All the gear has been stored away, the final buzzer has sounded, the dust has settled and the finish line has been crossed to successfully complete an exceptional year for Italy Gladiator Athletics.

When Dan Crownover graduated from Italy High School in 2010, unlike some graduates that were undecided, he knew what path he wanted to travel. He did not, however, realize that path would take him “down under”.

With the end of the school year activities in full swing, local particpants in the Ellis County Expo need to be mentioned. They put in hard work and Neotribune would like to acknowlege their participation.

Newly-elected school board members were installed and several students were recognized Monday night at the monthly meeting of the Italy School Board of Trustees.

In continuing with tradition at Italy High School, the Class of 2012 was honored by the Italy School Board, Administration and the Italy Ministerial Alliance on Sunday night at First Baptist Church.

Every year Stafford Elementary has a field day. This is where the students participate in many games such as relays, volleyball and water slides. This year Field Day was two days. On Thursday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm the pre-K, kindergarten, first grade and second grade were first up on the field. Friday from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm the third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade and sixth grade students took over the field.

The Lady Gladiators road to State stops short after a colliding with the Crawford Lady Pirates during the Regional Quarterfinals in Waco.

Thanks to the 2012 Lady Gladiators softball team for giving it your all and displaying class in both victory and defeat.

Huddle! Gladiator Football meeting scheduled for Saturday, May 26 at 11:00 a.m. inside the Italy High School cafeteria.

National Nursing Home Week is to honor those who take care of the elderly and a time to remember the people who live in nursing homes. Trinity Mission had a week full of different events everyday to celebrate the lives of all the residents and care givers.

The Lady Gladiators learned lessons in game 1 against Crawford and hoped to pass the double-header test the following day during their regional quarterfinal matchup with the Lady Pirates.

The Italy Gladiators play extremely well during JV/varsity 7-on-7 tests with Scurry-Rosser on Thursday.

Tour d’Italia that is.  Over 900 cyclist are expected to converge on our town on Saturday, June 16th to not only participate in this annual tradition but also to help raise money.  Proceeds from this ride will fund a scholarship for Italy High School as well as support the North Texas Food Bank, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) and other charitable organizations. 

San Antonio, Texas – Texas Brigades is proud to announce that Meagan Hooker, a sixteen year old from Italy, Texas, has been selected as a member of the 2012-2013 W.I.L.D. (Wildlife Intensive Leadership Development) class.  

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have a called meeting followed by their regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 21, 2012.

Megan Richards and Kaytlyn Bales were named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, at Italy High School’s 29th Annual Academic Banquet Thursday evening.

The Gladiator Athletic Boosters will meet on Thursday evening, May 31st in the Italy High School Library. Meeting time is set for 7:00pm. All parents, grandparents and supporters of Gladiator and Lady Gladiator athletes from 7th grade and up are urged to attend.

Mr. Miller (principal) put in place a program for the students at Stafford Elementary to be rewarded for demonstrating good behavior. Every time a child is showing responsibility, respect, walking in the halls respectfully and quietly, has all his materials for class, minding the teachers they receive a “PAWS card.”

Every year at Stafford Elementary the first graders always put on the play ‘Deep in the Jungle’. Now, last night like all the other performances of this play the cafeteria was packed with proud parents, teachers, students and friends. And as always these cute little first graders did a fantastic job.

For the last four years the U.S. News and World Report has been publishing a list of America’s Best High Schools. For the third year in a row Avalon High School has made the list and has earned national recognition.

Jack Bingham, manager for DCI Sanitation, awarded two $500 scholarships to Megan Richards and Ross Stiles Monday night during the Italy City Council meeting.

Kim Nelson has taught at Stafford Elementary for six years. She has taught third grade science, fourth grade reading and writing, and now she teaches kindergarten through sixth grade physical education.

On May 3, 2012 Zain Byers, Monserrat Figueroa (sophomore), Meagan Hooker (junior), Brianna Riddle (sophomore), and Emily Stiles (sophomore), Taylor Turner (sophomore), and Jesica Wilkins (sophomore) were inducted into the Italy High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society.

There will be a special called meeting of the Italy ISD School Board on Thursday, May, 17 at 6:30pm in the Italy ISD Administration office at 300 S. College Street, Italy. The lone agenda item for the meeting is for canvasing the votes of the recent school board trustee election.

The Italy City Council will meet today, Monday, May 14 at 6:30pm in the Council Chambers of the Italy Municipal Building, 105 West Main Street, Italy. The council has a full agenda tonight that includes a presentation to the DCI Scholarship winner, proclamations regarding National Police Week and National Nursing Home Week.

The City of Italy Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on Monday, May 14th at 6:00pm in the Council Chambers of the Italy Municipal Building, 105 West Main Street, Italy, Texas 76651. The lone agenda item is a request my Josh Trees to rezone the property at 617 Mosley Street, Italy. 

Clara C. Roberts, age 93, of Italy, passed away Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Trinity Mission Health and Rehab. She was born September 11, 1918 in Lewisville, to P. F. and Fannie (Andrews) Smotherman.

Italy Athletics, guided by newly hired athletic director, Hank Hollywood, execute workout routines to help Lady Gladiator and Gladiator student athletes get bigger, stronger and faster.

More photos covering Italy Athletics’ spring practices under the direction of new athletic director Hank Hollywood.

The Italy Sixth Grade Band, Junior High Band and High School Band performed their annual spring concert Tuesday night in the George Scott Gymnasium.

Italy High School freshman track star, Kortnei Johnson, leaves for Austin to race for the gold.

In a special called meeting of the Italy Independent School District on May 1, the Board of Trustees gathered to approve some new hires for the district.

Italy Baseball wraps up their 2012 season leaving plenty of memories floating on dust stirred up between the bases. Enjoy extra photos from their final games against Rio Vista.

Additional photos from the final JV/varsity baseball games between the 2011-2012 Italy Gladiators and the Rio Vista Eagles.

It was bittersweet for the Gladiators as they put their gloves down after the last game of the season. The team traveled to Rio Vista and after a gallant effort, the Eagles soared high with a final score of 2, Italy 1.

The Lady Gladiators defeat Mildred in two games to claim the AA Area Championship and advance to regionals against Crawford on Friday.

The Lady Gladiators win in dramatic fashion during a seventh-inning rally to overtake Mildred in game 1 of the Area Championship before sealing the deal in game 2.

The Italy Police Department would like to ask Italy residents to remember fallen police officers killed in the line of duty and the Italy Police Officers, who risk their lives everyday, during National Police Week—May 13th-19th, 2012.