0714 Patriot Pride
Front row: Mackenzie Yelton, Grace Bertram, Joy Korley, Ellie Wood, Caroline Sims, Lily Dendy, Savannah Wright, Anna Lee Nabors. Back row: Anthony Waller, Duncan McDuff, Dixon Simmons, Ax Otamias, Will Hunt, Aidan Cavanah, Peyton Bembry, Jackson Wood.
The Patriot Pride is a new organization at Homewood High School. “The Pride,” as they call themselves, is comprised of 16 boys and girls who serve as official ambassadors, representatives, and hosts of Homewood High School and the Homewood community. Michele Cooley, an AP English teacher at the high school, started this organization based on the Hoover Ambassadors at Hoover High School, which she sponsored during her years there.
The group will give tours to new students, new teachers or school visitors and will host various school events such as freshmen orientation and school registration. The Pride recently worked at Homewood’s senior awards day, baccalaureate service and graduation ceremony. The program hopes to spread its name and mission throughout the community and lend a helping hand wherever they are needed.
The Patriot Pride ambassadors were chosen through a rigorous selection process involving an application, a minimum GPA requirement, teacher recommendations and an interview. Former Hoover Ambassadors conducted the interviews two at a time.
The judges were looking for students who were poised, well spoken, enthusiastic and interested in wanting to make a difference in Homewood High School through the Patriot Pride organization. The top eight girls and top eight boys were chosen to serve as the first members of The Patriot Pride Ambassador group at Homewood High School.
The members met in early May to discuss the mission and general “dos and don’ts” of a Patriot Pride member. The meeting included a ratification of The Patriot Pride constitution as well as the election of the group’s officers: President Caroline Sims; Vice President Ax Otamias; Activity Chairperson Mackenzie Yelton; and Historians Grace Bertram, Lily Dendy and Anna Lee Nabors.
