1961 Celeste High School graduate, Sarah Roach Swindell, received the Blue Devil Appreciation Award at the All Sports Awards Ceremony on May 9, 2022. Many of us know Sarah as being one of the most devoted and loyal Blue Devil fans around. Her team spirit, support and love for the students and athletes of Celeste High School is truly unsurpassed. She has spent hours writing hand written notes of inspiration, congratulation, and encouragement to our students. Over the years, she has attended countless athletic events to cheer on the Blue Devils and Lady Blue Devils. Sarah has good reason for her intense support and enthusiasm. She spent her high school years as an outstanding Celeste athlete herself! She played basketball, softball, volleyball, and tennis all 4 years of high school. She was named Best Basketball Player ’59, ’60, ’61, All-Tournament Team ’58, 2nd All District Team ’59, and 1st All District Team ’60. She placed 1st in District Tennis and 1st and 2nd in Regional Tennis. In 1960, she received the Most Athletic Girl award. In addition to sports, Sarah was very active in school clubs and academics. She served as the editor of the Blue Devil and Blue Devils’ Den newsletter, student council officer, Future Homemakers of America officer, 4H member, music club and class reporter. She also participated in the pep squad, and she was a drum majorette. Sarah managed to be involved with all these activities all the while keeping the highest scholastic standings and perfect attendance! Sarah went on to graduate East Texas State University and came back to Celeste to teach off and on from 1968 to 1980. She coached basketball at Celeste with Coach Tillerson to a Bi District Championship and District Champ Volleyball girls. There should not be any doubt about how Sarah Swindell Roach has come to be one of the greatest Blue Devil fans! She has lived it, loved it, and she will forever cherish her Blue Devil Family!
Besides cheering on the coaches and students, Sarah has devoted herself to the history and traditions of Celeste schools and the community by serving as a town historian. Along with David Kent and Vicki Griffis, Sarah served as an editor on the book Memories in Blue in White: History of Celeste Schools. Copies of the book are on the library shelves at each campus for students, staff and teachers. The history of the book dates back to the early 1900’s, and it is a wonderful resource for all Blue Devils.
Mr. Mike Lewis and Sarah Swindell - "Who ya rootin' for!", yell leaders and longtime Blue Devil fans! Mike and his late wife, Connie, were recipients of the Blue Devil Appreciation Award in 2019.
Coach Demetrius Rector & Superfan, Sarah Swindell
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