Dateline: May 17, 2001

CHS names honor students for 2001 

Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Clarendon High School is proud to announce the 2001 Honor Students are Nickless Devin, Jared Hartman, and Elizabeth Simmons.

Nickless Devin, son of Dr. and Mrs. Mac Devin, has been named Clarendon High School Valedictorian and is graduating with a GPA of 99.53.  He has been involved in many activities while a student at CHS.  Nickless has been a huddle leader for the local chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for four years, a Student Council member and officer for four years, a member of Junior Historians for three years and served as vice president for two years, a Spanish Club member for four years, a member of the award winning Bronco Band while being named to All Region Band in 1999 and 2001 along with a Division I Ensemble in 2001, and he was also a member of the Sonrise Youth Choir for three years.  He was honored by his class and elected class officer his junior and senior years.  Nickless was also very active and successful in UIL academic contests.  He was a four-year participant in Ready Writing, Literary Criticism, and Headline writing.  He qualified for regional in Ready Writing and Literary Criticism and was a state qualifier in Current Issues and Events this past spring.  Nickless was also a member of the National Honor Society.

While at CHS, Nickless remained active in the sports program.  Nickless played football for four years and lettered three of those years.  He was selected as All District center, linebacker, and guard.  He was awarded Academic All-State honors in the fall of 2000.  Nickless also was a four-year participant and two-year letterman on the golf team, played tennis for two years, and was a power lifter for two years.

Nickless has also garnered many awards during his career at CHS.  He has received a National Merit Commended Scholar Scholarship, was a finalist in the Dallas Cowboys/Gene and Jerry Jones Family-Dallas Morning News All-State-Scholar-Athlete team, was elected Clarendon Chamber of Commerce Young Man of the Year in 2000, was a member of the Texas Aerospace Scholars Program at Johnson Space Center, a Civil War Scholar at the Gettysburg College Civil War Institute, a United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar Participant, a United States Air Force Academy Summer Scientific Seminar Participant, a Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Representative, and a member of the Cambridge College Programme in Cambridge England.

Nickless has also been involved in returning his time to the community.  He has served as Den Chief of the Cub Scouts, was awarded the Outstanding Project of the Year for his Junior Historian Adopt-A-Building program, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with both the Bronze and Gold Palms.  In cooperation with Josh McDowell Ministries’ Operation Carelift, he also helped collect and provide care packages containing school supplies to be sent to Russian orphanages. He assisted in collecting food baskets for needy families in the Clarendon area, worked with Mission Friends at the Clarendon First Baptist Church, and volunteered to help clean the Saints Roost Museum building and grounds.

Jared Hartman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Hartman, is the Salutatorian for Clarendon High School with a GPA of 96.16.  Jared has been very active in extracurricular events while at CHS.  He has been a member of the Clarendon FFA for three years, serving as vice- president.  Jared has also been a state qualifier in the Range and Pasture contest for the last two years.  As a member of the Junior Historians, Jared advanced to National History Day State Competition.  He was a Student Council member and a sophomore class president.  Jared was also active in Bronco football and golf.  As a CHS band member, Jared was named 1st chair All Region Band his junior year.  Jared has also given back to his community through his coaching of a Little Dribblers team.

Elizabeth Simmons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jem Simmons, is the High Ranking Girl for Clarendon High School with a GPA of 95.59.  Elizabeth has been the recipient of many honors during her four years at CHS.  She has been the National Honor Society secretary, served as Senior class vice president, has been a Student Council representative for two years, a member of the French Club, and was voted NHS Likely to Succeed and Most Studious.  She has also been involved in UIL academics for four years.  She participated in Calculator and Number Sense, and was the district champion and regional qualifier in Persuasive Speaking.

Elizabeth has been actively involved in extracurricular activities.  She has played basketball three years, ran track 1 year, and was a member of the regional qualifying golf team in 2000, a member of the CHS band and an All-Region Band member in 2001 and a State Ensemble qualifier in 1999. 

Elizabeth has been named All District 2nd baseman in softball and has competed at Junior Olympics in shooting sports where she placed 3rd, 2nd, and 4th respectively.  She has returned some of her athletic ability to the community by coaching a Little League team for 6 years.

Ms. Simmons has also received several awards during her time at Clarendon High School.  She has been awarded the local DAR Good Citizen Award, the Wendy’s High School Heisman, was nominated for The Dallas Morning News All-State Scholar-Athlete Team, has been a recipient of TEA’s Celebration of Excellence award, was named the top business student, and has received honor C’s in English II, Algebra II, World History, English III, and United States History.