Wellborn senior honored with Rising Star scholarship
The scholarship honors students across central Alabama for their academic excellence, leadership and community service.
'I'm very excited that I was chosen,' Bean said . ' I didn't even think I would get the scholarship out of how many kids were selected for it.'
Bean was selected from a competitive pool of 30 'Rising Star' nominees who were featured throughout the academic year by WBRC. Each honoree was chosen for demonstrating perseverance, passion and a commitment to bettering their communities.
'From that pool, six students were selected to receive the $5,000 Rising Star Scholarship to support their educational journey,' the organizations said in a joint announcement.
The winners were announced during an awards ceremony in Birmingham. Along with Bean, scholarship recipients included Kimora Dejarenette of Sylacauga High School, Carleigh Lipscomb of Gadsden City High School, LeeAnn Satterfield of Southside High School, James Murphy Jr. of Minor High School, and Lana Todd of Holly Pond High School.
'We're incredibly proud to continue our partnership with WBRC to highlight and support the next generation of leaders through the Rising Star program,' said Kevin Morris, president and CEO of AmFirst. 'These students are a powerful reminder of the promise our future holds.'
The scholarship program also included the Bill and Pat Connor Scholarship, named in 2025 to honor the legacy of former AmFirst CEO Bill Connor and his wife, Pat. That award went to Ryan Kozlek of Oak Mountain High School, a dependent of an AmFirst employee.
For Bean, the honor represents years of hard work and a promising start to the next chapter of his academic journey. Each scholarship recipient plans to attend a full-time college or trade school beginning in fall 2025.
Bean said she will attend Jacksonville State University and study physical therapy and sports medicine.
Bean's mom, Dia Webb, who is also the principal at Wellborn High School, said she was amazed because there were over 200 applicants for the scholarship.
'We were just floored when we received the call that she was getting the award,' Webb said. 'As one of the recipients we were kind of speechless and I'm so proud that she did this on her own.'
More information on the Rising Star program and this year's honorees is available at WBRC.com/rising-star.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Associated Press
Diamond Home Support Named Rising Star in 2025 Elite Franchise Top 100 for UK-Wide Home Services Growth
08/07/2025, Sittingbourne, ME // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Diamond Home Support has earned national recognition as a Rising Star in the 2025 Elite Franchise Top 100, a prestigious annual ranking that celebrates the leading franchise businesses across the United Kingdom. The Rising Star distinction is awarded to brands demonstrating the most pronounced upward movement in the rankings from one year to the next. The Elite Franchise Top 100 list is widely respected as a benchmark for franchising success in the UK. It recognises brands that display innovation, resilience, scalable business models, and outstanding support for their franchisees. This year, Diamond Home Support has firmly captured industry attention with its continued rise, reflecting a well-executed growth strategy and an emphasis on local-level service delivery. Founded in Sittingbourne, Kent, Diamond Home Support operates a nationwide franchise network delivering a range of essential services including domestic cleaning, home help for the elderly, and gardening. What sets the business apart is its focus on local responsiveness; each franchisee is empowered to adapt their services based on the unique needs of their community. This model not only enhances service relevance but also strengthens franchisee-client relationships. The company's Managing Director noted the meaning behind the accolade, stating, 'Recognition in the Elite Franchise Top 100 is a welcome reflection of the progress we've made, and being named a Rising Star makes it especially meaningful. It highlights the impact of our franchise network and the value they deliver at a local level.' Diamond Home Support currently provides services through its franchisees in areas ranging from Cornwall to the Highlands of Scotland, including London, Surrey, Derbyshire, Dorset, and beyond. Each local branch offers flexible, reliable home assistance, with services tailored for the elderly, busy professionals, and families in need of dependable support. The brand is known for its affordable pricing, high customer retention, and a reputation built on trust and reliability. Franchisees benefit from a turnkey business model that includes comprehensive training, marketing support, and access to proven systems. This approach allows individuals, often with no prior business experience, to manage their operation within a supportive national network successfully. The flexibility of the model also appeals to those looking to work from home or create a better work-life balance. What makes Diamond Home Support stand out in the home services sector is not only its scalable franchise system but also its human-centred ethos. The company maintains high service standards by equipping its partners with ongoing support while emphasising the importance of integrity, empathy, and community connection. As demand for home-based services continues to rise across the UK, the business is poised for further expansion without compromising on its quality standards. Looking ahead, the company plans to broaden its reach into new territories while reinforcing its infrastructure to support the next generation of franchisees. By aligning its business goals with real-world local needs, Diamond Home Support continues to strengthen its place in an increasingly competitive market. For more information, visit Diamond Home Support's website at About Diamond Home Support Diamond Home Support is a UK-based franchise network offering home cleaning, home help, and gardening services through locally owned and operated branches. The company supports independent franchisees in delivering high-quality, flexible home services tailored to their local communities. ### Media Contact Diamond Home Support Diamond Home Support, Suite 118, St George's Business Park, Castle Road, Sittingbourne ME10 3TB UK 01795 859182 newsroom: Source published by Submit Press Release >> Diamond Home Support Named Rising Star in 2025 Elite Franchise Top 100 for UK-Wide Home Services Growth
Yahoo
23-07-2025
- Yahoo
BELIMO Holding First Half 2025 Earnings: EPS: CHF8.23 (vs CHF6.28 in 1H 2024)
BELIMO Holding (VTX:BEAN) First Half 2025 Results Key Financial Results Revenue: CHF561.5m (up 19% from 1H 2024). Net income: CHF101.3m (up 31% from 1H 2024). Profit margin: 18% (up from 16% in 1H 2024). The increase in margin was driven by higher revenue. EPS: CHF8.23 (up from CHF6.28 in 1H 2024). We've found 21 US stocks that are forecast to pay a dividend yield of over 6% next year. See the full list for free. All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period BELIMO Holding Earnings Insights Looking ahead, revenue is forecast to grow 12% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, compared to a 6.5% growth forecast for the Building industry in Switzerland. Performance of the Swiss Building industry. The company's shares are up 9.4% from a week ago. Balance Sheet Analysis While earnings are important, another area to consider is the balance sheet. We've done some analysis and you can see our take on BELIMO Holding's balance sheet. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Journals
22-07-2025
- Business Journals
City of Boston CFO Ashley Groffenberger named BBJ CFO of the Year Rising Star honoree
There are a lot of variables when it comes to being the chief financial officer for the city of Boston. In addition to overseeing and developing the budget, there's a five-year capital plan that needs to be created and revised, assessments, payment collections and managing the treasury. It's safe to say that the job comes with its share of stresses. Sometimes, there are so many moving pieces that Ashley Groffenberger wishes her team could simplify it all and just turn everything into an easy math equation. Which is exactly why her staff got her an algebra workbook, which she keeps on her desk. 'When we're dealing with these really difficult decisions, I sometimes look at my team and I'm like, 'I wish we could just sit here and solve for X,'" said Groffenberger. "When I need to decompress, I solve for X. That's how I unwind.' Groffenberger's career has been filled with more constants than variables. Since graduating from Northeastern in 2010, she has been working in government finance, seeking a mission-driven organization that has a tangible impact on the surrounding community. That goal led her from her initial role as an analyst in the State House to her current role at City Hall. And most recently, Groffenberger has been named the 2025 Rising Star awardee at the Boston Business Journal's CFO of the Year awards. Coming into the position was somewhat familiar for Groffenberger. She had spent the past eight years in California's Bay Area, where she worked as the budget director for the city and county of San Francisco for seven of those eight years. The time in San Francisco helped prepare her for her role with the city of Boston — and the Dunkin' Donuts that opened an hour away from her San Fransisco office offered a small reminder of home. After Michelle Wu 's successful bid to become the mayor of Boston in 2021, Groffenberger's name was floated as a potential candidate for the CFO role. When Wu's administration reached out with an offer, Groffenberger called the decision to return to the place she once thought of as the apex of the world a 'no-brainer.' 'I like to think about the dream jobs I have, and it was always a really short list,' said Groffenberger. 'This job was always at the top of that list.' The job is not without its variables, probably more than most people realize she says. Groffenberger says that a major misconception people have about the job of CFO is that it's easy to find solutions, or that it's just a matter of allocating funds. In reality, the job involves an 'incredible amount' of consideration and analysis before making a decision. When you have more than one variable to solve for, things can get complicated. But Groffenberger knows she isn't going at it alone. She makes it a point to acknowledge the significant contributions her team makes to her overall success and the success of the city. 'I will attribute all of my success to the people that I work with. I mean, this job is not singular,' Groffenberger said. 'So I attribute it to the team and the leadership here in the city, for you know, the success that we all enjoy.'
