POWERGRAMS

19 Congressional resolution said it is "an outstanding example of Made in America." Mayor Sunseri presented Exxel executives, including Kazazian, the key to the city for their continuing investment in Haleyville. "Exxel has been here for a lot of years and it's all because of the people who worked hard to make sure this business didn't leave like some others did," Huggins said. "We make a good product for a good price: It's a commitment to our customers from our owners and employees." HALEYVILLE HIGH There have been 15 state championship teams, three individual state championships, a national pentathlon champion and several national champion bands in the history of Haleyville High School. Still, a lot of teachers point with pride to the ACT 30+ Club, with a couple of dozen member students having scored higher than 95% among the couple of million who take the test annually nationwide. "We pride ourselves on that," says Principal Davey Reed, who was District Principal of the Year in 2021. "We keep working on it." The 4A school with 480 students is big on "Lion Pride," as are many community members who wear crimson clothing highlighted by the school mascot. The trophy cases may be filled with state and regional winners and runners-up plaques, but there's always room for something else that can make the school and city proud. Reed enjoys showing off the 60-year-old school that seems almost brand new. Brent Walker, the artist who makes some Crimson Tide sports facilities sparkle, has been employed at HHS to spruce up the hallways and athletic facilities. A wall of fame has dozens of portraits of alumni, including standout doctors, lawyers, judges, a singer, chef, cheerleader, congressman and war hero. Outside and in the band room are photos saluting players past and present, just above wall-to-wall trophies. The gymnasium has undergone a $2 million facelift and expansion, including new air conditioning and ADA- compliant restrooms. There are interactive video monitors in every class, laptop computers for every student and several 3D printers for budding engineers, artists and entrepreneurs. Two video studios allow students to prepare broadcasts of "The Roar" that greet students with a 10-minute news roundup each week. Unlike many schools where students must travel to take industrial courses, the HHS Center of Technology has separate buildings for welding, auto mechanics, AP computer science, health sciences, drafting and other training that in past years would often be undertaken at junior colleges. "We try to balance our academics with our athletics," says Reed, a 30-year educator with degrees from UAB and the University of Alabama, but who also is in the Marion County Sports Hall of Fame. "If you want to be a welder, we're the place for you. If you want to be a doctor or a lawyer, we're the place for you." Reed was "extremely proud of our teachers and students" when Haleyville High received an 85 on the 2022 state schools "report card." The school has received more than $11,000 in Alabama Power Foundation support, including recent classroom grants for teachers Jessica Yeager and Mike McCandless. CARTER CABINS AND FARM They arrive from most anywhere, sometimes out of the Netherlands, Romania, Germany and Ireland, often extending their stay for a couple of days or a week. What was initially curiosity or convenience turns into a love for the country, if not specifically America, then surely for the little cabins in the midst of guineas, goats, peacocks, hawks, a bald eagle, chickens, cows, friendly dogs, a fat cat and the "Dolly Llama." The guests of Steve and Mechele Carter often can't Haleyville High School students excel in sports and academics (left). Popcorn awaits patrons in lobby of Dixie Theater. Auto mechanics students learning their trade. The Carters with Koda and Buddy.

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