Whitesboro Parks & Recreation Department
(PARD) News Archive
Shauney Lucas Scholarship Fund Announced
Shauney Lucas was tragically killed in an automobile accident in October, 2010 at the age of 18. Shauney was an award-winning photographer who was just beginning her studies in Visual Arts and Photography. At the time of her death, she was a student at Grayson County College, and she planned to attend Texas Women’s University.
The Whitesboro Parks & Recreation Department has renamed its community art show after photographical artist, Shauney Lucas. Read Shauney Lucas Story >>
City Council Recognizes PARD Advisory Board
November 10, 2009
The mayor and members of the Whitesboro City Council recognized members of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board at their meeting on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.
Members were given a certificate of appreciation for their volunteer service to the citizens of Whitesboro.
Pictured are Mayor W.D. Welch, Chris Dobbs, Jim Schuessler, Jeff Butts, and Erin Attaway. Not pictured is Karen Holle.
The Parks and Recreation Department is grateful to the Advisory Board for the time, energy, creativity, and commitment. They, along with the hundreds of other volunteers, make possible the events and programs of the department. Thank you so very much!
Baillio Named TAAF Top Male Athlete of the Year
Januray 15, 2009
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| Pictured from left to right are Gerri, Hayden, and Lynn Baillio |
Among the thousands of male athletes in the great state of Texas, Hayden Baillio has been declared number one by the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation. On January 15, 2009 Baillio was presented with the prestigious Top Male Athlete of the Year award at the organization’s annual Hall of Fame Banquet.
Baillio attended the banquet with his proud parents, Lynn and Gerri Baillio, and his coach, Brad Urban, along with Parks and Recreation Director Penny Renfroe. Renfroe said of the event, “It was such an honor to see this young man represent our community to the state of Texas. He is a man of character, dedication, and integrity. I am so proud of him, and our entire community celebrates with him!”
On October 14, 2008 Baillio was recognized by the Mayor of Whitesboro and the Whitesboro City Council as the local Athlete of the Year for the Whitesboro Parks and Recreation Department and the Region VII Male Athlete of the Year for the Texas Amateur Athletic Federation (TAAF). Baillio’s face is easily recognized locally, as his picture appears on area billboards in his football uniform. Now his name is easily recognized throughout the state of Texas for this latest achievement.
Hayden’s father, Lynn Baillio, says of the event, “It was a great honor to be included in that company. It was room full of great athletes, and it was an honor to be there. TAAF has been good for Hayden, and we really support their programs.”
Hayden is a 17 year old senior at Whitesboro High School, and has recently accepted a full scholarship with the University of Texas. In 2001, he began participating in Whitesboro’s Parks and Recreation TAAF summer track program. Baillio has been throwing the shot put and discus since that time. His accomplishments in TAAF and UIL competition are numerous. He has competed at the local, regional, and state levels every year as a TAAF participant, and as a national TAAF participant in 2005 and 2007. In UIL competition, Mr. Baillio has competed at the local, district, regional, and state level, and he recently was invited and competed in the Nike Outdoor Elite Track Meet, which was held in North Carolina.
Hayden Baillio was also a starter for Whitesboro High School’s football team and is on the school’s basketball and power lifting teams. His efforts in power lifting have afforded him the opportunity to participate at the state level for three years.
Aside from his athletic accomplishments, Hayden is an honor student at Whitesboro High School and a member of the First Baptist Church. He was a member of the prom committee and has volunteered the past two summers as a mentor for SEEK camp, a summer camp designed for autistic children.
Coach Brad Urban says of Baillio, “His effort to excel is remarkable. Hayden is self-motivated and can be seen practicing, alone, in the weight room and disc and shot put rings for hours at a time. His accomplishments are many, but his good nature and respect for other athletes and the sport of track and field makes him the ideal choice for this honor.”
Mr. Baillio is also a model for sportsmanship. During practices, Hayden will instruct the younger shot put and discus throwers. He is an excellent role model for these young athletes. There have been many times that Hayden was the only individual who could soothe an upset young athlete when he or she did not do as well as expected. On the competition field, Hayden Baillio is known to encourage other throwers, even if the individuals are his close competitors. And, Hayden will be the first to shake the hands of those who he competed against, even if he did not place first in the event.
Baillio is the State AAA Shot Put record holder and the State AAA Discus record holder. In TAAF competition, he is the 2008 State Champion in the shot put and discus competition. In 2007, Hayden was the National Runner-Up in both the shot put and discus.