The keynote speaker at th banquet will be Abby Lutzenkirchen Forristall. She is the Director of Events and Opportunities with the Lutzie 43 Foundation, created to honor the memory of Abby’s older brother Philip Lutzenkirchen. It is dedicated to reduce the number of distracted riving incidents.

WETUMPKA , AL – The Board of Directors of the Joe Sewell Memorial Award and John Sewell Memorial Scholarship have released the names of its 2023 Senior Finalists.

This year’s 19th Annual Joe Sewell Memorial Award banquet will be held Tuesday, May 2nd, at 6:30 pm at the Wetumpka Civic Center. The 9th Grade Certificate Winners will be recognized at a 4:00 pm ceremony with their families.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Abby Lutzenkirchen Forristall. She is the Director of Events and Opportunities with the Lutzie 43 Foundation. The Foundation, created to honor the memory of Abby’s older brother Philip Lutzenkirchen, exists to reduce the number of distracted driving incidents.

This year’s senior Finalists are:

ELENA ADAMS

Edgewood Academy

Volleyball

The River of Life Church  Nursery Worker  YMCA Volleyball Coach  FDA Drug and Tobacco Study  UAB Sleep Study  Genesis Project Outreach  Wednesday Night Food Service  VBS Volunteer  Class Officer  Beta Club  National Honor Society  Top 10% Award  SGA Vice-President  Subject Awards for Precalculus and Anatomy  Mathlete Team  Cottey College (Missouri) Merit and Volleyball Scholarships  Daughter of Phil and Kimberley Adams

MADISON ELIZABETH BAILEY

New Life Christian Academy

Cheer, Golf, Softball

Grace Pointe Church of Christ  Golf Team State Championship  Softball Heart of Champion Award  Alpha Omega Honor Society  National Society of High School Scholars  Volunteer for Cops4Kids, Humane Shelter, VBS/Nursery/Children’s Church  AUM Counselor Scholarship  Enlisted in Army National Guard: Basic Training Ft. Leonard Wood Missouri, July 2023  Will attend AUM and Auburn University  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Daughter of Brad and Amy Holmgren

BELLA MARIE BARFOOT

Stanhope Elmore High School

Cheer

Coosada Baptist Church  Varsity Cheer Captain  UCA All-Star Cheer Award  Top 10% of Senior Class  National Science, English, Computer Science, Mu Alpha Theta-Math Honor Societies  Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete Representative  Church Preschool Teacher MissionFuge Camps  Junior Civitan Secretary  Senior Senate  SGA Vice-President  Millbrook Chamber of Commerce Junior Ambassador  University of South Alabama-USA Jaguar Achievement Admission Scholarship  Early Nursing School Acceptance  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Daughter of Austin and Sandy Barfoot

GAVAN BAXLEY

Wetumpka High School

Cross Country, Track

Mulder Memorial United Methodist Church  Cross Country: Team Captain, All-Metro, Sectional Champion  Wetumpka Herald Player of the Week  Alabama State Games Male Athlete of the Year  7 times Cross Country/Track State Finalist  2019 USATF Jr Olympic National Finalist  Heisman Scholarship School Winner  DECA  National Honor Society  Tribal Talk  WHS Athletics Social Media Manager  Play by play announcer for WHS Athletics  Troy University Leadership Scholarship / Troy Track Team member  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Son of Ben and Nacole Baxley

BRADLEY BOONE

Edgewood Academy

Football, Baseball, Track, Basketball

Mulder Memorial United Methodist Church  Football: All-State, All-Metro, All-County  2022 Central Alabama Top 22 in Football  Alabama Independent Schools Football All-Star  Baseball All-County  Beta Club  National Honor Society  Chemistry Highest Average Award  Field of Dreams Volunteer  Tornado Relief Volunteer  Mr. Edgewood  Troy University  Southern Union  Son of Michael and Sherrie Boone

BRYSON BOONE

Edgewood Academy

Football, Baseball

Mulder Memorial United Methodist Church  Football All-State, All-Metro, All-County  2022 Central Alabama Top 22 in Football  Beta Club  National Honor Society  Tega Wanogho Youth Football Camp Volunteer  Field of Dreams and Baseball Camps Volunteer  Tornado Relief Volunteer  Auburn University Air Force ROTC Scholarship  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Son of Michael and Sherrie Boone

BRADLEY BROWN

Edgewood Academy

Cheer, Softball

Brush Poppers Cowboy Church  UCA All-American Cheerleader  Pin It Forward Recipient  AISA All-Star Cheerleader  Outstanding Shop Class Student  Elmore County Food Pantry Thrift Store Volunteer  Junior Cheer Clinic Volunteer  Beta Club  Prom Committee  Accepted with scholarships to University of Alabama, Mississippi State University , University of South Alabama, Ole Miss, Jacksonville State University, and Huntingdon College  Troy University  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Daughter of Steve and Kelley Brown

EMMA RENEE CHAVERS

New Life Christian Academy

Volleyball, Softball, Basketball

Millbrook First United Methodist Church  Volleyball Most Valuable Player Award  Volleyball All-State  Softball Most Valuable Player Award  Softball All-State  Beta Club  Student Council  Vacation Bible School and Children’s Church Volunteer  Elmore County Food Pantry Volunteer  Bible Drive for Inmates  YMCA Youth Volleyball Volunteer and Volleyball Camp Volunteer  Volleyball Scholarship to Cumberland University Scholarship (Lebanon, Tennessee)  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Daughter of Brian and Sonya Chavers

MICAH COLE

Tallassee High School

Football, Wrestling, Basketball, Track

Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church  Big Cat and Iron Man Award  Football: All-Metro, Region, County, Area  Wrestling-MVP  Basketball-Coaches Award  Jr. MANNERS Professional Development Program  National Honor Society  Alabama Boys State  FCA  Tallassee Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador  Operates Public Address System at Church  Multiple scholarship include Marion Military, Belhaven, Montevallo, South Alabama  Morehouse College (Atlanta, GA) Football and Academic scholarships  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Son of Kerry and Michelle Cole

ABBIE DAVIS

Tallassee High School

Softball, Cheer, Track

First Baptist Church Tallassee  First Baptist Youth Group Leader  Two times UCA All American Cheerleader  Highest GPA Dance Team and Cheer Team  Cross Country Regional Qualifier  Throws Javelin  Tallassee Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassador  National Honor Society  Fellowship of Christian Athletes President  Future Business Leaders of America Vice President  Member Key Club & Lions Club  Softball Team Prayer Leader  Softball Athletic Scholarship Coastal Alabama Community College  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Daughter of Bradley and Catherine Davis

TAYLOR GUNN

Wetumpka High School

Cross Country, Soccer, Track

Redland Hills Baptist Church  Youth Group Leadership Team  Church Tech Team  Community Yard Work  National Honor Society  Beta Club President  SGA President  Skills USA Vice President  Record for fastest WHS Cross Country Team  Qualified for Junior Olympics of the USATF Soccer Playoffs  Tribal Talk Host and Editor  Central Alabama Electric Youth Tour Member  AGAPE of Central Alabama Volunteer  Auburn University Honors College: Spirit of Auburn Founders Scholarship and Alumni Scholarship  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Son of Wes and Amanda Gunn

KHLOE GRACE JONES

Stanhope Elmore High School

Softball

Elmore Church of Christ  Youth Group Leader, Children’s Bible Class Teacher, Girls for God  Elmore Youth In Action  Softball: Most Improved, All County  Wetumpka Herald Player of the Week  Beta Club  National Science Honor Society  Mu Alpha Theta (Vice-President) DECA (Credentialed in Marketing, Personal Finance & Business Technology 2022)  Tornado Relief Volunteer  Assists elderly and shut-ins in her community  Enterprise State Community College Softball Scholarship Daughter of Kevin and Stephanie Jones

ALLYE JUSTISS

Elmore County High School

Volleyball, Basketball

Good Hope Baptist Church  VBS Worship Leader  Volunteer for Operation Christmas Child, Life South Blood Bank, Elmore County Humane Shelter, and Food Pantry  National English Honor Society (President)  Beta Club  Mu Alpha Theta  Elmore County High School Academic Elite  First Priority (Vice-President) Fellowship Christian Athletes  ECHS Panther Ambassador  Volleyball: Heart of a Panther Award  Linley Heflin Scholarship  Elk Lodge National Scholarship  University of South Alabama Honors College (Jaguar Achievement & Freshman Leadership Scholarships)  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Daughter of Josh and Tiffany Pack; Wesley Justiss

CARLIE SHEA LANIER

Holtville High School

Soccer, Cross Country, Cheer

Shoal Creek Baptist Church  Brazil Mission Trip  VBS Bible Story Teacher and Children’s Ministry Volunteer  National Honor Society  Mu Alpha Theta  Fellowship of Christian Athletes (President)  Vice President FCCLA (Family, Career, & Community Leaders of America)  Soccer: Team Captain, Player of the Game  Club Soccer: Wetumpka United and Alabama FC  Auburn University  Auburn University Montgomery  Huntington College  Troy University  Central Alabama Community College Southern Union  Daughter of Charlie and Jessica Lanier

JAMES CAMERON NICHOLS

New Life Christian Academy

Football, Basketball, Baseball

East Memorial Baptist Church  Strength to Stand Conferences  Volunteer with Food Drives and Bible Drives  Peer Tutor  Beta Club Chaplain and Vice-President  National Honor Society  Boy Scouts  Student Council Vice-President and Chaplain  Drama Club President  Book Club  Football Offensive/Defensive Line  Student Football Coach  Heart of a Champion Award  Basketball Guard/Forward  Baseball Outfielder/Second Baseman  University of Alabama (Foundation in Excellence Scholarship) Troy University Chancellor’s Scholarship & Scholars Award  Brother of Christopher Smith

WESLEY COOPER ROGERS

Elmore County High School

Baseball, Basketball, Football

Good Hope Baptist Church  Vacation Bible School Recreation Leader  An Eclectic Christmas Cast Member  Volunteer for Summer Child Nutrition Program  Beta Club Executive Board  State Beta Convention Agriculture Competition  National English Honor Society  Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society  Fellowship of Christian Athletes  Baseball: Team Leader, All County  Lurleen B. Wallace Community College Baseball Athletic and Academic Scholarships  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Son of Wes and Karen Rogers

KENNETH PAUL ROGERS

Stanhope Elmore High School

Cross Country, Track

Millbrook Presbyterian Church  Church Youth Group  Beta Club  SkillsUSA  Top 50 on CLT10 (Liberal Arts College Entrance Exam)  Cyberpatriot Cyber Security Club  JROTC Company Commander  JROTC Academic Team  1st Officer Trail Life USA (Christian Boys Scouts)  Student Eagle Program  Student Newsletter (Chief Writer)  Cross Country State Meet  YMCA Life Guard  Auburn University Montgomery Dual Enrollment Classes  Will attend Wheaton College or The Citadel  Son of Ben and Carol Rogers

COURTNEY SIDES

Elmore County High School

Volleyball, Track

Good Hope Baptist Church  Mission Trip, VBS, Praise Band  President of Senior Class, Beta Club, Key Club, and Student Council  Founder ECHS Fellowship of Christian Athletes Huddle  Volleyball All County  ALFA’s Outstanding Female Athlete  Alabama & National High School Athletic Association Student Leadership Summit  Ranked 1st in ECHS Senior Class  Elmore County Distinguished Young Woman 1st Runner Up  Girls State Treasurer  Volunteer: Hope for Houston, An Eclectic Christmas, Operation Christmas Child  Bryant Jordan Regional Scholar Athlete  University of Mobile (Presidential & William Weaver Full Scholarship)  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Daughter of Scott and Kim Sides

SAMUEL ALLEN SILAS

Holtville High School

Baseball

Shoal Creek Baptist Church  Volunteer with Christmas Community Store and Food Drives  Youth Group Mentor for Freshman Grow Trip  Baseball: All State, All County, All Metro  Golden Glove Award  AHSAA All-Star Game  Coaches Association All-Star Game  Perfect Game All American  National Honor Society  Beta Club  Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society  Bulldog Ambassador  Leader of the Pack  Jacksonville State University Athletic Baseball and Academic Scholarships  Son of Robbie and Audra Silas

KILEY SISSON

Wetumpka High School

Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis

Mulder Memorial United Methodist Church  Mission Trip to North Carolina  Elmore County Food Pantry  100+ community service hours  Volleyball JV Defensive Player of the Year  Tennis 2nd seed  DECA Club: 3rd in State Marketing Competition  DECA National Marketing Competition  Yearbook Head Editor  Tribal Council  Key Club  Government Club Vice President  Fellowship of Christian Athletes  National Honor Society  Beta Club  Senior Class Rep  Auburn University : Spirit of Auburn Founders Scholarship, Ever to Conquer Scholarship. C.S.& Louise Bazemore Scholarship  Daughter of Weston and Mary Sisson

MATTHEW PAYTON STEPHENSON

Elmore County High School

Baseball, Basketball, Football

First Baptist Church Eclectic  Mission work in Florida & Kentucky  Area Disaster Relief  All County, All Metro, All State in Baseball, Basketball & Football  record for ECHS  County Player of the Year in both Basketball & Football  WSFA Fever Star Athlete  School records: Most Touchdowns in a Game; Most Career Touchdowns; Basketball Most Points in a Game  Beta Club Executive Officer  Mu Alpha Theta  English Honor Society  ECHS Academic Elite  University of Montevallo Baseball and Academic Scholarships  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Son of Ricky and Joy Stephenson

MARLEE STEWART

Tallassee High School

Volleyball, Softball, Track

First Baptist Church Tallassee  RENEW Weekends  Strength to Stand Conference  Church Nursery and VBS volunteer  Volleyball: Team Captain, All County, Most Kills, Most Solo Blocks, Most Attacks, 95 Good Serves Senior Year Softball: State Playoffs  Chamber of Commerce Ambassador  Senior Class President  Alabama High School Athletic Association Leadership Team  Top 5 in Class  National Honor Society Mu Alpha Theta  FCA  Southern Union State Community College Presidential Scholarship  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Daughter of Jackie and Allison Stewart

MASON DWAYNE STEWART

Tallassee High School

Football, Baseball

First Baptist Church Tallassee  Association of Christians in Tallassee for Service (ACTS)  Participated in Winter Extreme and TRIBES  Volunteer for VBS, Fall Festival, and Church Nursery  Football: Bengal Award, Best Hustle Award, Butch Davis Scholar Athlete Award, Burlsworth Character Award  Bryant-Jordan Foundation Scholar Athlete Award  Top 5 in Class  Head Chemistry Lab Assistant  Chamber of Commerce Ambassador  Boys State  Southern Union State Community College Technical Scholarship (Electrician)  Son of Jackie and Allison Stewart

REAGAN MCKENZIE THORN

Holtville High School

Volleyball, Softball

Centerpoint Fellowship Church  Kid’s Ministry volunteer  Volleyball: Defensive Award, Most Digs, Serving Award, Coach’s Award, All County Honorable Mention  Softball: 1st player at HHS to hit a Full Cycle  Fan’s Choice Player of the Week  Softball Leadership Team  Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society  Beta Club  Fellowship of Christian Athletes  First Priority  ACT Bronze Medal  Book Club  University of South Alabama Jaguar Achievement Scholarship and Jaguar Dream Scholarship  Daughter of Kimberly Thorn, Rick Thorn, and Kevin Maze

COLTON WAYNE WHEELER

Holtville High School

Soccer, Football

Prattville Church of Christ Volunteers with Field of Dreams, Community Christmas Store, Elmore County Food Pantry, and Stuff the Bus  Soccer Team Captain  Football Team Captain  Boys State Representative  Jr. Civitan Club  Leaders of the Pack, President  SGA Vice President  Senior Class Secretary  Mu Alpha Theta  Beta Club  I Dare You Award  Enlisted in Alabama National Guard: Basic Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Summer 2023  Will attend Auburn University (Aerospace Engineering)  9th Grade Joe Sewell Certificate Winner  Son of Todd and Kim Wheeler

COLIN BRYANT WOODHAM

Stanhope Elmore High School

Baseball, Basketball

Coosada Baptist Church  Volunteered with Horizon Camp, Vacation Bible School, Easter Egg Hunt, Millbrook Men’s Club, and Stuff the Bus  Elmore County Cy Young Award Winner  Baseball: Rookie of the Year, All County, All State, All Metro  Baseball Coaches Association All Star Game  Beta Club  Science National Honor Society  Jacksonville State University Baseball Athletic Scholarship  Son of Lance and Michelle Woodham

BECCA WORRELL

Wetumpka High School

Soccer, Track, Volleyball

Mulder Memorial United Methodist Church Volunteered with Humane Shelter and Disaster Relief

 Soccer: Team Captain, Area Championship  Track: State Relay Races  Volleyball: JV Team Captain

 Girls State Delegate  Beta Club President  Key Club Webmaster  National Honor Society  AP Scholar with Honors Award  FCA Group Leader  Robotics Club  Awards at South’s Best Robotics  Auburn University Honors College: Spirit of Auburn Founders Scholarship, Bazemore Scholarship, Blount Scholarship, Alabama E

The award was established in 2005 to recognize outstanding high school senior athletes in Elmore County who have consistently represented the highest ideals of Christian leadership. Each year, one male and one female senior from Elmore County high schools are chosen for the top honor – the Joe Sewell Memorial Award and $3000 John Sewell Scholarship. Male and female category winners are also selected for academics, athletics, leadership, and church, community, and character, with each category winner receiving a $1000 scholarship. The Joe Sewell Memorial Award is the only program of its kind in the River Region that presents scholarship money in conjunction with the awards to overall and category winners.

Additionally, the award serves to honor the legacy of Joe Sewell, a native of the Titus community who established a very successful baseball career in the Majors from 1920-1933 and was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1977. Sewell’s athletic skill was apparent as he holds two of Major League Baseball’s records including the lifetime record for fewest strikeouts in his 14 year career with only 114 in 7,132 at-bats. His outstanding character and leadership are qualities that serve as the foundation of this award. His cousin John Sewell, for whom the top scholarships are named, loved sports and spent much of his free time coaching and helping young people. Both men left a legacy in Elmore County that youth and adults alike can emulate.

A limited number of advance banquet tickets are available for sale to the public at Eventbrite.com, an online ticketing website. Tickets will not be available at the door.

The Joe Sewell Board of Directors expresses their appreciation for the consistent generosity of the sponsors whose contributions allow the awarding of the program’s scholarships, as well as the opportunity to celebrate these students’ accomplishments with a formal award event each year. For more information regarding the award and scholarship program, visit http://joesewellaward.com