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Vestavia Hills board highlights $42,000 fine-arts grant, honors athletic director and 24 National Merit semifinalists
Summary
At its Sept. 29 meeting the Vestavia Hills City Schools Board accepted a $42,000 arts grant from a local donor, recognized athletic director Laura Casey for an award from Samford University and introduced 24 National Merit semifinalists from Vestavia Hills High School.
The Vestavia Hills City Schools Board on Sept. 29 accepted a $42,000 community grant for its fine-arts program, honored Laura Casey, the district athletic director, and recognized 24 students named National Merit semifinalists.
The board acknowledged a $42,000 contribution earmarked for the district’s fine-arts programs. Board members and staff credited a local supporter, Mike Shaw, with directing the funds to support school music and stage programs. The board and district leaders said the money will be used for ongoing arts programming at the high school and related activities.
The meeting also included a recognition of Laura Casey, the district’s athletic director, who was named a Learning for Life honoree by the Orlean Beeson School of Education at Samford University. District presenters described Casey as having a long record as a teacher, coach and school leader and said the award recognizes her leadership in athletics and education.
District officials introduced 24 Vestavia Hills High School students who were named National Merit semifinalists, the highest number the district has recorded since 2006, according to the board. District remarks noted the semifinalists represent roughly the top 1% of PSAT test-takers and said the group includes students headed to a range of colleges and majors. The board presented a commemorative challenge coin to the students and recognized parents and families in the audience.
Students who introduced themselves during the meeting included Adi Shivan (plans aerospace engineering at Georgia Tech), Jeffrey Zaup (electrical engineering, Georgia Tech), James Bay (mechanical engineering, Georgia Tech), Nihan Andrabi (neuroscience, UAB), John Lee Wimberly (mechanical engineering or music, Vanderbilt), Devine Shi (biochemistry, pre-med, Vanderbilt or University of Michigan), Mary Anne Malik (cancer biology, UAB), Von Billerman (computer science, UT Austin) and others who spoke briefly about their intended fields of study. District staff noted the group of 24 is the most semifinalists of any Alabama high school this year and the most the district has had since 2006.
District officials asked families and the community to celebrate the students’ achievements and encouraged attendance at upcoming fall activities where the schools will showcase arts and athletics.
The recognitions were presented near the start of the meeting; the board recessed afterwards to consider routine business and agenda items.
