The coach said the Houston Comets’ players Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson were big role models for her growing up, along with a few high school and college basketball coaches that treated her with care, kindness, and made sure she was taken care of on and off of the court. Smith’s own desire to be a coach was inspired by seeing her younger sister fall in love with the sport. This aspiration to help others grow in passion and skill in basketball, along with Smith’s love of children, led her to accept a position as physical education assistant at Wetumpka Middle School in 2021.“Transitioning from Wetumpka Middle School to The Calhoun School was a culture shock at first, as coaching middle school girls and high school girls is very different,” described Smith. “But after the first few weeks, I felt like I was where I was supposed to be. The varsity girls, the other coaches, and the administration were so welcoming and helped me feel I was at home there.”  In her new role, Smith will teach history for the 9th and 10th grade.  Last year she taught English. Smith said she enjoys teaching, and is ready to have fun with her classes. The other teachers are very supportive, Smith noted, and help her navigate the new classes. Smith expressed appreciation for their dedication and assistance.   As a teacher and coach Smith relies on her ability to relate with the students and build strong bonds so they can trust her to guide them in the sport, and in life. She wants them to know that she cares about them and will do anything she can to help them. “Even though she is new to teaching, she has a passion for the game and a love for the students; they are drawn to her,” said Mr. Nicholas Townsend, principal of The Calhoun School. “Her willingness to learn from those around her, and her humbleness to accept criticism is what we were looking for. She has the students on her side, and that’s a big thing.”

Smith has an ambitious outlook for the girls varsity team this year.“The first goal is to get the girls in shape,” shared Smith, “the second goal is hitting the books and their schoolwork, the third goal is winning as many games as they can. Then it’s on to winning the area championship, then sub-regionals, regionals, and eventually state. But the ultimate goal is to be better than we were last year.”  Smith said she is grateful to The Calhoun School and the Lowndes community for trusting her with this opportunity and for believing in her as a coach. She hopes the community will come out and support the varsity girls basketball games, and knows it means so much to the girls when they do. “I’m ready, and looking forward to a great year. Go Tigers!” she said.

Original article from Lowndes Signal.

“We’re definitely getting a lot of great response from the community, and I feel really blessed to have that,” Varner said. “It’s going very well. We’re getting a lot of referrals and patients are transferring in.”

“Usually, the summer is a little more of a lull time, with families on vacation and kids out for the summer, but we’re seeing a variety of things,” she said.

Originally from Wetumpka, Varner earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Auburn University at Montgomery in 1997. She obtained a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of South Alabama in Mobile in 2001, the same year she began practicing.

She spent the better part of a decade in Florida, living and working in Panama City Beach, Ocala and Jacksonville. Varner relocated to Chelsea in 2020, a community she said she has come to view as her adopted hometown. Varner considers pediatrics her calling and decided to open her clinic in her community since, despite its recent growth, there were few pediatric care options in the area.

“Pediatrics has always been a huge interest of mine. I’ve always felt drawn and led to what is pretty much my life’s calling to serve the pediatric population,” she said. “There is never a dull day and you’re entertained 24/7.”

Joining Varner at Pediatric Care of Chelsea is Dr. Edward Daugherty, a doctor of osteopathic medicine with more than 20 years of experience as a physician in the area. “Dr. Daugherty is very well-known in the Chelsea community,” Varner said. “He has been established here for decades… he has extensive experience in emergency medicine, primary care and sports medicine. He earned a doctorate in exercise physiology, with a minor in cardiac rehabilitation, from West Virginia University in 1986, and he currently serves as an oral examiner for the AAPS emergency medicine board examinations.”

Original article from 280 Living.

The Lincoln Lawyer Award for Character was awarded to Kendal Walker of Madison, Alabama. Walker received her B.S. degree from Auburn University at Montgomery. Walker has been a student leader in her three years at LMU. She has served as President of the Black Law Students Association; Treasurer of the Women of the Law Society; Competition Chair and competitor for the Mock Trial Program; and as a member of the Watson, Jr. Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta.

“Kendal approaches every situation with grace. Like the rest of her classmates, there have been times in law school when Kendal has faced adversity, experienced hard times, or just had a bad day,” said Dean Lyon. “When these less-than-ideal circumstances have presented themselves, Kendal always takes the high road. She lifts others up and shows endless compassion and concern for all those around her.”

Original article from Middlesboro News.

Burroughs said it has been an honor to serve the Lowndes County schools and children. Some of the accomplishments Burroughs achieved during his time as superintendent include: The Lowndes County Schools removal from the Alabama Department of Education’s “failing schools list”, instating the Modern Manufacturing Program for career tech students, establishing a Lowndes County Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG) program, Certification programs for medical lobotomy, EKG, and medical assistant training, creating a new middle school football team and a female volleyball team. Burroughs said there is an increase in participants in each program and he’s confident they will continue after he retires.

He leaves the Lowndes County schools system in good hands with upcoming Interim Superintendent Ms. Samita Jeter. Jeter said she and Burroughs attended college together at Alabama State and that he has truly been her friend. “He is an awesome leader, and a good and faithful servant,” said Jeter. “Mr. Burroughs should retire with his head held high knowing he did a wonderful job as superintendent.”

For the last 31 years, Burroughs has served in the Alabama Air National Guard meeting for drill two weeks a year. He is now transitioning to an active duty position and will be serving the guard full time. When he is not working with the National Guard, Burroughs plans to spend time with his family, and enjoy fishing and hunting more.

Upon retirement, Burroughs plans to step back and let the new school administration pave their own path, but in the future, he looks forward to returning for visits and will always be available as a mentor for the new superintendent.   “Lowndes County Schools has been a home away from home,” said Burroughs. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent here, and I hope that I was able to reach the children and make an impact on their lives. I want to thank the community for their support these many years. I have truly been blessed.”

Original article from Lowndes Signal.

Founded in 1975, YAP is a national nonprofit with offices in Alabama and 34 other states and the District of Columbia. The organization partners with youth justice, child welfare, behavioral health, public safety, and other systems to provide community-based services that provide more effective, economical, and equitable alternatives to youth incarceration and residential care and keep neighborhoods safer.

As National Director of Policy and Governmental Affairs, Mayor Ragland will help strengthen YAP’s position as an informed resource for bipartisan efforts to bring communities innovative, evidence-informed family-centered youth justice, child welfare, adult re-entry, behavioral health, and neighborhood safety services. YAP’s unique wraparound services model relies on neighborhood-based staff who work with youth and families in their homes, schools, and neighborhood sites. Community-based YAP staff empower program participants by connecting them to accessible tools to improve their economic, educational, and emotional wellbeing.

John Jay College of Criminal Justice research found 86 % of YAP’s youth justice participants remain arrest free, and six – 12 months after completing the program, nearly 90 % of the youth still lived in their communities with less than 5 % of participants in secure placement.

Mayor Ragland became Talladega’s first African American mayor and youngest in the last century in a history-making runoff election on November 4, 2019. A native of Talladega, he is a graduate of Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, Auburn University at Montgomery in 2017, and Marion Military Institute. Mayor Ragland received an honorable discharge from the United States Army Reserve after eight years of service. Representing the city during and post-pandemic, Mayor Ragland has advanced a community-centered plan that prioritizes social services that support education and workforce development. He serves as a member of the African American Mayors Association, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, Cities United, the Mayors’ Alliance to End Childhood Hunger, and NewDEAL Leaders. Mayor Ragland is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Original article from YAP, Inc.

While Carter is a young coach, she brings a plethora of knowledge and experience with her, as well. Carter played for Knight at Jeff Davis in the late 2000s, earning 5A-6A Metro Player of the Year, All-State and 6A Central Region MVP honors. She finished her high school career with more than 1,000 points, 400 rebounds and 200 steals.  Carter continued her basketball career at Northwest Florida State College, averaging 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals per game as a sophomore. She then transferred to Auburn University at Montgomery. Despite suffering a significant knee injury in her very first game, Carter went on to become one of the most prolific players in AUM history.  She returned to the court in 2014 and earned NAIA All-American Honorable Mention along with winning SSAC Newcomer of the Year and First-Team All-SSAC honors. She ranked second in the entire NAIA in steals and 24th in assists, averaging 13.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.1 assist and 3.4 steals per game.   As a senior, Carter earned First-Team NAIA All-America, First-Team All-SSAC, SSAC Player of the Year, SSAC Defensive Player of the Year and NAIA National Player of the Year honors as she averaged 20.8 points, 3.8 steals and 5.1 assists per game. Her 168 steals that season shattered the previous school record and her 168 assists also ranks in the Top 10, alongside current CHHS Head Coach LaKenya Knight ‘98. Carter’s career at AUM was so dominant that she was selected as the AUM Player of the Decade.

Carter, a Montgomery native, returned to her alma mater after graduating from AUM and served as an assistant coach on the boys’ basketball team under her former coach, Knight. “She means a lot to me,” Carter said of Knight. “She’s a mentor. She helped me become a better player and a better person. I’m very thankful to have her in my life and appreciative of her for taking me under her wing and guiding me through life on and off the court with basketball, with coaching and just becoming a better person.”   The heights that Carter reached during her playing days are what many high school players aspire to and she hopes to be able to help many of CHHS’ players reach those heights.  “I’ve already started working with them a little more right now and just trying to give them my all, so they know what it takes to be a great athlete,” she said.  Carter knows of the history of the CHHS Lady Trojans program and wants to help continue its success.  “The No. 1 thing is we want to compete,” she emphasized. “Obviously, we want to win a state championship but for me, competing and continuing to develop these girls and getting after it every day is the main thing.”

LaKenya Knight earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Physical Education from AUM in 1998 and her Master of Education in Physical Education from AUM in 2005. Jatoria Carter earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in Kinesiology from AUM in 2021.

Original article from Troy Messenger.

Woodfin is a 17-year veteran of Autauga County Schools, having served as a classroom teacher, coach and school administrator. Following his 2000 graduation from Prattville High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Huntingdon College in 2004 and a master’s degree in Secondary Education from Auburn University at Montgomery in 2007. Mr. Woodfin was offered a teaching position at Marbury High School in 2005, where he taught Social Studies to multiple grade levels while also serving as a mentor teacher for at-risk seniors and head baseball coach.

Woodfin transitioned to an administrative role at Prattville High School when he completed his Instructional Leadership Certification from the University of West Alabama in 2016. As one of the school’s assistant principals, he was responsible for day-to-day operations, including staff oversight and discipline for students in grades 11-12. In addition, he served as athletic director, where he successfully repaired key community relationships, hired five new head coaches and grew the athletics budget with new donors while simultaneously implementing budget management practices for all sports.

Most recently, Woodfin was the Marbury High School principal, serving the 560-student school since 2018. During his tenure, he was credited with overhauling the curriculum offerings to meet all students’ educational needs, including adding new vocational classes in broadcasting, business, agriculture, and construction. He championed many facility and infrastructure improvements by completing the school’s fieldhouse, adding an Agriculture wing, replacing all outdated technology and increasing the school’s general fund by more than tenfold.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead my hometown school system,” said Lyman Woodfin, Autauga County Schools’ new Superintendent. “I appreciate the board’s confidence in my abilities and the overwhelming community support I have received since being named a finalist for the position. I know there is a great deal of work in front of us, but I have no doubt we will accomplish whatever we set out to do collectively and for the benefit of all students. I look forward to working alongside the best educators, administrators, students, and families.”

Original article from WAKA.

Prior to her time at Millsaps, Ford served as the Executive Assistant to the President for the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football (AAF). Ford managed budgets and expenses related to the office and helped managed meetings, fundraisers and press conferences for the franchise’s key executives and had a role in the creation of the Iron Kids Health Initiative directed at youth throughout Birmingham to encourage them to become more active and get involved in sports.

Additionally, Ford has assisted with the Special Olympics of Alabama Volleyball Tournament and served as the site coordinator for the annual Mississippi Volleyball All-Star Game. She also worked as the Head Graduate Assistant in Auburn University at Montgomery’s Human Performance Lab where she was honored as the Kinesiology’s Department Most Outstanding Student in Sport Management following her graduation and completion of coursework, which included scheduling and administering stress tests, body fat testing, Vo2 max tests, and bone density scans.

Collegiately, Ford played in 449 of 489 sets over a four-year career as a setter and opposite hitter at Faulkner University in Montgomery, Alabama, where she produced 436 kills, 637 assists, 388 digs and 123 blocks.

Ford’s coaching career began with the Capital City Juniors Volleyball Club where she was both an assistant coach and head coach for various ages from 2012-2016. While there, she was responsible for developing practice and conditioning plans for her teams, choosing tournaments for team participation as well as facilitating camps and lessons for girls ages 5-18.

Ford earned a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management from Faulkner University in April of 2016 and received her Master of Education in Sport Management from Auburn University at Montgomery in May 2018.

Kimberly Copeland ’05 – Baldwin Arts and Academics Magnet School. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from AUM in 2005.

April Scott ’11 – Brewbaker Intermediate School. She received her Master of Education in Elementary Education from AUM in 2011.

Natasha Starr ’15 – Brewbaker Middle School. She received her Education Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership from AUM in 2015.

Tiffany Scissum ’11 – Brewbaker Primary School. She received her Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from AUM in 2011.

Jason Norred ’98, ’02, ’07 – Brewbaker Technology Magnet High School. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education in Physical Education in from AUM in 1998, his Master of Education in Pre-Secondary Education from AUM in 2002, and his Educational Specialist degree in Physical Education from AUM in 2007.

Sylvia Goshton ’00 – Johnnie Carr Middle School. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education in Secondary Education Mathematics from AUM in 2000.

Angela Sampson ’12 – Carver Elementary and Arts Magnet School. She received her Educational Specialist degree from AUM in 2012.

Cynthia Tucker ’01 – Sidney Lanier High School. She received her Educational Specialist degree from AUM in 2001.

Tavien Feaster ‘03 – McIntyre Comprehensive Academy. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education in Physical Education from AUM in 2003.

Ken Britford ’03 – Montgomery Preparatory Academy for Career Technologies. He received his Master of Education in Educational Leadership from AUM in 2003.

Jasmine Deese ’15 – Pintlala Elementary School. She received her Bachelor of Science in Education in Elementary Education from AUM in 2015.

Victor Davis ’17 – Southlawn Middle School. He received his Master of Education in Instructional Leadership from AUM in 2017.

Nykeya Jackson ’10 – Vaughn Road Elementary School. She received her Educational Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from AUM in 2010.

Stacey Little ’04

Stacey Little, founder of the Southern Bite, appeared on Guy’s Grocery Games on the Food Network. Stacey’s episode aired in June and is available to watch on the Food Network’s website and app. Stacey received his Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Social Sciences with a major in Communication from AUM in 2004.

Caitlin Eiland ’19

Caitlin Eiland has been named the Alumni Associate at The Montgomery Academy. She spent a year as an AMERICORPS VISTA. Caitlin then worked as the Director of Students Ministries at First United Methodist Church Montgomery and Asbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from AUM in 2019.

Barry Loyal ’95

Bullock County High School football team has welcomed Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Barry Loyal. Coach Loyal has been involved in teaching and coaching for over 30 years. He has been Pike Road’s Offensive Coordinator/QB’s coach for the last three years. Coach Loyal was the Offensive Coach for the 2021 AHSAA 5A State Championship team. He received his Bachelor of Science in Education in Pre-Secondary Education from AUM in 1995.

Tony George ’20

Tony George appears on Season 2, Episode 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon Prime. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from AUM in 2020.