Day 3- Homecoming 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 3 brings you a special update from a specific group of calculus students…

If you would like to send us an update, please email . 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!

From Valerie Higgins, High School Math Teacher:

One of the many reasons I love teaching at Bessemer Academy is the incredible opportunity to build relationships with the students, some of which extend well beyond their tenure at BA. One example is a group of 5 girls I was fortunate enough to teach calculus in my second year. I dubbed them “the Cal girls.” I have been able to keep in touch with them throughout their college years, from helping with college-level math homework to celebrating at their wedding. Here is an update on what some of those Cal Girls are up to today:

Four of the Cal Girls at their senior prom

Whitney (Smith) Bono (’12)

From Whitney: I attended Bessemer Academy from K-4 until I graduated in 2012. My time there helped pave the way for my pursuit of a college degree. After graduation, I was able to attend the University of Alabama on a fully endowed scholarship because of opportunities in academics and extracurricular activities I had at BA. I am so thankful for the faculty members and the school’s culture that helped shape me into what I am today. Doors were opened for me that I never expected, and I am beyond blessed. I recently graduated cum laude with University Honors from UA. I am currently using my degree in chemical engineering as a process engineer for Georgia Pacific. I am also happily married and living in the Pensacola area.

Rebecca Earnest (’12)

From Rebecca: I will finish nursing school at Auburn in May 2017. I have a passion for children, so I plan on either moving back to Birmingham or Austin, Texas, to pursue a career in the pediatric ICU or neonatal ICU. My favorite thing I liked about BA was how close the students and faculty were. It felt like family outside of home, and they genuinely cared about you and your future.

Kendra Mims (’12)

Kendra graduated from Bessemer Academy in 2012. She attended the University of Alabama and recently graduated with her Bachelors in Human Development in the Spring of 2016. Kendra is currently a Rural Health Scholar at the University of Alabama while she pursues her Master’s degree in Human Environmental Sciences. After graduate school she plans to attend medical school and serve as a physician in an underserved area.

Savannah Drake (’12)

Is an accounting major at Montevallo while working part time at Premier Theaters in Bessemer.

and once again, here is Sarah who we met yesterday. She is also a Cal Girl!

Sarah Brown (’12)

Graduated this summer from Jefferson State Community College and is a Licensed Veterinary Technician at McAdory Veterinary Clinic.