By David Seale

Jemison Middle School will be launching a huge fundraiser Aug. 27. 

It is in conjunction with Great American Opportunities and involves magazine subscription renewals. 

Principal Mark Knight is optimistic the fundraiser will be a success.

“This is a very easy fundraiser because it doesn’t involve selling magazines but getting people to renew the ones they already have. And if each student can do just a couple, it will make a real difference since the school gets a percentage of the renewal profits,” Knight said.

Because of state cuts in teacher supplies, professional development, technology and books, Knight said this event is necessary to maintain the high standards the school has set.

“The money we make will go directly into our general fund to offset those cuts. Even things like copy paper and ink cartridges for printers are going to be tough to buy without the state money we usually get. We know money’s tight for everyone, but if each student can do a little, it will add up to a lot,” Knight said.

Information packets will be given to students on Thursday to take home to their parents.

In other school news, the Jemison Middle School fall athletic schedule is ready to kick it into high gear.  Or spike it, as the case may be.

The JMS volleyball team will host its first home match Aug. 31 against Isabella at the JHS gymnasium at 4:30 p.m. 

Coach Aubrey Sharit is excited to get the new season started: “This is a young group with just three returning players from last year’s team. That means a lot of seventh graders will be getting some significant playing time. We’re ready to play a real opponent after a summer of conditioning and camp with just inner-squad scrimmages.”

Morgan Lucas, one of the three JMS volleyball captains, said, “We can’t wait for the first match.  We’re young, but we know we can win this year.”

The JMS football team will also host its first home game the same week when it takes on the Clanton Middle School Tigers on Sept. 1. The new JMS coaching staff is fired up about the Panthers hitting some helmets of a different color.

“We’ve got a hungry group this year,” head coach James Morrison said. “They’ve worked for it. Hot summer practices, long afternoons. And still, they want more. This year’s team will surprise and impress a lot of people in the area.”

Joining Morrison on the sidelines will be Chris Baker, Steve Karn, and Ty Riggins.  

The award-winning JMS cheerleading and dance teams will be performing at the football game as well.  The JMS-CMS game will start at 6 pm at the JHS football. stadium.

– David Seale is assistant principal at Jemison Middle School.