OTMJ 7/27/23

‘Go For It’

Bolin Can’t Do Retirement, Looks Toward Jefferson County Commission Duty

By Solomon CrenShaw Jr

Jefferson County Commission President Jimmie Stephens says he’s long looked up to Mike Bolin, and not just because Bolin’s 6-foot-3 frame is greater than Stephens’ 5 foot 8.

“To my knowledge, he has been an upstanding individual all of his life,” Stephens said. “If anyone has led a life of public service and has had exemplary character, it would have to be Mike Bolin.”

Stephens thought so highly of Bolin that he had the former judge swear him into office each time he began a new term on the Jefferson County Commission. Now, the two are serving together on the commission after Bolin defeated developer David Silverstein for the unexpired term of Steve Ammons, who represented District 5.

Ammons, who stepped down earlier this year to become president and CEO of the Birmingham

See BOLIN, page 8

Building Relationships

Former Commissioner Ammons Followed His Father’s Example

Rebels’ Roman Holiday

Rebels’ Roman Holiday

NEW

By Solomon CrenShaw Jr.

Steve Ammons practically grew up at the Jefferson County Courthouse, as the son of former Jefferson County Finance Director Don Ammons frequently accompanied his father to work.

“Saturdays and sometimes in the summer, during the day,” the younger Ammons, who later became a county commissioner, said. “He always wanted to expose me to different things. He always thought about, ‘What can I teach you? What can I expose you to that will help you look at something you might be interested in doing in the future?’”

Don Ammons conveyed that lesson to his son’s children as well. The son said his father’s legacy was always about being kind but always building on

See AMMONS, page 8

YEAR, NEW ADVENTURES: The Eternal City awaits members of the Vestavia Hills High School marching band and concert choir, who are heading to Italy to perform during Rome’s New Year’s Festival. See story, page 18. The marching band is pictured here performing during halftime of the Mountain Brook game last year.

Mike Bolin

Photo by Phillip Foster

Steve Ammons

Photo by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Guest Column Inside

Sticking With Creativity This School Year

After years of thinking about it, I finally did it.

I took an adult acting class.

Keep in mind I’m not an aspiring actress and there are no Oscars likely in my future.

SAVE THE DATE

A Night of Art and Music

Set for VIVA Health Gala

PAGE 6

PAGE 7

Our annual roundup of what’s new at OTM area schools PAGE 16

I am just a mom and former teacher who enjoyed acting when I was younger and felt a compulsion to test whether the philosophy I’ve been imposing on both my children and my students over the years actually lines up with reality.

For some reason, I’ve always believed in the power of creativity in both learning and living. I never wanted my own children – or the students I have taught over the years – to encounter knowledge for basic consumption or, worse, to simply meet a standard. I have always wanted them to use what they learned to engage with the world in creative ways, ways that make them unique, ways that inspire them to live life bigger.

It’s a belief that has welcomed consistent lessons for my five children in dance, music, writing, drama, art and graphic design. It’s also a belief system that has forced me to spend countless hours turning my English and creative writing classes into a stage for my students’ acting, writing, music and even comedic performances.

ABOUT TOWN 4

NEWS 8

SOCIAL 10

otmj.com

SCHOOL 16

SPORTS 24

With everything that’s happening “Over the Mountain,” it can be difficult to keep up. That’s why we have launched the OTMJ newsletter. Published every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - we’ll give you a quick recap of the latest news, sports and social events as well as a heads up on upcoming events so you won’t miss any of the interesting and fun happenings in the Greater Birmingham metro area.

To sign up for our newsletter, visit otmj.com.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, @overthemountainjournal, for daily updates on what’s going on around town, too.

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JO U RNA L July 27, 2023

Publisher & Editor: Maury Wald

Copy Editor: Virginia Martin

Features Writer: Donna Cornelius

Staff Writers: Ana Good, June Mathews, Anne Ruisi

Photographer: Jordan Wald

Sports Editor: Rubin E. Grant

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Advertising Sales: Julie Trammell Edwards, Tommy Wald, Gail Kidd

Vol. 33, No. 24

Over The Mountain Journal is a suburban bi-weekly newspaper delivered to Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Hoover and North Shelby County areas. Subscriptions for The Journal are available for $24 yearly. Mail to: Over the Mountain Journal, P.O. Box 660502, Vestavia Hills, AL 35216. Phone: (205) 823-9646. E-mail the editorial department at editorial@otmj.com. E-mail our advertising department at mwald@otmj.com. Find us on the Web at otmj.com.

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So, this year I guess I figured it was time to confirm whether what was good for the goose was indeed good for the gander – to confirm that my instincts were grounded in good philosophy, not just the sheer entertainment of watching grown teenagers perform skits.

I therefore persuaded my very accommodating friend Elizabeth to join me for my first adult acting class so I could test whether engaging in a creative activity might offer benefits beyond what we could get simply grabbing another lunch out.

I admit there was some initial awkwardness. (It’s not often that I must practice “being air” while keeping a straight face). It was nonetheless liberating to practice not just the art of improvisation and monologues but also getting out of my daily rut. And not too surprisingly, one class

Over the Mountain Views

turned into two.

More importantly, though, the experience triggered memories of how I had come to believe so deeply in creativity:

How my own mother, probably at her wits end on what to do with this energetic and slightly wayward fifth child, thought acting classes and play performances would be just the path to help me refocus.

How mom’s instinct had been right (and then some), because allowing me space as a child to engage in the creative process – and watch others successfully do so – helped me not just learn more about myself but actually want more for myself.

How my time sitting in circles and reciting tongue teasers and projecting from my diaphragm with other kids looking on helped me learn how to be “comfortable being uncomfortable,” a skill I now believe kept much of my teenage anxiety over grades, boys and simply growing up at bay.

How my first experiences in acting classes helped nurture the confidence I needed to explore additional creative outlets such as writing and dance – and how my world only grew bigger, not smaller, because of it.

How my mother’s belief in creativity had been the cornerstone of my own.

And honestly, as we embark on a new school year, isn’t that what so many of our young people need right now? In a time when our students face more pressure, stress and anxiety than they have in decades, don’t they, too, deserve adults who also believe in this power of creativity and are willing to help them put it into motion?

I think so.

That’s why this school year, I’m sticking with my philosophy – and possibly another acting class.

Krissie Allen is a former English teacher and attorney who aspires to find the humor in life. She writes in Birmingham while raising her five children and bravely facing unfathomable amounts of laundry.

Watch Out for Billy! He’s the G.O.A.T.

A goat kept southern Jefferson County areas such as Avondale, Crestwood, Mountain Brook and Irondale all atwitter as it ran around like a stray dog for almost a week. Residents tracked him by posting Billy the Goat sightings across social media. The wily guy was caught twice, only to escape within moments. He finally was caught and returned to his owner Sunday, much to the relief of those who had been trying to save him since the previous Monday. Catherine Oztekin, who lives in Mountain Brook, shared her experience (and photos) with us:

“On Wednesday afternoon, my dogs, Chadwick and Pip, started barking at something in the backyard. I looked out to see the usual squirrel but instead it was Billy standing on my wall. He hopped down and strolled past my door toward my driveway. I got some water for him but when I came out, he ran down the driveway and down the street. Several other folks were in Cross Creek searching for him so I went back in the house. Within a few minutes, he was back and this time he stopped at the door to check out my dogs for a while. The third time he came I happened to be outside and he ran right past me. It has been an incredible few days following this goat’s travels. I’m happy he is safe at home, but I’ll miss the adventure.”

A WEEKEND OF BEAUTY

Antiques at the Gardens casts dozens of experts and dealers for fall show

BACK TO SCHOOL

THE LITTLE BETTY STEAK BAR

Steakhouse targeted for Lane Parke development PAGE 9

Keb’ Mo’

KRISSIE ALLEN

Through July 29

Birmingham Restaurant Week

Area restaurants will feature special prix fixe menus and other specials.

When: Varied hours Where: Participating restaurants

Thurs., July 27

Lift Your Spirits

An evening of dancing and lawn games with a dinner buffet and delicious drinks will feature at the Lift Your Spirits fundraiser for Community Grief Support. When: 5:30 p.m.

Where: Vestavia Country Club

Top 50 Over 50 Gala

Positive Maturity’s annual list recognizing individuals 50 and older for their successes and/or lifetime achievements in their businesses, personal lives and civic engagement. Proceeds from this event will directly benefit the community through the programs of Positive Maturity, Inc.

When: 6 p.m. Where: The Club

Fri., July 28

6th Grade Social

Join the Homewood Library in a social event exclusively for students who will be starting middle school. Registration is required.When: 6-8 p.m. Where: Homewood Public Library

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT THROUGH AUG.

13

The Biblical story of Joseph comes to vivid life in this Webber & Rice classic, with musical styles spanning countrywestern to bubblegum pop to rock n’ roll.

When: Showtimes vary.

Where: Red Mountain Theatre

Sat., July 29

Homewood Sidewalk Sale

Merchants will line the sidewalks in front of their shops with merchandise discounted up to 75 percent.

When: All day Where: Downtown Homewood

Alabama Law Enforcement Torch Run Golf Tournament

The 15th annual tournament to benefit Special Olympics is a four-person best shot (scramble). When: 10:30 a.m. Where: Robert Trent Jones, Oxmoor Valley

GBHS Alumni Reunion

Family-friendly celebration for those who have adopted a pet or are thinking of adopting from GBHS and all animal lovers. When: Noon - 4 pm. Where: Cahaba Brewing

Mason Music Fest

The 11th Mason Music Fest offers performances by national, regional and local musicians, food, drinks and lots of fun as it raises funds for the Mason Music Foundation. When: 1 p.m. Where: Avondale Brewing Company

Hops n’ Drops Pickleball Mixer Tournament-style event for young

professionals to enjoy a summer night while enjoying beer, music and friends. Teams of two can register for the mixer and receive an official event T-shirt and drink ticket. When: 5-10 p.m. Where: City Walk Birmingham

Tues., Aug. 1

Water Play Day!

What better way to mark the last week of the Summer Reading Program than with an inflatable water slide, mini pools and cool treats to celebrate?

For children in fifth grade and younger. When: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Where: Homewood Library

Thurs., Aug. 3

Magic City Cocktail Challenge

Birmingham’s best mixologists compete to win your vote of the Best Cocktail in Birmingham. Throughout the night, guests get to sample our contestants’ signature creations, enjoy live entertainment and activities, bid on silent auction items, and compete to win prizes themselves. This event benefits American Cancer Society’s research, programs, and initiatives. When: 7 - 10 p.m. Where: Iron City Bham

Fri., Aug. 4

Sloss Tech

Sloss Tech brings together the best and the brightest of today’s tech entrepreneurs, both nationally and locally. The event is a hub for Birmingham’s tech community, where founders, startups, companies, and tech enthusiasts can share ideas, build relationships with one another, and push the boundaries of innovation. When: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Where: Lyric Theatre

Art on The Rocks

The 2023 season of Art On The Rocks features an electric mix of art, music, and performances throughout the BMA’s galleries, sculpture garden, and outdoor terraces. Internationallyacclaimed artist Amy Pleasant will give guests the opportunity to help her complete an indoor mural commission for the exhibition series

Courtesy RMT

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL ABOUT TOWN

Wall to Wall. Later in the evening featured musical guest, Durand Bernarr, will take the stage for a live performance. When: 7 - 11 p.m. Where: Birmingham Museum of Art

Aug. 3-6

Disney’s Descendants the Musical

Based on the popular Disney Channel original movies, “Disney’s Descendants: The Musical” is a brand-new musical jam-packed with comedy, adventure, Disney characters, and hit songs from the films. When: Showtimes vary Where: Virginia Samford Theatre

Sat., Aug. 5

Mt. Laurel Shake & Bake 5K

Come join us for the 20th Annual Shake & Bake Run, held along the shaded roads in the beautiful Town of Mt. Laurel. Enjoy a family friendly environment, with all race proceeds benefiting Vapor Ministries. When: 8-10 p.m. Where: 5 Mt. Laurel Avenue

Vestavia Hills Cornhole Competition

The Vestavia Hills Rotary Clubs are hosting this 32-team bracket tournament to support Vestavia Hills first responders; Vestavia Hills schools; and Children’s of Alabama Critical Care Transport Team. Top two teams will move on to the Boiling ’N Bragging cornhole competition on Aug. 19 When: 2 - 5:30 p.m. Where: Vestavia City Center

PANCAKES AND PRINCESSES

SAT., AUG., 12

Guests will enjoy a magical morning with a court of Enchanted Princesses and delectable breakfast and have the opportunity to meet and take photos with a multitude of royals, meet some special animal friends, and enjoy a fun day at the Zoo with ride wristbands. Children and adults are encouraged to dress up in their favorite prince or princess costume. When: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Where: Henley Lawn, Birmingham Zoo.

Magic City Carnival

Carnival games, fair foods, drinks, music, a silent auction and activities for children and pets are planned for the first Magic City Carnival. Admission is free to the event, a fundraiser for Pathways, which supports homeless women and children. It’s presented by the

ART ON THE ROCKS

Pathways Junior Board. When: 5-8 p.m. Where: Cahaba Brewing Co.

Sun., Aug. 6

The J’La Gala

The Levite Jewish Community Center will hold its second annual J’La Gala to benefit a wide range of programming for children and adults. This year’s theme, “Only at The J,” celebrates the unique role The J plays in the lives of thousands of its neighbors. When: 5 p.m. Where: Levite Jewish Community Center

Aug. 10-13

Bill Bugg and Friends Part 6 Bill Bugg is back with an all-new cavalcade of cabaret to kick off our season. He and his friends will be singing show tunes and standards backed by a swinging combo. When: 7:30 p.m. Aug. 10-12, 2:30 p.m. Aug. 13. Where: Homewood Theatre

Sat., Aug. 12

Crestline Village Tent Sale

The Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce holds its annual Crestline Tent Sale with special promotions and discounts. When: Business hours

Where: Crestline Village

Thurs., Aug. 17

Books, Bands, and Brews

The Literacy Council of Central Alabama Second Annual Books,

Sponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Adams Beverages

cookmuseum.org

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

Bands, and Brews fundraiser will feature local band Crimson Cabins and Nashville-based singer-songwriter Tristen Gaspadarek while Saturn’s bartenders mix up cocktails that are out of this world. Every ticket purchased helps The Literacy Council continue its mission of improving the lives of adults and their families through literacy education that teaches people to read, write, and speak English. When: 7 p.m. Where: Saturn Birmingham

Sat., Aug. 19

Mitchell’s Place Dragon Boat

Race & Festival

Watch teams paddle across the waters of East Lake as they compete in traditional dragon boats in this fundraiser for Mitchell’s Place, which serves children on the autism spectrum and their families. Food trucks will be on hand, as will a kids zone and there will be a Bloody Mary contest. When: 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Where: East Lake Park, Birmingham

Magic City Mimosa Festival

With more bars, live entertainment and music, drink options, food vendors, and games, festival goers will once again be treated to a day filled with bottomless mimosas and good cheer. All tickets include bottomless mimosas and a souvenir cup. When: Noon - 4 p.m. Where: Sloss Furnaces

BOILING N’ BRAGGING

SAT., AUG. 19

Rotary District 6860’s annual fundraiser for the Critical Transport Team with Children’s of Alabama brings together good food, good friends and some healthy football team rivalry during a fun cornhole tournament.

When: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Where: Otey’s in Crestline Village Durham and Madeline Ellis at last year’s event.

Journey of Hope

United Ability’s annual event will feature a performance by Vitoria Bueno, who gained recognition on “America’s Got Talent: All-Stars.”

United Ability is celebrating 75 years of providing services that connect people with disabilities to their communities and empowering individuals to live full and meaningful lives. When: Doors open at 5 p.m., program at 6 p.m., reception at 7:30 p.m. Where: Alys Stephens Center

Homewood Library Foundation

Block Party

This family-friendly fundraiser benefits the library. Food, drinks, live music and children’s activities will be on hand. Tickets available from our local sponsors. Tickets are available at the door or at homewoodpubliclibrary. instagift.com/block-party-2022. When: 5:30-7:30 p.m. Where: Homewood Library

Picasso Pets

Tutus and Top Hats is the theme Hand in Paw’s 22nd annual signature auction, Picasso Pets, to help bring animal-assisted therapy to those who need it most. The evening will include a cocktail reception, seated dinner, wine pull, photo booth and Hand in Paw therapy teams. When: 6-10 p.m. Where: The Harbert Center

A Weekend of Beauty

Antiques at the Gardens Casts Dozens of Experts and Dealers for Fall Show

The 17th annual Antiques at the Gardens will run from Sept. 28 to Oct. 1 this year and include 16 speakers, 22 dealers and 150 volunteers.

The Friends of Birmingham

Botanical Gardens hosts the antiques show, which will feature acclaimed interior designers, floral designers, architects, landscape architects, product designers and experts on gracious entertaining, according to an announcement from the group.

This year’s event is presented by O’Neal Industries and includes design sponsor de Gournay and textile sponsor Cowtan & Tout.

The dealers will be offering furniture, fine art, vintage and fine jewelry, silver, rugs and textiles, home decor and garden accessories. The event will include new dealers along with welcoming back Hedgerow Antiques, Piggy Kitchen, Roger D. Winter Ltd. and other show favorites.

The show kicks off the evening of Sept. 28 with the Gala in the Gardens, to be held outdoors under the stars. The gala is being sponsored by Mr. and Mrs. James E. Ard and will honor former board chair B. Hanson Slaughter.

Guests will arrive through a Garden entry created by Zachary J. Westall, which will remain in place throughout the event.

Events will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

That Friday will be “Shop the Show” with Alabama native Micheal Diaz-Griffith, executive director of Design Leadership Network. The show’s Red Diamond Lecture Series opens with a morning keynote by internationally acclaimed interior architect and designer Martin Brudnizki from London in conversation with Mitchell Owens, American editor of the World of Interiors.

An afternoon panel, “The Art of Tradition,” moderated by Steele Marcoux, editor-in-chief of Veranda magazine, will feature de Gournay’s Hannah Cecil Gurney, Celerie Kemble of Kemble Interiors and hotelier Sarah Wetenhall of The Colony Palm Beach.

That Saturday, Chairish co-founder and President Anna Brockway will host an interactive “Love it or Hate it” panel hosting interior designers and design experts Aldous Bertram, Paloma Contreras, Peter Dunham and Michael Diaz-Griffith, sponsored by Visual Comfort & Co.

In the afternoon, Zoë de Givenchy of luxury brand Z.d.G, celebrated chef and host Alex Hitz, event designer G. Blake Sams and floral designer Sybil Sylvester of Wildflower Designs will discuss “The Art of Hospitality” in a panel

moderated by Margot Shaw, editorin-chief of Flower Magazine and sponsored by Life Insurance Company of Alabama. The afternoon concludes with a floral workshop by Keith Robinson, sponsored by Forest Park’s Shoppe.

“Southern Sunday” begins with keynote speaker, show ambassador and renowned interior designer Richard Keith Langham and is sponsored by Cobbs Allen/PURE Insurance.

The show wraps up with “The Art of the Home” panel featuring Bill Brockschmidt and Courtney Coleman of Brockschmidt & Coleman Design Studio; architect Stan Dixon, gardener; and floral and event designer Keith Robinson. The moderator will be Hadley Keller, director of editorial for Design Leadership Network. Talks will be followed by book signings, with books available for purchase at Leaf & Petal before and during the show.

The Antiques at the Gardens show each year attracts visitors from across Alabama and the Southeast.

Proceeds from the show will benefit the mission of the Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, a nonprofit that seeks to protect, nurture and share the wonders of the Gardens.

Tickets for the show and special events will be available for purchase mid-August. Tickets, show schedule, speaker bios and dealer information will be posted at bbgardens.org/ antiques. Follow show announcements and reveals on Facebook and Instagram.

Acrylic on canvas by Maya Eventov

by Maya Eventov

Martin Brudnizki

Celerie Kemble

Paloma Contreras

Stan Dixon

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

A Night of Art and Music Set for VIVA Health Gala

By Savannah DeRieux

The 2023 VIVA Health Gala, “A Night of the Arts” will honor longtime supporters Penny and Ruffner Page.

The black-tie event, being held Oct. 6, will raise funds for UAB’s Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts, Alys Stephens Center, ArtPlay Community Education and Arts in Medicine, which were joined together in 2019 under the leadership of inaugural Executive Director Lili Anderson.

“We are committed to providing high-quality, meaningful and lifeenriching arts experiences that enhance the cultural fabric of our community – many of which are offered for free,” Anderson said. “The funds raised by this gala, as well as our other generous supporters, make this possible.”

“A Night of the Arts” will showcase the best of those four entities and their programming by creating an immersive night of arts experiences.

Gala chairs are the Pages’ daughters, Libby Sibley, Dr. Margaret Page and Virginia Cheek.

The gala will kick off with a prereception offering beverages and hors d’oeuvres in the Alys Stephens Center lobbies. While there, guests will be invited to help select a work of art to be added to AEIVA’s permanent collection.

AIM will offer an immersion into the healing power of music, as UAB health care professionals and medical students who also are accomplished musicians fill the lobbies with the melodic sounds of their instruments.

Then, in the Sirote Theatre, five-time Grammy-winning blues artist Keb’ Mo’ will present a private performance.

“There is truly something for everyone at ‘A Night of the Arts,” said Chief Operating Officer Cardwell Feagin. “We invite the community to have a taste of the diverse arts experiences offered year-round all in one evening.”

After the performance, purchasers of Arts Experience tickets will have access to a Jazz Café, which will be in the ASC Lower Lobby and include beverages, heavy hors d’oeuvres and live music. Later in the evening, the Jazz Café will evolve into a dance party. The Arts Experience is a new addition to the gala this year.

For VIP ticket purchasers, The Jemison Concert Hall stage will transform into an intimate, elegant dinner space. Cuisine will be provided by the award-winning restaurant Helen. As dinner begins, guests will be welcomed by the soulful singing of ArtPlay’s young performers. After dinner, VIP ticket purchasers will also have access to the Jazz Café.

“The arts transform lives,” Sibley

Alabama Ballet Announces Ballets Being Featured in 2023-24 Season

The Alabama Ballet will open its 2023-24 season in October, presenting several At Home performances before presenting George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” in December, the romantic classical ballet “Giselle” in February, the mixed repertoire performance “An Evening of Twyla Tharp” in April, and the chronicled tale of Bonnie and Clyde in May.

The season begins with several At Home performances the last two weekends of October, beginning Oct. 20, according to a statement from the ballet. At Home performances are hosted in the ballet’s home studio, in Lakeview, the performances are more intimate and include complimentary drinks at a $20 ticket price. Tickets are available starting Sept. 5 at alabamaballet.org.

The Alabama Ballet is just one of eight ballet companies in the world that have been granted the rights to perform George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker.” The production, with its extravagant costumes, sets and choreography, will be Dec. 17 through Dec. 23.

“Giselle” is taking to the boards Feb. 23- 25, accompanied by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra at the BJCC Concert Hall. The

said. “They reach people during their most vulnerable moments and during times of joy. The arts are more than a luxury; they are an important part of a vibrant and healthy society. Our family is honored to support and be part of this incredible event.”

There is limited availability remaining for the gala. For more information, or to purchase VIP Tickets or Arts Experience tickets, contact Savannah DeRieux at sderieux@uab.edu or 205.934.9900, or visit alysstephens.org/gala-2023.

Sojourn Counseling of Vestavia presents 2023 COMMUNITY CHAMPIONS AWARDS

to these following valued partners –Thank you for investing in the lives of those in our community who are living with PTSD. You've made a great difference!

PLATINUM SPONSORS

Ard Contracting

CCC & Associates

Romantic ballet tells the story of Giselle, an innocent girl who is misled by the words of an admirer. With a broken heart, she dies a maid and joins the spirits of other maidens who are condemned to exist in the darkness of the forest.

On April 5-7, a mixed-repertory performance, “An Evening of Twyla Tharp,” is on the Alabama Ballet’s schedule at The Dorothy Jemison Day Theater. This performance features two iconic pieces by the legendary American choreographer Twyla Tharp, “Baker’s Dozen” and “Nine Sinatra Songs.” The latter follows the arc of the romantic relationships of seven couples during a ball. Dances include swing, swirl, tango and cha-cha.

Also new this season is Christopher Stuart as artistic director. He said in the statement that the season “offers eclectic and brilliant selections from some of the best classical and contemporary ballets. … “The 23/24 season to me is a new beginning for Alabama Ballet. I am honored to offer these wonderful experiences to our audience and our dancers,” he said in the statement.

Season tickets can be purchased now at alabamaballet.org or by calling 205.322.4300. They cost $285.

Diversified Energy

Kevin Kynerd

Jeffrey Dungan Architects

Bill Armistead

Elegant Earth

Lin & Sandra Allen Medical Properties Trust

Rock Bridge Advisors

GOLD SPONSORS

Village Dermatology

Whatley / Nall

Robert Moore & Family

Storyteller Overland

ALTEC Industries

Avondale Brewing Co.

Big #1 Motorsports

Brookline Investments

Church Street Coffee

Better Kombucha

Wheelhouse Salon

Wolnski Scheduling Services

SILVER SPONSORS

CraneWorks

Mersey Craft Spirits

PGI Steel

South State Bank

BRONZE SPONSORS

Hendon + Huckestein Architects

Neuquette Architecture & Design

Southern Ketamine & Wellness

Sparrow Counseling

Spartan Fitness

Stone Creek Dental Care

Pinnacle Motorsports

Red Rock Realty Group

The Noles Group

Sojourn Counseling is a nonprofit counseling practice utilizing highly effective clinical modalities of treatment for people living with PTSD. Sojourn offers clients a sliding fee scale in order to make services available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

The Page Family at a recent family wedding. Viva Health Gala, “A Night of the Arts” will honor longtime supporters Penny and Ruffner Page.

Photo by Davy Whitener

Business Alliance, twice had Bolin swear him into office.

“He’s always been that solid guy that was always very, very thoughtful and somebody you knew you could count on,” Ammons said. “I’m very happy that he’s the new commissioner for District 5, that he’ll serve them extremely well and be very thoughtful about the decisions he makes.”

Stephens met Bolin when they were students at Samford University. Bolin was the pledge warden as Stephens pledged Pi Kappa Phi social fraternity.

“He was a senior when I was a freshman,” the commission president said. “What he did is he gave us that goal to shoot for. This is what you’re supposed to look like when you become a senior and when you get ready to go out into the world. Mike did that very well.

“What class and character my mom and dad did not give me, I have to attribute to (Bolin’s) teachings when I was in school.”

Do-Gooder

Bolin followed years in private practice as an attorney with 16 years as a probate judge in Jefferson County and 18 years on the Alabama Supreme Court. The 74-year-old retired from the state bench in January and was looking forward to working with the Law Institute, which helps to craft new bills.

“These are just do-good lawyers that come together,” he said. “We Zoom meet or in-person meet and go back over the old laws and try to correct the imperfections and add good things to them. All these people give of their time for free to help the legal scenery in Alabama.”

Bolin said he’s been active with

the Law Institute since he first became a probate judge back in the late 1980s.

“It’s been wonderful,” the former justice said. “I’ve really been active with it since January and I’m going to continue to do it.”

Bolin and his wife, Rosemary, have been married 38 years. The couple met when he was practicing law, largely in domestic relations, which is where she worked at the courthouse.

Ultimately, she left the courthouse and became a secretary/paralegal with Bolin’s firm. Their bond grew as he trusted her to drive his mother, who developed kidney failure, to dialysis treatments.

“My mom loved her because she drove slow,” Bolin said. “She thought I was an idiot and drove too fast but

she put up with it. After my mom passed away in ‘83, (Rosemary) and I got close. It wasn’t, I guess, a passionate love affair, just close friends.

“Looking back on it, when you marry a friend, a close friend, you’ve got a head start in keeping that marriage for eternity,” he surmised. “We did and we’ve been happily (married) ever after.”

The couple couldn’t have children but were “blessed, truly blessed by the Lord” in 1992.

“He answered years of prayers and this little baby girl, this adoptive baby girl just landed in my arms,” Bolin said of Leigh Anne Balsman. “It was one of the two or three greatest things that ever happened to me. Certainly, it’s in the top two or three other good things that have happened to me.”

“She’s 31 now, living in Nashville,” he continued. “She’s a daddy’s girl, still comes down every six weeks or so and spends the week-

AMMONS

From Page One

relationships.

“Relationships is where everything is,” said the younger Ammons, who left his commission post in May to become president and CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance. “Sales, everything is done by relationships. And he was very, very good at it. He was very well respected because of how he built his relationships and how people trusted him.”

Steve Ammons said relationships have brought him to where he is today, from the Vestavia Hills City Council to the Jefferson County Commission to the alliance and other stops in between.

“Trust is at the core of everything,” he said. “People have to know that you’re competent, that you have capacity and that you’re trustworthy. It makes everything work so much easier.”

Some who have worked with Ammons say he learned that lesson well.

“Steve Ammons is a wonderful person,” said Rebecca Leavings, the city clerk of Vestavia Hills, where Ammons served two terms on the city council. “He was always an excellent, excellent councilor. He learned about planning and zoning and things like that here at Vestavia and served us very, very well.”

Leavings said Ammons was always mild mannered and smiling in his time on the council. She said he helped her a lot with technology.

Steve Ammons, (with wife Alli) who stepped down earlier this year to become president and CEO of the Birmingham Business Alliance, twice had Mike Bolin swear him into office.

end. It’s just been a wonderful life.”

After 18 years on the state bench, Bolin said he likely wouldn’t have sought another term on the Supreme Court. But he found that retirement didn’t suit him and began inquiries about possibly teaching at a law school.

“When this (commission seat) came open and some people started asking me to consider it, I talked to Rosemary and, most importantly, I talked to my daughter,” he recalled. “She would be the first to tell you that my daughter is my adviser and my confidante.”

Bolin said his daughter came down and spent a weekend with the pair, and they stayed up until 1 or 2 in the morning each day of her visit.

“Finally at the end I said, OK, tell me what to do,” he recounted. “She said, ‘Dad, I think you ought to do it. You can still do volunteer work on the side and you’re clearly not happy being retired. I think you ought to do it. Go for it.’”

“There’s nothing bad I could ever say about Steve Ammons,” she said.

Jefferson County Manager Cal Markert gave a similar perspective, saying Ammons was very professional, good hearted and an extremely good networker.

“He knew so many people and he liked to get things done,” Markert added. “He was just a pleasure to work for.”

Ammons is a veteran of the U.S. Navy whose service included being a radio man, a teletype repairman and his ship’s photographer.

“All because of the relationships I had built,” he recalled. “I showed I had capacity, I was competent and I could do those things.”

The former county commissioner isn’t slow in starting his day leading the Birmingham Business Alliance, arriving at his second-floor office each day at 6:30 a.m. He describes himself as more of a morning person.

“I like to get here (when it’s) quiet time,” he said. “I can think. I’m more thoughtful when I’m thinking about overall strategy or what we need to be doing or what we’re looking at. Between 7:30, 8 o’clock and the end of the day, I have a whole lot of people I need to be meeting with to understand what their role has been, what their expectations are for us, where they see us going or meeting with other organizations like us.

Ammons said the BBA has lacked consistency in its leadership in the past several years. He hopes to change that.

“I’m hoping to be that consistent factor,” he said.

Jefferson County Facebook page

Health Care Leaders to Speak During MB Chamber August Luncheon

Leaders from UAB Hospital, Grandview Medical Center, Ascension St. Vincent’s and Brookwood Baptist Health will speak during a Mountain Brook Chamber of Commerce Healthcare Executive Forum during the chambers’ quarterly luncheon Aug. 16.

The luncheon will be from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The discussion will be moderated by Paul DeMarco.

“With the dominance of the health care industry in our area, coupled with the ever-changing landscape for providers, we look forward to hearing from these executives about how their hospitals are evolving and meeting the needs of our community,” said Mountain Brook Chamber Executive Director Emily Jensen.

Speakers participating in the forum are CEO of UAB Hospital, Brenda Carlisle, CEO of Grandview Medical Center, Daniel McKinney; COO of Ascension St.Vincent’s, Tim Puthoff; and CEO of Brookwood Baptist Health, Jeremy Clark. For more information, visit mtnbrookchamber. org.

Steakhouse Targeted for Lane Parke Development

A new steakhouse is opening this fall at Lane Parke in Mountain Brook. (pictured)

The Little Betty Steak Bar is the latest concept being launched by Revival Restaurant Group. In a press release, company officials said the steakhouse would be high-end and elegant.

Kyle Biddy has been hired as chef for the restaurant. The Atlanta native is known for making innovative creations while sticking to his

Southern roots. He has worked in Colorado-based restaurants including Guard and Grace and Quality Italian Denver and then moved to New York City, where he worked in several Michelinstarred restaurants and helped Catch Hospitality Group launch a steakhouse in Aspen, Colorado.

He intends to explore influences from Italian and Japanese cuisine at the Little Betty, according to the statement.

“We wanted to create something new and exciting while sticking to the classics of what we know people love,” Biddy said in the statement.

“From crudo to handmade pasta, petite cuts to large format steaks, you’ll certainly find something you’ll want to experience again and again.

“A scratch-made kitchen tastes better, and we’re excited to bring you something that represents an elevated experience in a beautiful and fun environment.”

The grand opening date has not been announced, but the restaurant has begun taking applications to fill management roles.

“Little Betty Steak Bar is more than just a restaurant; it’s a destination, an experience and a journey into a world of flavors meticulously crafted by Chef Biddy,” the statement read. “Together, we look forward to sharing this culinary adventure with our community.”

Introducing the 24/7 Virtual Care Agent

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Always Best Care is the first in Birmingham to offer a 24/7 Virtual Care Agent to raise our standard of care and ensure the safety and well-being of our clients. Your loved one can now receive the highest quality in-home care services with a 24/7 safety net for aroundthe-clock, comprehensive, affordable care.

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Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Groovin’ in Crestline

Otey’s Fest Shindig Expands at New Location

The Robert Randolph Band was the headliner at the 14th annual Otey’s Fest Shindig on July 15 in Mountain Brook’s Crestline Village.

Festgoers were entertained in a new, larger site this year, the lawn across the street from the O’Neal Library. Other performers in the musical lineup included Will Stewart, Gri Cashio and T.U.B.

Beverage and food tents offered plenty of refreshments for the crowd.

The event benefits the Phoenix Club of Birmingham, which provides developmental opportunities for young professional men to become social, business and philanthropic leaders in the community. ❖

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Auburn Bastin, Warner Blake, Rae Brown

Mark and Adrian Hughes, Amy Owen

Matthew O’Connor, Luci Smitherman, Michael McCalman

Blaire Clanton, Lowery Thompson

Evelyn Bergeron, Ann Marie Brakefield

Olivia Seals, Riley Lynch

Mac June, Madeline Jarboe, Hailey Hallmark

Peyton Bines, Haley Mendoza

Makayla Phillips, Taylor Truett, Margaret Lane Hollingsworth

A Photographic History of Sloss

Furnaces

Ken Boyd Highlight of Reception Opening Exhibit

Hoover photographer and author Ken Boyd was the guest of honor at a reception opening a Photographic Tribute to Historic Sloss Furnaces on July 20.

The event was at the Sloss Visitor Center.

Boyd is an award-winning photographic artist, researcher and writer who has been active since the 1950s. His photo work is often described as idealized, painterly and romanticized. ❖

To:

Date:

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Journal photos

by Jordan Wald

Robby Shaw, Ken Boyd, Leah Shaw

Mark and Judy Branin

Cameron Martindale, Tyler Lipsey

Summer Social Leadership Vestavia Hills Members Gather at City Center

Leadership Vestavia Hills Summer Social at Vestavia City Center was the place to be on June 20. Leadership Vestavia Hills is an independent, nonprofit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to enhance the quality of leadership in Vestavia Hills through networking relationships and educational experiences that inform, inspire and empower graduates to make a positive difference within the community. ❖

FUN AND GAMES

DON’T MISS OUR ANNUAL OVER THE MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SPECIAL SECTION COMING IN THE AUGUST 24 ISSUE OF OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

OTMJ

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Luke Kennedy, John Henley, Lilla Hood, Denene Lemke, Vaughn Sparks

Beth Moody, Shannon Stewart, Katherine McCree Clay Cochran, Caitlin Barre, Kelly Taylor

Landon Nast, Whitney Stewart, Clabe Dobbs Mike Harris, Scott Stevens, Kyle Conrad

Drew Hall, Keith Chandler, Brett Cloud, Chip Hoover

Johnny Garlington, Josh Firth, Patrick Finley Timothy Frye, Travis Rush and Mark Molson

Above, Anne Toliene, Caitlin Moran Left, Whitney Jacks, Josh Jacks, Joseph Wille

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An afternoon on the links was in store for golfers at Easterseals of the Birmingham Area’s third annual golf tournament May 20 at Highland Park Golf Course.

Participants attended a pre-party and a silent auction at the event, and three awards were handed out at the tourney. Charity Davis, an attorney for Gilchrist Davis LLC received the Community Network Award; Kimberly Stephens, president of the Zyne Family Foundation, received the Agency Support Award; and the Board Development Award was presented to Sam Kniskern of the Air National Guard and pilot for Floyd Mayweather. Shakietia Tatum of United Way Central Alabama served as the tournament’s host.

Easterseals of the Birmingham Area supports children, teens and adults with disabilities. Its Pediatric Therapy Clinic offers occupational, speech and physical therapy, as well as an adult/teen program that works with teens and adults to place them in meaningful jobs where they can support themselves.

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If

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LEADERSHIP GRANTS

Rewarding

Samples of craft beers from all over the Southeast were served at the Zoo Brews fundraiser for the Birmingham Zoo on June 10.

As per “Penny a Pour” state ABC regulations, guests dropped 1 cent into a bucket for a sample at each brewery booth. All pennies were donated to the zoo’s Emergency Animal Fund.

Local food truck vendors were on site, and guests had the option to order tasty fare at the zoo’s Wild Burger restaurant, where they could order full-size beer and wine.

Kimberly Reinagel, Ricky Nietubicz

Caleb and Jordan Winders Jennifer and Adam Burns

Victor Sponer, Sydney Ringold

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Michael Woolley, Bryan Kitchens, Charity Gilchrist Davis

Hannah McRight, Rachel Thomas

Jesse Handlon, Mike Harris, Alex Makarenko

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Do Dah Day

Furry friends were the stars of Do Dah Day, a festival to benefit animal charities held May 20 at Cahaba Brewing Company.

The event is a longtime Birmingham tradition that began with a gathering of friends in 1979. This year’s event was a one-day community festival that included a pet parade, a kids’ area and live music from four bands.

Proceeds this year will be donated to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society and Friends of Cats and Dogs. Both organizations help educate Alabamians on the ethical treatment of animals. ❖

Rosie Gunn, Penny, Allie Cromer, Lyndsay and AJ Gunn

Journal photos by Jordan Wald

Brandy Moore, Brion Carlson with Babushka

Brittany Wiginton with Nova Kristen Cox with Alfredo

Left: Monty, Julie and Daniel Weber

Right: Maddie McBrayer, Pepper, David Rose

SCHOOLS

Homewood City Schools Introduce New and Expanded Courses

By Anne Ruisi

Summer ends for students in Homewood City Schools on Aug. 9, when they’ll report for the first day of the new school year.

Whether they are kindergarteners just beginning their school careers or are moving up to the next grade at Edgewood, Hall-Kent and Shades

Cahaba Elementary or at Homewood Middle and Homewood High, 2023-24 will offer students educational experiences they won’t forget.

A new course high school students can sign up for is introduction to guitar, said Merrick Wilson, director of communications for Homewood City Schools.

Improv Comedy 2, a class that picks up from its debut at the high school last semester, will return this year. The class proved so popular that after enough requests were received, school officials decided to offer it this fall.

Students from different grades and with different interests took the class,

Mountain Brook High School Has a New Face in the Principal’s Office

worked together and had a lot of fun while working on their public speaking and presentation skills, Wilson said.

The Seal of Biliteracy, an award given by a school in recognition of students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by high school graduation, will open its program to more students this year. It began last year with about 20 students participating, Wilson said.

New band and choir directors will be working with students this year.

A new show choir director, Byron Mosquera, will be at the high school. Homewood Middle’s former band director, Terrance Cobb, has moved up to be assistant band director at the high school. He’ll be working with band director Chris Cooper. The two worked together at Homewood Middle School years ago and are excited to be working together again, Wilson said.

Besides playing at football games this year, the high school’s Homewood Patriot Band is making plans to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland in March.

Hoover High Welcomes New Principal

By Anne Ruisi

When Hoover High School students start the new school year on Aug. 10, a new principal will welcome them.

Jennifer Hogan, a former assistant principal at Hoover High, was appointed principal in June by the Hoover Board of Education.

“I’m honored to serve as the principal of Hoover High School. I live in the Hoover community, and I am a proud graduate of W.A. Berry High School.

Twelve of my 27 years in education were spent as a teacher and assistant principal at Hoover High School, and I’m thrilled to be back at the best high school in the state!” Hogan said in a press release from the school system.

She is replacing John Montgomery, who has retired.

“I want to continue the tradition of excellence that I felt as a student at W.A. Berry High School and as a teacher and assistant principal at Hoover High School. It’s because of the people who are here that make Hoover High School the place that it is,” she said.

The selection committee was

When Mountain Brook High School begins its semester Aug. 9, it will be with a new principal.

Carrie Busby has taken over the role this year after the retirement of former Principal Philip Holley. But she is not a newbie at the school; she has been assistant principal there since 2018.

“This is a tremendous opportunity, and I could not be more excited to lead the students and staff here at Mountain Brook High School,” Busby said. “Philip has been a great colleague and I look forward to applying what I have learned from him as I lead and serve the stakeholders of this great school and school community.”

Busby has 22 years of experience in secondary education, the past 10 of which she has spent in an administrative position. In 2017, she was named Alabama’s Assistant Principal of the Year.

CALENDAR FOR OTM SCHOOLS

well as a Bachelor of Science in education from the University of Alabama.

The Mountain Brook Board of Education chose Busby for the position in April.

“In our search process, we were looking for someone who understands the culture of Mountain Brook Schools and the high standards for our students to be successful in their future endeavors,” Mountain Brook Schools Superintendent Dicky Barlow said. “Carrie fits both of these qualities extremely well and will help move Mountain Brook High School forward in the coming years.”

Homewood City Schools homewood.k12.al.us

First Day for Students: Aug. 9

Winter Holidays: Dec. 18 - Jan. 3

Spring Break: March 25-29

Last Day for Students: May 23

Hoover City Schools hoovercityschools.net

First Day for Students: Aug. 10

Winter Holidays: Dec. 18 - Jan. 2

Spring Break: March 25-29

Last Day for Students: May 23

Mountain Brook City Schools mtnbrook.k12.al.us

First Day for Students: Aug. 9

Winter Holidays: Dec. 18 - Jan. 3

Spring Break: March 25-29

Last Day for Students: May 22

impressed with Hogan’s competitive spirit and her commitment to sustaining Hoover High’s established culture of excellence and taking the school to the next level, the press release said.

Throughout her career, she modeled and emphasized the importance of creating an engaging learning environment through relationships and respect, high expectations and student voice.

For the past two years, she served as a character coach for The Hope Institute, a nonprofit that partners with K-12 schools in Alabama to cultivate character development.

“Hoover High School is incredible with passionate teachers, exceptional students and supportive stakeholders.

I’m committed to ensuring that Hoover High School is a safe, caring and supportive environment for every student and that we develop students of good character while providing a high-quality education that will prepare students for success in their college, career and personal lives,” Hogan said.

Hogan received her bachelor’s degree in education at Samford University, her master’s degree in education administration at the University of Montevallo and her education specialist degree at Samford University. She is a doctoral candidate at Samford.

Hogan was named the 2018 Alabama Secondary Assistant Principal of the Year and was selected as one of three finalists for the 2018 National Association of Secondary Principals’ National Assistant Principal of the Year.

She serves on the board of directors for the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools. Before joining that board, she served as the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals District 5 president. She holds a master’s in educational administration from Montevallo as

“At Mountain Brook High School, as well as throughout the Mountain Brook community, there is an expectation of excellence,” Busby said. “It is important to me that the belief and commitment to excellence is ensured from students to staff, as well as parents and the Mountain Brook community at large. I welcome the challenge of leading this distinctive school, which I have grown to love over the past five years.”

Busby and her husband, Scott, have been married for 27 years and have two adult children.

Vestavia Schools to Welcome New Administrators

By Anne Ruisi

New principals will greet students at two Liberty Park schools when the academic year begins Aug. 9 for grades six-12 and Aug. 10 for children in kindergarten to fifth grade, said Whit McGee, director of public relations for Vestavia Hills City Schools.

Dr. Blair Inabinet has taken the reins from Roger Dobnikar as principal at Liberty Park Middle School.

Former principal Dobnikar, a longtime presence at Liberty Park Middle School, retired. He had served as principal since 2021 and was the school’s first assistant principal when it opened in 2008.

Inabinet had been principal at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park since 2020. Before that, she was assistant principal at Cherokee Bend Elementary from 2018 to 2020. She served as a teacher at Mountain Brook Junior High during the 2017-2018 school year.

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and a post-graduate education specialist degree in teaching and learning, with a concentration in instructional technology, according to her LinkedIn profile. She earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Samford University.

Shelby County Schools shelbyed.k12.al.us

First Day for Students: Aug. 10

Winter Holidays: Dec. 14 - Jan. 3

Spring Break: March 25-29

Last Day for Students: May 23

Vestavia Hills City Schools vestavia.k12.al.us

First Day for Students: Secondary, Aug. 9; Elementary, Aug. 10

Winter Holidays: Dec. 18 - Jan. 3, Spring Break: March 25-29

Last Day for Students: May 23

Inside

Rebels’ Roman Holiday PAGE 18

Hoover Schools Search for New Superintendent PAGE 19

Homewood Teacher Added to WWII Museum Board PAGE 19

Mountain Brooks SRO Team Takes State Award Page 20

Carrie Busby

Tiffany Marron, who worked with Inabinet as assistant principal at

Dr. Blair Inabinet

Tiffany Marron See VESTAVIA, page 19

Jennifer Hogan

Over 125 Years of Excellence

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For over 125 years, Southern Preparatory Academy has existed to educate and train future generations of leaders. As a military boarding school in Camp Hill, Alabama, Southern Prep is dedicated to creating a positive environment where our students live and learn without the distractions found in public schools. Our Corps of Cadets is small on purpose – about 130 young men – this forges a close-knit environment between our students, who are navigating the same new challenges.

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• High school (9th-12th grades) has 4, 90-minute class blocks each semester.

• Junior school (6th-8th grades) has 7 periods throughout the day for the entire year.

• Our smaller class sizes (9-12 cadets) allow for more individualized attention

• Honor courses offered

• First high school aviation program in the United States

• Drone program

• STEM/STEAM classes - Junior school

• Our 2023 graduating class (21 students) earned over $860,000 in scholarships

ATHLETICS

• Member of AISA

• Football, Basketball, Baseball, Soccer, Track, Golf, and Cross Country

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• JROTC

• Beta Club

• Drill Team

• Sword Drill Team

• Jiu Jitsu

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• Rifle Team

• Yearbook

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ADMISSIONS CONTACT

Morgan Comolli, Admissions Counselor, 256-790-9202

Mindy Pate, Admissions Counselor, 256-496-8864

admissions@southernprepacademy.org

Rebels’ Roman Holiday

Vestavia High Band, Choir Invited to Perform in Italy

By Anne Ruisi

The Eternal City awaits members of the Vestavia Hills High School marching band and concert choir, who are heading to Italy to perform during Rome’s New Year’s Festival.

“It’s super exciting,” said band Director Jerell Horton, who recently returned from Italy after a site visit to preview what his group can expect during the upcoming eight-day trip. Band members will march in Rome’s New Year’s Day Parade, where they’ll be joined by student marching bands from Kansas, Nevada, California, Virginia, North

Carolina and Texas.

Italian groups, including costumed stilt-walkers, a cluster of Vespa sidecar tour drivers and reenactors who portray ancient Roman legionaries and other figures, also will be featured in the parade, according to the event’s website, romeparade.com/ events/parade.

The parade will begin at the Piazza del Popolo, head along the Via Babuino and past the Spanish Steps, then up the Via del Corso – the 2,200-year-old main street in the center of historical Rome – to return to the starting point.

When they return, the group will remain in place and perform, Horton said.

Musical selections that the band will perform while marching and in place are being decided, the band director said.

“We do try to get as much audience engagement as we can,” Horton said, so music that’s popular around the world, such as classic R&B, Motown hits and Bruno Mars, are in the band’s regular repertoire.

the Vatican, the catacombs and the ruins of the ancient Roman Forum. They’ll also head south toward Naples to see Pompeii, the ancient city buried under volcanic ash and pumice after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.

Travel Plans

More than 250 students will be on the trip, including 200 in the band and 55 choir members, Horton said Joining them will be 150 family members and supporters.

They depart Dec. 27, first taking buses to the Atlanta airport, where the group will split up to board five commercial flights to Rome, Horton said. They’ll return Jan. 3, just as school reopens after winter break.

The choir will appear in separate performances, including singing a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

“When we get back, we’ll go straight back to work,” Horton said.

The trip to Rome is the band’s third outside the country. They marched in London’s New Year’s Parade in 2010 and in Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in 2018, Horton said.

They also will stage two performances in Frascati, a town outside Rome famous for the 16th and 17th century villas built by aristocrats.

The choir will appear in separate performances, including singing a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Horton said. Details will be forthcoming, as the choir just found out about the performance at St. Peter’s.

While in Rome, the group will take educational tours of the city’s landmarks, including the Coliseum,

Meanwhile, Horton and assistant band Director Heather Palmer are preparing the group for the trip, with band camp starting this week.

Fundraising for the trip is underway, as the cost for each student to travel is $3,795, Horton said. A Taste of Italy is a major fundraiser on Sept. 12 at the Vestavia Civic Center, he said. The event will feature dinner and a silent auction.

Parents are involved in that, and Horton credited them for providing “lots of good help” in that and in “coordinating such a large group.”

Journal photo by Jordan Wald

Vestavia Hills High School band Director Jerell Horton, far left, and assistant band Director Heather Palmer, far rigth, with band members, Tate Sparks, Prudence Wachira and Ashlyn Beery at band camp Monday. Band members are preparing for the upcoming football season and a trip to Italy to march in Rome’s New Year’s Day Parade.

Hoover Schools Search for New Superintendent

The Hoover Board of Education and its law firm have launched the search for a new city schools superintendent to succeed Dr. Dee O. Fowler, who is retiring in September, according to a press release from Hoover City Schools.

“I do not have the words to ade-

Under Fowler’s leadership, all schools in the district received a state grade of “A” for the first time.

quately express my personal and professional gratitude for the opportunity to serve as superintendent of Hoover City Schools. The board and the Hoover community have been so welcoming to Marcia and me. Leaving is bittersweet. Hoover is truly a wonderful place to live and work,” Fowler said.

Fowler, who has been with the school system for two years, announced his retirement earlier this month. It is effective Sept. 30.

If the board selects Fowler’s replacement before Sept. 30, he has agreed to work as a consultant until his retirement date to assist in the transition of the new superintendent, the press release said.

Fowler came out of retirement to lead Hoover schools in April 2021. He replaced former Superintendent Kathy Murphy, who accepted the role of president at Gadsden State Community College.

Before his first retirement, Fowler spent more than 40 years in public education in positions from teacher to deputy state superintendent. He was a principal for 15 years and served 10 years as superintendent of Madison City Schools in North Alabama.

The Hoover school board expressed gratitude for Fowler’s service, leadership and accomplishments while serving as superintendent but understands his desire to spend more time with his family in South Alabama, according to the press release.

The school district is working with its law firm, Bishop, Colvin, Johnson & Kent, LLC, to conduct the superintendent search. The notice of vacancy for the position has been posted, and according to state law, the job will remain posted for 30 days.

The last day for applicants to submit their application to the law firm is Aug. 14. The board will interview qualified candidates that the firm identifies.

School board members have discussed the qualifications for an ideal candidate, including requiring a doc-

Homewood Teacher Added to WWII Museum Board

The National WWII Museum in New Orleans has selected Homewood’s Darby Baird to serve on its Educator Advisory Council, also known as the Brain Trust.

The Brain Trust, made up of educators from across the nation, will advise the museum and the education department on best pedagogical strategies, needs analysis and effective partnerships with schools and districts. The Brain Trust supports the museum’s mission to ensure all gen-

VESTAVIA

From page 16

erations understand the legacy of World War II.

Baird, a sixth grade language arts and social studies teacher at Homewood Middle School, will have the opportunity to work closely with the museum and have access to valuable resources and innovative learning opportunities for her students.

A statement from the school system said its leaders were proud that Baird is being recognized for her dedication and passion for teaching history.

toral degree and a preference for someone with superintendent experience. The minimum salary for the position is $200,000 plus benefits, but it is negotiable based on the successful candidate’s experience.

Fowler said he’s leaving the district in a good place and looks forward to seeing more accomplishments and milestones.

During his tenure, Fowler emphasized the importance of improving academics. He consistently met with administrators to analyze student data

to identify deficits and develop intervention plans.

Under his leadership, all schools in the district received a state grade of “A” for the first time. Reading scores are now back to pre-pandemic levels & math scores increased by 13%.

A national study conducted by Stanford and Harvard Universities recognized Hoover City Schools for overall positive academic outcomes in math and reading and substantial learning gains for students in poverty, black students and Hispanic students.

Liberty Park Elementary, was named the school’s interim principal for the 20232024 school year on July 1.

She had been assistant principal for two years prior to her new role and previously spent 20 years as a classroom teacher, according to the school’s website. Marron is a National Board-certified teacher. She earned bachelor’s degrees in early childhood education and elementary education and a master’s in elementary education.

Her other post-graduate education includes participating in the Instructional Leadership Cohort fostered through a partnership between Vestavia City Schools and Samford University and certification in educational leadership from Samford.

Hoover Schools Superintendent Dr. Dee O. Fowler is retiring in September.

Darby Baird

By AnA Good

Cpl. Glen White knows to prepare for the unexpected as part of his everyday duties. White, who has been the school resource officer at Crestline Elementary for the past four years, said each day brings its own adventure.

When standing in front of a group of kindergarteners, for example, telling them about when to call 911 and when not to call 911, or talking about the importance of wearing a seatbelt in the car and a helmet on a bike, White said he knows to be prepared.

“They are going to speak what’s on their mind,” he said. “They are not going to hold back. You’re talking to them, telling them about things related to the police and then ask if they have any questions. They’ll say, ‘What’s your favorite color?”’

White said those kinds of innocent questions are among his favorite aspects of the job.

“They want to know about me as a person, not only about police work,” he said. “It’s kind of neat that they want to know that.

Recently, White said, a group of middle schoolers – graduates of the elementary school whom he had come to know over the years – showed up excited to visit with him.

“They hollered my name from a block away,” he said, “ran up to see me and wanted to say hello. The fact that I made some kind of impression on them and that the Mountain Brook Police Department had an impact on them, that’s a positive thing. That got

Prepare for the Unexpected

to me the other day; it made me feel really good.”

Statewide Recognition

The levels of friendly interaction and relationship-building White described are part of what helped distinguish the Mountain Brook Schools’ team of school resource officers above the rest. In June, The Alabama Association of School Resource Officers named the Mountain Brook six-officer team as the state’s best SRO team for the 2022-23 school year. Those recognized alongside White for

the honor were Officer Tommy Tanner, Officer Daphne Horton, Officer Ro Burrow, Officer Lance Ziska and Officer Richard Knecht.

All of the officers made the trip to Orange Beach to attend TAASRO Safe Schools Conference, where the recognition took place. The annual state conference is part of the officers’ ongoing training, White said, and the Mountain Brook Police Department helps ensure all the city’s SROs are able to attend each year. The state conference, along with the annual National Association of School Resource

Officers’ conference, helps build upon the initial specialized training SROs receive. White explained the training encompasses everything from emerging school safety trends and concerns to discussions on how best to interact with students, faculty, staff and parents.

In a news release about the recent recognition, Mountain Brook Police Chief Jay Loggins said the SRO team serves as a bridge between the community and the police department.

“The men and women that serve as SROs develop relationships with the

kids and parents that lay the groundwork for the interactions between the police department and the community,” Loggins said. “They not only love their job but love the kids and the schools which they serve. The recognition of the best SRO team comes as no surprise. They are loved by the school administrators, the parents and, most importantly, the kids.”

SROs have had a presence at each Mountain Brook school since 2018, when Superintendent Dicky Barlow and the Board of Education worked with the city of Mountain Brook on the plan.

“We are so thankful to our SRO team and truly appreciate our partnership with the city to have them in our schools and around our people,” Barlow said in the news release. “They are a high-performing and experienced group who value the relationships with the students, staff and the school community.”

White, who began his career with the Mountain Brook Police Department in 2006 after retiring from the Birmingham Police Department, said he felt especially prepared to become an SRO.

“I’m a 12-year-old at heart anyway,” he said with a laugh.

Speaking more seriously, White said he’s found a second home at Crestline.

“I’ve built some really tremendous relationships with our students and the faculty, parents, staff,” he said, “the whole community that is associated with Crestline.”

The Alabama Association of School Resource Officers named the Mountain Brook six-officer team as the state’s best SRO team for the 2022-23 school year. From left: Officers Tommy Tanner, Lance Ziska; Corporal Glen White; Officers Richard Knecht, Ro Burrow, Daphne Horton.

Mountain Brook’s SRO Team Takes State Award

Homewood Names New Track and Cross-Country Coaches

By RuBin E. GRant

Homewood athletic director Doug Gann is absolutely thrilled about Homewood’s new head coaching hires for the Patriots’ track and crosscountry programs.

Logan Cornutt will coach the Patriots’ track and field teams and Kelly McNair will head the cross-country team.

Cornutt and McNair replace the ultra-successful Josh Donaldson, who held both positions before leaving earlier this summer to become Spain Park’s new athletic director.

As an athlete and coach at Homewood, Donaldson was a part of 33 state championship teams and 17 state runner-up teams. As head coach, he led Homewood’s cross-country and track and field teams to six state titles, including the boys Class 6A state championship in May.

“Some folks were concerned when Josh left, but I knew we would be able to get some good people since our programs are well established,” Gann said. “I’m not expecting any drop-off and I’m excited about the future.”

Cornutt has served for 10 years as a teacher and coach for track and field and cross-country, joining the Patriots from Hewitt-Trussville Middle School. He led his Hewitt boys’ team to their firstever track and field Metro Championship in 2022. He also increased the number of students participating in cross-country and track each year.

Cornutt was named the Outdoor Track and Field Boys Coach of the Year in the metro area for the 2022 and the 2023 seasons. He also holds certifications as a USATF Level 1 and USTFCCCA jumps specialist coach.

“I’m real excited about him coming aboard,” Gann said. “He’s been a successful coach, and he seems to understand the culture of our program and what it takes for it to continue to be successful.”

Cornutt’s coaching career began at his alma mater, Ashville High School, in 2013. He was instrumental in the growth and success of the track program, achieving some of the program’s highest finishes and mentoring multiple all-state athletes.

In 2017, he took over the track and cross-country programs at Albertville, where he helped athletes achieve personal bests in various events and guided them to all-state honors in jumps and throws. He was named the Marshall County Coach of the Year in 2019.

Prior to his coaching career, Cornutt was a successful middle-distance runner at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia. He was recognized as an NAIA Academic All-American, All MidSouth Conference runner, and an NAIA Indoor All-American.

McNair Has Patriot Background

McNair joined the Patriots’ coaching staff five years ago as an assistant in both the cross-country and track and field programs. She played a significant role in the success of the teams, contributing to 12 state championship titles and three runnerup finishes.

“She does a great job,” Gann said. “She’s been with coach Donaldson for several years and I have a lot of confidence and faith in her. She knows our kids and our program through and through.”

In addition to her coaching responsibilities,

McNair works as an instructional assistant at Homewood High School in the special education department.

McNair moved to Homewood in 2001 and worked at Lakeshore Foundation as an aquatic specialist. Over time, she took on various roles within the aquatics department, including specialist, coordinator and eventually director.

During her time at the Lakeshore Foundation, she began training for a marathon not only to finish but to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Since 2013, she has run seven marathons, six of which met the qualifying standards for the Boston

Marathon and one for the New York Marathon.

“She’s a big time runner,” Gann said. “I wouldn’t want to get in a race with her.”

In 2014, McNair obtained her coaching certification through the Road Runners Club of America and began working at Resolute Running. As a run coach as well as individual and group fitness instructor, she focused on training runners ranging from the 5K distance all the way up to marathons and beyond.

McNair has years of experience and expertise in helping runners of various levels and goals achieve their fitness objectives.

Homewood Grads Score Rotary Scholarships

Five 2023 graduates of Homewood High School recently were awarded scholarships totaling $25,000 by the Bill Crawford Educational Foundation of the Homewood Rotary Club.

The recipients are Olivia Jackson, Michelle Kagwima, Abigail Quinn, Ayana Thompson and Drew Vinson.

This year’s recipients were introduced to club members by education foundation Chairman Al Murray at a Rotary meeting at Homewood Public Library. Each student spoke of their high school experience and plans for the future.

When physicians, scientists and researchers with extraordinary talent and passion are given the technology, the facilities, and the support, they achieve great things. The discoveries, innovations and clinical trials happening today will help shape the future of treatments and lead to cures.

Homewood Rotary President Gregg Wadsworth, Michelle Kagwima, Olivia Jackson, Ayana Thompson, Abigail Quinn and Rotary member Al Murray. Not pictured: Drew Vinson.

Hoover Fishing Buddies Head to Bassmaster High School Championship

By RuBin E. GRant

Gavin Seewald was 12 years old when he went fishing for the first time. Little did he know it would become his passion.

“I went on a deep sea fishing trip with my older brother and we caught a ton of fish,” Seewald said. “I really enjoyed it and then I started fishing.”

Seewald learned that Hoover High School had a fishing team and decided to join it when he was in the eighth grade.

Now a rising junior, Seewald has become a first-rate fisherman. He and his partner, rising junior Judson Touchstone, will represent Hoover Thursday-Saturday in the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina.

The High School Championship will feature more than 480 teams from 35 states and Canada. It will take off from legendary Green Pond Landing each day at 6:20 a.m. Eastern time and return at 2:20 p.m. for weigh-in. Full coverage will be available on Bassmaster.com.

“This a big deal, the biggest tournament I’ve ever fished,” Seewald said. “We have been trying to make this tournament four years in a row.”

Touchstone said, “This means everything to us. We’ve been work-

MVPs

From page 24

a grand slam,” said Roy, who was named the 2022 Alabama Tennis Association Female Junior Player of the Year.

Already this summer, Roy has played in tournaments in Charleston, South Carolina, Grand Rapids, Michigan, Minneapolis and Chattanooga, Tennessee.

“It’s been really fun to get to play around the country,” Roy said. “It’s usually just my mom (Jane, a retired kinesiology professor), who’s my coach, my dad (Doug, an attorney)

PETERS

From page 24

Championship at Shoal Creek.

He carded even-par 72 both days of the two-day event to finish at 144, four strokes ahead of Vestavia Hills rising sophomore Clark Browne and Hoover rising senior Jake Monk. Browne was the winner of the 14-15-year-old division with his 4-over par total of 148.

“That was a fun experience, getting to play at Shoal Creek,” Peters said. “I was excited I was able to walk away victorious and Joshua was there to cheer for me.”

Joshua Peters was the assistant

ing toward this for a while and now it’s actually happened.”

Seewald and Touchstone secured their spot at nationals with a great finish at the Alabama Student Angler Bass Fishing Association State Classic June 23-24 in Eufaula.

They placed seventh with a total weight of 21.33 pounds, including a 7-pound bass caught by Seewald. After day one they were in second

and my cat.”

Mountain Brook MVPs Roy wasn’t the only Mountain Brook athlete to star during All-Star week.

The Spartans’ Luke Schwefler, who won the No. 1 boys’ state Class 6A tennis crown in the spring, defeated Pike Road’s Patrick Quinn 7-5, 6-2 to help the North All-Stars win the competition 6-3.

Schwefler also teamed with Muscle Shoals’ Jackson Collins to defeat Samuel Treadwell of Trinity and Jerrick Phan of UMS-Wright 6-3, 6-5 in the No. 1 doubles match.

Schwefler earned North MVP hon-

junior tournament director for the BGA Junior.

“I putted well,” Jonathan Peters added. “When I had a chance to make birdies, I rolled it well.”

Peters continued his hot play last week during the AHSAA All-Star Week match-play golf competition at Arrowhead Golf Club in Montgomery.

Peters and Elliot Overton of Winfield won the fourth match 15-3 over William Hall of Montgomery Academy and Thomas Stewart of Trinity Presbyterian. Peters and Overton won top scoring honors for the North, which won 55-35.

“It was cool being in a tournament with a lot of the best juniors in the

place, and although they caught their three fish limit on both days, they slipped to seventh at the end of day two. But that was good enough to qualify them for nationals.

Captained by Lee Seewald, the entire Bucs’ fishing team placed third in the ASABFA Classic, finishing the tournament trail with an overall fifthplace finish in the State for the season.

ors as the North boys improved to 3-1 in the series, which was first played during All-Star Sports Week in 2019. The Spartans’ Ty Davis was named North MVP in the boys basketball game. Davis scored 13 points, sinking 3 of 4 three-pointers, and had three assists in the North’s narrow 81-79 loss to the South at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex in the 80th AHSAA NorthSouth boys’ all-star game. Davis, a rising 6-foot-5 senior guard, recently announced his commitment to Creighton to play in college.

Right, the Spartans’ Ty Davis was named North MVP in the boys basketball game.

state and it was fun being on the North team with some of the guys I knew,” Peters said.

Hoover’s Monk and Caleb Thompson beat Ken Brown of UMSWright 10.5 – 7.5 in the second match. Vestavia Hills’ Pierce Becker and Hewitt-Trussville’s Gavin Isbell won a close 10-8 decision over Enterprise’s Luke Thornton and Samson’s Coy Ingram in the fifth match.

Pike Liberal Arts’ duo of Braden Prestwood and Jackson Cleveland posted the South’s only win in the third match, 10-8 over Spain Park’s Wes Sauceda and Luke Ballintine, to earn top scoring honors for the South.

The North boys now hold a 4-0

another partner, but after that partner quit fishing, he turned to Touchstone.

“We help each other out, telling each other what we should be doing,” Touchstone said.

Seewald said, “It’s better having two people work together than one. We decide what things to throw out as bait and figure out what fish to try to catch.”

‘It’s Hard Work’

A lot of preparation goes into getting ready for a tournament.

“It’s more than just throwing a pole in the water waiting on a fish to bite,” Seewald said. “You have to figure out what are the patterns of the fish, what they’re eating and what rods and reels to use. It’s hard work.”

The fishing buddies realize they face a daunting task to win the Bassmaster national tournament.

Gavin Seewald and Touchstone became friends through fishing.

“Gavin had been fishing since the seventh grade and would tell me about it, that it was lot of fun,” Touchstone said. “He told me that Hoover had a fishing team and asked me to join it. In the eighth grade, I joined it and got hooked.”

The two anglers didn’t become partners immediately. Seewald had

“There’s going to be a lot more competition than we’ve had in the past, so it’s going to be a challenge,” Touchstone said. “I’m hopeful we can do it.”

“It would mean a ton if we could win it,” Seewald said. “There’s going to be a lot of sponsors and college (recruiters) there, and then there’s the recognition of the fishing world that goes with winning it.

“But it’s a lake we’ve never been to before, so it will be difficult to win.”

lead in their series against the South, which was first played in 2019.

In the spring, Peters competed as an individual in the AHSAA Class 6A tournament at RTJ Grand National in Opelika. He finished tied for sixth, posting rounds of 75 and 72 for a 3-over par total score of 147.

This week, Peters, who is a member of the Hoover Country Club, is competing in the Alabama Golf Association Alabama Boys State Junior Championship at the Goose Pond Colony Lake Course in Scottsboro.

“‘I’ve played in it the past two years and results were not the best,” Peters said. “I hope to do better this time.”

Short Game

Peters is not long off the tee, but he stays away from hazards.

“I don’t hit it that far, but I hit fairways,” he said. “I take pride in my wedges and my short game.”

Homewood coach Jason Haithcock raves about Peters’ ability to maintain his focus in the midst of adversity.

“He doesn’t let a bad shot dictate his round,” Haithcock said. “He keeps his emotions in check, and he never allows his opponents to see him get upset if things are not going his way. He’s a grinder.

“He’s having a good run of golf this summer. He’s one of the better juniors in the state. I believe he’ll have several opportunities to play at the next level.”

Courtesy Hoover Schools

Judson Touchstone and Gavin Seewald will represent Hoover Thursday-Saturday in the 2023 Strike King Bassmaster High School Championship presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors at Lake Hartwell in Anderson, South Carolina.

Journal file photo by Jordan Wald

OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL SPORTS

By RuBin E. GRant

Colton Ledbetter has gone to Florida, but he’s not on a beach vacation, or a fishing trip or a scuba diving trip.

Ledbetter is in the Sunshine State to begin his professional baseball career.

The Tampa Bay Rays selected the former Spain Park outfielder in the second round of the Major League Baseball draft two weeks ago. He was the 55th player taken.

Ledbetter was one of several players attending the draft at Lumen Field in Seattle, home of the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks, during MLB All-Star Week.

“Being at the draft was an experience of a lifetime,” Ledbetter said in a phone interview. “It’s something that I’ll be able to tell my kids and my grandkids.”

Ledbetter, 21, signed with the Rays last week, receiving a $1,297,500 signing bonus. He was sent to Sarasota, Florida, where the Rays’ rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate is based, to get acclimated to pro ball.

“I’m superexcited to be able to get this opportunity to start a new journey in my baseball career,” Ledbetter said. “I’ve been dreaming about this opportunity since I first started playing baseball.”

Ledbetter graduated from Spain Park in 2020. During his senior season, he had a .414 batting average

Dream Opportunity

with four home runs, 18 runs and 14 RBIs before the season ended because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 6-foot-2, 202-pound lefty-hitting Ledbetter spent his first two seasons in college at Samford. In 2021, he was named the Southern

Conference Freshman of the Year by Perfect Game. The following year, he was an All-Conference second-team selection by the SoCon coaches and a first-team pick by the media.

Ledbetter transferred to Mississippi State for his junior year

this season to receive more exposure by playing in the Southeastern Conference. He hit .320 with 12 homes runs, 52 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. He also drew 47 walks while striking out only 16 times. In SEC play, he hit .276 with six home runs.

He played center field for most of the season and finished with a .966 fielding percentage.

Ledbetter was one of the top prospects in the draft. He was ranked 49th in the MLB Pipeline prospect rankings among 2023 draft-eligible players. According to a pre-draft scouting report, Ledbetter “was known for making consistent hard contact and controlling the strike zone, and while his arm might eventually land him in left field, he’s athletic enough to handle center or right.”

The Rays were happy to land Ledbetter.

“I think you’ve got patience and power,” Rays senior director of amateur scouting Chuck Ricci said of Ledbetter. “You’ve got defensive versatility. I mean, he can play all three outfield spots. He works the count. He can take a walk, but he’s got really good pull-side power.”

Spain Park baseball coach Will Smith is elated to see his former player get the opportunity to play professionally.

“As a high school coach, when you have those type of star players, you want to see them become successful and fulfill their dreams,” Smith said. “I couldn’t be happier for Colton. He’s a great kid and is very talented.

“He wasn’t only a great player for us, but a great teammate. Being around him, you wouldn’t believe he was a superstar because he’s so humble.”

Former Spain Park Outfielder Ledbetter Embarks on Pro Career With Tampa Bay Rays

Colton Ledbetter, 21, signed with the Tampa Bay Rays last week, receiving a $1,297,500 signing bonus.

Mississippi State University

SPORTS

Left, Mountain Brook’s Pippa Roy with Chanel a 3-year-old Persian cat that has been a constant companion for Roy. Below, Mountain Brook tennis standout Luke Schwefler earned North MVP honors.

Schools’ Grace Swain 6-1, 6-0 in the No. 1 singles match and teamed with Spain Park’s Sage Sovic to beat Juliet Galla of McGill-Toolen Catholic and Carol Murray of UMS-Wright, 6-1, 6-0, in the No. 1 doubles competition.

Mountain Brook’s Annie Lacey won No. 2 singles, defeating St. Paul’s Emme Clement 6-1, 6-2.

The North won the match 8-1, giving the North a 4-0 record in the series.

“It was fun,” Roy said. “We had some good matches and all the girls on the North team really supported each other.”

Roy is used to winning on the state level. She has won three consecutive AHSAA Class 6A No. 1 singles titles.

Even so, earning MVP in the AllStar competition was special.

“It’s a big honor,” Roy said. “I’m happy I got to represent my school and the state of Alabama.”

In two weeks, Roy will compete for the second consecutive year in the National Junior 18s Hard Court Championships Aug. 5-9 in San Diego. The winner will receive a wild-card berth into the main draw in the US Open Junior Championships Sept. 3-9 in Flushing Meadows, New York.

“It’s cool to be able to compete against some of the top players in the country with the chance of playing in

All-Star MVPs

Spartans’ Roy Gives Furry Friend Reason to Celebrate; Schwefler, Davis Also Earn MVP Awards

By RuBin E. GRant

Pippa Roy has traveled extensively this summer, playing in various tennis tournaments.

At every stop, Chanel has been right there with her. And no matter how Roy has done, win or lose, Chanel has been there to support and comfort her.

Chanel is a furry friend, a 3-yearold Persian cat that has been a constant companion for Roy since she was a kitten.

‘Grinder’

Homewood’s Peters Acing Summer Golf Tournaments

“She provides stress release for me,” Roy said. “She always makes me feel better.”

Roy, a rising senior at Mountain Brook, didn’t need Chanel to make her feel better last week. All Roy needed this time was for her cat to celebrate with her after she earned North MVP honors during the fourth annual Alabama High School Athletic Association North-South AllStar Tennis Championships played in Montgomery at Lagoon Park.

Roy defeated St. Paul’s Episcopal

By RuBin E. GRant

Jonathan Peters had a decision to make about what sport he wanted to play following his freshman year at Homewood High School.

He chose golf over baseball.

“I enjoyed being on the golf course more than playing baseball and I enjoyed being around the people on the golf course,” Peters said.

Besides, his older brother Joshua Peters was headed into his senior year on the Homewood golf team and Jonathan Peters figured it would be neat to play with him. They helped the Patriots finish third in the Class 6A state tournament.

Joshua Peters is now headed into his junior year in college, playing golf for Centre College in Danville, Kentucky.

Jonathan Peters, meanwhile, has become one of the top junior golfers in the state. Two weeks ago, the Patriots’ rising senior was the overall winner of the Birmingham Golf Association Junior

Thursday, July 27, 2023 ❖ OVER THE MOUNTAIN JOURNAL

Hoover fishing buddies head to Bassmaster High School Championship Page 22

Former Spain Park outfielder Ledbetter embarks on pro career with Tampa Bay Rays Page 23 See MVPs, page 22

‘He keeps his emotions in check, and he never allows his opponents to see him get upset if things are not going his way.’

Jonathan Peters Courtesy