Yancey to lead parade, light homecoming bonfire

Special to the Index

The annual Mineral Wells High School Homecoming Parade is Thursday beginning at 6:30 p.m.

This year the parade will be led by Grand Marshal Jimmie Yancey.

Yancey serves as assistant principal at Mineral Wells High School.

The 2008 Homecoming Parade is sure to be another success this year. The theme, “Let the Games Begin-Ram Style,” will demonstrate the pride of our students and community.

The parade will begin from its traditional starting point on North Oak Avenue at N.W. 6th Avenue at 6:30 p.m. he parade will travel south on North Oak Avenue, then proceed west along West Hubbard Street and finish at the bonfire location at Miller Stadium, where Yancey will help to light the blaze.

Yancey was born in German, Texas, and graduated from Eastland High School in 1964. He received his Bachelor of

Science degree in Agriculture Education from Tarleton State College in 1968. He began his teaching career at Grandfalls-Royalty ISD in Grandfalls, Texas. It was at Grandfalls where he met and married the love of his life, Nan, in 1969.

Yancey served a two-year stint in the Army, and then returned to Grandfalls-Royalty. He spent the next 23 years as a Science teacher, coach, Vocational Agriculture teacher and principal. He received his Master of Education degree in school administration from Sul Ross University in 1991.

In 1994, he was hired as junior high principal at Forsan ISD in Forsan, Texas, and in 1996 he became high school principal. In 1999 he accepted the position of superintendent of schools at Forsan ISD and retired from that position in 2002. His wife, Nan, also retired in 2002, having served as high school secretary and PEIMS coordinator for Grandfalls-Royalty ISD and as secretary of the Personalized Achievement Center at Big Spring ISD.

Yancey and his wife have been married for 39 years and have four daughters and nine grandchildren. Their

oldest daughter, Robin, is married to Rudy Gutierrez and they have four children: Derek, age 21, Tyler, age 16, Gabriela, age 14, and Emanuel, age 11. Robin teaches forth grade in the Odessa Independent School District.

Another daughter, Lori Fomby, has two children: Garrett, age 13, and Lauren, age 8. Lori is a writer and producer for

Crozier and Henderson Productions in Dallas. Their daughter Carol is married to Brian Shelton and they have three children: Emily, age 6, Sarah, age 4, and Samuel, age 2. Carol is a stay-at -home mom and she and her family live in Carrollton, Texas. Their youngest daughter, Jill, is married to Chad Young and they are expecting their first child in December. Jill teaches eighth grade in the Frisco Independent School District.

Jimmie Yancey enjoys family activities, water sports, fishing, hunting and reading. His claim to fame is being the only male in a house with five females.

“Nan and I feel like our greatest accomplishment is the fact that all four of our daughters have earned college

degrees,” he said.

Yancey truly enjoys his position as assistant principal at Mineral Wells High School.

“Being associated with students gives me great satisfaction,” he said. “I consider it a privilege to work with the

administration, faculty and staff of Mineral Wells ISD.”

Yancey has a great relationship with the students of Mineral Wells High School, and he contributes a positive atmosphere to the students and faculty at MWHS.

Due to a student holiday on Friday, the pep rally is at 10:29 a.m. Thursday at the high school.

The Rams will take on the Pioneers from Boswell on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Ram Stadium. The 2008

Homecoming Queen, Coming home Queen and Princesses will be presented at half time, as well as the float winners. All alumni are encouraged to attend any and all of these activities.

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