short time later.

On Monday, Jerry Card, Special Education teacher at Celeste High School, remembered his former student.

"I taught Jose for two years. He was a special student who loved everyone and was full of life and vitality," Card said. "He loved his family and he loved the special olympics, in which he excelled."

June 23, 2011 - On June 2, Celeste Elementary and Celeste Junior High students were recognized for outstanding performance, such as honor roll, perfect attendance, citizenship and academic success at the end of the year awards ceremonies. Each campus held an awards assembly to honor these students for their achievements.

June 23, 2011 - Looney's Pre-K - Connor Jordan won the Energizer Bunny Award; Aidan Richerson - Most Spirited; Hayden Brown - Worker Bee; Chandler Henslee - Most Improved and Cash Ottwell - Best All Around.

Barnard's Kindergarten - Kolton Nichols won Best All Around/Kindergarten Role Model; Logan Spoonemore - Most Improved and Paisley Gibson -Busy as a Bee.

Morrow's Kindergarten - Diego Harrison won Superman/Best All Around; Raeleigh Gibson - Wonderwoman/Aims to Please and Aaron Martin - Mr. Walkie Talkie.

June 23, 2011 - Members of the CJHS Future is Now technology team traveled to Mesquite Poteet High School on June 8th and 9th to share, with other school districts, ways in which they have incorporated technology into the classroom. Twelve students and six faculty members participated in the Region 10 technology program led by international technology leader Alan November.

June 23, 2011 - Celeste Junior FFA member Charley Beth Lane exhibited her American Polish rabbit in the Hunt County Fair Junior livestock breeding rabbit show on June 15, 2011. Her rabbit won best of show, and Charley Beth also won the junior rabbit showmanship award.

June 23, 2011 - Celeste Coffee Club met June 15 and Rachel Clark served as hostess. Those attending were Judy Hubbard, Ruby Miller, Melba Compton, Frances Reynolds, Marjorie Denny, Christine Carrington, Bethalyne Lyon, Jo Willa Pierson, Mary Ann Hooks, Lou Evans, Sarah Andry and guests Kayla and Britton Evans.

Soft pastel colors were used to decorate the tables. The ladies enjoyed a new recipe, apple dumpling sausage pie, along with other refreshments. Happy Birthday was sung to Jo Willa Pierson, who will be 97 on June 20.

30 YEARS AGO - JUNE 26, 1981

NOTICE

Effective August 1, 1981, Celeste Courier subscription rate will increase: $6.00 year in Fannin and Hunt Counties, $8.00 a year sent elsewhere in states.

June 16, 2011 - Celeste High School honor graduate Tyler LaFavers (top) receives his high school diploma from CISD School Board President Jeffery Babers during the commencement program for the CHS Class of 2011 on Friday, June 3 at 8 p.m. CISD Superintendent Ricky Beadles recognized thirty-five members of the Celeste High School Class of 2011 (below)  for their academic accomplishments throughout their high school career. Miss Samantha Joe Ventura gave the salutatory address and Miss Amanda Lajoyce Gilliam gave the valedictory address.

June 16, 2011 - A total of 294 students at Ouachita Baptist University were named to the Dean's List for the spring 2011 semester. The students will receive a certificate of recognition from Ouachita and will be included in the "National Dean's List" for 2010-11.

To be named to the Dean's List, a student must compile at least a 3.5 grade point average and be classified as a full-time student, with a minimum of 12 academic hours.

The following students are included in the Dean's List and are listed in order of hometown: Celeste, Texas - David Nixon

June 16, 2011 - Robin McGuckie was recognized for 29 years of service and Phyllis Thacker for 25 years of service to Celeste ISD. The dedicated employees were each given a retirement plaque for the many years that they cared for the children, teachers and staff of Celeste ISD. The ladies did an outstanding job of maintaining excellence in the cafeteria for all these years.

Pictured are (left) Phyllis Thacker and (right) Robin McGuckie.