Partnership presents $15,000 check

'We are so very thankful'

Holly Springs High School athletics recently received a financial boost, thanks to alumni charity basketball games between Olive Branch and Holly Springs on July 6 at Olive Branch High School.

The men’s and women’s games were organized, promoted and hosted by the Wright Way Foundation, led by NFL legend K.J. Wright, and the TPC Foundation, headed up by Holly Springs High School alumnus Darrel Thomas.

On Monday, July 29, Jacqueline Wright and Thomas presented a $15,000 check to Holly Springs High School Principal Cravin Turnage to be used for Hawks basketball. Turnage said he is very thankful for the tremendous community support of the schools.

“We thank Mr. K.J. Wright for hosting the recent basketball event in neighboring DeSoto County and asking Holly Springs High School alumni to be a part of it this year,” Turnage said. “And words cannot express how appreciative we are for the continuing, tireless efforts of one of our own, Mr. Darrel Thomas. He is a special person, dedicated to improving the educational and extra-curricular opportunities for our youth.

“The contribution from the partnership (the Wright Way Foundation and TPC Foundation) will be utilized to support our Hawks as they continue to strive for excellence in athletic competition.

“The Wright Way Foundation and Mr. Thomas’ TPC Foundation are the perfect examples of giving back to our communities. We applaud their efforts, and again, we are so very thankful.”

The second annual Holly Springs High School alumni games, organized, promoted and hosted by the TPC Foundation, will be held in conjunction with Holly Springs High School football homecoming. The football Hawks will face Benton County rival Ashland on Friday night, Sept. 13, on Danny Warren Field at Sam Coopwood Park. Football homecoming is always a big deal with alumni gathering for tailgating activities and enjoying the football game. The alumni basketball games will follow on Saturday, Sept. 14, in the high school gymnasium.

As a result of last year’s Holly Springs High School alumni games, a $12,000 check was presented to Holly Springs High School by Thomas, with 50 percent designated for athletics and 50 percent for the classroom. Since some of the proceeds from this year’s Olive Branch-Holly Springs alumni basketball contests went to Hawk athletics, Thomas said money raised from this year’s Holly Springs High School Alumni Games will all go to education, including classroom needs and scholarships for members of the Class of 2024.