By Stephen Dawkins

Thorsby’s weightlifting team won the Class 2A state championship on April 10, continuing the school’s strong tradition in the activity.

Thorsby has claimed state titles in four of the last five years it has participated in the event, but the last time a Thorsby team competed was 2003.

“We get down there—and this is their first event—and you could see it in their faces: nervous, couldn’t breathe,” coach Keith Williams said.

The Rebels struggled early in the event, logging several disqualifications for improper lifts.

But Thorsby recorded 19 good lifts—one from each of the team’s participants—in the power clean and claimed the trophy.

Senior Kevin Brasher was the overall state champion in his weight class, 132 pounds. Both Jonathan Spivey (258 pounds) and Colton Castleberry (81 pounds) took third place in their respective weight classes.

Thorsby also won team state championships in 2000, 2001 and 2002.

The lifters began preparing for the state meet in January, working out four days a week and taking a break only for spring break, Williams said.

Williams has been heavily involved in the weight training of athletes for several different sports at the school and said he thinks the lifters’ success at the meet will carry over into other sports.

“I think weightlifting is the backbone of all sports,” Williams said.

By Scott Mims

The Chilton County Board of Education held a special work session Tuesday morning to discuss issues pertaining to several school improvements across the county.
Members discussed possibly repairing Verbena High School’s gym floor, bleachers and lighting.
In recent years, they discussed remodeling the school’s lobby and increasing the size of the bathrooms, but the $5,000 cost was too high at the time.
Members emphasized that any new gym seating must include accommodating handicap seating.
One board member addressed a concern about the Thorsby High School gym floor collecting a substantial amount of dirt and sand toward its back entrance.
He said the debris makes for difficult cleanup.
They also discussed the possibility of remodeling the Maplesville High science lab, which is currently not being used.
They agreed it needs new tables and a vent. It also needs its water and gas connected.
The board wants to look at all science labs that are fiveyears old or older to see if they need remodeling or repair.
The board also passed a resolution to seed the playground at Jemison Intermediate School.
Members from the Alabama State Department of Education presented a case to improve Jemison High School’s reading.
It would involve starting daily 30-minute classes that would take place during the middle of the day.
As an incentive to the students, elective classes would also be offered, which would include arts and crafts.
The state department has been planning the program for nearly one year. Pisgah High School served as the model for the program. Theirs is one hour per day.
One board member asked if motivation for the students to participate would be an issue. They agreed the middle of the day would be the best time due to difficulty in bringing students early and keeping them late.
The elective courses would be non-credit, so non-certified teachers would teach them.
The idea behind the reading course is to bring kids up to their own grade reading level. Moore said he wants to meet with all county school principals to discuss incorporating such a program into their respective schools. The state department has already approved the program.
The board discussed the possibility of having Jemison High School host grades 8-12 and moving the younger grades to a different building.
The board also approved a resolution to accept the resignations of Chilton County boys basketball head coach Donnie Hand and federal programs secretary and bookkeeper Danita Barnett. They will post an opening for the federal programs secretary for 14 days.
The board also conducted expulsion hearings for three Thorsby High School students.

By Scott Mims

Thorsby kindergarteners, first and second graders participated in a “hat parade” Friday afternoon led by the school’s marching band.
The parade ended a week of activities held in conjunction with Read Across America Day, which coincides with the birthday of famous children’s author and illustrator Dr. Seuss. The parade went along with this year’s Read Across America theme, “Grab a Hat and Read with the Cat.”
At the end of the day, school administrators waved goodbye to the students from atop the school’s roof.
Faculty members and administrators also donned hats of all colors and sizes.
“They’ve been reading books throughout the month,” said Thorsby reading coach Karen Watley. “They read books to see who got on the roof.”
Thorsby history teacher Ken Copen, lunchroom manager Debbie Dutton and assistant principal Carlton LeSueur all were good sports and went up on the roof Friday.
Other activities were held throughout the week. Students got to eat some green eggs and ham and pay tribute to their favorite Dr. Seuss book of the same title.
They also wore silly socks and read “Fox in Socks.”
Thorsby joined schools across the county in celebrating the importance of reading for a week.

By Justin Averette

Some of Chilton County’s best and brightest were honored Thursday evening during the fifth annual Career Tech Extravaganza.
The Career/Tech Students of the Year were honored and enjoyed dinner with proud parents, family members and teachers.
“We are proud of our exceptional programs,” said Karen Cox, president of the Chilton County chapter of Alabama Career Technical Education. “We are proud of all students and their accomplishments.”
The annual program was held at Clanton First United Methodist Church’s Helen Parrish Activities Center.
“It’s hard to believe it’s been five years since we started this program,” said Carol Easterling, Chilton County’s career tech education supervisor.
The county’s career tech curriculum offers 40 programs, under the directon of 33 teachers.
Almost 30 students were honored Thursday for being the best student in their area or at their school.
Students of the Year for 2010 were:

Family and Consumer Sciences: Isabella High School, Hannah Rebecca Bishop; Chilton County High School, Gerron Mims; Jemison High School, Billy James Ward; Thorsby High School, Brittany Nichole Curtis; and Maplesville High School, Cassie Leon.

Middle School: Clanton Middle School, Sami Gibson; and Jemison Middle School, Tayler Mazingo.

Marketing/DECA: Chilton County High School, Murphy A. Wilson; and Jemison High School, Jordan Wade.

Agriscience/FFA: Isabella High School, Chanley Ratliff; Jemison High School, Skyler Bailey; Thorsby High School, Ryan Collins; Chilton County High School, Kaci Tracy and Marcus Minor; and Maplesville High School, Kyle Clemmons.

Career Technical Center Programs: Business Management and Administration, Nicole Wilson; Business Education, Amber Simmons; Horticulture, Tori Applegate; Health Science, Megann Marie Arsenault and Audreana Todd; Auto Service, Michael Smith; Drafting Design, Brad Shiers; Collision Repair, Michael Hilton; Electronic Technology, Matthew Langston; HVACR/SkillsUSA, Stephen Johnson; Welding, Sean Haigler; Building Construction 2, Brandon White; Cosmetology, Christina Stafford; and Cabinetry, Travis Adams.

By Scott Mims

Laken Patterson is always ready to learn something new. The Thorsby eighth grader, who hopes to become a teacher herself, says science is her favorite subject.
“I really like my science teacher, Mr. Jones, and I like learning about that kind of stuff,” she says.
Laken is involved in cheerleading, Beta Club and FCCLA at Thorsby. This is her first year on the school’s junior varsity cheer squad.
She is also involved in the youth group at Thorsby First Baptist and is looking forward to a mission trip to Savannah, Ga. this summer. While there, she will help a recently founded church.
As for college and a career, Laken plans to attend Auburn University and possibly become an enrichment teacher. It was her own elementary enrichment class that inspired her career goal, along with her interest in trivia, puzzles and art history.
“I like the stuff that you learn in there,” she says.
By teaching Vacation Bible School at her church and babysitting, Laken is already doing things to prepare her for a future leadership position.
“I like working with young people,” she says.
Laken is the daughter of Gary and Patricia Patterson of Thorsby and has an older brother, Gabe.

Thorsby School recently named elementary Students of the Month for the month of January.

They are: Chris Arledge, Dakota Liveoak, Brody Barnett, Elizabeth Cofer, Caitlyn Birchfield, Kaylee Wright, McKinley Mims, Katelynn Stagner, Addison Minor, Carlos Hernandez, Tyler Jackson, Caleb Parker, Cole Farris, Racheal Carpenter, Julie Huang, Adi Argent, Rachel Snow, Jake Robinson, Drew Smith, Chandler Moon, Sabrina Ellison and Emily Spain.

Thorsby High School graduate Kayla Scott has been included on UAB’s Presidential Honor Roll for the Fall 2009 Term.
To qualify for this honor, a student must earn a perfect 4.0 grade point average for 12 or more hours.
Kayla is  enrolled at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in pre-nursing.
Kayla is a 2009 graduate of THS.
She is the daughter of Tim and Debbie Scott of Thorsby and the granddaughter of Ellen Ruth Scott, the late Jimmy Scott of Clanton, and the late Knox and Esther Gillespie of Thorsby.

Tiffany M. Morgan of Clanton was recently awarded a $6,000 Trustees Scholarship to attend the University of West Alabama.
This award, which is based on academic achievement and proven leadership potential, comes from the UWA Office of Admissions.
Morgan, a Thorsby High School senior, plans to major in nursing.
For 175 years, the University of West Alabama has served the west central Alabama area and beyond through educational opportunity, academic research and public outreach.
For more information about admission, financial aid and scholarships, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@uwa.edu or call 1-888-636-8800.

By Scott Mims

Three students of Thorsby School were arrested Wednesday after a school-wide drug search turned up small amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia inside the school as well as in vehicles parked on school property.

The drug search was conducted by school administrators, the Thorsby Police Department and the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department.

Two of the students, both juveniles, were arrested by Thorsby Police. Law enforcement agencies do not release the names of juveniles.

A third student, Justin Lee Robinson, 18, was taken into custody by the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department, Sheriff Kevin Davis confirmed. He was charged with possession of marijuana second degree and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robinson posted bond of $1,500 Thursday night, Davis said.

“Thorsby School administrators as well as law enforcement have a zero tolerance drug policy in our schools,” Thorsby Chief of Police Rodney Barnett said. “Drugs are common, unfortunately, in this day and time, but we’re not going to have it in our school system.”

Davis said local law enforcement agencies help conduct educational programs in schools each year. He said searches are conducted on a regular basis and normally do not turn up a large amount of drugs.

Thorsby School Principal Russ Bryan said he could not comment directly about the students based on pending action by the board of education.

“I thank the Thorsby Police Department and the Chilton County Sheriff’s Department for helping school officials with our investigation,” Bryan said.

By Stephen Dawkins

When the Freedom Fastpitch softball team first formed, college scholarships were far from the players’ minds.
Eight years worth of fastballs, foul balls and force outs later, playing at the next level became the goal-and almost all the Freedom players have reached that goal.
After graduating from high school in May, no less than 10 players off the team, including Thorsby’s Ashlin Hilyer, will be playing college softball in the fall.
“That’s something we’ve worked toward,” said Doug Matthews, who has coached this particular Freedom team since his daughter, Meliah, began playing in 2002. “We started playing when they were 9 or 10, so we weren’t thinking about scholarships then. As they got around 14 or so, some of them started thinking they might want to play in college.
“It’s been a lot of hard work and dedication.”
Every player for Clanton-based Freedom that has participated for several years will continue their careers at a college.
The players, with their high school and college listed in parentheses, are: Meliah Matthew (Marbury-Judson), Brooke Smitherman (Prattville-Mississippi College), Haley Seamon (Marbury-Southern Union), Caitlyn Joiner (Prattville-Southern Union), Morgan Morrison (Bibb County-Bevill State), Megan Morrison (Bibb County-Bevill State), Lauren Welch (Marbury-Bevill State), Tori Herman (Prattville-Bevill State), Courtney Baker (Hooper Academy-Auburn University-Montgomery), and Hilyer (Thorsby-Huntingdon).
Doug Matthews said seeing the players have the opportunity to continue their careers is the most satisfying part of his experience with the team.
“All the tournaments we’ve won pales in comparison, I think, to what they’ve accomplished individually,” he said.
It also makes the years of work seem worthwhile. Meliah Matthews, Smitherman and the Morrison sisters were part of the original group, and Doug Matthews has always been the coach.
Travel softball season can last from September through November and then from March through July, so Matthews will suddenly have much more free time.
“I might fish awhile,” he said. “I haven’t been able to fish much the past eight years.”