Kree Harrison to perform at BC Classic Cardinal Reunion

Cindy Claybar and Judge John Gothia will be presented as this year's Outstanding Alumni at the high school homecoming football game Oct. 18 by the Bridge City High School Alumni Association. They will be honored on Saturday at the Classic Cardinal Reunion.

American Idol season 12 runner-up Kree Harrison will entertain with an acoustic set of just her and her guitar player.

"I wanted it to be kind of intimate," she said. I've done the full band shows here but I wanted to take advantage of a kind of unplugged set."

"I'm excited because it's totally my wheelhouse from the 50s to 70s... that's the music that I absolutely love," she said. "It's kinda my medicine, so I'll be able to do some covers that you know was part of that era, but then also some new music that I've been writing."

Harrison has released two albums since her appearance on Idol and is currently working on music for her third studio album, so attendees may get a chance to be some of the first to hear some new tunes. She said she has been splitting her time between Bridge City and Nashville for the last several years and is currently in a relationship with someone in Texas but declined to disclose his name at this time. She hinted there could be some Easter eggs concerning his identity in the songs on which she is currently working. She has played in the area over the last few years, around the holidays, because it gives her the opportunity to visit with family at the same time.

Of the two honorees, Cindy Sandefer Claybar is the daughter of the late Morris and Virginia Sandefer and is a member of the class of 1969. She received teaching degrees in multiple subjects from Lamar University and taught in local schools for 45 years, retiring from LCM-CISD in 2012. Her summer art programs have flourished in Orange County for over forty years.

She helped develop two outdoor environmental classrooms and was recognized in National Park Magazine for a Federal Grant awarded to Bridge City Intermediate for C.A.R.E Park. She initiated the development of an interpretive nature trail for people with physical challenges at Claiborne West Park in Orange County. Claybar has received many awards in her career including Teacher of the Year and Conservation Teacher of the Year.

Claybar married Ambrose Claybar Jr. in 1972. They have a daughter, Angelique Claybar; a son and daughter-in law, Joey, and Melanie Claybar; and two grandsons, Carter, and Colton Claybar. Her siblings, Morris Sandefer and Cathy Sandefer Hatton are also graduates of Bridge City High School.

Claybar hopes she has instilled in her students both the love of art and community service. "What you do for yourself dies with you when you leave this world, what you do for others and community exists far after you are gone." Sir Ken Robinson

John Gothia graduated from Bridge City High School in 1980 then attended Lamar University. He worked for Altria for 32 years as a sales manager then retired to pursue local political service. He was elected Orange County Commissioner Pct 3 in 2017 serving two years until he was elected Orange County Judge in 2019. He has held that position since.

Gothia is married to Glynis Wright, also a BCHS graduate and a retired teacher who taught at Bridge City Elementary. They have two sons, Hunter who is a graduate of Lamar Institute of Technology and Forrest, a graduate of Texas A&M University Law School. The Gothias are proud grandparents of Emily Gothia. They are active members of Faith Methodist Church in Orange.

Gothia is a past President for Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission and was named Citizen of the Year in 2012 by the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce. John is currently involved in Sabine Chapter Ducks Unlimited, American Red Cross Club, and past chairman of United Way. He is also a past Chairman of the Board for the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce and served as co- chairman for the Bassmaster Elite Fishing Tournaments since 2013.

While this is a private event, Harrison will be performing in the area again on Dec. 7 at Cotton's Cay with the Alley Cats, Cajun Blend and some other musical acts in a fundraiser for Teens in Need. More details on that later.