Red Bay High School is celebrating its position as an official Alabama Bicentennial School.

Red Bay High School is one of 200 schools selected for this special designation and to receive a grant to fund a community project developed by the school.

Launched by Gov. Kay Ivey in December 2017, the Alabama Bicentennial Schools Initiative encourages all public, private and homeschool students and teachers to participate in the celebration of Alabama’s 200^th anniversary of statehood in 2019. In early 2018, all K-12 schools in Alabama were invited to submit proposals that engage in outreach and improvement projects to connect their classrooms with their local communities.

From a competitive pool of nearly 400 proposals, 200 schools were selected to be official Alabama Bicentennial Schools and receive $2,000 grants to support the implementation of their projects. Additionally, 56 schools received honorable mentions and $500 grants. Schools were chosen through a review process involving committees of local educators, community leaders and private citizens.

Red Bay’s project involves the Red Bay High School FFA Chapter expanding its project-based learning experiences to encompass maintaining the Cypress Cove Pavilion facilities and working with the Red Bay Garden Club to beautify the City of Red Bay with plants and flowers.

“The Bicentennial Schools Initiative is not only a special way for students to take part in celebrating our 200 years of statehood but also an opportunity for them to engage within their communities. It fosters a love for the state they call home, and it instills in them the courage to make a difference,” said Ivey.

RBHS Principal Lance Mitchell said whenever the school and community can work together, everyone benefits. “I am always glad to be a part of progress here at Red Bay School,” he added.

FFA sponsor Jarod Massey thanked assistant principal Dr. Jacqueline Parsons for writing the grant and John Torisky for making the trip to Montgomery to receive the recognition.

“I plan to purchase two push mowers, two weed-eaters and three greenhouse tables with the grant dollars. These items will be a great asset to the FFA program,” Massey said.

Parsons said it is an honor for the school to be selected as an Alabama Bicentennial School and receive an award. “This recognition also allowed Shanna Ozbirn and I the opportunity to attend professional development emphasizing People of Alabama,” Parsons added. “We are looking forward to sharing our information with the teachers and students.”

The Alabama Bicentennial Schools Initiative is presented in partnership by Alabama 200, the Alabama Department of Archives and History and the Alabama State Department of Education.

For more information visit www.alabama200.org.