Posted by
Jay Tope on February 9, 2010 at 6:29 am
Monday night at the Natalia ISD school board meeting, Nick Mendez was voted to be the next athletic director for the district.
Mendez had been the head football, baseball, and powerlifting coach; he will still head the baseball and powerlifting programs.
Nick is a mid-90’s graduate of Natalia High School, and has been at the school for the past nine years.
Posted by
Jay Tope on October 10, 2009 at 8:04 am
Please pray for Natalia senior quarterback Jacob Leal; he was injured in last night’s football game with George West and had to be taken via Airlife helicopter to a local hospital.
We pray for his family’s strength and for his healing at this very difficult time. Also, we pray for comfort to the Natalia community.
Posted by
Jay Tope on July 20, 2009 at 8:40 pm
Natalia High School’s own Nick Mendez, who is the head baseball coach and defensive football coordinator for the Mustangs, was named the head football coach for Natalia.
Mendez takes over for Stephen Davis, who left to take an assistant coaching position with Edison. Mendez is a former Natalia Mustang himself, and after graduating from Howard Paine University came back to coach in Natalia.
Posted by
Jay Tope on April 4, 2009 at 12:09 am
photos by Antonio Morano
www.moranomemories.photoreflect.com
amorano@satx.rr.com
SAsports.com had a Tour Stop at the Somerset ISD Special Olympics on Friday April 3, 2009.
If you’ve never been to a Special Olympics before, you need to visit.
Kids from Lytle, La Vernia, Southside, Stockdale, Pleasanton, Southwest, Natalia, and Somerset ISD’s came together to celebrate these incredible individuals.
The Parade of Champions began at around 9:45am…
In addition to the track events, there was bowling…
… the noodle toss, and other fun contests. All were winners.
If you want to see more of these photos, click on Tony’s link at the top of this article. Enter the password WINNERS.
And remember, SAsports.com will continue to give positive publicity to ALL high school students. Because they are the future of our nation.
- Jay Tope
Posted by
Eric Smith on March 20, 2009 at 6:15 am
Natalia community bands together following a tragic loss
By: Eric Smith
Special to SAsports.com from the Devine News
From a great personality to jokes that would make everyone laugh, to that smile that lasted forever. These are just a few memories many had of 17-year old Natalia Senior Gerardo Julian Lopez, who lost his life last Wednesday, March 11th in Mexico. Natalia High School has come together to help each other in a time of grief, as special ceremonies have already taken place in his honor, with one final rosary which was held on Wednesday, March 18th.
Gerardo Lopez along with his sister Alma Lopez Romero and his mother Flabia Lopez were headed to Mexico to see family. According to reports, the sister, a 2006 Natalia graduate was driving on the long trip when reportedly a tire blew on their Ford Explorer which caused the vehicle to lose control. At the end of this terrible wreck both Natalia Senior Lopez, along with his mother had lost their life. The sister was rushed to a hospital in serious condition where she remained as of press time. The father, Gerardo Lopez was not with the family on the trip, but did rush down after the accident. According to friends of the family, the Lopez’s were within fifteen minutes of their destination at the time of the terrible accident.
The loss of Gerardo’s along with his mother’s life saddened the Natalia community along with the Natalia Schools.
Gerardo Lopez along with his mother were buried in Mexico last Saturday, March 14th.
It did not take long for word to get back to Natalia High School about the terrible accident. Between rain and word of the accident, games were cancelled last Friday due to news shaking up many of his friends in the high school. NHS seniors stepped up to the plate, as two seniors planned a candlelight vigil on his behalf as a large number of Natalia students attended to pay tribute to a friend and a teammate.
Lopez was involved in the Natalia High School Band as well as the Natalia Baseball team.
I had a chance to speak with Natalia High School Principal David Bush, Natalia Band Director Ed Chapman, along with Coach Nick Mendez. All three of them had so many great memories and great things to say about the kid, whose smile never left his face.
Principal David Bush - “He was a true character. He was never really into trouble at our school. He was one of those kids that lived for the day; he was never worried about tomorrow. He had a great personality. What was funny about him, he loved to tell jokes, but didn’t mind receiving them. He was very involved in the school and this has really subdued our entire campus in a respectful way. We did have counseling available for students in this tough time,” stated Principal David Bush, who wore a small black ribbon in memory of Lopez.
Coach Nick Mendez - ”He was one of those kids who always seemed to fall through the cracks. He would do whatever he was told to do without too much drama. He was the kid that everyone knew, but never really had to look for. He always seemed to be involved in everything in a small way. He was talented, especially with his music. He had a positive attitude. I can remember simple triumphs that he had in my ESOL classroom like when he passed the TAKS test. He was so genuine in his joy; I could not help but be as happy as if I had passed it. I hope that his simple attitude has rubbed off on people he was around. He had always come out for baseball, but never stuck it out in years prior. This year, he was doing well. In his last game against Freer, he had a couple of hits and a few good plays. He was a kid that wanted to please us all and his attitude will be missed,” stated Coach Nick Mendez.
Band Director Ed Chapman - Gerardo had a smile and a personality that would light up the room. He was a student who wanted to make everyone smile and would go to great lengths to do so. This would be accomplished by either donning a ratty black wig and becoming “Tony” or putting on a cheesy fake mustache and becoming “Fernando”. Those who knew him are likely laughing as they read this about him and Gerardo is still making us laugh with the memories. His laugh was infectious and his eyes were always full of joy. He loved all aspects of band: the hard work, the performances and everything else. He made friends that miss him dearly. The motto of the Natalia Senior Class of 2009 is: “No one gets left behind”. In Gerardo’s memory, the Natalia Band will perform in the “missing-man” formation. There will always be an empty chair in rehearsal or on stage. There will always be an empty space in parades as we honor his memory,” stated Chapman.
While the 2008-2009 Natalia Senior Class will not be the same without this likeable young man, be sure to keep his family in your prayers as they begin to cope with their tough loss.
In this past Monday night’s School Board Meeting, the Board agreed to plant a tree with a plaque in memory of Lopez.
George West, Texas shows respect for Natalia: Last Tuesday night, the Mustang JV and Baseball team traveled to George West to battle the Longhorns in a District 31-2A game. When Mustang fans hit the field, they noticed that parents from George West along with the G.W. team had black arm-bands on. When the game was over, despite Natalia defeating George West 2-1 to improve to 3-0 in District 31-2A, each parent and player gave the black arm-bands to Natalia players in remembrance of Gerardo Lopez. Natalia Coach Nick Mendez was impressed with their respect they showed concerning this incident.
“In today’s world and during competition, gestures such as these show unity among high schools in Texas and the schools in our district. For this gesture, I would like to say that Coach Villalon, his staff, players and parents are a true class act. Hopefully some day, not under the same circumstance, can we show that same support for our fellow schools including George West High School,” stated Coach Nick Mendez.
Posted by
Jay Tope on March 3, 2009 at 8:04 am
Everyone here at SAsports.com wishes the best for the freshman, sophomores, and juniors who are taking the TAKS test today. Think positively, eliminate distractions, and success will follow.
God bless you guys!
- Jay Tope
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