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Through Tragedy, Kendyl Terrell Makes State Title History
In a season-opening rivalry game at Petal, Kendyl Terrell made history by becoming the first female in Hattiesburg High history to kick an extra point in win one of the Tigers’ undefeated run to the Class 5A state title.
“I’ve always talked about it with my dad,” said Kendyl following the Petal contest on August 19. “Being the only one in my family – and my brother doesn’t play – it’s just interesting because I love doing this. I love the guys and it’s just very fun.”
It’s no wonder Kendyl wanted to play football. Her father, Clemon, was a standout at Hattiesburg before going on to play four seasons at Southern Miss in the early 1980’s, rushing for over 1,500 career yards in 44 games.
At fullback, Clemon was often the lead blocker and decoy for quarterback Reggie Collier.
“Stud,” said Mitch Williams, former WDAM sports anchor and longtime friend of Clemon. “He had like 4.4, 4.5 [second] speed in the 40 [yard dash], playing at like 230 [pounds].”
Dr. Clemon Terrell would go on to serve as Hattiesburg’s Parks and Recreation Director for the last 16 years and, on Friday nights, watch his daughter kick 60 extra points for the Tigers this season. However, he wouldn’t get the chance to see Kendyl’s 61st kick.
On Thursday, November 30, Dr. Clemon passed away at the age of 54.
“[Clemon] would meet people with a smile,” Williams said. “You meet his children, you see his folks around, they’re a lot like him. Just loved people. He was touchable, he was available. If we had more men like him, we might have a different world.”
Dr. Clemon’s death came just two days before Hattiesburg was set to play in the state championship for the first time since 1998.
His daughter Kendyl decided to play. Despite the Tigers’ loss to West Point, Kendyl became the first female in Mississippi to kick an extra point in a state title game. Through tragedy, the Terrell’s remained strong.
“We’re not surprised with anything that Kendyl’s doing, not surprised by anything that Taytum’s doing, not surprised by anything that Laykin’s doing,” Williams said. “And Clemon III, Lord have mercy, he’s so smart he could probably do anything he wants to. Not surprised by any of those children. [Clemon] and Rosalind raised a beautiful family.”
“Honestly, this is one of the best things to ever happen to me in life,” said Kendyl, following Saturday’s state title. “It was a great opportunity to play with the people I love and the people that I see every single day. I’m glad I got to experience this opportunity with each and every one of them. My dad would be proud of me right now if he was here.”
Hattiesburg Land Development Code Amendment
In early 2017, the City of Hattiesburg adopted a new Land Development Code (LDC). During that process, you either provided input, or the City may have communicated with you as a likely interested party. Now, with potential changes to that new Land Development Code being presented, we wanted to reach out to you again to ensure that you have every opportunity to provide valuable input. This email simply serves to give you a bit of advance notice and a general series of events that we expect over the coming months.
In the last ten months, the Planning Division has had the opportunity to work with the new LDC – as many of you have as well – putting it into practice. While there is likely no “perfect” code, a practical application often gives light to certain opportunities or gaps upon which we can continue to improve. Over the last several months, you may have discovered such opportunities, and we would like to hear your ideas – as a staff, we have also identified several such opportunities and gaps.
At the December 6, 2017, Planning Commission meeting (1:00 p.m. at the Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center), the city will present a list of proposed amendments for consideration. This is only the first of what will likely be a series of three or more “batches” of amendments over the coming months. This first group of amendments generally seeks to address issues that city staff identified as gaps and opportunities for clarification or better definition. It is not the intent of this amendment to significantly alter uses or the character of zoning districts. Below is a brief description of the types of amendments included, and of course, the detailed proposed changes are available by contacting City Hall or visiting the Planning Division page on the City’s website – www.HattiesburgMS.com. The draft ordinance showing requested amendments is available immediately, as is a version of Table 5.1 (Table of Uses) showing in red any proposed edits. Within the next week, we will also add a memo with change-by-change explanations that may be beneficial.
Brief description of amendments: The general intent of the proposed amendment is an effort to clarify language in certain sections, to define or clarify definition of certain terms and uses for ease of interpretation, to establish additional uses that may be appropriate, to modify certain uses permitted in certain zones, to address various issues in which the code is silent on conditions, to clarify processes and authority for the City Council, Planning Commission, and Board of Adjustment, to better align with state law on administration and enforcement, and to define the composition of and terms of office for the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment.
- Click here to view amendments.
- Click here to view Table of Uses.
- Click here to view memorandum
If there are areas of particular interest in the Land Development Code that you would like to speak to, please feel free to do that at any time. We expect that in December and January, we will begin preparing for the next in the series of amendments. Please be on the lookout for additional communication from the city about public hearings specific to this topic. It is likely that the next “batch” of amendments could go to the Planning Commission in February or March of 2018.
Should you have any questions about the Land Development Code, the amendments now being proposed, or the process that will be followed in the coming months, please feel free to contact the city Planning Division at (601) 545-4599.