By Crystal McGough, copy editor
PINSON — The students and staff of Pinson Valley High School, along with the Pinson Historical Society and Pinson Public Library, will be presenting “Pinson Notables: An Alabama Bicentennial Event” in the Rock School Center Auditorium on Monday, Nov. 25.
When Alabama Governor Kay Ivey named PVHS one of 21 Bicentennial Schools of Excellence this past year, the school received a $5,000 grant to support a student-led project representing their community.
The students interviewed the people of Pinson and gathered information on Pinson’s history, famous and infamous figures, memories, and even local recipes. The information they gathered was collected into a keepsake book, which also included illustrations from the PVHS art students.
The project has been led by Jennifer Moore, an English teacher at the high school. Theater teacher John Bailey and culinary teacher Jane Houchins, as well as Pinson Historical Society’s Stanley Moss, have also had significant roles in bringing about the “Pinson Notables” event. The Pinson Public Library, led by director Allison Scanlan, is providing the space for the event and serving as the “public arm” for outreach to the community.
“The Pinson Notables event is an opportunity for students and local residents to learn more about Pinson’s diverse and creative history,” Scanlan said. “Stanley Moss (of the Pinson Historical Society) came up with the idea to have showcase and feature some of the famous (and infamous) people who are from the Pinson area. Stanley has written over 30 vignettes about notable Pinson people. Everything began with Stanley writing the vignettes and he’s put so much research and thought into each one of them.”
While the Historical Society has been gathering props for the demonstrations, PVHS theater teacher John Bailey has been organizing student actors to portray the characters and bring their stories to life. There will be several stations set up in the auditorium, including, but not limited to, musicians, beauty queens, ghosts and physicians.
“Guests will have the opportunity to visit each station and witness a brief performance from each character,” Scanlan said. “It’s a fantastic chance for everyone to learn more about the area’s history. Guests will see some familiar faces/hear familiar stories and also learn something new!”
Additionally, PVHS culinary teacher Jane Houchins and her students have been in charge of snacks and drinks for the event, while Moore and Scanlan have been developing a plan to organize the performances and the flow of their guests. Moore’s students will act as guides during the event, as well.
“This event is a true collaboration with everyone bringing something different to make an event larger than just individual organizations,” Scanlan said.
There will be two times offered on Nov. 25 for guests to attend Pinson Notables: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., and 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. There is no cost and registration is not required.
“Pinson is the city of Pride and Progress, and I hope that our residents will take pride in all of the effort put into this event by students … and also take pride in the history of the area!” Scanlan said. “I personally have learned so much during this process; Pinson has had so much going on through the years.”