Tuesday, September 14, 2010

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The death of Henry Franklin Nease at the age of 67 on December 13, 1992, has brought great sadness to the many friends and relatives of this retired educator and esteemed citizen of Abilene; and

WHEREAS, Born November 19, 1925, near Lawton, Oklahoma, Mr. Nease earned his bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls and his master's degree from McMurry University in Abilene; as a young man, he served his country with great distinction in the United States Air Force in the Korean conflict; and

WHEREAS, After completing his tour of duty, he married Shirley Waterstreet on June 12, 1954, and the happy couple embarked on a long and rewarding life together, moving to Abilene in 1957 where they settled and raised their six children; and

WHEREAS, An accomplished classroom instructor, Mr. Nease taught in the West Texas towns of Pecos and Robert Lee before joining the Abilene Independent School District where he enjoyed a highly successful and well‑regarded 21‑year tenure; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Nease remained active in his retirement, championing the rights of retired citizens as a member and past president of the Abilene Chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons and as a member of the Abilene Retired Teachers Association; and

WHEREAS, From 1990 to 1992, Mr. Nease served this important portion of the population as a representative of West Central Texas in the Third Texas Silver‑Haired Legislature, an organization that studies issues of special concern to older Texans as well as of general concern to all our state's citizens; and

WHEREAS, A man of deep religious conviction, Mr. Nease belonged to the First United Methodist Church and was a cherished member of the Harvester's Sunday School Class; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Nease also was endowed with a great love for the outdoors and enjoyed spending free time fishing, gardening, farming, and relaxing with his family; and

WHEREAS, A man of rare dedication and vision, Henry Franklin Nease made significant contributions to more than two decades of educational progress in West Texas and provided a strong voice for the older citizens of his community; though his strength and good sense will be sorely missed, his memory will continue to serve as an inspiration to all those privileged to have known him; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the 73rd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby pay tribute to the life of Henry Franklin Nease and extend sympathy to the members of his family: to his beloved wife, Shirley; to his sister, Pauline Bruns of Lawton, Oklahoma; to his brothers, Leo Nease of Lawton, Oklahoma, and Felton Nease of Durham, North Carolina; to his daughter, Nancy Fisher and her husband Walter of Austin; to his daughter, Nora Nease of Austin; to his son, Neil Nease and his wife Linda of Berlin, Germany; to his son, Noel Nease of Denver, Colorado; to his son, Nathan Nease and his wife Belinda of Abilene; to his son, Nelson Nease of Austin; to his sister‑in‑law, Delana Nease of Lawton, Oklahoma; to his brothers‑in‑law, Joe McCune of Fletcher, Oklahoma, and David H. Waterstreet of Clyde; to his two grandchildren and 19 nieces and nephews; and to the other members of his family; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the members of his family and that when the House of Representatives and Senate adjourn this day, they do so in memory of Henry Franklin Nease.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

First Day Of School Brings More 'Firsts' For AISD - Abilene News Story - KTXS Abilene

First Day Of School Brings More 'Firsts' For AISD - Abilene News Story - KTXS Abilene

First Day Of School Brings More 'Firsts' For AISD

Today School Districts Around Big Country Officially Kick Off First Day Of Class
By Jacqueline Hince, KTXS News
POSTED: 12:09 pm CDT August 23, 2010

UPDATED: 8:33 pm CDT August 23, 2010
ABILENE, Texas -- Abilene Independent School District debuts its latest high school academy at a new location, on this, the first day of school.

Around the state, more than five million students headed back to class today

Although ATEMS, or the Academy of Technology Math and Science, started up last year, today the 170 students enrolled were the first to attend the new location at the Texas State Technical College.

Teacher Nathan Nease told KTXS, "New kids, new environment; it's going to be a good year."

In April, AISD formed a partnership with TSTC to provide space and equipment to grow the new school. Every year officials hope to add about 100 new students.

This year, officials say that because they're still so new, they have some space available. Only 170 are currently enrolled at ATEMS instead of the projected 200.

"I just wanted a different experience for school," says sophomore and second-year ATEMS student Robert Ballin. He went on to explain, "Math is my favorite subject, and this is a different way of learning so that's why I came over here."

Freshman Christian Lopez, however, doesn't quite know what to expect. "I heard about it from my friend...who lives in my neighborhood. He said it's a pretty cool school."

ATEMS new location is one of the many "firsts" for Abilene ISD this school year.

This is the first full year that Dr. Heath Burns will serve as superintendent.

Other "firsts" will be new programs will be introduced at the high school level to help improve Abilene ISD's unacceptable rating from the state.

AISD has more spots available for students across the Big Country interested in ATEMS.