The Hardeman County Recovery Court graduates were recognized during a celebration, which was held on Thursday, October 20, 2026, at the First Methodist Church in Bolivar. Although graduates from Recovery Court are recognized throughout the year once they complete the program, the special ceremony allowed them to celebrate with their family and peers.
Scott Griffin is the Hardeman County Recovery Court coordinator and has been with the program since 2017. The graduation and celebration ceremony are his favorite parts of the Recovery Court program and an event he always looks forward to attending.
“The night was a time to celebrate the graduates of our program over the past year. Once a year, we invite all of the graduates back for a time to celebrate with them and their families all the work they have put in to make significant changes in their lives,” said Griffin. “It’s not just the stopping of using alcohol and/or drugs in their lives. It is learning to repair difficult relationships they had a hand in straining. It is learning to be a good and dependable employee, a present parent, or a productive member of society. We are very proud of the work each of them did and wanted to celebrate and encourage them.”
Judge Harriet Thompson, who was the program host for the evening, has been over the program since becoming the Hardeman County General Sessions Judge. The Hardeman County Recovery Court was created by Judge Boyette “Bodeen” Denton when he held the same position. Judge Denton attended the ceremony and received thanks from several of the people who have benefited from the program.
“One of the reasons we started the recovery court program was because what we were doing wasn’t working,” said Judge Denton.
Judge Denton shared the history of the Recovery Court.
Ethan Bottom, a 2024 Recovery Court graduate, was the keynote speaker. He shared how the program gave him the opportunity he needed and changed his life. Ethan noted he got clean and sober with a “nudge from the judge,” also know as a court order.
Jeff German Remembered Through Special Tribute by Shana M. Johnson
A special tribute to Jeffrey Allen German was shared by attorney Shana M. Johnson. Jeff, a graduate from the Recovery Court program, sadly passed away on August 16, 2026, due to an unrelated cause. His parents, Willie and Lucinda German, are close friends of Johnson who presented them with a memorial token.
“Our treatment team is full of loyal and dedicated people that meets before we have a recovery court session. We discuss the cases and try to make good decisions for the people going through recovery court,” said Judge Thompson, who recognized the individual members of the team by having them stand. “Without our treatment team, we could not function.
Ms. Thompson also thanked the volunteers who helped put together the Hardeman County Recovery Court Graduation and Celebration.
