Special to the Journal Lake Belton High School senior Taylor Rogers turned a simple idea into meaningful impact this fall, raising $1,627 in door-to-door donations to help pay off student lunch debt on his campus. His efforts erased approximately 54 percent of outstanding balances, lightening the load for dozens of Bronco families ahead of the holiday season. Rogers, a lifelong Belton ISD student, selected this project as part of a community service requirement for a foreign exchange scholarship program. His inspiration sparked after watching a video of someone doing similar work in another community. “I thought it was a great cause and something people would want to rally behind,” Taylor said. “There was anxiety at first knocking on strangers’ doors, but once I got past the first house, it felt easier. I really went into it wanting to improve my communication and leadership skills, and I was more excited for the opportunity than worried about what people might think.” What surprised him most was the overwhelming community response. “There were multiple people I didn’t know who were willing to donate $100 toward helping kids they’d never met,” Taylor shared. “It was inspirational. People can be a lot more generous than we give them credit for.” Through the experience, he said he grew a deeper appreciation for the community. “I definitely learned that our community is ready and willing to support each other. It really is a family for a lot of people, and we show up when someone needs it.” Taylor credits his peers from the exchange program for encouraging him throughout the project, noting that sharing progress updates and feedback with them helped him stay motivated. Lake Belton High School Principal Steele Hantgin said Taylor’s project reflects the heart of the campus community. “Taylor exemplifies what it means to lead with initiative and compassion,” Hantgin said. “He identified a need, stepped outside his comfort zone, and took action that directly supports his classmates. His drive, generosity and humility make him a remarkable representative of Lake Belton High School and we couldn’t be more proud.” With graduation on the horizon, Taylor is already looking ahead. He hopes to pursue a career as a nuclear engineer, focusing on renewable and sustainable energy solutions, an interest shaped in part by his study-abroad experience in Costa Rica. “I’m definitely excited for the future,” he said. “And I’m thankful I got such a great community to grow up with and learn from.”
BELTON JOURNAL By Michele Weismann Smith brothers Joe and Cecil are retiring after working in their family-owned Belton business of 74 years. Smith Brothers Drive-In Grocery’s last date of operation will be Thursday, Dec. 18, with a retirement party with family, employees, and customers. Owning three storefronts at one time, their current location at 921 E. 6th Street, is a convenience store with a gas station, car wash, and laundromat. Their parents, Joe and Lula Smith, opened more than a grocery store in 1951; they opened the doors to a family business that would become foundational for Belton, Texas, and their sons. Joe, then twelve, and Cecil, nine, worked in the store when they got home from school and never left the business. Cecil said, “Joe and I just immediately had a job.” “Cecil and I went through the ropes,” Joe said. He recalled delivering groceries “all over town in the pickup” when he was 14. The Smith brothers’ dad changed the name of the first store from Joe Smith’s Grocery to Joe Smith and Son’s Grocery in 1965. When Joe and Cecil married, their wives helped at the stores too. Joe Smith’s wife, Linda, and Cecil’s wife, Peggy, rotated help at the stores. Peggy said, “We’re the last of the old-timey grocery stores. And we’ve been proud of that.” In 1985, the Smith family campaigned for a “beer election,” Joe said. “They passed the beer election by 17 votes to vote Belton wet.” In October 1985, they filed for and received a beer and wine license in Belton. Joe, retiring at age 86, and Cecil, retiring at age 83, sold the family business. The new owners start operations on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
By Michele Weisman The Belton Journal Kayte Ricketts, education coordinator for the Bell County Museum, organized a free children’s event called Holiday Fest. It was held upstairs on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Children, through crafts, experienced how winter holidays and Christmas are celebrated around the world. Families brought their children to create crafts and a holiday memory. Five activities were prepared for the kids to rotate through. At each table, there was an adult to guide the craft and a printed definition of who celebrates the occasion and why. The first table was reindeer chow, a snack for reindeer. Oats and rainbow frosting sprinkles were mixed in small paper sacks. They were food and magic for Santa’s reindeer. The second table was for the Epiphany, celebrated on Jan. 6 in Hispanic cultures, the Philippines, and Spain. Teaching that the three wise men brought gifts to Jesus when he was a baby, they made the Three Kings’ crowns. Full paper size cut out crowns, Crayola pens, glue, and plastic gems were used to decorate them. Next, the St. Nicholas Day table was prepared with photocopies of shoes to decorate, fold, and fill with candy. Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands celebrate this bishop on Dec. 6, because he placed gifts in people’s shoes. The final craft was making a Christmas ornament to celebrate the birth of Christ. The children had a felt star, wreath, or snowflake to decorate with craft pompoms. To complete the global adventure, jingle bells and play dough were available to build the tallest jingle structure possible, called the jingle bell maker challenge. “I like my annual Holiday Fest,” Rickets said of teaching different cultures to the children who come to the museum. Go to www.bellcountymuseum.org for more museum events.By Michele Weisman The Belton Journal
By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal Tigers underclassmen swimmers Micah Rodriguez, Brayden Ludwig and Luke Brunsting delivered impressive outings at last weekend’s Killeen ISD meet. The trio helped Belton place ninth in the final standings with nine points. Rodriguez, a sophomore, was third in the 200- yard freestyle with a time of 2 minutes, 9.14 seconds, and he was seventh (59.12) in the 100 freestyle. Brunsting was eighth (2:47.01) in the 200 individual medley and 19th (1:05.92) in 100 freestyle, while Ludwig was 10th (6:47.22) in the 500 freestyle and 32nd (29.93) in the 50 freestyle. Both are freshmen. Waco Midway emerged with the team title, producing 142 points. Lake Belton was seventh (12). B elton returns to action Jan. 5, when it hosts a competition against Lake Belton and New Tech. WRESTLING The Tigers and Lady Tigers return to action Saturday at Leander Vista Ridge. T he event is one of three remaining on Belton’s regular-season schedule. Lake Belton will also be in attendance at Vista Ridge after traveling to Burleson last week. The Lady Broncos were 1-2-1 at the meet as Anna Huffman, Kamryn Vaden and Lorelei Scallorn earned individual victories, while the Broncos were 2-2 thanks in part to wins from Joey Casmus, Carl Huffman, Jesse Whitmire and Kameron Adams . LAKE BELTON SOFTBALL The Lady Broncos will be holding an informative meeting regarding tryouts for the upcoming season Dec. 18 at 5:30 p.m. Coaches will be on hand to share information with players and parents regarding guidelines for how the tryout process will work later in January. The meeting is for all potential players of any grade. For more information, contact Lady Broncos head coach Kelsie McEachern at Kelsie.McEachern@ BISD.net. BELTON SOFTBALL The Lady Tigers will conduct tryouts for the upcoming season on Jan. 9 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Jan. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon. Participants must be academically eligible, have a current physical on file with the school and have submitted all other necessary paperwork. Final cuts will be made Jan. 10, and practice begins Jan. 12, when there will be a mandatory parent meeting at 6 p.m. For any questions, contact Belton head coach Morgan Birkel at Morgan.Birkel@BISD.netBy Clay Whittington The Belton Journa
By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal The streak continues. For more than a month, the Lady Broncos have been competing, traveling across the state to play some of the best teams possible, and so far, nobody can keep pace. Class 5A No. 7 Lake Belton extended its perfect start to the season Tuesday, winning its 18th straight game after collecting a second tournament championship. Over the weekend, the Lady Broncos took part in the Mineral Wells tournament, posting four victories en route to the title. In the opener against Nolan Catholic, Lake Belton received 12-point, sevenrebound showings from both Aniya Taylor, a junior point guard, and sophomore teammate Alexa King in a 51-31 win. Olivia Dann, a freshman small forward, finished with nine points and nine rebounds. The following day, the Lady Broncos put together another one-sided performance, beating Eagle Mountain by 44 points, 75-31 as King connected for a game-high 23 points, while Taylor (16 points, 10 rebounds), Dann (12 points) and sophomore guard Erica Taylor (10 points) contributed double-digit offense. That afternoon against Lubbock Trinity Christian, Alexa King guided Lake Belton to a 67-35 win, scoring 17 points, and she was complemented by a 14-point outing from junior shooting guard Gemma Pierce. Dann also scored 11 points, and Aniya Taylor had 10 points. With the trio of victories, the Lady Broncos advanced to the tournament’s championship against the host Lady Rams, and once again, it was not competitive. Lake Belton limited Mineral Wells to just one first-quarter point as it created a 15-point cushion and never eased up, claiming the title with a 61-31 win. Aniya Taylor finished with 14 points and was crowned the event’s most valuable player. Additionally, Ariella Polley, a senior swingman, and sophomore shooting guard Layla King scored 13 points and 11 points, respectively, and each was placed on the all-tournament team. On the heels of the outing, the Lady Broncos returned home Tuesday and dominated visiting Taylor 49-17. The contest marked Senior Night for the program, which celebrated center Amara Sanchez and Polley. Although Lake Belton has constructed a strong start, the goal is to find success during the District 16-5A schedule and in the playoffs, and the Lady Broncos will not have to wait long for the opportunity. L ake Belton hosts Madisonville on Friday with tipoff set for 4:30 p.m. before taking some time off for the Christmas holiday. Then, the Lady Broncos return to action Dec. 29, opening play at the three-day Killeen ISD tournament and follow with a trip to Salado on Jan. 2.League play starts one week later as Lake Belton plays at Belton. Last season, the Lady Broncos placed third in the district’s final standings with a 5-5 record. By Clay Whittington The Belton Journal
Brett Sniffin’s career is complete. For more than three decades, the veteran head coach dedicated himself to football, guiding multiple teams to prominence on the field, including Belton. After six successful seasons with the Tigers, though, Sniffin is stepping away from the sport. Sniffin announced his retirement Monday, concluding a run like nothing Belton fans have ever experienced. In 2020, Sniffin inherited a 3-7 squad, and in his first campaign, the program was forced to navigate its way through the coronavirus pandemic, and the result was another three-win season. Then, everything changed. During the next five years, Sniffin guided the Tigers to the playoffs every season, becoming the only head coach in school history to accomplish the feat. With a 6-5 record, Belton made its first playoff appearance under Sniffin, and the Tigers followed the showing by winning a combined 19 games and celebrating consecutive district championships in the ensuing two years. It was Belton’s first league title since 1974. The Tigers encountered adversity in 2024, losing seven games to start the season before earning two critical victories to close the campaign and extend the playoff streak. In his final season, Sniffin led Belton to a 5-6 record, bringing his overall record to 35-31 with the team. For his career, Sniffin won 110 games with only 53 defeats, qualified for the playoffs in all but one season and hoisted seven district championships. The son of a football coach, Sniffin followed in his father’s footsteps, beginning his career in 1992, and two years later, he was part of Iowa’s Hudson High School’s state championship team, serving as the program’s defensive coordinator. At Fort Bend Ridge Point, where he spent the first eight of his 14 years as a head coach, Sniffin led the team to the 2015 state semifinals. He was 75-22 as the Panthers’ first head coach with two undefeated regular seasons. While the decision will undoubtedly alter the Tigers’ trajectory, whoever takes over will be set up for success thanks to Sniffin. Belton averaged 30.5 points last season, topping the 40-point plateau three times, and multiple key components from the unit are set to return. Atop the list is standout receiver Gavin Ross, who rewrote the school’s record book as a junior, when he caught 110 passes for 1,478 yards and 13 touchdowns. It was the seventh most receptions in Class 5A, Division II history. Additionally, dual-threat quarterback Will Shepard, who passed for 1,792 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 631 yards and 10 touchdowns, and running back Javid Planz (87-449, 5TDs) will be seniors. Offensive linemen Beckett Butler, Jaxon Simmons and Ben Gutierrez, who are juniors, and sophomores Frederick Makubi and Cason Morton are also poised to continue contributing. Defensively, sophomore linebackers Alex Carpenter and Oakley Torres and junior defensive back Azian Wilkinson combined for 181 total tackles, four sacks, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions and three caused fumbles.
Green December 7, 1926 – December 14, 2025 Novalene Green Novalene (Caffey) Green, age 99, of Temple, passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025 in Scott & White Hospital ICU. She was born at home on December 7, 1926 in the little community of Tracy, Milam County, Texas. She was the firstborn of Lenza Eugene Caffey and Virginia Ruth (Duncan) Caffey. Her brothers and sister were Lenza Eugene Caffey Jr., Clement Dalton Caffey, William Wayne Caffey, Anita Ruth (Caffey) Davis, and Clyde Barkley Caffey. To this close knit family she was affectionately known as “Sister”! Visitation will be held on Friday, December 19, 2025 from 5:00 P.M. – 7:00 P.M. at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home, 3110 Airport Rd, Temple, Texas 76504. Funeral services will take place on Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at Oak Park United Methodist Church, 5505 South 31st, Temple, TX 76502, Rev. Jonathan Mellette officiating, with burial at Greathouse Cemetery in Temple. Novalene grew up on a farm in Milam County between the communities of Sharp and Tracy. She graduated from Sharp High School in 1944. She was very compassionate, caring, and nurturing by nature, which led her to the field of nursing. Her Daddy thought she should pursue an administrative career. However, when she told him she felt a calling to take care of God’s people; he understood and changed his mind in support of her decision to be a nurse. She attended the Scott & White School of Nursing, graduated as a Registered Nurse and began a 37-year nursing career. Her first job in nursing was at Santa Fe Memorial Hospital where she enjoyed taking excellent care of the Santa Fe railroaders. She advanced through a variety of nursing positions and became the Director of Nursing. She held this position until the merger of Santa Fe and Scott & White Hospitals. Following the merger, her care focus shifted to Social Services Administration. She retired from her nursing career in 1992. She was an active volunteer in church, hospital, and community organizations. She was also a founding member of Oak Park UMC. She may have retired, but she never stopped being a compassionate nurse. She was sought after by family and friends for advice on their health concerns. Her response would always be “I won’t tell you what to do, but if it were me, this is what I would do.” On August 20, 1952, she married Fred T. Green in a very early morning ceremony in Temple. Their honey-moon was to Cuba, Central, and South America; a trip Daddy had won by selling more tickets than any other Pioneer agent. This was the trip of lifetime for them both. In 1953, Bradford Bruce was born and Brady Len followed in 1955. In 1957, Fred and Novalene became the owner/ operators of the Buckhorn Poultry Ranch just south of Belton. It was here that they raised their two sons and ran the Ranch for almost 40 years. Family and family gatherings were important to Mom. She loved Fred and the boys very much and took great pride in all her family and their accomplishments. She was an active supporter of all of Brad and Brady’s activities throughout their lives. She was an avid sports fan, specifically football, baseball, and basketball. Mom was one of God’s Angels sent to be among us to show us how to live life and live it abundantly. She insisted the boys be polite, respectful, and kind. She was truly the Matriarch of both the Caffey and Green Families and held the respect of all who crossed her path. Mom was the most positive person you’d ever meet – never a negative thought – she’d always find something good in every situation or circumstance. She would greet everyone with a warm smile and an encouraging word. She had a heart bigger than life. Novalene is survived by sons Brad Green and wife Betsy of Houston and Brady Green and wife Maria of Fair Oaks Ranch, a granddaughter Virginia Flippin and husband Robbie and great-grandsons Landry, Carter, and Reece of The Woodlands, a grandson Jason Green and wife Julissa of Cypress and many extended family members. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred, parents, Lenza and Ruth and brothers Lenza Jr. and Wayne. Novalene’s family thanks CareAge HomeCare Team, Scott & White Hospital and Clinic Staffs for Mom’s great care; as well as the Morada residents and staff for their love and friendship towards Mom. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Oak Park United Methodist Church or to the donor’s charity of choice would be appreciated.
Special to The Journal Lake Belton High School Girls Basketball Coach Tiffney Barnes reached a major milestone on Thursday, November 13, securing her 100th career win during the Broncos’ game versus Stratford. Barnes said the achievement reflects years of hard work, growth and dedication shared by her staff and athletes. “Hitting 100 career wins represents years of sacrifice and growth both on and off the court,” Barnes said. “We have faced challenges, leaned on the people who support us and learned from the moments that shaped us. It shows how far we have come and motivates us to keep pushing forward.” Barnes said the biggest lesson she has learned through 100 wins is that success is rooted in consistency. “It is not about one big moment,” she said. “It is the daily habits, the discipline and the preparation. Every win taught me something, whether it was how to handle pressure or trust the work we put in. And you cannot do it alone. Teammates, coaches, mentors and supporters have shaped every step of this journey.” Her players were thrilled when they realized the victory marked win number 100. “They were excited to be part of this milestone,” Barnes said. “They are a big reason we reached it, and they want to keep this journey going.” Even in the excitement, Barnes remains focused on what comes next. “The journey is never over,” she said. “There is always someone working to get better, so we must keep grinding and never become comfortable.” Belton ISD Athletic Director Sam Skidmore praised Barnes’ impact on the program. “Coach Barnes sets high expectations and models the work it takes to reach them,” Skidmore said. “Her consistency and leadership have strengthened the Lake Belton girls basketball program, and we are proud of her.” Barnes said the milestone fuels the team’s momentum. “This win reminds us of what we are capable of, but it also pushes us to keep growing,” she said. “We are grateful, we are hungry and we are ready for what’s next.”
The Tigers needed a total team effort to reach the playoffs for a fifth consecutive season. Recently, however, individuals were honored. One year ago, Belton earned just two victories after combining for 19 in the prior pair of seasons, but the trend did not continue as the Tigers bounced back, placing third in the 2025 final league standings. As a result, they were rewarded. Belton averaged more than 30 points per game en route to a 5-6 overall record, and the production led to six players landing on the 10-5A, Division II All-District First Team. Engineering the offense, junior quarterback Will Shepard completed 127 of 195 passes for 1,792 yards and 15 touchdowns along with carrying the ball 112 times for 631 yards and 10 scores rushing. Shepard’s favorite target was junior Gavin Ross, who had 84 receptions for 1,218 yards and 11 touchdowns, while on the ground, senior running back Gino Zecca complemented Shepard’s output by rushing for 537 yards and six touchdowns on 126 carries. He also caught 11 passes for 177 yards and three scores. A trio of junior linemen rounded out the Tigers’ offensive first-team selections with Beckett Butler, Jaxon Simmons and center Ben Gutierrez making the list. The group helped Belton average 220 yards passing and 183 yards rushing. Additionally, senior receiver Achilles Palomares, junior running back Javid Planz, sophomore lineman Frederick Makubi and sophomore tight end Cason Morton were placed on the second team offense. Defensively, senior end Jacob Lewis, senior tackle Evan Lockett, senior inside linebacker Camron Ellis, sophomore inside linebacker Oakley Torres and sophomore outside linebacker Alex Carpenter landed on the second team. Corin Ramesar, a senior kicker, was also a member of the first team after connecting on 41 of 42 extra-point attempts and three field goals. Shepard was also recognized on the second team as a punter. Brenham and Waco University were bestowed a majority of the superlatives after finishing tied atop the standings. Trojans senior receiver London Smith was named most valuable player after catching 79 passes for 1,455 yards and 20 touchdowns, and University was named coaching staff of the year. Cubs senior receiver Chris Guidry had 70 receptions for 1,355 yards and 22 touchdowns en route to being named offensive player of the year, while senior teammate Caleb Espinoza, a middle linebacker, was named defensive player of the year, and senior Mason Seeber was named lineman of the year. Seeber finished with 57 tackles, including 20 solo, with 14 going for a loss and recovered three fumbles, while Espinoza finished with 89 tackles, a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery and a caused fumble. The remaining superlatives were awarded to Ellison sophomore quarterback Marlyn Smith and Waco sophomore Michael Leonard, who were named offensive and defensive newcomer of the year, respectively. Leonard had 137 total tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery, and Smith passed for 2,924 yards and 26 touchdowns to go with 643 yards and 15 touchdowns rushing.
By Aries Ramos The Belton Journal The 2025 high school soccer season is beginning across Belton ISD, and all four varsity programs enter the year preparing for competitive schedules and the chance to improve on last season’s results. Each team brings a mix of returning experience and new contributors, and all have spent the offseason working to strengthen team identity and build momentum. The Belton High School girls team is coming off a solid season and will look to develop younger players stepping into larger roles after the graduation of several key seniors. Preseason training has focused heavily on possession, finishing, and improving on-field communication. The Belton boys team showed noticeable improvement last season, especially in defensive structure and overall cohesion. With several returning players in key positions, including the midfield and back line, the Tigers have a strong foundation heading into the year. The Belton boys will begin their preseason schedule with a scrimmage against Killeen High School on Friday, December 12th at Leo Buckley Stadium. JV-B will play at 4:30 p.m., JV-A at 5:30 p.m., and varsity at 7:15 p.m. The Lake Belton girls program enters the upcoming season with optimism after showing growth last year. Head coach Jamie Tibbetts said she is most excited about the maturity of this year’s roster and the commitment players showed throughout the offseason. She noted that the focus early in the season will be on improving technical sharpness, decision making, and maintaining a strong defensive shape. Tibbetts described the offseason as productive and energetic, with multiple players stepping up as leaders both on and off the field. The Lady Broncos will open their preseason with a home scrimmage against Hutto on December 12th at 7 p.m., giving coaches and players a first look at how offseason improvements translate to game situations. The Lake Belton boys team continues to develop as a program and enters the new season looking to build consistency after a mix of promising performances and challenges last year. The offseason centered around increasing physicality, improving ball control, and strengthening organization across all positions. Improved communication and fitness have also been areas of progress. With scrimmages this week and the regular season set to begin soon, both Belton High School and Lake Belton High School are focused on building momentum and competing strongly within their districts.