Latest news with #Hoover'sHeroes
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hoover's Heroes: ‘Selfless, devoted' pre-k teacher dedicates nearly 2 decades in classroom
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – For young mothers, especially working moms, if they can't be home with their babies, they want a happy, loving place that feels like a community. In Huntsville's Chapman Mountain, you'll find a special place where News 19 heard from a parent who wants to show a particular teacher how much she is loved and appreciated. 'The Birthday Fairy' brings the magic for children on their birthday in the Shoals 'She's the most selfless, kind, humble, loving teacher ever,' Melissa Owens said. It's the last day before summer break, and Pre-K teacher Robbie Honeycutt can't help but get a little lump in her throat. 'It is very emotional. You get very attached to your children,' Honeycutt said. For 18 years, Robbie has taught the little ones at Epworth United Methodist Mom's Day Out Pre-K and Kindergarten. Hoover's Heroes: Teacher who is a 'guiding light' for both students and staff That's 18 years of class photos, morning carpet time and last days of school. She loves her job of teaching children at such a magical time in their lives. That's because Honeycutt says once children reach kindergarten, time seems to go fast. Feeling all the emotions of the day is Melissa Owens. Her son Maverick is in Honeycutt's class and he's the last of Melissa's children to come through Epworth. 'Epworth has been home,' said Owens. Owens is fighting back tears because Honeycutt has played such a big part of her family's life. Honeycutt is someone she calls a hero to all her preschoolers. 'She's a hero not just to me but to the community here at Epworth,' said Owens. Melissa nominated Honeycutt to be recognized as a Hoover's Hero, writing in to News 19 about her selflessness and dedication to going above and beyond in the classroom. 'We love on them a lot. I have great co-teachers. You may come in in a bad mood and you saw Maverick saying I love you. You just get a hug and it makes your day much better,' Honeycutt said. Hugs are a big part of the day for Honeycutt's class because life sometimes gets hard, even in the Pre-K. 'I'm not going to push a child away. If they want a hug, I'm not going to do that. I just love them. If they want to hug me then I'm going to hug them back,' Honeycutt said. While learning their letters and writing their names is the goal before kindergarten, life lessons mean just as much. 'Treat others how you would want to be treated,' Honeycutt said. Owens says they are lessons taught by a teacher who always puts others before herself and never asks for anything in return. 'She doesn't know that she deserves it and doesn't realize how loved she is,' Owens said. To nominate a hero in your community, you can fill out the form for Hoover's Heroes here. Then watch News 19 at 5 every Monday to see your hero and others get the recognition they deserve! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
7-year-old calls 911, helps save family member's life
NEW MARKET, Ala. (WHNT) — This week's Hoover's Hero is a little man who showed big bravery in the face of an emergency. News 19 heads to New Market this week to meet Maddox Kendrick, whose courage may have saved his family member's life. Tradition of worshipping together for 2 churches continues with new generation of pastors The 7-year-old loves playing video games and watching television. In fact, that's what he was doing on New Year's Day when he noticed something was wrong with his step mom, Megan Douglas. 'I was asking her something and then she fell down, and I asked her if she was okay, and her eyes were closed and she hit the side of the bathtub and the wall,' Maddox said. Megan, who is epileptic, was having a seizure, and she needed medical attention right away. So, Maddox first called Megan's mother, Tammy, who was on her way. Then, he called 911. With EMS on the way, Maddox gave the operator their address and helped her gather more information. Alabama A&M student with a heart for struggling women needs your help with her passion project Maddox's actions that day likely saved Megan's life. That's something she realizes now. 'I ended up having another one, so probably would've kept having seizures if I had been there by myself,' Megan says. For his sharp presence of mind to call 911 and for his bravery and courage, Maddox was given a Good Samaritan Award by the New Market History Project and Madison County Commissioner Tom Brandon. If you know a hero who deserves recognition on News 19, click here to nominate them for Hoover's Heroes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Tradition of worshipping together for 2 churches continues with new generation of pastors
NEW MARKET, Ala. (WHNT) — The nomination for this week's Hoover's Heroes asked for the spotlight to be given to two gentlemen, calling them 'great leaders in their community who have worked tirelessly to break down racial barriers.' They managed to break those barriers in what's long been called the most segregated hour of America – Sunday morning church services. On Maundy Thursday, ahead of Easter weekend, a message of unity is delivered from the pulpit on this day of reflection on the sacrifice of Jesus and his commandment to love and serve others. 'We work toward the goal of becoming one as the Lord says, even as he and the father were one makes us one,' Pastor Larry Davidson, Jr. said. Davidson isn't the only preacher doing the preaching at the services inside Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church in New Market. Other pastors and their parishioners have made the pilgrimage to hold up a tradition that started with a pledge two preachers made to each other over 30 years ago. 'This is home. Hopewell is as much home to us as the building down there,' says Dr. Robby White. He is Pastor Emeritus at Locust Grove Baptist Church. Six miles separate the two churches, but White remembers when he and Hopewell's former pastor Leroy Cole recognized it was more than miles keeping churches divided. So, they hatched a plan to bring their congregations together on several Sundays throughout the year and even on Maundy Thursday. 'Here on Sunday mornings, when Hopewell will come to Locust Grove or Locust Grove will come here. That's almost unheard of,' says White. Black and white churches worshipping together in small southern towns like New Market was something that very few churches were doing in the early 1990s, says Pastor Davidson. 'Those two pastors were trailblazers really in the time that they did it. New Market has some history and so for them to do what they did it wasn't really popular perhaps at that time, but they saw the benefit even for a season like this to do what they did,' says Davidson. Bridging a racial divide, Pastor White says, fosters a sense of unity for both the preachers and the people in the pews. 'When we worship together, there's an energy I enjoy. I walk away every time and say let's just do this every Sunday,' exclaims White. Now a pastor emeritus he looks ahead to retirement while remembering the bond he helped form. He's happy to see that bond being kept firmly in place by a new generation of church leaders. 'Dr. Davidson, who is the pastor here now, has just picked up the mantle when Leroy retired and has continued that,' says White. Pastor Davidson says the scripture tells us everything that divides goes away at the cross. 'It doesn't matter about nationality, doesn't matter about background, doesn't even matter the history of the sin. The sacredness of the heart and the cross is that place where all that stuff is washed away and dissolved,' he says. News 19 viewer Rena Campbell nominated the two pastors. If you know a good story to tell about an everyday hero in your life let us know by following this link to the Hoover's Heroes nomination form. Then watch News 19 at 5 every Monday to see your hero and others get the recognition they deserve! We'd love for you to help us highlight those other heroes around us! Just let us know who the hero in your life is and what makes them heroic, and we'll consider them for our Hoover's Heroes segment. To nominate them, fill out the form here: Submit a form. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New teacher helps high school band get swagger back
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – There's something to be said about someone who can come into a space and change it for the better. That recently happened at Brindlee Mountain High School. The person who nominated Hunter Shell for Hoover's Heroes says he has worked his magic and completely transformed the band program at the Title I school. Hunter did it by caring about what he does for the students and his co-workers. When Hunter arrived in the fall of 2023, the band program was struggling. 'So, when I came in, I had 18 kids in the sixth through 12th grade program. I was told the truth about everything. They needed someone to come in and help them get them going,' Hunter said. A dwindling roster of students wasn't the only problem. Morale was also down. 'That actually was a problem. All the drama when he came over,' says paraprofessional Steven Sims. Student Mollie Tolton agrees. 'We were kind of in our separate groups, not like a team but this year in the past two years he's made us one big family,' Mollie says. That was a big task for a band that didn't sound so great, didn't march too well, and with students not getting along. The new band director was up to the challenge. 'Building relationships with the kids. If you know each kid, you know when you can get harsh on a kid or when you don't need to get harsh on a kid. It's kind of like parenting,' says Hunter. 'He just brings the best out of them. He's actually helped them grow and be more confident while playing,' says Sims. The newfound confidence has helped the band get its swagger back, and now they're back racking up the awards at competitions. 'We're a smaller band so we're competing in the 18 division, but that was the first contest they've been to and won awards for superior ratings in over 10 years,' Hunter said. 'Now we're getting ones and we're actually getting the best in class,' Sims added. So, as it goes, success breeds success, and other students started to take notice. 'Now in 6th through 12th we have roughly 60 kids so that's really quadruple the size,' Hunter says. The results are helping more students to see a brighter future. 'It's helped me become who I am and made me want to do music education for my career. He's helped me come out of my shell,' says Mollie. It's certainly paying off. Recently at the Alabama Bandmasters Music Performance Assessment, Brindlee Mountain High's wind ensemble received superior ratings. We'd love for you to help us highlight other heroes around us! Just let us know who the hero in your life is and what makes them heroic, and we'll consider them for our Hoover's Heroes segment. To nominate them, fill out the form here: Submit a form. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
