Meet our Boys Lacrosse All-CVC Team including Hopewell Valley’s Luke Caldwell as our Player of the Year and Matt Foret as our Coach of the Year

Originally Published: June 19, 2025 at 6:15 PM EDT

Beeville ISD administrators presented a comprehensive update to the Board of Trustees this week, detailing major strides in summer learning, facility upgrades, financial stability and staff development as the district prepares for the 2025–26 school year.

Chief of Staff Erika Vasquez opened with instructional highlights, applauding administrators for leading professional development sessions and supporting students through the district’s summer school and enrichment programs. Robotics and culinary camps saw strong participation, and Vasquez emphasized the ongoing curriculum planning by teachers to ensure a strong start in August.

COO Dr. Thomas Lawing outlined a busy summer of operations. He reported deep cleaning and maintenance work across campuses, inventory upgrades in the technology department, and several transportation updates. A new regular education bus will replace a delayed special education bus purchase, which will now be rescheduled for next fiscal year. The Child Nutrition department has already served 678 breakfasts and 1,614 lunches in the first two weeks of summer.

Bond projects are also moving forward, including the A.C. Jones High School restroom addition and auditorium renovations. A previously undetected leak was discovered during the demo process and will be addressed through a change order.

Chief of Police Art Gomez spoke on security initiatives, highlighting the district’s advanced level of preparedness. Officers participated in youth mental health and emergency response training, and Beeville ISD hosted a full-scale active attacker simulation involving multiple agencies. Gomez noted that other districts across Texas have reached out to learn from Beeville’s school-based law enforcement model.

Dr. Darryl Cobb, Chief of Human Resources, presented progress on the district’s “Grow Your Own” initiative with Grand Canyon University. Sixteen employees without undergraduate degrees began coursework in June, each receiving an average of $30,000 in grant funding. Participants are on track to earn degrees and certifications within two to three years, with some already expected to be classroom-ready by next year.

Chief Financial Officer Dela Castillo reported a projected year-end surplus of $40,000 and noted that outstanding purchase orders are being closed ahead of the annual audit. The Child Nutrition department is expected to finish in the black and contribute $180,000 in indirect costs to the general fund. The bond program has spent more than $6 million to date, and investments have earned more than $243,000 in interest.

Athletic Director Richard Vasquez shared a positive update on student athletics, noting that 18 student-athletes have committed to compete at the next level. Summer strength and conditioning programs, along with sports camps, are in full swing. Vasquez praised his coaching staff and credited their leadership for the minimal turnover going into the next school year. He also mentioned ongoing interviews for key coaching vacancies, including soccer and tennis.

Beeville ISD’s board expressed appreciation for the detailed updates and commended the district’s continued commitment to growth, safety, and academic and athletic excellence.

PRINCETON — Mercer County Executive Dan Benson highlighted financial recovery and infrastructure progress during his 2025 State of the County address Tuesday at a Princeton-Mercer Chamber of Commerce gathering.

Benson said the county overcame financial challenges through cost-saving measures and operational changes implemented over the past year.

“Last year, when I spoke, I was clear about the challenges ahead. We were in a tough financial spot,” said Benson. “So we rolled up our sleeves, we tightened our belts, and we went to work.”

The county executive outlined infrastructure projects completed or underway, including breaking ground on Trenton Thunder ballpark upgrades, launching the South Broad Street Vision Plan and making improvements at Trenton Mercer Airport. Other projects include reconstruction of the Eagle Tavern, plans to extend the Johnson Trolley Line Trail and restoration of the Montgomery Street Bridge.

Benson said his administration expanded social services, strengthened public health and safety programs, promoted diversity in vendor procurement and established the Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs.

“Now, Mercer County is planting seeds for our future, and that future is bright,” said Benson. “Because Mercer is a special place, and we believe that it should be leading the way. We want to set the standard. We want to show the entire region how government can and should work for people.”

Benson emphasized collaboration with the Board of County Commissioners and coordination with the county’s 12 municipalities.

“For the first time in a long time, there’s real energy and excitement about the future of Mercer County and our Capital City,” said Benson. “Because of the hard work of this amazing team, I can say with confidence that the state of Mercer County is much better today than it was just a year ago.”

“Over the past year it’s been great to see so many people excited again about what our County government is doing,” said Board of Commissioners Chair Kristin McLaughlin after the speech. “We’re proud of the partnership we’ve built with the County Executive, and of everything that we’re doing together to move Mercer County forward.”

1:35 pm CTShare this update

Starters for both teams today in the second D1 state semifinal

Michael Whitlow

Madison West: Adah Lambeck (GK), Saffron Zahorik-Schultz, Adah Minikel-Lacocque, Catherine Arnold, Addie Iverson, Mia Ozanne, Elsie Watson, Shiloh Ozanne, Nola Maughan, Arianna Kontny and Gabi Retana.

Arrowhead: Livia Gaudagno (GK), Brylie Walos, Lyla Birkenstock, Amara Leppla, Chloe Fitzgerald, Elise Gremban, Audrey Willouhby, Ellie Pearson, Ansley Schaak, Abby Albrecht and Avery Fitzgerald.

The ball’s been kicked off and we’re off and running this afternoon.

1:07 pm CTShare this update

Up next: the second D1 state semifinal between Arrowhead and Madison West

Michael Whitlow

We’ll find out who No. 1 Muskego will face in Saturday morning’s D1 state title match as No. 2 seed Arrowhead will face No. 3 Madison West in the second semifinal here at Uihlein Soccer Park.

Muskego advanced to Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Kimberly. The winner of this second semifinal will try and keep the Warriors from winning its fourth straight state title.

Starters for both sides are coming shortly.

12:45 pm CTShare this update

Final: Muskego 3, Kimberly 0

Michael Whitlow

It’s official.

The Muskego Warriors will play for its fourth straight Division 1 state girls soccer championship on Saturday morning with a comfortable 3-0 victory over No. 4 seed Kimberly in the first D1 semifinal today.

Goals by Bella Mittelstaedt, Elsa Maurer and Jess Fernau have put the Warriors in line for history on Saturday against the winner of the Arrowhead-Madison West semifinal coming up next here in Milwaukee.

12:36 pm CTShare this update

Katie Owens’ strike is easily stopped by Savannah Mittelstaedt

Michael Whitlow

A set piece opportunity arises for Kimberly in the 72nd minute as Katie Owens’ direct kick attempt is stopped by Muskego goalkeeper Savannah Mittelstaedt from about 30 yards out. It’s the first shot attempt for the Papermakers in the second half, who haven’t registered a touch inside the Warriors’ 18-yard box in this final 40 minutes.

Muskego still leads, 3-0.

12:32 pm CTShare this update

Abby Artlip goes off the far post

Michael Whitlow

Muskego’s Abby Artlip just about made it a 4-0 contest, but her right-footed strike stings off the far right post in the 68th minute for the Warriors. The Warriors have brought some fresher legs on the pitch with a three-goal advantage late here in the second half, as the likes of Kelsey Morgan, Alayna Spader and Riley Krupa have come onto the pitch.

12:28 pm CTShare this update

Goal, Muskego

Michael Whitlow

And there is your dagger.

Jess Fernau makes her presence known today with a beautiful shot off her left foot at the top of the 18-yard box that floated past Bee Brocket to give the defending champion Warriors a 3-0 lead today in the 65th minute. It’s the Ball State recruit’s team-leading 17th goal of the season.

Muskego 3, Kimberly 0.

12:25 pm CTShare this update

A beautiful save from Bee Brockert keeps Kimberly alive

Michael Whitlow

Sadie Mittelstaedt’s diving header attempt inside the six-yard box is stoned by Kimberly goalkeeper Bee Brockert in the 61st minute to keep it a 2-0 game. Brockert and the back line from the Papermakers have keep the No. 4 seed in it against the Warriors. Muskego have completely controlled the ball and the pace of play in this second half and it’s been hard for the Papermakers to even string a few passes together today.

12:19 pm CTShare this update

We’re 15 minutes into the second half, Muskego still leads

Michael Whitlow

It’s been a cagey first 15 minutes into the second half, but the Warriors have dominated the action once again with a 2-0 advantage over Kimberly. The Warriors have controlled the ball and played in their offensive half for much of this second half. They haven’t found that third goal that would likely serve as the proverbial dagger today.

12:03 pm CTShare this update

We’re off and running in the second half

Michael Whitlow

Both teams are back on the pitch for the final 40 minutes between No. 1 Muskego and No. 4 Kimberly. The Warriors currently lead the Papermakers, 2-0.

11:49 am CTShare this update

Halftime: Muskego 2, Kimberly 0

Michael Whitlow

The Warriors take a two-goal lead into the halftime intermission.

Goals by Bella Mittelstedt (16′) and Elsa Maurer (26′) have the defending state champions in front by two after a dominant first-half display. The Warriors held the Papermakers to just one shot attempt in the opening 40 minutes of play and controlled the action for virtually the entire first half.

11:45 am CTShare this update

Into the final five minutes of the first half

Michael Whitlow

Muskego still holds a 2-0 advantage as we head closer to halftime in the first Division 1 state semifinal. It’s been all Warriors in the opening half over the Papermakers. They’ve won a quartet of corners and have outshot the Papermakers by five shots already today (6-1). The Warriors’ pressure on the ball has consistently frustrated the Papermakers in its 4-5-1 setup. We’ll see if the Fox Valley Association champions adjust after the first 40 minutes.

11:35 am CTShare this update

Goal, Muskego

Michael Whitlow

An awesome set piece off a won corner for the Warriors doubles the lead for the defending champions.

Elsa Maurer finds the back of the net off a great delivery following a short corner from Jess Fernau off the right foot of Ashlynn Scharrer into the box in the 26th minute gives the Warriors a 2-0 lead over Kimberly. It’s Maurer’s third goal of the campaign.

Muskego 2, Kimberly 0.

11:23 am CTShare this update

Goal, Muskego

Michael Whitlow

What a start for the Warriors.

Bella Mittelstaedt’s beautiful turn at the top of the 18-yard box on a helper from Elsa Maurer help top-seed Muskego take an early 1-0 advantage in the 16th minute. Mittelstaedt fired a missile off her right foot past Bee Brockert and it’s the defending champions out in front first today.

Muskego 1, Kimberly 0.

11:18 am CTShare this update

It’s been all Muskego early on

Michael Whitlow

Kimberly’s Vada Sousek has the lone shot on target through the first 10 minutes of action today, but it’s been all Warriors with the possession. They’ve been able to play through the middle of the park without much resistance, but haven’t been able to put its couple shot attempts on target so far today.

We’re into the 11th minute, still no score.

11:17 am CTShare this update

Starters for both teams

Michael Whitlow

Kimberly: Bee Brockert (GK), Vada Sousek, Skyler Brey, Kaylee Behnke, Ayla Raasch, Katie Owens, Grace Peters, Marie Van Zeeland, Emily Urban, Lindsay Owens and Isabel Pagan Vega.

Muskego:Savannah Mittelstaedt (GK), Ashlynn Scharrer, Ella Kandziora, Autumn Dibb, Elsa Maurer, Klara Muench, Bella Mittelstaedt, Bree Scafe, Jess Fernau, Abby Artlip and Riley Krupa.

11:06 am CTShare this update

We’re about to get started with the Division 1 tournament

Michael Whitlow

Hello again, friends.

We’re ready for kickoff in the Division 1 state girls soccer semifinals with defending three-time champion and top-seeded Muskego and the team they defeated in last season’s state title game with No. 4 seed Kimberly.

Conditions are picture perfect here in northern Milwaukee today for what should be a great pair of Division 1 state semifinals today.

Name  

High School 

State 

Tribal Affiliation 

Ethan Abram 

Fleming Island High School 

Florida 

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 

Brayden Allen 

East Jessamine High School 

Kentucky 

Chickahominy Indian Tribe 

Elijah Beck 

Sapulpa High school 

Oklahoma 

Cherokee 

Pierce Caton 

Red Lodge High School 

Montana 

Northern Cheyenne  

Aidan Chapman 

Menominee Indian High School 

Wisconsin 

Menominee 

Tristan Cheek 

Great Bridge High School 

Virginia 

Comanche Nation  

Cashin Clifft 

Kiowa High School 

Oklahoma 

Chickasaw/Choctaw  

Nicholas Shade Cody 

Rattan Public School 

Oklahoma 

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma 

Kollin Davis 

Crowder High School 

Oklahoma 

Choctaw 

Maxim Dillon 

Redwood Valley High School 

Minnesota 

Lower Sioux Indian Community 

Tyreese Eagletail 

Manyhorses High School 

Alberta, Canada 

Tsuutina Nation 

Taden Fine 

Jenks High School 

Oklahoma 

Creek/Cherokee 

Ty Freeman 

Greenwood High School 

Oklahoma 

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma 

Adrian Garrison 

Lawton High School 

Oklahoma 

Comanche  

Kaleb Gilreath 

Dallas Christian School 

Texas 

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma 

Aven Goodlin 

Wagoner High School 

Oklahoma 

Cherokee/Choctaw 

Easton Hancock 

Toppenish High School  

Washington 

Nez Perce Tribe 

Talon Herring 

Huntsville High School 

Arkansas 

Comanche 

Sanjiya Hickman 

Nanih Waiya Attendance Center 

Mississippi 

Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians 

Lucas Johann 

Weld Central High School 

Colorado 

Yankton Sioux Tribe 

Takoda Jones 

Santa Fe Indian School 

New Mexico 

Ohkay Owingeh 

Ronald Jones III 

Arabia Mountain High School 

Georgia 

Cherokee 

Wesley Quinn Jumper 

Robbinsville High School 

North Carolina 

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 

Eric Keesis 

American High School 

California 

Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation 

Rajon Kenton 

Alchesay High School 

Arizona 

White Mountain Apache Tribe  

Kash Knowles 

Purcell High School 

Oklahoma 

Chickasaw 

Boston Knowles 

Purcell High School 

Oklahoma 

Seminole 

Manuel La Chappa III 

Orange Glen High School  

California 

Mesa Grande Band of Mission Indians 

Gavin Lain 

Valwood School 

Georgia 

Catawba Nation 

Jordan Lesley 

Tuscon High School 

Arizona 

Tohono O’odam | Hopi-Tewa 

Eddie Lucero 

Huntington Beach High School 

California 

Navajo 

Joshua Mescal 

Ganado High School 

Arizona 

Navajo 

Nicky Navarro 

Analy High School 

California 

Round Valley Indian Tribes 

Jace Paul 

Muskogee High School 

Oklahoma 

Cherokee Nation  

Wakinyan Raines 

Cherokee High School 

North Carolina 

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians 

Bryce Roberts 

Idabel High School 

Oklahoma 

Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma 

Davonte Ross 

Lakota Tech High School 

South Dakota 

Oglala Lakota 

Florentino Salinas 

Wellington High School 

Texas 

Ponca Tribe of Nebraska 

Noah Sandoval 

Canyon View High School 

Utah 

Navajo 

Bas Stice 

Oakdale High School 

California 

Tuolumne Band of Me Wuk Indians 

Cade Stick 

Ada High School 

Oklahoma 

Chickasaw 

Tayton Threet 

Wyandotte High School 

Oklahoma 

Cherokee 

Kason Threet 

Wyandotte High School 

Oklahoma 

Cherokee  

Tahj Totten 

Moapa Valley High School 

Nevada 

Navajo 

Isaac Tsonetokoy 

Fort Cobb-Broxton School 

Oklahoma 

Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma 

Hage Tsosie 

Chinle High School 

Arizona 

Navajo 

Christian Ugalde 

Nimitz High School 

Texas 

Muscogee Nation 

Max Williams 

Wichita Collegiate School 

Kansas 

Muscogee Nation 

Matthew Wise 

Inola High School 

Oklahoma 

Choctaw 

Kanyon Wright 

Grace Christian School 

Louisiana 

Jena Band of Choctaw Indians