Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Saturday's storms

It's been a crazy few days for me since the storm hit on Saturday.

As soon as the storm passed, we headed to my in-laws' home in District 2 of Attala County. They were in Kosciusko at the antique mall at the time of the storm and we went to see if their house was still there. From the radar on TV it looked as though it passed right over their house. Nothing was out of place when we arrived.

We then went to Berea Baptist Church and the Natchez Trace Parkway but couldn't get across either direction.

Then we got to where the storm damage hit Highway 440 in Hesterville. Talk about Nature's Fury. Twisted trees. Twisted metal. Uprooted huge trees.

Check out the photos at www.starherald.net

It wasn't until later that I went to Mill Springs in Choctaw County -- Sunday morning to be exact. People sifting through the rubble looking for their belongings. Sullivan's Crossroads Grocery, a building made of cinder blocks, was totally gone. The Weather Channel was already on the scene.

It was total devastation. I was horrified and saddened. I drove the scene and was in awe. Five were killed including three children.

I went back on Monday and the recover effort was underway. The remains of house were demolished by crews and a nearby church was feeding those who lost everything. I also went to a Red Cross Shelter in Ackerman and the White Plains area in Attala County.

Tuesday night was the first night I slept since viewing the rubble.

A few of the kids who attend Ethel High School, where my husband works, were affected by the storm. One family lost everything.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

State Powerlifting


Troy squatting


Troy with Coach Dees and Coach Parish


Antez deadlifting


Ryan Self in a squat


Eight powerlifters went to Jackson Saturday for the state powerlifting championships and 3 place with Troymun taking 1st for the second time and setting two state records in the 1A 165-pound class for bench press (305) and squat (450) and Antez and Ryan took 3rd in their weight classes. Everyone lifted there personal best.

If you don't know about powerlifting (I really didn't until last year), here is the short version -- You have three lifts -- bench press, squat and deadlift. You get three chances to do each lift and your highest is recorded in each. The total weight determines how you finish.

Troy lifted a total of 1,175 pounds. WOW! That's all I can say. I was on the floor when he set the record for the bench press and it gave me chill bumps. It was awesome.

I feel like such a proud mom.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Headed to State Saturday










I have really been slacking on my blog and after my rant about today's youth, I really need a good and positive post.
So here we go....
Eight of our 12 lifters are headed to the State Powerlifting meet on Saturday at the Coliseum in Jackson.
Last year, Ethel took one lone lifter, Troymun Hawthorne, and he came home a STATE CHAMPION in 1A. He's back again with seven others -- Antez Hopkins, Baby Tre, Little Self, Christian Sanders, Lawrence Shaffer, Greg Allen, and Nick Winters. I don't know how many STATE CHAMPS we will bring home but we are excited about the competition.
It's only the second year for the EHS powerlifting team.