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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Central State Bank presented scholarships to three previous members of the Alabaster Teen Council during an Alabaster City Council meeting on Monday, June 10.

“We select, with the support of Central State Bank—who have been an incredible partner to our city in multiple facets—scholarships that are awarded to three individuals from our Teen Council who have gone above and beyond in their service,” Alabaster Mayor Scott Brakefield said.

During the meeting, Brandy Hamilton with Central State Bank came forward to address the Alabaster City Council and to highlight the students who were chosen for this year’s scholarships.

“It is an honor to stand here and acknowledge the achievements of our teen council,” Hamilton said. “The Central State Bank Scholarship awards to be distributed today have shown three recipients who exhibit such qualities that will not only help them in achieving their goals but bring the same to others in the community.”

Each year, Central State Bank works together with the Alabaster City Council to select three graduating seniors that were members of the Alabaster Teen Council and are deserving of the scholarships and this year’s recipients include, Abby Bess, Luke Reid and Mary Sirmons.

“These three young adults have upheld what Central State Bank values day to day,” Hamilton said. “(They) have shown the council, community and Central State Bank the integrity, teamwork, excellence and genuineness in what it takes to be a servant leader. These young adults have a passion for exceeding expectations and being authentic in all that they do. They share great teamwork in a professional and respectful manner. I’m honored to give these three young adults the Alabaster Teen Council scholarship.”

The Alabaster Teen Council first began under the leadership of Alabaster Mayor Marty Handlon in 2014 as a way to engage the city’s youth and educate them on what it takes to run the city. The program has grown over the years with the inaugural teen council consisting of only 12 members and the latest iteration now featuring 35 members.

Each year, the teen council is open to all Alabaster high school students, including public, private and homeschool. The students each serve a one-year term on the council that begins and expires each year in April.

The council aims to create an informed group of students who are familiar with municipal issues, to develop lasting relationships between students and city leaders, sustain youth presence in a broad range of impact and decision-making areas across the community, develop future civic leaders and to organize events for community teens.