http://www.shadesvalleyrotary.org/

Rotary Club of Shades Valley, P. O. Box 530342, Birmingham, AL (2026)

05/13/2026

The Rotary Club of Shades Valley continued its education focus, presenting the recipients of our 2026 Community College & Trade School Scholarships, made possible by the Shades Valley Rotary Foundation! 🎓👏

This year, these deserving students were awarded scholarships to the junior college or trade school of their choice to continue pursuing their educational and career goals. Each scholarship varies in amount but provides approximately $2,500 per year for two years — helping students graduate with less financial burden and more opportunity for success.

Scholarship recipients include the following from Homewood High, Shades Valley High, Restoration Academy, and Holy Family Cristo Rey. The counselors for these students provided some insight on how special each student is and there were some tears in the audience!

✨ Daylin Robinson
✨ Kwume Walto
✨ LaKelle Cole
✨ Brandon Hicks
✨ Yana Davis
✨ Makenzie Patton
✨ Jayden Harris
✨ Abraham Clark
✨ Zaine Pennell
✨ Ishmael Perez
✨ Glenn Peterson
✨ Kendarious McMullin
✨ Isaiah Fisher
✨ Caden Alexander
✨ Anaselia Dominguez Frye
✨ Erik Perez
✨ Bindi Bray Stephens
✨ Zariana Boyd

And special recognition to Eden Davidson, who was unable to attend due to car trouble.

This program began in 2017 when Shades Valley Rotary members Ted Brasfield and George Casey envisioned a scholarship initiative designed to help students pursuing careers through community colleges and trade schools. Beginning with just two scholarship recipients in 2018, the program has steadily grown through the generosity and commitment of our club members.

What makes this program unique is its mission to close the financial “gap” after all grants and aid are applied — allowing students to complete their education without taking on student loan debt. Scholarships are paid directly to schools so students can focus on building their futures and achieving their career goals.

Congratulations to these incredible students! Your hard work, determination, and aspirations inspire us all. 💙💛

05/04/2026

🎓✨ Celebrating the Future: 2026 Shades Valley Rotary Scholars ✨🎓
The Rotary Club of Shades Valley is proud to announce our 2026 scholarship recipients—an exceptional group of students who embody Rotary’s commitment to service, leadership, and academic excellence.
This year, 9 outstanding seniors were each awarded $10,000 scholarships—a total investment of $90,000 in the next generation of leaders. These students were recognized at a special luncheon held May 4 at the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
👏 Congratulations to our 2026 Scholars:
Mackenzie Jackson - Shades Valley High School
Kimberly Acosta - Shades Valley High School
Gabriella Brown - Shades Valley High School
Avery Kononchek - John Carroll Catholic High School
Lily Trinh - Homewood High School
Isaiah Shull - Homewood High School
Willa Turner - Homewood High School
William Wallis - Homewood High School
Jack Weinrib - Homewood High School
📚 The impact continues—on May 11, the Shades Valley Rotary Charitable Foundation will award approximately 20 additional scholarships ($2,500 each) to students pursuing trade schools, community colleges, and certificate programs.
For more than 55 years, our foundation has awarded 570+ scholarships totaling $1.3 million, supporting students from across our community.
📸 Swipe through to see highlights from this inspiring day and hear from these incredible students!

04/27/2026

Shades Valley Rotary wrapped up our Mayors Month series with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin. He explained how they approached crime in the past year, the City’s focus on education with Birmingham Promise and the formation of the Birmingham Children and Youth Commission that will focus on a unified cradle to career initiative. We appreciated his time and taking questions for over 20 minutes!

It was the perfect lead in to our May focus on Education. May 4th will be our College Scholarship Day, May 18th we will hear from Dr. Wayne Gonsoulin, Jefferson County School Superintendent.

04/22/2026

Want to know what Rotary is about? It's about service. Service over self. Once a month members from Shades Valley Rotary volunteer The Leaf Pantry and Urban Farm. It's a client-choice food pantry that supports families facing food insecurity. This unique community service provides loving, compassionate distribution of fresh food, household essentials, and clothing to families in need throughout the community -- with respect for human dignity. Pictured are volunteers from last Saturday, Mike Wade, Paul Nurre, David Bells, Eric Smoke, and Bob Baker.

04/21/2026

We continued our Mayors month series this week with Graham Smith, Mayor of Mtn. Brook. She gave members a thoughtful look at how the City is approaching development and partnerships with other municipalities. We appreciate her time, and taking many questions on Hwy 280 construction, which is an ALDOT project.

We also heard from Odontuya Adiya who is visiting from Mongolia and staying with Rotarian Lindsy Gardner. Odin is on fellowship with the National Committee on US China Relations and spending one month in the US. She chose to intern at the O’Neal Library.

Next week we wrap up Mayors Month with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin!

04/21/2026

Shades Valley Rotary was happy to induct new member Matt Register at yesterdays meeting. Matt works for Spire Energy in business development. He views Rotary as a place to give back to the community and an opportunity to serve alongside other leaders.

Welcome Matt!!!

04/19/2026

Members of Shades Valley Rotary Club rolled up their sleeves for a cleanup and beautification project along the Shades Creek Greenway on Saturday. This project highlights our sponsorship of Scout Troop 21 and the Interact Club at Mountain Brook High School—two incredible youth groups helping us make a lasting impact.

Beyond supporting youth development, this effort reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the community. Over the past five years, our Club has planted 260 native trees representing 35 different species along the section of the Greenway we’ve adopted—creating a greener, healthier space for everyone to enjoy. 🌳

These semiannual projects are more than just cleanups—they’re opportunities to build community, mentor future leaders, and continue strengthening the environment we all share.

04/19/2026

Members of Shades Valley Rotary Club rolled up their sleeves for a cleanup and beautification project along the Shades Creek Greenway on Saturday. This project highlights our sponsorship of Scout Troop 21 and the Interact Club at Mountain Brook High School—two incredible youth groups helping us make a lasting impact.

Beyond supporting youth development, this effort reflects our ongoing commitment to enhancing the quality of life in the community. Over the past five years, our Club has planted 260 native trees representing 35 different species along the section of the Greenway we’ve adopted—creating a greener, healthier space for everyone to enjoy. 🌳

These semiannual projects are more than just cleanups—they’re opportunities to build community, mentor future leaders, and continue strengthening the environment we all share.

04/13/2026

April is Mayor’s Month at Shades Valley Rotary and we enjoyed today’s presentation from Vestavia Mayor Ashley Curry and City Manager Jeff Downes who took some questions after. Mayor Curry gave an interesting history of the cities formation and how it grew to its current population and size. Next Monday we will hear from Mtn. Brook Mayor Graham Smith!

04/06/2026

It was a packed house today as the Homewood Rotary joined Shades Valley Rotary for a joint meeting. Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress provided a State of the City overview that highlighted regional collaboration. This was the first in the Shades Valley Rotary’s Mayors Month series. Next Monday, April 13th, will be Ashley Curry, Mayor of Vestavia.

10/28/2025

What a great Rotary week! 💙💛

On Saturday, Oct 25, Shades Valley Rotarians teamed up with the MBHS Interact Club and Boy Scout Troop 21 for a Shades Creek Greenway Beautification Day in Homewood. Claude Rhea — joined by Eric Smoke and Paul Nurre - led the project with 8 MBHS Interact students, 8 Scouts, and 2 Scout leaders. Together they planted 12 native trees and cleared a long stretch of overgrowth along the trail on Homewood. A big thanks to everyone who came out to serve!

Then on Monday, Oct 27, we welcomed Holly Traywick, District 6860 Rotary Foundation Chair, who shared how Rotarian giving supports work both locally and across the globe including grants, district projects, and Rotary’s fight to end polio.

A weekend of hands-on service, followed by a Monday of learning and inspiration - that’s what being a Rotarian is all about. Service Above Self here at home and around the world.

Rotary Club of Shades Valley

05/13/2026

05/04/2026

04/27/2026

04/22/2026

04/21/2026

04/21/2026

04/19/2026

04/19/2026

04/13/2026

04/06/2026

10/28/2025

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