Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
Prattville City Council honored two prominent Autauga County residents Tuesday night. Where their accolades and successes reflect the celebrated growth within the Prattville city limits.
One of the prominent individuals the Council honored, was Jeeah Kim as the 2025 Distinguished Young Woman of Autauga County. Kim attends the Alabama School of Math and Science in Mobile and is planning to attend Yale University to pursue a law degree.
“I’m excited to help Prattville shine even more than it already does now. I have a lot of ideas and a lot of passion, but I know you all have so much experience and knowledge in making those ideas come to life. I can only hope you will continue to support me and hope that my community will also continue to support me as I try to make Prattville into the best version of itself. Thank you all so much,” Kim said.
Jeremy Pyles, the chairman for the Distinguished Young Women of Autauga County introduced Kim. Pyles stated that Kim won the competition last weekend where contestants were judges based on their scholastics, physical fitness, talent, self -expression, and interview skills.
Kim was a product of the Autauga County School system before being selected to the Alabama School of Math and Science. She is also a part of the Model U.N., student government and is a violist with the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra.
Kim was also the recipient of a $4,600 scholarship from the program, where $11,000 in scholarships were awarded to 15 young women in the Autauga County program.
The second prominent individual honored was Prattville firefighter and paramedic Josh Shedd. Shedd was awarded the State of Alabama Firefighter of the Year Award by the American Legion Post 122.
Willie Rogers, the Vice Commander of the American Legion for the State of Alabama, introduced Shedd to the Council on behalf of the American Legion.
Rogers stated that Shedd was nominated by his command staff for his actions that resulted in rescuing a trapped resident from a house fire back in January of this year. Shedd is now in the running for the National Firefighter of the Year Award.
The National Firefighter of the Year Award takes the winner of each state’s Firefighter of the Year, where Shedd will compete against 50 other state level award winners.
The National Firefighter of the Year will be announced at a later date.
“I feel we’re blessed to be from great leadership from Chief Brown and so many others. We wouldn’t be up here tonight honoring so many of our citizens, if they were not still with us,” Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie said.
In closing statements Gillespie went on to thank first responders for their tireless efforts within Prattville, and beyond. He also congratulated Kim in all her endeavors as well.
