Meet the Senior Class President of Sylacauga High School, Iman Abdur-Rahim, and the Vice President, Hunter Harris.
Iman is a member of the National Honor Society, Freelancers, Spanish Club, and Sister for Sister. After graduation, she plans to attend either UCLA or Florida State to major in Film and Television.
Hunter is a member of the National Honor Society, HOSA – Future Health Professionals, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), SHS Student Government Association, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Science Club, Key Club, SkillsUSA, Interact, Inter-Club, and the Chess Club. After high school, Hunter plans to attend UAB to become a Forensic Chemist.
Summer professional development prepares these outstanding instructors for the upcoming academic school year. The Sylacauga High School Career Technical Education (CTE) instructors attended the Alabama Career Technical Education Conference in Mobile last week.
Elizabeth Atkinson was chosen to participate in the Minerva Young Women’s Business Summer Program held by the Culverhouse College of Business DEI Initiatives team at the University of Alabama! The program welcomed 25 rising female high school seniors from across the country who were introduced to business majors and career pathways, focusing on areas in business where women are underrepresented. Elizabeth had the opportunity to network and learn from successful alumni, Culverhouse students, and professors from diverse educational backgrounds, such as finance, management information systems, and marketing, all of whom were women. Congratulations!
Sylacauga City Schools welcomes a great team of new employees to its staff for the 2023-2024 school year.
At Indian Valley, new employees are Tonya Hendrix and Hannah Parrish (Kindergarten); Kelsey Beck, Pamela Gaddis, and Jessica Ward (1st Grade); Chardannay Debardelabon, Lori El-Rhazoul, Veronica Kelley, Schylar Patterson, and Jessica Pope (Instructional Assistants); Megan Forbus and Michelle Rollins (PreK); and Brooke Jacks (Special Ed); and Melissa Hatchett (Bookkeeper).
New Pinecrest staff members are Crystal Powell (Math); Jennifer Shakelford (4th Grade); Sierra Welch (Special Ed); and Janice Helton and Jennifer Rivers (Instructional Assistants).
Nichols-Lawson Middle School new staff members include Hanna Vick (ELA); Zachary McIntosh (History); Tara Ammons (Special Ed); Evan Kelley (PE); and Faith Johnson and Dana Theilacker (Instructional Assistants).
Sylacauga High School welcomes Michaela Atkins and Sidney Fitzgerald (ELA); Brent Shrimsher (Science); John Safford (AP History); Stephen Strickland (Special Ed); Brantley Carr (PE); Marty Smith (PE and Basketball); Chris Smelley (Football); Shelley Cantrell, Jodie Hosey, Micah Kreil, and Meldric Wilson (CTE); Cody Sanders (Drivers Ed); Elizabeth Jones (Custodian); Cali Sanchez (Registrar); Rhonda Vincent (Counselor).
Joining the supporting services team at Sylacauga City Schools are Tosha King (Supporting Programs Secretary in the Central Office) and Andy Butler and Joey Butler in Maintenance.
Dr. Michele Eller, Superintendent of Sylacauga City Schools, remarked, “We are excited about the enthusiasm our new employees bring to their schools and their work. These highly-qualified individuals will join our current staff to have a positive impact on our students.”
On Wednesday morning, at the recommendation of Sylacauga City Schools Superintendent Dr. Michele Eller, the Sylacauga Board of Education approved Jay Brooks as the Aggies’ head baseball coach. Brooks will be the first Sylacauga High graduate since the 1950s to lead in this position.
“We are thrilled to promote Jay Brooks as the next head baseball coach at Sylacauga" said SHS Principal Gary Rivers. “I have always been impressed with Jay as a leader, teacher, and a coach, and we could not be more excited for our baseball program moving forward.”
Brooks will be a familiar face for the Aggie program, serving as the lead assistant under Jeff Bell since the 2020 season. A former collegiate pitcher himself at Auburn University-Montgomery, Brooks primarily focused on coaching the team’s pitching staff. Prior to assisting the varsity baseball program, Brooks served as the head softball coach for SHS from 2014-19, leading the team to its only area championship in school history (2019) and four regional tournament appearances.
“This is an amazing and humbling opportunity for me. I never set out to be the head baseball coach at my alma mater, but now that it’s official, it’s an overwhelming feeling of joy for me personally, and my family. We love the city of Sylacauga, and we love Sylacauga athletics. I played here, my daughters went to school and played sports here. We are Sylacauga through and through,” said Brooks. “I am very thankful for this chance to lead the program that helped mold me into the person I am today. I am especially thankful to principal Gary Rivers, Dr. Michele Eller, and athletic director Chad Wilkinson for believing in me, and giving me the chance of a lifetime.”
“I could not be more proud for Jay,” said Wilkinson. “Jay knows so much about the game, having played and coached at a high level, and I know he will keep the program trending in the right direction.”
Brooks, an 11-year veteran in the school system, graduated from SHS in 1992. He signed a scholarship to Southern Union State Community College where he earned an associate’s
degree and played baseball. He was a member of the 1995 Junior College State Championship team. Brooks then transferred to Auburn University-Montgomery to continue his education and athletic career. At AUM, Brooks was named to the All-Conference baseball team in 1996, leading the Senators to a conference championship. As an educator, Brooks has won multiple awards including Alabama Power’s New Teacher of the Year award and the Joseph Morton Educator of the Year award.
“We are excited to have Coach Brooks lead the Aggie baseball team,” said Dr. Eller. “There’s something special about leading a program you played in. We know Jay will take this role with a great sense of pride, and I have high expectations of him as the head baseball coach at Sylacauga High School.”
Brooks and his wife, Ami, have two daughters, Ella Kate and Gracyn, who also are SHS graduates.
Audrey Bell, Emma Dean, and Markia Sanders attended the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Denver as representatives of Sylacauga High School. Audrey placed 5th in the Job Interview competition earning a gold medal, and Emma earned a silver medal in Hospitality, Tourism, and Recreation. Outstanding job!
Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) offers students the opportunity to expand their leadership potential and develop skills for life, including planning, goal setting, problem-solving, decision-making, and interpersonal communication.
Congratulations to Lilly Kate Lucus and Catherine Price, who were selected to represent Sylacauga High School’s Civitan Club at this summer’s National Leadership Forum at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. The leadership development program brought students together from five states for a week of labs, lectures, and open discussion sessions that strengthen leadership and character. The National Leadership Forum began 65 years ago under the direction of former Harding President George Benson. An exciting part of the Forum was the opportunity to visit the Clinton Presidential Library.
Hunter Harris and Natalie Robinson were selected as the Sylacauga High School representatives for Alabama Boys and Girls State this summer. Congratulations to them!
Founded in 1938, Boys State and Girls State are prestigious programs sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, a national organization that promotes patriotism, civic engagement, and leadership. High school students who are selected participate in the week-long immersive experience in mock government and leadership training. The programs have a tradition of empowering students to become leaders in their communities and beyond.
Team Alabama, consisting of all Sylacauga High School students, placed 12th in the nation in the Team Shotgun competition at the 4-H Shooting Sports National Championships. The three-day competition took place at Grand Island, Nebraska, in June. The team members include Kayne Hodnett (Senior), Brooks Turner (Junior), Barron Caymen (Class of 2022), Jack Fornwalt (Class of 2023), and Isaac Wilson (Class of 2023). Wilson was at Army National Guard basic training and unable to attend, and his team honored him by displaying his picture on their phones.
More photos from last night's Choral Music Concert, under the direction of Jacob Callahan. These young singers did an outstanding job!
Students from Sylacauga City Schools are displaying their artwork at the Comer Museum this month. Check out the amazing talent of these students from the instruction of art teachers Brooke Garrett, Michele Watson, and Jimmy Reynolds.
Thank you to the Magnolia Garden Club for sprucing up our Central Office!
Good morning from Sylacauga City Schools!
