West News

• Classroom Clips for West News Nov. 19 with 5 photos
Bessemer City Schools:

• FOR YOUR INFORMATION

• Foundry to open women's dorm
The Foundry Rescue Mission and Recovery Center is expected to open a 52-bed dormitory for women in Bessemer by the first of the year.

• `I just always had a desire to teach children.'
Biography: Autumm Jeter, 29, is principal of Glen Oaks Elementary School in Fairfield. She is married to lawyer Reginald Jeter. They have a 5-year-old son, Jordan. What led you to a career in education?: I've always wanted to be able to mold and shape the lives of children that would one day take care of us. I've just always had a desire to teach children new information and be a positive role model for them. What are the biggest differences between being in the classroom and being in the office?: The paperwork! Also, the lack of one-on-one interaction with all of the children every day. What is the best thing about your job?: Being able to work more with teachers as their instructional leader. Is there a downside?: The paperwork! What was your first job?: Retail sales at Sears. Do you have any hobbies?: Reading, walking and traveling. Favorite TV show: "Run's House" and "House Hunters." Favorite movie: "You've Got Mail" with Meg Ryan. Favorite junk food: Candy. The book you read most recently: "Getting to Yes" by Roger Fisher. It's a book for my negotiations class. I'm pursuing my doctorate at Samford University. Your idea of a great evening?: Sitting around with my family, laughing and talking and telling stories about our week. The best car you ever had was: A 1980 Ford Mustang. Your guests at a fantasy dinner party would be: The cast of "The View." If you got a million dollars tomorrow, you'd:. Give 10 percent to church, donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, give back to my college (Talladega College) and pay off my student loans. Bill Plott --

• MAKERETA DONALD, Ramsay High School SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Year: senior; sports: volleyball and golf Academic highlights: Makereta has a 3.8 GPA and is ranked in the top 25 percent of her class. She is a member of the FCCLA. Athletic highlights: Makereta plays volleyball as a middle and outside hitter. She was named to the all-tournament team at the Birmingham City Volleyball Tournament. She also plays golf, and during her first year received an award for making a birdie and completing a hole in two strokes. Where do you see your academic future? I plan to attend college at UAB to pursue a career as a nurse practitioner or a nurse anesthetist. Where do you see your athletic future? I plan to continue to play golf or volleyball after I graduate from high school. Favorite subject: My favorite subject is science, because I enjoy learning how the bodies of animals and humans function. Who has been a major positive influence on you? My mother has been a major influence in my life because she always pushes me to strive for higher standards and tries her best to support my decisions. What's on your iPod? Hip-Hop, R&B, and gospel. What is your favorite sports memory? The most memorable moment of my high school career was when I hit at least eight golf balls into a lake at my first golf tournament. Other interests: I am involved with the praise dance team and the youth choir at my church, the House of Restoration. Shannon Seale Bottoms --

• Midfield Council terminates city attorney
Attorney's fees were a critical factor in the Midfield City Council's decision to reject Mayor Gary Richardson's proposed 2008-09 budget, according to council member Janice Anderson.

• New Value Place hotel work starts in Bessemer
Construction has started on a new Value Place hotel in Bessemer.

• Brighton School to get playground upgrade
The surprise announcement of a $50,000 allocation for an upgraded playground during Thursday's groundbreaking ceremony for the new Brighton School "made a good day even better," said the school's principal, Margie G. Curry.

• Senior appraiser returns to old job after losing election in Bessemer
Andrew Smith chuckled at the thought of being a new employee although he has been on the job for 37 years.

• Midfield council rejects mayor's budget
Midfield City Council members say they rejected Mayor Gary Richardson's proposed budget for 2008-09 because financial concerns they had earlier expressed were not addressed in the final product.

• Graysville taking steps to shape downtown's future
Graysville leaders want to know what the future of downtown Graysville should look like.