School News
Sherman ISD weekly news
By Sherman ISD media release
May 6, 2007

Whatever Happened To……..?

On the gridiron, basketball court or track, 1978 graduate, Jimmy Turner was a versatile and outstanding Bearcat. As receiver-cornerback, he was voted All District first team offensively and defensively. On the basketball court, number 32 scored, guarded, rebounded and stole the ball like a pro, bringing shame to opposing teams. Long-jumping 23 feet 4 inches, Turner placed fourth at the regional track meet as well as placing second in the 440 Sprint Relay with Archie Reed, Robin Gatewood, and Kenneth Jackson running their best time of the year. Turner was one of only twenty 1978 Blue Chip athletes in the state.

Upon graduation, Turner had offers from SMU, OU, and Texas but chose to follow fellow Bearcat, Billy Don Jackson to UCLA, California. He majored in history, was red shirted and graduated in 1983. The Cincinnati Bengels drafted him in the third round and he played cornerback for four years. He was then drafted by the Atlanta Falcons where he played for one year before falling prey to a torn groin muscle.

"This gave me time to pursue other interests," Turner said, "and I began teaching and coaching at Western Hills High School in Cincinnati, where I continue today."

He is the defensive coordinator for football and served as the head track coach for fourteen years. It was 1989 when he started teaching U.S. World History and physical education, just one year before his marriage to a Cincinnati girl, Mary Ann Brewer. She is a R.N. at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. They are blessed with two children, Jamie and Justin, both of whom are athletically inclined.

Justin plays football and daughter, Jamie runs track. As his daughter enters high school, he says there is a possibility that he will leave Western Hills High School after all these years so that he can take advantage of the opportunity to coach track at her school in La Coda, Cincinnati.

In his spare time, (Coaches have spare time?!), Turner sings in a gospel group called, Christian Jubilee and much of his summer is spent coaching at charity camps with friends from his Bengal’s days. He also coaches for a junior player development team sponsored by the NFL where he works with youth, grades 3-8, teaching students character and leadership through team sports.

Of days gone by, Turner remembers with fondness his friends, Ebby Watson, Randy Wessinger, Eddie Wright, Kenny Walton and Gary Lowell.

"I am not able to visit Sherman very often due to all my coaching responsibilities," Turner said, "but Ebby Watson fills me in on Sherman news pretty regularly."

Recalling his Bearcat coaches, he speaks of Ed Hunt, Bobby Rexrode, Tommy Hudspeth, Dick Swetnam, the Southerlands and Jerry Cantrell and how "they pushed us to go beyond what we thought we could do." Turner carries the influence of Sherman coaches and teachers as he tries to inspire the youth with whom he now works….and now you know what happened to Jimmy Turner.

Athletic Banquet Tomorrow Night

The Sherman High School Spring Sports Banquet will be held Monday, May 7 at 6:30 in the SHS cafeteria. Spring sports include tennis, golf, swimming, basketball, track, softball, soccer, power lifting, trainers, and baseball. The cost of the banquet meal is $7 and all parents and friends are invited to attend. The seven major awards to be given are Joe Joiner Award and Scholarship, Verde Dickey Award, Kiwanis Club Lady Cat Award, Tommy Hudspeth Award, Larry Grigg Award and Scholarship, Trennell Walker Booster Club Volunteer of the Year Award, American Bank of Texas, Sherman Holiday Invitational Award and Scholarship.

For more information call Beverly Duke, 903.891.6453

Surrounding Districts Invited

Sherman students and those in surrounding districts are invited to register this week for the second year of summer enrichment classes held at Dillingham Intermediate School, June 4-29, 9:00-12:00. Registration will be held on Friday, May 11, 4:00-6:00 in the Dillingham cafeteria. If you are not able to register at that time, please call Sue Ellen Davis at 903.771.8050. Last year’s program was a huge success and this summer’s classes will quench your thirst for art, music and discovery.

For starters, how about, Sharks, Whales and other tales or Are You Cooking?, a literature based cooking class designed to teach you the origin and nutrition of a variety of recipes. For the creative soul, Paint Party, Make Clay Stuff, and What’s In Your Sketchbook will surely satisfy. And, for the musically spirited, Orchestra, Dynamic Drummers, Beginning Handbells and Recorder Karate will have your toes a tappin’!

The cost is $80 and students will attend three classes of their choice everyday. The stellar cast of teachers includes Sue Ellen Davis, Sherry Hall, Lucinda Lara, and Nan Poole. For more information, check the www.shermanisd.net website under summer activities.

Shown here is future virtuoso, Rebecca Petty as teacher, Sue Ellen Davis instructs her in the proper violin hold.

JV Tennis Team

Swinging against juniors and seniors, these three sophomores and one freshman placed fourth out of the fourteen district teams.

"To play as well as they did against upperclassmen is a promising sign for the years ahead," bragged Coach Pilcher.

Luke Johnston placed third in boys singles; Kelsi Burnett won fourth in girls singles; and Alex Werner and Rachel Bell took fourth in mixed doubles.

Book Character Day

Perrin students enjoy reading all kinds of books and what fun they had dressing up as their favorite character. Students were not limited to fiction books such as Lizzie McGuire, Harry Potter, Peter Pan, Pippi Longstocking and Mrs. Frizzell.

There were also non-fiction characters such as race car drivers and soldiers. The most frequently imitated character was Junie B. Jones, the main character in a series written by Barbara Park.

Honk, Beep, Whoa!

Clear the Hallway, Here Comes the Transportation Parade. You name it, the annual Crutchfield transportation parade had it –Speeding down the hallway came fire trucks, tanks, motorcycles, airplanes, horses, and spaceships, just to name a few. Judging from the number of parents who attend this event, one wonders who enjoys the parade more, the children or the parents?

Shown here is Noah Hightower, Logan Elvington, Randall White, and Madison Condron from Sara Reid’s classroom.