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To submit photos and information recognizing your friends and neighbors for their accomplishments, e-mail Community Editor Ken Sury at ksury@wacotrib.com or call 757-5750. Not all photos can be used; please provide contact information.

Central Texas Hearing Aid gives sound to young child

Central Texas Hearing Aid and Repair Center of Waco recently provided a local child with two new hearing aids after the 5-year-old girl lost one of hers during her family’s recent move to Waco.

Central Texas Hearing Aid fitted Angelina Tamez with the new hearing aids for free.

Her mother, Celena, brought the girl to the Waco business Feb. 18 after a referral from King’s Daughters Hospital in Temple.

“If someone needs help, that’s what we’re here for,” said Debbie Spradlin, owner of Central Texas Hearing Aid and Repair Center. She and hearing instrument specialist Dale Wallace stayed after hours that Friday evening so that the single mom of three could come in after work.

“(Angelina) was a little scared until we got her settled in,” Wallace recalled. The child sat on her mother’s lap as her hearing was tested. During that testing it was discovered that the hearing aids Angelina had were outdated, so they were able to replace them with better instruments.

“When it came time to put them on, she wanted to put them on herself,” he said. “She put them on and there was no brighter light in the room than hers when I turned them on.”

Angelina was full of joy that she could again hear her mother talk without reading her lips, he said.

“That’s what we love about this business,” said Wallace, “being able to help.”

Michael and Debbie Spradlin founded Central Texas Hearing Aid and Repair Center. She is continuing the business after her husband died suddenly on Dec. 16.

Angelina wasn’t the first child they helped. Debbie said they also provided a 2-year-old with a needed hearing aid a few years ago.

Helping children has always come naturally for the Spradlins and Wallace, who were all Shriners together.

“I’m just carrying on what (Michael) taught me,” Wallace said.

“I want to thank my good friend Debbie for allowing me the privilege to do this,” Wallace added. “This is something I will never forget.”

Vicki Wallace photo

Debbie Spradlin (left) and Dale Wallace with Central Texas Hearing Aid and Repair Center in Waco provided free hearing aids to Angelina Tamez, 5, who sits in the lap of her mother, Celena.

All-State Choir honor

Reicher Catholic High School students Robert Chacon and Julia DeLaRosa were selected by audition for the Texas Private Schools Music Educators Association All-State Choir. They were among the top 25 singers in their region whose audition advanced them to the state judging and were in the top 40 selected at state. This was Robert’s second year to be selected for All-State. Nathan Brooks, a Reicher junior, was selected for the Region Choir.

Reicher Catholic High School photo

Back in the classroom

Waco Mayor Jim Bush and City Manager Larry Groth recently spoke to students at Rapoport Academy’s Meyer High School. The high school runs on a college schedule with college prep classes held when their college classes are not in session. Topics are targeted toward college success. The officials spoke about their experiences as city leaders. Students with the mayor (top photo, from left) are Phalan Bukowski, Paloma Matis-Ryan, Lenore Wright, Josh Sigala and Katie Blaha-Robinson. Students with Groth (bottom photo, from left) are Emily Garner, Alice Yount, Devin Finley, Alvin Daniliuc, Anna Schattschneider and Heather Codney.

Rapoport Academy photos — Gaylene Reed