PCHS Alumni Association presents scholarships

By Bart Moss for the FCT

The 2017 annual meeting of the Phil Campbell High School Alumni Association was held Sunday. The groups presented two $500 scholarships to graduates of the Class of 2017 Madolyn Duncan and Joshua Burcham.

“We are proud, as former alums of Phil Campbell, to be able to give a little helping hand to a couple of our recent graduates,” said association president Lynn Landers.

More than 40 alumni were on hand from various classes. The oldest classes represented were the Class of 1943 (Olena Arthur Pike) and the Class of 1945 (J.P. and Mildred Jones).

Two members of the Class of 1967 made long journeys to celebrate their 50th class reunion. Tom Palmer drove more than 2,300 miles from Spokane, Wash., and Brian Sisson traveled from Las Vegas, Nev., to attend the event.

The group got an update from Phil Campbell Mayor Steve Bell, who said the city is looking forward to 75 new jobs coming to the industrial park; opening bids for new bathroom and concession facilities at the splash pad; and the changes going on within the town’s police department.

Phil Campbell Principal Gary Odom updated the association on some school business. Odom said the school’s enrollment will likely increase by about 90 students this year, with a total enrollment of about 460 at the high school. He also announced all the new teachers at the high school this year.

The association elected officers: Lynn Landers, president; Sue Bowen, vice president; and Juanita Well, treasurer.

Landers also recognized Franklin County Junior Leadership volunteers, who helped serve the meal prepared by William Bishop.