Homewood's Justin Hardy Verbally Commits to JSU

Homewood High School senior Justin Hardy has verbally committed to play footbal at Jacksonville State University this Fall. Hardy made the committment during a visit to JSU in January. Hardy was dominating as a running back for the Patriots, leading them to a 9-2 record this season. He plans to sign his Letter of Intent to attend JSU on February 6.

Homewood High School Show Choir Takes Top Honors in Mississippi

The Homewood High School Show Choir took Grand Champion honors at the South Jones Invitational in Mississppi on January 26. The Legacy Show Choir won 1st Runner Up in the Women's Division. The Network won 1st runner up in the preliminary competition, then went on to win Grand Champion, Best Vocals, Best Choreography and Best Show Design in the Finals. Show Choir teacher/director Scott Thorne was extremely pleased with their success. "I'm real happy at how well we did, and look forward to getting better and better each week.", Thorne says.

 

Homewood Band Members Honored for Excellence

Two members of the Homewood High School Band were selected to All State and District IV HS Honor Band. These honors went to Joey Crittendon (Tenor Sax) and Bennett Valentine (Bassoon). Two Homewood Middle School students selected as alternates were Hannah Alford (oboe) and Brandon Whitworth (tuba). Eight students total were selected to the District IV Middle School Honor Band. These honors went to Hanna Alford and Lizzy Haywood (Oboe), Carter Cabe (Clarinet), Will Pence (Trumpet), Brandon Whitworth and James Kirk (Tuba).Ron Pence leads the high school band, while Terrance Cobb leads the middle school band. "I am very proud of ALL the students who put forth the extra time and effort to just tryout.", says Cobb. " Hard work does pay off, and I hope all of you realize the reward is not just in whether or not you made All State. The reward/growth of a musician isn't just measured in a single audition, but every moment in the practice room that it took to get there!"

Environmental Club Volunteers at Salamander Festival

Members of the Environmental Club Volunteered at the Salamander Festival in Homewood. The club is sponsored by Melonie McBrayer.

[caption id="attachment_314" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] LtoR: Walt Dipiazza, Rob Johnston, Jacob Helf, Chris Campbell and Hallie Feldman.[/caption]

Key Club Leadership Abounds at Homewood High School

Student leadership is nothing new at Homewood High School, but this year, it is particularly abundant. The HHS Key Club is what senior Will Palmisano calls the “center of the Key Club universe,” with students holding Key Club offices throughout the state and country. “We have an unprecedented concentration of leadership here at Homewood,” Palmisano says. Palmisano serves in two positions at the state level: the District Governor of Alabama and Lieutenant Governor of Division 5 (Birmingham area). “It’s the first time that someone from Alabama has held both positions at the same time.”

 

In addition to Palmisano, senior Rebecca Riley serves as the International Key Club President. Officers from around the country report to Riley about activities and progress, while sophomore Caroline Sims serves as Lieutenant Governor of Division 10 (Talladega and surrounding area).

 

The Alabama District of Key Club has been very active in the Keeping Promises Campaign for the new Benjamin Russell Children’s Hospital, a Children’s Miracle Network hospital in Birmingham. The district’s five-year goal of raising $150,000 was realized and exceeded this January, just two months short of the five-year mark of its original pledge. This donation funded the building and furnishing of a teen activity room and a pediatric waiting room in the new hospital.

 

Key Club is just one level of a group of organizations headed by Kiwanis International. The groups include Kiwanis and Kiwanis Young Professionals for adults, Circle K for college students, Key Club for high school students, Builders Club for middle schoolers, and Aktion Club for citizens with disabilities. Collectively, these organizations comprise what is commonly known as the "K-Family"

 

On the international level, the Kiwanis is working to rid the world of maternal and neonatal tetanus with its Eliminate Project. Kiwanis, which has partnered with UNICEF on the project, aims to raise $110 million to vaccinate 61 million mothers and their future babies against tetanus spores commonly found in third-world countries where sanitation and healthcare are poor.  If it succeeds in its goal, Kiwanis will have wiped 40+ countries of the blight of tetanus by 2015.

 

By taking posistions as state and international leaders in Key Club, these Homewood students have made it their mission to build their homes, schools, and communities through service. While it is exciting to have so much leadership at Homewood, all three students maintain that what they are most excited about inspiring those around them to take pleasure in the service of others. The future holds great possibilities for the HHS Key Club. 

[caption id="attachment_310" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] LtoR: Rebecca Riley, Caroline Sims and Will Palmisano[/caption]

Maggie Moore Crowned Miss Heritage at Homewood High School

Homewood High School sophomore Maggie Moore was crowned the 2013 Miss Heritage during the pageant on January 19, 2013. Melissa Dameron-Vines produced and directed the pageant, while Angela Gant was the master of ceremonies. Class Princesses crowned were senior Symone Shaw, junior Caroline Harris, sophomore Joy Korley, and freshman Sarah Hale.

[caption id="attachment_304" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] LtoR: Caroline Harris, Sarah Hale, Maggie Moore, Joy Korley and Symone Shaw.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_303" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Maggie Moore, Miss Heritage 2013[/caption]

Homewood Catcher Signs with Wallace State Hanceville

Homewood High School catcher Luke Porter signed a scholarship to play baseball at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, Alabama on January 22, 2013. Luke is the son of Eddie and Angie Porter of Homewood. The signing was attending by many of Luke's teammates and friends, as well as his parents, grandmother and coaches. Wallace State Coach Adam Scott says they plan to continue playing Luke in the catcher position. Currently, there are four former Wallace State Hanceville baseball players playing at the professional level. Luke says he is happy the signing is behind him, so he can lead the Patriots to the 5A State Championship in May.

Congratulations, Luke!

[caption id="attachment_300" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] LtoR: Wallace State Hanceville coach Adam Scott, Luke Porter, mother Angie Porter, father Eddie Porter, and Homewood baseball coach Doug Gann.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_299" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] LtoR: Wallace State Hanceville Coach Adam Scott, father Eddie Porter, Luke Porter, mother Angie Porter, and Homewood baseball Coach Doug Gann.[/caption]

Homewood Junior Madison Collins Wins Unity Essay Contest

Madison Collins was recognized at the Martin Luther King Unity Breakfast as the winner of the event's essay contest. Madison won $1500.00 for her winning essay. Madison shared her winning essay during the breakfast.

Read more at the link below:

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/01/homewood_senior_madison_collin.html

Congratulations, Madison!

Symone Shaw to Play Volleyball at Troy

Congratulations to Symone Shaw for signing a volleyball scholarship with Troy!

Follow the link for an article about Symone and her future volleyball career at Troy.

http://troytrojans.com/news/2013/1/23/WVB_0123133607.aspx

Students Chosen for Art Exhibit

Walt Dipiazzla, Abigail Noble, and Adam Westfall have artwork in Montgomery for the Superintendents Art Exhibit. It will hang until the end of February. Dr. McDonald had 2 oil paintings accepted into Women Painters of the Southeast exhibit in Nashville, Tennessee. The show will hang the month of April and May. In conjunction with the show in Nashville, Dr. McDonald will have a painting (with other artists) in the April edition of "Fine Art Connoisseur."

Congratulations to Dr. McDonald and the art students!

Scholars Bowl Team Wins State Championship

Scholars Bowl team won the History Bowl state championship. The team was undefeated in  6 rounds of play. Please give a high five to Sammy Jane-Aksen (team captain), Eden Harris, Aaron Ragsdale, Jonathan Brown, and Jordan Blow when you see them. Sammy was in the top 3 in the individual tournament. This qualifies the team to go to Washington DC in April.

[caption id="attachment_322" align="aligncenter" width="426"] LtoR: Johnathan Brown, Sammy Jane-akson, Jordan Blow, Eden Harris and Aaron Ragsdale[/caption]

Homewood High School Students Make Bullying Their Priority

The term “Bullying” has many different meanings, faces and descriptions. At some point in our lives, each of us have experienced bullying in some form, either as a victim, being the bully, or even being both. Movies have exposed bullying in today’s culture through such films as “Mean Girls” and “The Breakfast Club”, and even through Christmas classics such as “A Christmas Story”. It’s a culture that is as old as time, but some Homewood High School are learning to identify the cause and effects of bullying.

HHS teacher, Megan Laney, is having her 1^st period class participate in a group project that helps these students to identify the issues around bullying. Each student has specific tasks to complete that will expose these issues in all areas. Through definitions, examples, video clips, printed articles, testimonials and interviews, these students are working hard to produce a project that brings helpful information to their classmates and the entire HHS student body.

Students participating in the bullying project are Jacob Bouma-Sims, William Faust, Paul Jones and Matthew Lett.

Students Enjoy the Snow

[caption id="attachment_279" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] LtoR: Sloan Chaney, Caitlin O'Hare, Mary ClaireNabors, Alex Andrews, Ellie Wood, Charlesy Crocker and Katy Rada.[/caption]



 



Students enjoyed the snow day on January 17, 2013. Many classes built snowmen and made snow angels.

HHS Hosts the Outrun Cancer 5k Run on January 26

Many of us have set our resolutions to get in shape. There is an excellent opportunity to get it started. The Outrun Cancer 5K run is scheduled on January 26, 2013 here at Homewood High School. The proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. This is a fun run so all are welcome to join. Student volunteers from the HHS Interact Club, Beta Club, Key Club, Culinary and ROTC will be helping with the set up and running of the race. Cost is $25, which includes a t-shirt. For registration visit: www.BhamOutRunCancer.org . If you have any questions, please contact Justin Cannady at jcannady@homewood.k12.al.us!

Coach Nick Saban Visits Homewood High School

University of Alabama head football coach Nick Saban visited with Coach Doug Goodwin to discuss recruiting at Homewood High School on January 15.

Football Players Recognized at Awards Banquet

 

The football banquet was held on January 9, 2013. The following players received awards:

Captains:  Luke Porter and Zach Sims

Offensive MVP:  Justin Hardy

Defensive MVP:  Mark Rawls

Best Offensive Lineman:  Zach Sims

Best Offensive Back:  Justin Hardy

Best Receiver:  Dvonte Wallace

Best Defensive Lineman:  Jesus Gallardo

Best Linebacker:  Mark Rawls

Best Defensive Back:  Devonta Barnfield

Best Special Teams Player:  Aaron Avery

Practice Player of the Year:  Johnny Scott

Patriot Award:  Luke Porter

Academic Award:  Conner Peterson

 

The Iron Bunch award went to players who didn't miss a practice all year.

 

Iron Bunch:

Walter Rutledge

Tyrone Carr

Greg Coates

Orlando Swann

Brett White

Caine Kadle

Daniel Maharrey

Taylor Alford

Will Jones

Terrell Billups

Tripp Moss

Conner Rivers

Robert Fittro

Derrick Underwood

Turner Gaines

Jordan Edwards

Braxton Mann

Forrest Gaines

Kaelan Henry

Montell Davis

Zach Johnson

Conner Peterson

Mark Rawls

JR Lester

Aaron Avery

Nick Baskin

Jeremiah Dunham

Mike Hawkins

Morris Scott

Ingram Easter

Jesus Gallardo

Denis Ngei

Breon Bilal

Johnny Scott

Dixon Simmons

Will Gibbons

JP McLeod

Griffin Gentry

Homewood’s Laith Duhhan Works to Fulfill His Dream

Homewood High School soccer player, Laith Dahhan, was selected to represent the State of Alabama at the College Showcase in Winston-Salem, NC,  for the Olympic Development Program.

 

The mission of the Olympic Development Program (OPD) is to identify elite level players and facilitate their selection to the U. S. National Team programs. It allows the best players to further their development as soccer players. 

After playing against nationally ranked opponents, Laith was excited to have the opportunity. “I was truly unable to grasp the fact that, after a short six hour drive, I would be playing at the highest level of soccer in my life. I wish more than anything to continue down this path to become a professional soccer player. Without the support of my family, and the most crucial and unique training offered by coaches Sean McBride, Greg Bassett and Robert Domingez, I wouldn’t be near this level.” Laith also sights the Homewood Soccer Club as a top level soccer training club, and that the dedication of his coaches has been a huge influence in his life.

Laith believes the OPD  competition will inspire him to succeed in all areas of his future. He is looking forward to another  College Showcase taking place in Decatur, AL in March.

Maggie Williams Performs with the U. S. Army All-American Band

Homewood High School senior student, Maggie Williams. performed with other elite high school band members on the U. S. Army All-American Marching Band. Maggie spent a week in San Antonio rehearsing for their appearance at the U. S. Army All American Bowl on January 5, 2013. Maggie is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Jim Williams of Homewood.

Three Homewood Patriots selected to the ASWA All State Team

The Homewood Patriots had a tremendous football season in 2012, finishing 9-1 in the regular season and a berth in the state playoffs. Leading the Patriots were three players who have been recognized as three of Alabama's best 5-A players this season.

 

Senior Jay Williams and junior Jordan Sims were honored as Alabama Sports Writers Association 1st Team All State selections. Williams was a standout punter and defensive lineman. Sims is a standout offensive lineman with his senior season still ahead.

 

Senior Zach Sims was also honored as an ASWA Honorable Mention selection. Sims was a standout center for the Patriots in 2012. Sims also participated in the Alabama - Mississippi All-Star game in December.

Patriot Boys Varsity Team Win Metro Independent Tournament

The Homewood Patriots boys varsity basketball team, led by senior guard Kelvin Bradford, won the Metro Independent Tournament held at Homewood High School December 27 - 31, 2012. Area teams participating included Mountain Brook, Pelham and Vestavia. The Patriots beat Mountain Brook in the championship game after going undefeated in the tournament. Bradford (pictured) was awarded the Most Valuable Player award, while other standout players included Michael Lummis, Parker Smith, and Malik Cook. The Patriots are coached by Tim Shepler.

Zach Sims Featured in All Star Game

Homewood High School senior football player, Zach Sims, participated in the Alabama – Mississippi 26^th Annual All-Star Game on December 15, 2012. The game showcases the best high school football players from each state at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, AL. For the first time in its 26 game history, the AL – MS All-Star Game hosted college coaches to evaluate players for collegiate consideration. Zach was one of only six Birmingham area athletes who competed  in this year’s event.

 

[caption id="attachment_237" align="aligncenter" width="768"] Zach Sims of Homewood High School snaps the football during the Alabama – Mississippi All-Star Game in December.[/caption]