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May 2023 | Volume 16 | Issue 7
SERVING THE 280 CORRIDOR, HOMEWOOD, HOOVER, MOUNTAIN BROOK, TRUSSVILLE AND VESTAVIA HILLS
THE 280 CORRIDOR’S COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE 280LIVING.COM | STARNESMEDIA.COM
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Graduation FAVORITE MEMORIES, PLANS FOR THE FUTURE AND THE PEOPLE THEY MET ALONG THE WAY
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By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE
eniors around the area have finally reached the finish line of their high school careers and are getting ready to toss their caps at their graduation ceremonies this month. In honor of their accomplishments, 280 Living spoke to several upcoming graduates to find out about which teachers impacted them the most, achievements they have received, what they will miss most about high school and their plans for the future.
OAK MOUNTAIN HIGH SCHOOL: ABBY O’DELL
Abby has attended Oak Mountain schools since kindergarten. She takes all AP classes and was voted Homecoming Queen by her peers. Q: What teacher or teachers have had the most impact on you? A: I could sit here forever and list all my teachers, to be honest. Mrs. Bittinger (“Mrs. B”) at OMHS. She teaches honors pre-calculus, and this year for AP Calculus she teaches a really hard curriculum but makes it much easier. She’s always available for help and everyone loves her. She gives me time to work through the problems and understand it, so we’ll be prepared for the exam at the end of the year. Also, Mrs. Lancaster in third grade OMES. She's had a big impact on me. She always believed in me when I was a young third grader and knew I'd go on to do big things.
See GRADUATION | page A30 Photo by Erin Nelson.
4 area women represent in Ms. Senior Alabama pageants By JON ANDERSON
From left: Ms. Senior Hoover Donna Francavilla, Ms. Senior Shelby County Debra White, Ms. Senior Birmingham Tawana Lowery and Ms. Super Senior Alabaster Brenda Wilson. Photos courtesy of Holli Hobbs.
INSIDE
The U.S. 280 corridor in north Shelby County will be well represented at the Ms. Senior Alabama and Ms. Super Senior Alabama pageants in June. There are three women from the 280 Living coverage area in this year’s Ms. Senior Alabama pageant, which is for women ages 60 to 69. They are Ms. Senior Hoover Donna Francavilla (who lives in Greystone), Ms. Senior Birmingham Tawana Lowery (who lives in Birmingham off Alabama 119) and Ms. Senior Shelby County Debra White (who lives in Chelsea). Also, Meadow Brook resident Brenda Wilson will be competing in the Ms. Super Senior Alabama pageant
Sponsors .............. A4 City ........................ A6
Business ..............A16 Chamber ............ A22
Schoolhouse ...... A24 Sports.................... B4
(for women ages 70 and older) as Ms. Super Senior Alabaster because she has been involved in activities at the Alabaster Senior Center. Both pageants are scheduled to be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 10, at Oak Mountain High School. Admission is $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 3-12. There are 14 contestants in the Ms. Senior Alabama pageant and six in the Ms. Super Senior Alabama competition, said Kim Crawford-Meeks, chairwoman of the Ms. Senior Alabama nonprofit and the pageant producer.
See PAGEANTS | page A28
Events................... B10 Metro Roundup....B14
Opinion................. B18 Calendar............... B19 facebook.com/280living
Still Spinning
Seeing The Light
Cahaba Cycles celebrates 40 years in business.
Briarwood Christian School girls soccer team is reaping the benefits of hard work.
See page A20
See page B1