The Gladiator Regiment Band Booster Club will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 15, in the band hall. This is an EXTREMELY important meeting. We will be electing officers for the upcoming year.

Does your dog or cat need vaccinations?

On Saturday, May 12 the Batten Disease Support & Research Association is putting on a 5K run, 2 mile walk, and a 1K fun run event in order to raise funds for the ongoing research to find a cure for the Batten disease. This event will take place at the Reverchon Park located at 3505 Maple Avenue in Dallas and is in memory of Italy’s own Donovan Lusk and in honor of Eric and McKenna Lowden.

Patty Hernandez (Avalon) and Alice Compton (Italy), creators of Patty’s Perfect Pocket will be on Channel 10 News out of Waco. They will be interviewed about their cell phone pockets that attach to belt loops, and undergarments.

This year the students of Italy Junior High and High School will get a chance to display their talents at the First Annual IHS/IJHS Talent Show. This event will take place on Thursday, May 10th at 6:30 pm in the Band Hall.

I hate being wrong, but what I hate even more is having to admit it. As I get older though, admitting my faults gets a little easier.

Stafford Elementary will have its yearly Pre-K and Kindergarten Round-UP on Thursday, May 10, 2012 from 3:30-6:30 and Friday, May 11, 2012 from 8:00-3:00. There will be a scheduled lunch break from 12:00-1:00.

May 12, 2012 is the date for the upcoming election of two trustee seats on the Italy Independent School District school board. The district’s poling place will be at Italy City Council Chambers (105 West Main Street, Italy).

My name is Mark Souder Sr.  I have been a Construction Superintendent for Pegasus Texas Construction LP for the last 10 years.

I am Cheryl Owen. I grew up in Italy, attended our schools, and graduated from Italy High School. My 26 years of experience in education and my service of 6 years on the board enable me to understand the many points of view of the issues raised in our school system. I am seeking to continue my service on the school board in order to guide the evolution of our schools for the children of this community.

Italy High School principal, Lee Joffre, has release the testing schedule for End of Course (EOC) testing for the week of May 7th through May 10th. All freshman and some 8th grade students are required to take an EOC if they are enrolled in Algebra I, Algebra II, World Geography and Biology. Also, any student that is in a Chemistry class is required to take an EOC Field Test.

My name is Annita Shrader Johnston and I am asking for your vote for Ellis County Tax Assessor Collector in the upcoming election on May 29, 2012.

Friday, May 4 there will be a Fan Bus departing at 5:00pm from the Italy High School Dome parking lot for the Lady Gladiator Softball playoff game at Mildred High School just east of Corsicana. The invitation to ride via the Fan Bus is open to all students in grades 7th and up. Students will be responsible for admission fee into the game as well as any food purchase.

If you didn’t make the trip to Waco last night to see the Lady Gladiators battle it out with the Troy Trojanettes you missed a great “display.” It was a display of heart and determination by the Lady Gladiators, a display of calm and calculation by the coaches, and lastly display of love and support by the fans! It was a GREAT day to be a Lady Gladiator and a GREAT day to be a Lady Gladiator Fan!!

My name is Russ Lewis. I am an Inventory Manager at Williams Gin & Feed in Frost. I attended Tarleton State University. I was raised on a farm in Rule, Texas where, along with my father and brother, we farmed various crops and raised livestock. I have a daughter who is currently a freshman at Italy High School and another that is a 2007 Italy HS graduate. I would appreciate your support in the upcoming Italy ISD School Board election (May 12, 2012).

The Principles of Human Services classes at Italy High School accepting donations to improve courtyard area that is dedicated to the memory of Shelley Nance.

Jameka Copeland, Jimesha Reed and Kortnei Johnson represent Italy High School during the regional track meet held at Tarleton State University with Johnson advancing to the state meet in Austin.

Meals on Wheels of Johnson and Ellis Counties have released their meals menu for March and April of 2012. These meals are subject to change.

The State of Texas has committed to a transformation in delivery of healthcare to the poor, and in return, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare have committed some matching funds to help establish the necessary programs.

In the old gymnasium at Avalon ISD, the bleachers were filled with elementary students, teachers and family members ready to recognize the achievements of the elementary students. The assembly took a while because there were so many awards.

The Italy ISD Board of Trustees will have a called meeting on Tuesday, May 1, 2012. Meeting time is set for 7:00pm at the Italy Administration Building (300 S. College Street, Italy). The agenda slates personnel discussion and hiring will be the primary business for the board.

The battle raged on between the Lady Gladiators and Clifton while the JV/varsity Gladiators were contained by the Cubs.

Lady Gladiator track and field athletes, Jameka Copeland, Kortnei Johnson and Jimesha Reed will represent Italy during the regional competition at Tarleton State University.

Picture yourself on a South Pacific island during World War II and picture yourself falling for a secretive Frenchman who is being looked at for a dangerous military mission — and this Frenchman is a much older gentleman!

In the 5th grade science classroom at Stafford Elementary, when the kids have learned a concept well enough to teach it themselves, THEY DO!  Using an app available on the iPad, our Stafford 5th graders can use pictures, draw on the screen, and record their own voices all at once.  

The fifth six weeks awards assembly was held at the Stafford Elementary gymnasium and as usual it was over flowing with proud students, family members, Stafford teachers and staff. As names were being called and each student was recognized for his or her achievements, smiling faces were galore.

The Gladiator Athletic Booster Club will have a meeting on Sunday, April 29, 5:00pm at the Italy High School library. The upcoming athletic banquet will be discussed along with planning strategies for next year.

On April 13th, 2012 the Ellis County Art Association sponsored their yearly Ellis County Youth Art Show in Waxahachie. The following students participated in this show:

Hello, I am Albert Garcia Jr. My family moved from Dallas to Italy when I was 6 years old to provide a better education and environment for our family. After graduation from Italy High School in 1994, I accumulated the required college hours to apply as a firefighter with the City of Dallas. I grew up here, and am raising my family here because I believe in the schools and the community. I would love your support and welcome any questions or comments.

April Mathers has always wanted to work with children so teaching was a perfect fit. She has been teaching for about ten years now and she has always taught at Stafford Elementary and loves teaching there.

The 2012 Senior Lady Gladiators and Gladiator were honored before their games against Whitney on Tuesday.

Seniors reflect during final home games as they defend their diamonds one last time.

The Italy High School junior class has worked countless hours raising money for the 2012 prom. They will enjoy the fruits of their labor this Saturday evening, April 28 at the Midlothian Conference Center. The prom, themed The City of Lights, will be a night to remember for these students.

Italy Gladiator, Larry Mayberry, Jr., attends the Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ 4th annual Victory Banquet on Sunday along with family.

I am proud to announce my candidacy for the office of County and District Attorney in Ellis County, and I need your support.

The Italy varsity baseball team hosted the Whitney Wildcats during district play on Tuesday night. This was the last home game of the season and in Gladiator tradition, the seniors were escorted to first baseline by their parents and family. This year the Varsity includes seven graduating seniors.

This Saturday night thar’ll be some big goings on at the Italy First Baptist Church (200 Clark Street, Italy) and the whole town is invited. This’ll be tha day fer a hillbilly weddin that ya won’t wanna miss!

Janet Jo Hoyl Burch, 76, of Italy passed away at her home surrounded by her family on April 19, 2012. Janet was born in Decatur, Texas on July 15, 1935 to Archie and Doris Hoyl. She graduated from Decatur High School. She married Robert Burch on August 20, 1955. 

The smell of delicious grilled hamburgers filled the air at the Italy High School ball fields on Tuesday night as local volunteers flipped patties, sliced onions and filled up to-go plates with burgers and all the fixings complete with chips, desserts and a drink. It was tasty and all for an economical price and a good cause.

The Italy JV Gladiators improved as the day went on during a double-header in Glen Rose Saturday.

More images from the double-header between the Italy JV Gladiators and the Glen Rose JV Tigers.

Italy’s Lady Gladiators improve to 8-2 in district play while the Gladiators get overpowered by Maypearl in Pantherville.

Enjoy extra photographs from Lady Gladiator Softball and Italy Gladiator Baseball from Friday’s games in Maypearl.