NEW BEGINNINGS

testament to my teammates and coaches because they got me in that position,” Maddie says.

Maddie, who was one of the soccer captains for the 2022-23 season, knows the grind and is used to waking up early, putting in the work and helping each of her teammates work to turn their goals into reality.

“I try to bring it every single day at practice,” Maddie says. “For me, it was really important that everyone had that same goal.”

Sean believes success can only be achieved if everyone not only believes in their ability to win, but also harnesses the willpower to do what it takes to win.

“It’s easy to win a state championship [when you have talented players],” Sean says. “It’s difficult to defend one because the target on your back gets bigger. You have to bring your A-game with you every single game. These kids realized that, and they raised the standard of their own performance to a level that was consistent enough to win it in the end.”

Win or lose, Maddie says Sean never wavered in his faith that his players were capable of achieving success.

“No matter if we had a ton of talent, he always had faith in us,” Maddie says. “I think that’s really important to have in a coach but also really inspiring.”

Sean was awarded one of the 2022 Teacher Impact Awards by the Homewood City Schools Foundation last year. He was also named Metro Coach of the Year in 2023. Although Sean is highly decorated as an educator and a coach, he attributes his success to the amazing community that has invested into him.

“There’s a lot of great coaches here,” Sean says. “To get that award when all those other people are up for it, it makes you appreciative of the people that voted for you.”

Mentoring young people, he says, is but one aspect of his career that makes his work worthwhile.

“The satisfaction of being a coach and a teacher is you get to see the young men and women these kids grow into,” Sean says. “That makes you feel like you’re doing something right. It’s an honor to be a teacher. It’s something I never take for granted.”

Sean says he tries never to take much for granted in his life because of his upbringing. Born and raised in Wishaw, Scotland, Sean says growing up, there were limited opportunities for dreamers like himself. He soon fell in love with soccer and used the sport as his “ticket to a better future.”

After graduating from high school, Sean attended Massasoit Community College on a soccer scholarship and transferred to BirminghamSouthern College, where he earned his Bachelors in history and stayed on to get his teaching certificate.

He worked as a graduate assistant for BirminghamSouthern College’s men’s soccer program before accepting a position at Homewood High School.

Sean believes the Homewood community embracing him and his family is part of the reason they all have earned such success. Even more than awards or titles, Sean is thankful for the fellowship that he says makes his job so special.

“You don’t become a teacher because you’re going to get rich,” Sean says. “You become a teacher because it’s something you’re passionate about.

That’s easy for me here at Homewood High School. To work in a community that is so heavily involved in the classroom and in athletics and backs their teachers so much is a God send.”

Maddie, too, believes there’s no place like home than in Homewood.

“I really wouldn’t choose anywhere else to grow up,” Maddie says. “If I could choose anywhere in the world to play, I’d choose to play for Coach Sean McBride because of the great coach and the great person that he is.”

At the end of the day, Sean says he is so thankful for the opportunity to give back to others what soccer has given to him. Thanks to this sport and the support of the community, he gets to do what he loves every day.

“If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” Sean says. “That’s what teaching feels like to me.”

When people with extraordinary talent and passion are given the technology, the facilities, and the support, they achieve great things. The discoveries taking place today will help shape the future of treatments and lead to cures – benefitting not only our patients and families, but people across the country and around the world for years to come.

5 FIVE QUESTIONS FOR

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Shades Valley, the Homewood Rotary Club was founded in January of 1982 to expand the opportunity for “service above self” (Rotary International’s motto) in the City of Homewood. Rotary International is a civic organization with more than 46,000 clubs and 1.4 million members worldwide. As members of an international service organization, the Homewood chapter’s impact touches local, regional and international communities, especially by supporting educational initiatives. Here, Homewood Rotary Club Past President Gregg Wadsworth congratulates the rotary club’s 2023 scholarship recipients and provides insight on the value this organization brings to the Homewood community.

What scholarships did you award to whom?

The Bill Crawford Education Foundation of the Homewood Rotary Club recently awarded scholarships totaling $25,000 to five 2023 graduates of Homewood High School. The recipients are Olivia Jackson, Michelle Kagwima, Abigail Quinn, Ayana Thompson and Drew Vinson. The Homewood Rotary is proud of its heritage of providing scholarships to Homewood High School seniors to assist deserving students as they embark on their first year of post high school education.

What purpose does the Homewood Rotary Club serve in our community, and how can those interested get involved?

The Homewood Rotary Club seeks to serve the Homewood community by raising funds for worthy causes and supporting city-wide events. One example is the fundraising for the city through our signature St. Patrick’s Day Evening in early March, which includes an Irish- themed dinner with silent and live auctions at Valley Hotel. Rotary Club also supports the community through SEC raffle ticket sales with the grand prize of a weekend trip to the SEC Football Championship Game. One particular favorite of mine is how the Rotary Club sponsored four Homewood High School sophomore students to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards camp at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. These students were among 99 participants representing 24 rotary clubs throughout North Alabama. Those interested in joining the rotary club can visit homewoodrotaryal.org.

What is your favorite aspect of serving within the club’s leadership roles?

I have been a member of the Rotary Club of Homewood for 16 years. I was asked to serve as President Elect in 20212022 and served in the president’s role in 2022-2023. Seeing our club grow in membership and provide more support for Homewood High School students is one of my favorite aspects of serving.

That is really what we are called to do, serve.

Can you speak on the benefits of community ties between the Rotary Club and citizens of Homewood?

Homewood Rotarians are willing to provide hands-on sweat equity in conjunction with financial support to the needs of our community. Examples of hands-on projects this year have been preparing holiday craft materials for The Exceptional Foundation and organizing food and clothing at Trinity Methodist’s Outreach Hub. A city such as Homewood is made stronger through its citizens coming together through civic organizations such as Rotary.

How much in scholarships has the Rotary Club given out this past year and in total since its inception?

Since its inception, more than $400,000 has been awarded in scholarships with this year’s awards totaling $25,000 for five deserving students.