Top Photo: Guest speaker will be Scott Sullivan.

WETUMPKA , AL – The Board of Directors of the Joe Sewell Memorial Award and John Sewell Memorial Scholarship have released the names of its 2025 Senior Finalists.

This year marks the 21st Anniversary of the award, which was established in 2005 to recognize outstanding high school senior athletes in Elmore County who have consistently represented the highest ideals of Christian leadership. Scholarships totaling $19,000 will be awarded this year. Each year, one male and one female senior from Elmore County high schools are chosen for the top honor – the Joe Sewell Memorial Award and $3500 John Sewell Scholarship. Male and female category winners are also selected for academics, athletics, leadership, and church, community, and character, with each category winner receiving a $1500 scholarship. The Joe Sewell Memorial Award is the only program of its kind in the River Region that presents scholarship money in conjunction with the awards to overall and category winners.

Additionally, the award serves to honor the legacy of Joe Sewell, a native of the Titus community who established a very successful baseball career in the Majors from 1920-1933 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. Sewell’s athletic skill was apparent as he holds two of Major League Baseball’s records including the lifetime record for fewest strikeouts in his 14-year career with only 114 in 7,132 at-bats. His outstanding character and leadership are qualities that serve as the foundation of this award. His cousin John Sewell, for whom the top scholarships are named, loved sports and spent much of his free time coaching and helping young people. Both men left a legacy in Elmore County that youth and adults alike can emulate.

This year’s 21st Annual Joe Sewell Memorial Award banquet will be held Tuesday, May 6th, at 6:30 pm at the Wetumpka Civic Center. The 9th Grade Certificate Winners will be recognized at a 4:00 pm ceremony with their families.

This year’s keynote speaker will be 10-year veteran MLB pitcher and Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, Scott Sullivan. Sullivan joined Auburn University’s baseball team as a walk-on in 1991, pitching three seasons for the Tigers, finishing with a 13-9 record as a relief pitcher. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round of the 1993 MLB draft, and holds the MLB record for leading the league in relief innings pitched for four consecutive years. Sullivan finished his 10-year career with an ERA of 3.98 and 622 strikeouts. In 2024, he was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. Scott and his wife Leann are the parents of three children and reside in Auburn.

A limited number of advance banquet tickets are available for sale to the public at Eventbrite.com, an online ticketing website. Tickets will not be available at the door.

The Joe Sewell Board of Directors expresses their appreciation for the consistent generosity of the sponsors whose contributions allow the awarding of the program’s scholarships, as well as the opportunity to celebrate these students’ accomplishments with a formal award event each year. For more information regarding the award and scholarship program, visit http://joesewellaward.com.

The Senior finalists are:

AVA FAITH BAXLEY

Edgewood Academy

Cheer

Mulder Methodist Church ▪ Church Children’s Ministry, Church Youth Group, Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child ▪ Elmore County Food Pantry, Redland Elementary School Book Buddy, Ivy’s Closet ▪ AISA All Star Cheerleader, AISA State Championship Team 2022 and 2024, UCA Pin It Forward Recipient, Volleyball Manager 2024-25 ▪ Beta Club, National Honor Society, Yearbook Editor ▪ Scholarships to multiple universities. Will attend University of Montevallo – Political Science/Law ▪ Daughter of Ben and Nacole Baxley

COLBY GANT BEYER

Stanhope Elmore High School

Football, Soccer, Golf

Coosada Baptist Church ▪ DNOW, Refuge, Deep Water ▪ Football Team Captain, Kohl’s National Kicking Showcase, Florida State Camp Punting Winner, All-County Kicker, All-Region Punter, Stanhope Quarterback Club Scholarship, Soccer Team Captain ▪ Bryant Jordan Region Winner ▪ National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta ▪ Wetumpka and Millbrook Food Banks, Youth Football Camp, Millbrook Senior Center, YMCA Camp Counselor ▪ Full Academic Scholarship to Clemson University – Engineering ▪ 9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate ▪ Son of Richie and Kelli Beyer

ROBBIE GRACE BOLTON

Elmore County High School

Volleyball, Basketball, Cheerleading

Church in the Pines at Children’s Harbor ▪ Volleyball: Area Champions, Super-Regionals Participant, Team Co-Captain ▪ Basketball: Team Captain, Area Runner-up, Area Champions ▪ Cheerleading: UCA Space Center Regional 1st place ▪ National Beta Club, National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Pi Kappa Theta Honor Society, National Society for High School Scholars, Student Council Secretary ▪Alabama Cattlemen’s Assn. Grand Champion, Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research Alliance ▪ Auburn University – Nursing ▪ Daughter of Robbie and Grace Bolton

BAILEA CATHERINE BOONE

Holtville High School

Volleyball, Softball

Shoal Creek Baptist Church ▪ Winter Weekend, Passion Camp, Camp Amigos ▪ Volleyball Offensive Player of the Year, Team Leader Award, 2024 All County, Softball Offensive Player of the Year, Captain, All County, All State, Bryant Jordan Scholar, AHSAA season records- Batting average, hits, stolen bases, single AHSAA record single game- hits ▪ National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Junior Civitan, DECA, Beta Club Vice President, SGA Vice President, Youth Leadership ▪ Field of Dreams, Food Pantry ▪ Faulkner University – Softball ▪ 9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate ▪ Daughter of Kevin and Tanya Boone

VICTORIA CHRISTINE BULLOCK

Holtville High School

Softball, Volleyball

Shoal Creek Baptist Church ▪ Student Leadership Team, Special Needs Ministry, VBS Leader, Discipleship Praise & Media Team, Passion Camp, ▪ Volleyball Defensive MVP, All County, Serving Award ▪ Beta Club President, Junior Civitan, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, FCA President, SGA President ▪ County Science Fair 1st Place, Regional Science Fair Judges Choice Award ▪ Field of Dreams, Trunk or Treat, Food Pantry, Life South Blood Drive, Rodeo Volunteer ▪ Lurleen B. Wallace Community College Softball Scholarship ▪ Daughter of Craig and Leia Bullock

LILY MONROE DAVENPORT

Wetumpka High School

Softball

Taylor Road Baptist Church ▪ Captain, North-South All-Star Team, All-State x2, 6A State Champions, State All-Tournament Team, First Team All-County, Wetumpka Herald Player of the Week x4; Montgomery Advertiser Player of the Week x2 ▪ National Honor Society, Health Occupation Students of America Historian ▪ Baptist South Volunteer ▪ Certified in Teen Mental Health, Basic Life Support, First Aid, and Patient Care Technician ▪ Anderson University Presidential Scholarship, Denmark Scholarship – Nursing ▪ Daughter of Ryan and April Davenport

KAYDEN ELIZABETH EDWARDS

Elmore County High School

Volleyball, Basketball, Softball

Vessel Church ▪ Squad Wars, VBS ▪ Basketball Team Captain, Softball Offensive MVP, Highest Batting Average ▪ Beta Club Vice President, National English Honor Society Vice President, Mu Alpha Theta President, FCA, Key Club, SGA Representative, Academic Top 10, ECHS Elite ▪ Mississippi State University Honor College or University of Alabama at Birmingham Honor College – Biochemistry/Pre-Dental Track ▪ Food Pantry, Operation Christmas Child ▪ 9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate ▪ Daughter of Toby and Heather Edwards

ELIZABETH WALKER ELLIS

Edgewood Academy

Volleyball, Cheerleading, Basketball

Frazer Church ▪ 2x Volleyball State Champion, 2x Cheerleading UCA all American, UCA Pin It Forward Award, AISA All Star, 2x Cheer State Champion. 2x Basketball State Champion, Coaches Award ▪ SGA Vice President, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Yearbook Assistant Editor ▪ Doodlebugs, Junior Athletic Camps, Operation Christmas Child, See You at the Pole Lead Organizer ▪ Prestige Scholarship to University of Alabama – Biology/Pre-Dental ▪ 9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate ▪ Daughter of Jeff and Laura Ellis

PRICE THOMAS GOGGANS

Wetumpka High School

Cross Country, Track and Field, Tennis

Frazer Methodist Church ▪ VBS, Student One Leadership Team, Discipleship Now ▪ Tennis Team Captain, 2nd Place Team Sectionals ▪ AP Scholar Award, 1st place DECA Financial Services, National Honor Society Treasurer, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, SGA Secretary, Rho Kappa National Honor Society, Yearbook ▪ Operation Christmas Child, YMCA, Christmas on the Coosa, Food Bank ▪ Merit Scholarship to Auburn University – Accounting/Finance Major ▪ 9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate ▪ Son of Jamie and Amber Goggans

ZOIE JALESE O’NEAL HOLMES

Stanhope Elmore High School

Volleyball

Abundant Life Church Ministries ▪ Choir, Community Food Distribution, Media Team ▪ Volleyball MVP, Coaches Award, 2x 1st Team All County, All-Tournament Team Area 6A Region 2 ▪ Beta Club, National Honor Society, First Priority, National Honor Societies for English, Science and Math, Youth Leadership Elmore County, Junior Civitan, Senior Senate, Future Business Leaders of America, Yearbook Manager, Purple Star Program ▪ Alabama A&M University – Business Major ▪ Daughter of James and Lisa Holmes

KINSLEY KENNEBREW

Tallassee High School

Cheerleader, Softball

Jerusalem Baptist Church ▪ Sunday School Teacher, Teens and Tents ▪ Cheer Captain x3, Co- Captain, Most Dependable Cheerleader Award, Academic Excellence Cheerleader Award, Magic City Regional Cheer UCA Competition Division Winner, UCA Semifinalist Nationals ▪ National Honor Society, Tri – M Music Honor Society, SGA Secretary, SGA Vice President, Key Club President, Leo Club President, FCA President▪ Community Clean Up, Hall of Pride, Food for Kids, Chamber Choir ▪ Leadership Scholarship to Tuskegee University – Animal Science ▪ Daughter of Cedric and Bonita Brown

CAMDEN MASK

Tallassee High School

Swimming

Union Church At Lake Martin ▪ Fall Festival, Operation Christmas Child, Strength to Stand, Disciple Now, ▪ Swim Team Captain, 4th place 100 yd breaststroke, 4th place state 200 yd IM, 2nd place state 100 yd breaststroke, 2nd place state 200 yd IM, 1st place state 100 yd breaststroke, 2nd place state 200 yard IM, All-American USA Swimmer ▪ National Honor Society, Tri – M, Key Club, Boys State, FCA Music Director, SGA Representative ▪ Swim Scholarship to Henderson State University – Chemistry/Pre-Dental ▪ 9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate ▪ Son of John Ernest Mask II and Courtney Conner Mask

CHAYNIE RUTH MOULTON

Stanhope Elmore High School

Cheerleading

Coosada Baptist Church ▪ Fuge Camp, Nursery Volunteer, Refuge Youth Group, VBS Volunteer, DNOW Weekend ▪ Cheerleader Co-Captain, Four Year Varsity Letterman ▪ Beta Club, Junior Civitan, Junior Ambassadors, DECA, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, Diamond Dolls, Student Government, Senate ▪ Server at Smoke House Pit BBQ ▪ Academic Scholarship to Mississippi State University – Veterinary Medicine ▪ Daughter of Harold and Tricia Moulton

ALLYSON MARIE ORR

Elmore County High School

Softball, Volleyball, Track and Field, Cross Country, Cheer

Refuge Baptist Church ▪ VBS Pre-K teacher, Operation Christmas Child ▪ Softball Golden Glove Winner, Volleyball 2021 All-County Honorable Mention, 2023 All-County 2nd Team, 2024 State Javelin Qualifier, State Javelin Runner-up, 2022 Regional Championship Cheer Team ▪ SGA Treasurer, Beta Club Reporter, National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Miss ECHS Elite 2025, FCA, Capital City Juniors, First Priority ▪ Lake Martin Harbor Helper, Character in Action Award ▪ Southern Union/Auburn University – Pre-Dental ▪ 9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate ▪ Daughter of Jeffery and Amanda Orr

CLENANGELO SHARVIS PEAKE, JR.

Wetumpka High School

Football

Vessel Church ▪ Food Drive, Church Trick or Treat ▪ First Team All-County, Player of the Week, Max Preps Player of the Week, Cornerstone Award ▪ National Honor Society Chaplain, SGA Vice President, Beta Club, DECA, Journalism, Mu Alpha Theta, Rho Kappa ▪ Huntingdon College (John Wesley Scholarship), University of South Alabama, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Alabama, Auburn University: Alabama A&M University, Jacksonville State University ▪ Son of Kormeshia Peake and the late Clenangelo Sharvis Peake, Sr.

ETHAN EDWARD PRUITT

Holtville High School

Basketball, Soccer

New Home Missionary Baptist Church ▪ Missions Conference Flag Bearer, Devotion Leader, See you at the Pole, Passion Youth Camp, Fort Bluff Youth Camp, Fall Festival, Winter Weekend, AWANA Youth Leader ▪ Basketball Team Captain ▪ Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, 2024 Boys State Representative, First place 2023 and 2024 DECA Sports Marketing competitions, DECA President, Regional Science Fair, FFA, Jr. Civitan, ▪ HES Field Day, Field of Dreams, Math Tutor ▪ Auburn University Montgomery – Accounting Major; Ministry ▪ Son of Adam and Starr Pruitt

LUKE C. REINERT

Elmore County High School

Football, Wrestling, Baseball, Basketball

Santuck Baptist Church ▪ Eclectic Christmas, VBS, Discipleship Now, Strength to Stand Youth Conference ▪ Football All-County 2022, 2023, 2024, All-Metro 2022, 2024, All-Region 2024, All-State 2024, Team Captain, Defensive MVP 2024, Wrestling State Qualifier 2024, 2025 ▪ Youth Football Camp ▪ Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta, ECHS Elites – Mr. ECHS Elite 2025, ECHS Ambassador ▪ Southern Union/Auburn – Civil Engineering ▪ Son of Shaun and Kimberly Reinert

BRYSON MAGEE RIGSBY

Tallassee High School

Baseball, Football, Basketball

First Baptist Church Tallassee ▪ Vacation Bible School, Strength to Stand Conference, Student Ministry Leader, Small Group Leader, Music Ministry, Kids Camp Chaperone ▪ Baseball Tiger Award (for hard work and dedication) as a Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior ▪ Basketball Tiger Award Freshman ▪ Tallassee Chamber of Commerce Ambassador ▪ National Honor Society, Key Club, Leo Club ▪ Tigers Unlimited at Auburn University ▪ Southern Union State Community College/Auburn University – Business ▪ 9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate ▪ Son of Abe and Brooke Rigsby

PARKER LANE SHAW

Edgewood Academy

Football, Baseball

Santuck Baptist Church ▪ 2024 All State Football, 1st Team 2024 AISA All Star Football, 2024 Wetumpka Herald Player of the Week, 2023 All State 2nd Team, All County, 2022 All County Honorable Mention, All State Baseball 2024, 2024 AISA All Star, 2024 All County Baseball Honorable Mention, 2023 ALABCA All Star ▪ Beta Club, National Honor Society, Honor Roll Award ▪ Fishing Team, Youth Football Camp ▪ Field of Dreams, Tornado Relief ▪Southern Union State Community College ▪ Son of Wade and Ashley Shaw

JOHNNA BETH SIMS

Wetumpka High School

Tennis

Wetumpka Church of Christ ▪ Youth Group ▪Tennis Team Captain, Four Years Team Sectionals Appearance, Most Improved Award ▪ Beta Club, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Youth Leadership Elmore County, WHS Art Club President ▪ Kelly High School Art Show, Alabama Superintendent’s Art Show, Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts “Master” Works Show ▪ National Alliance for Mental Illness Walk, Elementary School Fundraiser, Food Pantry, Tutoring ▪ Auburn University – Industrial Design ▪ Daughter of Craig and Kimberly Sims

ALLI SMITH

Tallassee High School

Softball, Wrestling, Flag Football

Christ Gospel Baptist Church ▪ Vacation Bible School ▪ Leadership Award 2023-2024 ▪ 6 MVP Softball Awards, Most Athletic Female, Girls Wrestling State 4th Place ▪ Beta Club, National Honor Society, Health Occupation Students of America Treasurer, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Lions Club, Key Club, Future Teachers America ▪ Women’s Wrestling Team, Academic Scholarship-Huntingdon College – Athletic Training ▪ 9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate ▪ Daughter of Matt & Ambrea Fannin and Eric Smith

WILLIAM MICHAEL SMITH

Edgewood Academy

Basketball, Football, Golf

Coosada Baptist Church ▪ Mission Fuge, Discipleship NOW, Praise Band, Leadership, Harvest Fields Community Church Flag Football Coach, Mission Trips ▪ Basketball Team Captain, Beta Club, National Honor Society ▪ Dual Enrollment, YMCA Soccer Coach, YMCA Basketball Coach ▪ Auburn University Montgomery – Education ▪ Son of Stuart and Heather Smith

HAROLD JACKSON STALLWORTH

Stanhope Elmore High School

Baseball, Basketball

Coosada Baptist Church ▪ Disciple NOW Weekend, Refuge Student Ministries, WELCOME Center ▪ Baseball 2023 All County Team Honorable Mention, Minority Prospect All American Game x2, Atlanta Braves Nike 44 Classic Showcase Player ▪ Team Bible Study Leader ▪ Science National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars, Beta Club ▪ Prattville Food Pantry Volunteer ▪ Alabama Baseball Coaches Association 2025 Scholarship Award ▪ Pensacola State College Full Athletic Scholarship for Baseball ▪ Son of Harold and Shonda Stallworth

TYLER COLT WESSON

Holtville High School

Soccer

Shoal Creek Baptist Church ▪ Youth Leadership Team, Light the Night, Operation Christmas Child ▪ Soccer Team Captain, Goal and Assists Leader, 2nd Team All County, School Record: Goals in a Game, Club Soccer State Cup Finalist x4 ▪ Beta Club, DECA, Mu Alpha Theta, Jr. Civitan, Leaders of the Pack, Skills USA, OSHA-30 Work Place Safety Certification, 2nd Place District Science Fair, National Honor Society ▪ University of Alabama in Huntsville – Civil Engineering ▪ 9th Joe Sewell Award Certificate ▪ Son of Travis and April Wesson

The 9^th Grade Certificate Winners are:

Holtville High School 9th Grade Certificate Winners:

Gavin Russom, Hailey Phelps, Kadie Stark, Hudson Mann

Elmore County High School 9th Grade Certificate Winners:

Beau Traylor, Delaney Hines, Mary Charles “Charley” Labriola, Braylon Jackson

Tallassee High School 9th Grade Certificate Winners:

Jaiden Gordon, Hudson Timmerman, London O’Neal, and Brady Adams

Stanhope Elmore High School 9th Grade Certificate Winners:

Brayden Smith, Lillian Miller, Mary Mason Wright, Joseph Griffin

Wetumpka High School 9th Grade Certificate Winners:

MaKinley Torres, Xavier Morris, Charlie Skipper, Grayson Morgan

Edgewood Academy 9th Grade Certificate Winners: