May 2025 | Volume 15 | Issue 12
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Class of 2025 Born into virtual world, graduating seniors ready to zoom IRL By EMILY REED They were born during the iPhone revolution, came of age in a pandemic and now graduate into a world
transformed by artificial intelligence. For the Class of 2025, change has never been the exception — it has been the backdrop. As they prepare to leave high school behind, these
Samford University and Landmark Development hosted a community conversation on March 19 at City Hall, with several community members gathering to share their concerns. Photo by Sarah Owens.
students reflect a generation shaped by disruption, connection, reinvention and resilience.
Samford’s Creekside development clears 1st hurdle with Planning Commission approval
See CLASS OF 2025 | page 22
By SARAH OWENS Samford University’s proposed Creekside District development has taken its first step forward, receiving a positive recommendation from the Homewood Planning Commission during its April meeting. A collaboration between Samford and Landmark Development, the project is part of the university’s master plan and is envisioned as a mixed-use district with a walkable town square feel. It aims to become “another beloved Homewood destination for residents to live, work, learn, shop, play and relax in a beautiful, natural urban setting.” The proposal has sparked a range of concerns from residents and officials, particularly regarding parking, traffic safety — especially around the high school and young drivers — flooding, environmental impact and the scale of the proposed hotel, which is currently planned to be 10 to 12 stories tall. While developers have held several community meetings to discuss these issues, not all attendees have been satisfied with the responses so far.
A photo illustration of a girl looking at her computer during a video call with students from the Class of 2025. Clockwise from top left: Oliver Trolard, Bete Slocum, Delilah Dussich, Leonardo Hernandez and Madeleine Ann Brockwell. Photos courtesy of the students’ families. Photo illustration by Melanie Viering.
INSIDE
Sponsors.............................4 City.......................................6
Schoolhouse.......................8 Business.............................10
See SAMFORD | page 21
Real Estate........................12 Events.................................13
Sports.................................16 Community........................18 facebook.com/thehomewoodstar
400+ Wins
Southern Poetry
Passion for people and baseball lead Homewood High School baseball coach Lee Hall to milestones.
Poet and author Charles Ghigna publishes new book, “Southern Bred: A Memoir of Gothic Poems.”
See page 16
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