FROM STAFF REPORTS

NORTH SHELBY – “Never give up, never stop trying, make no excuses, and everything happens for a reason,” are some of the verbal comments remembered by Oak Mountain Middle School students after hearing encouraging words from Noah Galloway, the 2014 Men’s Health Ultimate Guy, at a recent school assembly.

Galloway, a native of Alabaster, addressed students at the school’s October, 2014 Characters with Character recognition awards ceremony.

Galloway is a veteran of the Iraq wars and valiantly served his country until an IED explosion significantly wounded him in December 2005. He lost both his left arm and leg in a night accident when his Humvee triggered the enemy’s hidden explosive device.

After facing numerous emotional, physical, and mental challenges, Galloway finally decided, “no excuses.”  He began immense athletic training pushing himself to previously unknown limits.  As a result of this regimen, his “No Excuses Charitable Foundation,” and advocacy for children’s positive well-being, Galloway was named “2014 Ultimate Men’s Health Guy by the publication of the same name.

Galloway, assisted by OMMS Student Government Association officers, awarded the following students a Character with Character award for their positive attitudes and exemplary behavior during the first nine weeks:

• 8th grade  – Caroline Dorsey, Forrest Hardy, Razel Gargollo, Brandon Stephens, Olivia Russo, Zachary Rakers
• 7th grade – Emma Grace Ingram, Eli Fizer, Lauren Holsey, Nathan McOmber, Simene Morgan, and Aaron Brook
• 6th grade – Taylor Yonfa, Evan Laycock, Nooni Syed, Hogan Morton, Pricila Torrijos, and Jimmy Harris

If additional information is needed, please contact Larry Haynes, Principal, 205~682~5210.