July 2020 | Volume 13 | Issue 11
280LIVING.COM
THE 280 CORRIDOR’S COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE
COMMENCEMENT DURING COVID-19 Chelsea, Oak Mountain seniors mark graduations together after gathering restrictions lifted By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE
T
he class of 2020 could have never expected the way its senior year would end. The last nine weeks of school were done from home, with no prom, spring sports or other special events. Students were unable to even spend time with their classmates. All thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. One event that was able to be salvaged for their senior year was their graduation ceremony. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey lifted restrictions near the end of May to allow the events to take place. Oak Mountain had its graduation June 1, followed by Chelsea on June 2. Spain Park’s ceremony was May 20 (see page A24), and Briarwood Christian’s graduation is scheduled for July 19. The principals and staff had to work quickly to get everything ready, and measures were put in place to maintain proper social distancing. Tickets were limited to four per family, but both graduations were livestreamed so others could watch.
OAK MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL
Oak Mountain High School held its graduation June 1 at Heardmont Park, where 324 seniors
See COMMENCEMENT | page A28 Oak Mountain and Chelsea high schools celebrated the members of the class of 2020 during commencement ceremonies June 1 and June 2, respectively. Photos by Erin Nelson.
INSIDE Sponsors........... A4 280 News.......... A6 Chamber..........A13 Business...........A14 Community.....A20
Quick Ascension
Schoolhouse...A22 Faith................. A27 Sports................ B4 Events................ B9 Calendar........... B15
Weldon Pavilion gets new life BY LEAH INGRAM EAGLE
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Three years ago, Hannah Josey had never coached a volleyball match in her life. Now, she’s the new Briarwood head coach.
See page B8
What’s old is new again. Parts of one of Chelsea’s most historic buildings have a new home at the Chelsea Sports Complex off Shelby County 11. For years, the Weldon General Store sat in the middle of town, yards away from the current City Hall location. From the 1940s until the 1980s, G.W. Weldon and other members of his family ran the store. Several years ago, a plan to reroute Shelby County 39 had the new road running right through the middle of the store. Mayor Tony Picklesimer said that, combined with the fact that the building was already in a horrible state of disrepair, led him to the decision to take it down. “It has a tremendous history in the city of Chelsea,
See WELDON | page A30
The Weldon Pavilion now has a new home at the Chelsea Sports Complex off Shelby County 11. Much of the old building was kept and implemented into the restoration of the new building. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.