Bham Family - May 2024

EDITOR’S NOTE

Dear Readers, It’s my favorite month! May feels so full of promise and celebration: the end of school, the unofficial start of summer, graduations, Cinco de Mayo (tacos!), Mother’s Day, honoring our fallen veterans on Memorial Day, outdoor concerts, and festivals. Even my anniversary and my daughter’s half-birthday (any excuse for cupcakes in my house) are in May. With the weather still fairly mild (please stay awhile!) and more blue skies than not, it’s a nearly perfect time of the year.

Of course, the main holiday on my mind is Mother’s Day. In that spirit, I wanted to share a sweet poem, “Only One Mother” by George Cooper:

Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky, Hundreds of shells on the shore together, Hundreds of birds that go singing by,

Hundreds of lambs in the sunny weather. Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn, Hundreds of bees in the purple clover, Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn, But only one mother the wide world over.

I hope you enjoy this issue, with stories of hope, leadership, perseverance, and more. We love hearing from you—in fact, several of the articles in this month’s issue were reader-generated—so please reach out if you know of a Birmingham business, event, or person we should feature.

Happy May!

To view this and previous issues in a digital flip version, scan the QR code with your phone’s camera.

ABOUT US

Bham Family is published monthly by JBMC Media, LLC, P.O. Box 26432, Birmingham AL 35260. 10,000 copies are printed and distributed at more than 650 locations throughout Jefferson and Shelby Counties.

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If your business would like to make copies available to customers, please email matthew@jbmcmedia.com with your business name, address, point of contact, and number of copies you would like.

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Forward in Faith Ranch, located off Hilltop Road in Bessemer, is a faithbased teaching ranch. Established in 2015, Forward in Faith is owned by Elizabeth and Andrew Stanley and their family. Learn more about them at fifranch.org.

Photos by Brittney Fields | Fields Photo

Matthew Allen Publisher (205) 617-9609 matthew@jbmcmedia.com

Stephanie Gibson Lepore Content Director stephanie@jbmcmedia.com

Michelle Salem Haynes Marketing Consultant (205) 381-1311 michelle@jbmcmedia.com

Tony and Shweta Bratina Graphic Designers

Emily Listo Operations, Project Management & Graphic Designer

These folks are the ones to thank for our magazine’s success — spend your money with them, and tell them you saw them in Bham Family!

Applause Dancewear

Children’s of Alabama

Children’s Urgent Care

Compact

Deo Gloria Wood Works

El Patron Mexican Restaurant

Kasey Davis Dentistry

Lyons Electrolysis & Lashes

Painted Personalities

Pediatric Smiles

Red Mountain Theatre Company

Shelby County Chamber

Sike’s Children’s Shoes / Jack n Jill Shop

Southlake Orthopaedics

The American Village

Thimbles

Varicosity Vein Center

Vineyard Family Services

Vulcan Termite and Pest Control

Wrapsody

Summer Fun?

Just for Dads

Ward Williams gives advice p. 8

Holy Moly Motherhood

The newborn fog p. 10

Sean of the South

Make a Wish p. 12

Schoolhouse

Update from the Hoover School District p. 16

Food Review

Waldo’s Chicken p. 22

Education

News from local schools and college students p. 28

Kids Who Shine

Kiwanis Club Scholars p. 30

FEATURE STORIES

A is for Arrington

Grad student publishes children’s book p. 14

High Honors

Student receives national service award p. 18

Riding Out Purpose

Horse ministry helps others heal and grow p. 24

Ward Williams

What do you think of when you think of the Great Smoky Mountains State Park and Gatlinburg area? If you say beautiful scenery, I agree. If you say lots of tourist attractions, I agree. A great place for families? Yes! Just don’t tell me there are bears in the Smoky Mountains.

The idea that there are bears in the Smoky Mountains is part of a propaganda program between Tennessee Tourism and the National Park system. I feel like I am an expert on the Smoky Mountains. I have been there for 10 vacations and have hiked miles and miles at the National Park. I have looked—and looked hard—but I have never seen a bear.

This is my truth, and my truth matters. My truth matters, and if you tell my truth is not true or it doesn’t matter, then you are a simpleton, softhead, and a nincompoop.

I write stuff on social media. You should trust me: I have had a social media space since Myspace, and I write this article, which means I should be trusted. We take social media posts as the truth based on a whole

lot less than 10 experiences.

Who do you take advice from? We look to Google reviews for guidance, even though many Google posts are often paid for. We often take advice from others with motives that are not in our best interest. We should be careful who we are really listening to.

In Proverbs 18:6-7, it warns that, “The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.”

When you take on bad advice or adopt bad truths, the results can be catastrophic for you and your family. In two different sermons in the same week, I heard the Bible verse Jeremiah 6:16, which stays, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your soul.’”

There is rest in following wise counsel and weariness chasing new paths without wisdom. May you find the truth that brings you rest from weariness and heavy burden.

Ward Williams is the founder and executive director of Vineyard Family Services. Contact him at ward@vfsdads.com.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DONNA DERRICK on iStock

PHOTOGRAPH BY EVGENIYA PHOTOGRAPHY on iStock

In the Thick of It

There are a lot of really hard things in life. There’s the small things, like running a mile, geometry, or fitting into last year’s jeans, and then the big stuff, like relationships and new babies.

New motherhood is like most hard things in that you don’t give the hardness much thought, until you are face-to-face with it. Until you are in the thick of it—when you’ve been up all night for days, need a shower, and you are screaming across the house for someone, anyone to “COME HELP!” And it hits you that this is hard.

When my youngest was a newborn, what worked one day to soothe him would infuriate him the next. When I thought I finally had a schedule in place, he would wake up every two hours to eat. I like predictable, and babies just aren’t. Cuddly, yes. Predictable, not so much. And when I heard about the emotional ups-and-downs that could occur postpartum, I thought I would just sail right past those, all dreamy-like on a new baby cloud. But that wasn’t the case.

And it doesn’t help that there is always something to be cleaned or someone to be fed, soothed, and entertained. You can’t even go to the bathroom without someone hollering all over the house for

you—it could be the newborn wailing, or the six-yearold, or your husband. “Mom? Mom? MOM!?”

While on maternity leave, I would start one thing, then something more pressing would need my attention. So, my house felt out of control at times. There were a million hours, yet not enough hours in the day. And being home all day was just a reminder of that, as dirty dishes, diaper pails, and laundry overflowed. At the end of the day, I just wanted a break—to sink into somewhere quiet and rest. It was hard. And heavy.

But it was also wonderful in its own way. I had no idea I was capable of such profound love before I had kids. When I look at my children, I’m filled with emotions that are hard to describe, and all-consuming, really.

So, if you are in the thick of new motherhood, and you find yourself wondering if you’ll survive—not to mention ever sleep again—just know that you’ll be on the edge of it soon and then out the other side. You aren’t alone out there in the thick of it. Soon, you will sleep again, and things won’t be as hard. And then, well, you’ll potty train.

Best of luck, mommas!

Alana Smith is a boy mom (ages 9 and 4), nurse anesthetist, and writer in Birmingham. She shares her writing at Holy Moly Motherhood (on Facebook and Instagram), where she tackles all things motherhood and marriage.

Alana Smith

Make a Wish

I don’t know how I got into this. No, wait. I remember.

My wife, that’s how I got into this. That’s how every crazy, halfcocked idea in my life starts. With her. Bungee jumping in Mexico is only one example.

Right now I am at a Birmingham hotel, with a lot of other insane people who are filtering into the lobby, carrying heavy duffle bags of hiking gear and expensive all-weather clothes. These people are all in very good shape and have no adipose tissue.

We are all here because tomorrow we will be hiking 26.3 miles up a mountain.

It’s important to note, we are not in the military. Nobody is holding a bayonet to our backs and forcing us to march onward. In fact, we paid good money to be here. Take my wife. Her hiking boots alone cost more than a three-bedroom beach condo.

“Are you ready to hike?” says a trim, super-peppy fitness-looking guy, clapping my shoulders violently, and smiling like he’s having a febrile seizure.

This man is a complete stranger.

“I’m ready,” I say.

“I can’t hear you!” he shouts.

“Then get hearing aids.”

Tomorrow morning, hours before sunup, 268 clinically deranged Alabamians will be awoken by an alarm, whereupon we will all be taken to the Pinhoti Trail, riding in Soviet style buses, and dropped off naked, in the remote darkness of the mountains, just outside Talladega, whereupon we will hike until we are either dead or sincerely wish we were.

We are doing this hike for the Make-A-Wish

ILLUSTRATION BY SEAN DIETRICH

Foundation of Alabama. This organization grants the wishes of children with critical illnesses.

This Alabamian hike raises more money than all the other Make-A-Wish organizational hikes in the nation. By far. These people are doing some real good stuff.

When the Alabama Trailblaze Challenge hike started in 2017, there were less than 75 hikers, and they raised about $200,000.

The hike has since grown considerably. Last year, the Trailblaze Challenge enrolled enough hikers to fill up a small city, and they raised 1.2 million for kids in need.

This year, my wife and I are two such hikers.

Tonight is the pasta dinner before the event. We hikers need carbohydrates because carbs are fuel. And

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we all need fuel so that we can walk a very long trail which has no restaurant or bar at the end of it.

I will say this, however: These are some committed hikers.

They’ve come from all over. I meet one woman from North Alabama. She is here because her son once received a wish.

“It changed our lives.”

Another man has come from Gulf Shores. He knows multiple kids who have received wishes.

“When you see a terminal child receive his lifelong dream; when the child knows he’s going to die; when everyone else knows the kid is going to die; and still everyone comes together to make the boy’s biggest dream come true, it alters the lives of everyone involved.”

I meet Tina, an on-call nurse who has been hiking with the Trailblazers since the hike began. Tina is the woman who will resuscitate me on the trail tomorrow provided my wife doesn’t sign and submit a DNR request.

“It’s fun,” says Tina. “I started hiking this event after my son and my son-in-law died two weeks apart.

I was a wreck, mentally. I hiked this trail to honor their memory.

“After that, I was hooked. So I go out there and make sure novices who look like they won’t finish the trail don’t die.”

“How about me?” I say. “Do I look like I’ll finish?”

She smiles. “Don’t leave your group.”

I meet lots of people like Tina tonight. People who just want to help others. These are ordinary people who raised millions for kids with serious illnesses. And they’re excited.

There is a lot of laughter around bowls of penne pasta. And I am surrounded by a lot of folks who are much better human beings than I am.

At one point after supper, my wife leans over and says, “Did you sign the waivers?”

“What waivers?” I said.

“The stack of papers in the lobby. You were supposed to fill out the death waiver.”

Then she laughed until her gums bled.

“Don’t worry,” says a fellow husband. “This hike is actually pretty fun. You definitely won’t regret it. If you live.”

Pray for me.

A is for Arrington

Local grad student publishes an educational children’s book

BY KATHERINE KIRK

Hailey Mason recently published her first children’s book, A is for Arrington, providing young readers insight into the life of Richard Arrington Jr., Ph.D., the first African-American mayor of Birmingham. Hailey is a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Hailey says writing became a form of self-expression in high school, but she never imagined herself writing a children’s book. While participating in a literacy drive for a local elementary school, Hailey, who is pursuing a master’s degree in public administration through the UAB College of Arts and Sciences, discovered an educational need for children’s books about local AfricanAmerican heroes.

“I was looking for a children’s book on a local African-American hero and I could not find one,

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PHOTOGRAPH

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and it made me realize there was a gap in children’s education,” Hailey says. “When deciding where to start with telling these stories, I thought of Arrington because of his history and leadership in Birmingham.”

Hailey was able to meet Arrington at a speaking engagement and began research on him and his story.

“The initial idea started at Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard near UAB’s campus, but I became more inspired by him after meeting him at a speaking engagement,” Hailey says. “Through research, I came to know him as a prominent leadership figure and felt the children’s book was an avenue to tell his story.”

Hailey says sharing the weight of Black history in the United States is not always easily translated to children. To overcome this, she focused her story on one attribute the figure exhibited. She says Arrington’s legacy was one of leadership in a racially charged Birmingham. While Hailey touched on the

racial aspects of Arrington’s story, she chose to teach readers about his leadership.

“In telling his story, I didn’t focus on the heaviness. I chose to focus on his leadership in the face of adversity, and I hope that his story inspires the next generation,” Hailey says. “It’s important to remember the impact of his legacy and the barriers he broke.”

Hailey’s book is an educational tool for children, while showcasing a historical figure who may not receive as much attention as Rosa Parks or Martin Luther King, Jr. She says a lot of times in cities with so much history like Birmingham, historical figures may become lost, but she wants children to grow up knowing these people.

“My goal is for kids who drive past Richard Arrington, Jr. Boulevard or walk the halls at Richard Arrington, Jr. Elementary to know why he was important to Birmingham,” she says.

To learn more about Hailey Mason and to order A is for Arrington, visit aisforarrington.square.site.

AFJROTC takes home honors

Hoover High School’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) secured top honors in the prestigious National Armed Inspection and Regulation Competition. With an impressive display of precision, discipline, and leadership, the cadets showcased the excellence that defines their program and the dedication that propels them to success. Among a field of competitors, the team clinched the third position in armed inspection, demonstrating their meticulous attention to detail and impeccable standards of presentation. Additionally, they secured an impressive fifth place in armed regulation, showcasing their proficiency in drill and ceremony.

Shades Mountain employee recognized

Cecelia Tate, Shades Mountain Elementary’s child nutrition program manager, was recognized at the Hoover BOE’s March board meeting as the longest-tenured CNP employee in the Hoover school system, having served for 32 years.

The Highest Honor

Student receives a prestigious national service award for his assistance to Birmingham’s homeless community.

BY SEAN FLYNT

Ethan Hill is one of only five individuals and one organization to earn the 2024 Citizen Honors Award presented by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The Society—a Congressionally chartered organization of the 63 living recipients of the nation’s most prestigious award for valor in combat—hosted the honorees in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on National Medal of Honor Day (March 25).

Launched in 2007, the Citizen Honors

Awards program reflects the mission of Medal of Honor Recipients to show that the values associated with the Medal of Honor are relevant to all Americans. The tradition is also in keeping with the preference of Recipients to shine a light on others rather than themselves, as they believe that the Medals of Honor they were awarded should be seen more broadly as a symbol of the sacrifices and service of others.

This year’s honorees are credited with saving

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF THE ALTAMONT SCHOOL

Ethan Hill and retired Army Staff Sgt. Salvatore A. Giunta

Ethan Hill with other honorees and members of the Society. Ethan was selected as the Youth Service Honoree for his work in assisting Birmingham’s homeless community. He founded Ethan’s Heart Bags4Blessings to raise funds, awareness, and contributions.

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victims during the fires in Lahaina, Hawaii, disarming a mass shooter in Los Angeles, and performing acts of service benefiting those with autism and our veteran communities. Society members selected Ethan, a student at The Altamont School, as the 2024 Youth Service Honoree in recognition of his service to the homeless community in and around Birmingham through his Ethan’s Heart Bags4Blessings organization. “Ethan brings so much awareness of homelessness in this community,” Altamont Head of School Cecil Stodghill said in the Society’s video introduction to Ethan’s work. “To see that a teenager can have such an impact really pushes others to say, ‘I can do that, I want to do that, I should do that.’”

The awards event followed a wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a dinner that introduced honorees to Society members. Ethan had the privilege of meeting Medal of Honor Recipient retired Army Capt. Paris D. Davis. Davis was unable to present Hill’s award as scheduled, so Medal of Honor Recipient retired Army Staff

Sgt. Salvatore A. Giunta took that role. Giunta is the first living recipient of the Medal of Honor in the 21st century.

“Medal of Honor Recipients know that there are many Americans who share the values we seek to promote through our outreach, and we think it is important to hold them up as role models for others,” Medal of Honor Recipient and Society President Britt Slabinski said at the ceremony. “Their self-sacrifice embodies the American spirit and shows that the opportunity to serve others does not require a military uniform.”

In addition to Hill, the 2024 honorees include: Riley Coon (Wailuku, Hawaii), selected as a Single Act of Heroism Honoree for his act of heroism on Jan. 21, 2023, when he answered the call from the Coast Guard to use his vessels in saving the lives of people trying to escape the inferno in Lahaina. Riley led his team into harm’s way with 80 mph winds close to shore and intense heat coming from land. They were instrumental in saving lives.

Brandon Tsay (San Marino, California), selected as a Single Act of Heroism Honoree for his act of heroism on Aug. 9, 2023, when he disarmed the

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Monterey Park, California, mass shooter at the Lai Lai Ballroom & Studio in Alhambra, California, during Lunar New Year celebrations.

Austen Macmillan (Wellington, Florida), selected as a Young Hero Honoree for his act of heroism on Sept. 4, 2023, when he pulled his behavioral therapist from a swimming pool and performed CPR after he attempted to show the boy how long he could hold his breath underwater.

Danny Combs (Golden, Colorado), selected as the Service Act Honoree for his work to create better lives for those with autism. Inspired by his son, Dylan, Danny started TACT – Teaching the Autism Community Trades to create authentic training that leads to careers. His program has become the most successful training-toemployment program for the autism community in Colorado.

America’s VetDogs (Smithtown, New York), selected as the Community Service Honoree for providing enhanced mobility and renewed independence to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, allowing them to live with pride and self-

Ethan had the privilege of meeting with Medal of Honor Recipient retired Army Capt. Paris D. Davis.

reliance once again. America’s VetDogs utilizes a meticulous matching program to ensure that each recipient is matched with the dog that best suits that person’s mobility, personality, lifestyle, and physical needs.

To learn more about Ethan, watch his honoree video at cmohs.org/news-events/video-library/citizen-honors-ethanhill-2024-youth-service-honoree.

How Chamber membership works for me.

“I made a decision to invest in the Shelby County Chamber a few years ago because of the networking and business services for small businesses. As a new business owner, the Chamber was a vital part in my growth as a leader.

I felt fortunate when KATs Delivery was nominated to be Small Business of the Year in 2018 by my peers and then successful in clinching the award in 2019. I have continued to stay involved and support other small businesses as well.”

Maurice Mercer, owner, KATs Delivery (205) 624-0777 • katsdelivery.com

To learn how your business can benefit as a member, call Jordan Powell at (205) 6634542, or email jordan@shelbychamber.org.

Waldo’s Chicken & Beer

Try this fun spot in Cahaba Heights any night of the week —but kids eat free on Thursdays.

There’s a new-ish chicken joint in town, and it’s the place to be on Thursday evenings when kids eat free! Waldo’s Chicken & Beer in Cahaba Heights keeps it simple: The only thing on the menu is chicken, either on the bone, on a bun, in a bowl, or in a basket. All sandwiches, baskets, salads, and plates come with a made-fromscratch side, with a choice of fries, mac-and-cheese, white beans, collards, potato wedges, coleslaw, or tomatocucumber salad.

Kids eat free night fosters a sense of community and family at the centrally located restaurant. We recently went after practice with a group of friends and ordered a variety of items, including the pulled rotisserie chicken salad (crunchy and fresh!), Fowl Mouth (fried thigh with habanero oil and jalapeño slaw), tender basket with fries (a hit with all three of the kiddos), and a round of cheddar biscuits for the table (verdict: We ordered more!). We’ve heard great things about the Waldo’s Wings, which are brined overnight before being roasted and fried crisp, served tossed in buffalo, Alabama white,

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Seven-year-old Allie Lawrence is a big fan of the cheddar biscuits.

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rooster, or barbecue sauce, lemon pepper rub, or habanero oil.

The open, airy space offered plenty of room for patrons, and the staff was friendly. Our food came out quickly and correctly—a major place when you have tired, hungry kiddos. The place was hopping with activity the night we ate there, which made the atmosphere feel festive but familyfriendly. We also ran into a few friends who had already discovered the delicious chicken themselves. The kidseat-free tradition adds an extra layer of hospitality to the restaurant, making Thursdays a favorite day for families to gather and create memories over a tasty chicken feast.

Visit waldoschicken.com/ cahaba-heights-alabama.

WALDO’S CHICKEN & BEER

Where: 3009 Pumphouse Rd, Suite 102 in Cahaba Heights

Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Kids eat free with purchase of an adult entree on Thursday nights (one child per adult meal).

Riding Out their Purpose

Elizabeth and Andrew Stanley use their horse ministry to help others heal and grow.

BY STEPHANIE GIBSON LEPORE,

When two women reached out to Elizabeth and Andrew Stanley a few years ago for consulting help on a project, Andrew was working as a physical therapist, and Elizabeth—an avid equestrian who also taught therapeutic horse-riding lessons— had left her field to stay home with the couple’s six children. The project wasn’t meant to turn into a full-time ministry, but that’s how God dreams seem to go. “He really pulled us into this [horse ministry] for a reason,” says Andrew. “The other two girls involved in the project needed to step away, so Elizabeth and I prayed about our involvement, and that’s how this initiative was birthed.”

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PHOTOS BY BRITTNEY FIELDS, FIELDS PHOTO

Jack, Riley, Eden-Micah, and Charlie Stanley stand with their horses, Boots, Blackjack, and Sebastian.

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The “initiative,” which began in 2015, is now a full-blown ranch, where Elizabeth, Andrew, their children, and a village of employees and volunteers aim to live out Forward in Faith’s mission to deliver the love and message of Jesus Christ by facilitating healing, rebuilding, and growth for the wounded, the broken, and the seeking in an authentic equestrian and agricultural environment. “It’s kind of a unique thing, a horse ministry,” says Elizabeth. “We share Jesus through riding lessons, stewardship, and two main themes: community and being a teaching ranch.” She goes on to explain they believe God gives the gift of knowledge—in their case, horses—so they can share it with others and help them grow closer to the Lord. “Everyone has hard things in their lives—some of them are really hard—and the Lord is able to speak into those situations through community and break the cycles through our sharing the gospel and teaching the tools from His Word.”

Forward in Faith’s programs include lessons on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, where they offer English and Western styles, as well as interactive vaulting, from Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA) instructors—several of whom also hold PATH certification. PATH credentials prepare instructors for working with riders with disabilities, necessary for the ranch’s unique therapeutic riding program. Nearly 140 families arrive each week for lessons on the Stanleys’ stable of 18 horses. In addition, stewardship classes provide students with the opportunity to grow a garden, study animal care and management, participate in building projects, and more. “We offer an armor of God class, where students incorporate team building to physically craft the armor with wood and other materials,” says Elizabeth. “Then we lead a CrossFit-type exercise to demonstrate

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how the armor works.” They also offer men’s ministry, encouraging them to work shoulder-to-shoulder on building projects, and marriage initiatives. “Marriage is being attacked in our culture and world right now, so we want to provide people resources and opportunities [to help],” she says. Large groups—churches, businesses, school clubs— are welcome for leadership-based classes, where horses are used to teach character, communication, and teamwork.

Speaking of teamwork, the Stanleys readily acknowledge the family aspect of the ranch begins at home. Though their oldest two daughters—Riley (22) and Taylor (21)—are now off at college, they grew up teaching lessons and participating on Forward in Faith’s competitive equestrian team. Two of their younger children—Charlie (9) and Eden-Micah (7)—compete on the team now, and the couple notes both Eden-Micah and Ivey (5) are “horse-crazy.” “Jack (11) is our cowboy kind of dude,” says Elizabeth. “He’s not a horse enthusiast, but he loves people. His favorite thing is playing with siblings while the others are doing lessons and serving in that way.”

Andrew makes clear the couple’s gratefulness for the word-ofmouth growth Forward in Faith has experienced. “There are a lot of opportunities to serve others, but we wanted to maintain bandwidth in our personal space and not rob our family of time. I work full-time [as a physical therapist] and Elizabeth homeschools our children, so it could’ve been overwhelming. Instead, we’ve been given the opportunity to grow at a pace that’s doable for us,” he says. “The Lord will lead the right people here.”

For more information, visit fifranch.org.

FIND YOUR PLACE AT FORWARD IN FAITH

One of the things that makes the Stanleys’ ministry successful is the volunteers who serve at the ranch. It is also one of their greatest needs. “We have opportunities for volunteers, interns, and even student workers who want to earn lesson time,” says Elizabeth. There are plenty of options, whether your interest is working directly with the animals, or you possess skills more aligned with administrative tasks.

For example:

• Helping care for horses (grooming, tacking, leading, side-walking)

• Leading or spotting during lessons

• Barn and farm help (landscaping, weed management, building projects)

• Special events

• Office help/fundraising

• Encouraging families while kids take lessons

To determine where you best fit in at the ranch, contact Elizabeth at (205) 370-2981.

Elizabeth Stanley, owner of Forward in Faith, with Sebastian, one of their 18 horses.

Eric and Kat Rogers,

Susan Keith, Shannon and Bret Connor, and Jim North.

Altamont School Dedicates Tennis Complex

More than 100 guests assembled recently as The Altamont School dedicated the Susan W. Keith ’79 Tennis Complex on the school’s Red Mountain campus.

During the ribbon-cutting ceremony, school officials, alumni, students, and friends noted the powerful influence of the longtime teacher and coach, who joined the faculty of her Alma Mater in 1988. Keith, in turn, recalled the mentorship of coach Melinda Whitt, who introduced her to tennis in the seventh grade at Brooke Hill School, which merged with Birmingham University School to create The Altamont School in 1975. Love for the game grew in Keith, and she joined the school’s tennis team as a sophomore.

Keith’s love of physical education grew, too, thanks to Whitt. “She put something on my heart right then that made me want to teach PE,” Keith said. “The reason I’m still at Altamont has to do with that PE teacher.” Through almost 40 years of service at the Altamont School, Keith maintains that passion, dedication, and recognition of the importance of play, not only for generations of tennis players, but for all students. “I don’t go to a job every day,” she said. “I come to school to play.”

The Susan W. Keith ’79 Tennis Complex—featuring new and refinished courts, backboards, landscaping, seating, lighting, signage, and renovated bathrooms—was made possible by a host of generous donors, including: Deshazo Foundation; Mrs. Shannon ’96 and Mr. Bret ’93 Connor; Lyons Family Foundation; Mr. James L. North, Jr. ’92; Altec/Styslinger Foundation; Mr. and Mrs. Samuel D. Haskell; Mr. and Mrs. Drayton Nabers, Jr.; Jimmy ’45, Jim ’83 and James ‘20 Shepherd. —Sean Flynt

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF THE ALTAMONT SCHOOL Ceremony guests included (L-R)

Altamont Head of School Cecil Stodghill,

New Principals in Vestavia

The Vestavia Hills Board of Education recently approved two new principals for the 2024-25 school year. Cindy Echols, an assistant principal at Vestavia Hills Elementary East since 2012, was named the next principal there, set to replace Mark Richardson when he retires July 1. Susan McCall, an assistant principal at Vestavia Hills Elementary West since 2016, will replace Kim Hauser as principal when Hauser retires July 1. Echols previously served as an assistant principal and principal of Edgewood Elementary School in Homewood, as an assistant principal at HewittTrussville Middle School, and as a teacher at the former Cahaba Heights Community School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Alabama, as well as master’s and educational specialist’s degrees from Samford University. “I can’t say enough about Cynthia,” Richardson says. “It’s been like having two principals honestly, and she probably knows a lot more about running a school than I do, so the transition will be seamless. I’m so happy.” McCall previously served as a reading coach at Cherokee Bend Elementary in Mountain Brook, as an instructional coach and teacher at Deer Valley Elementary in Hoover, and as an instructional coach and teacher in Gwinnett County, Georgia. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Mississippi State University, a master’s degree and administrative certification from the University of Georgia, and an educational specialist’s degree from Brenau University. She also worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (2015-2018). “My school would have been devastated if you had named anyone else,” says retiring principal Hauser.

Sophomore Lands Savannah Internship

McKinley Johnston, a sophomore marketing major with a sports marketing concentration in Samford University’s Brock School of Business, will intern with the Savannah Bananas this summer. Known for their engaging fan experiences, the Savannah Bananas are loved by millions on their Tik Tok account for their choreographed dances and untraditional game of “banana ball.” McKinley will go on tour with them as an entertainment and promotions intern and will assist the team in various marketing efforts. “I’m excited to be a part of an organization like the Savannah Bananas,” says McKinley. “There are several new ideas being debuted at each game and no two games are alike. It’s hard not to like the Bananas, especially because everything is geared toward making sure the fan is having the ultimate experience possible.”

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY SAMFORD UNIVERSITY McKinley Johnston

Susan McCall

Cindy Echols

KIDS WHO SHINE 2024 YOUTH OF THE YEAR SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham recently honored nine high school seniors from the Greater Birmingham area with 2024 Youth of the Year scholarships at an award ceremony. Since 1970, the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham has awarded more than a quarter of a million dollars in Youth of the Year scholarships to graduating seniors enrolled in Jefferson and Shelby County schools. This scholarship is awarded to high school seniors who exemplify characteristics of scholarship, citizenship, service, and leadership. To be eligible for the Youth of the Year Scholarship, the applicant must:

• Be a current resident of Jefferson or Shelby County

• Enroll as a full- or part-time student in any private or public accredited two- or four-year college or vocational-technical school for the upcoming academic year

• Demonstrate a solid academic performance with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

• Demonstrate active participation and leadership in community activities

• Demonstrate leadership skills and potential for leadership success

This year, the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham had more than 80 applicants—the largest pool of applicants ever. The nine deserving scholars include:

Overall Kiwanis Youth of the Year Award Winner Katie Smith from Hewitt Trussville High School and Legacy Scholarship Winner Jacari Dillard from Ramsay IB High School. Other honorees and scholarship recipients: Elaina Burt from Briarwood Christian School, Jacari Dillard from Ramsay IB School, Sofian Laouzai from Jefferson County IB High School, Radhika Pant from Alabama School of Fine Arts, Riley Pierce from The Altamont School, Hedia Price from Mortimer Jordan High School, Shuntasia Williams from Wenonah High School, and Wyatt Williams from Vestavia Hills High School.

The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham boasts two former Kiwanis Youth of the Year Scholars in the club’s membership. Former Kiwanis Youth of the Year Scholar, Matt Lembke, is a partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP and past Kiwanis Club of Birmingham President, and Anoop Mishra, Vice President and Regional Executive of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Other notable past Kiwanis Youth of the Year Scholars include U. S. Senator Doug Jones. For more about the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, visit kcob.org.

If you know a Birmingham-area kid who shines, tell us about them! Email stephanie@jbmcmedia.com.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF KIWANIS CLUB OF BIRMINGHAM Kiwanis Club of Birmingham members and Youth of the Year Scholarship co-chairs Susana Schuler and Jerry Kelly with outstanding scholars and Kiwanis Club of Birmingham President Dr. Tracey Morant-Adams

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