By EMILY REED
They
and now graduate into
a world transformed by artificial intelligence. For the Class of 2025, change has never been the exception — it has been the backdrop. As they prepare to leave high school behind,
these students reflect a generation shaped by disruption, connection, reinvention and resilience.
See CLASS OF 2025 | page 26
goals and leadership: Mayor
reflects on journey to success and public office
By SARAH OWENS
When Mountain Brook Mayor Stewart Welch first sat down to evaluate his life goals, the idea of public office didn’t cross his mind. Yet after two successful terms as mayor, Welch is preparing to step down, leaving behind a legacy shaped by long-held ambitions and an unshakable commitment to community.
His journey to public service began far from City Hall — in the insurance business with his father. In his early 20s and fresh out of college, Welch wasn’t sure what life had in store for him, but his work in insurance sales soon offered some direction.
“With sales, it forces you to get organized and to begin to set some goals and things like that,” Welch said. “About six months after I started my career work, it was like a bolt of lightning came out and struck me, and all of a sudden I started getting really focused.”
As Welch set sales goals in the office, he also began to set life goals for himself. One of those goals, etched on a yellow legal pad, was to become a millionaire by age 40. Welch had no idea how he would get there, but he knew one thing: he needed a plan.
“The criteria was, if there were no limits, I had unlimited talent, unlimited money, if there was nothing that stopped me. What is it I would do?” he said. “And so I started a bucket list.”
Decorative and architectural hardware, when chosen carefully, is more than just utilitarian. It can help express the personality of the owner or designer and dramatically elevate the look and feel of a space. That’s why hardware is often called “the jewelry of the home.”
For a huge selection of top-quality hardware, as well as interior and exterior lighting, go to Brandino Brass in Homewood, a family-owned business since 1948. Brandino Brass also carries items like fireballs, mailboxes, gate hardware and custom brass shelving.
Brandino Brass is the go-to place for designers, architects and homeowners looking to build or renovate a home, and the staff guides customers through a wide array of options to find just the perfect items.
When David and Nancy Wright built a new Country French house in Liberty Park, they turned to Brandino Brass for cabinet and door hardware and outdoor gas lighting.
“They probably carry the best quality product lines in Birmingham,” David said.
The couple were deeply impressed by the customer service at Brandino Brass, including the hands-on help they received from Jessie Isom and Renee Genereux – two of the company’s co-owners, along with Eric Brandino.
“They were the best to work with,” Nancy said. “They made great
suggestions and helped me when I needed to move into a specific price range.”
Isom helped Nancy capture the simple, classic vibe she wanted in her hardware.
“The things Jessie helped me pick are just perfect,” she said. “It was a real pleasure working with Brandino Brass.”
Jimmy and Sara Glenn built a unique home in Vestavia Hills blending neoclassical and modern farmhouse styles and needed locks, door knobs, door stops and cabinet hardware, as well as fireballs and
mesh cabinet grills.
“Brandino Brass was recommended by everyone on our team,” the Glenns said.
“Brandino’s level of expertise and knowledge is second to none, and the range of products they offer is extensive,” designer Marianne Strong said.
The Glenns worked closely with sales team member Megan Brasher.
“Megan has a great eye when making selections and follows that up with excellent attention to detail regarding all parts of the ordering process, including size and place-
• Where: 2824 Central Ave., Suite 100, Homewood
• Call: 205-978-8900
• Web: brandinobrass.com
ment,” Strong said.
In addition, the company is a dealer for many unique, high-end hardware vendors, with many products available only at Brandino Brass, a real plus for customers.
“Brandino Brass has hardware you can’t get at a big-box store,” the Glenns said.
The company’s staff is also dedicated to providing the ultimate customer experience. “I help clients find the perfect balance of style, function and value to fulfill their vision,” said sales team member Lorianne Jackson.
“Being able to visualize and know what my customers want is something that comes with my many years in this industry,” Genereux said.
“We work off the client’s inspiration and how they will use the space, and we strive to make sure all jobs are ordered and delivered properly, down to the smallest details,” Brasher said.
Brandino Brass customers can view the store’s beautiful showroom in-person or through a virtual walk-through at brandinobrass.com.
Editor’s Note By Sarah Owens
With Mayor Stewart
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By STAFF
The students in our Starnes Media Creator Collective made a strong debut this month, helping staff reporter Emily Reed produce our May cover story on the Class of 2025.
Collective members contributed video interviews with seniors from their own high schools, exploring firsthand the unique perspective of students who have grown up as digital natives in a pandemic-impacted, techdriven, and now AI-powered world. The content added depth and authenticity to the cover package, providing a peer-to-peer look at how this graduating class has navigated a rapidly changing landscape on their way to a major life milestone.
“These are the first steps in what will be a year of learning and opportunity to hone their storytelling skills across multiple platforms,” said Tim Stephens, general manager of Starnes Media and executive director of the Creator Collective. “Our students did superb work this month, and we look forward to providing them with a wide array of opportunities over the next year.”
In May, students will continue their work by capturing and producing content from high school proms and graduation ceremonies, as well as contributing to our Under the Lights 2025 football preview magazine. After that, they’ll take a well-earned summer break before returning in the fall for a new slate of hands-on projects and professional development.
This year’s Creator Collective includes a talented group of students from schools across our coverage area:
► Mountain Brook: Kinleigh Freeman, Evelyn Lee, Harper Wilbanks
► Hoover: Cameron Johnson, Willow
Smith
► Spain Park: Daniela Marie Sollano, Leyton McCarn
► Vestavia Hills: Corra Maddox
► Alabama School of Fine Arts: Kaiden Boykin, Allie Rezek
► Chelsea: Luke Miller
► Homewood: Miyelani Mathebula
When the program resumes, students will be mentored not only by Starnes Media’s award-winning editorial and multimedia staff, but also by an accomplished and growing advisory board made up of leading professionals in journalism, broadcasting, content creation, brand strategy and the arts.
This year’s Creator Collective Advisory Board includes:
► Joey Kennedy: A Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and one of Alabama’s most accomplished political reporters, Kennedy currently teaches at UAB and brings decades of experience in editorial writing and public affairs.
► Kevin Corke: FOX News White House
correspondent and former NBC News reporter, Corke has covered the presidency, global summits, and major breaking news events. He’s also a former anchor for ESPN’s SportsCenter and a graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government.
► Steve Skipper: A Homewood native and one of the most acclaimed sports and cultural artists in the world, Skipper has had work commissioned by NASCAR, the University of Alabama, and even for Queen Elizabeth II. His art has been featured in the College Football Hall of Fame and the U.S. Capitol.
► Danielle Tate: A national leader in athlete branding and the Director of Athlete Membership at Athletes.org, Tate has worked with INFLCR and Campus Ink. She’s also a Birmingham Business Journal “Woman to Watch” and brings deep expertise in NIL and personal brand-building.
► Lynn Andrews: Photographer, marketer, and community leader involved with the Junior League of Birmingham.
► Lynden Blake: Former WBRC sports
anchor and current ESPN+ sideline reporter with expertise in sports media and digital storytelling.
► Tommy Deas: Former president of the Associated Press Sports Editors and director of content for Gannett’s Center for Community Journalism.
► Michele Forman: Award-winning documentary filmmaker and director of UAB’s Media Studies program.
► Jaclyn M. Langan: Member services and events coordinator at the Alabama Press Association.
► Gail Sideman: Founder of GPublicity and a veteran of sports public relations and media strategy.
► Stacie Shain: Director of Communication Programs at Bellarmine University with experience in both academic and newsroom settings.
► Deon J. Hampton: NBC News’ top national field reporter and a two-time national award-winning journalist.
The Creator Collective runs year-round and is designed to provide high school students with real-world experience in journalism, content creation, and digital storytelling.
By SARAH OWENS
The city of Mountain Brook is exploring the construction of a roundabout at Memory Triangle, a busy convergence of Memory Lane, Memory Court and Country Club Road, in an effort to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety.
During a recent City Council pre-meeting, Richard Caudle of Skipper Consulting presented conceptual plans and cost estimates for the roundabout, which would replace the current mix of traffic signals and stop signs that have struggled to manage peak-hour traffic.
Currently, Memory Triangle has two-way roadways on each side of the triangle. The intersections of Country Club Road and Euclid Avenue with Memory Court and Dan Watkins Drive are controlled by a traffic signal (one controller for both intersections). The other intersections are controlled by side-street stop signs.
According to a feasibility study funded through the Advanced Planning, Programming and Logical Engineering (APPLE) program, the intersection currently sees significant backups, particularly during morning and evening rush hours. Queues on Country Club Road have occasionally stretched toward the entrance of the Country Club of Birmingham, with left-turning vehicles at Memory Lane identified as a key contributor to the delays.
The study reported that “since there is no exclusive left-turn lane for this movement, all traffic is stopped when one driver desires to turn left but cannot immediately make the maneuver because of westbound traffic on Country Club Road.”
Three design options were considered, but city officials have narrowed it down to one circular layout that maximizes green space inside the circle and includes sidewalks.
Traffic analysis showed that the proposed roundabout would maintain or improve levels of service across the intersecting roads, even during peak hours. Simulation models indicated the new design would reduce delays and avoid backups that currently stretch into nearby intersections.
“We do show reducing the queue that backs up toward the Country Club in the afternoon on Country Club Road,” said Caudle. “The other thing that is a significant impact is a projected reduction in crashes.”
Between 2019 and 2024, there were 27
crashes in the Memory Triangle area, including six involving injuries. Skipper Consulting cited a study of 23 roundabouts in Georgia that indicated a 37–48% reduction in average crash frequency for all crashes and a 51–60% reduction for injury/fatal crashes at four-leg roundabouts that were converted from stop-controlled and conventional intersections.
The estimated cost of the project is approximately $2.28 million, according to the city’s engineering documents. That includes nearly $1.9 million in construction costs, a 20% contingency, and roughly $240,000 in construction
City
engineering and inspection fees. No right-ofway acquisition is anticipated.
Due to the cost of the project and lack of immediate funding, no official decisions regarding the project have been made, and the proposal will return to the council before it moves ahead.
“It’s not in the city’s budget,” Caudle said. “There are no federal funds available until the year 2028 to do something like this, so no decision has been made whether or not the project would go forward and if there would be any changes.”
By SARAH OWENS
O’Neal Library may soon look a little different, with plans for interior renovations beginning to take shape.
The library is in need of updates to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the community, including addressing safety, accessibility and infrastructure concerns.
“Back in 2018, we started to think about how the use of the library has changed and how the design of the building could be improved to make sure that patrons have a great experience at the library,” said Library Director Lindsy Gardner. “So at that time, we came up with some
goals that we wanted to accomplish.”
One of the key goals is expanding the children’s department to provide more space for its popular programming and to allow parents and children to enjoy books together. Additional plans include creating a dedicated teen space and more areas for people to work or study. The library does not anticipate significant changes to the footprint of its collection.
“Those were three of the main things we set out several years ago as goals for a project like this,” Gardner said. “Most recently, the Library Foundation has hired an architectural firm, and we’re working with them to see how our goals for the space might be accommodated in an
interior renovation.”
The projected cost of the renovation is approximately $7 million. The city has agreed to provide up to $2,750,000 toward the project, contingent on the Mountain Brook Library Foundation securing the remainder through its capital fundraising campaign or investment reserves.
The Mountain Brook Library Foundation was formed in 1993 to provide a future source of income for the O’Neal Library. Through the work of many dedicated volunteers, the foundation has raised over $8 million in a public-private fundraising effort for the current library building.
The existing building opened in 2001, and
while Gardner says it is in good condition, the way people use libraries has significantly changed over the last 25 years.
The library had over 150,000 visits during the last fiscal year (September 2023 to October 2024), circulated nearly 400,000 physical items, and had approximately 50,000 digital audiobook circulations. The juvenile program alone drew 17,000 attendees throughout the year.
While there is no set timeline for when the project or fundraising will begin, Gardner hopes it will be in the next few years.
“We just want to make sure we’re planning for the future and continuing to provide excellent service to the community,” Gardner said.
By Stewart Welch III
Over the last few months, a lot of y’all have asked me if I’m planning to run for another term. After talking it over with friends and family and giving it much thought, I have decided not to seek another term as mayor of Mountain Brook. Serving the people of this remarkable city has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Over the past two terms, we’ve worked together to preserve the unique charm of Mountain Brook while thoughtfully planning for its future. From enhancing our public spaces like Jemison Park, to investing in infrastructure, to strengthening public safety, to supporting our excellent schools and local businesses — we’ve made meaningful progress that always has the best interests of our residents at heart. I’m especially proud to have helped bring the Alabama Veterans Memorial Park into our park system. By assuming its stewardship, we’re ensuring it remains a sacred space — preserved for future generations to honor and reflect on
the legacy of our nation’s heroes.
Today, Mountain Brook is thriving. We are financially strong, our neighborhoods are safe, and the spirit of community that defines our city is as strong as ever. It is from this position of strength and stability that I believe the time is right to allow the next generation of leadership to step up. The time is absolutely perfect to pass the torch, and I have every confidence that our next mayor will continue to lead with integrity, vision, and a deep love for this city.
To the citizens of Mountain Brook: thank you for your trust, your support, and your partnership over the years. I will forever be proud of what we’ve accomplished together. In the meantime, we still have work to do over the next few months as we approach the end of this term. After that, I look forward to cheering on the next chapter in our city’s story — one I know will be every bit as bright as its past.
learn, grow and thrive by providing programs focused on mental health awareness, substance abuse prevention, digital safety and overall student well-being.
ALL IN Mountain Brook has provided more than 100 hours of free workshops and educational resources to parents and students. Programs include parenting conferences, standalone workshops, talks by local medical and mental health professionals, and online resources.
By SARAH OWENS
For more than a decade, ALL IN Mountain Brook has been a driving force in the community, working alongside families, schools, government, businesses and faith-based organizations to provide education and resources that strengthen families and support students.
Founded in 2014 with the goal of equipping families with reliable information to help them stay safe, healthy and happy, the nonprofit has built a strong network of partnerships — including the city of Mountain Brook, Mountain Brook Schools, the Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce and O’Neal Library — to address key issues affecting youth and families.
“We are so grateful for the partnership with the city and with the school system, and that’s how ALL IN has been able to do so much,” Executive Director Becky Holt said. “I have made great relationships with people in this community. And everybody wants this community to be the best it can be, and so they’re willing to help, and that’s just been the best thing. That’s how ALL IN has just truly grown and thrived, is through those relationships and those partnerships that we have.”
The nonprofit strives to help the community
Mountain Brook’s police and fire departments frequently partner with the organization to highlight key concerns, and the city often supports events, outreach efforts and awareness campaigns.
In March, ALL IN Mountain Brook hosted a talk on raising resilient children and teens, presented by Stacy Ladden at the Mountain Brook Board of Education. A similar event was held on April 23, featuring Maggie Canter discussing the transition from preschool to kindergarten.
“This is our first time to jump into that age range from preschool to kindergarten, and so that’s a really big area that we’ve learned it’s really important to start early and just provide that education,” Holt said, “but not only providing that education to parents, but also to provide the opportunity for parents to build a network and a village together as they’re going through various different stages of life. Resiliency is a big topic that we’re going to address.”
March also included a Chamber Connect event aimed at making Mountain Brook a safer digital environment for children and a community book discussion at O’Neal Library. Attendees discussed The Anxious Generation:
How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness, a 2024 book by Jonathan Haidt, which argues that the spread of smartphones, social media and overprotective parenting has led to a fundamental shift in childhood and a rise in mental illness.
As ALL IN Mountain Brook enters its second decade, the organization is looking to expand its reach and deepen its impact.
Upcoming initiatives include expanding the
Silver Spartans program, which helps adults learn about technology and protect themselves from scams. Future events will cover topics such as teen driving, ADHD and substance use. The ALL IN Podcast series also continues to address important issues affecting youth and the community.
For more information on ALL IN Mountain Brook’s programs and initiatives, visit allinmountainbrook.org.
By STAFF
Mountain Brook High School sophomore
Lulu Gribbin is one step closer to independence, thanks to a surprise gift from Martin Retail Group and Central Alabama Buick GMC Dealers: a new, fully adapted Buick Envista.
Gribbin, who survived a traumatic shark attack in June 2024 that resulted in the loss of multiple limbs, has since become a symbol of strength and grace for her community. When local dealerships learned she was nearing her 16th birthday, they rallied to provide her with a customized vehicle that would support her mobility and independence.
“Lulu had her incident in June, and word got out — the purple ribbons were everywhere,” said Greg Belcher, president of Royal Automotive. “I just wanted to find out what we could do from a dealer organization standpoint. When we heard she was getting ready to turn 16, it was the perfect time to step in and say, ‘Let’s help her get a car.’”
Several area dealerships collaborated to make it happen, including Royal Buick GMC (Vestavia), Barkley Buick GMC (Tuscaloosa), Courtesy GMC (Trussville), Carl Cannon Buick GMC (Jasper), and McSweeney GMC (Clanton). Together, they modified the vehicle to meet Lulu’s needs — and presented it to her during a special surprise ceremony at school, surrounded by friends, family, faculty and members of the
dealership network.
“Today was amazing. I never would’ve expected to have a car given to me,” Gribbin said. “I’m so excited to drive it — it gives me freedom and independence, and it means I can help my parents out by driving myself and helping get my siblings around.”
Since the attack, Gribbin has become an advocate for resilience and recovery. She recently launched the Lulu Strong Foundation to support others facing life-altering challenges. Learn more at lulustrong.com.
By SARAH OWENS
Five Mountain Brook High School students have been named National Merit Finalists.
These students have demonstrated a high level of academic achievement and represent the top 1% of high school seniors in the United States.
Mountain Brook High School has produced 791 National Merit Finalists since 1968, and this year’s Finalists include Spencer Cobb, Marco Ortis, Sophia Self, Ann Monroe Jackson and Drue Perkins.
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation recognizes academically talented high school students across the country. More than 1.3 million students enter the program each year by taking the PSAT or the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. About 50,000 are honored as high scorers, but not all advance to the Semifinalist round.
These five students were among the 16,000 named Semifinalists nationwide. Of those, 15,000 go on to become Finalists and compete for approximately $26 million in scholarships through the National Merit Scholarship Program. These seniors now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for National Merit Scholarships this spring.
Roughly 6,870 scholarships will be awarded this year, including 2,500 single-payment scholarships of $2,500. Additionally, 770 corporate-sponsored scholarships will go to Finalists who meet specific sponsor criteria, and about 3,600 college-sponsored scholarships will be available to students attending the respective sponsor institutions.
2022-2023 and is currently clerking for Chief Judge William Pryor through Summer 2025.
The RealtySouth Mountain Brook office, located at 2807 Cahaba Road in Mountain Brook Village, welcomes Brooke Garner as their newest agent.
South Dallas Turf & Supply, a sod supplier, is relocating from 4940 Coshatt Drive in Hoover to 4762 Overton Road in Liberty Park. 205-988-3197, southdallasturfandsupply.com
Former associate of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP Jack Tucker, will be clerking for Justice Clarence Thomas during the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2026-2027 term. Tucker is a Mountain Brook High School graduate and worked in the firm’s Birmingham office from 2023 to 2024, after serving as a summer project assistant and summer associate. He clerked for former colleague Judge Andrew Brasher on the Eleventh Circuit from
Surge DJ Services, co-founded by Mountain Brook students Fleet Robinson and Harrison Steineker, celebrated the second anniversary of their entertainment business this April. Over the past two years, Surge has established itself as a popular DJ choice for parties, school dances, and community events. Bookings and info available via Instagram @surge_dj_services
HUM Concierge is celebrating two years providing luxury services for busy clients. The company provides personal, corporate and real estate services, including personal shoppers, travel coordinators, household task assistance and more. The business is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
humconcierge.com, 205-578-2024
Empower Counseling and Coaching, 4 Office Park Circle #306, has been serving clients for six years. The counselors at Empower serve teenage or adult clients dealing with anxiety, depression, PTSD and other mental and behavioral health issues. The office is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
empowercounselingllc.com, 205-730-6570
X4 Fitness has been open in Lane Parke for four years. The gym offers 40-minute group classes to meet all ability and fitness levels. There are three membership levels from which to choose, and you can book a free class online. x4fit.com, 205-771-0256
Brogue and Cuff has been outfitting men for 23 years out of its English Village location at 1905 Cahaba Road.
Customers can have custom suits, formal attire, casual attire and other clothing items made by hand to fit their lifestyle. Men can be fitted in the store or at their home, by appointment. brogueandcuff.com, 205-803-2202
Dana Wolter Interiors, located at 2713 Cahaba Road, is celebrating 20 years of interior design service in Mountain Brook. Owner Dana Wolter is known for her chic Southern style and discerning eye for restful, collected and tasteful interiors. danawolterinteriors.com, 205-938-4848
Milla Boutique has been open at 2405 Montevallo Road for six years. The women’s clothing boutique offers a wide range of handpicked clothing items, handbags, shoes and other accessories. You can shop online or in store Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. shopmillaboutique.com, 205-407-4745
Key Circle Commons has been serving small plates and cocktails for three years at 2010 Cahaba Road in English Village. The lounge’s menu includes as many local ingredients as possible. Customers can stop by Monday through Wednesday from 3 to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 3 to 11 p.m. kccbham.com, 205-460-1088
By SARAH OWENS
For 70 years, the Birmingham Zoo has been more than just a place to see exotic animals — it has been a hub for conservation, education and community connection. What started as a small local attraction in 1955 has grown into one of the country’s most respected zoological institutions, dedicated to wildlife preservation and inspiring generations of visitors.
“Seventy years is a long time, and the zoo only made it through the support of the community,” zoo President and CEO Chris Pfefferkorn said.
“There was some great support from the city of Birmingham and civic leaders and other folks that helped make the zoo what it is today. But without the community support, we wouldn’t continue to be a success.”
A look back at the zoo’s history shows just how they built the legacy they’re known for today.
Visit birminghamzoo.com to stay up to date on all the celebratory events happening this year.
1950s – HUMBLE BEGINNINGS: The zoo officially opened in 1955 under Mayor James R. Morgan, beginning with Monkey Island, elephants Mona and Susie, and a growing collection of animals. Early expansions included a miniature train, the Bear Moat, a hippo, and a pachyderm building — all before a zoo director was even in place.
1970s – A NEW VISION: A new master plan guided the zoo’s development, introducing a nursery, a new entry gate, a sea lion pool and an auditorium. New species arrived, including white rhinos and three more hippos. The staff expanded with roles dedicated to education and animal care.
1990s – RENOVATION AND TRANSFOR-
MATION: A period of major change began with Director Bob Truett’s retirement and new director Jerry Wallace. The zoo doubled its Species Survival Plan animals, launched new educational programs, and demolished Monkey Island to make way for the Trails of Africa. In September 1999, Mayor Richard Arrington and Arthur Henley led the way for the Birmingham Zoo to become a public-private institution.
2010s – SUSTAINABILITY AND INNOVATION:
The grand opening of Trails of Africa brought an all-male elephant herd, followed by new habitats for African wild dogs, giraffes, bears and coyotes. The zoo expanded its conservation efforts, introduced beehives and pollinator gardens, and enhanced visitor experiences with new event spaces and educational programs. In 2019, the zoo received a facelift with a new entrance and administrative building.
1960s – DIRECTION AND GROWTH: With F. Bob Truett as its first official director, the zoo improved animal care and expanded with new facilities, including primate, reptile and bird buildings. A focus on animal welfare led to larger enclosures and more educational programs. The newly created Alabama Zoological Society and its volunteer program expanded outreach efforts.
1980s – CONSERVATION TAKES CENTER STAGE:
The zoo prioritized conservation, opening new habitats such as the Flamingo Pond and a new veterinary clinic. The Primate and Predator Buildings still in use today were also built, and baby orangutans Daisy and Oliver arrived. Oliver remains a favorite of zoo guests.
2000s – MODERNIZATION AND EXPANSION:
When Bruce Read, formerly of Disney World, became the zoo’s new director in 2000, a modern philosophy was adopted, introducing geographic-themed exhibits and worldclass facilities, including the Junior League of Birmingham Hugh Kaul Children’s Zoo. New exhibits included a Komodo dragon, giant fruit bats, a maned wolf, Alligator Swamp, Alabama Wilds, the Butterfly Encounter and a renovated train station. Participation in SSPs was also expanded to include cinereous vultures, Pallas cats and others.
2020s AND BEYOND – A FUTURE FOCUSED ON CONSERVATION: The zoo continues to lead in sustainability, education and wildlife conservation. A new lion arrived, and flamingo chicks were born. Most notably, Cougar Crossing opened this year, bringing cougars and bobcats back to Birmingham. As it celebrates 70 years, the zoo remains committed to inspiring passion for the natural world and providing top-tier animal care — ensuring its legacy for generations to come.
By SARAH OWENS\
The Levite Jewish Community Center’s annual Jewish Food and Culture Fest is fast approaching. The highly anticipated event is set for May 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Celebrated as one of the area’s premier outdoor food events, the festival has been highlighting the richness of Jewish culture in the Birmingham area for nearly 25 years.
“One of the coolest things about the festival is that even though it has become this big event that hosts about 2,500 people a year, it still manages to stay very community centric,” LJCC Event and Volunteer Manager Emma Herr said. “The volunteers still lead all of the cooking sessions. It’s their recipes that we’re using. I think we have about 150 volunteers altogether throughout the cooking sessions and the actual event day itself, and it really feels like this gigantic team effort with the J community.”
Attendees can look forward to a diverse menu featuring more than 20 beloved Jewish dishes crafted from recipes passed down through generations. While the final menu is still being finalized, past festivals have delighted guests with offerings such as sweet and savory braised brisket, falafel, giant corned beef sandwiches, pickles, babka, pomegranate walnut chicken, stuffed cabbage rolls, rugelach, challah, sweet noodle kugel casserole, Israeli salad, whitefish salad, couscous, savory potato burekas, matzah ball soup and mandelbrot.
These culinary delights offer a taste of Jewish heritage and are sure to satisfy a wide range of palates.
“It’s always a competition to see what’s going to be the most popular,” Herr said. “The sampler plate has held out as the winner for a good amount of years here — that has an inclusion of everything. Right after that is the brisket plate, and then we also have this Sephardic dish of pomegranate walnut chicken that’s been slowly rising in the ranks. So we’re gonna see if there’s any competition with the brisket this time.”
Along with the food, festivalgoers can enjoy cultural experiences and entertainment in the form of bounce houses, live music, Krav Maga demonstrations and a shuk — a typical Israeli open-air market. New additions to this year’s festival will include a station to paint your own hamsa, a hand-shaped symbol of protection and good fortune, an interactive hora dance, and possibly a pickle eating contest.
The event is free to the public, with the only cost being for the food. All proceeds go back into the event itself and help support the LJCC’s mission of being a welcoming facility to people of all faiths, ages, genders, sexual identities and socioeconomic backgrounds.
“We really consider this like a gift to the community,” Herr said. “So it’s been very important to us to be as inclusive as possible and always have free entry to the event itself.”
Overall, the festival offers participants an opportunity to walk away with not just good food, but a deeper appreciation for the richness and diversity of Jewish culture.
► Where: Crestline Village around City Hall
► When: May 3, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
► Web: mountainbrookartassociation. com/spring-show
► Tickets: Free
► Details: The Mountain Brook Art Association’s annual Spring Show brings together over 50 artists to fill the streets with color. What began as an impromptu public art display in 1981 has become one of the largest and most popular art shows in the Birmingham area, offering a selection of high-quality fine art paintings and drawings in traditional media. The juried show provides an opportunity for artists to showcase their work while hundreds of patrons peruse the tents.
► Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens
► When: May 6, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
► Contact: 205-414-3950
► Web: bbgardens.org/event/ rose-in-the-roses-2025
► Cost: $35 for members, $40 for nonmembers
► Details: Enjoy rosé selected by Finch Fine Wines in celebration of the Gardens’ roses in bloom at this festive fundraiser hosted by the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens Junior Board. Reservations are required, and funds support the Gardens’ internship program, which gives college students practical experience toward careers in public horticulture.
► Where: Birmingham Zoo
► When: May 9, 6-9 p.m.
► Contact: 205-879-0409
► Web: birminghamzoo.com/event/ tails-in-the-trails-2025
► Tickets: $50 per person, $95 per couple. Tickets include one free drink.
► Details: The Birmingham Zoo’s Junior Board invites the community to party in the Trails of Africa at this outdoor event featuring music, animal encounters, small bites from local restaurants, beer, wine, specialty cocktails and a silent auction. Guests must be 21 or older. All proceeds support the “Fund Carlito’s Casa” initiative—Carlito is the zoo’s giant anteater.
► Where: Alabama Veterans Memorial Park, 100 Overton Access Road
► When: May 18, noon
► Contact: info@alabamaveterans.org, 205-305-6749
► Web: alabamaveterans.org/events
► Tickets: Free, but donations appreciated
► Details: The Alabama Veterans Memorial Foundation invites the public to explore the “Faces of the Price of Freedom” exhibit and tour the Memorial Plaza and Hall of Honor before the formal Memorial Day ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. Brigadier General Jeffrey L. Newton (Ret.) will speak on VA Family Benefits, and live patriotic music will be performed. A StepStone dedication ceremony will also be held.
Looking for more community
► Visit our online calendar at villagelivingonline.com
► Subscribe to our newsletter for top picks on weekend events.
► Where: Highland Park Golf Course
► When: May 19, 8 a.m.
► Contact: 205-529-8377
► Web: libbysfriends.org
► Tickets: $1,000 per four-person team. Additional sponsorship options available.
► Details: The 5th annual Libby’s Friends Golf Tournament offers a morning and afternoon tee time. The day includes golf, a silent auction, and family fun. All proceeds benefit Libby’s Friends and their mission to support individuals with special needs.
► Where: Pete Hanna Center at Samford University
► When: May 20
► Contact: 205-414-3800
► Web: mbhs.mtnbrook.k12.al.us
► Details: Mountain Brook High School seniors will celebrate a major educational milestone and receive their diplomas as they prepare to enter adulthood. Students will walk across the stage and shake hands with Principal Joel Henneke as they conclude their time in Mountain Brook Schools.
► Contact Community Editor Sarah Owens with your event information at sowens@starnesmedia.com
May 5: Planning Commission, City Hall, 5:30 p.m.
May 6: Board of Landscape Design, City Hall, 5:15 p.m.
May 12: Board of Education, 3:30 p.m.
May 12 & 26: City Council, City Hall, 7 p.m.
May 13: Parks and Recreation Board, 5 p.m.
May 19: Board of Zoning Adjustments, City Hall, 5 p.m.
May 20: O’Neal Library Board, O’Neal Library, 4:30 p.m.
May 21: Village Design Review Committee, City Hall, 9 a.m.
Mondays: Mahjong Meet-Up, Community Meeting Room, 10 a.m. to noon
Tuesdays: Gentle Yoga with Marie Blair, Community Meeting Room, 10 to 11 a.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays: Open Maker Lab, Makerspace, 2 to 6 p.m.
Wednesdays: Beginner Sewing Classes, Makerspace, 10 to 11 a.m.
May 10: Crafterday, Community Meeting Room, 10 a.m. to noon
May 10: Great Short Stories on Screen – Minority Report, Community Meeting Room, 3 to 5:30 p.m.
May 22: Open Mic, Community Meeting Room, 6 to 8 p.m.
May 27: Books & Beyond: Reading and Viewing Discussion Group, Conference Room, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
May 1: Coastal Conservation Association Crawfest, Birmingham Zoo, 5:30 p.m. Tickets at e.givesmart.com/events/HaW.
May 2: Smith’s Variety 75th Anniversary Ribbon Cutting, 45 Church Street, 11 to 11:30 a.m.
By KYLE PARMLEY
Langston Lilly knows it won’t be easy to replicate what the Mountain Brook High School girls soccer team achieved last spring.
Lilly and the Spartans captured the program’s first state championship in over a decade, defeating Briarwood 2-0 in the Class 6A final.
Mountain Brook wasn’t exactly the favorite to hoist the trophy throughout the season. The Spartans had no seniors and were used to being labeled a “young team.” But behind the leadership of Lilly, goalkeeper Laine Minich and fellow junior Virginia Poe, the Spartans played the role of spoiler on their title run.
Lilly converted a penalty kick in the final and was named the state tournament MVP.
“It was one of the coolest things ever,” she said. “I’ll always remember that day.”
The Spartans returned virtually the same squad this year, with just a few younger additions to the varsity roster. But they’ve had to adjust to the reality of being the team with a target on its back.
“Because she has a big spotlight, there’s a lot of pressure,” head coach Adam Johnson said. “Given the scouting report on Langston, she gets double-teamed, marked and fouled. She’s earned that respect.”
Lilly admits adjusting to that attention hasn’t been easy, but she believes the team has grown from midseason losses to Chelsea and Montgomery Academy.
How badly does she want another shot at a title?
“I’ve told people on our team, ‘How badly do you want it? Take that times 1,000, and that’s how badly I want it,’” she said.
“[Lilly] joined us as a freshman and made a big impact,” Johnson said. “Her approach to the game — even then — she was a sponge, soaking it in and trying to learn everything.”
There won’t be much downtime for Lilly after high school. After graduation, she’ll spend a short stint with the United Soccer League’s Birmingham Legion developmental team before
Lilly and Minich have played together for years, including on the same ECNL club team. Both have been on varsity since their freshman year, and Johnson credited their work ethic and commitment to growth.
moving into Samford University in early July.
With college soccer played in the fall, she’ll jump straight into her next chapter.
It was clear early in her recruiting journey where she wanted to be. Of five planned visits, she only took two. Samford quickly stood out as the right fit.
Lilly has already made a lasting impact at Mountain Brook — winning the 2024 state title, being recognized as one of the top players in the
state, and competing in last summer’s AHSAA North-South All-Star Game.
But she has one final goal to reach.
If Mountain Brook is to repeat as champions, the Spartans will need to win three playoff games to return to the state final four, set for May 7-10 at John Hunt Park in Huntsville.
“There’s no other way I’d want to end my soccer career here at Mountain Brook,” Lilly said.
Bucky McMillan’s career ascent is continuing. Texas A&M announced McMillan as the program’s next men’s basketball coach. McMillan takes over a program that has experienced plenty of recent success, making the NCAA Tournament each of the last three years. He made a name for himself as a legendary coach at Mountain Brook High School following his playing days for the Spartans. McMillan won five state championships as the Mountain Brook coach before spending the last five years as the Samford University head coach, leading the Bulldogs to the 2024 NCAA Tournament.
Mary Katherine Malone, a Mountain Brook native and a freshman cross-country and track and field athlete at Auburn University, was one of four people to sing the national anthem before Auburn’s Final Four game against Florida on April 5 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Malone sang in a quartet with a student-athlete from Houston, Duke and Florida, representing each of the teams in the Final Four. She sang in last year’s Miss Olympian pageant at Mountain Brook High and used her performance from that as her audition tape. Hers was chosen.
The Mountain Brook High School track and field program has been performing at an elite level in recent years. The girls have won the last three Class 6A state titles and are aiming to make it four in a row in May. The Oak Ridge Legends Invitational in Tennessee showed the strength of this year’s team, as the Spartans won the combined team title. Annie Kerr, in particular, was a standout, as she set a personal outdoor record by clearing 13 feet, 6 inches in pole vault. That was the top outdoor pole vault performance of the season at that point. The state meet is set for May 1-3 in Gulf Shores.
Several of the Mountain Brook spring teams will look to finish the season strong in May. The baseball team won the area title, with the playoffs beginning in April. The Spartans will be hoping to make a run in the playoffs. There are four rounds of playoffs ahead of the state finals May 12-16 in Oxford. Mountain Brook’s softball team will be favored to advance to the East Regional in Albertville on May 7-8. The Mountain Brook golf teams will look to move through section and sub-state to be at the state tournament May 12-13 at Oxmoor Valley. Mountain Brook’s soccer teams are aiming to make a return to the state final four May 8 and 10 in Huntsville.
Mountain Brook athletics has found success across the board this spring, with standout performances on the court, field and track. From tennis matches to soccer games to track meets, the Spartans have consistently delivered strong results. Throughout the season, student photographers have been there to capture every winning moment, documenting the athletes’ hard work and achievements with skill and creativity.
By SARAH OWENS
Reverend Russell J. Levenson Jr. has dedicated his life to faith, service and storytelling. With a 32-year career in ministry, he has guided congregations across the country, offering wisdom, compassion and leadership in pivotal moments. Now an established author, Levenson continues to share his insights beyond the pulpit, using books to explore the intersection of faith, daily life and unexpected sources of inspiration — his latest being In God’s Grip: What Golf Can Teach Us About the Gospel.
Levenson grew up in Mountain Brook and earned a business degree from Birmingham-Southern College before obtaining a Master of Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry from Beeson Divinity School. He has spent his career leading churches, most recently serving for 17 years as the rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas — one of the nation’s largest Episcopal congregations.
“I always enjoyed writing, though. Wrote stories as a kid, wrote some poetry that I wouldn’t want anybody to see,” Levenson said. “And obviously, when you go into my line of work, my vocation, it requires a tremendous amount of writing. … And at some point I thought, ‘Well, I’ve got enough in my head now that I want to start kind of playing around with it. I can do a book.’”
He published the first in a series of four devotionals in 2014 before releasing his most successful book, Witness to Dignity: The Faith and Life of George H.W. and Barbara Bush, in 2022. Spending over 11 years as their pastor at St. Martin’s, Levenson became a close friend
and spiritual mentor to the couple.
In 2018, he officiated and preached at former First Lady Barbara Bush’s funeral in Houston. Later that year, he spoke at the state funeral in Washington, D.C., and the final memorial service in Houston for President George H.W. Bush. He also presided over both of their private graveside services.
Levenson’s writing blends theological insights with personal and cultural narratives. Witness to Dignity chronicled his experiences with the Bush family and their life devoted to faith, earning praise for its heartfelt storytelling and authenticity.
“I did not think about writing a book about it all until I think the public square of politics got
to be as poisonous as it has been,” Levenson said. “And I’m not talking about a person. I’m talking about the whole shebang. I thought, in getting to know the Bushes — and I knew them for 11 and a half years — I’ve never heard them say a negative word about anybody, regardless of party or position. They had friends from across the aisle, and I thought, ‘I’d really like to light that light rather than curse the darkness.’ We can all curse the darkness, it’s easy to spot. But if I just tell a story about them and how wonderful they were and how they lived their faith, then I felt like that would help.”
In God’s Grip, now available on Amazon and in stores, continues this approach by drawing parallels between Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons — the grip, stance and posture, the first part of the swing, the second part of the swing, and the summary and review — and elements of Christian faith. Through inspirational reflections, biblical passages and Hogan’s wisdom, Levenson invites readers to examine their spiritual journey with patience and grace.
Levenson and his wife recently returned to Mountain Brook, remaining active in retirement with the belief that it is “better to wear out than to rust out.” He continues to speak at area churches and has another book in the works.
Witness to Belief: Conversations on Faith and Meaning, set for release this fall, features conversations on personal faith with figures such as Denzel Washington, The Honorable James A. Baker III, The Honorable Condoleezza Rice, Amy Grant, Gary Sinise, Sam Waterston, Dr. Francis Collins, Dr. Jane Goodall, The Honorable Nikki Haley, Admiral William McRaven, Jim Nantz and Brit Hume.
By STAFF
Q: How would you describe your photography style?
A: My photography style is light and airy, with an emphasis on connection and real, meaningful moments. I’m all about capturing the snuggles, the giggles, and the quiet looks that say so much. They’re the moments you’ll want to remember when your babies aren’t so little anymore. They’re the images that remind you every day just how sweet this season of life really is.
Q: What’s your specialty?
A: I specialize in capturing growing families—whether it’s welcoming a brand new baby, documenting a special milestone, or just freezing this sweet, ordinary season of life. I love creating a relaxed and natural space where parents can soak in the moment and kids can just be themselves.
Q: What or who influences your work?
A: Honestly, being a mom to three boys has shaped the way I see everything. Watching them grow has made me realize how important it is to capture the little moments.
Q: When did you first discover you had a talent for this?
By STAFF
Gina Sian is a self-proclaimed “career adventurer,” with a resume spanning jobs in computer science, nonprofit work, higher education, community engagement and now art.
A member of the Mountain Brook Art Association, Sian’s mediums of choice include soft pastels, acrylic and oil paint. She launched her art business, G Sian Art, in 2023.
“I’ve enjoyed art making on the side as a hobby for many years, but I didn’t really start taking it seriously until a couple of years ago,”Sian said, “and the journey of going from a blank canvas to something you’ve created with your hands is just exhilarating. I’m hooked and excited to have launched my business.”
Sian’s work draws from American Impressionism and the Hudson River School style–a mid-19th-century American art movement characterized by landscape paintings that emphasized the beauty and grandeur of the country’s landscape.
To view Carr’s work, visit her Instagram page @whitneycarrphotography or find her portfolio at whitneycarr.com.
A: Looking back, I think I’ve always been drawn to storytelling through photography. I remember the many Kodak disposable cameras I went through during my younger years and then getting my first Canon digital camera not long afterward. During my first pregnancy, I bought my first DSLR camera because I didn’t want to forget a single detail and wanted to capture high-quality images as my little one grew.
When people with extraordinary talent and passion are given the technology, the facilities, and the support, they achieve great things. The discoveries and innovations happening today will help shape the future of treatments and lead to cures. And it benefits not only the patients and families who come to Children’s of Alabama, but people across the country and around the world for years to come.
“I enjoy getting lost in artworks that take us someplace else and allow us to stay there and renew ourselves in what we’re looking at,”Sian said, “which is why I’m very much inspired by the work of American Impressionists and the Hudson River School type of painting because they can capture the romance and beauty of light and landscape and trees and forests and bring it to our homes, and that’s what I tried to do with my artwork. “
Sian records and shares her artmaking process with the community on her Instagram @gsianart. Her work can also be seen on her website at gsianart.com or on display at the MBAA’s Art in the Village event on May 6 in Crestline Village.
By STAFF
Marie Blair is a certified yoga instructor and a staple at O’Neal Library, where she has been teaching gentle yoga classes on Tuesday mornings for several years.
Q: Tell us a bit about you.
A: I love libraries, and I love teaching yoga at O’Neal Library every Tuesday morning. I’m a retired school librarian, originally from East Tennessee, and I’ve lived in Birmingham with my husband and two daughters — now grown and gone — since the mid-’80s.
understand how chronic illness impacts movement — and I wanted to help.
By SARAH OWENS
As the oldest institution in Mountain Brook, Canterbury United Methodist Church has truly stood the test of time — growing, evolving and weaving itself into the community’s history. Its story begins in 1867, when a group of settlers near the Irondale Furnace came together to form Irondale Methodist. Just a few years later, in 1874, the church took on a new name — Union Hill Methodist Episcopal Church — when the North Alabama Conference held a meeting in the Birmingham District. With a generous land donation from Pleasant Hickman Watkins, delegates decided to erect the first church building along what is now Hollywood Boulevard, just west of Mountain Brook Village.
Q: What’s the best part about living here?
A: O’Neal Library builds community and stokes curiosity. Teaching yoga — practicing yoga — does the same. We learn how to breathe, move with awareness, and practice self-acceptance without taking ourselves too seriously.
Q: How did you decide to pursue your career?
A: I’ve always been inclined toward service. I never would have expected to become a yoga teacher, but when my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson’s about 20 years ago, I began to
Q: What’s something about you that people might be surprised to learn?
A: My mother was the first woman elected to city council in Chattanooga, and I’ve always considered her my sterling example of how to live well and live for others.
Q: If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
A: I am a work in progress. I’d like to think with age comes wisdom — but also a tendency to become set in your ways. I don’t want that for myself. I want to stay open to other people’s perspectives and life experiences.
Fast forward to 1928, when Mountain Brook visionary Robert Jemison gave the church a facelift, rechristening it as Canterbury Methodist Episcopal Church. The transformation was so stunning that it earned the title of the “prettiest country church in the United States.”
Meanwhile, another congregation was taking root. In 1912, Crestline Community Church was founded, and within a year, a sanctuary stood proudly on Church Street in Crestline Heights. By 1942, after a major renovation, the church adopted a new name — Mountain Brook Methodist. Today, that historic building is known as Steeple Arts.
The two churches joined forces in 1948, uniting under one name and settling on a site that once served as a cow pasture for Bearden Dairy. On Oct. 12, 1952, the brand-new Canterbury United Methodist Church opened its doors to 900 members. Now, with a thriving congregation of more than 4,300, Canterbury continues to be a cornerstone of the community, blending rich history with a vibrant future.
By TIM STEPHENS
Let me be clear: I’ve never liked running.
Not even when I was a high school tight end and defensive end logging stadium steps and sprints, or a basketball player doing miles in the Alabama summer heat. I did it. I even got good at it for a while. It was always a drill, never a lifestyle.
This spring, I’m trying to do something I’ve never done before: lose 56 pounds by my 56th birthday on July 12. That’s the heart of 56-for-56, my personal transformation story — and a public one, too.
So when I committed to running a full 5K — start to finish, no walking — for the first time since 2011, I knew I was signing up for something personal. And hard. I’ve done it before. In fact, back in 2011, that 5K was my reward for losing 100 pounds — yes, 100 — between April 1 and Sept. 11 of that year. But I was 41 then. This is a whole different game at 55.
This past month reminded me just how different it really is. I hit the wall — mentally, physically, emotionally. Completely spent.I didn’t just lose motivation — I lost momentum. I was drained — physically and mentally. I tried to push through it. I kept saying, “Just one more workout. Just one more day.”
Eventually, I realized I was flirting with burnout or injury. So I stopped.
I gave myself permission to take nearly two full weeks off — just a few light workouts, nothing structured. I made a quiet promise to myself: When April hits, I’ll re-engage. But right now, I need to rest.
That decision may have cost me some progress. But it may also have saved the whole project.
On April 12 — three months before the final weigh-in — I showed up for the UAB National Alumni Society 5K. I hadn’t trained for it the way I wanted. HOTWORX workouts in Vestavia Hills, some HIIT at the Shades Valley YMCA, walking in the weighted vest on the Lakeshore Trail — those help, but they’re not the same as putting in road miles. I hydrated the day before with a Prime IV infusion in
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Homewood. And I gave it all I had.
I crossed the finish line in 47 minutes and 3 seconds. I walked more than I ran and finished more than 11 minutes behind the goal I’d originally set. But I got it done under my revised target of 50 minutes.
Not pretty, but a win.
And it reminded me: this journey isn’t about crushing every milestone. It’s about learning to
listen to my body, to protect my mental health and to show up even when things feel out of sync.
My most recent InBody scan showed I dropped 1.5 pounds — a sign of progress, though not the result I was chasing. My muscle mass percentage dipped slightly, and my body fat percentage ticked up — not ideal, but understandable given the downtime. We’re recalibrating now: more protein, cleaner carbs, and locking back in on meal tracking through MyFitnessPal, strain and recovery monitoring through WHOOP, and weekly recovery support at Prime IV.
I’m still working with my trainer, Mickal Thomas at the Shades Valley YMCA, who has advised me to alter my meal plans to “earn” the calories I eat by burning them off. And my therapist, Dalila Bass, to keep this mission rooted in sustainability — not punishment. As Dalila reminds me, it’s not about outrunning the past. It’s about building something new that lasts. Next time, maybe I run the whole thing. Maybe I don’t. But the goal isn’t perfection. It’s presence.
And I’m still here.
dedication, planning skills and confidence in pursuing his goals that have led him to where he is today.
His early investments were as adventurous as they were strategic — a lakeside cabin accessible only by boat, condos in Florida and Colorado shared with friends, and a six-plex apartment where his grandmother lived.
“I didn’t want anyone raising her rent or kicking her out,” he said.
Over time, his real estate ventures expanded into raw land, low-income housing and office buildings.
Alongside financial aspirations, Welch’s bucket list included dreams of writing a book, appearing on television and contributing to national financial publications. Over the years, he has managed to accomplish all of those things and more. Welch has written a series of personal finance books, beginning with a guide for newlyweds published by Simon & Schuster. He became a regular financial contributor for Money magazine, Forbes and The New York Times. He has appeared weekly on WBRC Fox 6 for more than two decades in a segment called “Money Tuesdays.”
Welch also founded his own wealth management company in 1984: The Welch Group.
While checking items off the list has brought him success, it’s Welch’s work ethic,
Despite a career grounded in private-sector success, Welch’s foray into public service came at the encouragement of City Council member Billy Pritchard, following the retirement of longtime Mayor Terry Oden.
“My initial reaction was not no, but h*ll no,” Welch said. “And the reason was, it was right at that time when there was a big news story that the mayor from Birmingham had literally gotten in a fistfight with a council member in the back chambers. … So I said, ‘I can fight, but I don’t want to do that.’”
After being reassured by Pritchard that such conflict was unlikely in Mountain Brook, Welch eventually agreed — and ran unopposed, being elected in 2016.
Thankfully, Welch hasn’t experienced any fistfights in council chambers, and he’s since developed deep admiration for the city’s employees and officials.
“I think sometimes people have a mental image of people working in government, and I was just wrong,” Welch said. “I can remember the first couple of days I was mayor, somebody called with the classic pothole issue. So I said, ‘All right, I’m going to send an email to Sam telling him the problem.’ And then I figured it would go into the abyss.”
The next day, the pothole had been fixed, and Welch remembers saying to his wife, “Wow, I wonder how long this honeymoon is going to last.”
As of April 2025, he was still living in it, praising City Manager Sam Gaston, his assistant, Public Information Officer Janet Forbes, and Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Steve Boone for their consistent support. He also praised the City Council for always treating each other with respect despite differences of opinion.
As he prepares to leave office, Welch said the culture of quality employees and public officials is what he’s most proud to have been part of.
“As I look back over nine years, this is just my opinion, but I think that [the councilors] have made near-perfect decision making,” Welch said. “I can’t look at anything, any decision they’ve made, that I look back at and say, ‘Oh, that was really not in the best interest of the city of Mountain Brook.’”
In fact, Welch says one of the things he will miss most about his role as mayor is interacting with city employees and council members on a daily basis.
In addition to a strong work culture, Welch cited the donation of the Alabama Veterans Memorial site to the city — 22 acres of land now being developed into a park with trails
and potentially an amphitheater and pavilion — and the new fire station as two of his most significant accomplishments in office.
Reflecting on his decision not to seek a third term, Welch said the timing felt right.
“When I initially did this, in my mind, I was thinking two terms,” Welch said. “If I were to do another term now, when I finished, I’d be knocking on the door of age 80, and I felt like that’s too old. And I felt like the city’s in a great place on every level. It felt like the perfect time to pass the baton to the next generation.”
Before he leaves office, Welch is continuing an initiative to reduce gas-powered landscaping equipment in city parks and villages by encouraging a shift to battery-powered alternatives that cut emissions and reduce noise.
He is spearheading a partnership with local landscapers and a machine manufacturer to test an all-electric landscaping crew outfitted with tools that recharge overnight. The longterm goal is for city operations, commercial vendors and even residents to adopt battery-powered tools.
Welch will retire from his role as mayor in November, following the August election to select his successor. So far, Councilor Graham Smith is the only candidate who has announced plans to run for the position.
CONTINUED from page 1
The Class of 2025 didn’t just grow up during change — they grew up on screen, and in fast-forward. Born in the late 2006 to mid-2007 window, their lives have coincided with the rise of smartphones, streaming media, social movements and digital identity. Their junior high years were marked by lockdowns and learning loss. Now, as they prepare to step into adulthood, they bring with them not just ambition, but insight into a world they have been watching, questioning and navigating in real time.
For seniors at Mountain Brook High School, they have all lived through lockdowns, digital classrooms and a re-defined sense of “normal.” And for Avi Goldberg — a Mountain Brook resident and senior at Alabama School of Fine Arts — the Class of 2025’s relationship with technology stands apart.
“We were raised by screens and search engines,” Goldberg said. “We didn’t learn how to navigate the internet — we learned in it.”
Addison Hardee, a Mountain Brook High School senior, said that access to information has been a double-edged sword.
“Knowledge is so much more available — you can learn anything at your fingertips,” Hardee said. “But not everything on the internet is true. I think misinformation and disinformation are some of the biggest problems in our world right now.”
Jude Smith said social media has been a huge part of his generation.
“Our generation has been able to adapt to it more than older generations,” Smith said. “I think it is almost a bit of an advantage, honestly, because our generation is learning to control how we use it now. I think growing up with technology and social media has helped to teach us how to do it the right way so that when we get older we won’t struggle with spending too much time using it.”
JR Sanders said while the internet has increased connectivity, it also exposed young people to more than they were ready for.
“With the internet, you have more access to things kids shouldn’t have at a younger age,” Sanders said. “It has also made our generation more social because you are introduced a lot earlier on to people you would have never known without social media.”
Ellie Frazier said technology is a tool — sometimes for creativity, sometimes for comparison.
“Older generations don’t really understand that technology is used for entertainment, but can also be used for learning,” she said. “I’ve been learning how to cook on Instagram and I’ve made lots of meals for my
family,” said Frazier, who added that she has plans to be a cheerleader in college and has used social media to learn stunts. But with that, she said, “it was really difficult growing up trying not to compare myself to everyone I see on Instagram.”
A 2024 study by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill noted that while resilience and social support helped protect students from the negative consequences of social media, about 1 in 5 college students still feel isolated on campus — and isolation increased when social media replaced more active forms of connection.
PANDEMIC DISRUPTION
Social media may have created emotional isolation for some, but the pandemic forced it for all.
Mary Kate Nesmith said she considers the timing of her pandemic experience something of a blessing.
“I think we were fortunate as a class because middle school is kind of a more awkward time of life,” Nesmith said. “I think it is an important time of foundational things you are learning, but in terms of socially, I am thankful we didn’t have to skip out on our high school years during COVID.”
Frazier agreed.
“Coming back to school from the pandemic, I felt a lot more confident with who I was because the pandemic forced me to learn who I was,” she said.
Addison Hardee said the abrupt switch to remote learning created both disconnection and clarity.
“I was in seventh grade in March 2020. At first it was like, ‘Yay, early summer break,’ but then it stretched out,” Goldberg said.
“We all had to learn how to connect without being in the same room. I think some of us got closer because of that. Some of my best friendships started on FaceTime or during those bike rides when the world was shut down.”
According to a 2024 report by the Center on Reinventing Public Education, students have shown some academic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. But the pace is slower for older students — and the emotional impacts are still unfolding.
Nesmith said those effects were most obvious during her sophomore year.
“We were catching up on all of the material we had not covered during COVID and then focusing on all of the things we needed to learn for sophomore year as well,” she said.
Now, these students face an equally complex future — one shaped by the rise of artificial intelligence.
“With AI and everything else, it’s like even the careers we thought we wanted might not exist or they might be totally different,” senior Sophia Self said. “We’re kind
► When: Tuesday, May 20, 6 p.m.
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of learning how to plan for stuff that isn’t even here yet.”
But Frazier isn’t worried.
“I don’t think AI is ready to take over jobs because machines cannot replace human interaction,” Frazier said.
Sanders agreed that while change is coming, his class will likely be prepared.
“Many manufacturing jobs can now be replaced by AI,” he said. “That’s going to be a big cultural change a lot of older generations aren’t going to have fun with. I think our generation will go into more majors where they will be building the computers and AI and innovating for the future.”
Nesmith said she’s excited to see how her generation uses technology for good.
“I think AI can help with jobs and speed up processes,” she said. “It will take tasks off people’s hands and allow us to develop things even faster.”
Goldberg added that how we choose to use AI — and what we ask it to do — matters.
“A quote that I like comes to mind, I forget who it’s from: ‘I want AI to do my laundry and dishes so I can make art. I don’t want AI to make art so I can do my laundry and dishes.’”
Dr. Josh Klapow, a Birmingham-area clinical psychologist and behavioral scientist, said the Class of 2025 is entering adulthood more aware — and more equipped — than many generations before them.
“They can say, ‘We lived through a global pandemic,’ or, ‘We used to use smartphones for everything,’” Klapow said. “This creates connection. They may all come from different backgrounds, but they share that.”
Sanders said he’s excited for college — and confident in what the Class of 2025 can become.
“This is the largest graduating class we’ve ever had, and it’s looking like a lot of us are going into STEM-based majors,” he said. “We’re innovative.”
Frazier said she will never forget her first day of senior year.
“It kind of all hit me as soon as I walked through those doors,” she said. “That this is really happening.”
Now, as their time together draws to a close, she described the Class of 2025 as family.
“They’ve been with me all of the years — elementary, junior high, high school,” she said. “Now we’re all going to walk across the stage together.”
Creator Collective students Kinley Freeman, Evie Lee and Harper Wilbanks of Mountain Brook High School and Kaiden Boykin of Alabama School of Fine Arts contributed to this report. See more of their interviews with graduating seniors at villagelivingonline.com.
From AI to VR, the Class of 2025 has experienced technological leaps and bounds in the classroom. Explore some of the advancements in education technology from 2013 to today.
2013-15: RISE OF EDTECH PLATFORMS
► Chromebooks gain popularity in U.S. schools due to low cost and easy integration with Google services.
► Google Classroom launched in 2014, rapidly adopted across K-12 and higher education, streamlining teacher-student workflows.
► MinecraftEdu (later renamed Minecraft: Education Edition) promotes game-based learning and creativity in classrooms
► Virtual reality starts entering education with basic applications like Google Cardboard.
2016-18: PERSONALIZED AND ADAPTIVE LEARNING
► Artificial intelligence tools emerge in education (e.g., DreamBox, Knewton), enabling adaptive learning.
► ClassDojo sees major adoption for classroom behavior management and parent-teacher communication.
► Flipgrid becomes widely used for student voice and video-based learning.
► Microsoft Teams for Education launches, offering another collaborative platform with learning management system features.
► Augmented reality tools like Merge Cube and HP Reveal enter classrooms for immersive science and history lessons.
► Growing focus on STEM/STEAM curricula, supported by tools like Tynker and Scratch 3.0 (beta in 2018).
2019-21: REMOTE LEARNING AND MASSIVE CHANGE
► Increased adoption of AI writing and grading assistants, like Grammarly.
► Schools explore data privacy laws — COPPA and FERPA — amid rising tech use.
► Massive global shift to remote learning in 2020 due to COVID-19.
► Surge in use of platforms like Zoom and Google Meet.
► Equity gaps become a major focus: device access, internet access and digital literacy challenges exposed.
► EdTech investments skyrocket, with companies like Byju’s, Outschool and Coursera growing rapidly.
2022-25: AI INTEGRATION AND FUTURE SKILLS
► Widespread experimentation with AI tutors and writing tools (e.g., ChatGPT, released late 2022).
► Teachers begin using AI for lesson planning, grading and differentiation.
► Generative AI gains momentum: ChatGPT piloted in classrooms.
► Discussions around AI ethics, plagiarism and digital literacy explode in K-12 and higher ed.
► AR/VR adoption grows in high school science, history and arts.
► AI copilots integrated into learning management systems.
► National and state-level policies begin shaping the ethical use of AI in education.
► Game-based learning and immersive simulations become more common with platforms like Roblox Education and CoSpaces.
We love our graduates and are excited for what the future holds for you!
