This school year, the state champion winners got new and updated signs lining the roadway of the school parking lot, displaying their accomplishments.
“The signs were needing to be replaced often and started to not look very good, so we decided that it was time to see if there was a better way to do things,” Principal Paul Weinheimer said. “The other signs were great, but the wind, rain, and sun were beating them up, and the signs were not lasting a very long time. We wanted new signs that would look sharp and stay that way for a long time.”
Weinheimer said the process of actually getting these new signs had been an ongoing project.
“We have been working with 2B Signs and our Maintenance Department for a few months to try to get just the right material and supplies to hang the material,” Weinheimer said. “Julie Ripple has been instrumental in the communication with all parties involved to keep the process moving. These signs are made with a material called Dibond and it is sturdy and the shine should stay longer.”
One of the state champion winners was the Fire Search and Rescue team. They got first, second, and third at State.
“I got emotional with all three of mine up on stage,” Fire Search and Rescue coach Steve Haviland said. “We had never placed in Search and Rescue.”
The Fire Search and Rescue competition is a one-day event that only takes about five to ten minutes. Haviland said that there was only a 0.3 second difference between the first and second place winners.
“They go into a blackout room, and they search for tools, a baby, ect., and they have to stay on the wall,” Haviland said. “They have a blacked-out mask. They’re going into the room blind. They’re bunkered out. It’s a common practice in firefighting.”
Junior Austin Barber was the person who placed first at competition, and he appreciates the recognition that the sign gives him.
“It’s cool that I get recognized,” Barber said. “It shows that even the small organizations can make a big difference for the school. We’re bringing more representation to the school because we’re making it to state and winning.”
Not only was Barber the first person to ever place in Fire Search and Rescue, it was his first year on the team, so he was extra shocked to hear his name called.
“I was surprised, but then I was also excited, because it was the first time that our team had ever won anything at state,” Barber said. “It was exciting to be the first person to do it, my first year in the program. It was a nice start.”
Fire Search and Rescue practices after school two days a week for two hours.
“It was hard, it was difficult, but I just pushed through and won,” Barber said. “I thought there was no chance. There was someone that I knew was probably going to beat me, and then I somehow won.”
There are various UIL events within the Law Enforcement program, but Barber found his niche with Fire Search and Rescue.
“Out of all the events that our program offers, it’s the most mental,” Barber said. “I’m not the most physically built person, so I need the mind stuff.”
Haviland has high hopes and expectations for what can happen with Fire Search and Rescue UIL this season.
“I’m hoping for sweeping again, and I think we’re pretty good this year,” Haviland said. “I think we’ll sweep regionals and do well at state competition.”
Weinheimer believes that these signs will be a symbol of pride for the town and also a symbol of how hard students work to earn these state championships.
“State Championships take a great deal of work, belief, and talent and are very difficult to attain in the great state of Texas,” Weinheimer said. “We think that all of Badger Nation should be able to see these accomplishments and share in the pride we feel. I think it is awesome that we have state championships from so many different programs in our school, which speaks to how amazing our students, staff, and school are at Lampasas High School.”
