Tallassee Tribune May 31 2023

Several city projects underway in Tallassee

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

The downtown Tallassee

streetscape project is the most visible ongoing project for the City of Tallassee, but it is not the only one.

Other projects, years in the making, are in various stages including the renovations to the wastewater treatment plant, replacing cast iron gas lines, upgrading water lines and the water filter treatment plant. CDG engineer Jeff Harrison continues assisting the city through the various projects to help ensure work meets state and federal guidelines. Harrison said work at the city’s sewage lagoon is well underway and work will be completed by the end of the year. “The contractor is working very diligently,” Harrison said. “They have been working on a lot of piping that is coming from where the Laney lift station project ended, bringing it to the southern lagoon. They are putting in the lift station right across from Neptune.”

School summer feeding starts this week

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Tallassee City Schools are preparing to serve meals to students this summer.

The summer feeding program will be at each of Tallassee’s three schools — Tallassee Elementary School, Southside Middle School and Tallassee High School as they host summer learning programs. The program is for children 18 and under.

“Children aren’t required to be enrolled in Tallassee to participate since we are an open campus,” Tallassee City Schools Child Nutrition Programs coordinator Carol Wright said. “We do have to tie a child’s name to every meal, so at the point of service the staff will ask for their name. If a parent decides to bring their children to one of our schools during the published meal times, they must remain with their child while they eat.”

Historically most students taking advantage of the summer feeding program are enrolled in the Tallassee City Schools summer learning programs.

“In the past we have only had one or two children drop in for summer meals,” Wright said.

Wright said the program is necessary to help ensure children get adequate nutrition during the summer when school is not in session.

“Research shows that when students are out during the summer they are less likely to receive a nutritious meal, especially free and reduced students,” Wright said. “As of April

and friends gathered at J.E. Hot

Tallassee High School. The senior class was

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES

Tallassee experience prepares

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Obituaries

MR. KENNETH W. “KEN” PITCHFORD

Mr. Kenneth W. “Ken” Pitchford, a resident of Dadeville, Alabama, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the age of 59. He was born July 2, 1963 in Fulton County, Georgia to Donald and Josie Creamer Pitchford.

Mr. Pitchford is survived by his wife of 27 years, Teresa Stephens Pitchford; mother, Josie Webster (Perry); daughters, Amanda Everett (Drew), Kimberly Walls (Scotty), Hana Dennis (John), Maranda Wilson (Stanley) and Brittany Alexander (Seth); son,

Jason Carboni; sister, Donna Chandler (Russ); brother, Ray Pitchford (Sheila) and 13 grandchildren.

Ken is preceded in death by his father, Donald Pitchford. Ken was a member of First Holiness Church in Tallassee, Alabama. He was a loving husband, father, son, and brother. He blessed the world with his amazing carpentry skills and loved the Crimson Tide. Pawpaw Pitch loved his grandchildren dearly and he was their world. Ken always put God and his family first and was loved

and cherished by so many. Peace and comfort come knowing he is rejoicing with his Heavenly Father today.

The family will receive friends Friday, May 26, 2023 from 5:00PM until 8:00PM at Jeffcoat Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Saturday, May 27, 2023 at 11:00AM at First Holiness Church, Tallassee, Alabama, with Pastor Eugene Dixon officiating. Burial will follow at Saugahatchee Assembly of God Cemetery in Camp Hill, Alabama, Jeffcoat Funeral Home directing.

City employees get second Fourth of July holiday

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

It will be a four-day weekend for Tallassee City employees come July 4.

Tallassee Mayor Sarah Hill asked the Tallassee City Council at its meeting last Tuesday to approve turning Monday, July 3 into a holiday.

“The July Fourth holiday falls on Tuesday this year,” Hill said. “We are asking for another holiday on Monday, July 3. It has been done several times in the past when the holiday falls on Tuesday. It is not out of the ordinary.”

The council approved the measure without discussion.

NO SECOND COUNCIL

MEETING IN JUNE

The council approved Hill’s recommendation to cancel the June 27 meeting because she and the city clerk will not be available.

The council could have held the meeting with councilmember Bill Godwin conducting the meeting instead of Hill and someone else keeping the minutes.

SURPLUSING VEHICLES

Eight City of Tallassee vehicles that have been parked behind the Tallassee Parks and Recreation Department on Gilmer Avenue were surplused by the council. Six vehicles were assigned to the police department, one to the

parks and rec department and one to the building inspector, which can now be sold.

The measure allows the city to save some money on insurance and receive some funds through the sale of the vehicles.

The Tallassee City Council also:

• Approved minutes of the May 9 meeting.

• Approved the transfer of a retail beer and table wine license for Five Points Food Mart LLC.

• Approved closing city buildings at 2 p.m. Friday before the Memorial Day Weekend.

The next meeting of the Tallassee City Council is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 13.

A REEL ACCOMPLISHMENT

ABIGAIL MURPHY | THE TRIBUNE

The Reeltown Rebels said goodbye to the senior class of 2023 with 64 graduates crossing the stage obtaining their diploma. During the ceremony, Penelope Nonales spoke before the class as their salutatorian followed by their valedictorian Aidan Dunn. The class of 2023 had its graduation ceremony on May 26 at the Reeltown High School football field.

Humane Society of Elmore County News

Your dogs need boating safety too

We do hope everyone will take some time today to pause and reflect on the true reason for Memorial Day. Please take time to think about and thank the thousands of brave men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we can live free.

Memorial Day traditionally signifies the start of summer.

Alabama is particularly blessed with many wonderful lakes, rivers and even the Gulf of Mexico, which means lots of time on and in the water.

Many families take their dogs along for fun on the water (not too many take kitties), and we hope you have planned for your dog’s safety just like your own. If you didn’t head out this weekend and your dog hasn’t been on a boat, then it might help to let your dog explore the boat while it is still docked or on a trailer a few days before your outing.

Just like us humans, your dog needs its own personal flotation device, which should wear while

aboard. You can find PFDs for pets in area pet, sport and outdoor stores and on many online stores as well; make sure to get the correct size for your dog to ensure your dog’s safety.

We may also have some at our Tail’s End Thrift Store, which is open for shopping from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Over the years we have had dogs rescued from the middle of local lakes, brought to our shelter and never reclaimed. When in a body of water as large as, say, Lake Martin, if a dog falls overboard and is not noticed it might not be able to make it to shore before tiring out. Just like getting used to the boat, let your dog get used to its PFD before heading out on the water.

Make sure to carefully supervise your dog and have a plan in mind for how you would retrieve your dog from the water (especially a larger dog) should you need to get him orer back into

your boat.

Hint: Most dog PFD’s have a stout handle along the top.

Give your dog a shady, secure spot to rest and pack a dog first aid kit in the event of hazards from fishing gear and walking around unfamiliar shores. One last caution might be to not feed your dog too much before going out in case it is susceptible to motion sickness; smaller snacks might work better than a big breakfast.

And our dogs can get motion sickness just like we can so perhaps talk to your vet for advice on what you can give your dog in the event it is exhibiting signs of sea sickness.

Please also keep in mind, just like people, not all dogs will enjoy being out on a boat all day, so, if you have one like that, let it chill at home in the air conditioning.

Rea Cord is the executive director of the Humane Society of Elmore County.

Celeste is a 3-year-old Husky with a shorter coat than most. She is black and white with gorgeous blue eyes. She is a very active gal, loves toys and needs an active family so she can go hiking, running and exploring while burning off some energy. Celeste is good with dogs, cats and children — just needs a well-fenced yard to keep her safely at home or she will go exploring.

The Humane Society of Elmore County’s adoption fees are $100 for dogs and $50 for cats under 1 year old. Cats over 1 can be adopted by approved adopters for a fee of their choosing. This adoption fee covers the mandatory spay or neuter, basic immunizations, deworming, microchip, heartworm check for dogs, rabies vaccination if old enough and a free health exam

with your participating veterinarian.

If you are interested in meeting Cola or any of the pets at HSEC, the first step is to fill out an adoption application online. Once approved, you will

be contacted by someone from the humane society. HSEC is located at 255 Central Plank Road in Wetumpka. The phone number is 334-567-3377 and the website is www. elmorehumane.org.

Pet of the Week - Celeste

Tallassee Talks

Over the last several weeks,

Weddings,

Announcements:

and must be emailed to us at announcements@thewetumpkaherald.com. Include name and telephone number. The text for the announcement must be in the body of the email (not as an attachment) and photographs must be sent as a .jpeg attached to the email. Announcements will appear within 10 days in The Herald or The Tribune.

it feels as if grief has consumed me. It quite literally made me sick. It caused fights in my household, it brought on endless tears that continue every day.

But if there is one blessing in disguise on things so tragic, it’s that truth everyone says but no one wants to admit to, “You really find out who your friends are.”

Y’all know I keep my circle small, and I like it that way. But what’s interesting is how my circle has changed over the last eight weeks.

There were people I thought I could count on who completely disappointed me, and there are people who have stepped up who I didn’t even think really cared.

Of course it hurts when you think someone is your friend, only to realize during your darkest days that maybe they really weren’t so much. But what I try to focus on is the people who have surprised me in the other direction.

I think I speak for many people in Dadeville as well when I say my family is in that weird period after a death where others have moved on, the calls stop coming, the sympathy stops being there, but we are still engulfed in grief. People almost expect you to be OK, but it’s been only a few weeks since Dylan’s death — how can we possibly be OK?

LIZI GWIN Managing Editor

There are those few people though, who just get it.

I have to take a second to shout out to my staff here at TPI. Each one of our reporters and editors has done a fantastic job picking up the pieces in my absence, and I have not heard a single complaint from them about me missing nearly three weeks straight.

Just like after the Dadeville massacre, these guys and gal have been willing to do whatever it took to put out a quality product and make sure you, the readers, were still getting the news. Y’all should consider yourselves lucky — not many small community newspapers have a staff quite like ours.

Behind the scenes, Audra Spears, Angela Mullins and Tippy Hunter have gone above and beyond actually getting the paper to the press. It’s been a truly amazing team effort, and the paper wouldn’t have survived without each of them.

knit, it’s always hard when you’re a newbie. But I’m the organized one of the group, so I had to take over a lot of the planning and details and semantics. After the funeral, my father-in-law took me aside and said, “Lizi, you know, you really are my daughter now. Of course I loved you before, but seeing how much you loved Dylan and how much you love my family… You really are one of us now.” Hearing those words meant so, so much to me.

geographically, we are worlds apart. I’ve always wanted that close family who gets together on the weekends, celebrates birthdays together, checks in on each other daily. My husband’s family has given me that, and I am so grateful for it.

others checking up on me, asking what they can do to help, and I appreciate each and every one of them.

I also consider it a blessing how close I’ve gotten to my husband’s family over the last several weeks. Although we’ve always been close

all go through dark times. We all have to eventually deal with the loss of a loved one, a true heartbreak.

Opening for Kool & the Gang

I’ve seen a lot of great performers in concert: Paul McCartney, B.B. King, Chicago, Elton John, Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, Boz Scaggs, Harry Connick Jr., Barry Manilow, Straight No Chaser, The Beach Boys, Foreigner, Alabama, Tommy Shaw, Voctave, Paul Revere & the Raiders and more.

But one concert experience may have been the greatest thrill of all: the night I was in the band that opened for Kool & the Gang.

Kool & the Gang has been around for over 50 years. They have won two Grammy awards and sold more than 70 million albums.

The band started out in high school as a jazz band.

Robert Bell gave himself the nickname “Kool” in an attempt to fit in with street gangs of his neighborhood. The original lineup featured brothers Robert “Kool” Bell and Ronald Bell; Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas; Robert “Spike” Mickens; Charles Smith; George Brown; and Ricky West. The Bells’ father was a boxer who trained jazz trumpeter Miles Davis; they also lived in the same building with jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. The band started out in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1964 and signed to De-Lite Records in 1969.

In the early 1970s, Kool & the Gang played continuously in clubs around the east coast and learned they couldn’t just stand on stage and play jazz. They began incorporating choreography as they took their music in an R&B/soul direction. However, record reviewers and audiences still could not easily identify what

genre Kool & the Gang were as their albums and stage shows featured jazz, blues, rock and instrumental styles. They worked hard for several years but hit it big with the funk record “Jungle Boogie” in 1973. Soon, with the addition of singer James “J.T.” Taylor, they began scoring hit after hit in the late 1970s and early 1980s: “Ladies’ Night,” “Open Sesame,” “Celebration,” “Too Hot,” “Joanna,” “Cherish,” “Get Down on It,” and more.

In fact, “Celebration” was not only a No. 1 hit in 1980, it became an anthem of sorts, used for everything from the Olympics in 1980 to the return of the hostages from Iran in 1981.

“Joanna” is also noteworthy as the most-played radio single of 1984.

Kool & the Gang were probably on the back side of success by the time I encountered them.

I was a member of the Troy University Jazz Ensemble, directed by Mr. Ralph Ford. Mr. Ford had booked our jazz band for some gigs in the Panama City Beach area, and one of them was at a surfside dive that shall remain unnamed.

Mr. Ford worked us hard in the weeks leading up to the performance. We played tougher music than we had ever attempted, and the jazz band rehearsed at every available opportunity the week prior to the performance. I can distinctly recall meeting for sectionals (I was in the trombone section) at 10 p.m. because we had to wait for someone to get off work.

Finally, the day came and we carpooled down to PCB in our personal vehicles — caravan style. We played in the sun, sand and waves and dined on some great gulf seafood. And then, we played our set and it sounded great.

We felt really proud of ourselves for the good job we did, and even met some of the members of Kool & the Gang. But we were unprepared for the power of their stage show. Their band took the stage — the same one on which we’d just played the classics of jazz — and blew it up. They opened with “Jungle Boogie,” a classic, and those horn players were grinding so hard on their instruments I thought the show should have been rated for mature audiences only. But boy, did those guys play! They did extended versions of their songs and showcased fine musicianship. And this was on a party deck of a restaurant in Panama City, a decade removed from their greatest success. Kool & the Gang may not be mentioned in the same sentence with the popular bands of the ‘70s and ‘80s, but they definitely deserve to be remembered for some classic songs and stellar playing. Who would have thought a little jazz band from Jersey City would be around so long?

Michael Bird is a music teacher for Tallassee City Schools.

MICHAEL BIRD Columnist

OFFICIALLY ALUMNI

Continued from A1

ning of the rest of her life.

“Part of me will be sad,” she said. “Tallassee is all I have ever known, but the other part of me can not wait for myself and my classmates to start a new beginning. College is where you really find yourself. Yes you have your lifelong dreams from high school but college is where you meet people with your same interests. I’m so excited for my classmates and myself to see what that brings.”

Davis said one of her role models has been her mother Daphne Davis who teaches history at Tallassee.

“My mom has been an amazing addition to my life,” Davis said. “She has always been there for me no matter what.”

April Powell was Davis’ AP language teacher in her junior year, and Powell pushing her to be better really paid off.

“She was an amazing teacher in the classroom,” Davis said.

“She really held me to a higher standard. My English part of my ACT went up six points because of her. She was incredible. She really prepared me for my dual enrollment classes as far as English classes.” Davis said she has already completed dual enrollment classes in English 101 and 102 with high marks thanks to Powell. Davis also looks up to Jennifer Whittington. “She is the definition of a Godly woman,” Davis said. “She is the sweetest soul I have ever met.” Davis said she hopes she inspired her classmates and others to do well in just more than the classroom. Davis worked hard in school even though she said her studies “came natural and (she) was really good at math.”

“I really hope I can show my classmates that if you work hard enough you can do anything,” Davis said. Davis already has plans for her next phase in life — to complete her undergraduate studies in public health at

Alabama then go to pharmacy school at Auburn.

Auburn will satisfy Davis’ grandparents and the twoschool approach will help with career goals.

“For a long time I was pretty set on being an actuary, like majoring in mathematics and being essentially a statistician,” Davis said. “But the more I got

to thinking about it, I just really didn’t want a desk job for my whole life. I felt like I also had always been interested in medicine. I felt like pharmacy was a good mix between the math of figuring out dosages and you have the medicine of being a pharmacist.” Davis held leadership positions in several clubs and

organizations at Tallassee. She threw the discus, shot put and javelin for the track team and was a cheerleader before becoming a majorette her senior year.

“Ever since I was little I wanted to twirl, but I got into eighth grade and most of my friends wanted to be cheerleaders,” Davis said. “I loved my time as cheerleader and do not regret that by any means. I’m glad I got to experience both.”

Davis said the experience with the Tallassee band has given her the approach to take at Alabama since she will only know a handful of people when she gets there.

“With the band, it was a whole different experience,” Davis said. “I remember being worried that they wouldn’t accept me — I was new, I was a senior, I was coming in as a rookie. I remember being so scared they wouldn’t accept me and see me as an outsider. The band was so welcoming. They were amazing. I couldn’t ask for a better experience. It showed me the good of the world.”

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE TRIBUNE Harper Davis watches the Tallassee High School Class of 2023 graduation ceremony at J.E. Hot O’Brien Stadium Friday night.

PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

PROJECTS

Continued from A1

Harrison materials are being delivered to upgrade the aeration process and the foundation of a building for the project is now complete.

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management has recently inspected the city’s lagoons and found no deficiencies according to Harrison and Tallassee Mayor Sarah Hill.

The $4 million project will renovate the sewage treatment lagoons to get decades more use from them considering the current growth rate of Tallassee. The lagoons are also under a consent decree from ADEM and must be rectified by the end of the year to avoid penalties.

This project will solve the issues noted in the decree.

“We are going to try to keep pushing this project so we can get that lagoon up and running toward the end of the year,” Harrison said.

LITTLE ROAD WATER PROJECT

Water pressure and volume issues are an ongoing issue in the areas of Little Road and Katy Lane. The water lines installed decades ago are too small for the number of residences in the area.

With $200,000 in financial help of the Elmore

County Commission, the City of Tallassee approved the $280,000 project earlier this year.

“The contractor mobilized last week and started bringing in pipe.,” Harrison said. “We have pipe on the site. They are doing the tie-ins to the existing lines.”

Harrison said Singleton Contracting is expected to finish its work by the end of June. He said contractors will first install the pipe, pressure test it and complete the tie-ins to residences.

“They do a great job with cleanup and working with residents and making sure everyone is satisfied,” Harrison said. “They stay on top of it.”

GAS LINE PROJECTS

The City of Tallassee received a $9.7 million federal grant in April to replace cast iron gas lines in the Elmore County portion of the city. But work was already in progress with funds from a 2020 bond issue. Harrison said work has been underway on the first phase of the project.

“The contractor has already laid a pretty substantial bit of pipe, about 2,700 linear feet,” Harrison said.

Surveying and design work was already underway when the city received notice of the grant and the work on Phase 2 will continue with bond funding. Further cast iron line

replacement projects in the Elmore County portion of Tallasse will be funded by the $9.7 million grant.

“We are going through the environmentals at this time,” Harrison said. “With it being grant funds, they have their strict procedures.”

Harrison said the federal government has assigned a consultant to the grant who will go over the process of design, bidding and construction to meet requirements of the grant. The grant covers administration, design and construction of the replacement of cast iron gas lines.

Hill said the city plans to apply for a similar grant to help fund the replacement of cast iron gas lines in the Tallapoosa County portion of Tallassee.

WATER FILTER TREATMENT PLANT

The City of Tallassee’s water filter treatment plant is aging. Harrison said work needs to be done to the plant’s piping gallery system to begin to renovate the aging system. Harrison and Hill are hopeful the city will not have to fully fund the project.

“This has been turned into a state revolving fund loan with ADEM,” Harrison said. “We turned it in last year. Due to the number of applications turned in last year, this application got rolled over into this year;s process. We are hoping some funding has been passed over to ADEM.” Harrison said award announcements should be coming soon.

Hill said the $9.7 million grant will allow the city to reallocate some of the bond funding to the water filter treatment plant projects.

2023 our free and reduced percentage district-wide was 71.65%.”

But just because a student is designated as free or reduced lunch doesn’t mean they choose to eat at school. Wright is expecting history to repeat itself and only a few students not enrolled in summer learning programs take advantage of the meal.

Children will have a chance to get both breakfast from 7 to 7:30 a.m. and lunch from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday through June 29 except June 19.

“All students receive a meal at no charge in coordination with our summer learning program,” Wright said. “All meals must be consumed on site.” During the COVID-19 pandemic several waivers were allowed by the USDA and are no longer permitted.

“We could distribute bulk meals and parents were allowed to pick up meals for their kids,” Wright said. “We have gone back to the traditional summer feeding method as these waivers have expired.”

CLIFF WILLIAMS THE TRIBUNE

Previous improvements to the City of Tallassee sewage system such as the Laney lift station will be connected to the wastewater treatment center during renovation.

God works in places large and small

his people there, including a number of scriptural heroes who were inmates — Joseph, Jeremiah, Silas and Paul come to mind.

prisons and they’re all dark and foreboding. A correctional officer once escorted me from the gym where my class met to a cellblock so I could see it firsthand. I still shudder when thinking about those claustrophobic cells with steel doors.

However, God works in dark places. He sends

My relative told us about his prison ministry. He also told us an interesting story.

A megachurch in the state installed electronic equipment in the facility and began to broadcast their worship services. The downside, he explained, was many local churches had been involved in prison min-

istry for years. Faithful Christians came to lead worship on Sunday, but now these services were poorly attended. The men found it more exciting to watch the long-distance worship services on screen. Times have changed, so I’m sure these local congregations have found other ways to do prison ministry.

The Hartford Institute for Religion Research defines a megachurch as having 2,000 or more congregants on a given weekend. Another study noted the megachurch is a denomination in itself since it doesn’t need denominational support; hence we’ve seen many

churches drop Baptist or Methodist from their names.

I heard the late Robert Schuller at a conference suggesting his church “put the denomination in its place” by listing it on Page 12 of the Sunday worship order. Although the megachurches get a lion’s share of publicity, they remain the minority. The same Hartford study reported some 1,600 megachurches in America, which is about one percent of our 350,000 churches. A leader in my denomination speaks of the “normative-sized church” which has 75 people on Sunday, under-

scoring the growing need for bi-vocational or “tent-making” pastors who have full-time employment and serve the church on a part-time basis.

Every church has a role to play in God’s kingdom, though their roles are different and unique.

It’s possible, but harder to get “lost” in a normative church. If someone is absent, they’re missed, and hopefully contacted. And it’s harder to be inactive since every member is needed to staff various neighborhood ministries.

In a megachurch one can remain anonymous,

and, of course, some worshippers want this to be so for various reasons. And it’s true larger congregations can offer more opportunities for study and service, such as support groups for addictions. “One stop shopping,” as it were. God works in churches large and small, and every congregation should see themselves as partners in serving Christ.

“Reflections” is a weekly faith column written by Michael J. Brooks, pastor of the Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster, Alabama. The church’s website is siluriabaptist. com.

MICHAEL BROOKS Columnist

Elmore County’s Jones uses physicality to her advantage

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

When Raney Jones began playing soccer with girls, she realized it was much different than she was used to. Jones, a senior for Elmore County, began playing soccer in the first grade on an all boys team. She played on the boys team until she was in the seventh grade when she started

Wetumpka’s Worrell moves freely on pitch

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

Brody Worrell has always played defense, but a few new additions to Wetumpka’s soccer team allowed him to showcase some offensive talent this season.

While he is arguably the team’s best defensive player and was the captain for every game, some new defensive additions such as Filipe Batistella and Nate Ryan allowed Worrell to move freely around the midfield.

That showed up both in the team’s results and Worrell’s individual statistics. As the Indians claimed the area championship with a sweep over rival Stanhope Elmore, Worrell scored a career-high 19 goals while adding 12 assists to his teammates.

For his success leading the team, Worrell has been named the 2023 Elmore County Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

“Brody is a confident player, and he brings confidence to everybody on the field when he’s out there,” Wetumpka coach Stephen Horn said. “That’s why he’s always the team leader. When you see 19 goals as a primary defender, that’s just really impressive. The main thing he brings to our team is his defensive ability. He wouldn’t even have to score a single goal for us and he’d still be one of the best players on our team.”

Worrell’s offensive success didn’t just come in the snap of his fingers. Early in the season, he was still focusing primarily on defense. But as he noticed Batistella, Ryan and the Ingram brothers playing better defense and getting shutouts, he slowly found

himself drifting up the field to help with offense. That led to him not having to rush back to help with breakaways, and he was able to stay fresh and keep his legs from getting tired rushing back and forth the entire game.

He played with confidence not only in himself but also in his defense, and that confidence let him be “the best player on the field at any given time, no matter who was playing,” according to Horn.

“Having those guys back there on defense was great,” Worrell said. “They were so good back there and having them back there made me feel like I could move up the field more freely. If it was a counterattack, I knew they’d have the ball and I could be more offensive. I’ve never had a team where I felt like I could move freely and the team was still good everywhere else. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Despite the offensive success and scoring nearly one goal per game from a defensive position, Worrell still wasn’t the typical offensive player.

As teammates Angel Martinez (25 goals) and Austin Holley (21 goals) scored from inside the box and were threats any time they were near the goal and inside the penalty box, Worrell did his damage from outside the box.

Seven of his 19 goals came from penalty kicks, but the remaining 12 came from outside the box. Some came from free kicks, and others came from Holley or Martinez passing the ball back out for a better shot attempt.

Worrell prefers the long shot and said it was more

with nothing but

GIRLS SOCCER TEAM

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

were area championships, a Final Four

and

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

GIRLS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

BOYS SOCCER PLAYER OF THE YEAR

DALTON MIDDLETON | THE TRIBUNE Wetumpka’s Brody Worrell scores on

penalty kick against Stanhope Elmore.

Panthers reach new heights under Pack

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

There hasn’t been much history on the soccer pitch in Eclectic, but that certainly changed in 2023.

The Elmore County boys soccer team, led by coach Josh Pack, wrapped up its best season in program history this month.

The Panthers went 8-6-1, won the first area title since 2017, then won back-to-back playoff games to punch their ticket to the Final Four Tournament in Huntsville.

The Panthers had never won a playoff game in program history before their two wins this year. For those reasons, Pack has been named the 2023 Elmore County Soccer Coach of the Year.

“This year was obviously very special for us,” Pack said. “We had such an awesome group of seniors who gave it their all every single game. We found a way to fight and win when it mattered in our area games, and then in playoff games we really performed well in our gameplans and that’s why we ended up in Huntsville.”

Elmore County’s success certainly didn’t come without adversity. The Panthers were expecting to have a large senior class full of experienced players back on the pitch this year, but then multiple went down with injuries and missed time.

That started before the season when Bryant Duckett, a twoyear starter who was captain of the team, was injured in a car accident and was unable to play the entire year. That was just the start of a slew of injuries.

BOYS

Continued from B1

FIRST TEAM WILL BLOCKER, TALLASSEE SENIOR FORWARD

Riley Swicord, another twoyear starter, tore his ACL in the team’s first area game against Brewbaker Tech. Then Gabe Kelly, the team’s third two-year starter, was diagnosed with mononucleosis and had a swollen spleen. He had to sit on the sidelines up until the final game of the season.

The fourth senior injury came to Zak Campbell, who tore his ACL just 10 minutes into the team’s second round playoff game.

“Losing all of that experience and leadership was devastating to our team, but it really speaks volumes about what we were able to do with those kids who stepped up in places to keep us competitive and able to win games,” Pack said.

JERRY INGRAM, WETUMPKA SENIOR GOALKEEPER

Wetumpka’s goalkeeper finished off his senior campaign with a stellar season in the goal. While recording eight shutouts on the year, he had 106 saves and saved four of the six penalty shots taken against him.

Blocker was the county’s leading scorer a year ago, and he kept up his scoring ways as Tallassee had a stellar year on the pitch. Blocker had 25 goals to nearly match his 28 from a year ago.

IRVIN DELFIN, TALLASSEE SOPHOMORE MIDFIELDER

Delfin, an All-State selection across the entire state, was the county’s top scorer this season. The sophomore found the back of the net 30 times this year and added 11 assists as he helped Tallassee set a school-record 15 wins.

KAIGE FERGUSON, HOLTVILLE SENIOR MIDFIELDER

Ferguson scored five goals and added five assists this season in the midfield, but his impact was much more than the points scored. Ferguson controlled the team through the midfield and helped Holtville to wins through the year.

CURTIS GREENLEE, STANHOPE ELMORE SENIOR DEFENDER

Greenlee was one of the Mustangs top defenders this year and capped off his senior season by helping lead Stanhope to the Class 6A playoffs this year.

LANDON HARRELSON, ELMORE COUNTY

SENIOR DEFENDER

Harrellson was Elmore County’s top defender this season as he helped lead the Panthers to the Final Four for the first time in school history. In the playoffs, Harrelson helped lead Elmore County to two shutout wins in the first two rounds.

AUSTIN HOLLEY, WETUMPKA JUNIOR FORWARD

Holley was a star in the front of Wetumpka’s offense. The junior was named the team’s MVP as he recorded 21 goals and nine assists and was named the Man of the Match four times throughout the year.

JT HOWELL, ELMORE COUNTY GOALKEEPER

Howell had a stellar season in the net for the Panthers. After recording three shutouts in area play in the regular season, Howell bounced back with back-to-back shutouts in the first two rounds of the playoffs as the Panthers reached the Class 5A semifinals.

ANGEL MARTINEZ, WETUMPKA SOPHO-

MORE MIDFIELDER

Martinez was the Indians leading scorer this season as he netted 25 goals and added 11 assists. He won the team’s Golden Boot award, scored a hat trick in the playoffs and won Man of the Match three times.

LOGAN PACK, ELMORE COUNTY SENIOR FORWARD

Pack wrapped up his soccer career with a great season for the Panthers. The high-speed forward scored four goals in the playoffs, including a hat trick, as Elmore County reached the Final Four. He had 16 goals and 12 assists this year.

NATE RYAN, WETUMPKA SENIOR DEFENDER

Ryan was a new face along the Wetumpka defense this season and shined in his role. The senior helped the Indians pitch nine shutouts while he saved a penalty shot and was named the Defensive MVP of the team.

BRODY WORRELL, WETUMPKA JUNIOR MIDFIELDER

Worrell, playing defensive center mid, scored 19 goals and added 12 assists as he was named the 2023 Elmore County Boys Player of the Year. The star junior was a team captain and helped lead Wetumpka to the second round of the playoffs.

JONATHAN WRIGHT, TALLASSEE SENIOR FORWARD

Wright, just like his teammates on this list, had a stellar offensive campaign. The senior took control and used his speed to continuously break away from defenses as he scored 24 goals this year, third best on the team.

HONORABLE MENTION

Elmore County: Midfielder Tate

McNeely, Fr., Defender Zak Campbell, Sr., Defender Jackson Caver, Sr.; Holtville: Midfielder Colt Wesson, So., Defender Nathan Phelps, Sr., Defender Colton Wheeler, Sr.; Tallassee: Midfielder Yuren Rodriguez, Fr., Goalkeeper Trey Bosch, Jr., Defender Grant McCraney, Jr.; Wetumpka: Defender Filipe Batistella, Sr., Midfielder Mark Tessier, Sr., Defender Emerson Ramirez, Fr.; STANHOPE ELMORE: Defender Manny Rocha, Sr., Midfielder Jay Meyers, So.

GIRLS

Continued from B1

FIRST TEAM

The biggest part of having younger and inexperienced kids step up in those roles was Pack not worrying about his win-loss record in the regular season. In any game that wasn’t a close area game, Pack was substituting his JV players in and letting them play sometimes over half the game.

TANIA ALVAREZ, TALLASSEE

FRESHMAN MIDFIELDER

In the team’s first year as a program, Alvarez set the single-season school record with a team-high nine goals this year. The freshman was one of the top offensive players in the county and found herself in the back of the net many times.

ASHLEY BRANTLEY, STANHOPE

ELMORE SENIOR MIDFIELDER

Brantley proved to be one of Stanhope’s most versatile players this season. The senior captain played almost every position on the field as she moved around to wherever the team needed her that game.

JA’NIYAH COUSINS, STANHOPE

ELMORE SOPHOMORE FORWARD

Cousins was the top scorer for the Mustangs’ offense this year. The sophomore striker led the team in goals and was one of the main reasons for offensive success much of the year.

KRISTINA ELMORE, ELMORE COUNTY FRESHMAN FORWARD

Elmore was the Panthers’ second leading scorer this year as she netted 10 goals and added three assists for the beginning of a stellar Elmore County career. She helped lead the Panthers to 59 goals in 13 games.

AINSLEY HARRISON, WETUMPKA SENIOR MIDFIELDER

Harrison had her foot in almost every single goal that Wetumpka scored this season. The senior midfielder scored herself 18 times, but she also assisted on 22 other Wetumpka goals this year. She was named the team’s Midfielder of the Year.

CAROLINE HICKEY, HOLTVILLE SENIOR FORWARD

Hickey proved herself as one of the county’s top overall players this year. Playing all over the field, she scored nine goals for the Bulldogs while adding two assists, and she even recorded 16 saves in the goal for Holtville.

RANEY JONES, ELMORE C OUNTY SENIOR MIDFIELDER

Jones has been named the Elmore County Player of the Year after scoring 30 goals and adding 15 assists to her resume. She was the best player on the field in seemingly every game and capped off a six-year career with a great senior campaign.

He continued doing that the entire season, and even took it a step closer in an area game against Tallassee. With the area championship already locked up, Pack sent his JV out there to play the area game.

Even in the first round playoff game, a 4-0 win over Marbury, Pack sent his JV players out on the field and let them get quality minutes as the game dwindled down to the final buzzer.

“I think it’s critical to make sure that those younger kids are always ready to step in when they’re needed,” Pack said.

“That experience from each game gets them ready to hit the field and be competitive.”

Pack credits a lot of his team’s postseason success to the support from the community. For a sport he says is largely not respected, enjoyed or understood by most people around, the community showed up and supported his team every round.

In the first round playoff game against Marbury, the fans packed the stadium and had the most fans ever at a ECHS soccer game.

When the Panthers punched their ticket to the Final Four, the community rallied behind them and helped get a charter bus to take the kids to Huntsville and back.

“It was really incredible for the kids to see and hear the same thing that the football team is seeing and hearing in the fall,”

“It’s been incredible to see all their hard work, preparation, and sacrifices pay off. Getting to that Final Four was a once in a lifetime thing for these kids, but hopefully it’s the new normal going forward for Elmore County.”

CARLIE LANIER, HOLTVILLE SENIOR FORWARD

Lanier was named Holtville’s Player of the Game three times this year as the Bulldogs’ offense seemingly ran through her every game. The senior scored 18 goals and added 10 assists, good for one goal per game.

MADISON MILTON, WETUMPKA SENIOR GOALKEEPER

Milton was seemingly lights out in the goal for Wetumpka this season. The senior keeper pitched eight shutouts as the Indians claimed the area championship, and she added 40 saves and was named the team’s Defensive MVP.

EMILIE SHAW, ELMORE COUNTY JUNIOR DEFENDER

Shaw was stellar as part of Elmore County’s defensive line and helped lead the Panthers to an area championship. In the team’s 10 wins, only six goals were scored on Shaw and company. In an area game, Shaw scored a goal from midfield.

CARLEE SIDES, ELMORE COUNTY FRESHMAN DEFENDER

Only a freshman, Sides showed she will be a force to be reckoned with on Elmore County’s back line for years to come. She started every game and helped the Panthers allow only four goals in eight area games. She even helped out on offense and added one goal and three assists.

MORGAN SIMS, WETUMPKA

JUNIOR MIDFIELDER

When Sims broke off down the sideline with the ball at her feet, it was almost a guaranteed goal if she got near the box.

The junior star scored 25 goals this year and even added eight assists as she was named the team’s Offensive Player of the Year.

BELLA WATSON, WETUMPKA SENIOR DEFENDER

Watson was one of Wetumpka’s best defenders in each of the last two seasons. The senior helped the Indians to eight shutouts this year as she played in every game this year. She has been the team’s Defensive Player of the Year two years in a row.

HONORABLE MENTION

Elmore County: Forward Emmalyn Morse, 7th., Midfielder Jaylin Taylor, Sr.; Holtville: Midfielder Hailey Phelps, 7th., Midfielder Shelby West, Sr.; Stanhope Elmore: Defender Madeline Espy, Fr.; Tallassee: Midfielder Jhala Anderson, Fr., Forward Aubrey Paggett, Fr., Defender Abril Rodriguez, Jr., Defender Jara Munoz, Fr.; Wetumpka: Forward Marlie Fuller, Sr., Defender Becca Worrell, Sr., Midfielder Jeweliana Holton, Jr.

Elmore County soccer coach Josh Pack, right, poses with son Logan Pack after the team beat Sylacauga 1-0 in the second round of the playoffs and punched their ticket to the Final Four for the first time in school history.

Continued from B1

boys and that’s honestly where I learned to play the game,” Jones said. “Those boys treated me like a boy. They didn’t care that I was a girl. I got pushed around so I just kind of built my aggression and my play style to that. That translated well over to playing with girls.” Jones doesn’t hide the fact she plays physically. She describes herself as the most physical player on Elmore County’s team, and Pather coach Leslie Hines said when she took over the program two

WORRELL

Continued from B1

rewarding to score from deep than it is from point blank range.

years ago, she was warned about it.

But she doesn’t use her physicality in a senseless way. She uses it to her advantage and gets in the other team’s head. After playing physically, opposing teams would get frustrated and make a mistake.

That’s when Jones would strike. Following a mistake, she’d simply dribble around the defender and get into the box. And once she got in the box with an open shot, it was an almost guaranteed goal every time.

“I definitely think once teams realized how physical I was, they’d get frustrated and that led to mistakes,”

“I’ve never been a guy who gets in the box and scores,” Worrell said.

“That’s just not what I do. Scoring outside the box is so much better in my opinion. It’s so rewarding for me. I think it’s better, so I

Jones said. “That would make one defender stab when they shouldn’t, and I’d get the best of them. I dribbled around and out-ran a lot of people for my goals.”

Jones had an impressive senior season, but it could’ve been even better had Elmore County not been in control in most of its games.

Seven of the Panthers’ 10 wins came by three or more goals, and once the lead was established and game was out of reach, Hines sent in her bench players. That usually led to Jones on the sideline, chirping in Hines’ ear to try and get back on the field and keep playing.

try to do it more.”

Worrell is one of the team’s best at taking free kicks, and that showed throughout the year. In the team’s second matchup against Stanhope Elmore, he started the scoring with

But instead of getting back on the field, Jones coached up the younger players and taught them what to do in specific situations to better themselves as players.

“Her competitive drive is really what separates her from other players,” Hines said. “She can and would play all 80 minutes if I allowed her to. Her 30 goals this season could’ve easily been 40, but I subbed her out when we were up big. Trust me, she would be in my ear every game trying to get back in or just coaching and encouraging other girls.” Jones’ Elmore County career was a long one. She started for the Panthers since

a free kick the Stanhope keeper couldn’t even get a hand on. He did that over and over again, and that was due to his preparation. Once his number was called to take any given

she was in junior high, and she remembers her seventh grade season when the team didn’t win a single game.

So when her senior year came around, she knew she had to make her season worthwhile. She treated every game like it could have been her last, and she went out and left everything on the field every game.

“We’re going to miss her and she has left some big shoes to fill,” Hines said. “There may never be another Raney Jones on that field in a Lady Panther uniform. She’s been the backbone of the program for years and is just a dominant player.”

free kick, it was time to shut out the noise.

“If I’m taking a free kick, I just try to slow everything down,” Worrell said. “People will try to talk to me and I’ll just have to shut them out and try to be in my own little world. The way I approach the game is that if you’re not ready mentally, everything is going to go bad physically. I think you just have to get prepared, pick a spot and stick with it.”

JONES

REELTOWN HIGH SCHOOL

Maggie Cannon Magnolia Clay Hailey Cleveland

Logan Dillard

Lamarionna Edwards

Savannah Abrams Charity Absher

Meri Katherine Benton

Laura Bledsoe Demetria Brown

Steven Burns Nathaniel Butler

Gabriel Bertl

Brody Brumbeloe

Zy’Quarius Collins

Allyson Crittenden

Ryan Davis

Aidan Dunn

A’Jaylan Edwards

Dawson Baker

Lucia Escobar

Not Pictured: Nicholas Stoneback

Casen McGinty Conner McKee

Penelope Nonales

Omorion Ponds

Connor Spain Kirstyn Suggs Hope Thomas

Marisa Logsdon

Karleigh Kilpatrick

Lacey Thompson

Allison Fuller

Evan Pargo

Ai’Yonna Kimble

Zaydriana Thompson

Shayden Henderson

Ashton Parker

Brody Ledbetter

Cameron Tubbs

Shamiya Howard

Takeo Potts

Layton Lynn

Tyreanu Waver

George Johnson

Cesar Avalos

Ethan Mask

Johnathan Whatley

Johnny Johnson

Andrew May

Dylan Winslett

William Lamberth

Delayna Tapley

Sean Williford

Kendra McCrory

Mary Ellen Grace Ledbetter

Ashley Flurry

Bettie Ann Gibson Skylar Gordon Hunter Harris

William Higman

Seth Hill Ansley Hinson

Shakira Hutchinson

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Pursuant to Section 32-13-1, Code of Alabama (1975), notice is hereby given to owners, lienholders and other interested parties that the following abandoned vehicle(s) and trailer(s) will be sold at a sealed bid auction to the highest bidder at 8 a.m. on June 14, 2023 at 1414 Gilmer Avenue (intersection of Gilmer Avenue and Littlejohn Drive), Tallassee, Elmore County, Alabama: 1995 Ford pickup VIN 1FTHX25GOSEA53321

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Default having been made in the payment of the indebtedness secured by that certain mortgage executed by Larry Fletcher and Pamela J. Fletcher to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Amerisave Mortgage Corporation, dated November 30, 2010 said mortgage recorded in the of Elmore County, Alabama, in Book 2011, Page 3494 . Said mortgage was subsequently sold, assigned and transferred to Bank of America, N.A. Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the undersigned, Bank of America, N.A., will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash, in front of the main entrance of the Courthouse in Elmore County, Alabama on July 06, 2023, during the legal hours of sale, all of its right, title, and interest in and to the following describe real estate situated in Elmore County, Alabama, to-wit: LOT 32, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT OF MAPLE CREST AT EMERALD MOUNTAIN PHASE II, AS RECORDED IN THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE OF PROBATE OF ELMORE COUNTY, ALABAMA, IN PLAT BOOK 13, AT PAGE 30 and 31. Property Street Address for Informational Purposes: 128 Maple Crest Court Wetumpka AL 36093 Said property will be sold “AS IS”. NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, IS MADE AS TO THE TITLE OF SAID PROPERTY. Said property is subject to any not limited to: any outstanding ad valorem taxes - including taxes which are a lien but not yet due and payable, federal tax liens any matters which might be disclosed by an accurate survey and inspection of the property, any assessments liens, encumbrances, zoning ordinances, restrictions, covenants, and matters

“It will be judged nationally this summer. In June she will go to the state convention for the Department of Alabama VFW. She will pick up a certificate and a $100 award.”

— VFW Auxiliary Post 4572 Wetumpka’s Regena Hight

ECLECTIC SECOND GRADER WINS STATE

VFW ART COMPETITION

By CLIFF WILLIAMS News Editor

Brooklynn Guy has a reason to be proud.

Not only did she win the VFW Auxiliary Post 4572 Wetumpka Illustrating America Patriotic Art Award, but she won the state award as well.

“It will be judged nationally this summer,” VFW Auxiliary Post 4572 Wetumpka’s Regena Hight said. “In June she will go to the state convention for the Department of Alabama VFW.

She will pick up a certificate and a $100 award.”

The contest is broken into two divisions — one for kindergarten through eighth grade that is broken up by grades and a high school division.

Brooklynn won at the local and state level in the second grade. Eclectic Elementary School second-grade teacher

Mitzi Guy isn’t surprised by Brooklynn’s art accomplishments.

“Brooklynn is very creative,” Guy said. “She has painted me pictures before and brought them to me. She is a very sweet little girl.”

Hight and the VFW Auxiliary hold the art competition every year. The group always recognizes the local winners and did so for Brooklynn at the school’s awards day.

Segrest steps down from Elmore County softball

By DALTON MIDDLETON Sports Editor

After four years of leading the Elmore County softball program, Mark Segrest is stepping down as head coach.

Segrest is stepping away from the high school softball ranks. His daughter, Anna Catherine Segrest, just graduated from Elmore County and as she moves on from the high school, so will he.

The Tallassee native has led Elmore County’s program since the 2019-2020 season and was in charge of the Edgewood Academy softball program for 2 ½ seasons prior.

During that time, he led the two schools to a cumulative 221-87-4 record, two state championships at Edgewood and three-straight trips to the state tournament at ECHS.

“The main reason for me stepping down is Anna Catherine graduating and moving on to the next level,” Segrest said. “That’s what ultimately led to my decision. Honestly, about four or five years at one place is probably enough, but I’m very proud of what we accomplished while I’ve been here.”

Much like he did at Edgewood Academy prior to taking the Elmore County job, Segrest completely turned around the Panthers’ softball program. In the three years before Segrest took over, the Panthers had a combined 34 wins.

In his first season as head coach, Elmore County was ranked No. 1 in Class 4A with a 16-3 record before the season was shut down due to COVID-19.

Since then, his Panthers have won 43, 37, and 35 games in each season and have played in the state tournament in Oxford each season. Overall at Elmore County, Segrest has accumulated a record of 131-52-4.

“In three years and one month we’ve had 131 wins,” Segrest said. “These players and seniors have done a phenomenal job turning this program around. I think we’ve certainly established ourselves as one of the most consistent 5A programs in the state.”

At Edgewood Academy, he took over the program midway through the 2017 season when the Wildcats had not won the state championship since 2014.

But in 2018 and 2019, his Edgewood teams went backto-back and won the AISA state championship with a combined record of 90-35.

“Both of the high school programs that I was able to contribute to just needed a different culture,” Segrest

said. “As a coach, that’s the toughest thing to do but we were able to do that at both programs. Sometimes if you have a certain coach, some kids buy in and some don’t but we had enough players and coaches buy in at both places to have a successful program. I’ve been lucky to have a lot of good players and equally as important, a lot of great assistant coaches.”

Segrest loves to win, but he knows his No. 1 job as a coach is to help his players develop and get them to the next level if that is what they want. He’s done that over and over again as he’s sent numerous players to play college softball, including three of his seniors from this Elmore County squad. And while he loves to win, he’s shown he can do so at a high level. Between his time as a player, assistant coach and now head coach, Segrest has won seven state championships. He helped lead Tallassee to three as a player and then two as an assistant coach with Tallassee before his two with Edgewood.

While his state championships will always hold a special place in his heart because of what it means to win it all, his favorite memories at the high school level will be spending time with his players.

“My best memories are just the relationships with my players,” Segrest said. “Just being on the field with my players and competing because we run a very tight ship. It’s a lot of discipline and it’s doing things differently than they’ve done in the past. For those players who stuck it out and took that approach, they made a lot of improvements and I couldn’t be prouder of what’s happened over the last six years total.”

Segrest is stepping away from the high school ranks, but he’s going to stay around softball.

He will coach one more season of travel ball before Anna Catherine joins the Faulkner program in the fall. When she does that, he looks forward to helping and contributing to Faulkner in any way or role he can.

“Honestly, I feel like the luckiest guy in the world,” Segrest said. “I’ve been able to really be Anna Catherine’s only coach since she was 5 years old, and to be around and watch her contribute at Faulkner in some capacity over the next four years means everything to me. She’s always been a really good player, but more importantly she’s always played the game the right way and she will always be my favorite player.”

FILE PHOTO THE OBSERVER

Mark Segrest, with daughter Anna Catherine Segrest after last year’s AHSAA North-South All-Star Game, has stepped down from leading Elmore County softball. His teams recorded a record of 131-52-4

SUBMITTED

About 100 friends of the Albrittons gathered at the church fellowship hall for a dinner to celebrate the growth of the scholarship to $5,000. Presenting the scholarship to Elmore County High School graduate Courtney Sides were Dean and Walter’s grandchildren Sarah and Josh Albritton. Since establishment of the scholarship in 2021, the Dean Albritton Memorial Scholarship has benefited graduating seniors in Montgomery, Elmore and Autauga counties.

Sides awarded Albritton scholarship

CLIFF WILLIAMS | THE OBSERVER

Eclectic Elementary School second grader Brooklynn Guy was recognized by the VFW Auxiliary Post 4572 Wetumpka. Guy won the auxiliary’s, post and state competition in the second grade Illustrating America Patriotic Art.