Kati Shay Diercks

Rick and Jessica Diercks are proud to announce the graduation of their daughter, Kati Shay Diercks, from Calhoun High School. Kati will be atending Austin Community College to study veterinary medicine. We couldn’t be more proud! Can’t wait to see what the future holds for her.

Sarah Doggett

Sarah Doggett graduated from Needville High School on May 20, 2022. She is the daughter of John & Melissa Doggett and granddaughter of John & Georgia Hawes of Port O’Connor. Sarah has been active in journalism, UIL academics, church youth ministry, student council, honor society, basketball, and volleyball, going all the way to state competition. In the fall, she will attend Texas A&M University to study business. Go Aggies!

Jessie Lashley

Jessie Lashley, daughter of Matthew and Lucie Lashley, attended Port O’Connor School through the fifth grade, but currently lives on the outskirts of Seadrift. Her hobbies include hunting and fishing. Jessie plans to continue her education at Victoria College to earn her Associates Degree to become a Physical Therapahy Assistant.

John Michael Rosenboom

John Michael Rosenboom graduated from Calhoun High School. He is the son of David and Carol Rosenboom. During high school, he was a member of the Varsity Golf Team, UIL Academic Accounting Team, National Honor Society, and Student Council. In the fall, John will attend Mays School of Business at Texas A&M in College Station.

Tarah Munsch

Since first grade at POC Elementary, Tarah has been a smiling face around Port O’Connor.

Through the years, she has volunteered at several community events with FBC Youth Group, Intercoastal 4-H Club, and NHS.

When she turned 15, she applied for her first job at Josie’s and is still serving her favorite customers every weekend! She will miss y’all so much!
After graduation, Tarah will be attending Tarleton State University, in Stephenville, Texas and entering the Pre-Nursing Program.

Tarah would like to thank all of her teachers and staff at Port O’Connor Elementary for giving her the love of learning!

And thank you to POC PTO, POC Service Club, POC Chamber, FlatsWorthy, Calhoun County Area Go Texan, George Fred Rhodes & Marion Rhodes Memorial, Victoria Electric Co-Op and Formosa for their scholarship support.

Randall Evan Clifton

Mike and Beverly Clifton are proud to announce the graduation of our son Randall Evan Clifton from Calhoun High School Class of 2022.

Evan is a STEM student and graduated as an Honor Graduate from Calhoun High School. He is a Texas Scholar and member of National Honor Society and has received the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence. Evan has committed to Tarleton State University and will pursue a degree in engineering.

Madison Eileen Stringo – Texas Scholar; CHS Varsity Volleyball. Daughter of Lisa and Leslie (Waddie) Stringo, Port O’Connor. Pictured here with Dwana Finster, Principal, Hope High School.

Trevor Finster

Trevor Finster, son of retired County Commissioner Kenneth Finster and Dwana Finster, recently graduated from South Texas College of Law. While in school he was chosen to compete on the negotiation team. He also worked in the Academic Success Center helping younger students. In his third year of law school, Trevor clerked with the Harris County 295th Judicial District Court Honorable Judge Donna Roth.

2022 Graduates, former Seadrift Pirates

Warrior’s Weekend, 2022
Happy fishermen show off their catches.
Thank you, Warriors!
-photo by Mike Hessong

Warrior’s Weekend Hero

Al Becker
Warrior’s Weekend Volunteer

What would cause a trucker from North Lima, Ohio to drive down just to volunteer at the Warrior’s Weekend events?

Meet Al Becker, a self-employed trucker. Concerning Warrior’s Weekend he says, “I just come down here to give the veterans one day of pleasure fishing.”
It all started in 2013 when Al picked up a load in Indianapolis. The load were air conditioners and their destination was the Warrior’s Weekend event. It was just another trip for Al, but as fate would have it, it was the beginning of an adventure… Al Becker hasn’t missed a Warrior’s Weekend since then!

As a volunteer Al does whatever needs to be done that he can do and has a background in heavy equipment and outside lighting.

Al is proud to serve his country by serving its veterans!

-Tanya DeForest

Warrior’s Weekend Hero

Kenneth Matthews

Another Warrior’s Weekend hero is a veteran from Dunn, North Carolina. His name is Kenneth Matthews.

Kenneth served in the Army for nine years and was in a National Guard Unit. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan. His last year of service was in 2014.

Kenneth received an honorable medical discharge due to PTSD. He says, “I loved the Army because I wanted to serve my country.”

Kenneth is currently enrolled at Camp Hope. Camp Hope is a nonprofit Christian program for male combat veterans who suffer from PTSD. Kenneth states that “Camp Hope is an awesome program that I wish I would have known about when I first got out of the military.”

This year’s Warrior’s Weekend was Kenneth’s first time to go fishing. His comments are: “It was a great experience being with my brothers and sisters who served in the military.”
-Tanya DeForest