In The Spotlight
Taylor Niehues was named a National Merit Finalist according to the National Merit Scholarship Corp. From 1.4 million National Merit Program entrants throughout the country, Taylor was named one of 15,000 semifinalists, and he is among 8200 students who achieved finalist standing. All winners of Merit Scholarship awards (Merit Scholar designees) are chosen from the Finalist group. Taylor, a senior at GCHS, is the son of Rory and Tibby Niehues.
For the first time in school history, the Garden City Lady Kats advanced to the UIL Girls Basketball State Championships in Conference 1A Division 2, losing to Nazareth in the championship game. Members of the team are: Brittney Chudej, Erin Hirt, Julie Hirt, Whitney Kellermeier, Lyza Lopez, Amy Multer, K'Lann Niehues, Paige Niehues, Victoria Ortiz, Lauren Plagens, Halie Schaefer, Macy Schwartz, Marissa Schwartz, Morgan Schwartz. Brent Kirkland is the head coach; Jimmy Fine is the assistant.
Named to the All-District 11-A Division II team were: MVP: Erin Hirt; Defensive Player of the Year: KLann Niehues; team members Lauren Plagens, Morgan Schwartz.
The Garden City Bearkats, also for the first time in school history, advanced to the UIL Boys Basketball State Championships in Conference 1-A Division 2, where they were defeated by Laneville in the semi-final round. Members of the team are Taylor Niehues, Evan Jansa, Colton Schwartz, Jason Flores, Bo Eggemeyer, Eric Hirt, Cole Schwartz, Wade Jansa and Jake Schwartz. Koby Abney is the head coach, assisted by Alonzo Garcia.
Vernon and Glenda Cox Gill will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary Saturday, March 17. Everyone is welcome to drop by their house during that afternoon.
They were married in 1937 in Sterling City and moved to Glasscock County in 1945. They owned and operated a drug store in Garden City from 1952 to 1972 and he was the postmaster from 1950 until his retirement in 1982. The Gills also ranched, raising both cattle and sheep, for 51 years.
They have three children: Marceline and Harold Wright, Euless; Waymon and Virginia Gill, Amarillo, and Van Gill, San Marcos; three grandsons, two great-granddaughters and one great-grandson.