By GINNY COOPER/Staff Writer

The Shelby County School District unveiled a new logo and tagline, and highlighted achievements of the schools during a Showcase of Schools event, held on April 16 at the Pelham Civic Complex.

“(Shelby County Schools) are doing so many positive and exciting things,” Shelby County School District Superintendent Randy Fuller said, and emphasized the partnerships with community and business leaders, which “make Shelby County so special.”

Schools from each district worked together to great tables highlighting events and programs, which make their school special.

“We just want Shelby County to be an incredibly positive, supportive environment,” Oak Mountain Intermediate Principal Patricia LeQuier said. “We’re warm, we’re welcoming, we want that collaborative relationship with the business community.”

Keynote speakers Dr. Lawrence Lemak, founder of Lemak Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, and Keith Richards, founder of Taziki’s Mediterranean Café, both spoke about the partnerships they have formed with the school districts to successfully prepare students for transitions to college and the workplace.

Richards, who developed the program HOPE for special needs students in the district, explained how the program started and grew in the district.

“These kids are my passion,” Richards said. “It’s just amazing to see these kids and what they can do.”

Ameen Barghi, a 2011 graduate of Oak Mountain High School and early acceptance medical school student at UAB, spoke about how the district prepared him for the rigorous challenge of UAB.

“The classes in high school significantly over prepared me for college classes,” Barghi said.

Barghi, who is also a recipient of the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, said he was more prepared than many of his peers who attended expensive private schools.

“I got something in Shelby County that I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else,” Barghi said.