The Bridge City High School Alumni Association has selected two outstanding alumni for the 2024 Distinguished Alumni award. Cindy Claybar and Judge John Gothia were presented with plaque at the high school homecoming football game October 18 then again at the annual Classic Cardinal Reunion on October 19. The entertainment for the reunion will be provided by Kree Harrison an American Idol runner-up for season 12.
Cindy Sandefer Claybar is the daughter of the late Morris and Virginia Sandefer. She attended Bridge City ISD from upper elementary through graduation in May 1969. At Lamar University, she received bachelor’s degrees in All Levels Art, Elementary Self-Contained Social Studies/Science, Elementary Art Specialist, and Generic Special Education.
Cindy 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. Cindy taught at area schools for 45 years and retired from LCM-CISD in 2012. Her summer art programs have flourished in Orange County for over forty summers. She used the tuition from these programs to donate back toward student art supplies, scholarships, and services. Through Cindy’s passion for teaching environmental conservation, she helped develop two outdoor environmental classrooms and was recognized in National Park Magazine for a Federal Grants awarded to Bridge City Intermediate for C.A.R.E Park. She organized the first March for Parks in Texas. With the help of her coworkers, students, the park director, Donna Scales, and volunteers, she initiated the development of an interpretive nature trail for people with physical challenges at Claiborne West Park in Orange, County. The project received a twenty-five-thousand-dollar grant from the Stark Foundation…