Jess Lanier High School

Jess Lanier High School is a high school in the Bessemer City Schools system. It opened in 1970 at 100 High School Drive and was named for former Bessemer mayor Jess Lanier. In 1987 upon the closing of Abrams High School it became the system's only high school. The current principal is Jerome Cook.

The school's athletic teams are called the Tigers and its colors are purple and white.

Fire damaged the school in December 1981, destroying the library. Construction of a new, larger library was completed in 1983. An expansion of the school in 1988 brought new classrooms, a band room, science lab, and art studio.

The school is set to close in 2009 with students reporting to the new Bessemer City High School at the Academy Drive exit from I-20/59 in January 2010.

Notable graduates

• Earl Cochrane, Jr (1999), football player
• Bobby Humphryes (1972), football player and coach
• DeMeco Ryans (2002), football player
• Kerry Rhodes (1999), football player

References

• Nance, Rahkia (October 17, 2008) "Bessemer school board approves the name Bessemer City High School for future school." Birmingham News

External links

• Jess Lanier High School website
• Bessemer/Jess Lanier High School football history from ahsfhs.org website