From staff reports

Army Pfc. Meciala T. Haggins has been mobilized and activated at Fort Dix, N.J., in preparation for deployment to serve in support of either Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom.  The soldier is a member of the 2101st Transportation Company, Demopolis.
The soldiers are normally activated from Army Reserve or Army National Guard units from throughout the U.S.  They go through a series of in-processing procedures and training classes that prepare them for skills and situations they may face in their deployed environment. Haggins is a motor transport operator and has served in the military for two years.
She is the daughter of Christina Haggins of Montevallo and the granddaughter of Flo Ware of Jemison. The private first class is a 2007 graduate of Jemison High School.

By Alan Thompson

Kayla Brasher of Jemison High School has been elected state DECA President.
After campaigning at the state career development conference in Montgomery, Brasher’s peers from across the state voted her in as the 2010-11 president.
Brasher is a junior at JHS. She is the daughter of Harland and Rita of Jemison.
As a member of her local DECA chapter for the past two years, Brasher has strived to be active. She has attended regional and state leadership conferences and competed on several levels.
As president of the state association, Brasher has a busy schedule ahead of her. She will attend the International Career Development Conference in Louisville, Ky. in April, and she will have a week-long training conference in Opelika and attend the State Officer Institute in Washington D.C. along with regional and state leadership conferences.
“Kayla is ready to take on this role,” said Sandi Cullen, Brasher’s advisor. “She is a very hard worker and is very dedicated. I look forward to working with her in her new position in the coming year.”

Alan Thompson is the principal of Jemison High School.

By Scott Mims

Jana Davenport of Jemison competed for the title of Alabama’s Junior Miss 2010 on Saturday.
Davenport, a Jemison High School senior and the daughter of Shawn and Vanda Davenport, competed among 52 girls from around the state in categories of poise, talent, physical fitness, scholastics and interview.
For her talent, she sang “Shall We Dance” from “The King and I,” which helped earn her the top spot in Chilton County’s Junior Miss in September.
Ten days of rigorous practices culminated Saturday at Fraser Memorial United Methodist Church. During that time, Davenport stayed with a host family, Michael and Lisa Jones, and a roommate, fellow contestant Courtney Campbell of Morgan County.
“It was a great experience. I really enjoyed it. It was a lot of work, but it was something that I loved and would do again if I had the opportunity,” Davenport said Monday.
Friends and relatives including parents and grandparents attended the competition. While in Montgomery, she received more than 75 letters.
“A lot of people from Chilton County were very supportive. I would like to say thank you to everyone here who helped me and supported me,” she said, also thanking Trudy Harrison and Lindsay Harrison for inspiring her to compete in Junior Miss.
For Davenport, the road to Junior Miss started at a young age. She developed a love for musical theater in fifth grade, singing in the Chilton Civic Chorale’s presentation of “The Sound of Music.”
Then, in sixth grade, a mother of a Junior Miss winner (Harrison) encouraged her to work toward the program.
“Setting that goal helped Jana keep her GPA up and stay involved in community leadership activities. It was an excellent program to motivate her through the years,” Davenport’s mother said.
Davenport studied voice with Trudy DeLoach and Dana Lawrence. She also had to learn an eight-minute physical fitness routine, which she prepared for at Cornerstone Fitness & Wellness.
“She’s also a cheerleader, so she stays pretty active,” her mother said.
Gwen Davis, Chilton County Junior Miss program chairman, said singers have typically done well at the state level.
“She’s just a well-rounded individual,” Davis said.
Kristen Mosley of Walker County was named Alabama’s Junior Miss 2010.

The following names were left off of the Jemison “A-B” Honor Roll:

Ninth grade
Amairani Burgos
Charlie Olan Loyd

10th grade
Tacion Joy Boco
Brittany Nicole Bryant
Tyndall Brooke Glass
Haley Jamison Gothard
Tiffany Grace Guin
Chaniece Megan Hick
Christopher Brian Hull
Gary Lynn Johnson
Victoria Suzanne Johnston
Ashlyn Elizabeth Knight

11th grade
Mason Spencer Bolton
Kayla Leanne Brassher
Justin Kyle Dennis
Amber Caitlin Ellison
Kelsey Leigh Ellison
Ashlyn Logan Gibson
Jacqueline Elizabeth Glasscock
William Logan Hendrick
Alex Taylor Long
Savannah Renee Pless
Cody Darrell Simmons

12th grade
Kayla Lauren Alexander
Elijah Alan Broadhead
Ashley Krystal-Ann Cole
Kristiann Nicole Crowson
Donald Francis Eslinger
Matthew Skyy Gallett
Maria Del Rocio Garcia Barcenas
Patrice Celestine Garrett
Stetson Colby Gray
Cody Lee Greer
Brittney Sheree Hollis
Kimberly Denise Hull
Tiesha Shanice Lacy
Zachary James Langston
Angela Lashell Lawley
Virginia Ann Lawley
Lesia Michelle Lee
Haley Denelle Littleton
Heather Cheyenne McCartney
Codi Renee Mims
Holly Leann Mims
Mason Tyler Patterson
Blake Tyler Raines
Patrick Ryan Sims
Christopher Michael Singleton
Chance Anderson Smith
Darius Ralphael Smith
Rodney Dewight Smith
Jason Tyler Snow
Dallis Justeen Vanderslice
Billy James Ward

By Scott Mims

One of Chilton County’s own will compete for the title of 2010 Alabama Junior Miss and more than $50,000 in scholarship money this Saturday in Montgomery.

Jana Davenport, Jemison High School senior and the daughter of Shawn and Vanda Davenport, will compete among 52 girls from around the state in categories of poise, talent, physical fitness, scholastics and interview.

For her talent, Davenport will perform “Shall We Dance” from “The King and I,” which helped earn her the top spot in Chilton County’s Junior Miss in September.

Ten days of rigorous practices will culminate this weekend at Fraser Memorial United Methodist Church, beginning with preliminaries Friday night at 7, followed by performances Saturday at 1 p.m. and finals Saturday night at 7.

Because contestants are not allowed to contact anyone by phone or e-mail during their 10-day stay, Davenport could not be reached directly. She reportedly loves her host family, Michael and Lisa Jones, and her roommate. Meanwhile, she is taking her Paw Paw’s advice to be herself.

“I kept thinking while getting ready for this that it was pointless, there was no chance that I would win. But now I realize it’s not pointless because God has a purpose for me being here, whatever that may be,” she wrote in a letter to her mother, saying she had been encouraged by scripture.

For Davenport, the road to Junior Miss started at a young age. She developed a love for musical theater in fifth grade, singing in the Chilton Civic Chorale’s presentation of “The Sound of Music.”

Then, in sixth grade, a mother of a Junior Miss winner encouraged her to work toward the program.

“Setting that goal helped Jana keep her GPA up and stay involved in community leadership activities. It was an excellent program to motivate her through the years,” Davenport’s mother said.

Davenport studied voice with Trudy DeLoach and Dana Lawrence. Her vocal performance Saturday cannot exceed 90 seconds. She is also learning an eight-minute physical fitness routine, which she prepared for at Cornerstone Fitness & Wellness.

“She’s also a cheerleader, so she stays pretty active,” her mother said.

Gwen Davis, Chilton County Junior Miss program chairman, said singers typically do well at the state level.

“She’s just a well-rounded individual,” Davis said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a singer.”

There are extra tickets available for the competition. Anyone who is interested may contact Vanda Davenport at 688-4446.

By Justin Averette

The Chilton County Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday honored its Youth Citizen of the Year at its 2010 Annual Banquet.

The award and a $1,000 college scholarship went to Jana Davenport of Jemison High School. Other nominees, who received a $100 savings bond, were Jerica Gibson, Chilton County High School; Keela Ray, Isabella High School; Heather Chambers, Maplesville High School; Brittany Curtis, Thorsby High School; and Abreia Bulger, Verbena High School.
Davenport is competing this week in the Alabama Junior Miss Scholarship Pageant, so her father, Shawn, accepted the award.

Also, Durbin Farms Market was named the chamber’s business of the year.
Danny Jones accepted the honor on behalf of Durbin’s.
As early as the 1930s, Mary Bratton’s family planted the first orchards on land that would come to be known as Durbin Farms. Mary Bratton married Marvin Durbin several years later, and the couple would eventually purchase the farm from Bratton’s parents.
Under their guidance, the farm grew, and a retail market was opened on Highway 31. When Interstate 65 was built in the 1960s, Durbin’s moved to its current location.
When Marvin Durbin died in 1994, the market was sold to business partners Steve and Janis Wilson in 1994. It was sold again in 2001 to Andy and Christy Millard and then to its current owners Danny and Judy Jones in 2005.

A Honor Roll
Ninth grade
Trevan Davis Anderson
Amairani B. Burgos
Kaitlin Victoria Deavers
Morgan Dian Gilmore
Jessica S. Hernandez
Brandon Lee Johnson
Charlie Olan Loyd III
Ariana Gabrielle Parsons
Lauren Kayci Price
Kaland Michael Starr
Jill L. Vinzant

10th grade
Ian Charles Baird
Phillip Drew Brantley
Jaclyn Renae Carlisle
Tyndall Brooke Glass
Tiffany Grace Guin
Hylan Ruth Jackson
Ashlyn Elizabeth Knight
Marquis Tony Lawrence
Tanya Eloyce Liveoak
Amanda Carey Nemec
Brian Lee Porter
Morgan Rhea Posey
Christopher T. Wigington

11th grade
Heather Elise Bowden
Hunter Cole Cowart
Anna C. Davenport
Kelsey Leigh Ellison
Ashlyn Logan Gibson
Jacqueline E. Glasscock
Emily Lauren Hand
Misty Louise Hawotte
Zachary Adam Kaylor
Jordan Colin Littlejohn
Kelsey René Mims
Joshua Allen Moore
Matthew Dean Nolin
Abigail Rose Scarbrough
Frank MaKenan Sciandra
Jeffrey Brett Smith
Jared Cole Thompson
Abigail Corrine Woods

12th grade
Brandi Paige Baker
Whitney Alysia Childress
Ashley Krystal-Ann Cole
Jana Sharlene Davenport
Quency Lamar Davis
Tara Sheree Foster
Ashley Lauren Gothard
Stephanie N. Hudman
Chelsey Danae Littlejohn
Haley Denelle Littleton
Michael Shane Martin
Yanet Martinez
Justin Michael Nemec
Justin Archer Pollock
Amber Denise Simmons
Jordan Nicole Wade

A-B Honor Roll
Ninth grade
Brooke Danielle Bice
John Dylan Cummings
Mary Kathryn Ellison
Sara Lizabeth Gentry
Lindsey Allison Gerth
Courtney Dawn Glass
Karlie Derrell Graham
Sarah Skye Hadley
Krista N. Henderson
Dylan Lee Higgins
Shane Austin Howard
Gary Lynn Johnson
Jesse James Johnson
Kevin Jermaine King
Christopher Lassinger
Tara Denise Lawley
Austin Woody Lovette
Shelby Jean McAlister
Kristen Nichole Millard
Lara Giovani Morales
Myia Renee Ramsey
Jacob Dwayne Roop
Hannah S. Smith
Haley N. Smitherman
Kayla D. Snipes
Christopher L. Steinmetz
Devin Blake Sturm
Kristen Jordan Thompson
Soledad Cristina Vieyra
Ashly N. Wallace

10th grade
Jacob Andrew Bass
Taylor Wayne Blackmon
Victoria Rose Bush
Alyson Morgan Childress
Brent Patrick Childress
Tequylla J. Chisholm
Freeman Lee Ellison
Cody Alexander Emerick
Tiffany Alishia Griffin
Kelsey Marie Hartley
Haley Nicole Hood
Joshua Blade Ingle
Shelby Nicole Lopez
Gerardo Cruz Martinez
Joi JerNiecee McCall
Roger B. McFarland
Jackson Bolton Mims
Elizabeth Allison Mitchell
Meagan Kay Monks
Shayna Jo Robinson
Kayla Starr Shaw
Kristen Michelle Sides
Cynthia Amber Smith
Kayla Michelle Smith
Aaron M. Smotherman
Javea Evonte Swindle
Wendy Leigh Waldrop
Priccilla Dawn Winslett

11th grade
Chaquita Genae Agee
Dallas Nichole Brown
Shelby Caroline Brown
Cameron O’Neil Bryant
Chasity Nicole Burnett
Brandon Lee Campbell
Hannah Michelle Carter
Chelsea Leigh Caudle
Scott Dennis Clements
Marieka J. Cunningham
Heather Lynn Foshee
Ronald Eugene Garrett II
Austen Lee Gigandet
Krystal Michelle Gortney
Courtney A. Gothard
Garin Gregory Hayes
Alexis Anne Haynes
Kimberlin Nicole Johnson
Jordan Chad Jones
Macy Nicole Jones
Jerin D. Killingsworth
Marvin McKenzie Jr.
Robert Larry Moore III
Megan Renee Pettijohn
Kortney Lee Robinson
Callie Marie Samya
Emily Elizabeth Smithey
12th grade
Tiffany Elise Akers
Ira Buford Armstrong
Skyler Alexis Bailey
Holly Elizabeth Barton
Mariah Nichole Beaman
Kathryn Elizabeth Boyd
Christina Michelle Brown
Rita Ann Brown
Tiffany Ann Bush
Jacob Scott Chapman
Dylan Luke Collum
Tabitha Louise Cork
Justin Ronald Daniel
Dennis Terrell Frazier
Samantha Lachelle Glass
Kayle Michelle Hayes
Haley Anne Herron
Jessica Lauren Hollis
Brandon Tyler Jones
Kenneth Lloyd Jones
Bobby Matthew Lucas
Andrew Stephen Mims
Alyssa Mary Peters
Devan Earl Phillips
Annie Laurie Reid
Lauchlan Leigh Smith
Jamie Denise Snyder
Jessica Faith Swindle
Claudia Ivet Vidal
Katie Elizabeth Vinzant
Robby Devin Winegard
Quinteus C. M.  Wright

By Alan Thompson

We at Jemison High School are proud to announce our students of the month for October. We are very proud of all our students and want to recognize these students for their accomplishments during the month of October: freshman, Kristen Millard; sophomore, Brian Porter; junior, Cole Thompson; and senior, Tiffany Bush.
Congratulations to these students for their dedication and commitment to their education.
Our Teacher of the Month is Mrs. Debbie Collins. Mrs. Collins is our science department chairwoman and does an excellent job with our students.
The monthly winners will qualify for our Teacher of the Year award that is sponsored by Lee McDaniels of Balfour. Balfour will present our Teacher of the Year a class ring commemorating their selection.
We are in the process of selling “Enjoy the City” coupon books to help raise funds to pay off our stadium debt. Please support this drive and help us pay off our debt.
Without the support of the community, Jemison High School cannot meet its full potential.
The coupon books are $20. I have already begun using my book and have saved more than $50 the first week.
It’s a great day to be a Jemison Panther!

Alan Thompson is the principal of Jemison High School.

By Alan Thompson

Students at Jemison High School are actively involved in helping promote a safe and healthy environment. Last week, Jemison High students had a “Wear Red” day to support our drug free school campaign.
Ms. Lacretia Waters sponsored this event in which our teachers and students were allowed to wear red shirts to help promote a drug free school environment. Sheriff Kevin Davis and his staff performed an assembly for our student body on the dangers of drugs and alcohol. They brought their K-9 unit and their DARE officer in to show the students the effects of drug and alcohol abuse.
Some of our student’s demonstrated the effects of drugs and alcohol by wearing the “drunk” goggles and performing tasks in them. Our Key Club had a Horror Night at the Movies at the school to help raise money to assist families in need at Christmas. The Key Club, which is sponsored by Mr. Benton Morton, raised $225.00.
This week, girls athletics is sponsoring a “Wear Pink” day to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Each student that donates $2 can wear pink to class.
“We’ve all been touched by cancer, and this is an excellent opportunity to make our students aware of this seriousness of this disease,” coach Leighsa Robinson said.
In December, we will have our student talent show to raise money for the Chilton County United Way. Our sponsors, Mrs. Sandy Cullen and Mrs. Paula Avery, began this tradition last year, and it was a very popular event.
Our BETA club, which is sponsored by Mrs. Chrystie Mims and Mr. Dwight Swindle, is offering free tutoring to all high school students every morning at 7:15. This program has helped our student’s tremendously.
I am very proud of the charitable contributions that our students and community make to help support our citizens in need.

– Alan Thompson is the principal at Jemison Middle School.

By Alan Thompson | Jemison High School

The Jemison Blue Regiment Marching Band traveled to Pinson Valley this past weekend and participated in the “Pride of the Valley” Marching Festival. The Blue Regiment received superior ratings in all of the following captions: band, majorettes, dance line, color guard, drum major and percussion.
Drum Major Stephanie Hudman and the dance line were rated “Best in Class.”
Color Guard and percussion sections received scores of 92, dance line 91 and drum major 94.
“I am very proud of the band this year, band director George Martin said. “We had to deal with the rain and flu most of the season. It was very difficult to put back-to-back practices together and have everyone here at the same time. The band worked very hard and put things together during the last week leading up to contest time. The students represented the city of Jemison and our school with distinction and pride.”

– Alan Thompson is the principal at Jemison Middle School.