Meet The Observer's New Interns - A2 Opelika Chamber Annual Award Photos - A3 OHS Coach Adam Massey Honored with Award - B1 Auburn, Opelika City Council Hightlights - B9, B11
IN THIS ISSUE
SUMMER SWING June 13 at Municipal Park at 7 p.m. Crossroads will be performing.
BUSINESS NEWS A3 | SOCIETY A7 | OBITUARIES A12 | COMICS A16 SPORTS B1 | POLITICS B9 | PUBLIC NOTICES B12 | PUZZLES B15 COVERING LEE COUNTY, ALABAMA
Vol. 15, No. 35 Opelika, Alabama
Thursday, June 8, 2023 www.opelikaobserver.com
Your local publication created 'for local people, by local people.'
BY HANNAH GOLDFINGER HLESTER@ OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
OPELIKA — The Opelika Chamber of Commerce held its 82nd Annual Meeting last Friday and presented several local individuals and businesses with awards to represent the big things happening in Opelika. The Spirit of Opelika Award is the last award handed out each year, as Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller said, it's a "coveted" award. “This award goes to an Opelika citizen who is an
outstanding individual that has brought exceptional benefit and/or recognition to our city, county and state,” Fuller said. “More than that, they possess the ‘it’ factor, that unique quality that makes Opelika special, that puts a smile on your face, that makes you feel at home.” This year, Becky Brown, director of public relations for Opelika City Schools, was the recipient of the Spirit of Opelika award. “When I think about what makes the city and the schools of Opelika great, I think of Becky, said Farrell Seymore,
Opelika City Schools superintendent. “Becky is a timeless ambassador and champion for students. She goes to great lengths to promote the wonderful happenings in our schools and bridges the gap for those outside.” Of course, awards aren’t the only thing that happened at the annual meeting. Ali Rauch, president and CEO of the chamber, shared about Forward Opelika and the impact it has on the community. “When you were with us See OPELIKA SPIRIT, page A2
PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
Celebrating City Spirit
Opelika City Schools' Becky Brown was awarded the "Spirit of Opelika" Award during the Opelika Chamber of Commerce's 82nd annual meeting last Friday, June 2. Pictured left to right are OCS Superintendent Farrell Seymore, Assistant Superintendent Pam Fourtenbary, Brown, OHS Principal Kelli Fischer and OHS Athletic Director Jamie Williams.
Mackenzie Poole Promoted to Opelika Chamber Vice President PHOTO CONTRIBUTED TO THE OBSERVER
MACKENZIE POOLE
CONTRIBUTED BY OPELIKA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
OPELIKA — The Opelika Chamber recently announced the promotion of Mackenzie Poole to vice president. She will continue to be responsible for events and leadership programming but will take on additional responsibilities as it relates to workforce development and the daily operations of the Opelika Chamber. Poole has been with the Opelika Chamber for four years and previously served as the director of leadership and events, and programs and events manager, pri-
or to that position. "Mackenzie is an essential part of our team, and I am grateful for her continued commitment, hard work and dedication to excellence," said Ali Rauch, president and CEO of the Opelika Chamber. “Much of what we’ve accomplished in the last three years is directly linked to Mackenzie, so this promotion is very much deserved.” Through her tenure, Poole has doubled the programming and execution of events for the Opelika Chamber — averaging over 170 events a year. She also served as the staff lead for the Opelika Chamber’s See POOLE, page A3
NEW — Summer Kid's Page — B14
Austin 1st Foundation To Host Inaugural 'Aces Fore Austin' Golf Tournament CONTRIBUTED BY THE AUSTIN 1ST FOUNDATION
AUBURN — Swing to make a difference. The inaugural Aces Fore Austin benefit golf tournament is coming to raise awareness and funds for rare disease research. The event, hosted by Austin 1st Foundation, will take place at Robert Trent Jones Grand National on June 12 and is the organization’s first-ever golf tournament to benefit rare disease research. Registration for the golf tournament will begin at 7 a.m. with a breakfast and welcome at 7:45 a.m. The tournament will feature a shotgun start at 8 a.m., with a four-person scramble format. See GOLF, page A2
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