April 17, 2024
WEDNESDAY
SPORTS: Trash Pandas have strong opening home series of the season at Toyota Field
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madisoncountyrecord.com
themadisonrecord
Overcash reappointed to Madison school board
MAKE-A-WISH
By MARIA RAKOCZY maria@themadisonrecord.com
MVP Madison Visionary Partners or MVP has presented $10,000 in 2024 Community Impact Grants to five organizations that provide educational and health services to residents of Madison County. Page 3A
JCHS Principal Dr. Kerry Donaldson escorted Madison 5th grader Makenzie Perkins down the school’s red carpet for the surprise Make-A-Wish reveal.
James Clemens helps 5th grader’s wish come true
New exhibit
Artwork by Charity Stratton is now on exhibit at Madison Public Library as the featured artist for Madison Arts Alliance. Page 5A
Concert Madison City Community Orchestra or MCCO members invite residents to an evening of classical music at its 2024 Spring Concert, Beethoven’s “Eroica -- Symphony #3.” Page 6A
Weekend fun We have information on weekend events happening in the Madison and Huntsville area. Page 7A
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Schools ............ 4B History.............. 5B Kids.................. 6B Faith................. 7B
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By STAFF REPORTS staff@themadisonrecord.com MADISON - Dreams can come true when you “Make A Wish”. That’s exactly what happened to Madison 5th grader Makenzie Perkins, thanks to the Make A Wish Foundation of Alabama through the
help of James Clemens High School. The school’s SGA led a fundraiser that generated $10,000 to help Makenzie achieve her dream of visiting Los Angeles where stars abound. Students at JCHS went all out for Friday’s big reveal. Makenzie and two of her
classmates at Mill Creek Elementary got hair and makeup treatment as well as a “say yes to the dress” selection of attire to wear to a red carpet arrival at a schoolwide assembly in the gym. A white stretch limo picked them up for a loop around the school to make their grand entrance. See MAKE A WISH Page 8A
Liberty Middle School educator named finalist for Alabama Teacher of the Year By GREGG PARKER gregg@themadisonrecord.com MADISON – Kristen Brown, a science teacher at Liberty Middle School, is a finalist for “Alabama Teacher of The Year.” Brown is among the 20242025 “Sweet 16” finalists for the honor, which the Alabama State Department of Education coordinates. A panel of accomplished educators selected the finalists. The other nominee for the State Board of Education’s District 8 is Shannon Williamson at Blossomwood Elementary School in Huntsville. The state board will reduce the 16 finalists to the ‘Final Four’ and announce the winner in May. “I am humbled and honored to have been nominated for the State Teacher of the Year award and to represent Madison City Schools and District 8,” Brown said. “None of this would have been possible without the collaboration and support of everyone involved.” “Together, we’ve made a meaningful impact on the lives of our students, and, for that, I’m truly grateful,” Brown
The Brown family: Dawson, from left, Kate, Caden, Kristen, Tom, Dawson Jr. and Allie. Kristen Brown is a finalist for Alabama Teacher of the Year. said. “I’m deeply grateful for the unwavering support and encouragement I’ve received
throughout my journey. First and foremost, I want to thank my husband, Dawson Brown, See BROWN Page 2A
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MADISON - Last week’s Madison City Council meeting including two proclamations and the reappointment of former city councilman Tommy Overcash to the Madison City Schools Board of Education. City Council President Renae Bartlett presented on behalf of Mayor Paul Finley two proclamations that declared April both the Fair Housing Month in conjunction with HAAR and NaOvercash tional Volunteer Month in partnership with Madison Visionary Partners. The Fair Housing Month proclamation comes along with the 56th anniversary of the fair Housing Act on April 11. The proclamation reads, “I, Paul Finley, Mayor of the City of Madison, Alabama do hereby proclaim the month of April 2024 as Fair Housing Month to establish Madison as an inclusive community committed to fair housing and to promote appropriate activities by private and public entities intended to provide or advocate for equal housing opportunities for all residents and prospective residents of Madison.” “Realtors stand with our elected officials to defend the Fair Housing Act each and every day. At Huntsville Association of Realtors, we insist on every license realtor go over and beyond basic standards of defending home ownership, private home owner rights,” said a HAAR representative upon accepting the proclamation. April was also proclaimed National Volunteer Month. “During this month, all over the nation, service projects will be performed and volunteers recognized for their commitment to service,” reads the proclamation. Madison Visionary Partners did the latter last month with their Madison Visionary Awards that recognized exceptional individuals for their volunteer contributions to the city. MVP Executive Director Melanie Thornton said of the vital role of volunteers in Madison, “You know, for decades volunteers have been a driving force behind our city’s success. We commend them not only for their impactful work within Madison but also for their contributions in making our city one of the most desirable places to live in the country.” Later in the meeting, former councilman Tommy Overcash was reappointed to Place 1 of the Board of Education. Overcash has already been serving a term to fill the position on the board vacated See CITY COUNCIL Page 8A