From Staff Reports

Jemison Elementary School third graders held a service learning project to benefit tornado victims in Alabama.

The project began on April 28, and the students have since collectively raised $4,000.

Last week, representatives with the American Red Cross visited the school to accept the donation.

The students raised money through bake sales, lemonade stands, mowing grass, picking up garbage, cleaning shelves and more.

The community supported the students’ efforts, and a $1,000 donation from Tammie Hatch, owner of Subway restaurants in Chilton County, helped the students achieve the $4,000 total.

The ultimate goal of the service learning project was for the students to understand what helping others meant. The teachers challenged the students to do something independently to benefit others.

“The end result was for each child to make a difference in a small way,” said third grade teacher Stephanie Sirmons, whose class raised $2,763. “The students achieved the goal and now have the lifelong memory of making a significant difference for people in need.”

Slay Stevens of the American Red Cross and Bobby Martin accepted the donation.

“We are very proud of the effort and hard work of our students,” school Principal Louise Pitts said.

By Stephen Dawkins | Assistant Managing Editor

Jemison Elementary School students learn each year that their career possibilities are as boundless as their imaginations.

The school holds a three-day Career Day event to introduce students of all grades to professionals from many career fields.

“We want to let them see there is a wide variety of things to do,” said counselor Brenda Godbold, who organizes the event along with fellow counselor Jared Hood. “Our future workers get a hands-on introduction to many interesting jobs, which will help them make positive choices for their future.

Speakers this year included workers from the following fields: telecommunications, photojournalism, meteorology, ballet, culinary arts, optometry, plumbing, entrepreneurship, public service, genealogy, law, martial arts, ministry, police, firefighting, real estate and farming.

Margaret Beal, a retired high school English teacher who is involved with the PEECH organization, told students why English is an important subject.

“If you can read and understand what you read, you can learn anything,” Beal said.

Jason Roth, pastor at Mineral Springs Baptist Church, showed students photographs from areas of the state devastated by tornadoes in late April, taken while Rothe went to provide assistance.

“My job as a pastor is to be able to help people through the storms in their lives,” he said.

The event is a culmination of career awareness lessons presented by the school counselors.

“Speakers share how the students’ day-to-day learning experiences relate to possible career choices and discuss the skills, tools and training needed for their jobs,” Godbold said. “Some of the speakers go into the classrooms, and others are stationary locations for the students to visit. The demonstrations serve to motivate students to stay in school and pursue their goals.”

First grade

All A’s

Ashley Adams, Hayden Anderson, Khalijah Andrews, Julio Axol-Roman, Jasmine Beane,Angel Benites, Grace Ann Biel, Connor Bishop, Brantley Bishop, Seth Bittle, Matt Brasher, Levi Burchfield, Chance Caputo, Camden Cummings, Halley Davis, Erin Deavers, Alex Dewitt, Cole Elrod, Jordan Epperson, Sydney Espinoza, Caeden Forbach, Elizabeth Frankllin, Sierra Gaines, Lorenzo Garcia, Dillan Garza, Nate Gatson, Mary Hayley Gillespie, Bella Gilliland, Ruben Gonzalez, Tyler Gothard, Lacey Gothard, Cole Gray, America Gutierrez, Jason Gutierrez, Jackson Hallmark, Natalie Harris, Jadia Harris, Carson Hayes, Canaan Henderson, Gracie Henry, Harrison Hilyer, Quinn Jackson, Abigail Johnson, Haileigh Kimbrel, Jacob Knight, Patrick Litleton-Gadberry, Emily Loggins, Margarita Lopez, Mckenzi Luster, Luz Malpica, Kristopher McAnally, Julie Ann McNair, Grace Means, Fernanda Medina, Juliet Mendoza, Logan Mitchell, Jacob Monks, Michael Nance, Enrique Ortiz, Michaell Perez, Lia Perez, Kasey Phillips, Josh Plier, Luke Porter, Halie Powe, Nathan Quesenberry, Kayla Ray, Alexis Redd, Skylar Reeves, Chrissy Rhea, Gracie Roberts, Citlaly Roman, Gracie Schrader, Kelsey Scott, Chance Segal, Makalah Smith, Claire Smith, James Smith, Brisco Smith, Austin Smith, Leeann Smith, Jimmy Smith, Armani Sowell, Jacob Teal, Gauge Thompson, Braden Tillery, Karley Tillery, Demi Tolison, Jackson Tucker, Brianna Wakefield, caleb Webb, Heather Wood, Damon Wright

A’s and B’s

Sebastian Almodovar, Stephany Antnuez, Estefany Arguello, Emily Baker, Zechariah Bazzano, Kathryn Blow, Xavian Bryant, Jacob Burnett, Raven Busby, Braeden Calvert, Bethany Coffee, Gissell Delacruz, Tyler Ellison, Ava Franklin, Livie Galloway, Maverick Gentry, Hayden Hilyer, Brantley Hood, Haylee Hood, Haylee Ingram, Logan Jackson, Tristan Lee, Roselyn Lopez, Tayler Lowery, Austin Loyd, Danelyn Martinez, Austin Mathis, Jillian Miller, Gage Mims, Makayla Nemec, Emily Pena, Makalub Price, Laken Ray, Macey Robinson, Luis Robles, Guadalupe Rosas, Haily Schoener, Luz Serrano, Elijah Simon, Julieta Smith, Dylan Snipes, Jasmin Solano, Nathan Thornton, Arles Thrash, Payton Vanderslice, Jasmine Varden, Ryan Walden, Katlyn Walker, Ethan Vessels, Brooke West, Connor Wilhite, Baylee Woodall

Second grade

All A’s

Luke Alexander, Bladmir Angel, Nathan Bailey, Brandon Barcenas, Georgia Belligan, Kinley Bolton, Austin Brown, Carson Brown, Noah Carroll, Ben Champange, Macaleb Collum, Braden Compton, Cameron Crabb, Kameron Dawson, John Doaks, Bronson Dufrene, Allison Edge, Hannah Ellison, Jose Flores, Ivonne Garcia, Jailyn Giddens, Jocelyn Guizar, Caitlyn Harris, Ryan Harris, Jack Hayes, Ashlee Hilyer, Caleb Hobbs, Sarah Hubbard, Kylie Hutton, Nathan Johns, Sarah Jones, Anna Kendrick, Matlie Lawrence, Karla Mancilla, Gabby Marquez, Hayden McCullough, Colin Meeks, Brenda Mendoza, Eric Mitchell, Luke Mitchell, Oscar Mondragon, Courtney Moore, Deven Mre, John Moore, Madeline Moore, Adrianna Newson, Lynealya Nunn, Victoria Olguin, Laisha Pinon, Assyson Plier, Brianna Poe, Cody Posey, Audrey Price, Adrianna Quinilla, Isaac Ramirez, Jason Rico, Dallas Sadler, Austin Scott, Christian Simpson, John Lewis Smith, Sammi Snnipes, Christopher Tolbert, Tarun Varner, Carlos Villeda, Caitlin Waddell, Paisley Walker, Madison White, Dominic Williams, Cole Wilson, Keeli Wilson, Austin Wyatt, Kaitlyn Zanella-Roberts

A’s & B’s

Antonio Abarca, Ricky Absher, Terra Anderson, Nahomi Andrade, Bryan Angel, Kelsey Argo, Hunter Baker, Adriane Beavers, Austin Black, Luke Brasfield, Eli Brasher, Robin Burnette, Yahir Cabrera-Salazar, Taylor Carden, Xavier Cartwell, Kaden Childress, Jacob Cleckler, Emilee Culver, Amberly Davenport, Zully Del Valle, Adamaris Delgado, Harmony Demissie Ashley Drinkard, Breana Eaves, Maria Flores, Patrick Garrett, Riley Giles, Joshua Gilliland, Lane Golden, Humberto Guajardo, Katie Haggard, Zyon Hardnett, Brianna Headley, Angie Hernandez, Evelyn Jacobo, Drew Johns, Morgan Johnson, Mark Kalaj, Logan Kiefer, Camron Kimbro, Jacob Lane, Natalie Larocca, Derick Lowery, Arturo Malpica, Jase Marshall, Rilee Marshall, Rilee Martin, Yanet Melchor, Marybeth Porter, Roger Price, Jaden Rhinehart, Adam Rico, Austin Robinson, Kody Robinson, Jewelianna Rodriguez, Tylan Rudolph, Brooke Smith, Alejandra Solano, Chanse Swack, Erica Swinea, Alex Torres, Landon Updike, Marifer Valencia, Angela Vazquez

Third grade

All A’s

Dylan Benton, Elijah Bittle, Bryanna Blackmon, Leah Brackin, Tosha Burnett, Jackson Burnette, Hannah Grace Childress, McKenzie Cleckley, Bentley Cross, Cassidy Dansby, Chloe Eddins, Grayson Gann, Jesus Garcia, Autumn Gilreath, Grayson Graves, Mason Hadden, Jacob Hallman, Jacob Harris, Jasmine Ingram, Sairah Kilgore, Taylor Lane, Chase Lang, Jonathan Lowery, Damion Martin, Junithan McCall II, Francesca Millard, Bree Morris, Mattie Pace, Anna Patterson, Kelsey Porter, Nic Ray, Courtney Rogers, Alex Schrader, Gentry Scott, Ty Scott, Jacylin Smith, Emily Smitherman, Morgan Smitherman, Jasmine Stanley, Colin Tillery, Anna Walling, Briana Watson, Emma Weaver, Alishia Weir, Braylen Woodruff.

A’s & B’s

Keith Adams, Brittany Alonso, Alana Alverson, Elizabeth Bice, Makilah Bryant, Savannah Busby, Austin Byars, Jorge Calzoncit, Michael Castleberry, Tyler Chapman, Rebecca Childress, Ja’Lessia Childs, Christopher Christensen, Zac Clark, McKinnley Collum, Brandon Connell, Tonya Cook, Shelby Crowson, Isabel Cruz, Perla Cruz, Payge Davis, Leiah Davidson, Brooke Endress, Jared Fisher, Asia Flores, Sendy Flores, Caroline Foote, Colton Forester, Morgan Fowler, Aliya Franklin, Emily Fricke, Brandon Garcia, Emmanuel Garcia, Sara George, Noah Gilliland, Graci Golden, Daphne Gonzalez, Dulce Gonzalez, Tyler Grauel, London Grinstead, Jadelyn Hatch, Tucker Hilyer, Cierra James, Tashyra Johnson, Haley Joiner, Eyshala Jones, Destiny Kelly, Julia Kiefer, Braden Lawley, Tanner Lee, Tiffany Lemley, Jacob Littleton, Daniel Martin, Clyde Mathis, Monserrath Olarte, Keneth Orozco, Shakyia Pierce, Tyler Ray, Madeline Rhudy, Jessica Robinson, Edwin Sagastume, Bray Smith, Gracie Smith, Jordan Smith, Stormy Smitherman, Ashanti Sowell, Anna Speakman, Ceaira Stockdale, Reace Thompson, Ethan Thrash, Austin Tolbert, Tori Tucker, Antonio Verastgui, Alexis Vernon, Valeria Villagomez, Kaylb Williams and Tyler Wright.

Fourth grade

All A’s

Elian Alvarez, Jacob Beal, Hailey Bice, Suzie Blue, Dakota Brown, Tyler Burnett, Jose Campos, Shianne Conn, Sean Connell, Tanna Curtis, Megan Deavers, Peirston Dixon, Brynn Elliot, Emily English, Patrick Gentry, Wesley Gore, Daniel Green, Jordan Hallmark, Colin Hayes, Carlos Hernandez, A.J. Jackson, Preston Johnson, Casey Jones, Garrett Ledbetter, Aurelia Martinez, Mechelle Miller, Haley Moore, Madison Nemec, Keegan Pate, Blake Smith, Lane Smith, Jarred Taylor, Kyla Wilson, Logan Woodley.

A’s & B’s

Marissa Adams, Jacob Anderson, Brittany Bice, Casie Black, Ashlyn Blankenship, Tyra Brown, Andrew Carisle, Hannah Coffee, Shilah Conn, Brody Conway, Jacob Crabb, Hope Creamer, Kinsley Davison, Zac Dixon, Johniya Doaks, Christie Dutton, Heath Edge, May Ellis, Erristen Evans, Feliz Flores-Rodella, Breagan Franklin, Jocelyn Garcia, Juan Garcia, Deborah Garrett, Deanna Gilliland, Jasleigh Glass, Cindy Guajardo, Haley Haggard, Austin Harris, Ashton Hobbs, Courtney Hyde, Madison Isbell, Gannon Jackson, James Jurgens, Madison Kimbro, Hunter Knight, Braden Larocca, Adan Lowery, Hunter Lowery, Maria Maldonado, Madeline Manning, Sean Martin, Lia McAnally, Braden McDaniel, Chance Merrell, Gracie Mims, Mackenzie Mizzell, Madyson Mizzell, Kayla Moore, Callie Morris, Lexy Murphy, Sergio Nava, Jesse Nelson, Kaleb Nemec, Tanisha Nunn, Abigael Perales, Johana Perez-Moreno, Patrick Pickett, Brandom Pimentel, Daniela Pinon, Yoeth Pinon, Melaney Pope, Taleshia Ramsey, Grayson Ray, Destiny Rojas, AShley Sanders, Skylor Scott, Joshua Singletary, Samantha Smith, Jaray Smitherman, Kiara Steele, Jaren Swindle, Jake Thrash, Laurin Tillery, Margaret Torres, Jarrett Traywick, Lauren Tucker, Victoria Wier, Chris Williams, Gabe Wilson, Makenna Wiseman, Brianna Woodall, Kathy Yaras.

By Stephen Dawkins | Assistant Managing Editor

Jemison Middle School will likely continue to occupy Jemison Intermediate School for at least one more school year.

The intermediate school was built last year to ease crowding by giving Jemison four schools.

Shortly thereafter, education officials decided the transition would include moving the middle school to the intermediate school, located adjacent to Jemison Elementary, so that renovations could be completed at the old middle school building, which is adjacent to Jemison High School.

But the high cost of the renovations coupled with evaporating state education funding has put the project on hold, at least until the Alabama Legislature passes a budget.

“None of us like the building sitting empty like that, but right now we’re just having to wait,” Chilton County Superintendent of Education Dave Hayden said.

No timeline has been decided on beyond waiting to see what action is taken by the Legislature.

Before students could move back into the old building, the gymnasium—which has been declared unsafe—would have to be demolished, a new gym constructed and the entire facility renovated, Hayden said.

A two-year-old estimate on the project was $1.8 million, a number that could be higher when work actually begins.

Hayden said getting an answer about state funding would be the first step; he would then meet with the Board of Education to discuss whether the renovations would be possible.

If and when the updates were completed, a decision would have to be made about which grades would move back to the old building and which ones would remain at the intermediate. Even grades that are currently at Jemison’s high and elementary schools could be moved.

The elementary school currently houses grades kindergarten through fourth grade, the middle school houses grades 5-7 and the high school houses grades 8-12.

Jemison Middle School Principal Mark Knight said the intermediate school building meets the needs of his teachers, students and administrators.

As for the future, Knight said he plans only to be back in the new building next school year.

“We’re assuming next year will be the same,” Knight said.

First grade

All A’s

Ashley Adams, Christiane Aldana, Khalijah Andrews, Julio Axol-Roamn, Zech Bazzano, Jasmine Beane, Grace Ann Biel, Brantley Bishop, Connor Bishop, Seth Bittle, Matt Brasher, Levi Burchfield, Jocob Burnett, Raven Busby, Chance Caputo, Bethany Coffee, Camden Cummings, Halley Davis, Erin Deavers, Yahir Delgado, Alex Dewitt, Cole Elrod, Sydney Espinoza, Caeden Forbach, Ava Franklin, Elizabeth Franklin, Sierra Gaines, Livie Galloway, Dillan Garza, Mary Haysley Gillespie, Bella Gilliland, Ruben Gonzalez, Lacey Gothard, Tyler Gothard, Cole Gray, Brody Griffin, America Gutierrez, Jason Gutierrez, Jackson Hallmark, Jadia Harris, Natalie Harris, Carson Hayes, Canaan Henderson, Gracie Henry, Harrison Hilyer, Haylee Ingram, Quinn Jackson, Abigail Johnson, Jacob Knight, Tristan Lee, Patrick Littleton-Gadberry, Emily Loggins, Margarita Lopez, Tayler Lowery, McKenzi Luster, Destiny Mann, Austin Mathis, Kristopher McAnally, Julie Ann McNair, Grace Means, Juliet Mendoza, Jillian Miller, Logan Mitchell, Jacob Monks, Michael Nance, Makayla Nemec, Emily Pena, Lia Perez, Michael Perez, Kasey Phillips, Josh Plier, Luke Porter, Halie Powe, Nathan Quesenberry, Kayla Ray, Laken Ray, Alexis Redd, Skylar Reeves, Chrissy Rhea, Gracie Schrader, Kelsey Scott, Chance Seagle, Makalaii Skinner, Austin Smith, Brisco Smith, Claire Smith, James Smith, Jimmy Smith, Julieta Smith, Armani Sowell, Jacob Teal, Gauge Thompson, Braden Tillery, Karley Tillery, Demi Tolison, Jackson Tucker, Brianna Wakefield, Ryan Walden, Caleb Webb, Brooke West, Heather Wood, Damon Wright.

A’s and B’s

Jose Adame, Sebastian Almodovar, Hayden Anderson, Estefany Arguello, Emily Baker, Angel Benites, Kathryn Blow, Xavian Bryant, Braeden Calvert, Gissell Delacruz, Tyler Elliosn, Lorenzo Garcia, Nate Gatson, Maverick Gentry, Hayden Hilery, Brantley Hood, Emily Hoyt, Dante Juarez, Haileigh Kimbrel, Roselyn Lopez, Austin Loyd, Luz Malpica, Danelyn Martinez, Fernanda Medina, Gage Mims, Kentera Mitchell, Makalub Price, Macey Robinson, Luis Robles, Guadalupe Rosas, Hayden Rothe, Tiyona Sanders, McKenzie Sauer, Haily Schoener, Luz Serrano, Elijah Simon, Payton Vanderslice, Ashley Walker, Katlyn Walker, Conner Wilhite, Baylee Woodall, Kaylin Woodall.

Second grade

All A’s

Luke Alexander, Terra Anderson, Bladimir Angel, Nathan Bailey, Adriane Beavers, Austin Black, Kinley Bolton, Eli Brasher, Austin Brown, Carson Brown, Xavier Cartwell, Ben Champagne, Braden Compton, Cameron Crabb, Zully Delvalle, Harmony Demissie, John Doaks, Bronson Dufrene, Allison Edge, Hannah Ellison, Jose Flores, Ivonne Garcia, Jailyn Giddens, Humberto Guajardo, Caitlyn Harris, Ryan Harris, Jack Hayes, Caleb Hobbs, Sarah Jones, Anna Kendrick, Matlie Lawrence, Karla Mancilla, Gabriela Marquez, Colin Meeks, Yanet Melchor, Brenda Mendoza, Eric Mitchell, Luke Mitchell, Oscar Mondragon-Flores, Courtney Moore, Deven Moore, John Moore, Madeline Morris, Victoria Olguin, Addyson Plier, Brianna Poe, Cody Posey, Audrey Price, Adriana Quinilla, Isaac Ramirez, Jason Rico, Jewelianna Rodriguez, Dallas Sadler, Christian Simpson, John Lewis Smith, Sammi Snipes, Christopher Tolbert, Alex Torres, Tarun Varner, Caitlin Waddell, Madison White, Cole Wilson, Keeli Wolson, Austin Wyatt.

A’s and B’s

Antonio Abarca Flores, Ricky Absher, Bryan Angel, Brandon Bacenas, Georgia Belligan, Tyler Brasher, Dustin Buendtner, Robin D. Burnette, Yahir Cabrera-Salazar, Taylor Carden, Jacob Cleckler, Macaleb Collum, Emilee Culver, Kameron Dawson, Adamaris Delgado, Ashley Drinkard, Maria Flores, Lane Golden, Jocelyn Guizar, Katie Haggard, Zyon Hardnett, Brianna Headley, Angie Hernandez, Ashlee Hilyer, Natalie Hoyt, Kylie Hutton, Evelyn Jacobo, Gema Juarez, Logan Kiefer, Camron Kimbro, Jacob Lane, Natalie Larocca, Derick Lowery, Arturo Malpica, Jase Marshall, Rilee Martin, Wendy Martinez, Wendy Martinez, Hayden McCullough, Adrianna Newson, Lynealya Nunn, Laisha Pinon, Roger Price, D’Andre Ray, Jaden Rhinehart, Kody Robinson, Tylan Rudolph, Ryan Scales, Austin Scott, Brooke Smith, Logan Snipes, Chanse Swack, Michael Taylor, Blaze Thompson, Marifer Valencia, Angela Vazquez, Carlos Villeda, Paisley Walker, Kaitlyn Zanella-Roberts.

Third grade

All A’s

Keith Adams, Dylan Benton, Elizabeth Bice, Leah Brackin, Tosha Burnett, Jackson Burnette, McKenzie Cleckley, Bentley Cross, Cassidy Dansby, Chloe Eddins, Hannah Ellison, Caroline Foote, Jesus Garcia, Noah Gilliland, Autumn Gilreath, Grayson Graves, Mason Hadden, Jacob Hallman, Tucker Hilyer, Eysiiala Jones, Destiny Kelly, Taylor Lane, Chase Lang, Jonathan Lowery, Damion Martin, Bree Morris, Mattie Pace, Kelsey Porter, Jacob Tyler Ray, Nicolas Ray, Jessica Robinson, Courtney Rogers, Alex Schrader, Gentry Scott, Tyler Scott, Jacylin Smith, Jordan Smith Emily Smitherman, Morgan Smitherman, Jasmine Stanley, Colin Tillery, Tori Tucker, Anna Walling, Emma Weaver, Tyler Wright, Briana Watson.

A’s and B’s

Brittany Alonso, Alana Alverson, Elijah Bittle, Bryanna Blackmon, Makilah Bryant, Conner Bullock, Savannah Busby, Austin Byars, Tyler Chapman, Hannah Grace Childress, Ja’Lessia Childs, Christopher Christensen, Zac Clark, McKinnley Collumn, Christian Connell, Shelby Crowson, Isabel Cruz, Payge Davis, Brooke Endress, David Fernandez, Jared Fisher, Asia Flores, Sendy Flores, Colton Forester, Morgan Fowler, Emily Fricke, Grayson Gann, Brandon Garcia, Emmanuel Garcia, Sara George, Graci Golden, Daphne Gonzalez, Jacob Harris, Jadelyn Hatch, Bradley Headrick, Jasmine Ingram, Katie Ingram, Cierra James, Tashyra Johnson, Dawson Jones, Julia Kiefer, Sairah Kilgore, Morgan Langston, Braden Lawley, Tiffany Lemley, Daniel Martin, Clyde Mathis, Junithan McCall, Kimberlee Nieto, Monserrath Olarte, Keneth Orozco, Anna Patterson, Sha Kyia Pierce, Madeline Rhudy, Phoenix Roper, Autumn Smith, Bray Smith, Gracie Smith, Stormy Smitherman, Anna Speakman, Reace Thompson, Ethan Thrash, Austin Tolbert, Antonio Verastgui, Alexis Vernon, Alisha Weir, Braylen Woodruff.

Fourth grade

All A’s

Elian Alvarez, Jacob Beal, Brittany Bice, Ashlyn Blankership, Suzie Blue, Dakota Brown, Tyra brown, Tyler Brown, Shianne Conn, Tanna Curtis, Kinsley Davidson, Megan Deavers, Zachary Dixon, Johniya Doaks, Christie Dutton, A. J. Eaves, Emily English, Erristen Evans, Patrick Gentry, Wesley Gore, Daniel Green, Jordan Hallmark, Austin Harris, Colin Hayes, Madison Isbell, A. J. Jackson, Casey Jones, Hunter Knight, Hunter Lowery, Maria Maldonado, Lia McAnnaly, Braden McDaniel, Callie Morris, Madison Nemec, Destiny Norris, Keegan Pate, Jason Perez, Johana Perez-Moreno, Patrick Pickett, Taleshia Ramsey, Bella Rowland, Blake Smith, Lane Smith, Jaren Swindle, Jarred Taylor, Jake Thrash, Laurin Tillery, Margaret Torres, Lauren Tucker, Victoria Weir, Gabe Wilson, Kyla Wilson, Makenna Wiseman, Logan Woodley, Kathy Yaras.

A’s and B’s

Marissa Adams, Christopher Aldana, Jacob Anderson, Hailey Bice, Cassie Black, Jose Campose, Chance Caraway, Andrew Carlisle, Shilah Conn, Sean Connell, Jacob Crabb, Hope Creamer, Peirston Dixon, Caleb Driskill, Isaiah Dupree, Heath Edge, Brynn Elliott, Mia Ellis, Felix Flores-Rodella, Breagan Franklin, Abraham Garcia, Juan Garcia, Deborah Garrett, Jasleigh Glass, Haley Haggard, Carlos Hernandez, Dylan Hill, Ashton Hobbs, Courtney Hyde, Michael Johnson, Preston Johnson, James Jurgens, Madison Kimbro, Garrett Ledbetter, Adan Lowery, Madeline Manning, Sean Martin, Aurelia Martinez, Dylan McCombs, Mackenzie Mizzell, Madyson Mizzell, Haley Moore, Alexis, Murphy, Sergio Nava, Kaleb Nemec, Tanisha Nunn, Abigael Perales, Brandom Pimentel, Daniela Pinon, Yoeth Pinon, Melaney Pope, Tanner Porter, Preston Porter, Ashley Porter, Camryn Pritchard, Grayson Ray, Christopher Rico, Alexandria Sauer, Katelin Small, Samantha Smith, Jaray Smitherman, Kiara Steele, Chris Williams, Brianna Woodall, Kaytlen Woodruff, Kasey Zell.

By Ben Flanagan

North Chilton County schools are preparing for the 2010-11 year by holding orientations to allow students to see their class schedules early, visit with teachers and fill out paperwork ahead of time.

Jemison High School will hold several orientation sessions for students next week, beginning Monday, July 26 at 6-7:30 p.m. for grade eight. Grade 12 will meet on Tuesday at 5-6:30 p.m., and grade 11 at 6:30-8 p.m. that same evening. Grade 10 will meet on Thursday, July 29 at 5-6:30 p.m. followed by grade 9 at 6:30-8 p.m. On Wednesday, July 28, JHS will hold a new student orientation from 9 a.m. to noon. All students must have a parent or guardian with them to register. Students can provide family contact information as well as check-out information, which indicates who can check students out of school for illness or emergency situations. Students will also receive their class schedules at orientation, and they can purchase lockers for $10.

Jemison Middle School will hold an open house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 6 for registration where parents can meet their teachers and parents can fill out any necessary paperwork. They are also invited to tour the new facility. Students are required to rent lockers this year at a $5 cost. They will not be allowed to carry backpacks during the day.

Jemison Elementary School will hold orientations on Aug. 3 for kindergarten at 6 p.m. and first grade at 7 p.m. They will hold orientation on Aug. 5 for second grade at 6 p.m., for third grade at 6:30 p.m. at fourth grade at 7 p.m.

Thorsby School will hold a new student registration meeting Aug. 2-3 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. in the counselor’s office. Orientation for all students will take place on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. in the auditorium. Students can bring school supplies and purchase lockers for $10.

By Stephen Dawkins

With the council chambers inside the Jemison Municipal Complex almost filled to capacity, the city’s council spent most of Monday’s meeting recognizing some of the community’s most outstanding members.

“I think this is the first time since we’ve been in the new building that we’ve had a packed house,” Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed said about the more than 50 people in attendance.

First up was Jemison Elementary School teacher Christin Starr Bashaw, who was named Chilton County Teacher of the Year. Bashaw was presented a plaque by the council.

Next was Tommy Lenoir, coach of Jemison’s 12-year-old Dizzy Dean baseball all-star team. The team over the weekend was invited to participate in the Dizzy Dean World Series tournament, a trip that Lenoir estimated would cost from $5,000-$8,000.

The council voted to donate $2,000, and state representative Jimmy Martin made contributions of both state funds and his own money.

“I have been astounded at how the community has responded to this,” Lenoir said. “We’re living a pipe dream, so we don’t want to come back with anything less than a World Series championship.”

Martin also presented a grant for $25,000 to the Jemison Police Department for the installation of e-ticket hardware in police cruisers.

After most of the 50 attendees had taken their leaves, the council got down to more pressing business.

Reed told three members of the Oak Grove community that roads in their area could be paved as soon as Friday.

Donna Bice presented a petition to the council that included the signatures of six residents on Railroad Street, asking that a speed breaker be installed on their road. The council voted to grant their request.

The council also approved Tammy Miller as court clerk/magistrate for Jemison Municipal Court and approved Shelia Hogge as the new city clerk, replacing Mary Ellison, who is retiring.

“We look forward to working with Ms. Hogge, and we would like thank Ms. Ellison for her years of service,” Reed said.

The council voted to approve a vehicle belonging to the police department as salvage. People now have the opportunity to place bids on the 1996 Ford Crown Victoria, which will be displayed near city hall.

Lastly, the council adjusted the water bill of Betty Adams before voting to pay the bills and adjourning.

From Staff Reports

The Chilton County Board of Education approved employees for the 2010-2011 school year Monday afternoon at its monthly meeting.

The following individuals at North Chilton County schools were approved:

•Jemison Elementary: Counselor and Media Specialist Jared Hood, Elementary Teacher Brandi Bean, Elementary Teacher Samantha McClendon, Elementary Teacher Melissa Short.

•Jemison Intermediate: Cafeteria Assistant Manager Alyson Glass (transfer), Media Specialist Karen Hayes, Special Education Teacher Assistant Rebecca Faucett.

•Jemison High: Cafeteria Assistant Manager JoAnn P. Hall (transfer), Eighth Grade English Teacher Jaime E. Mitchell.

•Thorsby: Assistant Cafeteria Manager Frances Allison (transfer), Science Teacher Timothy K. Williams, Science Teacher Derrick Littleton, Collaborative Education Teacher Holly Deavers (transfer).

By Stephen Dawkins

Heading off a problem before it could arise, school and city officials worked together to develop a traffic plan for the opening of the new Jemison Intermediate School.

Now, they can only wait and see how well the plan works.

The new school, located adjacent to Jemison Elementary School, will bring to the area about 600 more students and employees, many of whom will share entrance and exit routes with more than 900 JES students and about 100 more employees.

“We wanted something in place before school started, and we had a really good conversation,” JES principal Louise Pitts said about a group that included fellow principal Mark Knight, school superintendent Keith Moore, school transportation supervisor Joe Dennis, Jemison city councilman George Brasher and others.

The meeting produced a detailed plan. In the mornings, all parents dropping off students will use the far east entrance, or the road nearest to County Road 51. JES parents will circle around in front of the school, while JIS parents will continue straight down the road, beside JES and behind JIS, before unloading students on the west side of the new school.

The afternoon pick up routes will be the same at JIS, but JES parents will, as they did last year, pick up students on the east side of the school.

Buses will use one route to drop off and pick up students at both schools, driving by the west side of the elementary school and in front of the intermediate school.

Jemison Elementary tested the routes for the last couple of weeks of the last school year, and a letter and traffic map was sent home with students’ final report cards.

“We’re hoping, but we won’t know until we get out there and see how it works,” Knight said about the plan. “It will be trial and error. We hope everybody will be patient with us.”

Any problems would likely be compounded the first few days of school because parents, especially of kindergarteners, are more likely to drive their children to school instead of letting the bus pick them up.

Knight encouraged anyone with questions about traffic or any other issue related to JIS to attend the school’s registration and open house from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 6.

Also, traffic rules will be posted online at www.chilton.k12.al.us/JMS/jms.htm.

Here are honor roll students for the latest grading period at Jemison Elementary School.

First grade, all A honor roll
Nathan Bailey, Samantha Baker, Adriane Beavers, Georgia Belligan, Austin Black, Kinley Bolton, Luke Brasfield, Eli Brasher, Austin Brown, Carson Brown, Yahir Cabrera-Salazar, Taylor Carden, Noah Carroll, Emily Castro-Romero, Braden Compton, Kameron Dawson, Zully De Valle, Harmony Demissie, Bronson Dufrene, Allison Edge, Hannah Ellison, Jose Flores, Maria Flores, Ivonne Garcia, Patrick Garrett, Jailyn Giddens, Riley Giles, Lane Golden, Humberto Guajardo, Caitlyn Harris, Jackson Hayes, Ashlee Hilyer, Kylie Hutton, Nathan Johns, Sarah Jones, Anna Kendrick, Derick Lowery, Karla Mancilla, Gabriela Marquez, Rilee Martin, Hayden McCullough, Colin Meeks, Yanet Melchor, Brenda Mendoza, Courtney Moore, Deven Moore, John Moore, Madeline Morris, Victoria Olguin, Laisha Pinon, Addyson Plier, Brianna Poe, Cody Posey, Audrey Price, Tres Price, Ethel Rico, Jason Rico, Jewelianna Rodriguez, Dallas Sadler, Ryan Scales, Austin Scott, Christian Simpson, Brooke Smith, Clara Smith, Samantha Snipes, Blaze Thompson, Christopher Tolbert, Marifer Valencia, Abigail Vansant, Angela Vazquez, Carlos Villeda, Caitlin Waddell, Paisley Walker, Cole Wilson, Austin Wyatt.

Second grade, all A honor roll
Dylan Benton, Elijah Bittle, Bryanna Blackmon, Leah Brackin, Conner Bullock, Jackson Burnette, Savannah Busby, McKenzie Cleckley, Logan Dalton, Cassidy Dansby, Leiah Davison, Hannah Ellison, Jared Fisher, Caroline Foote, Emily Fricke, Grayson Gann, Emmanuel Garcia, Sara George, Autumn Gilreath, Grayson Graves, London Grinstead, Danny Hafer, Bradley Headrick, Tucker Hilyer, Dawson Jones, Julia Kiefer, Sairah Kilgore, Taylor Lane, Chase Lang, Morgan Langston, Tiffany Lemley, Jonathan Lowery, Damion Martin, Daniel Martin, Clyde Mathis, Bree Morris, Keneth Orozco, Mattie Pace, Anna Patterson, Bryanna Phillips, Sha Kyia Pierce, Kelsey Porter, Nicolas Ray, Jessica Robinson, Courtney Rogers, Gentry Scott, Ty Scott, Gracie Smith, Jacylin Smith, Jordan Smith, Emily Smitherman, Morgan Smitherman, Colin Tillery, Austin Tolbert, Tori Tucker, Anna Walling, Briana Watson, Emma Weaver, Braylen Woodruff, Tyler Wright.

Third grade, all A honor roll
Marissa Adams, Christopher Aldana, Jacob Beal, Brittany Bice, Hailey Bice, Cassie Black, Suzie Blue, Tyra Brown, Jose Campos, Andrew Carlisle, Shianne Conn, Jacob Crabb, Tanna Curtis, Kinsley Davison, Megan Deavers, Bryann Elliott, Juan Garcia, Deboran Garrett, Wesley Gore, Daniel Green, Blanca Guzman, Jordan Hallmark, Colin Hayes, Ashton Hobbs, Garrett Ledbetter, Andie Lusco, Maria Maldonado, Gracie Mims, Madyson Mizelle, Haley Moore, Madison Nemec, Abigael Perales, Patrick Pickett, Melaney Pope, Ashley Porter, Blake Smith, Jerika Smith, Jaray Smitherman, Jake Thrash, Margaret Torres, Lauren Tucker, Gabe Wilson, Makenna Wiseman, Logan Woodley.

Fourth grade, all A honor roll
Dalton Anderson, Vaden Arnold, Josh Bice, Aaron Blankenship, Chyenne Boykin, Fletcher Brantley, Lauren Broussard, Zack Burnett, Jayda Emfinger, Moserrat Flores, Michael Garcia, Noah Glenn, Madelynn Kendrick, Dylan Levering, Kelsey Lowery, Justin Macks, Ashley Martinez-Moreno, Karmen Mims, Briana Moody, Charlsie Murphy, Hannah Northcutt, Averie Porter, Koby Posey, Danielle Sadler, Ryan Smith, Sawyer Smith, Lesli Thrash.

First grade, A and B honor roll
Antonio Abarca, Ricky Absher, Terra Anderson, Naohmi Andrade, Bryan Angel, Kelsey Argo, Cole Autrey, Hunter Baker, Brandon Barcenas, Robin Burnette, Ben Champagne, Kaden Childress, Jacob Cleckler, Macaleb Collum, Cameron Crabb, Emilee Culver, Amberly Davenport, Adamaris Delgado, John David Dixon, John Doaks, Ashley Drinkard, Breana Eaves, Joshua Gilliland, Jocelyn Guizar, Katie Haggard, Zyon Hardnett, Ryan Harris, Brianna Headley, Brennen Henderson, Angie Hernandez, Breauna Hill, Caleb Hobbs, Sarah Hubbard, Evelyn Jacobo, Andrew Johns, Morgan Johnson, Gema Juarez, Logan Kiefer, Jacob Lane, Natalie Larroca, Julio Lopez, Arturo Malpica, Jase Marshall, Adia Martin, David Martinez, Rebeca Mendoza, Conner Miracle, Luke Mitchell, Oscar Mondragon-Flores, Adrianna Newson, Max Noyola, Lynealya Nunn, Isaac Ramirez, Josiah Rhine, Adam Rico, Brandon Robinson, Kody Robinson, Tylan Rudolph, Jaylin Smith, John Lewis Smith, Logan Snipes, Desare Swindle, Erica Swinea, Michael Taylor, Alexandro Torres, Bladimir Torres, Tarun Varner, Daniel Walker, Du’vaughn Williams, Zamario Williams, Keeli Wilson.

Second grade, A and B honor roll
Keith Adams, Brittany Alonso, Michelle Alstott, Alana Alverson, Elizabeth Bice, Tosha Burnett, Austin Byars, Jorge Calzoncit, Priscilla Carroll, Tyler Chapman, Hannah Grace Childress, Rebecca Childress, Ja’Lessia Childs, Christopher Christensen, Zac Clark, McKinnley Collum, Brandon Connell, Cameron Cox, Bentley Cross, Shelby Crowson, Isabel Cruz, Payge Davis, Carlos Delgado, Chloe Eddins, Asia Flores, Colton Forester, Morgan Fowler, Brandon Garcia, Jesus Garcia, Noah Gilliland, Daphne Gonzalez, Dulce Gonzalez, Jacob Harris, Jadelyn Hatch, Jasmine Ingram, Cierra James, Eshala Jones, Destiny Kelly, Braden Lawley, Jacob Littleton, Axel Magallanes, Junithan McCall, Kimberlee Nieto, Monse Olarte, Jordan Rape, Madeline Rhudy, Phoenix Roper, Alex Schrader, Kamron Simmons, Autumn Smith, Brazier Smith, Stormy Smitherman, Ashanti Sowell, Anna Speakman, Ceaira Stockdale, Reace Thompson, William Turner, Antonia Verastegui, Alexis Vernon, Kalyb Williams, Savanna Woods.

Third grade, all A and B honor roll
Elian Alvarez, Jacob Anderson, Ashlyn Blankenship, Tyler Burnett, Chance Caraway, Hannah Coffee, Shilah Conn, Hope Creamer, Akilah Davis, Peirston Dixon, Johniya Doaks, Sarah Dover, Caleb Driskill, Christie Dutton, A.J. Eaves, Daylan Edwards, Erristen Evans, Bryant Flores, Felix Flores, Jose Flores, Rodrigo Flores, Patrick Gentry, Jasleigh Glass, Cindy Guajardo, Haley Haggard, Sadie Henry, Carlos Hernandez, Dylan Hill, Madie Isbell, A.J. Jackson, Gannon Jackson, Casey Jones, James Jurgens, Dylan Knight, Hunter Knight, Braden Larocca, Adan Lowery, Hunter Lowery, Madeline Manning, Sean Martin, Karla Martinez, Dylan McCombs, Braden McDaniel, Chance Merrell, Andrew Milford, Mackenzie Mizzell, Kayla Moore, Abby Moran, Lexy Murphy, Sergio Nava, Selena Noyola, Tanish Nunn, Jason Pena, Jason Perez, Daniela Pinon, Preston Porter, Camryn Pritchard, Taleshia Ramsey, Nephtally Rangel, Christopher Rico, Arnoldo Rivera, Ashley Sanders, Alexis Sauer, Ari Simon, Alyssa Smith, Anyah Smith, Samantha Smith, Kiara Stelle, Jaren Swindle, Jarred Taylor, Laurin Tillery, Juan Trejo, Katlyn Woodruff, Kathy Yaras.

Fourth grade, all A and B honor roll
Isaiah Absher, Lane Adams, Marisol Alcantara, Dakota Arnold, Blake Ash, Shyanne Bailey, Alyssa Benton, Gingeng Blanco, Bolton Kennise, Nich Brasher, Aryn Caputo, Dylan Carden, Austin Chapman, Katelyn Chapman, Zacoya Childs, Jordan Cleckler, Maleah Collum, Brandon Crabb, Dillon Cunningham, Nikeisha Davis, Hannah Dutton, J.T. Ellison, Eric Evans, Amaya Freeman, Kasey Garrett, Rene Gigandet, Nathan Gilliland, Tremayne Green, Andrew Hamblin, Noah Henry, Cody Hilyer, Tyler Huff, Edson Jimenez, Makenzie Johnson, Alyssa Keller, Trinity Kendrick, Josh Lollar, Tyler Lutz, Morgan Mahaffey, Shanda Manasco, Cheyenne Martin, Kaylob Martinez, Brady Mathews, Garrett McWhorter, Tyler Means, Chase Merrell, Gavin Miller, Memorie Miller, Drue Moore, Jordan Naugher, Lawson Payton, Dalton Phillips, Nathan Phillips, Landen Posey, Courtney Ray, Kaycee Ross, Jose Sanchez, Autumn Sauer, Annie Smith, Joshua Smitherman, Patrick Storey, Jaylyn Swindle, Lucia Tapia, Angel Trejo, Alan Villeda, Zach Vowell, Samantha Wyatt, Noah Young, Kinsey Zell.