18 minute read
SCHOOLS
from 3.24.22
Raising of the Green
The Rotary Club of Homewood Raises Money for Students with St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser
The Rotary Club of Homewood held its St. Patrick’s Day Fundraiser at Little London Kitchen on March 17.
Guests were treated to live Celtic music courtesy of Hooley and food and beverages. The event also featured a live auction emceed by Homewood High School principal Dr. Joel Henneke, as well as online and silent auctions.
Proceeds of the event go to the Educational Foundation of the Homewood Rotary, benefiting Homewood High School seniors heading to college. Since 1984, the club has awarded over $200,000 to 142 students.
Journal photos by Jordan Wald
Bekah and Faith Hamby, Debbie Sema, Carol Chesnutt and Mike Hathorne Homewood High School principal Joel Henneke; Homewood Rotary Club fundraising chair Jennifer Kyle; and club president Rhett McCreight. Tobie and Katie Smith
Greg, Sara and Peggy Powell Ty Miller, Trey Booth and Bobby Norman
Lura and CD Denson Mary Lou Reynolds, April Ellis and Sandy Nelson Patrick Kyle, Dan and Ann George, Lucky and Amy Davis
Above, Sela White, William Fu and Laura Buder. Below, John Ham and John Mark Butler.
RISE’s Rebel 5K Color Run Honors Sam Cunningham
Vestavia Hills High School’s Rebel Impact through Service and Engagement group raised more than $10,000 during its annual Rebel 5K Color Run at the school on March 5.
Participants from sixth graders to adults ran in the event, and proceeds benefit the Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology Program of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB. The event honored Vestavia Hills High junior Sam Cunningham, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2017. After a four-year battle, his cancer went into remission, only to return in November. Cunningham had a successful CAR-T cell transplant, and the week after the race, he was diagnosed cancer-free again, according to Kym Prewitt, who is the Youth Leadership Vestavia Hills sponsor and works with the RISE program.
Prewitt said the event had a record number of runners this year.
Above, Anne Elisa Stephen and Katherine Gaston. Below, Mary Alex Maluff, Mary Whit Stoddard and Sophie Mae Talbert.
Lois Pickard Music Scholarship Winners Named
The Symphony Volunteer Council of the Alabama Symphonic Association presented this year’s winners of the Lois Pickard Music Scholarship on Feb. 24 at Vestavia Hills Country Club, and several Over the Mountain students were on the list.
Winning second place in Piano was Conrad Feng, a ninth grade student at the Alabama School of Fine Arts.
Alabama School of Fine Arts junior violist Diane Nazarenko took home the second-place title in the String category.
In the Brass, Woodwind and Percussion category, first place was presented to Andrew Robertson, a junior at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. Hoover High School junior Will Hertz was selected for second place.
The awards were given during a luncheon that also included performance by the winners and a silent auction.
Lois Pickard was a founding member of the Women’s Committee of the symphony, which was formed in 1948. Due to her leadership, her name became synonymous with the symphony. She was instrumental in creating the Birmingham Festival of Arts, and her legacy remains a piece of the Volunteer Council’s history.
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
Recognized by The Symphony Volunteer Council of the Alabama Symphonic Association recently, from left, Will Hertz, Andrew Robertson, Raymond Hou, Conrad Feng, Diana Nazerenko and Francis Tsei.
Jumping For Heart Health
Edgewood Elementary Raises $55,000 to Benefit American Heart Association
Homewood’s Edgewood Elementary School recently was recognized by the American Heart Association for raising more than $55,000 through the Association’s Kids Heart Challenge.
According to a press release from the AHA, this makes Edgewood Elementary one of the top fundraising schools in the state.
Edgewood launched its Kids Heart Challenge in February, also recognized as American Heart Month, with a theme of “Who are you jumping for?”
To jumpstart fundraising, Edgewood staff put together an inspirational video of not only students and faculty but also well-known Homewood locals and notable Edgewood alumni, including several NFL players.
“With the awesome students at Edgewood combined with a community always willing to get behind a good cause, that’s a recipe for success,” physical education teacher John Dorough said in a press release. “We’re proud to support the American Heart Association to make a difference in the lives of those affected by heart disease.”
Kids Heart Challenge offers a wide array of physical activities, such as dance, basketball or jumping rope, paired with digital resources to learn life-saving skills such as CPR. It helps boost heart health and self-esteem while reducing stress and anxiety through yoga, dance and obstacle courses, for instance.
The program helps prepare kids for success by supporting physical and emotional well-being while presenting learning resources and physical activities to meet the needs of youth and educators.
Funds raised by Kids Heart Challenge participants support the American Heart Association’s scientific research and outreach programs.
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From page 28 record.
She led the Lady Bucs with 26 points, sinking 14 of 17 free-throw attempts, in their 73-64 victory against rival Vestavia Hills in the championship game. She also had nine rebounds and four assists to earn MVP honors.
For her performance, Kelly was voted the 2022 Over The Mountain Girls Basketball Player of the Year in balloting of Over the Mountain coaches. It’s the second consecutive season she has earned the honor.
“I think it’s extra good to be named player of the year again,” Kelly said. “I worked very hard.”
Kelly is one of four Hoover players on the 2022 All-OTM team. The others are senior forward Aniya Hubbard, junior center Kristen McMillian and junior guard Layla Etchison.
Vestavia Hills landed three players on the team, senior guards Emma Smith and her twin, Ally Smith, and freshman guard Sarah Gordon.
Mountain Brook also had three players voted to the team, sophomore guards Sarah Passink and Emma Stearns and freshman guard Francie Morris.
Rounding out the team are Spain Park senior guard Camille Chase, Oak Mountain sophomore forward Raegan Whitaker, Briarwood sophomore guard Mary Beth Dicen and Homewood senior guard-forward Caidyn Cannon.
Vestavia Hills’ John David Smelser was voted the Girls Coach of the Year for the third consecutive season.
Kelly was extra motivated this season, trying to help the Lady Bucs finally succeed in repeating. They had won odd-year state titles in 2017, 2019 and 2021 but hadn’t gone backto-back until this season.
“It’s a blessing to win two in a row,” she said. “I lot of teams don’t get to the BJCC and we worked hard to get back, being in that atmosphere and being in position to win it again. It was all worth it.”
Kelly now has been a part of three state championships in her four seasons at Hoover with another season to go before she moves on. She has committed to the University of North Carolina.
But before she heads to the next level, Kelly has one goal in mind for senior season next year.
“I want to get a three-peat,” she said. “That’s something Hoover has never done before.”
Coach of the Year
Smelser would like nothing better than to end Hoover’s reign next season. He has done everything else but win a state championship in his first three years as Vestavia Hills’ head coach.
He guided the Lady Rebels to a 33-3 record this season, with two of the losses coming to Hoover, as he earned coach of the year honors again.
“That’s really a blessing because it’s the people we compete against who voted,” Smelser said. “It’s an honor because there are a lot of good coaches around here.”
Smelser especially enjoyed this season because of Vestavia Hills’ three seniors, the Smith twins and Carley Smith, who is not related to them.
“I’ve had them for three years and they’re good players, so this senior class was special,” Smelser said.
Smelser now has an overall record of 86-18 in three seasons at the helm of the Lady Rebels, but he shares the credit for their success.
“It’s not about me, it’s about the players and the assistant coaches,” he said. “My assistants put in a lot work, but we’re nothing without the players. Our players make us what we are.” down nine rebounds and blocking six shots.
For his performance, Turner was voted the 2022 Over The Mountain Boys Basketball Player of the Year in balloting of Over the Mountain coaches.
“I am excited to have such an honor,” Turner said. “It’s great to be able to add that onto a great season.”
Spain Park’s Chris Laatsch was voted the 2022 OTM Coach of the Year, giving the Jags a sweep of the awards.
Spain Park senior guard Josh Harrington joined Turner on the AllOTM team. Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Oak Mountain, Homewood and Hoover also eached placed two players on the squad.
Junior guard Win Miller and senior guard Reese Gurner were selected from Vestavia Hills; sophomore guard Ty Davis and junior guard Kyle Layton from Mountain Brook; senior guards Wilder Evers and Brady Dunn from Oak Mountain, senior forwards Christian Thompson and Donte Bacchus from Homewood; and freshman guard Salim London and senior forward Brodin Grady from Hoover.
Rounding out the team are Briarwood junior forward Miles Gilbert and Indian Springs senior guard Carson Huff.
Laatsch raves about Turner as a player and teammate.
“He’s a great young man, first and foremost,” Laatsch said. “He definitely left his mark on this program, and he will be remembered for a long time.
“His size, character, work ethic and coachability are what made him special. He always put the team first and loved his teammates and was so happy when his teammates would have success.”
Turner played 17 minutes in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star game
on March 12 in Clinton, Misskissippi. He scored four points, grabbed nine rebounds and made two steals as Alabama won 96-89.
“That was really fun,” Turner said. “I really enjoyed being able to play with so much talent. I had played against some of them, so it felt good to be in an All-Star game with them and represent the state, too.”
Since the season ended, Turner has started getting ready for the next level. He is headed to North Georgia.
“I am working out,” Turner said. “I don’t have many classes to take, plus I have a job at Bruster’s Ice Cream.”
Turner said he’s going to miss playing for Spain Park, especially the fan support.
“I will really miss the community that we have around us,” he said. “It’s unmatched compared to a lot of places. The teachers, administrators and students are so supportive and encouraging. Having younger kids coming up to you has really been fun to be a part of, too.”
OTMJ’s 2022 High School Basketball All-OTM Teams
PRESENTED BY
2022 ALL-OTM GIRLS TEAM 2022 ALL-OTM BOYS TEAM
Guards Reniya Kelly, 5-7, Jr., G, Hoover Emma Smith, 5-7, Sr., G, Vestavia Hills Aniya Hubbard, 5-9, Sr., G, Hoover Sarah Gordon, 5-11, Fr., G, Vestavia Hills Ally Smith, 5-5, Sr., G, Vestavia Hills Camille Chase, 5-6, Sr., G, Spain Park Sarah Passink, 5-5, So., G, Mountain Brook Francie Morris, 5-7, Fr., G., Mountain Brook Emma Stearns, 5-8, So., G, Mountain Brook Layla Etchison, 5-6, Jr., G, Hoover Mary Beth Dicen, 5-5, So., G, Briarwood
Forwards
Kristen McMillan, 6-1, Jr., F, Hoover Raegan Whitaker, 5-8, So., F, Oak Mountain Caidyn Cannon, 5-8, Sr., G-F, Homewood
Guards
Win Miller, 6-3, Jr., G, Vestavia Hills Josh Harrington, 5-9, Sr., G, Spain Park Reese Gurner, 6-0, Sr., G, Vestavia Hills Ty Davis, 6-4, So., G, Mountain Brook Kyle Layton, 6-0, Jr., G, Mountain Brook Wilder Evers, 6-2, Sr., G, Oak Mountain Brady Dunn, 6-3, Sr., G, Oak Mountain Salim London, 6-3, Fr., G, Hoover Carson Huff, 5-10, Sr., G, Indian SpringsWe will beat any local stocking dealer’s advertised price on the same merchandise for up to ONE FULL YEAR after the purchase of your new sleep set. Best Price Guarantee in the Industry.
Forwards
Colin Turner, 6-9, Sr., F, Spain Park Christian Thompson, 6-7, Sr., F, Homewood Donte Bacchus, 6-4, Sr., F, Homewood Brodin Grady, 6-4, Sr., F, Hoover Miles Gilbert, 6-4, Jr., F, Briarwood
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Player of the Year: Reniya Kelly, Hoover Coach of the Year: John David Smelser, Vestavia Hills Player of the Year: Colin Turner, Spain Park Coach of the Year: Chris Laatsch, Spain Park
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Journal photos by Jordan Wald
OTM GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR Hoover’s Reniya Kelly averaged 14.0 points per game, 4.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists this season, helping Hoover repeat as Class 7A state champions
OTM BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR Spain Park’s Colin Turner was dominant on the court, averaging 16.6 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, helping the Jaguars reach the Class 7A Final Four.
TURNER
CHRIS LAATSCH, SPAIN PARK BASKETBALL COACH
Coach of the Year
Although Turner will be gone, Laatsch plans to return for his fifth season at the helm of the Jags. The past three seasons, he has guided the Jags to 74 victories, made three trips to the Elite 8 and two appearances in the Final 4.
“Whenever you have success, it’s because you have great players and great buy-in from them in what you’re doing and great coaches around you,” Laatsch said. “This is too big for one guy, and my assistants were tremendous during practices and breaking down film.
“I look at as a ‘we’ and not a ‘me.’ We also have great support from our administrators, families and fans. So it’s a collective thing.”
At one time, Cindy Jiang struggled to balance academics and extracurricular activities.
The Vestavia Hills senior is involved in a lot of activities — a lot! She plays tennis for the Rebels, sings alto in the honor’s choir, is on the math team and participates in various school clubs. In addition, she volunteers at hospitals, churches and the McWane Center.
Whew!
No wonder she had to figure out how to leave some time to study.
“I had to learn to balance sports and my other activities with my academic life,” Jiang said. “I wasn’t able to do it right away, but through experience I learned to overcome the difficulty of trying to balance it and make it work.”
Playing tennis helped. She began playing the sport in the first grade and started playing competitively in the sixth grade.
“Tennis is an outlet for me, a good distraction,” Jiang said. “When I am on the court, I can just focus on playing and what’s happening behind the lines. It takes the stress off what I have to do for school.”
Jiang doesn’t just find a way to relax on the court, she also competes at a high level. As a freshman in 2019, she won the girls Class 7A No. 2 singles individual state title. Last year as a junior, Jiang reached the Class 7A No. 1 singles final before falling 6-4, 6-1 to Oak Mountain’s Grace Qian.
Jiang also excels in the classroom. She has a 4.7 grade-point average and scored 34 on the ACT.
Her ability to balance sports and academics has paid dividends. She has been named the 2022 Class 7A, Region 3 Bryant-Jordan ScholarAthlete winner.
The Scholar-Athlete Award honors high school seniors who are both superior athletes and outstanding students. Selection considerations include: scholastic standing, sport involvement, athletic honors, student leadership and civic/church leadership.
“I was definitely surprised when I found out,” Jiang said. “I am grateful to have this award. It shows all my hard work in school and in other areas paid off.”
Jiang will be recognized during the 37th Annual Bryant-Jordan Awards Ceremony on April 11 at 6 p.m. at the Birmingham Sheraton Hotel Ballroom. The event also will be livestreamed for those unable to attend.
The Larry D. Striplin, Jr. ScholarAthlete of the Year Award winner will be announced during the banquet as well as the Ken and Betty Joy Blankenship Achievement Award winner.
The Achievement Award honors high school senior student-athletes who have achieved success relative to his or her ability or who may have overcome an unusual hardship.
Jiang is one of five Over the Mountain student-athletes who have been announced as Bryant-Jordan region winners. The others are Indian Springs’ Olivia Honeycutt, Class 4A, Region 4 Scholar-Athlete; John Carroll Catholic’s Ruby Thornton, Class 5A, Region 5 Scholar-Athlete; Briarwood’s Holden Patterson, Class 6A, Region 5 Achievement; and Oak Mountain’s Emily Cox, Class 7A, Region 3 Achievement.
Timarie Fisk, Vestavia Hills girls tennis coach, was not surprised to see Jiang’s name among the region winners.
“She’s an amazing student-athlete,” Fisk said. “She’s very wellrounded and a hard worker. She always puts forth her best effort, and she’s always very positive.”
Jiang would love to be selected as the Striplin Award winner.
“It would be a huge accomplishment and a benefit for the future, and I’d like to have something to allow me to afford college,” she said.
Jiang is still deciding where she wants to attend college and what she wants to study.
“I don’t have a top three choices for college and I am pretty openminded about what I want to study,” she said. “I do want to try nursing or engineering or computer science. It’s going to be hard to decide.”
Her favorite subject is math because it’s her best subject, she said. “I feel like I understand it well, which helps me solve problems fast,” she added. “I really liked learning geometry and calculus.”
Jiang doesn’t expect to play for a college tennis team, but she does want to play club tennis.
Journal photo by Jordan Wald
TIMARIE FISK, VESTAVIA HILLS GIRLS TENNIS COACH
Vestavia Hills senior Cindy Jiang is a leading contender for the Class 7A individual No. 1 singles title. As a freshman in 2019, she won the girls Class 7A No. 2 singles individual state title. Last year as a junior, Jiang reached the Class 7A No. 1 singles final before falling 6-4, 6-1 to Oak Mountain’s Grace Qian.
Scholar-Athlete
Vestavia Hills’ Jiang Named Regional Bryant-Jordan Winner
Jiang is one of five Over the Mountain studentathletes who have been announced as BryantJordan region winners. The others are Indian Springs’ Olivia Honeycutt, Class 4A, Region 4 Scholar-Athlete; John Carroll Catholic’s Ruby Thornton, Class 5A, Region 5 Scholar-Athlete; Briarwood’s Holden Patterson, Class 6A, Region 5 Achievement; and Oak Mountain’s Emily Cox, Class 7A, Region 3 Achievement.
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Aiming for the Top
This spring, she is trying to help Vestavia Hills capture its first girls state tennis championship since 2016. The Rebels lost in the tiebreaker to Auburn in 2021 to finish as Class 7A runners-up. They didn’t have any seniors last season.
“I definitely believe we can win state this year,” Jiang said. “We have tremendous confidence, and we have the potential to have the strongest team we’ve had in school history. We have won all our section matches 9-0.”
Jiang is a leading contender for the Class 7A individual No. 1 singles title.
“She’s a tremendous tennis player,” Fisk said. “She is a very smart, focused player with a calm demeanor. In tough matches and in tense moments, she’s able to remain cool, calm and collected.”
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