Myles McLeroy, left, with Darren Evans-Young, freshman instructor of the University of Alabama’s Computer-Based Honors Program (Courtesy of McLeroy family)

TUSCALOOSA - Myles McLeroy, of Cullman, a student in the Computer-Based Honors Program (CBHP) in the Honors College at the University of Alabama, was named the Darren Evans-Young Outstanding Computer-Based Honors Freshman at the CBHP awards banquet held on April 6, 2018.

Myles is a freshman double majoring in computer science and mathematics. He serves as a lab manager for the Computer-Based Honors Program, is a software developer for the University of Alabama College of Continuing Studies and a research assistant for the Human-Technology Interaction Lab. He maintains a 4.0 grade point average.

The Computer-Based Honors Program (recently renamed the Randall Research Scholars Program after Dr. Catherine J. Randall, director emerita and program alumna) is a nationally recognized undergraduate research program which pairs exceptional students directly with leading research professors and cutting-edge computing technology to complete scholarly research in a variety of disciplines.

The program recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and has been cited by the National Institute of Education as one of the six most intriguing honors programs in the United States and was the first university-wide undergraduate research program in America.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Alabama Attorney General candidate Chris Christie, who hopes to unseat incumbent Steve Marshall, addresses the audience Saturday at the Cullman County Museum. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)

CULLMAN - On Saturday, while most of Cullman seemed to be gathered between the Warehouse District and Depot Park for the Strawberry Festival, a small group of concerned voters quietly assembled in the basement of the Cullman County Museum for a town hall-style meeting sponsored by the District 4 chapter of Indivisible Alabama to hear from several Democratic Party candidates in the 2018 campaign.  

Event coordinator Gayla Wynn explained to The Tribune, “Indivisible started as a nationwide movement after the election of 2008, and the whole purpose is to resist and change the Trump administration’s goals and policies, which we feel like hurt regular, normal working people.  

“We’re a non-partisan group for the most part.  We do calls to action, contacting our congressmen and senators to let them know what we think about upcoming proposals, and asking them to vote for people rather than corporations.”

Wynn said Saturday’s event was “a challenge primary candidate town hall forum where any of our statewide candidates who face an opponent in the primary are here, so that our members can take a look and listen and make an educated vote.”

Indivisible, as a state and national movement, defines itself as “non-partisan,” but supports Democratic Party causes through programs like FlipAlabama, which mobilized Democratic/progressive voters during last December’s special election to elect Doug Jones over Republican Roy Moore.  

Attending candidates at Saturday’s event included:

• Rev. James Fields, Doug “New Blue” Smith and Sue Bell Cobb; Democratic candidates for governor v. Republican incumbent Kay Ivey
• Lula Albert, Democratic candidate for Alabama Secretary of State v. Republican incumbent John Merrill
• Chris Christie and Joseph Siegelman, Democratic candidates for Alabama Attorney General v. Republican incumbent Steve Marshall
• Rick Neighbors and Lee Auman, Democratic candidates for U.S. House of Representatives District 4 v. Republican incumbent Robert Aderholt

Democratic gubernatorial candidates Christopher Countryman, Anthony White and Walt Maddox were scheduled to appear, but did not attend.

For more information on Indivisible Alabama, visit http://indivisiblealabama.com.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for May 7. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

Atchley, David Ray, 53

• probation violation- aggravated cruelty to animals

Brown, Ian Cole, 21

• judge’s order- unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Buckelew, Michael Andrew, 30

• attempting to elude
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Collins, Billy Leon, 29

• third-degree burglary
• third-degree criminal mischief
• first-degree criminal trespassing

Dauksza, April Maranda, 31

• second-degree bail jumping-harassing communications
• FTA- harassing communications

Johnson, Rodney Brett, 32

• GJ- aggravated child abuse (2 counts)

Loyd, Dylan Keith, 26

• third-degree burglary
• third-degree escape
• third-degree promoting prison contraband

Nail, Halie Nichole, 24

• FTA- improper lane usage
• FTA- unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Nichols, Sarah Ann, 28

• FTA- second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana

Pearson, Jowan Isaac, 21

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Sheppard, Janice Carroll, 48

• FTA- driving while suspended

Vaughn, Leann Linette, 43

• possession of drug paraphernalia
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Cullman Police Department

Moody, Jerod W., 37

• DUI- controlled substance
• unlawful possession or receipt of a controlled substance
• possession of drug paraphernalia

Dauksza, April M., 31

• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia

Prince, Cailee A., 19

• fourth-degree theft of property

Vaughn, Leann L., 43

• FTA- insurance violation
• FTA- driving while suspended

Brown, Anthony T., 32

• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• possession of drug paraphernalia

Hanceville Police Department

No arrests reported.

Find arrest reports online Monday-Friday at www.CullmanTribune.com.

Cullman County Probate Judge Tammy Brown (Tammy Brown)

CULLMAN - The Tribune has been speaking with all local candidates who will be on the ballot in the June 5 primary election. Here, incumbent Cullman County Probate Judge Tammy Brown, who is being challenged by Carol Berry, answers some questions.  Brown first won her seat in 2012, after 25 years of service in the Cullman County Probate Court and Cullman County Revenue offices. She began her career as a clerk for Probate Judge Tom Burleson in 1987.

What made you want to become a judge when you started?

“I began working in the probate office in 1987 in the driver’s license department, then to recording, probate court and elections.  I knew from working in the different areas of the office that this office was about helping people. I love helping people. I am completing my first term in office after being elected in 2012. I was very fortunate to have first worked in the office and now the be the current Probate Judge.

"The probate court has original and general jurisdiction conferred upon the court by the Code of Alabama.  I preside over cases such as commitments, adoptions, conservatorships, guardianships, estates (wills and administrations), condemnations, name changes and other jurisdictional court procedures. I knew, but quickly learned first-hand, that when there are opposing sides in court cases everyone cannot win or be made happy.  I knew that I would be fair when presiding over cases and make court decisions based upon the law for the best interest of the person, the person’s estate and the child in the different cases, and I have done that.

“I must also state ‘who’ made me want to become judge when I first started was Probate Judge Tom Burleson and Betty Brewer.  Judge Burleson presided over cases that he had to make tough decisions about when the parties involved did not agree. People at times would be upset with him, but he would state people involved in the case could not or would not make a decision and that is what I have been elected to do.  Judge Brewer was more of a judge that just wanted everyone to get along. The employees in the office made sure we took care of her when there were tough times. In my first term as your probate judge, I’ve leaned from the thousands of experiences from working in the office and working with these two individuals while adjusting the work flow to handle the increased case load of today.”

What do you hope to accomplish in your next term?

“The first thing I want to accomplish is to secure additional assistance for mental health at the local level.  this mental health group (Cullman County Mental Health Advisory Committee) or ‘task force’ that was started and went public began to help within our county first.  We cannot stop here; the next goal is to secure more assistance for mental health issues at the state level. I witnessed first-hand when the 2011 tornado hit; we did not wait for someone to come in and help, we started helping each other first.  I volunteered with the Cullman County EMA during the tornado to help people. That is when I saw our Cullman County people help each other during the time of need. That is our goal with mental illness. The local officials at Cullman Regional Medical Center, Wellstone Behavioral Health, law enforcement agencies, the County’s legislative delegation and everyone involved have been very cooperative and helpful with regard to mental health.  This was not intended to rely on one agency, department, hospital, etc., to provide the assistance needed. Our goal was to reach out and educate people in Cullman County about mental illness in the hopes that we will start helping each other right here in our great county first. I believe that I can speak on behalf of everyone involved to say that it is our hope to continue to move forward for the mentally ill in Cullman County.  The Probate Office averaged 257 mental commitments per year during the last two years, as opposed to 126 commitment cases in 2013. This number of probate court cases will only continue.”

Brown pointed out additional accomplishments of the probate court office during her term:

• “Employee cross training in all areas of the office to serve the people in our county”
• “Streamline employees so that we have probate office employees that want to work together as a team and that are proud to work for and to serve you”
• “Utilize the conference room setup for families to have a more private place to meet and to hold court”
• “Utilize the camera system in place for the security and safety of the public and employees”
• “Satellite offices in place now to remain with the collaborated plan for employees to better serve our community”
• “Ensure that the record room is available to our local abstractors for the hours needed”
• “Provide and update current information for the county probate court website (www.cullmancourts.org)”
• “Probate court to continue with mental health meetings for all departments, agencies, hospitals involved to discuss any and all information regarding mental health”
• “Working together to have audits like the last two audit results without any incidents of noncompliance with applicable state or local regulations through the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts”

“And finally, for this question, to continue with the three goals I made when first elected in 2012:

1. All people will be served in an effective, efficient and professional manner.
2. Your family matters will be my priority in presiding over probate court cases.
3. I will set aside politics when making decisions, often time tough decisions, for probate court cases; the probate court and employees and will serve all people fairly."

What do you consider to be the big difference between you and your opponent?

“I find it amazing how people seeking any office for the first time emphasize accessibility and an open-door policy and exactly what that means.  Well, the probate office is your office and it is open to you all the time. You hired me for the job. The license and recording departments are not shut off where the general public cannot see what we are working on or doing.  But when a family is having their parent’s estate divided, families are having a loved one committed, a child is being adopted, or other cases that fall under the jurisdiction of the probate court, these cases deserve my undivided attention in a professional private setting exactly where you would want your family’s case to be handled.

“One important fact as your probate judge is that I cannot have communication about any case filed in probate court without all parties and their respective counsel present at the same time.  If any judge discusses cases without all parties present this is ex parte communication and a judge cannot participate in this discussion. The general public does not fully understand this, but I want you to understand that I must follow this by law.

“Another big factor to consider is that as the probate judge I am here to follow the laws as they are written.  Most people if not all people can provide an opinion. For example:

Alabama Code 22-52-1.1

1. MENTAL ILLNESS.  A psychiatric disorder of thought and/or mood which significantly impairs judgment, behavior, capacity to recognize reality, or ability to cope with the ordinary demands of life.  Mental illness, as used herein, specifically excludes the primary diagnosis of epilepsy, mental retardation, substance abuse, including alcoholism or a developmental disability.

“I truly pray that the people in Cullman County know that we are at a crisis level in providing the treatment and assistance needed for persons diagnosed with a mental illness.  What will this county do if we consider committing persons with substance abuse based upon the judge’s opinion? The number of commitments just soared from what we have at the present time.  It concerns me greatly to believe that anyone would want to begin this process.”

If you had to boil your message down to a concise statement, what would you want people to know about you?

“I am thankful that I was raised by my parents, the late Talmadge ‘Buck’ Hudson and the late Thelma Hudson, that always taught me to never forget where I came from and use a common-sense approach when dealing with people.  I have devoted myself to working in the office as your current probate judge. I will continue probate court law training so that I know the law for the cases that come before me. I will follow the law in making decisions about court cases.  I will not make decisions that will affect people for the rest of their life based upon opinion. I feel that I have had a successful first term with many accomplishments that we want to continue plus new ideas as they are presented. I am proud of the probate court with the case load and factoring in the same number of employees handling court cases as we had 15 to 20 years ago even though the court cases have increased tremendously.  Our vendor handles the number of probate court cases, recording, marriage and business license with updates as needed. The employees were provided the opportunity to change vendors and not one employee wanted to change and emphasized the ease of learning the system. It is important to me to include employees when making such a huge decision as changing computer vendors.

“I am proud of the employees in the probate office.  ‘WE’ the probate office employees are working for ‘YOU’ the people we work for and love serving on a daily basis.

“I had over 20 years of experience when I began five years ago in my first term as probate judge.  That experience allowed me to hit the ground running and to process this extremely heavy case load in a timely manner without having to learn the job first."

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Library Aide Brenda Johnson has replaced Town Clerk Patricia Ponder as Colony town librarian, and the library’s hours have changed. The library is pictured on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. (W.C. Mann for The Tribune)

COLONY - On Tuesday evening, the Colony Town Council voted to proceed with a project to give the town a storm shelter, while putting the brakes on plans to remove absentee Councilman Julian Fields.

The council accepted a sub-grantee agreement for the state’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program which will help fund the construction of a community storm shelter for the town.  Under the grant’s matching terms, Colony will have to provide $27,000 of the proposed $108,000 cost of the shelter. The council is now preparing to seek bids with the assistance of Cullman County Economic Development for construction of the shelter near the town hall and library/educational complex.

Proposed removal of Councilman Fields

The second item on the council’s agenda was the removal of Councilman Julian Fields, who has not attended a council function in more than three months.  According to the Code of Alabama section 11-40-25:

“Any elected municipal official who misses all regular and special called council or commission meetings for 90 consecutive days, beginning on the date of any absence, shall be removed from office by operation of law.”

Under the law, the council would be able to reinstate a removed member at a later time if a majority of members vote to accept the removed member’s reason for absence, or they may proceed with replacement.

In the absence of Mayor Donnis Leeth, who was out of town, Mayor Pro Tem Curtis Johnson recommended that the measure be tabled until a later meeting, and the other council members concurred.

Tom Bevill Library changes

Early Tuesday afternoon, the following notice appeared on the Town of Colony Facebook page:

“We say goodbye to Patricia Ponder as librarian at Tom Bevill Library.  New hours in effect today.”

Nothing was mentioned during the council meeting, but when asked about the change after the council meeting, Curtis Johnson said that former Colony Administrative Assistant Brenda Johnson, who was reassigned two weeks ago as a library aide, will take over as town librarian.  He also reported that, as of now, the library’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday.

The Colony Town Council meets at 6 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month in Colony Town Hall.  The public is invited.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Byre Forbes of Wallace State’s Academy of Culinary Arts won the program’s first gold medal at the state SkillsUSA competition.

HANCEVILLE–  Wallace State Community College’s students continue to shine at the state SkillsUSA competition.

Wallace State recently had a record 31 first-place finishers at the event, each winning a gold medal, and the college once again collected the Highest Participation Award and Highest Membership Award.

“SkillsUSA brings out the best in students. Each student who participated for us went above and beyond to put in the time necessary to be a champion,” said Wallace State’s Dean of Applied Technologies Jimmy Hodges. “SkillsUSA is a great organization to be associated with, and it’s absolutely thrilling to hear Wallace State’s name called over and over at the awards ceremony. It’s a testament to the quality of technical education that Wallace State offers to its students and shows the skilled workforce we can deliver to industry.”

In addition to the gold medals, Wallace State had 12 students respectively earn second (silver medal) and third (bronze medal) place.

Prior to the medallion ceremony, Hodges was recognized as a SkillsUSA Alabama Honorary Life Member. Since 1978, Hodges has participated in a SkillsUSA capacity, whether as a student, instructor or dean, and he’s been instrumental in increasing Wallace State’s participation in the annual event.

“I’ve always been an avid proponent of SkillsUSA. It’s important to be invested in the lives of all of our competitors, and it’s a great thing for our state,” Hodges said. “I was surprised and honored to receive the award and proud to represent Wallace State.”

Wallace State’s 2018 State SkillsUSA Competition Winners were as follows:

Adviser of the Year

2nd Place

Automotive Refinishing

3rd Place

Architectural Drafting

1st Place
3rd Place

Automated Manufacturing Technology

1st Place – Team B
3rd Place – Team C

Automotive Service Technology

1st Place

Carpentry

3rd Place

Chapter Display

1st Place – Team A

CNC Milling

2nd Place

Collision Repair

1st Place

Computer Programming

1st Place

Cosmetology Quiz Bowl

1st Place – Team B

Cosmetology 

1st Place

Culinary Arts

1st Place

Crime Scene Investigation

1st Place – Team A
2nd Place – Team B

Diesel Equipment Technology

3rd Place

Drone Technology

1st Place

Electronics Technology

1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place

HVAC/R

1st Place

Internetworking

1st Place
2nd Place

Job Skill Demonstration – Open

2nd Place

Mechatronics

1st Place – Team B

Prepared Speech

2nd Place

Related Technical Math

1st Place
2nd Place

Robotics and Automation Technology

1st Place – Team B
2nd Place – Team C
3rd Place – Team A

Technical Computer Applications

1st Place

Web Design

1st Place – Team A

Welding

2nd Place
3rd Place

Highest College Participation Award

Wallace State Community College

Highest College Membership Award

Wallace State Community College

Total 1st Place Winners: 31

Total 2nd Place Winners: 12

Total 3rd Place Winners: 12

For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.

CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for May 8. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

Cordell, John Cody, 23

• court appearance

Davis, Holly Latta, 30

• FTA- disorderly conduct

Finley, Trent Lawayne, 29

• FTA- driving while revoked

Hill, James Tyler, 23

• judge’s order- unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Swann, Jessie Wayne, 31

• possession of drug paraphernalia

Thompson, Destiney Kiah, 20

• FTA- driving without a license

Cullman Police Department

Strickland, Ronnie J., 44

• public intoxication

Perrodin, Jacob A., 24

• first-degree theft of property

Smith, Justin W., 30

• unlawful possession or receipt of a controlled substance
• possession of drug paraphernalia

Kenny, Frank H. Sr., 51

• public intoxication

Rooker, Harold K., 67

• unlawful possession or receipt of a controlled substance

Finley, Trent L., 29

• FTA- DUI

Stevens, Jeremy W., 37

• unlawful possession or receipt of a controlled substance (2 counts)
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• possession of drug paraphernalia

Hanceville Police Department

No arrests reported.

Find arrest reports online Monday-Friday at www.CullmanTribune.com.

Designated grocery pick-up parking spots are marked with bright orange. (Heather Mann for The Tribune)

CULLMAN - Both Wal-Mart locations in Cullman unveiled grocery pick-up services on Wednesday.

At the Olive Street Wal-Mart, Store Manager David Roberts explained, “Wal-Mart is already dedicated to saving people money, but this service will help save the one thing you can’t buy: time.”

The way the program works, he said, is “as easy as 1, 2, 3.” Online shoppers simply (1) download the grocery app or go to https://grocery.walmart.com/, (2) shop for their items and reserve a pick-up time and (3) visit the stores to receive the groceries. Shoppers using the pick-up service park in the designated pickup spots at their reserved times, and associates bring the groceries out to the cars. Shoppers can also request to see some of the products chosen by the personal shopper (the associate who collected the groceries ordered online) to make sure they are the desired quality, though Roberts assured everyone that the personal shoppers “will choose only the best.” 

Look for the full story in Thursday's print edition of The Cullman Tribune!

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Child Advocacy Center of Cullman (Brooks’ Place) receives a donation from Cullman’s Second Century League: left to right:  Kay Shabel, SCL; Mimi Weir, SCL; Haley Gaines; Sonya Cabri, SCL; Gail Swafford, executive director of Brooks’ Place; Georgia Jones, SCL; Amy Smith, SCL; Summer Gibson, SCL (Photo courtesy of the Second Century League)

CULLMAN - Cullman’s Second Century League (SCL) recently donated funds to the Cullman County Department of Human Resources, the Child Advocacy Center of Cullman (Brooks’ Place) and The Link of Cullman County.

The funds donated were raised at the SCL’s annual Mardi Gras party. This year, SCL donated more than $8,000 to Cullman DHR, $2,000 to Brooks’ Place and $1,000 to The Link.

ABOUT SECOND CENTURY LEAGUE:

SCL was founded in October 1971 and federated with Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs and General foundation of Women’s Clubs only three months later in January 1972.

Charter members were Nina L. Williams, Frances Alexander (Brownlee), Cheri Apel, Brenda Fricke, Jackie Griffith, Gwenda Howard, Janie Keller, Sue Little, Gaile McKoy (Sparks), Sharon Smith and Cathy Williamson (Turner).

The club name was chosen because this group was organizing just as Cullman began its Centennial celebration. It was and is our sincere goal to make a positive impact on our community through volunteer service during Cullman’s next hundred years.

ABOUT THE MARK GREGATH-SHARON FRANEY SMITH FUND:

The Mark Gregath-Sharon Franey Smith Fund was established by the Second Century League in 1980. Mark Gregath, who was he infant son of our members, Kay Gregath, was tragically killed in a fire. Although the club had always raised money for children’s causes, this seemed like a wonderful way to honor Kay’s son. The fund was to be administered by the Department of Human Resources for the foster children of Cullman County. In 1991, Sharon Franey-Smith, the daughter of club member Betty Franey and sister of Tress Bailey, died unexpectedly of an aneurism. Sharon’s name was added to the fund as a way of honoring her life as well.  

This fund has been vital to countless children in Cullman County who have come into foster care due to physical abuse, sexual abuse or severe neglect. These children usually come into foster care with the clothes on their backs. Through the fund, placement clothing has been purchased for each child as they settle into their foster homes. Over the years the fund has been used for purchasing band instruments, youth football and cheerleader uniforms, prom dresses, graduation rings, pictures, announcements, field trips, etc. Because of the loyal contributions of Second Century League during the last 30 + years, Cullman County DHR has been able to provide many “extras” for hundreds of foster children in Cullman County. We’ve extended additional funds to the Cullman County Child Advocacy Center (Brooks’ Place) and The Link of Cullman County. These agencies/organizations also assist children involved with Cullman DHR as well as others within the community. 

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

CULLMAN -  U.S. News & World Report on Wednesday released its annual Best High Schools rankings. Among Alabama high schools, Cullman High School came in at no. 18.

Of CHS, which has a 95 percent graduation rate, the report said, “Cullman High School is ranked 18th within Alabama. Students have the opportunity to take Advanced Placement course work and exams. The AP participation rate at Cullman High School is 53 percent. The student body makeup is 53 percent male and 47 percent female, and the total minority enrollment is 9 percent.”

The “scorecard” for Cullman High showed:

• College Readiness Index 33.1
• AP Tested 53%
• AP Passed 50%
• Mathematics Proficiency 48%
• Reading Proficiency 63%

The rankings for Alabama included one gold, 38 silver and 78 bronze medal schools. Cullman High received silver.

The top 20 schools in Alabama are:

1. Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School
2. Mt Brook High School
3. Homewood High School
4. Bob Jones High School
5. Oak Mt High School
6. Vestavia Hills High School
7. Hewitt-Trussville High School
8. James Clemens High School
9. Brewbaker Tech Magnet High School
10. Auburn High School
11. Fairhope High School
12. Ramsay High School
13. New Century Tech Demo High School
14. Spain Park High School
15. Hartselle High School
16. Thompson High School
17. Arab High School
18. Cullman High School
19. Chelsea High School
20. Guntersville High School

Methodology

U.S. News has a comprehensive rankings methodology, based on these key principles: “that a great high school must serve all of its students well, not just those who are college bound, and that it must be able to produce measurable academic outcomes to show it is successfully educating its student body across a range of performance indicators.”

The rankings considered 20,548 public schools across the nation.  

For national rankings, a four-step process was used. “The first three steps ensured that the schools serve all of their students well, using their performance on the math and reading parts of their state proficiency tests and their graduation rates as the benchmarks. For those schools that made it past the first three steps, a fourth step assessed the degree to which schools prepare students for college-level work.”

1. Are the school’s students performing better than expected, statistically? This included factoring in the percentages of economically disadvantaged students. The first step determined whether each school's students were performing better than statistically expected for students in that state.
2. Did students with historically underserved students – black, Hispanic and low-income – performed at or better than the state average for historically underserved students?
3. Did the school meet or surpass a benchmark for graduation rate? Schools with less than an 80 percent graduation rate did not pass this step.  
4. Are the school’s students prepared for college?  College-readiness performance was judged using Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate test data.

“In total, U.S. News nationally ranked the 5,948 highest-scoring schools as gold, silver or bronze depending on their CRI (College Readiness Index) values.”

Highlights of the 2018 Best High Schools Rankings

Breakdown of the results: After first eliminating public high schools that had fewer than 15 12th-grade students during the 2015-2016 school year, 20,548 schools were eligible to be included in the 2018 Best High Schools rankings.

As a result of the four-step rankings process, U.S. News awarded 28.9 percent of the 20,548 eligible public high schools with medals: 3,237 high schools – 15.8 percent of the eligible schools – received bronze medals; 2,211 high schools – 10.8 percent – earned silver medals; and 500 high schools – 2.4 percent – received gold medals.

For a high school to receive a gold medal in this year's rankings, it had to have a CRI value of 57.78 or higher, which is a higher standard than in the 2017 rankings, when a CRI value of 56 or higher was needed to earn a gold medal.

Click here for an in-depth look at the methodology.

Data and quotes from www.usnews.com/education/best-high-schools. Image courtesy of Cullman High School.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Baileyton Town Council (Heather Mann for The Tribune)

BAILEYTON - The Town of Baileyton is taking steps to make what it says is a dangerous intersection safer.

The intersection in question, at Summit Road and Holly Pond Road, has been the site of numerous car wrecks, according to the council, and at least one fatality (in May 2016). At its meeting this week, the council, along with Mayor Johnny Dyar, said it has almost run out of ideas to make the intersection safer. The solution proposed at the meeting was to follow the City of Hanceville’s lead and purchase LED stop signs to make the stop signs much more noticeable. With County Commissioner Gary Marchman present and willing to discuss having the County help the Town with the project, the council passed a motion to purchase one LED stop sign if the County would purchase the other. 

There was some concern that better sign visibility might not help much if drivers were still speeding, but Dyar said he felt the Town had to at least make one last attempt to stop the wrecks. Referencing the last fatality, he stated, “If you’d seen that man lying dead and his wife lying beside him, you’d wanna at least buy a stop sign, too.” However, Dyar said if the LED signs don’t reduce the traffic accidents, he would push for turning that stretch of road over to the County and letting it work on the issue.

In old business, the council said park coaches were supposed to get together and go over the rules for park sports, which they could then send out to parents, but complications arose after the rule sheets were sent out. Dyar proposed having next year’s rules finalized and sent out before sign-ups even begin.

Some pieces of land purchased by the Town need to be cleaned up, so the council is working on hiring someone to perform maintenance.

The council noted that maintenance needs to be performed on a road that was paved last year (damage occurred from people throwing away heavy objects like refrigerators or TVs), but the Town’s dump truck is still being repaired for broken brakes.

In new business:

- There will be a baseball tournament on June 2 to help raise funds for a local victim of throat cancer.

- The council voted to renew the Town’s video service contract with AT&T.

- A Town bus has faded due to sun exposure from not being entirely covered by the bus shed. The bus cost $80,000 and is otherwise in almost-new condition, so the council proposed extending the shed roof by about 8 feet to prevent further damage.

- Two new storm shelters will be added to the town: one near the cemetery, the other near Parkside School. The current storm shelter holds 97 people, but the council said there have been problems with occupants not closing the door during storms to let in more people.

- The cheerleaders from Holly Pond High School are talking with the council and the Baileyton Senior Center about organizing a fundraiser to help pay for a cheerleading building on campus.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

TRIO Day recipients from Hanceville Middle School included, from left, Jessica Marshall for Best Attitude and Shanna Helms and Darius Marshall for Most Improved. Not pictured for Best Attitude is Ramses Garcia.

HANCEVILLE–  Wallace State’s Talent Search students were celebrated recently at the annual TRIO Day on campus.

TRIO Day is for students in sixth-ninth grades from participating service area schools, many of whom are first generation potential college attenders, voluntarily participating in a wide variety of college readiness activities.

The group was treated to an exciting day on campus, which began with a welcome from Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics and an exclusive performance from Wallace State’s Singers.

“I’m excited and delighted you are here at Wallace State Community College and that you care enough about college to participate in this program. You are already aspiring to be something better, whatever you define better to be. The jobs you’ll have when you graduate high school and college may not even exist today. Every job is changing through technology and automation. That’s why it’s important to get a head start,” Karolewics said. “We want to be a part of your future. I invite each of you to attend Wallace State. It’s a good lift for your future. Wherever you decide to go, find that lift that will better yourself.”

Selected students in attendance were recognized with medals for most improved academic achievements and good attitudes through the entire school year.

For Hanceville Middle School, Jessica Marshall and Ramses Garcia were selected as the students with the Best Attitude and Shanna Helms and Darius Marshall were the Most Improved.

At Falkville, Savannah Garrison and Jennifer Wright earned the Best Attitude medallions, while Whitney Kemp and Ryan Lee were Most Improved.

“We are proud of all of you and we want to celebrate you. You’re here because you chose to be in Talent Search and want to be a better student. You said you wanted to make progress in your academic work, and that’s why you meet with tutors weekly,” said Kristi Nyquist, Wallace State’s Talent Search Project Director. “You are also here because you said you wanted to learn more about college and the process involved to get ready for college. We’re thrilled you are a part of this program.”

Wallace State students Joshua Dia and Valarie Yarbrough, both participants in TRIO, shared their positive experiences from being involved with the program.

Dia is active in the Rotaract Club and Baptist Campus Ministries at Wallace State. He’s a member of Phi Theta Kappa, serves as a SGA Senator and is a staff writer with The Mane Issue. Yarbrough is a Phi Theta Kappa and Kappa Beta Delta member, a SGA Senator and active with the Rotaract Club.

Talent Search students also had the opportunity to learn more about Systems Management and Production (SMAP), an organization at the University of Alabama at Huntsville that conducts research in support of the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal.  Though many full-time engineers, computer scientists, and other specialists work at SMAP, the organization also invites undergraduate students at UAH and other colleges to assist in research projects such as drone development and 3D visualization/animation.

Dr. Norven Goddard of SMAP served as the event’s guest speaker and encouraged the students to attend college, pursue their passions and observe the SMAP display tables in the Bailey Center lobby.

Before the day was complete, the students toured the following Wallace State programs: Criminal Justice, Salon and Spa Management, Visual Communications and Welding.

For more information about Wallace State, visit www.wallacestate.edu.

Morgan Dingler, who has been collecting jars of peanut butter for Knapsacks for Kids, gets help from the staff at Warehouse Discount Groceries.  (Photo Courtesy Melissa Betts)

CULLMAN - When Morgan Dingler went to help out at a dinner for needy families, it was an eye-opening experience that left her wondering what she could do to help her community and combat hunger.  With a little research and help from Melissa Betts, the children’s minister at her church, Dingler found her answer: peanut butter. A recently concluded donation drive spearheaded by Dingler collected more than 1,000 jars that will be distributed to students by Knapsacks for Kids, a children’s charity with offices in Cullman, Hanceville, Vinemont, West Point, Holly Pond and Good Hope serving students and their families all over the county.

On Tuesday, the 16-year-old Cullman High School sophomore and Cullman First Methodist Church youth shared her story with The Tribune.  

“I went and helped at The Link (of Cullman County), and they were feeding homeless people from around Cullman or people that just didn’t have a lot of money to support themselves,” said Dingler. “And we were serving them food, and I just noticed that it’s a lot of people that you don’t normally expect to be in such a little community. And so I went to Melissa, because she’s over the children’s organization at church, and I asked her if there was anything we could do to help.”

Why peanut butter?

Peanut butter has been manufactured in the U.S. since the 1880s and started as an expensive snack food for the rich.  By the end of the 19th century, it was being served in some hospitals as a means of providing patients with a good source of protein that did not have to be chewed.  In the 20th century, it became cheaper to produce and found a place as an economical source of protein for needy families: a healthy commodity that could be stored for long periods of time without needing refrigeration.

Numerous area businesses, churches and schools participated in Dingler’s drive, including:

• First United Methodist Church of Cullman
• St. John’s Little Lambs
• East Elementary School
• Cullman High Schools- Ms. McCutcheon’s Spanish classes and Mrs. Gleaton with the Leo Club
• Fairview Schools
• Vinemont Schools
• Holly Pond Schools
• Warehouse Discount Groceries - Hanceville, Downtown Shopping Center, and Hwy. 157
• Save A Lot Cullman
• Grace Chapel
• James R Smith Trucking

Betts said about Dingler, “I’ve known Morgan for the last eight years, so she was very young when I met her, and I’ve watched her grow through adolescence all the way now to really developing into a young lady who desires to be a leader in our community.  And not only is she pursuing leadership opportunities through the church, but also through school. And I really believe that a young person who would step out and just say to our county a program like this needs your support, and have the response that she’s had, says a tremendous amount about her leadership abilities.

“So, if she’s 16 now, I can’t imagine how developed she will be in her leadership skills as an adult.”

Knapsacks for Kids

Approximately 4,783 students, one in every four, in Cullman County suffer from some degree of food insecurity.  On Fridays during the school year, Knapsacks for Kids provides backpacks full of food to students who have been identified as having a lack of regular access to sufficient food.  The program feeds around 600 students around Cullman County. Through its members’ efforts and community donations, the program is able to feed one student for around $200 per school year, or around $5 per week.

Knapsacks for Kids is always looking for more volunteers and donations of goods or money.  To get involved, contact Betts at 205-410 5791. Betts connects interested volunteers with local volunteer leaders.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Olive Street Wal-Mart Store Manager David Roberts, right, presents Fairview High School’s George Redding with a $2,000 donation to the school. (Heather Mann for The Tribune)

CULLMAN - Following the lead of many stores around the country - as well as within the state in cities like Birmingham, Hunstville and Auburn - both Wal-Mart locations in Cullman unveiled grocery pick-up services on Wednesday. Ribbon cuttings were held at both locations.

At the Olive Street Wal-Mart, Store Manager David Roberts explained, “Wal-Mart is already dedicated to saving people money, but this service will help save the one thing you can’t buy: time.”

The way the program works, he said, is “as easy as 1, 2, 3.” Online shoppers simply (1) download the grocery app or go to https://grocery.walmart.com/, (2) shop for their items and reserve a pick-up time and (3) visit the stores to receive the groceries. Shoppers using the pick-up service park in the designated pickup spots at their reserved times, and associates bring the groceries out to the cars. Shoppers can also request to see some of the products chosen by the personal shopper (the associate who collected the groceries ordered online) to make sure they are the desired quality, though Roberts assured everyone that the personal shoppers “will choose only the best.” 

Before the ribbon was cut at his store, Roberts invited several guests to join him on stage for a few words about the new service. First was Pastor Trae Norell from Grace Chapel to deliver an opening prayer.

Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Leah Bolin said the Chamber has several calls from people wanting to know when the pick-up service would be coming to Cullman. “We’re so excited for the service it’s gonna offer to citizens all over the Cullman area, so congratulations, thank you for your hard work, and I’m gonna be first in line for the pickup.”

“The Wal-Mart Distribution Center’s been here for many, many, many years, and that’s what brought Sam Walton here years ago. Actually, without Sam, Heritage Park probably would not have been built,” said Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs, who took the stage to talk about the ways Wal-Mart has helped the Cullman community. Jacobs said Walton donated $70,000 toward the park’s construction when the idea was conceived, then his wife Helen Walton later contributed to building one of the park’s largest pavilions. “As you can see, Wal-Mart and Cullman are pretty good partners. I think that if we can get a little bit more money at the end of the day, we’d really appreciate that.”

While on the subject of money, Roberts presented three donation checks from Wal-Mart to two local schools and Cullman Parks and Recreation. Aaron Sparks from Cullman High School and George Redding from Fairview High School both came on stage to receive their schools’ checks ($2,000 for Fairview and $2,500 for Cullman). Cullman Parks and Recreation Executive Director Nathan Anderson received a donation of $2,000 to go toward a new playground pavilion (all-inclusive with wheelchair access). 

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

CULLMAN - Below are the arrests reported for May 9. All persons are innocent until proven guilty.

GJ = grand jury; FTA = failure to appear

Cullman County Sheriff’s Office

Boone, John Thomas, 33

• illegal possession of prescription medicine
• first-degree theft of property

Chumley, Eric Reese, 18

• FTA- speeding less than 25 MPH
• FTA- possession of drug paraphernalia

Hodges, Cassidy Rae, 23

• probation violation- possession of drug paraphernalia
• probation violation- unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Mickle, Joseph Lee, 26

• third-degree burglary
• first-degree receiving stolen property
• unlawful breaking and entering of a vehicle

Tubbs, Eric Brandon, 30

• FTA- DUI

Weaver, Donnie Ray, 28

• no tag-tag not plainly visible
• second-degree unlawful possession of marijuana
• unlawful possession of a controlled substance

Cullman Police Department

Mickle, Joseph L., 26

• reckless endangerment
• attempting to elude (2 counts)
• failure to signal
• first-degree receiving stolen property

Johnson, James R., 50

• unlawful distribution of a controlled substance (2 counts)

Yates, Austin K., 20

• first-degree theft of property

Hurt, Brandon R., 23

• third-degree criminal trespassing

Hanceville Police Department

No arrests reported.

Find arrest reports online Monday-Friday at www.CullmanTribune.com.

Paul Knetter of Gardendale was presented the 2018 President’s Cup at Honors Night.

HANCEVILLE - Students at Wallace State Community College were recognized for their achievements recently at the college’s Awards Night ceremony, held on the campus in Hanceville. Awards for campus leadership, scholastic achievement, transfer scholarships and division honors were among those presented at the ceremony.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to showcase these outstanding students,” said Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics. “We look forward to their bright futures.”

The night’s top honor, the President’s Cup, went to Paul Knetter of Gardendale. This award is presented to the student who most completely demonstrates academic excellence, service to the college and community, leadership, courage, perseverance and all those qualities that make a student well rounded.

Knetter is president of Rotaract, a service organization that is the college version of the Rotary Club. Under his leadership, Rotaract has become one of the most active groups on campus at 64-plus members and growing. He is a member of Wallace State’s two-time state champion scholars’ bowl team, involved in the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, as well as the English and math honor societies, and a member of the student government association, among other groups.  He also maintains a 4.0 GPA.

A complete list of Awards Night honorees follows:

4.0 GPA: Reagan Smothers-Addison, Brian Goza-Albertville, Whitney Kircus-Altoona, Lydia Latham-Arab, Jordan Duncan-Blountsville, Britton Smith-Blountsville, Michael Wester-Bremen, Carli Ashley-Cullman, Rhett Compton-Cullman, Haley Heaton-Cullman, Ariana Knighten-Cullman, Julie Martin-Cullman, Haley Cheatham-Decatur, Kendra Ritch-Dora, Erica Roberson-Double Springs, McKayla Carroll-Empire, Zoe Moon-Empire, Mallory Wood-Florence, Landon Warnock-Fultondale, Paul Knetter-Gardendale, Traci Faulkner-Glencoe, Joshua Royster-Good Hope, Kristin Yahn-Guntersville, Neeki McNeely-Gurley, Kyle Bear-Hanceville, Lorrin Cudnohufsky-Hanceville, Jason Kelly-Hanceville, Angel Mernatti-Hanceville, Maria Mondragon-Hanceville, Kaitlyn Holmes-Hartselle, Robin Akins-Hayden, Jake Smith-Hayden, Katherin Walton-Hoover, Madalyn Dodgen-Horton, Payton Chittam-Huntsville, Aaron McCoy-Huntsville, Cameron Nichols-Jasper, Kaylan Blake-Joppa, Hunter Ellis-Joppa, Ryan Fannell-Joppa,Beverly Hinson-Leoma, TN, Sarah Meyer-Lester, Gloria Delaney-Madison, Caitlyn Barton-Mobile, Leah White-Mt Olive, Courtney Jones-Muscle Shoals, Makaela Mote-Nauvoo, Casey Gage-Northport, Rebecca Bryant-Oneonta, Kayla Gonzalez-Oneonta, Jessica Batson-Pell City, Callie Ray-Pinson, Leah Alford-Plattsburgh, NY, Samantha Green-Russellville, Ashton Adderhold-Sheffield, Chelsea Culver-Trinity, Lydia Taylor-Trinity, Cassandra Vanderau-Union Grove, Justin Vanderau-Union Grove, Steven Ballard-Warrior, Kendra Osmer-Woodville

Who’s Who: Brian Goza-Albertville, Susan Roberts-Altonna, Michaela Duckett-Arab, Kayla Rojas-Baileyton, Shelton Blue-Birmingham, Justin Crump-Birmingham, Taylor DeSilvey-Birmingham, Brandon Dowds-Birmingham, Ashley Deweese-Blountsville, Kaylena Randolph-Boaz, Colby Wigley-Boaz, Haley Freeman-Bremen, Peyton Vest-Bremen, Victoria Vinson-Bremen, Zachary Alexander-Carbon Hill, Spencer Plunkett-Carbon Hill, Leandra Mendoza-Cleveland, Amber Wint-Cleveland, Kimberly Cates-Cordova, Savannah Calvert-Crane Hill, Heather Campbell-Cullman, Alesia Cupp-Cullman, Charlie Rose Evans-Cullman, Hadyn Ford-Cullman, Kourtney Harris-Cullman, Barbara Hoffman-Cullman, Brandee Holaway-Cullman, Olivia Lawson-Cullman, Anita Monk-Cullman, Landon Moon-Cullman, Rebecca Oden-Cullman, Megan Pendley-Cullman, Savannah Rakestraw-Cullman, Adriana Suarez-Cullman, Valarie Yarbrough-Cullman, Zachary Watts-Danville, Diane Daniel-Decatur, Hayley Johnson-Decatur, Jane Lowery-Decatur, Greg Jones-Eastaboga, Mallory Wood-Florence, Ashleigh Layton-Fultondale, Cassidy Dooley-Gardendale, Abby Granade-Gardendale, Paul Knetter-Gardendale, Angela Ramiscal-Glencoe, Erin Pankey-Guntersville, Kristin Yahn-Guntersville, Sarah Bors-Hanceville, Chelsea Cupp-Hanceville, Summer Higgins-Hanceville, Michael Jimentel-Hanceville, Alena Katana-Hanceville, Niyanna Malcom-Hanceville, Angel Mernatti-Hanceville, David O’Dell-Hanceville, Robert Powell-Hanceville, Kiefer Quick-Hanceville, Brianna Sims-Hanceville, Bailey Anders-Hartselle, Kaitlyn Holmes-Hartselle, Challie Johnson-Hartselle, Carrie Ward-Hartselle, Laurie Cavender-Hayden, Kristi Graves-Hayden, Thomas Poe-Hayden, Scott Russell-Hayden, Dax Scarbrough-Hayden, AmySchwartz-Helena, Coleman Shivers-Holly Pond, Katherin Walton-Hoover, Tayvin Puckett-Huntsville, Khanie Cantrell-Jasper, Micha Myers-Jasper, Hollye Funderburk-Kimberly, Davis Sheffield-Kimberly, Makenzie Singletary-Kimberly, Larry Bragg-Madison, Caitlyn Barton-Mobile, Amber Endsley-Moody, Nancy Nevarez-Medina-Moulton, Lelia Daniel-Mt. Hope, Morgan Warren-Mt. Hope, Makaela Mote-Nauvoo, Casey Gage-Northport, Rebecca Bryant-Oneonta, Jason Faile-Oneonta, Candace Garrison-Oneonta, Charlotte Keir-Oneonta, Stephanie Palmer-Oneonta, Laura Richards-Oneonta, Jadey Walker-Oneonta, Steven Junior-Oxford, Cheryl Reese-Pinson, Jessica Reeves-Pinson, Janeka Horton-Rainbow City, Ann Heritage-Reform, Reagen Smith-Remlap, Stephanie Urquhart-Scottsboro, Tabitha Freeman-Somerville, Anna Bryant-Springville, Allison Holmes-Vinemont, Tabetha Ausborn-Warrior, Kaleb Winfrey-West Blocton, Kendra Osmer-Woodville

Leadership: Reagan Smothers-Addison, Sigma Kappa Delta; Morelia Tinajero-Alabaster, TRiO/Student Support Services Student of the Year; Cayla Bagwell-Arab, Wallace State Jazz Band; Brennen Stricklin-Bremen, Student Government Association; Paul Cleghorn-Cullman, Wallace State Singers; Aladie Howse-Cullman, Wallace State Concert Choir; Magnolia Orozco-Fort Payne, Dental Hygiene Club; Paul Knetter-Gardendale, Kappa Beta Delta, Rotaract & Scholars Bowl; Angela Ramiscal-Glencoe, Medcal Assistant Club; Sarah Bors-Hanceville, Outstanding Service; Deanna Hay-Hanceville, Student Physical Therapy Organization; Daniel Leach-Hanceville, Wallace State Concert Band; Hannah Stringer-Hanceville, Drama Club; Challie Johnson-Hartselle, 2018 WSCC Homecoming Queen; Maci Key-Hayden, Skills USA; Lelia Daniel-Mt. Hope, Lambda Nu; Allison Benefield-Vinemont, Outstanding Service-English Workstudy; Rebecca Finley-Vinemont, Wallace State Pep Band; Hannah Gardner-Warrior, Sigma Kappa Delta

Athletes: Robert Haskins-Alabaster, Darion Mitchell-Alabaster, Dalton Cobb-Anniston, Austin Triplett-Auburn, Karlie Hudson-Big Sandy, TN, Sydney Powell-Birmingham, Kevin Williams-Brighton, Caroline Gann-Carbon Hill, Joy Sadler-Center Point, Savannah Beard-Cullman, Donald Camp-Cullman, Chester Freeman-Cullman, Emily Graves-Cullman, Jacob Lambert-Cullman, Kaylee Maddox-Cullman, Dalys Mullican-Cullman, Kolby Robinson-Cullman, Christopher Smith-Cullman, Toddric Stallworth-Cullman, Luke Wilson-Cullman, James Henry-Deatsville, Christopher Pressnell-Decatur, Ahziala Wright-Detroit, MI, Alexis Osteen-Dresden, TN, Geordan Walker-Durham, NC, Hannah Burns-Gardendale, Austin Leavins-Gardendale, Katherine Thomas-Goshen, Conner Daniel-Guntersville, Temperance Ennis-Hanceville, Deequan Fleming-Hanceville, Thomas Gevas-Hanceville, Brandon Lacasse-Hanceville, Rodney Malcom-Hanceville, Rylan Pendleton-Hanceville, Kiefer Quick-Hanceville, Trevoris Waugh-Hanceville, Charlee West-Hanceville, Yasmin Cruz-Jaimes-Horton, Dante Miller-Hudson, FL, Palmer Ford-Huntsville, Zackery Moon-Huntsville, Tanner Robertson-Huntsville, Annalee Stephens-Jasper, Emily Wilson-Jasper, Joseph Bruce-Kimberly, Abby Borden-Lacey Springs, Courtney Fountain-Locust Fork, Tanner Rusk-Logan, Marquise Cobbs-Mobile, Jordan Simpson-Moulton, Justice Gibbs-Odenville, Taylor Stalnaker-PanamaCity, Madison Grant-Pell City, Austin Rivera-Phenix City, Dalton Sinquefield-Phenix City, Tykeah Rogers-Piedmont, Molly Whitlock-Saraland, Christian Olive-Sheffield, Devin Brown-Smiths, Tothan Matthews-Stevenson, Gabrielle Hill-Trussville, Kelsi Wilson-Tuscaloosa, Jodie Farnetti-Vance, Cameron Rentfrow-Warrior, Kevin Wharton-Price-White Oak, PA

Program Awards: Jacob Brown-Arley, Machine Tool Technology; Ernesto Rivera-Blountsville, Salon & Spa Management-Cosmetology; Zachary Alexander-Carbon Hill, Physical Therapist Assistant; Savannah Calvert-Crane Hill, Medical Assisting; Taylor Urech-Crane Hill, Dental Assisting; Marjorie Edmondson-Cullman, Graphic Design & Visual Communications; Kourtney Harris-Cullman, Business Education/Administrative Assistant; Julie Martin-Cullman, Child Development; Zachary Watts-Danville,Agriculture Production/Horticulture; Whitney White-Danville, Dental Hygiene; Diane Daniel-Decatur, Occupational Therapy Assistant; Paul Knetter-Gardendale, Entreprenurship; Traci Faulkner-Glencoe, Health Information Technology; Kristin Yahn-Guntersville, Forensic Investigation; Kyle Bear-Hanceville, Engineering Technology; Daniel Leach-Hanceville, Music Education; Niyanna Malcom-Hanceville, Medical Laboratory Technology; Angel Mernatti-Hanceville, Business Administration; Carrie Ward-Hartselle, Associate Degree Nursing; Robin Akins-Hayden, Paralegal; Tracy Wilburn-Hayden, Collision Repair; Aaron McCoy-Huntsville, Flight Technology; Robert Foster-Jasper, Law Enforcement; Hollye Funderburk-Kimberly, Diagnostic Imaging; Jason Sanford-Sumerville, Welding Technology; Tabetha Ausborn-Warrior, Business Education/Accounting; Dianne Wood-Warrior, Culinary Arts

Outstanding Mathematician: Emmanuel Reynoso Arce-Arab, Karla Contreras-Cullman, Hannah Morton-Cullman, Amie Peacher-Cullman, Kaitlin Richards-Cullman, Benjamin Smith-Cullman, Emilee Tanner-Dora, Andrew VanWinkle-Eva, Taylor Robinson-Hartselle, Ryan Tucker-Kimberly, Aaron Mejia-Oneonta, David Chappell-Vinemont

All-Alabama Academic Team: Taylor Urech-Crane Hill, Challie Johnson-Hartselle

Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Nominee: Savannah Calvert -Crane Hill

Coca Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship: Demi Highfield-Piedmont

President’s Cup:  Zachary Watts-Danville (nominee), Paul Knetter-Gardendale (winner), Kristin Yahn-Guntersville (nominee), Maci Key-Hayden (nominee), Jason Sanford-Sumerville (nominee), Steven Ballard-Warrior (nominee)

Athens State University Transfer Scholarships: Cayla Bagwell-Arab, Karson Scott-Arab, Conner Stone-Arab, Sara Gladney-Arley, Alexus Kilpatrick-Arley, Macy Ray-Baileyton, Samantha Thompson-Baileyton, Colby Wigley-Boaz, Alyssa Holderfield-Bremen, Jenna Berry-Cleveland, Carli Ashley-Cullman, Savanah Barnett-Cullman, Xochitl Castellanos-Cullman, Rachel Compton-Cullman, Lauren Creel-Cullman, Noah Holder-Cullman, Benton Patterson-Cullman, Taylor Terry-Cullman, Anna Trevarthen-Cullman, Sybil Tubbs-Cullman, Luke Tucker-Cullman, Noah Walker-Cullman, Nicole Ward-Cullman, Stacey Fairbanks-Decatur, Lyndsey Martin-Eva, Savannah Childers-Falkville, Sarah Bors-Hanceville, Hannah Sumner-Hanceville, Lexi Fagan-Hartselle, Nolan Norwood-Hartselle, Thomas Poe-Hayden, Chassidy Pennington-Mount Olive, Lauren Tate-Trafford, Colton Pritchett-Union Grove, Calan Talley-Union Grove, Jasmine Daniel-Vinemont, Allison Holmes-Vinemont, Allison Holmes-Vinemont, Hannah Lambert-Vinemont, Crystal Talley-Vinemont

Auburn University Transfer Scholarships: Justin Hollaway-Cullman, Amanda Hyjek-Cullman, Brady Kent-Cullman, Zachary Watts-Danville, Ryan Oden-Eva, Erin Pankey-Guntersville, Sarah Horton-Hayden

Jacksonville State University Transfer Scholarships: Luz Elizarraraz-Cleveland, Zoe Moon-Empire, Demi Highfield-Piedmont, Bridgette Gray-Trussville

University of Alabama Transfer Scholarships: Reagan Smothers-Addison, UA Community College Presidential Scholarship; Macy Smith-Hanceville, UA Community College Presidential Scholarship; Emily Wilson-Jasper, UA Community College Merit Scholarship

More photographs from the event can be seen at https://www.flickr.com/gp/wallacestate/399aH0.

REHAU has been recognized as a "Best New Supplier" by key customer and major U.S. appliance manufacturer GE Appliances. Bernd Kupferer, vice president of the industrial solutions division of REHAU, accepted the award on behalf of REHAU’s team at the production plant in Cullman, as well as the product engineers in Cullman and at the company’s Americas headquarters in Leesburg, Virginia.

Elizabeth Thompson

MONTGOMERY - The Alabama Farmers Federation welcomed Elizabeth Thompson to its Organization Department for a summer internship May 9. Thompson, a junior majoring in agricultural economics at Auburn University (AU), will work at the Montgomery home office until August.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to advocate for and serve the Alabama agricultural industry through Ag in the Classroom (AITC),” said Thompson, a native of Holly Pond in Cullman County. “The possibilities for sharing information about our No. 1 industry are endless.”

Her responsibilities include assisting with AITC Summer Institute, ag literacy projects and curriculum development, said the Federation’s Kim Ramsey.

“Elizabeth’s passion for agriculture and background growing up on a farm will be an invaluable asset for our ag literacy programs this summer,” said Ramsey, director of Alabama AITC and the Federation’s Women’s Division. “We are confident this summer will offer her personal and professional growth.”

At AU, Thompson is social chair of the Ag Ambassadors and is Ag Council secretary-treasurer. She is also a student employee for the Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology Department. 

She is the daughter of the late James Thompson and Teresa Thompson of Holly Pond and graduated from Holly Pond High School in 2016.

The ribbon was cut on new Hanceville eatery and catering company Southern Mix on Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Heather Mann for The Tribune)

HANCEVILLE - For four years, Cassie Williams and Rhonda Abbott have been catering parties, weddings and pretty much any event one can imagine with their company, Southern Mix, but the duo has been looking for a place to permanently set up shop. Now, they’re proud to say that Southern Mix Catering can be visited at 107 Bangor Ave. NE in Hanceville. The shop is in the right-most area of the Joann Walls Center.

Southern Mix will cater just about any event: weddings, wedding showers, baby showers, birthday parties, office parties, graduation parties or even funerals. It offers a large selection of baked goods, fruit treats, cheeses, sandwiches and salads and can accommodate dietary restrictions such as nut allergies. Vegetarian options are available; gluten-free and vegan options are not available yet, but Williams said she and Abbott are looking into those choices. 

For those who want to eat Southern Mix’s food but don’t have any events that need catering, the store offers dine-in and carry-out lunches Wednesday- Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Regular lunches include sandwiches, salads and sides; weekly specials are listed on the store’s Facebook page. Customers can walk in and place their orders or call ahead and pick them up, though dine-in seating is limited to about 12 people.

As a special treat for their hard work, faculty and staff at Wallace State Community College will receive free drinks if they present their Wallace IDs.

Shared Williams, “We’ve felt like this (Hanceville) was our home from the beginning, and we’ve really felt at home here.” And what does Williams recommend the most from the Southern Mix menu? Strawberry-pretzel salad, she said, though the chicken salad is also highly recommended for those who want a savory dish.

Find out more by calling Southern Mix at 256- 347-5692 or 256- 708-4858, emailing southernmixalabama@yahoo.com or visiting www.southernmixalabama.com or www.facebook.com/SouthernMixAL.

Copyright 2018 Humble Roots, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Wallace State Community College unveiled the college’s newly-renovated northern entrance, complete with a new brick sign and flags, on Frances Dodd Drive on Thursday, May 10, 2018. (Heather Mann for The Tribune)

HANCEVILLE - Wallace State Community College on Thursday cut the ribbon on the college’s newly-renovated northern entrance on Frances Dodd Drive. The entrance now boasts a new brick sign with the school’s name, as well as three new flagpoles. The ceremony saw honored speakers Sen. Paul Bussman, R-Cullman; Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Fairview; WSCC President Dr. Vicki Karolewics; Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Leah Bolin; Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs; and Hanceville Mayor Kenneth Nail.

After opening remarks from Bolin and an invocation from Michaela Bryan of WSCC Campus Ministries opened the ceremony, Karolewics talked about the accomplishments the college has seen in its 52 years. 

This year alone, said Karolewics, school teams won 55 SkillsUSA medals, more than 30 of which were gold. She said tennis, softball and golf teams are playing at nationals, the baseball team is playing at state, and a team of physical therapy and dental students recently went of a trip to Kenya to provide medical and dental care to needy citizens. Karolewics said the college will soon see the groundbreaking for a new welding building and has also been approved for a student center that will house the culinary arts.

Karolewics said the new north entrance sign not only represents a gateway to the college, but to opportunity and to a new life that many students might not have had without Wallace State.

“Another great day at Wallace State Community College,” smiled Bussman. “It’s always amazing to me how one project gets done, and then there’s one more right behind it. You see a lot of times in schools like this you’ll have a project, and it’ll be many years before another project goes, but that’s not the way we do things at Wallace State Community College. Y’all have a real gem here. When you look at Wallace State Community College and you compare it to other community colleges around the state, and even across the country, we have a tremendous gem here. Our industries are better for it, our cities are better for it, and the citizens of Alabama are better for it.”

Shedd echoed Bussman’s positive remarks on the college. “It’s always an honor to be at the events at Wallace State. I commend you on the economic impact that you have on our community, you know, one life at a time, one individual at a time, and the difference that you make,” he said. “Today, as we stand underneath these huge flags and have this ceremony, we can all be thankful for the opportunity to be at Wallace State, for being Alabamians and for being Americans.”

Jacobs congratulated WSCC on the outstanding training it provides for the county’s future workers and thanked Karolewics for the school’s significant contribution to Cullman’s industries.

A beaming Nail expressed the pride he has for Hanceville’s connection to WSCC (literally, now that the last piece of concrete has been poured to connect Hanceville’s city sidewalks to those on the college’s campus).

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