Beatrice Legacy December 2022

OPENING OUR COMMUNIT Y UP TO ITSELF ... ABOUT US, FOR US

Auburn University, held its annual Journalism Day on October 27 on the campus, under the direction of Professor Justin C. Blankenship, Associate Director for Journalism. Pulitzer Prize winning authors Cynthia Tucker, a native of Monroeville, Alabama, along with her co-author, Frye Gallard, were the featured speakers. They talked about truth in news reporting. They emphasized the Issues and Innovations in Rural News Coverage.

The PRCNN (PACERS Rural Community New Network) were represented by Mary and Freddie Howard from the Beatrice Legacy, and Gary Burton from the Pintlala Legend. Mrs. Jean Mosley also sent three students who work with her on the Camp Hill Chronicles. The Beatrice Legacy was also represented by the two student interns who have joined their staff.

Deliyah Johnson and ZaNaerial Marshall, two students at Shields

(Grades 10 & 11) are two students who are being paid by Auburn University to be trained to work with the Legacy, thanks to the work of Dr. Laura Fairley, a staff member at Auburn and our Lead person at PACERS since Dr. Jack Shelton retired from that position.

During the event, Mr. & Mrs. Howard and Gary Burton made presentations about what their papers

Professor Laura (Nan) Fairley stated that “Ms. Tucker and others really enjoyed hearing about the PRCNN work and were so impressed with what is being accomplished.”

Deliyah and ZaNaerial were really impressed with the presentations. They were excited to meet and hear a

“hometown” girl speak about journalism. These girls had never heard of Cynthia Tucker and expressed a sincere desire to work to make the Beatrice Legacy even better in the future. They took so many notes of what was being said. We also got a chance to visit the student media presentation in the afternoon after being provided lunch. Not only were our students excited about the event, students from the University were excited as well. Many of them had never heard of PACERS.

The students were served pizza for lunch and got a chance to tour part of Auburn University campus with Prof. Fairley. The girls also met the three students from Camp Hill. Since the spring of 2020, the COVID -19 virus has dramatically changed the landscape of medicine. We have witnessed the population contract the virus with unpredictable outcomes leaving many questions.

Nan Fairley, Moderator of the forum with Mary Howard, Freddie Howard, (Beatrice Legacy) Cynthia Tucker, Gary Burton,(Pintala Ledger) Jim Earnhart and student Intern for the Ledger, Ashby Henry

Shields Students ZaNaerial Marshall and Deliyah Johnson with Syndicated Columnist Cynthia Tucker

By Dr. Angela Stallworth

incidence of Long COVID is unknown. It has been theorized that unvaccinated patients, the elderly, patients with chronic conditions like asthma, or those with a more severe illness during the first week are more at risk of developing Long COVID.

laboratory or supportive radiologic data to make the diagnosis. With more attention being placed on Long COVID, the advocates for ME/CFS are now finding allies to substantiate their argument that ME/CFS is an actual condition and Long COVID is just proving its validity.

Some patients seemed to have only mild, short-term symptoms, while others suffered from severe respiratory illness and died. Initially, those with mild symptoms were considered lucky; however, shortly into the pandemic, the medical community discovered that some patients developed lingering symptoms or "Long COVID." Long COVID is a term that describes a litany of symptoms ranging from chronic fatigue, respiratory complaints (cough or shortness of breath), and other non-specific symptoms following infection with COVID-19. In the medical community, Long COVID has been renamed post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 or PASC. The medical literature reports that symptoms can last a few weeks to several months following the initial infection. The

The most common symptoms associated with long COVID are fatigue, headaches, memory or concentration impairment (brain fog), chronic debilitating shortness of breath, and an altered sense of smell. Research has well established the symptoms of Long COVID were seen more often in a patient who experienced severe illness, which led to hospitalization. Still, more data is emerging on the younger population who may experience mild illness with less pronounced symptoms. Laboratory analysis, cardiac testing using an echocardiogram, lung function, or memory testing have not proven a cause for developing Long COVID; therefore, these tests are not routinely used to diagnose Long COVID. Instead, today's clinician diagnoses Long COVID by using the clinic history of having a prior infection and the constellation of symptoms you present to a healthcare professional to discuss. Some scientists are linking Long COVID to a known condition called myalgic encephalomyelitis/ chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). ME/ CFS has been well documented to occur post infections, including viruses, and has the hallmark of fatigue that worsens with physical activity and other associated debilitating physical ailments. ME/ CFS has had an uphill battle in acquiring legitimacy and is poorly understood in the medical community. Like Long COVID, it is primarily a clinical diagnosis with no

Many clinicians have theorized why these symptoms persist despite the resolved active infection. One theory points to the virus hiding within certain organs and continuing to cause slow damage by creating inflammation by slowly releasing pockets of the virus in the body. This theory that lingering virus within the body contributes to the symptoms of Long COVID is the most supported in research.

New research has found the spike protein (the part of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that allows it to invade a host cell) in patients with Long COVID symptoms for up to a year following infection. However, this protein is not detected in people who have fully recovered.

The role of antiviral medications is being studied to determine if treatment can reduce the risk of developing Long COVID. Currently, there is insufficient medical evidence to make standardized guidelines for clinicians to follow in managing patients with Long COVID.

Therefore, most care is individualized based on the patient's current impairment and care goals. The standard from many primary care providers has been to focus on rehabilitative services with mental health support and targeted medications to manage appropriate symptoms.

Some studies show modestly reduced rates of developing Long COVID in vaccinated patients compared to unvaccinated patients, while others show substantial reductions. So no matter how you feel about COVID-19 vaccines, they not only reduce the risk of developing severe COVID infection but also appear to reduce the risk of developing Long COVID should you be infected with the virus. As a family medicine physician, disease prevention is my wheelhouse.

Therefore science continues to endorse, as will I, the importance of the COVID-19 vaccines to help prevent the possible lasting consequence of a COVID-19 infection. All in all, more questions still need to be answered, and more research is underway. Current data is mainly from the original and highly contagious variants of Delta. Today Omicron is the dominant stain. Therefore, more research will be needed to direct the care of patients in the future as other variants are detected.

Publisher: Mary V. Howard

Staff: Mary Howard, Freddie Howard, Heather Moorer

Student interns: Deliyah Johnson & ZaNaerial Marshall

Editors: Garrett Lane & Fred Fluker

Mailing Address: 231 6th Avenue, Beatrice, AL 36425

Advertising Inquires: Mary Howard, printmom4@hotmail.com Phone: 251-789-2424

All information herein has been checked for accuracy to the best of the publisher’s ability. No responsibility is accepted for deletions, omissions, errors and/or inaccuracies unless special placement within the publication was purchased. Publisher reserves the right to place ads on a first-come, first-serve basis. No materials contained herein may be reproduced without exclusive written permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed by contributing writers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s opinion.

© Copyright 2021 by THE BEATRICE LEGACY, all rights reserved. Special thanks to all our advertisers, business associates, departments, contributing writers and all other supporting contributions involved in making this possible.

Associate Program Director | Baptist Health Montgomery Family Medicine Residency Program

By Dr. Jack Shelton

Very Good News!

munities including joining the staff, contributing articles, making financial donations, and spreading the good word about the papers. Volunteer help will greatly extend the value of the grant.

will facilitate. When the website is completed details will be included in all the PRCNN papers.

move the network and papers to self-sustaining maturity. The foundation’s mission is included below.

The PACERS Rural Community Newspaper Network (The Beatrice Legacy, The Pintlala Ledger, The Packers Bend Times, The Camp Hill Chronicle) has received a generous two-year grant from the Daniel Foundation. The first year of the grant will support publication of three editions of each of the papers and includes printing and layout and design costs. After the publication of these additional three editions, the papers should be selfsustaining, and that is a very crucial goal. The newspapers warrant assistance from their com-

Funds from the Daniel Foundation will additionally be applied to training sessions on the evening of April 14, 2023 the night before the annual PACERS conference Saturday May 15, 2023. Overnight costs of lodging and food will be covered by the grant. The training session topics are layout/design and ad preparation/ sales. There will be space for four staffers/volunteers from each community. Its early but it will be very helpful if you sign up asap. To reserve a place, contact the editor(s) of your paper.

Funding will also make possible the building of a much-needed network website. The network has a lot to share that the website

PRCNN consultants and newspaper staffers met with Caroline Clark, Senior Program Manager at Daniel, in November to discuss the papers. The meeting was held at the Pintlala Library and hosted by Jerrie Burton who provided a real spread. Staffers present were Diann Harris, Sara Huff, Freddie Howard, Mary Howard, Jerrie Burton and Gary Burton. They were joined by consultants Nan Fairley, Laura Anderson, and Jack Shelton and Pintlala student volunteer, Ashby Henry from Auburn University. The discussion revealed the successes and needs of the papers with insightful contributions from all attending.

The PRCNN and all the papers are very thankful for Daniel’s generous support which will enable important work and help

Daniel Foundation of Alabama’s mission is to strengthen communities within Alabama and improve the quality of life for citizens from all regions of Alabama. We believe this can be achieved through support of effective organizations that are focused on building a healthy and well-educated population, living in a vibrant community.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

By ZaNaerial Marshall

From looking out for the spiritual welfare of those around him, to trying to find ways to get food on their tables, Apostle Reginald Stallworth, Sr., pastor of the Cathedral of Faith church in Beatrice, is always looking for ways to help those in his congregation, his home town and all around him.

One of the many ways, Apostle Stallworth serves those in his community is by the food distribution he offers each month. Stallworth, in partnership with the Rehovotreat Organization, travels to different places to bring perishable and non-perishable

food items to Beatrice to support the community, while some food items are shipped to him. This food giveaway distributes to whomever comes and anyone can receive the food. Notices are sent by posters on social media and word-of-mouth from friends and members of his congregation at Cathedral of Faith.

Many of those who volunteer to sort and pack the boxes after Stallworth receives them, as well as many of those who volunteer to help load the boxes for the people who needs them are members of his church and the community as well. Stallworth says, “It’s a lot of hard work that goes into this effort, but there is nothing I’d rather do. Next to preaching the

Word, and loving my family, there is nothing that means so much to me.” This is nothing new to Stallworth. He

also served the people from all over and as far as Baldwin County in his place, Jabez, on the lower end of the County in Frisco City.

In Beatrice, Stallworth set up his station across from J. F. Shields where it is easily accessible and very visible, making sure it is available for all. He says he must make sure he follow CDC guidelines for safety to make sure everything is ran smoothly. For him and those who volunteer, they get a sense of renewed joy in making sure they can help people have some type of food. So for those in need of food, watch social media, especially Facebook, and listen to the people talk.

Apostle Reginald Stallworth

By Mary Howard

On November 28, 2022, students from the four high schools in Monroe County, Alabama were able to get a glimpse into the past and encouragement for the future with a lecture by Mr. Sonnie W. Hereford, IV at the Monroe County Heritage Museum in Monroeville, Alabama. Students as well as other citizens of the area were invited to this event sponsored by the members of the Museum. Eight students from J. F. Shields attended the event, as well as Mr.& Mrs. Freddie and Mary Howard, the Mayor of Beatrice, Annie Shelton, school personnel, Satisha Hudson Preyer and the Board representative for District 1, Barbara Turner.

How many people have ever heard of Sonnie W. Hereford IV or his father, Dr. Sonnie W. Hereford, III, a Black dentist in Huntsville, Alabama. Of all the civil rights fighters, of our time, I have never heard of either of them. That is why it is so important to read and study history. When Dr. King went to Huntsville and informed Dr. Hereford that the schools needed to be integrated, Dr. Hereford said, “Well, I have a son that’s about to start first grade, and if I’m going to be pushing for school integration, why not my own son? So it was that Dr. Hereford, a Black Dentist in Huntsville, Alabama, walked his son to the Fifth Avenue School, only to

be blocked by Governor George Wallace and State Troopers. But that didn’t deter them. They persisted through courts and Hereford IV was finally enrolled at the age of six. During his lecture, Hereford stressed the importance of reading and education. During his “walk into history”, he made them aware of the many obstacles his father faced to get to be a dentist and fulfill his dreams. He told them about Blacks having to drink from separate water fountains as Whites, having to go around to the

window (if there was one) at a restaurant because if you were Black, you could not/would not be served inside. He explained how, even though his dad was well learned (taught himself) he could not attend the college of his choice because of his color. He told of not being able to sit in a theater with whites at the movie theater, if you were allowed to be there at all.

He opened his presentation by explaining the young folk the need to know how to read as well as understanding what is read. He said told them, “it’s no good to read if you can’t UNDERSTAND what you read.” He explained that “we need to understand how we got to this point” and told the young people they need to take advantage of the privileges they have today. “A lot of folk my age and older didn’t have the privileges you have today.” He stated that the younger generations need to understand what it took to get us to this point and they need to take advantage of the privileges they have.

He said he wants to make sure the younger generation in rural Alabama focus on education, especially skills like reading and writing. At the end of the event, all high school students at the event were given a copy of the book, ‘Lincoln’ by Daniel Herbert. All eyes and ears were on what was being said by Mr. Hereford.

In attendance from J. F. Shields were students” Rayera Odom, Asyashia Riley, Bycelind Jones, Da’Kolby Watts, Nyla Crenshaw, Joseph Gresham, Ayeryia Smith and Angel Fountain. It is a great idea to have our students exposed to all they can get on the positive side of life.

So many people focus on Monroeville because of the authors Haper Lee and Truman Capote, but the Museum staff knows how important reading and writing skills are, that’s why they gave out the free books to the students, hoping to spark a new interest.

“It’s no good to read if you can’t UNDERSTAND what you read. A lot of folk my age and older didn’t have the privileges you have today, so make the best of your opportunities.”

~ Sonnie Hereford IV

Seated: Sonnie W. Hereford, IV; Standing students from JF Shields with the Mayor of Beatrice, Annie Shelton, Board of Education District I Representative, Barbara Turner and School employee, Satisha Hudson

BETACLUB RETURNS TO J. F. SHIELDS

By Deliyah Johnson and ZaNaerial Marshall

The National Beta is the nation’s largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America. National Beta is committed to recognizing and promoting high academic achievement, rewarding and nurturing worthy character, fostering leadership skills and encouraging service to others leadership among elementary and secondary school students.

For four years, there has not been a National Beta Club at J. F. Shields. However, that all changed on November 30, 2022 with an induction ceremony on November 30, 2022 under the leadership of Interim Principal, Sophia

Yarber and the guidance of Mrs. Mary Finklea, Ms. Detra Odom, Mrs. Claire Drummond, and Ms. India Watkins. Benefits of being a member of the National Beta Club are: It Looks Good on the student’s Resume; the students get to meet good friends; the students can lead healthier, happier and richer lives as a result of being members; the students gain leadership skills, thereby enabling them to express themselves freely. It requires the students maintain good grades while getting a chance to explore the world and get scholarships for college.

Students and parents at Shields

are very excited about the Beta Club returning and the many ways the students can benefit from the program. Students in grades 4-12 at Shields are eligible to become members of the Beta Club. At Shields there are three divisions of the Club: Elementary (Grades 45), Junior (Grades 6-8), and Senior (Grades 6-12).

Inducted into the Club on November 30 were eight students in the Elementary Division, fourteen students in Jr. High Division and fifteen in the Sr. High Division.

Many parents were in attendance for this event and expressed their concern and

appreciation that the club was returned as a part of the school’s program for the students.

Newly Inducted Members of the J. F. Shields National Beta Club.

REMEMBERING ONE OF J. F. SHIELDS’GREATEST The Legacy of The Late (Reverend) Mr. Michael Deleon Rice

By Mary Howard

On August 23, 2022, one of the “greatest” of J. F. Shields departed this life, but the memories he left behind are unsurpassed. Mr. ( Reverend) Michael Deleon Rice came to J. F. Shields High School in Beatrice in 1977.

In an interview with Mrs. Mary Howard for an entry into the 2015 J. F. S. MCTS Athletic Hall of Fame book, in which he was an inductee, he related that he was hired by Principal, W. F. Andrews after his graduation from college. He stated, “He (Mr. Andrews), offered me the job following an interview and this was the beginning of a very beneficial experience due to the help of people such as Mr. Andrews, the Late George Coker, the AP, the late Beatrice Rodgers, the school counselor and the late Lena Cunningham, the Home Economics teacher.” He stated that these people were the major players in helping he to navigate through that “first year” and the subsequent years.

Recounting his years at Shields, Mr. Rice said the experience allowed him and the school to experience some “first’s” that included participation in the Mardi Gras parade in Mobile, AL, participation in district festivals sponsored by the State of Alabama and individual student participation in tryouts for Stated sponsored honor bands. He said the highlight of his years at Shields was preparing the Marching Band for halftime shows in the stadium on Friday nights. “I was fortunate to be able to arrange popular music of that time such as “Strawberry Letter 23,” “Got To Be Read,” “One in a Million and others like that. He remembered that his drum majors were John Black, Clifton McBride, Myra Nettles and Billy Ray.

Myra Nettles, after learning of his passing, says of him,” Mr. Rice was the humblest instructor I have ever known. His way of teaching was remarkable and his love for his students was somewhat that of a parent. You would never see him angry. If he was upset, he would just walk out of the classroom. He never raised his voice at us. If he was disappointed in our performance during practice, he would walk out the classroom. (We all knew what that meant, laps around the football field). Once he returned back in that classroom he would pick up where we left off. He could write music like signing his signature. Whatever songs were popular we would tell him we wanted to play it and he would sit down and write the music notes for it. He loved his family and he had no problem with sharing them with his students. He was very firm

Director will be forever in my heart.” A former student, John Black said, “He treated me with respect and kindness, treated me like his own child. He believed in teaching his students everything we needed to know about music. Mr. Rice was the

when they heard Shields was going to be in the Christmas parade and other parades in the area. Mr. Rice says God showed much favor to our band which resulted in scholarships for students to attend his alma mater, AAMU.

when he told you something. If you disappointed him as your band director and teacher, you would definitely pay for it by running laps around the football field. He knew all of his students’ potentials. He got all of his students that were Seniors offers to colleges where he knew we would succeed. I am forever grateful for knowing Mr. Michael Rice and his memories as my Band

Best. He treated me with respect and kindness, treated me like his own child. He believed in teaching his students everything we needed to know about music. Mr. Rice was the Best.

While at Shields, Mr. Rice said another first of his experience at J. F. Shields was the building of a brand new band room. “The edifice was equipped with practice rooms, an office -equipped with a repair area for instruments, and an instrument and uniform storage area. He said it was Ms. Lena Cunningham’s expertise that directed him to the right company to make the uniforms. “The band members were super proud to dress out in their new uniforms that read “JFS” across the front overlay.”

Under his leadership, the band was able to gain, not only a local reputation, but a great reputation among the school they played against. The streets of Monroeville would be lined up with onlookers

Mr. Rice accredited those years at Shields and ones that shaped, not only his career, but him as a person. Not only was he the band instructor, but also the homeroom teacher for 9A. And he said the six-year stint at Shields included five years as choral director. And it was this experience, he said, that led him to being the minister of music at several churches in the states of Alabama and Tennessee. He said, “All in all, my Shields years were much like another lever of matriculation for me because I learned many valuable lessons as a teacher, mentor, and as a coworker that carried over into my other teaching experiences and church experiences as I moved from Shields in 1983 to Huntsville, Alabama to teach in the Huntsville City School System.

Speaking on behalf of the Monroeville Community, at this memorial on September 12, 2022 at the First Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama, Mr. Willie Flavers Williams said, ”They say John Drew put Shields on the map, but I say Mr. Michael Deleon Rice put Shields on the map.”

Extracted from his printed Memorial program, “Pastor Rice was not only a scholar, educator, musician, and pastor (Hurricane Chapel Missionary Baptist Church), but also an author. He published two books; “Men It’s Your Call” and 5 Days in 545Musing from the Mind of a Preacher. He was laid to rest at the Valhalla Memorial Gardens in Huntsville, Alabama.

You would never see him angry. If he was upset, he would just walk out of the classroom. He never raised his voice at us. If he was disappointed in our performance during practice, he would walk out the Classroom

Myra Nettles

Reverend Michael Rice

SHIELDS HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE MAKING BOLD MOVES Mahari Stallworth Expanding His Horizon

By Mary Howard

It was just in May 2020 that Mahari Stallworth graduated, Valedictorian of his class, from J. F. Shields High School in Beatrice, Alabama, receiving a full tuition Scholarship from AAMU in Huntsville, Alabama, he began his college studies during the fall enrollment following high school graduation.

But in the meantime, Mahari says it was when he got his apartment and realized that he had to eat, that he just picked up cooking,

He says he wanted to learn how to cook and he wanted his meals to be good and healthy. He says he realized he was good at cooking and so he kept going from cooking for himself and sharing his meals with friends, to eventually selling plates on campus. From there, he has gone into catering.

Now “Chef Stall’s,” as his friends called him when he cooked for them, is quite a hit. So his business is named after what his friends called him.

Mahari, has always had an eye for fashion. He was a very classy dresser, even in high school. Having lost his mom before graduating high school, he decided, during his freshman year in college, that he wanted to start a business.

So he started an apparel business named “Lenore” after his mother. In an interview, he says, “I haven’t been doing much with it lately but I’m in the works of releasing some more streetwear clothing soon”

Mahari didn’t just keep his catering business in the Huntsville area, he has returned home many times to prepare and cater meals for different people at various events.

Only being in the catering business for about five months, his business is a great hit here in his home town and surrounding areas.

He started announcing his business menus on line on Facebook people would preorder meals. He has catered for a birthday party, a wedding anniversary and more in the Beatrice Area.

Even though there are a few

small food services in Beatrice, including C’moe’s, Kam’s Kingdom Kitchen, and Man Man’s Grill, Chef Stall’s is a great hit in Beatrice.

A few of his most dishes are my jerk chicken tacos, stuffed salmon and pretty much any of my soul food dishes.

Mahari is a junior at AAMU majoring in Mass Communications. He is a clear example of what any young person can do if he sets goals for himself and work towards that goal.

Meal prepared by Mahari for the Stallworth’s Anniversary Dinner

Mahara Stallwoth

By Dr. Jack Shelton

Covid, Covid, Covid! For several years the virus has prevented the PACERS Annual Conference. Not this year!

We are meeting face to face again. Join us! The conference will be held at the David Mathews Center, 3727 Highway 119 Montevallo, on Saturday, April 15th from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The conference will celebrate the great work done by members of the PACERS Rural Community Newspaper Network: The Beatrice Legacy, The Packers Bend Times. The Camp Hill Chronicle, and The Pintlala Ledger

Beatrice will be well-represented. Mary and Freddie Howard will join a panel with editors from Packers Bend, Pintlala, and Camp Hill to share their thoughts on their community papers. After their presentations, there will be a time when community members can comment on the meaning of their papers for their places. So please come and support your papers and share your thoughts. Meet, share with members from other communities and those who support The Legacy..

Student staffers will also serve on a panel with young people from other newspapers to describe their experiences as would-be journalists contributing the community. Young people

Howard.

The Legacy keeps a unique record of the life of Beatrice. It is an ongoing account of community life and is filled with great stories about local matters and people. I have worked with J F Shields and the Beatrice PACERS chapter for many years and of course have gotten to know the comI thought. However, it was that gave me a fuller picture of Beatrice.

have contributed articles to The Times. The Legacy now has added two student interns, Deliyah Johnson and ZaNaerial Marshall who are currently working on articles with Mrs.

has been very well-resident members of the community tying them closer to their hometown. The Legacy is a unifying publication a fine publication. So, please pitch in and help. You can contribute articles and financial support, join the staff or let its members know they are doing a great job. Contact Mary Howard to sign up and do your part.

Beatrice, J F Shields, and the former Beatrice Elementary School have de-

veloped and implemented a number of highly successful programs. Music with Larry Long resulted in Beatrice songs that are in the PACERS Smithsonian collection. The student published newspaper that preceded The Legacy served the community well. And students were able to learn through the groundbreaking distance learning Spanish programs. The garden, greenhouse, and aquaculture programs have been outstanding benefitting the county and the state. If you were a part of these projects as student or teacher or benefitted from them as community members, come to the conference to catch up with PACERS, share memories and be a part of this post-Covid reunion.

It is early but you can already register by contacting Jack Shelton at jackshelton@prodigy.net. More information on the conference will be in the next edition of The Legacy. Stay tuned.

Drug Search at J. F. Shields High School: AStudent’s Point of View

By Deliyah Johnson

On December 7,2022 at 11:27

A.M., there was a drug search at J.F.Shields High School.

The whole thing was very surprising because the students weren't aware of the search happening. The search wasn't that long..and was very calm, even though there was some unexpected barking from the dogs.

Police's didn't find anything which shows there are still drug-free schools in Monroe County, which is great!

The amazing part of the entire experience was the number of police vehicles on campus. There was multiple police trucks on the ampus and across the street of J.F.Shields. I would say there were about 10 trucks...and there were four K9's with them. With that being said J.F.Shields is a great clean school!

This is not isolated to just J. F. Shields but we are glad to have the

support of the Sheriff’s department and all those law enforcement involved to help keep our school safe and drug free.

BEATRICE LITTLE LEAGUE PEE WEE TEAM WINS 2022 CHAMPIONSHIP

By Deliyah Johnson and ZaNarial Marshall

With the constant losses of the J. F. Shields Football team over the years, some community people, led by Mr. Paul Manzie, decided to organize a Beatrice Little League Football program which included the famous Pee Wee team that they could train at an early age to lead Shields to some victories in later years.

So they organized in 20__ and decided to recruit members of the Beatrice Little League Pee Wee team. Mr. Terry Johnson from Monroeville had approached Mr. Freddie Howard years before about the forming of a team, but it never came to fruition.

The young men who joined the team, along with their parents and coaches were very enthused about the forming of the team.

The group had to start from scratch, but with perseverance in obtaining funds for uniforms and other necessities, they rose to the occasion.

The team has had a winning spirit from the onset of practice. But this year, 2022, the team under the leadership of Coach Clint Marshall and Assistant Coach Daryl McMillian, the team won the Super Bowl Championship. On November 12, 2022, the Baby Panthers team traveled to Evergreen to play for the championship game and won the Title.

With MVP Kenneth Lett Jr., an eighth- grader, as team captain, the team was excited to bring home the Super Bowl victory. They took the W and brought it home for the Panthers. This team has been building for four years with Kenneth Lett. He said the

team has built an unbreakable bond.

The 2022 Season is not the first big win. The team sports the title of having gone undefeated for two seasons in a row and expect many more successful years are ahead for these young athletes. The team players are: Zhylan Quarles, Kenneth Lett Jr., Jahmani Lambert, Zaden LeFall, Tyrone Beasley, Jeremiah Finklea, Jaharen Millender, Elijah McGee, Jeremiah Ruch, RonDarius Richardson, Isaiah McMillian, Terrell Cook, Loyalty Watson, Emory Hunt, Keaundre Jones and Kodyn Clausell.

Mrs. Ranisha Lett, one of the parents says, “These kids are special. This was their second undefeated season. They love the game. Football is very competitive, but they were taught

the game by two of the greatest coaches around. The boys feed off the negative comments that may come from their opponents.

This group is going to change the game of high school football. A few will be leaving the league to enter high school, but will be an asset to whichever school they play for.” The League consists of the the Mighty Mites (ages 4-7); Tiny Mites (8-10) and Pee Wee (11-13).

Mr. Paul Manzie continue to serve as the president of the League.

J. F. SHIELDS/MCTSATHLETIC HALL OF FAME RETURNS

By Dwight Howard

It was in 2014 that a group of Monroe County Training School/ J. F. Shields Alumni got together and decided to plan a way in which they could give back to the school and its athletic program while showing honor to the many who have gone through Athletic Program. Through the efforts of Moses Dailey and Dwight Howard, a committee was formed and it was all uphill from there.

The committee which was made up of alumni, some athletes and some not, coaches, and other interested persons, decided to meet at the school on scheduled Saturdays as set up a plan to work. It was there that the J. F. Shields Athletic Hall of Fame was started.

For years, Shields has had many great athletes, some who went further in sports and some who decided to focus on other areas of expertise. Not many have had the opportunity to be honored with a formal banquet. Therefore, it was very important that the student athletes, band members, coaches, cheerleader sponsors and administrations during those high points in the athletic program at the school be recognized and honored for their contributions to J. F. Shields (Former Monroe County Training School.

Started with the aim of honoring those outstanding athletes, the goals were several-fold: to honor the student athletes who contributed to the rich legacy of the school with an athletic banquet; to fellowship with all student-athletes, coaches, cheerleaders, family, and friends, past and present; to memorialize

celebrate the success of student athletic programs of the school; to establish a J. F. Shields/ Monroe County Training School Hall of Fame and to create initiative to provide on-going financial support that will ensure continual survival of the studentathletic program. A Host and Advisory Committee was established to assist in reaching these goals.

The first J. F. Shields/MCTS Athletic Hall of Fame was held in May 2015. During this event we recognized the first undefeated teams, first State Champions, First Play-Off Teams, Community Supporters and Administrations. This ceremony was conducted by a former student-athlete, Anthony Stallworth who was then serving as Associate Executive Director

Athletic Association.

This event had been held every two years since 2015. During these events, $7,000 was donated to the Athletic Department; in 2017 $5,000 was donated to the Athletic Department and in 2019, $8,000 was donated to the Athletic Department, totaling $20,000.

At the 2015 event, we honored Coach W. R. Averett with a Lifetime Achievement Award and awarded former basketball star, John Drew with the “Coach Averett Life-Time Achievement award. Hazel Cunningham received the first “Lena Mae Cunningham Trailblazer Award in honor of her aunt, Lena Mae Cunningham, one of the first cheerleader sponsors. Other players, cheerleaders, coaches, sponsors, as well as band

honored.

In 2017, five coaches were inducted, one band director, one baseball athlete, eight girl basketball players, eighteen varsity players, ten football players, two track and field athletes, two band members and one cheerleader and majorette. In 2019, there were three coaches inducted, one baseball athlete, three girls basketball athletes, ten varsity basketball athletes, one cheerleader, and eleven football athletes. We also gave three posthumous awards, along with the aforementioned special awards

So this has become a tradition, hopefully to be continued for years to come. But in 2021 our event was cancelled because of the pandemic. The committee is

Continued on page 12

Committee Member Freddie Howard, Chairman Dwight Howard and Secretary Mary Howard present $5,000 check to principal Duran Odom to support the Athletic Department following the 2015 HOF Induction

BEATRICE TOWN 2022 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING APicture Story

Our vision for the future continues with celebrating and honoring all legendary athletes, phenomenal educators, and the community at large that played a

Mayor Annie Shelton (Santa’s hat)and her staff following the lighting ceremony at town hall in Beatrice, Alabama

Chairman Dwight Howard and Co-Chair Moses Dailey Present $5,000 check to Principal Romona Lewis Dailey to support Athletic Dept. 2017

Pictured Left: Principal Derek Pugh with Cheerleader Sponsor Williams, FBLA Sponsor Williams and Coach Jones accepting $8,000 check from the Athletic HOF Committee to support the Athletic Club 2019

J. F. Shields Choir does Christmas Songs during the lighting Ceremony