Kevin McNorton: Small Town Man Chasing Big League Dreams

By: Hope Finley

Tommy McNorton thought his baseball days would be over after graduating from The University of Montevallo.

Tommy and Kevin McNorton

“When I graduated college I thought I was done with baseball. I really didn’t want to get involved because I had spent so many hours practicing,” said Tommy.

What he didn’t know, is that after meeting Jan, the woman who would become his wife, and starting a family his baseball days were far from over.

“When you happen by a baseball field and kids are laughing and clapping and having a good time, it puts you back in that mood to want to get involved. After having a son, and he decided he wanted to play baseball, it became part of our family,” said Tommy.

Tommy and Jan’s son, Kevin, graduated from Shelby County High School in 2010. He found out just before graduation that he would attend Wallace State Community College on a baseball scholarship.

After attending Wallace, Kevin attended Stillman College to continue his education and continue playing baseball. From Stillman, Kevin attended the University of Tampa where he obtained his degree in Mathematics, while still playing ball.

Kevin McNorton pitching for the Joliet Slammers

“Up until this point I’ve never had to search for things. I’m a firm believer in if you do the right things and keep your nose clean, as my dad always said, and respect people, good things will happen and opportunities will find themselves. I threw a baseball at all the places I went, it was just kind of something that happened. I didn’t know I was going to play college baseball until May…right before we graduated high school, and it’s always been like that…opportunity…go,” said Kevin.

Kevin is now a relief pitcher for the Independent Minor League team, the Joliet Slammers.

One of the biggest obstacles for Kevin’s parents is not knowing if he will play each game.

The McNorton Family

“We sit through a lot of games as the parents of a relief pitcher, we’ve been to a lot of games where he never comes in, but that’s okay because were there, whether were physic

ally there or via the internet and we wait and we watch until we see that number in the bull pen warming up.” said Jan McNorton, Kevin’s mother.

Although he may not play, Kevin and his teammates can always count on his parents to be there to cheer them on.

“When I was in junior college I don’t think they missed a game, and I didn’t play. That was the most impressing thing to me, because I didn’t...I didn’t play but they were there hooting and hollering for whoever was,” said Kevin.

Night To Shine

Story By: Adam Pettway
Night to shine is a prom centered on God's love fro people with special need for ages 14 and older.  The event is hosted around the world and is hosted by over 350 churches in 50 states and 11 countries.

In the small town of  Maylene Alabama, Community of Baptist hosted the event where the turnout was absolutely amazing.

Guest had the opportunity to ride in a limo and get dropped off and walk on a fancy red carpet where paparazzi would take their pictures before they went into the prom.

Guest getting out of the limo and walking the red carpet

The prom had many different event from a karaoke bar, photo booth, game room, and an all you eat buffet.

Night to Shine is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation This is the first Night to Shine that Community Baptist has hosted.

They are the only church in Central Alabama
where a Night to Shine event will be hosted.

One young man took this opportunity to shine bright and dance the night away. Mark Jernigan and his mother Madeline attended the prom and felt like the event was a life changing experience. Madeline Jernigan "the people here are so caring and loving they have made my son feel special and made this night special."                                                                                                                          

Mark Jernigan taking photos on the red carpet

At the end of the event, each guest listened to a special message from professional athlete Tim Tebow and be crowned as prom kings and queens.

Immigration: A Dream Turned Into Reality

by: Elizabeth Rhinehart

Danny's hometown in relation to Brownsville, Texas

Mexican immigrant Humberto "Danny" Diaz has lived in the United States for about 15 years, but that was not always the case. Born in Mexico, Danny and his family lived in poverty about 15 minutes away from the border of Texas.


"You've got to understand how rich America is to Mexico," he said. "We did not have much. We didn't have AC. We didn't have air conditioning or heat."

When he was six years old, his mother was able to turn a dream into a reality when she was eligible for a work visa. They packed up a car that they borrowed from an uncle and made the 16 hour trek to Montevallo, Alabama.

"I remember her [Danny's mother] telling me to talk to her, eating a lot, pouring water on herself, trying to stay awake."

Montevallo Elementary School

Danny started second grade at Montevallo Elementary School, where he was the only Hispanic in his class. He did not know any English and nobody else knew Spanish so he had to teach himself in order to be able to communicate.

"It took four months. After four months I was already reading on their level."


After six years of renewing work visas and temporary visas, Danny and his mother were finally able to call themselves United States citizens.

While Danny and his mother now hold permanent residency status, he sees millions of other immigrants who aren't here legally facing deportation.

According to Diaz, many of the immigrants who come here illegally don't plan to stay for long periods of time. They want to work hard for a couple of years, send all of the money they can back to Mexico and then go back to their families.

Danny and his son, Braxton

"I'm really in the middle. I don't know if it's right or if it's wrong but I know I would do it for Braxton. I would do it for my son.
"I work endless hours for my son and if I was in Mexico and if the only way to make his life better was to come here then I would do it."

Just like his mother all of those years ago, Danny is driven by a desire to provide the best life possible for his family.

"Everyone is like enjoy your 20s. I want to enjoy my 30s. I want to get my hands dirty and work hard now so I can rest later."

Because of his hard work and determination, he landed a job at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa...and as a 22-year old, he is a team leader. He is living his "American Dream".

For the full interview with Danny, click here.

Fear Since Trump's Election

Story By: Adam Pettway

2017 has not been the best start for newly elected President Donald Trump. From Protest around the country to sit downs in major airports many U.S. citizens our voicing their concerns on the steps President Trump is taking since he took office.

One of the biggest movements since President Trump has moved into office is the sit downs and protest in major airports since his activation on the travel ban.

Protestors gathering outside to protest President Trump Travel ban

President Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 27th temporarily barring entry to refugees and immigrants. In U.S. airports, customs officials detained and denied entry to individuals affected by the executive order.

Many students here at the University of Montevallo have expressed there fear of what could happen to them and their families since Presidents Trump election.
                                                                                   
Brandon Edwards a Mass Communication student at the university felt that being a black man in the south he feared what could happen to his family since the election because many people have become embolden since President Trump has taken the White house.

Another big movement since President Trump move into the White House was the Women's March that took place in multiple states around the country.

The march was a worldwide protest on January 21, 2017, to advocate legislation and policies regarding human rights and other issues, including women's rights, immigration reform, healthcare reform, the natural environment.

Dr. Sally Hardig a Communication Studies professor attended the women's march and said that is was more than just women's right they were protesting for.

Dr. Hardig speaking on the women's march in her office

Many of the protest have continued and don't show sings of letting up.

People want change and they are calling on President Trump to make a difference and do things that will better our Country.

To learn more about the Travel Ban and who it is affecting check out  https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/national/immigration-order-explainer/

Secretary of Education: Reformer or Unqualified?

Story by: Brianna Rose


The vote for Secretary of Education was determined last Tuesday after Vice President Mike Pence stepped in with a tiebreaker determining Elizabeth "Betsy" DeVos the new Secretary of Education.

Tweet from Senator Al Franken using the #NoOnDeVos

DeVos has been in the forefront of education for most of her life advocating things such as charter
schools.

According to DeVos's twitter biography, she is "passionate about quality education for children and an advocate of school choice."

No matter her educational background and financial background or lack thereof, she hasn't been fortunate enough to gain the trust or support of students, educators, or politicians.

During Devos's confirmation hearing, senators held the floor for twenty-four hours expressing their reasons for voting against her and her lack of experience.

Screenshot of Betsy Devos's website (betsydevos.com)

Senators also joined together on Twitter, hoping to prevent DeVos from being voted into the Secretary of Education position by using the hashtag #NoOnDeVos.

Protestors hit the streets in Washington and blocked the entrance of a school, causing DeVos to turn around.

Some parents and educators fear the push of charter schools from DeVos as she has done in the past. Amory Sellers, a parent from Montevallo High School doesn't think it would be fair.

Sellers said, "I don't think one person can dictate what one child can do as far succeeding in their own lives."

A Season of New Beginnings

By: Hope Finley

Mitch Moreland grew up in Amory, Mississippi, playing baseball since the age of 5. Although Mississippi is where Moreland grew up, for the past 7 years he has called Texas home. Moreland was drafted in 2007, by the Texas Rangers Professional Baseball team.

Mitch Moreland, former 1st Baseman for the Texas Rangers
signs one-year contract with the Boston Red Sox

This season Moreland will have a new home away from home after signing on with the Boston Red Sox, since becoming a free agent in 2016.

Moreland says joining the Red Sox is a fresh start and a big adventure for him and his family. "Its a long ways from home for me. Texas was nice because it was still in the south. I'm a small town guy and Texas was kind of spread out, so Boston is going to be a little bit of a culture shock for me. I've got my wife and kids to lean on, they'll help me through it no problem."

Moreland married Susannah Higgins Moreland in 2011, who graduated at the University of Montevallo in 2009 with a degree in Elementary Education. Together they have two children, Crue and Swayze.

The Moreland Family

And while Moreland may have the "dream job", being a professional baseball player leaves little room for family time.

Moreland credits his father for instilling drive and work ethic in him from a young age. "My dad was a huge influence on my life. He coached me all the way up. He was always there to push me, always backing me. I owe him as much as I do anybody."

As a father, Moreland said there are hardships that come with being on the road for 180 days out of the year.

Tee-ball games and gymnastics meets, Moreland said he's already missed more in the beginnings of his children's activities than his father ever did in his entire life.

Moreland knows a good career does not last long in MLB, he wants to enjoy the time he has left playing the sport he loves, so that in the future he can enjoy watching his children do what they love.

If you want to catch Mitch Moreland in action this season with the Boston Red Sox click here for ticket information.