The lights go out but the memories live on as Italy’s athletic banquet concludes

Image: Senior student-athletes Morgan Cockerham, Zack Boykin, Reid Jacinto, Alyssa Richards, Caden Jacinto, Katie Byers and Cole Hopkins finish their meals and then settle in for the award presentations during the 2013 Italy High School Athletic Banquet.

Senior student-athletes Morgan Cockerham, Zack Boykin, Reid Jacinto, Alyssa Richards, Caden Jacinto, Katie Byers and Cole Hopkins finish their meals and then settle in for the award presentations during the 2013 Italy High School Athletic Banquet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Juniors, Tyler Anderson and Paige Westbrook, take a ‘couple’ of photos while enjoying the banquet.

Juniors, Tyler Anderson and Paige Westbrook, take a ‘couple’ of photos while enjoying the banquet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ryisha Copeland receives her certificate as a member of the Lady Gladiators basketball team from assistant basketball coach Tina Richards.

Ryisha Copeland receives her certificate as a member of the Lady Gladiators basketball team from assistant basketball coach Tina Richards. (Barry Byers)

Image: The recipient of the 2013 Fighting Heart Award as a member of the Lady Gladiator Basketball team is Kendra Copeland with assistant basketball coach Tina Richards presenting.

The recipient of the 2013 Fighting Heart Award as a member of the Lady Gladiator Basketball team is Kendra Copeland with assistant basketball coach Tina Richards presenting. (Barry Byers)

Image: Honored as the 2013 Team MVP for Lady Gladiator basketball is sophomore Kortnei Johnson with assistant basketball coach Tina Richards presenting.

Honored as the 2013 Team MVP for Lady Gladiator basketball is sophomore Kortnei Johnson with assistant basketball coach Tina Richards presenting. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jozie Perkins, receives her certificate as a member of the JV Lady Gladiator softball team with assistant softball coach Tina Richards presenting.

Jozie Perkins, receives her certificate as a member of the JV Lady Gladiator softball team with assistant softball coach Tina Richards presenting. (Barry Byers)

Image: Congratulating junior Kevin Roldan who was a key contributor to the Italy Baseball team this season is head baseball coach Josh Ward.

Congratulating junior Kevin Roldan who was a key contributor to the Italy Baseball team this season is head baseball coach Josh Ward. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore Cody Boyd receives his certificate as a member of the Italy Baseball team from head coach Josh Ward.

Sophomore Cody Boyd receives his certificate as a member of the Italy Baseball team from head coach Josh Ward. (Barry Byers)

Image: Junior pitcher Tyler Anderson is congratulated by assistant baseball coach Brian Coffman.

Junior pitcher Tyler Anderson is congratulated by assistant baseball coach Brian Coffman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Freshman baseball standout Ty Windham receives a certificate as a member of the Italy Baseball team with assistant coach Brian Coffman presenting.

Freshman baseball standout Ty Windham receives a certificate as a member of the Italy Baseball team with assistant coach Brian Coffman presenting. (Barry Byers)

Image: Assistant baseball coach Brian Coffman presents sophomore Kyle Fortenberry with a certificate as a member of the Italy Baseball team.

Assistant baseball coach Brian Coffman presents sophomore Kyle Fortenberry with a certificate as a member of the Italy Baseball team. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore John Escamilla is presented his certificate as a member of the Italy Baseball team from assistant baseball coach Brian Coffman.

Sophomore John Escamilla is presented his certificate as a member of the Italy Baseball team from assistant baseball coach Brian Coffman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Caden Jacinto is named the 2013 Team MVP for Italy Baseball with assistant coach Brian Coffman presenting the plaque.

Senior Caden Jacinto is named the 2013 Team MVP for Italy Baseball with assistant coach Brian Coffman presenting the plaque. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sophomore John Byers is awarded a certificate as a member of the Italy Baseball team from assistant coach Brian Coffman.

Sophomore John Byers is awarded a certificate as a member of the Italy Baseball team from assistant coach Brian Coffman. (Barry Byers)

Image: Taleyia Wilson is congratulated by assistant basketball coach Tina Richards. Look for Wilson to be a major force in the middle next season for the Lady Gladiators.

Taleyia Wilson is congratulated by assistant basketball coach Tina Richards. Look for Wilson to be a major force in the middle next season for the Lady Gladiators. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jaclynn Lewis is awarded the Fighting Heart Award in Volleyball with assistant coach Tina Richards presenting.

Jaclynn Lewis is awarded the Fighting Heart Award in Volleyball with assistant coach Tina Richards presenting. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Alyssa Richards receives a congratulation kiss from 2012 graduate and sister Megan Richards with her little sister stacking up several awards during the 2013 Italy Athletic Banquet. What a career!

Senior Alyssa Richards receives a congratulation kiss from 2012 graduate and sister Megan Richards with her little sister stacking up several awards during the 2013 Italy Athletic Banquet. What a career! (Barry Byers)

Image: Josh Ward and his wife Jessica help wrap up the banquet after a tremendous school year.

Josh Ward and his wife Jessica help wrap up the banquet after a tremendous school year. (Barry Byers)

Image: Dustie Jones stands with her daughter and senior student-athlete Morgan Cockerham.

Dustie Jones stands with her daughter and senior student-athlete Morgan Cockerham. (Barry Byers)

Image: Senior Katie Byers poses with her cousin Zain Byers, her sister Lauren Byers and her grandmother Ann Byers at the conclusion of the banquet.

Senior Katie Byers poses with her cousin Zain Byers, her sister Lauren Byers and her grandmother Ann Byers at the conclusion of the banquet. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kelsey Nelson is presented a certificate as a member of Lady Gladiator Volleyball by assistant coach Tina Richards.

Kelsey Nelson is presented a certificate as a member of Lady Gladiator Volleyball by assistant coach Tina Richards. (Barry Byers)

Image: Shad Newman hoists two of Italy Football’s main accomplishments in 2012.

Shad Newman hoists two of Italy Football’s main accomplishments in 2012. (Barry Byers)

Image: Colin Newman proudly displays the North Texas Chevy 1A Team of the Year trophy presented to the Gladiator Football team during the banquet.

Colin Newman proudly displays the North Texas Chevy 1A Team of the Year trophy presented to the Gladiator Football team during the banquet. (Barry Byers)

Image: John Byers poses with coach Brian Coffman at the conclusion of the banquet.

John Byers poses with coach Brian Coffman at the conclusion of the banquet. (Barry Byers)

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