Brantley Lady Bulldogs 2023 1A State Champions

What a monumental feat! The Brantley girls’ softball team won their sixth state title in 10 years after defeating Leroy 6-2 in the state championship on May 17. Congratulations to this amazing team. BHS proves year after year where hard work, determination and team spirit can take you. Pictured above front row from left: Abbigail Stroud, Maddie Coggins, Kaitlynn Piggott, Marley Kate Kilcrease, Savannah Nichols, Lindsey Wells, Emma Crawley, CoCo Stamps, Collins Hawthorne, and Kennedy Baggett. Back Row from left: Jonny Young, Bridgett Free, Kaylee Navarre, Riley Odom, Alex Grimes, Anna Claire Free, Hope Richardson, Annah Parker Little, Campbell Hawthorne, Cindy Hawthorne, and Jimmy Johnson.

1st Place Miracle Wright (Red Level)

Girls 100 Meter Dash 1A

1st Place Miracle Wright (Red Level)

Girls 200 Meter Dash 1A

3rd Place Emery Wood (Florala)

Girls 800 Meter Run 1A

3rd Place

Emery Wood (Florala)

Girls 1600 Meter Run 1A

2nd Place Presley Kelley (Pleasant Home)

Girls Pole Vault 1A

2nd Place Vance Kelley (Pleasant Home) Boys Pole Vault 1A

2nd Place Elijah McMeans (Florala) Boys 110 Meter Hurdles 1A

2nd Place Elijah McMeans (Florala) Boys 300 Meter Hurdles 1A

3rd Place Seth Cotton (Florala) Boys 300 Meter Hurdles 1A

2nd Place Florala High School Boys 4x100 Meter Relay 1A

1st Place Florala High School

Boys 4x400 Meter Relay 1A

2nd Place

Zane Weeks (Florala) Boys Discus Throw 1A

1st Place Zane Weeks (Florala) Boys Javelin Throw 1A

One of the highlights of a beach trip is water recreation. But the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) reminds everyone to be mindful of safety around water this season.

Never swim alone. Stay in groups, and don’t drift too far from shore.

• Don’t swim near piers, pilings and platforms.

• Do not swim in areas being used by fishermen. Avoid swimming in areas where schools of fish are present.

• Use extra caution when water is murky. Avoid being in the water during nighttime hours.

• Rip currents are most prevalent when the waves crash perpendicular to the beach, rather than at an angle. Look for gaps between the waves; a small patch of calm water surrounded by waves is often a rip current. And look for discolored water near the shore. Rip currents tend to drag large amounts of sediment back out to sea; they’re identifiable by a noticeable flow of sand extending away from the shore.

• Heed beach warning flags, which are posted at all public beach areas in Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Gulf State Park. For more on summer safety, visit alea.gov.

Alabama ranks third in the nation in the incidence and deaths from cervical cancer, and the burden is even worse in rural counties. To address the problem, the state Department of Public Health, primary care providers and several other health and advocacy groups have launched “Operation Wipe Out Cervical Cancer Alabama.”

The action plan will use evidence-based strategies to promote vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), encourage cervical cancer screenings, and ensure follow ups when a screening indicates abnormal results.

HPV vaccinations help protect children and adolescents before they are exposed to the virus. Cancer screenings among women ages 21 to 65 detect abnormal cells in the cervix, which can lead to cancer. And appropriate follow-ups improve the chance of recovery from cervical cancer.

For more information on the statewide action plan, and to find out how you or your organization may get involved, visit alabamapublichealth.gov

We’ve enjoyed seeing photos from our readers on their travels with Alabama Living! Please send us a photo of you with a copy of the magazine on your travels to: mytravels@alabamaliving. coop. Be sure to include your name, hometown and electric cooperative, and the location of your photo.We’ll draw a winner for the $25 prize each month.