Kaylee Simons
Elmore Autauga News
On Tuesday night, the Doster Memorial Community Center filled with something deeper than conversation and dinner. It was filled with investment, with belief, and with a shared understanding that the future of Autauga County is sitting in its classrooms right now.
The Autauga Education Foundation, in partnership with the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce, hosted its annual A+ Banquet, bringing together sponsors, educators, community leaders, and residents for an evening centered on one purpose: supporting students and teachers across Autauga County Schools.
“As chair of the Autauga Education Foundation, it’s incredibly encouraging to see the strong turnout for the A+ Banquet,” said Nelda Sorrells. “Having someone like Roman Harper share his story made the night even more meaningful for our community. Events like this allow us to raise critical funds that are returned directly to our classrooms through grant requests from Autauga County Schools, ensuring teachers and students receive the support they need to succeed.”
This year’s keynote speaker, Roman Harper, returned home not just as a Super Bowl champion and ESPN analyst, but as someone who once sat in the same classrooms the community continues to invest in today. And his message was simple but powerful. Where you start does not decide where you end up. “You can’t control the resources you’re born into,” Harper said. “But you can control your attitude, your effort, and the way you think about yourself. If you hold yourself to a certain standard, you usually reach those goals.”
It is that space between potential and opportunity that the Autauga Education Foundation works to close. Through events like the A+ Banquet, the organization continues to pour resources back into classrooms, helping teachers teach and students believe in something bigger for themselves. That investment was not just talked about Tuesday night. It was visible in the room itself.
Students from the Autauga County Technology Center played a direct role in shaping the event, from designing the table settings to helping serve guests throughout the evening.
“We approached a group of students about helping with the decorations, and they put together a vision board of what they thought the event should look like using the colors from the logo,” said Patty Vanderwall, president of the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce. “They also helped serve dinner tonight, which made it even more special to see them be part of the experience.”
Harper spoke directly to those students, especially the ones who may feel like the odds are stacked against them. “The worst mistake a young person can make is having a lower self-value than the people around them see,” he said. “Don’t let your environment shrink your mindset or dim your light. Just understand that good always rises to the top.”
Looking back on his journey from the University of Alabama to the NFL, Harper reflected on a moment that did not come with a trophy or a headline, but with a decision shaped by something much closer to home. “I went back to finish my degree because my mom made education a priority,” he said. “At the time, I didn’t fully appreciate it. I was already living my dream in the NFL, sitting in a classroom with people trying to get theirs. But looking back, it taught me how to finish what I started.”
For Harper, that experience became about more than just earning a degree. “It’s not about being the smartest person,” he said. “It’s about being task-oriented, learning how to get things done, and following through on your goals.”
While his career includes championships and national recognition, Harper said those are not the things that stayed with him. “I don’t value the wins and losses as much as I value the people football brought into my life,” he said. “Enjoy every moment, every room you’re in. Be present. That’s what you remember.”
That perspective felt right at home in a room built on connection. Because at its core, the A+ Banquet is not just about funding. It is about people showing up for people. It is about teachers who go the extra mile, students who just need one open door, and a community willing to stand in the gap between where things are and where they could be. “I’m not back here because of the tackles I made,” Harper said. “I’m back because of who I am. When people see me, I want them to see a little bit of themselves.”And maybe that is the real impact of a night like this. Not just the dollars raised or the programs funded, but the reminder that success is not as far away as it might feel. Sometimes, it is already sitting in the room.
