Village Living |
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May 2012 |
neighborly news & entertainment for Mountain Brook
MBJH has talent-pg 21
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Volume 3 | Issue 2 | May 2012
Sharing a mother’s love By RICK WATSON Life isn’t like it used to be for the Hamiltons. “Fostering, like parenting, is the hardest job you will ever love,” Joelle Hamilton said. The family, including daughters Anne Merrick (16), McKinley (13) and Ellie (8) became the foster family to four-year-old twin girls in 2010. “Not only did John and I have two new daughters, but the girls also had two new sisters,” she said. “And, our baby became the middle child overnight.” The experience was also life-altering for the foster children. “They were removed from their home, their families, their pets, their preschool and their favorite toys, which was extremely stressful,” Hamilton said. The children went through a grieving process, and working through all those issues was challenging, according to Hamilton. “You can read about it, and talk about it, but only when you live it, do you understand how intense it is,” she said.
May Features City Council Crime report Mountain Brook events Sean Fredella update Library calendar Kari Kampakis Village Sports School House Business Spotlight Restaurant Showcase Around the Villages Dale Wisley Calendar of Events
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McKinley, Joelle, Ellie and Anne Merrick Hamilton play a board game with the foster twins who were a part of their family for more than a year. Photo by Madoline Markham.
But still, the rewards of fostering far outweigh the challenges for the Hamiltons. Hamilton’s voice cracked with emotion as she spoke of all the joy the family experienced with the twins: “It was like grandparents watching their new grandchildren.” There was always a little anxiety, but for Hamilton there was much joy in
watching kids who went through a really hard time grow, mature and learn how to deal with grief and anger—and to then watch the children become part of the family, community and the church. It was very special. “We were blessed. I am passionate about loving, protecting and caring for all the Lord has given us. And children are our
most precious gifts,” she said. Becoming a foster family was not an impulsive decision for the Hamiltons. They became interested through the orphan ministry at their church, Covenant Presbyterian. Another factor was the emphasis on orphan work at The Church
See FOSTER CARE | page 8
Seniors pick three for graduation address By MARY NOBLES HANCOCK On Thursday, May 24, more than 300 seniors at Mountain Brook High School will walk across the stage to receive their high school diplomas, but for three seniors, this night will be even bigger. Out of the top five percent of the graduating class, seniors Matthew Bolus, Brooke Harwell and Thomas Johnston were selected by their peers to give the valedictorian speeches at this year’s commencement.
Matthew Bolus
Starting off the valedictorian addresses will be Matthew Bolus, whose self-description of being “hardworking, charitable, and humorless” hardly begins to cover his role at Mountain Brook High School. During high school, Matthew has been involved in his church youth group at St. Elias Maronite Church and working with Interact Club on Relay for Life. Matthew has also served as president for Mountain Brook High School’s chapter of the National Honors Society. Outside of school, Matthew enjoys watching sports, especially college football
See GRADUATION SPEAKERS | page 20
Matthew Bolus, Brooke Harwell and Thomas Johnston will speak at MBS graduation this year. Photo by Mary Nobles Hancock.