Former and current students, teachers and friends of Homewood City Schools gathered at SoHo Square to celebrate the school system and community and recognize teachers who are making a difference in students’ lives.
The Homewood City Schools Foundation celebrated its 20th anniversary at the first Homewood Grown event on the Terrace at SoHo Square April 3.
The 475 guests included local corporate sponsors, Homewood city officials, school administrators and teachers and Homewood families dedicated to supporting the Foundation and its mission.
Trust Building Services was the title sponsor, while Brasfield and Gorrie was the sponsor of two custom videos. The videos showed how the Foundation supports the school system and shared the stories of students who are “Homewood Grown,” including track and field standout Aaron Ernest.
The dinner was catered by Café Dupont with assistance from Melt Food Truck and Piggly Wiggly and also included soft drinks by Buffalo Rock, coffee by Royal Cup Coffee and dessert cupcakes by Dreamcakes.
Homewood residents Danny Whitsett and Ben Ridlehoover provided music.
The Foundation recognized five outstanding teachers with the first annual Teacher Impact Awards. The awards were sponsored by the Samford University’s Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education.
The teachers receiving the awards this year were Nivada Spurlock, Kim Virciglio, Chris Cooper, Lisa Littlejohn and Lisa Lorino.
There was also a presentation of the Dr. Jodi Newton Scholarship to Homewood High School senior Madison Collins for showing leadership and character.
Those attending included Tyler Stone, Rachel Stone, Amy McRae, Carey McRae, David Warren, Mary Lynn Warren, Dawnelle Earnest, Tom Esslinger, Amanda Esslinger, Mel McElroy, Alexa McElroy, Ashley Condon, David Condon, Jill Kimbrell, Buddy Skinner, Sacha Skinner, Felicia Noerager, Brett Noerager, Tom Jeffries, Louisa Jeffries, Beth Taylor and Ben Taylor.
