By Kaitlin Candelaria
Most Hoover parents would be proud to have a child who receives a Finley Character Award. Imagine Mia and Steven Garrett’s surprise when they found out not one but two of their daughters were being recognized as 2015 Finley Character Award recipients.
“It’s just overwhelming,” Mia Garrett said. “It’s something to be proud of because it isn’t a popularity contest. You always want your child to be the best they can be, and when other people recognize that, it is a huge compliment.
“It just makes you feel like crying because you’re so proud. I think my children are good children and to see that other people see that makes me really proud.”
Mia and Steven are the parents of 17-year-old Bailey Garrett of Spain Park High School and 12-year-old Madison Garrett of Berry Middle School. Both girls are among the dozens of Hoover students named as Finley Character Award recipients for 2015.
The Finley Committee for Character Education was created 20 years ago to honor the spirit of Coach Bob Finley. Finley was an educator and coach at W.A. Barry High School for more than 30 years and left behind a legacy of exemplary character in the Hoover community. The awards were created as a tribute to him.
Each year, the committee recognizes one student per grade or one student per 100 in each school as well as two seniors and a faculty member. According to committee chairman Bill Gray, the award is the highest honor in the Hoover City Schools system.
“The students who receive these awards are those whom their teachers and principals and peers have noticed as quality individuals who care about others and who are selfless,” Gray said. “They aren’t going to be the most outspoken or always at the front of the line. They’re being recognized for their integrity and what they do for others.”
Gray said he never got the chance to meet Finley.
“But we’ve learned about him for years, and the things that people say about him is what a humble and selfless man he was,” Gray said. “No job was too big or small for him, and I think that is what is represented by the students who received this award.”
This is also the largest annual awards ceremony for Hoover City Schools.
“It’s special because it’s the one time that all the kids in the Hoover school system come together from kindergarten up and are fully represented,” Bailey Garrett said. “Anyone I’ve ever talked to has said that Coach Finley was an amazing person and that everyone loved him. I want to be that kind of person. I want to be someone who makes everybody feel important and to be a friend to everyone who needs a friend.”
Bailey and Madison Garrett both are deeply involved in their schools, representing a wide variety of organizations such as Engineering Academy, Peer Helpers, Diamond Dolls and Latin Club. They also are Girl Scouts.
“Both my girls just try to be nice to just everybody. They don’t really have a clique,” Mia Garrett said. “If teachers need something, they go and help and do. They both communicate well with adults.”
Bailey Garrett said she sees herself becoming a biomedical engineer, although she is still deciding on college.
Madison Garrett said her dream is to become a physician. Special needs children are very close to her heart, and she would like to help them in a medical capacity, she said.
Both girls, along with all other 2015 Finley Award Recipients, will be recognized at an awards banquet March 26 at the Cahaba Grand Conference Center.
