South Scholar Athlete of the Week: Riordan Wyatt

 

Riordan Wyatt was named AL.com's Scholar Athlete of the Week. Click the link below to check out the article!

 

http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/article/1509950010328671752/south-scholar-athlete-of-the-week-riordan-wyatt-homewood-high-school/

 

 

Marta Parker is the Homewood High School Teacher of the Year

AP Spanish teacher Marta Parker was honored as the Homewood High School Teacher of the Year. HHS Principal Dr. Zack Barnes surprised Ms. Parker during a class on November 22. To help present the award in the classroom were Assistant Principals Dr. Tony Lott, Amanda Esslinger, and Latta Johnston.

 

 Marta Parker shares her Teacher of the Year presentation with her AP Spanish students.



 

Dr. Tony Lott, Latta Johnston, Amanda Esslinger, and Dr. Zack Barnes present Marta Parker with the Homewood High School Teacher of the Year award.

 

Sara Hale Crowned Miss Heritage 2014

 

The Miss Heritage pageant was held Saturday, November 23 at a packed Homewood High School auditorium. 64 HHS students, from all four grades, competed in the scholarship pageant, along with 11 escorts entertaining the audience with an annual dance routine that brought down the house. Sophomore Sarah Hale was crowned Miss Heritage 2014, with Anna Laws being named Senior Queen, Mackenzie Yelton named Junior Queen, Annie Livingston named Sophomore Queen, and Mae Dowda named Freshmen Queen. The pageant host was current Miss Alabama, Chandler Champion, with entertainment provided by Miss Tuscaloosa 2014 Cassidy Jacks and HHS's own musical duo, Uneven Ground. The Miss Heritage 2014 was organized by HHS Show Choir teacher Scott Thorne.

 

 Miss Heritage finalists were Mackenzie Yelton, Mae Dowda, Miss Heritage Sara Hale, Anna Laws and Annie Livingston.



 

Homewood sophomore Sara Hale is crowned Miss Heritage 2014

Thorne and Rayford Selected as Benchmark Teachers by ABC's 33/40

 

Click the link below to see Mr. Scott Thorne and Ms.Carolyn Rayford being presented with

 ABC 33/40's Benchmark Teacher of the Week award.

 

 

http://www.abc3340.com/category/220469/benchmark-teacher-of-the-week-winners

 

 

Genny Pittman Signs with Auburn

Genny Pittman signed a Letter of Intent to attend Auburn University ans swim for the Auburn Tigers on November 13. A packed room filled with family, students, faculty and friends witnessed this monumental event in Genny's life. As one of the state of Alabama's best swimmers, Genny is a member of Birmingham Swim League and has competed in the 2012 U. S. Olympic Trials. She is also an honor student at HHS and the President of the Student Government Association. Genny is the daughter of Liz and John Pittman of Homewood.

 

Genny Pittman with her parents and sisters during her Auburn Letter of Intent signing 

 

Genny Pittman signs her Auburn Letter of Intent with BSL coach Brian Wrighton, and her parents John and Liz Pittman watching.

 Boys Cross Country Takes State; Girls Cross Country Finishes Strong

Congratulations to the boys and girls cross country teams.

The girls finished 4th in the 5a state championships with their best race of the year. They were led by Ann Mosely Whitsett.

The boys won their second straight state championship and were led by Andy Smith who was also the individual 5A champion. Hunter Poole, Alex Ngei, Fulton Williams, Mike Rohdy, and Andy Smith were all-state runners.

 

Andy Smith Winning

 

 Top 10 Boys

 

 

Top 10 Girls

 

Homewood’s Wallace Trying to Honor Late 'Stepdad' With His Play

 

Homewood High School's D'Vonte Wallace was featured in a story on AL.com. Click the link below to check it out!

 

 

http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/article/6052021685285240722/homewoods-wallace-trying-to-honor-late-stepdad-with-his-play/

HHS Senior Ian Shackleford Publishes His Second Book

 

 

Homewood High School senior Ian Shackleford has recently published his second novel called, Garnox Rises, which is available for online purchase. Garnox Rises is the first book of a planned trilogy in which Ian is creating an outline. The second in the series will be titled, Shadows of Garnox, followed by the final book of the trilogy titled, Terrors of Garnox.

Ian’s first novel, Apocalypse Neanderthal, was published two years ago, and has been received well, particularly in Europe. His writing passion started with authoring several short stories before attempting to publish his first full length book. In addition to writing, Ian enjoys drawing and illustrating. His future plans are in the field of Anthropology at the college level, while continuing to write.

Daniel Maharrey Named Birmingham News/AL.com Scholar Athlete of the Week

 

http://highschoolsports.al.com/news/article/-7111299330962759702/south-scholar-athlete-of-the-week-daniel-maharrey-homewood-high-school/

 

 

 

 

Where Are They Now? 
Jay Williams

 

 Homewood graduate (class of 2013) Jay Williams is a freshman at Birmingham Southern College in Birmingham. He also is the punter and kicker for the Birmingham Southern JV Panthers. Here are photos of Jay from the October 27 home game against the Huntingdon Hawks. Jay had three punts that traveled over 50 yards, and three kickoffs that went to the end zone. Jay and the JV Panthers will wrap up this season on November 3rd against LaGrange College in Georgia.
 

 Jay Williams Punting

 



 Jay Williams Kicking

 

Jay Williams and Mr. Keim

“Out of the Darkness” Walk

Sunday, November 3^rd

 

The “Out of the Darkness” Walk brings awareness to suicide prevention and provides support for families and friends who have lost loved ones to suicide.  Although the undertone of the walk is a sensitive, heavy issue, the walk itself can be uplifting and meaningful.  The atmosphere is one of remembrance but also of celebration of life.

Net proceeds from the Out of the Darkness Community walks benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), the leading national not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to understanding and preventing suicide through research, education and advocacy, and to reaching out to people with mental disorders and those impacted by suicide.  To learn more about AFSP's mission, research and programs, visit www.afsp.org.

Walk to honor loved ones.  Walk to save lives.

For more information about the 8^th Annual OOTD Walk in Birmingham à http://afsp.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=2321

 

Homewood High School Students Have A Project In Space

 

 



 

A team of Homewood AP Chemistry students were selected to participate in a project entitled “A Comprehensive Evaluation of Microgravity Protein Crystallization” with Dr. Larry DeLucas, Director of the Center for Biophysical Sciences and Engineering at UAB.

Over 90 students from central Alabama representing 10 different schools are participating in both the ground based and flight based experiments. In addition to the ground based research, every school will have the opportunity to fly up to ten different protein samples in space and analyze the results upon their return to Earth. Homewood students visited the Center for Biophysical Sciences and Engineering on October 28, 2013 to prepare their protein crystals for the tentative February launch of the SpaceX-3 unmanned rocket. Their crystals will be allowed to grow in microgravity and will return to Earth for analysis. HHS teacher, Kelly Reaves, will lead these students through this extraordinary opportunity.

Jordan Sims Receives Invitation from the 2014 U. S. Army All-American Bowl

 

 

Jordan and the U. S. Army representatives holding the 2014 game jersey.



 

Jordan sharing the moment with his proud parents, Adrian and Lisa Sims.

 



 

Jordan being congratulated by HCS Superintendent Dr. Bill Cleveland and HHS Principal Dr. Zack Barnes.


Homewood High School's Class of 2014!

HHS Introduces First Patriot Mascot

HHS's first ever Patriot Mascot was introduced at the first Pep Rally of the year on August 30. Cole Fournier plays the part and has energized the crowds at Pep Rallies and on the Friday night sidelines. He's pictured here with senior cheerleader Mary Hannah Hall.

Kate & Mary Hannah Hall honored by
The Birmingham News

Kate and Mary Hannah Hall were named the Birmingham News / AL.com Scholar Athletes of the Week for the week of October 7 - 11.

HHS seniors are National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

HHS National Merit Scholarship semifinalists for 2013 - 2014 are LtoR: David Selden, Sarah Grace McDuff, Jsoh Gardner, Roman Paoletti, and commended students Miller Williams and Yevgeni Gavrikov.

Racquel Williams Crowned 

2013 Homecoming Queen

The 2013 HHS Homecoming Court is LtoR:  Reneisha Smith, Emily Roberts, Hallie Tarpley, Racquel Williams (queen), Katie Potts, Abby Thompson.

Jamaiya Johnson Crowned as Miss Fire Prevention

Jordan Sims and Genny Pittman crowned
Mr. & Miss Homewood

HHS students participate in the Special Olympics

Students from HHS participated in the Special Olympics held at Jack Wood Stadium in Trussville on October 1. The athletes were given a huge pep rally and send off through the halls of HHS. Students, administrators, faculty, cheerleaders and the band cheered these athletes upon their departure from HHS.

HHS senior Genny Pittman commits to Auburn University

HHS senior Genny Pittman has committed to swim for Auburn University next Fall. A member of Birmingham Swim League, Genny qualified for the 2012 Olympic Trials in swimming, and continues her dream to swim in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games..

HHS Cheerleaders Dominate at UCA Camp

The HHS Cheerleaders took the Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) by storm this summer, bringing home numerous team and individual awards. The UCA camp was held May 29 - June 1 at the Beach Club in Gulf Shores, AL.

All three HHS teams won the Spirit Banana the first night of camp.  This award is selected by the UCA staff and goes to the squad that is positive, working hard and having fun. HHS brought home 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies in the home pom, Xtreme routine, sideline, and cheer divisions. Lucy Williams and Kate Hall received pins that were given by the UCA staff and other campers to a select few who were truly making a difference to others around them at camp. Mae Dowda, Hannah Oliver, Lily Thompson, Helen Hall, Katelynn Craig, Kate Hall, Mary Hannah Hall, Riordan Wyatt, and Anna Laws were all selected as All American cheerleaders.

The HHS cheerleading sponsors are Maggie Stoffregen and Holly Drake.

Ms. Rhonda Rush attends C-SPAN conference in Washington, DC

Ms. Rhonda Rush, Social Studies Teacher at Homewood High School, was selected as one of 32 educators from across the nation to attend C-SPAN Classroom’s 2013 Educator’s Conference in Washington, DC.

Mrs. Amanda Esslinger honored by UAB

Mrs. Amanda Esslinger, Assistant Principal at Homewood High School was named UAB’s Education Leadership Department’s Educational Specialist Student of the Year.

Mr. Matt Kiser honored by UWA

Matt Kiser, Assistant Principal at Homewood High School, received the College of Education Emerging Leader Award by the University of West Alabama National Alumni Association.

HHS Environmental Club cleans Shades Creek

The HHS Environmental Club spent a day cleaning and preserving Shades Creek on Saturday, September 28. The club is sponsored by Environmental Science teacher, Melonie McBrayer. 

Uneven Ground to perform at the Hot Strings Festival, October 5, in Homewood.

HHS students Rebecca Feldman and Caroline Sims have formed a musical duo called Uneven Ground. They will debut in their first public performance on Saturday, October 5, at the Hot Strings Festival in Homewood. The festival will be held at Colonial Brookwood Village, and feature many great musical acts.. Tickets for the event are $15, and available in advance at http://www.hotstrings.org/.

Farewell HHS Class of 2013!

Homewood Students Place First in Mercedes Marathon Relay

Homewood High School seniors Maggie Williams, Mary Claire Nabors, Drew Shroyer, Grace Kyle and Patricia Flach placed first in the high school division of the Mercedes Marathon Relay in February.

[caption id="attachment_413" align="aligncenter" width="618"] LtoR: Maggie Williams, Mary Claire Nabors, Drew Shroyer, Grace Kyle and Patricia Flach[/caption]

Homewood Marching Band Performs at Target VIP Opening in Homewood

 

Homewood High's National Honor Society Inductees Honored

Homewood High School honored its newest members of the National Honor Society on March 5, 2013. Students being honored were Nick Anderson, Chandler Bledsoe, Adair Blomeley, Johnathan Brown, Madison Collins, Alexis Crenshaw, Owen Ferguson, Josh Gardner, Yevgeniy Gavrikov, Thomas Gordon, Elizabeth Hale, Kate Hall, Caroline Harris, Emily Harrison, Phil Hontzas, Keyonna House, Mary Margaret Jackson, Sadie Johnson, Merrill Johnston, Franny Kyle, Brett Leondike, Trina Mampuya, Sarah Grace McDuff, JP McLeod, Roman Paoletti, Judith Paz, Genny Pittman, Katie Potts, Adam Pratt, David Selden, Chris Simpson, Meredith Smith, Aaron Stansell, Hallie Tarpley, William Walker, Adam Westfall, Miller Williams and Riordan Wyatt. The honors was presented by the current NHS officers Zach Blomeley, Ann Casey Hughes, Maggie Williams, Grant Smith and Brent Hughes, as well as HHS Assistant Principal Latta Johnston. The event was produced by HHS National Honor Society sponsors Kelly Reaves and Melinda Rouleau.

Homewood Presents Black History Program

Homewood High School History teacher Ms. Carolyn Rayford addresses the packed HHS auditorium during the recent Black History Program. The guest speaker for the event was 1991 HHS graduate and Birmingham City Councilor Jay Roberson, seated to the left of Ms. Rayford.

 

Birmingham City Councilor Jay Roberson speaks to the students and faculty recently at Homewood High School's Black History Program, produced and organized by Ms. Carolyn Rayford.

 

Front LtoR: Ms. Carolyn Rayford, Keonna Wicks and Maggie Williams.Back LtoR: Mr. John Dedrick, Anthony Broach, Genesis Barco, Birmingham City Councilor Jay Roberson, Madison Collins and Phelecia Knight.

 

Birmingham City Councilor Jay Roberson speaks to the students and faculty recently at Homewood High School's Black History Program, produced and organized by Ms. Carolyn Rayford.[/caption]

Michael Lummis Named Scholar Athlete of the Week

Homewood Student Wins American Legion Oratorical Contest

Homewood High School sophomore Jessica Tolbert has been recognized as the winner of the 2013 American Legion 21st District Oratorical Contest on February 23, 2013. In addition to being awarded a Gold Medal, Tolbert was also awarded a certificate of participation and a $200 award. By finishing in first place at the district level competition, Tolbert will now go on to represent the 21st District of the American Legion in the Division level competition on March 23, 2013. "It's a great honor.", says HHS AP English teacher Lisa Thomas.

 

As a student at Homewood, Tolbert also participates on the HHS Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field teams, Competitive Debate Team, Teen Court member, and is a member of the American Legion Auxillary. She is the daughter of Tyrone and Miriam Tolbert of Homewood.

Homewood City School's "The M Club 2013" Smashes Records

On Sunday, February 17th over 100 employees and friends of HCS participated in the Mercedes Marathon event.  20 relay teams joined forces to complete the 26.2 miles while 26 half-marathoners completed the 13.1mile course.  This record-breaking performance was organized as part of The Movement-HCS wellness program.  The Mercedes team,  "The M Class 2013",  is the largest number of Mercedes finishers we have had in our four years of existence.  Several personal records were accomplished including numerous participants who participated in their first ever road race.  The Movement continues to model wellness for our community.  The next road race on our calendar is the Spirit Scamper on May 4th at Homewood High School. Training teams are currently forming including all levels of fitness.  If interested, please contact Nivada Spurlock at nspurlock@homewood.k12.al.us. Registration and race day information is available at www.spiritscamper.com.

Lady Patriots Leadership Honors Student-Athletes

Homewood High School's Lady Patriots Leadership organization honored their first semester student-athletes during a breakfast at HHS on February 20. Lady Patriots Leadership is led by Carol Chesnutt and Holly Drake. The guest speaker for the event was Ms. Derita Racliffe, Senior Associate Athletic Director & Senior Woman Administrator at UAB.

 

Honors went to the HHS Lady Patriots Indoor Track Team for being the AHSAA 5A State Runner-Up. Members of the team are: Chandler Bledsoe, Lauren Collins, Rachel Donaldson, Alexia Dugger-Maye, Abby Esparza, Lacey Farley, Elysa Griffin, MAry Margaret Jackson, Maiyah Lee, Nicole Leondike, Hunter Midgett, Allison Putman, Victoria Reyes, Elizabeth Riley, Peyton Ross, Camille Smith, Mary Virginia Spencer, Alex Studdard, Jessica Tolbert, Ann Mosely Whitsett, Kiara Williams, Kelly Young, and are coached by Rebecca Phillips and Josh Donaldson.

 

The Lady Patriots basketball team was honored for being the AHSAA Area Runner-Up. Members of the team are: Sarah Blake, Maya Cook-Stroupe, Alex Dalton, Anna Frierson, Dejane Hester Taylor, Maiyah Lee, Alex Studdard, Taylor Swinton, Kiara Williams, Kelly Young, and are coached by JoVanka Ward.

 

The Academic Honors Recognition was given to the student-athletes that achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher for the first semester. Student-athletes earning a 3.0 GPA or better were: Morgan Abney, Taylor Alford, Syndey Allen, Cassidy Anderson, Lindsey Angel, Aimee Bals, Hannah Beckering, Grace Bertram, Madison Billingsley, Sarah Blake, Chandler Bledsoe, Blair Brown, Cason Caldwell, Laura Carlton, Sloan Chaney, Carmen Chappell, Maya Cook-Stroupe, Katelyn Craig, Alex Dalton, Haley Dakin, Rachel Donaldson, Elizabeth Drummond, Rileigh Eaton, Abigail Esparza, Rebecca Feldman, Katherine Fitzpatrick, Patricia Flech, Kailyn Gibbs, Emily Grant, Elysa Griffin, Helen Hall, Kate Hall, Mary Hannah Hall, Olivia Harmon, Caroline Harris, Madison Hendrix, Samantha Hernandez, Ali Holder, Elizabeth Hornady, Zoe Hughes, Anna Jeffcoat, Sadie Johnson, Percey Johnstone, Kensie Kile, Grace Kyle, Anna Laws, Amanda Le, Nicole Leondike, Annie Livingston, Caroline Livingston, Hunter McGarity, Kitana McGuire, Samantha Nelms, Annie Patterson, Haley Pendley, Abby Poole, Abbie Prutzman, Allison Putman, Courtenay Pyburn, Katie Rada, Elizabeth Riley, Emily Roberts, Erin Roberts, Allison Rohdy, Shelley Roman, Peyton Ross, Abby Ruggiero, Katherine Schablow, Olivia Shull, Caroline Sims, Maizie Smalley, Stella Smith, Giana Stallworth, Sydney Steed, Melanie Thompson, Savannah Trammell, Jaylon Underwood, Sara Valentine, Sara Valentine, Laura Wagstaff, Haley Waites, Sarah Wales, Aubrey Wallace, Katelyn Wright, Riordan Wyatt and Mackenzie Yelton.

 

Student-athletes earning a 4.0 GPA or better were: Adair Blomeley, Lauren Collins, Madison Collins, Charlesy Crocker, Katherine Gardner, Emily Harrison, Ann Hassett, Ann Casey Hughes, Mary Jackson, Elizabeth Keith, Anna Lee Nabors, Mary Claire Nabors, Katie Potts, Victoria Reyes, Laine Smith, Megan Spade, Mary Spencer, Jenna Sakawi, Hallie Tarpley, Jessica Tolbert, Maggie Williams, Ellie Wood.

Homewood's Miller Williams Attends Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC

Homewood High School junior Miller Williams braved the huge crowd and cold temperatures in Washington, DC to attend the 2nd term Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama in January. The event will certainly be a highlight of his high school journey. "I have become very interested in government and public policy, so it was an incredible experience to witness an amazing piece of history first-hand." says Williams. "I worked in Washington, DC this past summer for Senator Richard Shelby and grew interested in government and politics. I was able to receive inauguration tickets from Senator Shelby, and I went with my parents. It was truly the experience of a lifetime witnessing the greatest transition of power in the world." Williams is the son of Scott and Laura Williams of Homewood.

Basketball Teams Earn Big Success This Season

The Homewood Patriots varsity basketball teams continued their winning traditions by finishing strong this season. The Patriots boys, head coached by Tim Shepler, won the 5A Area 9 Championships and finished with a 26 - 7 record this season. Their season ended in a thrilling 46 - 44 overtime loss in the state sub regional in which the Patriots were down by 16 at the half. Seniors who led the Patriots this season were Kelvin Bradford, Michael Lummis, CT Mizerany and Zack Johnson. Returning players are excited about continuing their success next season, and compete for regional and state titles.

 

The Lady Patriots, head coached by JoVanka Ward, finished the season with a 14 - 13 record, and the 5A Area 9 Runner-up. With no seniors on this year's team, the Lady Patriots excelled through the leadership and play of Kiara Williams, Alex Studdard, Kelly Young, Anna Frierson and Sara Blake. Looking to be even stronger next season, Coach Ward and the Lady Patriots look to be one of the state's top teams.