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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Isabella High School student and Jemison resident Austin Porter participated in the summer work program with the City of Jemison maintenance department and earned valuable knowledge about his possible future career.

Porter reached out to superintendent for the City of Jemison, Steve Langston, and approached him about participating in the program due to his interest in the department. Langston invited Porter in, did a quick interview and then put him to work.

“He helped us keep the city and park clean for us,” Langston said.

Porter helped the maintenance department maintain the city park and city by tending to all of the hanging and regular flower pots across Jemison, as well as doing some landscaping on occasions if he finished up other tasks.

The program through the City of Jemison focuses on bringing in one or a few kids each summer who are interested in the field, and to help them see what it is like working for the department. Langston has put on the program for several years aside from a year or two during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is great for two reasons — one to get kids involved, and two is during the summer we are always short-handed because people take vacations and the heat,” Langston said. “He did an outstanding job, and if the kids do a great job a lot of times people do not let them know they are doing a good job, so I tried to make sure I do that.”

Porter was recognized for his participation in the program with a letter of appreciation signed by Langston, Jemison Mayor Eddie Reed, the Jemison City Council and assistant Jemison Chief of Police Mark McMinn. Langston said he is hopeful Porter enjoyed his experience and that he is available to help out around Jemison again next summer.