Genny Pittman
Involvements: Student Government Association, Spanish Club, National Spanish Honor Society, swimming
What are your college plans and career aspirations?
This fall I will attend Auburn University as I work toward my degree in kinesiology (exercise science) with a minor in Spanish and later aspire to be a nurse.
What is one of the most significant things you learned in high school?
I learned how to really push through the difficult times and see the hard work that I put toward my academics overflow into other areas of life. I saw this my sophomore year as I struggled academically in the numerous classes I was being challenged in. Although I did not see immediate success in the classroom, the following summer I used the determination that I learned in school and put it toward my athletics as I trained for the 2012 Olympic Trials and later reached my goal and competed in the trials.
What will you miss most about Homewood?
I will greatly miss the faculty and staff that are so involved in the community. Not only are the parents in Homewood, the places we can go, and the events Homewood hosts fantastic, but seeing board members, teachers and coaches throughout the community constantly supporting Homewood as a whole will be greatly missed. I feel as if everyone who is a part of the school system is also such a huge part of our loving community.
Yevgeniy Gavrikov
Involvements: Varsity soccer, math team
What are your college plans and career aspirations?
I will be attending the Honors College of Auburn University this upcoming fall with a long-term focus on either chemical or nuclear engineering. During this time I also plan to apply for a Navy engineering program in the hope of receiving an even better education by serving on a nuclear submarine.
What is your favorite memory from your time at HHS?
This past semester both of our varsity basketball teams made the state playoffs. We were allowed to travel to the games and as a result missed the majority of the school day. Although both our guys and girls teams lost, the event was greatly enjoyable and memorable.
What will you miss most about Homewood?
I will miss being able to play soccer on any given day with my friends, and I will definitely miss being within walking distance of many of my childhood friends. The overall charisma of the area will be missed greatly.
Elizabeth Hale
Involvements: Varsity volleyball, Student Government Association, marching band, head drum major
What are your college plans and career aspirations?
I am planning to attend Rhodes College, though I have not made an official commitment. I plan to study on a pre-medical track with aspirations of becoming a neonatologist or adolescent psychiatrist.
What is your favorite memory from your time at HHS?
Most of my favorite Homewood memories come from time spent with the band, but I don’t think I can pick a singular memory as my favorite. Whether I was teaching drill during a hot July band camp, accepting the Tournament of Roses flag through tears of joy or marching in the We Love Homewood Day parade, I was having a great time.
What will you miss most about Homewood?
I’ll miss Friday night football games, waving to neighbors when I get home from school, meeting friends for a casual dinner in Edgewood, my church home at Trinity UMC on Oxmoor, the lunchroom’s Crispitos and the Christmas Parade, just to name a few things. Most of all, though, I’ll miss the sense of community that Homewood has.
Hallie Tarpley
Involvements: Varsity tennis, varsity volleyball, math team, Key Club
What are your career aspirations?
Ideally, I see myself rubbing elbows with Tina Fey on set of NBC’s crispest new single-camera comedy as we reenact our daily matching cardigan bit. Until that magical day becomes more reality based, I plan on attending The University of Alabama to double major in telecommunications and film and business with a minor in creative writing.
What is your favorite memory from your time in high school?
I don’t know if I have any Barbra Streisand- type “misty water-colored memories,” but I have thoroughly enjoyed growing up amongst the quaint shuffle of Homewood. Here I have been able to swim on the same team for 10 years, walk to the library to straighten out those outstanding fees, and learn from some of the most dedicated and intelligent teachers.
What will you miss most about Homewood?
My favorite city event is Christmas in Homewood. What better season transition than store after store serving free chili? Even though I have developed quite a reputation for violent, excited cider spilling, nothing can negate the joy that forms from the fresh glimmer of new Christmas ornaments and warm, soft Michael Bublé holiday tunes floating in between storefronts.
