June 2023 | Volume 14 | Issue 1
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
Serving the Birmingham area since 1958. HOMEWOOD’S COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE THEHOMEWOODSTAR.COM | STARNESMEDIA.COM
Bobbing, Weaving
SERVING HOMEWOOD, THE 280 CORRIDOR, HOOVER, MOUNTAIN BROOK, TRUSSVILLE AND VESTAVIA HILLS
GUINSERVICE.COM
205-595-4846
AL#12175
The man behind the curtain Thorne hangs it up after 20 years at Homewood High School By NEAL EMBRY
Southeastern Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament comes to Lee Community Center.
See page A16
Game-winning Goal
Suzanna Busbee’s late goal lifts Homewood High School girls soccer team to state title.
See page B10
INSIDE Sponsors .......... A4 News ..................A6 Business ........... A8 Community...... A13
Schoolhouse......B4 Events ................B8 Sports............... B10 Opinion............. B14
facebook.com/thehomewoodstar
F
or the past 20 years, Scott Thorne has led the show choir at Homewood High School. Thorne has led students in 20-minute productions, helping them learn to sing and dance and gain confidence in themselves. The shows include a variation of songs, usually set to a theme, he said. He has also directed the Miss Heritage Pageant and served as the voice of the Homewood High School band. “I feel we’ve created space for them [students] to be confident in who they are regardless of who they are,” Thorne said. This school year was Thorne’s final year, and it also was probably Thorne’s favorite show, as it served as a final message to his students, a way for him to tell students and others what he wanted to leave behind. It was called “The Man Behind the Curtain.” Thorne said he always felt like the Wizard of Oz in a way. He pulled a bunch of different strings, all to be able to showcase the talented students at the high school. He said he always sought to teach his students to find strength in weakness, joy every day and to love everyone, even when it is difficult. This past year, the show choir finished second in nationals after winning local, state and regional competitions. Work begins in the February of the preceding year, as Thorne finds songs to perform, arranges them and then brings in a choreographer to teach dance while he teaches vocals. Previous shows have focused on humanity, grieving and other
Scott Thorne, the Homewood High director of choral music, leads the choir during class April 24. Thorne is retiring from his role as choral director at Homewood after 20 years and has been in education for 25 years. Photo by Erin Nelson.
topics, Thorne said. There are three competitive choirs, one for the ninth grade class, one all-girls choir and the top choir, which has 64 students. Thorne “lucked into” music in college, taking part in a show choir at Auburn
University. During his first year teaching in Eufaula, the students didn’t know what a show choir was but agreed to learn and start one, he said.
See THORNE | page A18
Summertime in Homewood: What to do and where to go By NEAL EMBRY This summer, there are no shortages of opportunities to get out of the house and mingle with other Homewood residents. With school out and parents looking for family-friendly activities, The Homewood Star has organized a guide to events, library activities and outdoor opportunities throughout the city.
See EVENTS | page A18
People gather to watch the Homewood High School marching band perform during We Love Homewood Day at Homewood Central Park on May 6. Photo by Erin Nelson.
HOMEWOOD MOVING SERVICES, TAILORED TO YOUR NEEDS
RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • PACKING SERVICES
VETERAN OWNED AND OPERATED
205-236-4178 | CROCKERMOVINGSERVICES.COM | #CROCKERMOVINGSERVICES