Shelby County Today

May 14, 2024 - Panola College is proud to offer a variety of exciting summer camps this year for kids ages five and over. From art to sports, these camps are designed to provide kids with an opportunity to learn new skills while having fun.

Summer camps at the Carthage Campus being offered this year include:

• Baseball – June 3 to 5
• Fillies Basketball – June 3 to 5
• Gaming Camp – June 3 to 6
• Volleyball – June 10 to 12 (Register by May 31)
• Crafty Kids – June 17, 18, and 20
• Kids in the Kitchen – June 17, 18, and 20
• Charm Camp – June 18 to 20, July 16 to 18
• Charm Quest – June 21, July 19
• Cotillion – June 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21 (Cotillion Ball – July 28)
• Digital Media – June 24 to 26
• Mad Scientists – June 24 to 26
• Ponies Basketball – June 25 to 27
• Camp 911 – July 2
• Art Adventure – July 8 to 10
• Bakeology – July 8 to 10
• Robotics – July 22 to 24
• Glam Camp – July 25
• Theater – July 29 to August 2
• Fit Kid Fridays – Fridays in June and July

Visit panola.edu/community and click on the “Summer Camps for Kids” tab to learn more and register today. Contact the Department of Workforce and Continuing Education with any additional questions by calling 903-693-2067 or emailing ce@panola.edu.

May 8, 2024 - Panola College is proud to announce the Academic Excellence Award recipients for the 2023-2024 academic year.

The Academic Excellence Awards were created by Charles Moore, a math professor at Panola College for many years. Moore’s goal was to acknowledge students who excelled academically and recognize them with an award for their accomplishments.

Each department or field of study nominates students who meet select criteria. The student must have or be completing 30 hours of coursework and be enrolled in two courses relating to the field in which they are nominated.

The recipients of the 2023-2024 Academic Excellence Awards are listed below, followed by the field of study in which they are nominated and their professor.

• Abigail Cawthon, Vocal, Sandra Bauer
• Abigail Smith, Associate Degree Nursing, Dr. Kristi Burns
• Amber Loven, History, Bill Offer
• Ariana Grimes, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Julie Green
• Ashlyn Groce, Criminal Justice, Mark Dickerson
• Britney Vargas, Medical Assistant, Jeffry Oney
• Camryn Lovell, Criminal Justice, Mark Dickerson
• Cassie Belrose, Education, Education Department
• Ella Wolfe, Mathematics, Emily Zabcik
• Gabrielle Perez, Biology, Corey Johnson
• Gerardo Salgado, Medical Laboratory Technology, Kim Bishop
• Haley Luna, Associate Degree Nursing, Lisa Miller
• Jackson Shearin, Government, Brian Naples
• Kaci Huff, General Business, Dwayne Ferguson
• Kadynce Matthew, Theatre, Kim Funderburk
• Kathryn Davis, Office Professional, Dwayne Ferguson
• Kendall Fant, History, Bill Offer
• Landon Story, Business Administration and Management, Dwayne Ferguson
• Lauren Neal, Education, Education Department
• Micah Gilbreath, Medical Laboratory Technology, Antiquene Nichols
• Rachael Monroe, Government, Brian Naples
• Reagan Harrison, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Julie Green
• Shelda Sparks, Health Information Technology, Rachel Weekly
• Sixt Titus Von Kapff, English, Tammy Mothershed
• Timileyin Sofola, Biology, Darrell Hudson
• Wendy Garza, Medical Assistant, Jeffry Oney

April 25, 2024 - The Panola College Alumni Association is proud to announce Don Fallin as its Alumnus of the Year and Dr. Aaron Boyce as its Young Alumnus of the Year, with both recipients scheduled to speak at the May 9 commencement ceremonies.

“The Alumni of the Year awards recognize individuals who have distinguished themselves in their careers and have made significant contributions to their communities,” said Heath Kruebbe, Alumni Association chair. “We are very proud to honor Don Fallin and Dr. Aaron Boyce this year, and are looking forward to welcoming them back to campus in May.”

Don Fallin, who attended Panola College from 1977 to 1979 and was part of the cheerleading squad, is currently the superintendent at Tenaha ISD. His career in education began in the classrooms of several East Texas public school districts, including Carthage, Shelbyville, and Tenaha, where he taught English and coached football and basketball from 1980 to 1993.

In the fall of 1993, Fallin moved to the administrative ranks and served as the high school principal at Beckville ISD for seven years. During his time at Beckville, he was recognized by the Region VII Education Service Center as Principal of the Year in 1997-1998.

Following his time at Beckville, Fallin led Gladewater High School as principal for five years, until he made the ultimate move in 2005 to become the superintendent at Tenaha ISD. From 2005 until his first retirement in 2012, he was truly a pioneer in educational leadership, seeing enrollment boom during his tenure as superintendent, passing a bond that constructed one of the most recognizable high schools in East Texas, along with a special events center that would rival some colleges.

Fallin sincerely cared for his staff and saw the need to recognize those who were excelling in the classroom by using performance-based pay raises long before the State of Texas put in place official programs and grants that we are now familiar with. Because of this innovative and creative incentive plan, Tenaha ISD saw state assessment scores rise from well below expectations to over 90% in every tested subject area before his retirement. Additionally, he brought dual credit programs to both Beckville and Gladewater before high schools typically had them.

In 2012, Fallin made the decision to retire and moved to Lubbock with his wife Debbie. It wasn’t long before East Texas called him home to Tyler, where he and Debbie now reside. This time, however, it was not education calling, it was his favorite title of “Papa” that would consume his evenings and weekends, spending them with his two grandsons, Crosby and Lincoln.

However, in 2022, Tenaha ISD would come calling one last time. Fallin has spent the last two years working to rebuild a culture of excellence that was the cornerstone of his first tenure.

As Fallin leaves in December to return his focus to family, Kent Fallin and wife Megan, Kelly Fallin, and his wife Debbie, he can rest assured that he has left a remarkable legacy in not only Tenaha, but all across East Texas.

Fallin recalls fond memories of traveling with the cheerleading squad to the National Championship basketball tournament and seeing the girls win not only one, but two championships. He vividly remembers the final seconds of those games and seasons that led them to victory.

Additionally, Fallin attributes his passion for education and desire to make a difference in schools to the incredible professors he had while attending Panola College. His interactions with Mrs. Gullette, Dr. Foss, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Bill O’Neal had more of a lasting impact on his life than they could ever know. He recalls how O’Neal brought U.S. History to life with his engaging lessons, complete with people dressed as characters or events they were studying. The compassion, energy, and kindness those professors demonstrated truly changed the course of his future and modeled the type of educator he has strived to be throughout his career.

“I often found myself wondering why or how someone could continue to care and provide opportunities for students like himself, who were not always easy to handle; however, looking back, I only remember that they never gave up on me,” said Fallin. “It was because of these individuals that I left Panola College with no question as to what I would pursue in the future.”

Dr. Aaron Boyce, who was raised in Carthage and graduated from Carthage High School in 2003 and attended Panola College from 2003 to 2006, is currently a forensic psychologist at The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, where he conducts forensic evaluations for the Harris County criminal courts.

While at Panola College, Dr. Boyce studied music and earned an associate degree. After graduating from the College, he attended Texas A&M University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2008. He earned a master’s degree in counseling at Stephen F. Austin State University in 2010, and a Ph.D. in school psychology at the University of Houston in 2015. He completed his pre-doctoral internship in Omaha, Neb. at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Dr. Boyce is a licensed psychologist and licensed specialist in school psychology. He has been employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community mental health agencies, and school districts.

Dr. Boyce currently resides in Cypress, Texas, and is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Lisa. He has a 5-year-old daughter, Aria, who will be completing kindergarten soon. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing video games, painting, singing, playing guitar at church, and playing Dungeons and Dragons.

“My favorite memories of my time at Panola College was spending time in the band hall or choir room, learning how to use music software with Mr. McGowan or singing tenor parts for an upcoming choir production,” said Dr. Boyce. “I also have fond memories at the Baptist Student Ministry (BSM) building, playing pool, eating meals, and studying with friends.”

Kruebbe will present Fallin and Dr. Boyce with individual awards on May 9 at the spring commencement ceremonies.

March 26, 2024 - The Panola College Foundation hosted its annual Designer Purse Bingo fundraising event on Friday, March 22, at the Carthage Civic Center, attracting approximately 650 guests and raising a record-breaking $89,000 for student scholarships and program grants.

“It is always great to see the community come out and support students, all while having a great evening,” said Jessica Pace, Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “This fundraising event helps ensure that we are able to increase the number of scholarships and grants that the Foundation provides to students at the College each year.”

Brian Naples, Professor of Government, entertained the audience as the emcee, thanking the sponsors and calling out anticipated bingo numbers throughout the evening.

The event sponsor for the evening was Jacobe Bros. Construction, and each guest took home a tote bag provided by Young Energy Services. Sanford & Sons Lawncare and Irrigation sponsored centerpieces for each table, which included a charcuterie spread sponsored by Sodexo. Farmers State Bank sponsored cups and Horne Rota Moos sponsored napkins. Razor Services sponsored drink buckets, Pippen Motor Company and Rural Water Services sponsored koozies, and Carthage Furniture and Rockin’ 3M Construction sponsored beverages. Hal’s AC and Electrical sponsored popcorn for everyone at the event. A signature drink was available for purchase brought to guests by Simply Beautiful Salon, and wine was available by Cyclone Rentals.

First State Bank & DPT Services sponsored bonus games for the event, which allowed guests the chance to carry home a Christian Louboutin bag.

Bingo purses included 24 different designs, with games sponsored by Carthage Economic Development Corporation, Carthage Hardwoods, Circle H BBQ, Citizens Bank, Duran Aesthetics and Globe Life, Elliott Dodge of Carthage, Farmers State Bank, Mornin' Glory Airbnb, Twisted Peach Designs, VeraBank, Wings & Whitetails, and Winkler Place. The purses included brands such as Coach, Consuela, Kate Spade, and Michael Kors, with Bear Creek Smokehouse donating the Consuela bags.

A popular raffle gave guests the opportunity to win a variety of prizes, including designer purses, took place during the event. Raffle sponsors included Coldwell Banker Home Place Realty, Dust to Dazzle Maids, Farmers State Bank, GENPAK, Hope Community Medicine, Ransom Drilling, Revive & Restore Health & Wellness, Smith Energy Services, Strong Services, UT Health East Texas. Additional raffle prizes were donated by Bear Creek Smokehouse, Kendra Scott, R&K Distributors, and Republic National Distributing Company.

“We would like to thank the Panola College Foundation Board for its vision and support, along with our sponsors and each person who attended the event,” added Pace. “Designer Purse Bingo would not be possible each year without the incredible volunteers who spend hours preparing for and setting up this special evening.”