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Hartselle athlete competes in US Olympic trials Page B1
Hometown newspaper of Wayne Mayes- since 1933
Hartselle Enquirer
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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 2024
VOLUME 91, NO. 26
Hartselle student elected Girls State governor
By Jean Cole For the Enquirer
When all the votes for governor were tallied at the annual Girls State event this month, Mary Frances Itsede of Hartselle was a bundle of nerves. It helped that her bestie, Samantha Simmons, also of Hartselle, ran for governor at Girls State and won two years ago, therefore making the summit seem reachable. Itsede knew she wanted to run for governor even before she got to Girls State, a weeklong event sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary in which participants learn about the politi-
cal process by electing officials for all levels of state government and running a mock government. Each summer, approximately 20,000 young women participate in Girls State programs across the nation. In Alabama, the program hosted 372 girls June 2-7 at Troy University, according to Alabama Girls State camp counselor Julia Smeds Roth of Decatur. Attending from Morgan County were two girls from Hartselle and one each from Decatur Heritage, Austin High School, Albert P. Brewer, Danville, Falkville, Priceville and West Morgan, Roth said. “I’m a very ambitious per-
son, but never a political party. go in with the You are either lowest expectaa Federalist or tion,” Itsede said a Nationalist. I of her decision was assigned to to run for govbe a Federalist. I ernor. “I have a think it was the motivation to third day, all of push past the the gubernatomental barrier rial candidates that I’ll fail.” for the FederalItsede Handing out ist Party gave a flyers and buttons, some- three-minute speech to the times missing breakfast or rest of the Federalists. lunch to take time to talk “After the gubernatorial to each and every girl in the candidate for each party dining hall, covered the first was chosen they would walk few days of the weeklong into a party room and there event for Itsede. were probably 150 girls in “When you get to Girls each party room. We all got State and you are run- the same questions,” Itsede ning, you are assigned to said. “They wanted to see
if you knew what you were talking about and how you were answering difficult questions.” She and her co-candidate had to field questions on everything from abortion to immigration to mental health. “We were at the bottom of a lecture hall, so everyone is looking down at you. All of these questions were thrown at me, and I liked it,” she said. Before entering a room, she had to ask herself, “Do I stay true to myself or cater to the audience? The only right answer is to stay true to who I am. I figured I made it this far being
myself. It would set a very bad precedent for later in life if I didn’t.” She had to wait until the next day to find out who was elected governor. “After they announced my name, they all ran up around me and started chanting Mary of St. Stevens, that was my city’s name. All of them were so sweet. I said thank you and all my hugs to them,” Itsede said. “I was crying when I heard my name; I was in awe.” She immediately sat down with a staffer and chose who she wanted in her cabinet. See STUDENT, page 5
ffi By Jean Cole For the Enquirer Hartselle has two new fulltime patrol officers on its force. Patrol officers Camron Williams and Zackery Hightower were sworn in during this week’s City Council meeting. Their presence brings the department to 21 full-time officers, leaving it still short three patrol officers and one investigating officer. Williams, a Hartselle High School graduate, earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Athens State University and started with the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office in 2017. He spent about three years working in the jail as a corrections officer, then went to the law enforcement academy in 2019 and graduated the next year. From there he worked in both the patrol and criminal investigation divisions of the Sheriff’s Office. Married with three children, Williams is nearly finished with his master’s degree in criminal justice. “I’ve been wanting to be a Hartselle police officer since I was in elementary school, but the timing just never worked out right,” Williams said. “I spent seven years at the Sheriff’s Office, then (Hartselle) posted an opening.” Hightower said he spent five years with the Hanceville Police Department in Cullman County, including three years in patrol, before coming to Hartselle. He graduated from Holly Pond High School and served as a dispatcher for the sheriff’s office before going to the law enforcement academy to become an officer. “I came to Hartselle because there is more opportunity — a bigger chance for growth,” he said. “It’s going good and I am thankful for the opportunity given me and for allowing me to take a chance and come down and work. I’m just excited to be here.” Police Chief Justin Barley said the two officers both made lateral transfers as certified officers and have already been out working for the department. “This is one of our favorite
Obituaries • Scott Davidson • Bobbie Smith • Eddie D. Sherrill • Sarah Elizabeth Ann Oakes • Ila Jo Bishop • Horace Plemons • Cassondra ‘Sonnie’ Skinner
times when we get new members of the Hartselle family,” Barley told the City Council. “We want our stakeholders to meet you and vice versa. I’m glad to have both of them here. I know that they are going to be a good fit. I’m optimistic they will make an impact really, really quick for us.” Mayor Randy Garrison led the swearing-in ceremony. Barley paused during the ceremony to tell the officers their relationship with the community is a special one. “You have been on the job before you came here,” the chief said. “You understand all about the code of honor, the code of ethics. Just integrity — doing the job the right way. That’s more important now than ever. You understand the climate in which we function. “We are very blessed here in Hartselle to have a community that strongly supports us. We want to serve them the right way because we want to protect that relationship. It’s special. Just a reminder of what we are committed to every day.” For full obituaries, see page A-2
• Sami King Watts • Thomas Denny Lovell • Savannah Marie Smith • Ben Arnold • Paula R. Baker • Sarah Lynn Wallace
PHOTOS BY JERONIMO NISA
Oliver Johnson and his grandmother, Rhonda Miller, bow their heads in prayer at the Hartselle Camp Meeting on Monday. Services at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. continue through Thursday. More photos on A-8 and online at www.hartselleenquirer.com.
COURTESY PHOTO
Jackson Boyer, left, a graduate of Hartselle High School, salutes Turner Stepp, right, of Decatur. Boyer recently graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy.
By Wendy Lang
For the Enquirer
Jackson Boyer is a 2020 graduate of Hartselle High School and went on to the U.S. Naval Academy following graduation. Boyer majored in political science with a minor in Japanese all while playing college football. The 1,054 members of the 2024 graduat-
ing class were honored with a fly-by and performance from the Blue Angels. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke at the graduation ceremony. Boyer’s family members were front and center to see him walk the stage. In attendance were his parents, Todd and Leslie Boyer, his sister Mary Hannah Boyer, grandmother Myra Garrett, his uncle Blake Garrett and his uncle and aunt John and Thanh Boyer.
Ensign Boyer’s next assignment will be in Pensacola, Fla., where he will attend flight school in October. He has signed a seven-year contract and said he is looking forward to what comes next. Boyer’s first salute was to Turner Stepp of Decatur, who will graduate next year. The two were high school football rivals but became friends and teammates at the Naval Academy.