Selected members of the Italy, Texas Gladiator Band drumline, directed by Jesus Perez, performed at the annual Lincoln Day Dinner in Waxahachie recently before a crowd of approximately one hundred citizens. The event was sponsored by Ellis County Republican Women and attended by numerous elected officials, including Senator Brian Birdwell, Master of Ceremonies, and State Representative John Wray.

Boy Scout Troop 232 conducted the Posting of the Flags. The event was held in the activity center of Farley Street Baptist Church where Brother Richard W. Smith offered the invocation, and Soloist Jaime Feaster sang The Star Spangled Banner to a standing ovation.

Performers representing the Gladiator drumline included Anthony Lusk, Brenyea Wilson, Elliott Worsham, and Hunter Hinz. “I was so tickled that the Italy students were there,” said Judge Linda Sibley, ECRW President. “They did an absolutely wonderful job.” Precinct 3 Commissioner Paul Perry also stated, “The kids did a great job. I was happy to see them here.”

“The youth of Ellis County are very important to us , said ECRW First Vice President and Program Chairman, Patsy Grider Erickson. “The Lincoln Day Dinner serves as a fundraiser also, and goes to purchase the personal dictionaries we provide to every third-grader in Ellis County and pocket-size Constitution booklets for all fifth graders. We also donate books to area schools and libraries and provide Scholarship for high school seniors. I was very proud of our Italy drummers. They made the evening so much fun. I am grateful to Jesus Perez for taking time out of a very busy schedule to arrange the drum solos.”

Keynote speaker was Amy Clark, Texas Republican Party Vice Chairman, rancher, NRA member and home-school mom. Clark spoke about the power of one and warned attendees not to get complacent about their freedom as a country.

The evening ended with a challenge by Sibley to exercise your right to vote in this very important upcoming election.