DRT to judge students' essays

James T. Best Jr., Lampasas Middle School seventh-grade Texas history teacher, spoke to the Oran Milo Roberts Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas at its March 3 meeting at the Hancock Springs Hostess House.

Best, using a Powerpoint presentation, spoke on the flags that have flown over Texas. Besides the foreign flags of Spain, France and Mexico, many eventinspired locally designed Texas flags flew over the settlement, republic and state for a period of time.

He showed pictures of each of the flags and discussed their origins and significance with help from his wife, Beth.

Following the program, Judy Smith conducted the chapter's business. The resignation of treasurer Carol Davis was accepted with regrets, and Linda Floerke was elected to finish the term.

Wilda Mullins was chosen to finish Mrs. Floerke's term as chaplain.

Mrs. Smith thanked all those who completed their assignments for the ceremony dedicating a historical marker for the Hostess House.

Education chairman Glynda Carpenter reported her committee received nine essays from Best's seventh-graders and one from a fourth-grade student. Theme for seventh-grade was The Texas Rangers, while the fourth-grade theme was The Austins of Texas.

Dr. Cleta Jones, former English teacher and missionary to China, assisted with judging.

Entrants include Esidro Arce, Dakota Barbee, Carley Carpenter, Bobby Martinez, Jessica Odom, LeAnn Poole, Sarah Storm, Riley Tedford, Ann Ward and Abbie Carson.

Winners will be announced at the May 5 meeting. Chapter winners will head to district contest.

The chapter also nominated Best for the Seventh-Grade Outstanding Teacher Contest.

In other business, Hostess House chairman Carol Wright discussed several items that need attention at the historical building: floors on both levels need refinishing, columns on the porch are in need of repair, and the possibility of installing sound panels in the building.

The chapter voted to share a space with First United Methodist Church at the annual Bloomin' Fest April 5.

Mrs. Smith announced the district workshop will be held in Waco in August, and the chapter is expected to help hostess the DRT State Convention in Killeen in May 2009.

Next meeting is April 7 at the Hostess House with Carol Davis and Mrs. Floerke as co-hostesses. Gladys Dickison will give the program on the Runaway Scrape.