Around the State: HPU honored at Model U.N.

Five Howard Payne University students won awards at a Model United Nations conference held in Stockholm, Sweden. The conference simulated the United Nations, giving students opportunities to confer with peers around the globe, become aware of international issues and produce potential solutions to contemporary problems. Gavin Paul Stewart and Jason Murphy represented Italy on the Economic and Social Council, earning the best delegation award on their committee. Calder Woods Chaplain Lynn Fontenot and resident Ruth Catalano look at a Bible published in 1792. The Bible will be on display alongside other antique Bibles during Calder Woods annual “Tour of Lights” Dec. 15 in Beaumont.While representing Portugal, Peyton Cooley earned the best delegate award for the European Council. James Abbatiello and Mike McConnell earned honorable mention for their work as representatives of the People’s Republic of China on the Security Council.

Calder Woods, a Buckner Retirement Services continuing care community in Beaumont, will hold its annual “Tour of Lights” Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Residents will display unique decorations, antique Bibles, hand-made creations and other holiday-themed presentations. The centerpiece for the event is a display of antique Bibles collected by residents and the community’s chaplain, Lynn Fontenot. The oldest Bible, written in Norwegian, dates to the late 1700s. 

Harleigh Parrish, an Harleigh ParrishEast Texas Baptist University sophomore from Huntington, was named the novice division champion at the Mississippi College Deep South Debate Tournament. Telema Blackman, an ETBU sophomore from Alexandria, La., placed second in the novice division.

Anniversary

Bob Shirley, fifth, as pastor of First Baptist Church in Normangee.