South Shelby Chamber presents high school students with scholarships

Thanks to community support, the South Shelby Chamber of Commerce was able to increase the amount it gave away in scholarships. At the June 2 chamber luncheon at Columbiana First Baptist Church, the chamber gave out six $1,000 scholarships to recently-graduated Shelby County students.

Carol Bruser, community relations manager from University of Montevallo, thanked chamber members for their support and thanked anyone who attended and bid at the chamber’s silent auction.

“Next year I hope to see every one of these wonderful faces in that room, bidding on those items, so that we can bring back more of these wonderful students to enhance their further education,” Bruser said.

Students receiving a scholarship included Karlee Madison Cardwell of Shelby County High School, Amy Beth Copes of Chelsea High School, Christopher Kyle Davis of Shelby County College and Career Center, Jada Monet Harris of Vincent High School, Zoe Alejandra Thomas of Coosa Valley Academy and Chloe Elise Vick of Cornerstone Christian School.

Each student was recognized for their achievements and involvement in their school, and Bruser encouraged them all to return to Shelby County when they start their careers.

Shelby County Schools Superintendent Randy Fuller was the keynote speaker at the luncheon and thanked the chamber for supporting the county’s schools and students.

“I want to thank you for what you do collaboratively for the schools in Shelby County because our chambers have been wonderful,” Fuller said. “The relationships we have are awesome, and you can see that by the turnout for education day and the scholarships that we have.”

When Fuller became superintendent 10 years ago, he said his goal was to develop a roadmap and plan for Shelby County Schools. That map focused on where the schools system wants to be and makes sure the actions the system takes are intentional, he said.

“Before you can move forward in an organization, you have to have a vision, you have to have a mission, and you have to have beliefs,” Fuller said.

One goal for Shelby County Schools was to become a model of excellence in education and a school system that others seek to emulate. Fuller said he believes Shelby County Schools have accomplished this goal.

“We have people from all over the state visit us on a regular basis,” Fuller said. “We have people in our staff, which is a wonderful staff, are involved in committees from throughout the state, so we are truly a model for excellence, but that model is always changing.”

The model changes as time changes, Fuller said, noting the example of making sure all students graduate and are prepared for life after graduation.

“Being prepared today is a lot different than being prepared 10 years ago or 20 years ago or 40-something years ago when I was in school,” he said. “So we work hard to make sure every student is prepared.”

Collaboration with the community, including the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, mayors of area cities and the chambers, also helps elevate the education students receive in Shelby County Schools.

“As you see interwoven throughout what we do as a school system, it’s about collaboration and partnerships because they’re your babies too,” Fuller said. “… If you want it to happen, you have to join us to make it happen.”

The aim to build relationships and continue to build a culture of success was supported by the scholarship program at the luncheon, Fuller said. The scholarships help students succeed and bleeds into other aspects of education.

The county school system has consistently grown by a few hundred students in the past few years, Fuller said, and they have worked to maintain and improve facilities for all of the students in Shelby County. As part of an $80 million capital improvement plan, Shelby County Schools helped complete renovations, additions and other updates at 18 of its 31 schools between 2010-15. That plan also included the construction of three new schools.

“$80 million sounds like a tremendous amount, but three new schools plus all the additional classrooms and everything, it was just, it was an exciting example of what we can do with prior planning and a conservative approach to what we were doing,” Fuller said.

There are more improvements set for the next few years, Fuller said. After refinancing its debt, the Board of Education will save about $5.52 million and put that money toward future projects. The plan includes a 20-classroom addition for Chelsea High School among other renovations at area schools.

As the school system continues to grow, Fuller said he will aim to increase the opportunities available to students and help them find the best path in life.

“That’s our goal … is to find multiple pathways because everybody is different. Everybody has a different interest. It doesn’t matter if you live in Helena or Vincent or Columbiana, Montevallo or anywhere,” Fuller said. “When you grow up, you had your own interests. That’s why you are who you are today is because of the interests you had. We’ve got to let them identify who they are today.”