By Daniel L. Bamberg
One of the most prestigious and anticipated events in Bibb County has come to a close for another year. As every year, the Annual Banquet hosted by the Bibb County Schools Foundation lived up to its reputation. There was entertainment and surprises.
The event was held on Tuesday, November 15 in the West Blocton Middle School Cafeteria. Recently elected State Representative, April Weaver and a familiar face in a new role, Senator Cam Ward (formerly Representative) were on hand for the festivities.
Special guest speaker, the Emmy Award Winning host of “Discovering Alabama,” Dr. Doug Phillips was also on hand.
The evening began with an Invocation by Mike Oakley. This was followed by a touching moment of recognition for beloved local educator, Beverly Brown. She announced her retirement and was honored for her years of service by Bibb County Schools Foundation Chairman, Boozer Downs.
Mrs. Connie Hale presented her Honors Choir Group made up of kids from different parts of the county in different grade levels. They performed two numbers and were seemingly adored by the crowd of community leaders.
Dr. Alesa Judd and Superintendent-Elect Greg Blake also made touching remarks about the Bibb County Public School System. Ward and Weaver also made brief comments. Ward explained he had a special place in his heart for Bibb County Schools and Weaver explained she was Bibb County at heart.
Brent Elementary School Educators Mrs. Susan Young and Mr. Jay Alston introduced everyone to their GEMS (Girls Engaged in Math and Science) team. Just weeks ago this team of highly talented and enthusiastic 4th and 5th graders visited Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. There were given the honor of witnessing the final launch of the Space Shuttle, Discovery. This a reward for all of their effort in researching NASA. Unfortunately for the girls Discovery never launched. In fact it still hasn’t launched.
The GEMS were however in good spirits about it. They showed a brief but highly entertaining video based on their experience in Cape Canaveral.
GEMS hopes to motivate girls to become more active in the fields of advanced math and science, an area where there is still glass to be shattered. These young girls, who continue to maintain an entrance in exploration, fascinated those in attendance.
Following the GEMS County Extension Coordinator Matt Hartzell introduced the celebrity of the night, Dr. Doug Phillips. Phillips came out with a punch line per minute opening. “I just got out of the woods. That’s why I look like I just got out of the woods,” Phillips remarked.
He spoke fondly of Bibb County and those he has met in the Bibb area over the twenty plus years of doing his beloved Public Television Series “Discovering Alabama.” Phillips spoke about his pride to be a part of Alabama and all of it’s natural wonder. “There is not another place in the United States with so much biodiversity as Alabama,” Phillips suggested. “California argues with us, but they are the only state that can.”
He demonstrated the difference in today’s world and the world he grew up in. Vigorously, Phillips expressed his desire to see Alabama remain the rural state that it is. He applauded the Bibb County School System for implementing outdoor education and outdoor classrooms. Phillips then began to talk about maps, which lead to his conclusion.
“When most of us think of maps we think of road maps. That’s not what Alabama looks like; there is another map we should be more familiar with,” he concluded.
With that Phillips unrolled a physical map of the entire state, displaying the mountains, rivers and lakes. When his presentation was complete those in attendance showed their appreciation with thunderous applause.
The evening came to a close with the presentation of 2010-2011 mini grants given by the Bibb County Schools Foundations to help educators in the classroom. The recipients are as follows:
Beck Horton from Bibb County Career Academy was awarded $493.10 for Cosmetology supplies. Melinda Collums of Bibb County High School was presented $500 for an upgrade of laptop computers. Samuel Digler of Bibb County High School received $325 for Psychology supplies. Bibb County High School’s Denis McMillan was awarded $500 for Library Books. West Blocton High School’s Greg Farnetti was presented with $327.94 for a set of lab burners. West Blocton High School’s David Steele received $454.00 for a Probability Kit. Centreville Middle School’s Jacqueline Edwards was presented with $500 for Eye goggle sanitizer. Centreville Middle School’s Nora Hill received $470 for World History DVDs. Centreville Middle School Katie White received $281.69 High Interest Books. West Blocton Middle School’s Pat Locke was awarded $500 for Library Books. West Blocton Middle School’s Robin Tiggs received $499 for Atlas Pack Plus. Brent Elementary School’s Susan Young received $500 for her GEMS program. Randolph Elementary School’s Gretchen Filgo was presented with $305.27 for Library Books. Randolph Elementary Cherie Hickey was given $240 for a leveled book set. Randolph Elementary Sharon Hope was awarded $250 to expand “Essential Skills” Reading Program. Randolph Elementary School’s Jennifer Turner was awarded $500 for 2 Acer laptop computers. West Blocton Elementary School’s Lynn Nelson and Rechelle Wiggins were given $500 for digital cameras and supplies. West Blocton Elementary School’s Steve Lightsey received $500 for basketball goals. West Blocton Elementary School’s Sheila Freeman was presented with $500 for I-Pod with listening center hub.
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