Day 1- Homecoming Week 2016: Where Are They Now? An alumni update

Day 1- Homecoming Week 2016: Where Are They Now? An alumni update

This homecoming week we are delighted to bring you an alumni update each day since this is the week when we invite all our former students to COME HOME to the Academy.

Day 1 focuses on our alumni who are in the military or are in a civil servant position- fire, rescue, EMT, police, etc. We are proud of you all and proud that you call BA home.

samSam Scarborough (’13)- United States Army

Sam enlisted September 13, 2013 in McCalla. He went through Basic Combat Training at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and was in the Charlie Battery, 1/79 Field Artillery Brigade followed by AIT school at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He is a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear warfare specialist where he conducts recon for an area for CBRN weapons, eliminates enemy targets, disarms nuclear warheads, and decontaminates affected CBRN areas.  He is currently in the Army Reserve stationed at the 318th Chemical Company in Birmingham, AL.

Sam said, “I came to Bessemer Academy as a 17 year old senior with no friends and had never been to a new school. By the time I left, I had made lifetime friends that I still talk to on a daily basis. Bessemer Academy’s staff, teachers, compassion and knowledge has led me to be a successful soldier, a successful student at Auburn University and a successful president of my fraternity. BA is more than a school, it is the single reason I have found success in life. Go Rebels!”

scottScott Norris (’15)- United States Marine Corp

Just a few months after graduating, Scott arrived at MCRD Parris Island SC, in August and graduated in November 2015.  From there he went to combat training at Camp Lejeune, NC, in November and December and then on to Fort Leonardwood for MOS school from December 15, 2016 to March 31, 2016.

Scott continued,” At Parris Island they taught us the basic values of being a Marine, at Combat Training they taught us combat tactics, basically looking and finding IEDs combat formations etc., and at my MOS school they taught me how to drive Combat Vehicles, how to work on them, and how to make sure they are combat ready.”

bobbyBobby Warrington (’12)- United States Army

Bobby has been stationed in one of the most beautiful places ever for the past 3 years- Schofield Barracks in Wahiawa, Hawaii! He’ll be moving to Ft. Hood, TX soon. When he’s not at work, he’s racing up and down the volcanic mountains as an avid mountain biker.

Bobby provided the following update: “I went through OSUT (one station unit training) at Ft. Benning, GA. I’ve gone through Jungle School, Fries and Spies training, and trained at the National Training Center at Ft. Erwin, CA. I’ve received two Army achievement medals, one for being 1 of 4 people to pass Jungle School out of the entire squadron which is 150 people. The other award was for certain actions that aren’t really school friendly…. My experience in the army has been great. I’m a 19D cavalry scout, and I love my job. It is a challenging job, but I never regret enlisting. I’m proud of the things I have done and do. I look forward to continuing my work and as well continuing my education as much as possible. BA was such an awesome school. They have an amazing staff and it really is a great atmosphere. I’m really thankful that I went to school at BA and I couldn’t think of a school I would have rather been in. I miss it a lot.”

tuckerTucker Stephenson (’13)- United States Marine Corps

seth2Seth Conn (’16)- United States Army

There isn’t a lot to report on Seth since he is at basic training right now! Even his family has only seen 2 snapshots of him since he left on August 20, 2016.  Seth, when you have graduated basic and see this post, know that your BA family was thinking of you and praying for you.

Swearing in ceremony

seth

kykerMatt Kyker (’14)- United States Army

He is a newlywed and is stationed in Tacoma, WA.

colbyColby Howard (’09)

Is a graduate of the Alabama Fire College and is a Firefighter/EMT for the Lakeview District and Regional Paramedical Services. Colby can often be seen on the rescue ambulance we have stationed at every home varsity football game. He was named Firefighter of the Year 2013. His wife Amanda teaches science at BA, and daughter Natalie is in K-3. Now THAT’S a Rebel family!

bowlinJustin Bowlin (’07)

Is a police officer with Birmingham PD.

Matthew Williams (’13)

Has just begun EMT school.

Juliana Green (’11)- United States Army

Chris Zissette (’10)

Is a police officer for the Bessemer City PD.

Joseph Nelson (’12)

Is a police officer with Birmingham PD.

Tony Norris (’01)- Unites States Army

Ben Gentry (’03)- Unites States Marine Corps

Joseph Killian (’03)- Unites States Marine Corps

Alan Lawley (’01)- United States Navy

Robby Allison (’02)

Is a Firefighter/EMT with Birmingham Fire & Rescue

 teddyTeddy Davis (’87)

Is a police lieutenant with Hoover PD and has served for many years on the board of directors of BA. His daughter Whitney graduated from BA in ’13 and son Wes is c/o ’18.

If you would like to send us an update, please email webmaster@bessemeracademy.com.  Look for a post each day this week, and we hope to see you at Homecoming this Friday night, September 16, 2016 at 7 pm!