By BRAD GASKINS / Staff Writer

HOOVER – Darlene Sommers, a seventh-grade instructional support aid at Simmons Middle School, was named Hoover City Schools Employee of the Year on Nov. 17 at Hoover Country Club.

Andy Craig, the school system’s superintendent, presented the award during the Hoover Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

The award started in 1996 and is given annually to administrative and support personnel.

Sommers was one of three finalists. Others were Butch Butler, a child nutrition employee at Hoover High School, and Louise White, an office manager in the system’s student services department.

“It is an honor, because I already get to do what I love to do everyday,” Sommers said. “To know that people who I respect also respect what I do means a lot. The main thing is what we all do together for the children.

“Everyday is a chance to help a child who thinks that they can’t do something find out that they can, and see what a different that makes.”

Sommers has been with the Hoover school system since 1995.