BOAZ, Ala. – The Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham now serves as an off-campus instructional site for Snead State Community College’s Aviation College.

Initial discussions of the partnership between the College and museum began approximately three years ago with the goal of reaching inner-city high school students with training opportunities in the Aviation Maintenance career field.

“(Snead State Director of Workforce Development) Teresa Walker and I, along with Dr. Brian Barsanti and Melissa Morgan of the Southern Museum of Flight, began discussing the opportunity to start a dual enrollment program,” said Dr. Greg Randall, who is Snead State’s Executive Project Director of Workforce Enhancement. “Snead State is the closest Aviation College to the Birmingham area.

“This partnership in education between the Southern Museum of Flight and Snead State signifies a commitment to provide high demand training for high school students seeking a career in Aviation Maintenance.”

The dual enrollment program will include the Jefferson County School System, Birmingham City School System, and the Tarrant City School System. More will be added as interest grows across the area, Dr. Randall said.

“Snead State is happy to assist our aviation industry partners with their workforce training needs,” Walker said. “Our partnership and new location at the Southern Museum of Flight gives us the capability to bring classes to the Birmingham area to better serve aviation businesses in Alabama.”

After plans for the instructional site were approved by SACSCOC, the College’s accrediting organization, Dr. Barsanti and the museum began a renovation process that included the conversion of a hangar into three classrooms with a hands-on lab area.

In addition to dual enrollment, Snead State has also established a non-credit workforce training plan to offer professional Aviation courses at the site.

“The Southern Museum of Flight is closely situated to the 117 Air Refueling Wing,” Dr. Randall said. “This close proximity provides current aviation maintenance professionals the opportunity to take classes at the museum to prepare for the FAA Airframe and Powerplant license. The museum is an FAA testing center. This partnership allows individuals seeking the FAA license to have a one stop shop for training and testing.”

In the future, Dr. Randall said Snead State will open classes for traditional students to earn a college degree in Aviation at the new site and provide an avenue for students to test for the FAA Airframe and Powerplant license. However, for now, the goal is to establish the dual enrollment courses for the Fall 2023 semester.

Partnerships such as the one between Snead State and the Southern Museum of Flight, where the goal is to develop the workforce, are vital to the future of the aviation industry.

“When we unveiled our Aviation Workforce Initiative, we recognized that the aviation industry will most certainly need to adopt innovative training solutions to meet a host of personnel demands associated with fleet growth, attrition and ‘Baby Boomer’ retirements,” Dr. Barsanti said. “As hundreds of thousands of pilots and technicians reach retirement age over the next decade in our industry, educational and career pathway programs will be essential to inspiring, recruiting, and training the next generation of personnel.

“Regarding maintenance technicians in particular, the Southern Museum of Flight’s Aviation Workforce Initiative aims to address the projected shortfall of more than two hundred thousand trained personnel in North America alone over the next twenty years. We launched our initiative with the intent to fill gaps, and we will continue to do so as our programs grow, and our offerings expand. The incredible job that Snead State Community College was doing to already fill these identified gaps made a collaboration with the Aviation College at Snead State a perfect match for such an endeavor.”

To learn more, Snead State will host an Open House event to celebrate the new instructional site June 22 from 3-6 p.m. at the Southern Museum of Flight, located at 4343 73^rd St. N, Birmingham, AL 35206. To learn more about the Snead State’s Aviation College overall, visit www.snead.edu/aviation.

BOAZ, Ala. – Snead State Community College’s Baseball team ended its 2023 campaign with a third-place finish in the ACCC Baseball Championship Tournament held May 10-15, falling just short of a return to the title game.

The Parsons (34-25, 17-15) made an incredible run, finishing the tournament 4-2 – that’s six 9-inning games over a four-day span.

As No. 4 seed out of the ACCC North, Snead State picked up its first win of the tournament on Thursday against Lurleen B. Wallace with a 9-7 victory in a single-elimination, play-in game, which allowed them to advance to the double-elimination side of the bracket.

Mason Cooper and Cason Firth led the Parsons, each batting 2-for-5 and recording one RBI apiece. Hayden Stancil and Alex Johnson led the team with two RBIs apiece.

On the mound, starter Jeb Bartle, Cody Williams and Evan Steckmesser combined for eight strikeouts, seven hits and six earns allowed over nine innings to pick up the win.

In their second game of the tournament, the Parsons fell to Wallace State-Dothan 10-4. Snead State combined for eight total hits, led by two from right fielder Carter Frederick. Trey Higgins led all Parson batters with two RBIs.

Snead State pitchers Cody King, William Tarpley and Jarett Mason combined for four strikeouts to 14 hits and seven earned runs in the loss.

However, the Parsons rallied to win three straight games to advance to the semifinals, starting with a 3-1 victory over Coastal Alabama-North on Friday.

Brock Hill pitched a complete game for the Parsons, allowing just five hits and one earned run over nine innings. He struck out eight Coastal batters.

Higgins helped power the Parsons to the next round with a two-run homerun in the fourth inning to give Snead State a 3-1 advantage.

On Saturday, Snead State picked up a pair of victories, including an 11-6 win over rival Wallace State-Hanceville and a historic, comeback, walk-off win against Lawson State, 15-14.

Against Wallace State-Hanceville, the Parsons combined for 15 hits as a team. Shortstop Brooks Hardie hit a grand slam in the second inning to drive in four runs. Higgins followed with a grand slam of his own in the fourth inning. Pitchers Baker Green, Jase Gray and Steckmesser combined to strike out seven batters and only allow five earned runs on 13 hits.

The Parsons rallied from a 10-0 deficit to take down Lawson State, and did so on just seven hits, including a walk-off single by Luke McNeill with the bases loaded.

Snead State outscored Lawson State 15-4 in the final five and a half innings. Frederick, Stancil, Coby Wilkerson and Hardie each accounted for two RBIs. Darren Cho and Stancil each led the team with two hits apiece.

Frederick, Williams, Gray, Mason, Stancil and Bartle combined for 12 strikeouts on the mound while allowing 14 hits and 14 earned runs.

On championship Sunday, the Parsons fell just short of a return to the title game, falling 10-3 to Wallace State-Dothan in a semifinals rematch.

Frederick, Hardie and Higgins each launched solo homeruns to give the Parsons their three runs. On the mound, starter Tarpley, Johnson, Fisher Moss and Brayden Moore allowed a total of 10 earned runs on 17 hits. Combined, Tarpley and Moss struck out six batters.

At the conclusion of the tournament Sunday, Snead State’s Mason Cooper and Brock Hill were named to the All-ACCC Tournament Team. Before the tournament began, Carter Frederick was recognized as the 2023 ACCC North Player of the Year.

Snead State ended the year winning 16 out of their last 20 games played to get 34 total wins on the season.

Parsons head coach Casey Underwood called this team “a special group.”

“I am so proud of how this team played for each other and for the name on the front of the shirt,” Underwood said. “As a coach, I am very thankful for this sophomore group, not only for all the work that they put in on the field, but this team finished with a 3.54 GPA – the highest we have ever had in the baseball program. And all of our sophomores graduated for the seventh year in a row.”

BOAZ, Ala. – Edwin Jarquin-Perez, a recent graduate of Snead State Community College, was notified Tuesday morning that he is one of 60 recipients from across the country to be awarded the prestigious Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is a highly competitive national scholarship presented annually by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. The Scholarship aims for Scholars to complete their undergraduate educations with as little debt as possible. The award, which is last dollar funding after all institutional aid, can be as much as $55,000 a year.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Jarquin-Perez said. “Without Him I couldn’t be here. And through Him all things are possible. I feel truly blessed to have this great opportunity that allows me to further my education without any financial burden. Winning this scholarship means everything, not just for myself but for all my family and friends who help me get here. From my mother and father who instilled in us the importance and impact education has on everyone’s life. To my aunts and uncles who showed us to be confident and offered guidance when we felt lost. All this is possible through them.”

He specifically said he was thankful for his mother, Juana Jarquin-Perez; father, Gildardo Sanchez; uncles, Carlos Vasquez and Antonio Vasquez; and mentor, Snead State Director of Student Support Services and Engagement Brittany Goble.

Jarquin-Perez, of Guntersville, is a first-generation college student. He graduated Thursday, May 4, from Snead State Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, summa cum laude (3.9 GPA).

Next fall, Jarquin-Perez plans to attend University of Alabama-Huntsville to continue his undergraduate studies. When he earns his Bachelor’s Degree, Jarquin-Perez said he will use his newfound skills and knowledge to pursue a career to help people – like the person who helped he and his family several years ago.

“When I was younger, I was raised in Mexico by my grandparents,” he said. “We lived in an area where there was no electricity. But I remember a man with an engineering degree who came to our village and helped build a power grid that allowed us to have electricity.

“With a mechanical engineering degree, I want to be able to help people in need – those who are less fortunate,” Jarquin-Perez added. “Whether it be helping build a power grid for a community or establishing a water system for a village in need, I want to give back just like that man helped me and my family back then.”

Jarquin-Perez said he was grateful for his time at Snead State and the support he’s received from faculty, staff and fellow students over the last two years.

“I’m thankful for Snead State, which has helped me build a solid foundation and guide me on the journey to getting into a four-year college,” he said.

Along with financial support, new Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholars like Jarquin-Perez will receive comprehensive educational advising to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year college and preparing for their careers. Scholars will additionally receive opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding, as well as connection to a thriving network of more than 3,000 Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

This year, more than 1,700 students from 448 community colleges applied to receive the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. The Foundation evaluated each submission based on students’ academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, and leadership.

For more than 23 years, the Cooke Foundation has dedicated its mission to advancing education for exceptionally promising students who seek financial assistance. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded almost $250 million in scholarships to nearly 3,200 students from eighth grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $125 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. Learn more at www.jkcf.org.

BOAZ, Ala. – Snead State Softball’s ACCC Championship Tournament run in Alabaster was cut short Friday after the Lady Parsons fell to Central Alabama 3-0.

Over the course of the tournament, the Lady Parsons were 2-2. They picked up a 6-5 win over Lurleen B. Wallace in Round One. Lydia West homered in the sixth inning to drive in three runs, which fueled the come-from-behind victory.

West also spent time in the circle, pitching three innings in relief for winning pitcher Reagan Cornelius. The pair combined for seven strikeouts.

In their second game of the tournament, the Lady Parsons lost a nail-biter to the South Division’s top-seed Coastal Alabama-South.

Ahead early, the Lady Parsons held a 6-5 advantage through six and a half innings, but gave up two runs in the bottom of the sixth and couldn’t recover.

As a team, Snead State tallied 10 hits, including two homeruns from Riley Sharp and Adelyn Ellis, and six earned runs in the loss.

The Lady Parsons bounced back in their third game of the tournament against Marion Military Institute with a 10-6 win. Brittany Slaten and Addie Walker propelled Snead State to victory by each batting 4-for-5 and driving in two runs. The Lady Parsons recorded 19 hits as a team.

In the pitcher’s circle, Lydia West earned the win. She allowed five hits and two earned runs over 4.2 innings. In relief, Cornelius and Chloe Smith combined for two hits and two earned runs over the remaining 2.1 innings.

Against Central Alabama, the Lady Parsons could not find success at the plate, only tallying six hits with no runs to show for it. West pitched a complete game, striking out three batters and allowing five hits and two earned runs.

The Lady Parsons end the year 31-33 overall, 18-17 in ACCC play.

Slaten named NJCAA Region 22 and ACCC Player of the Year

As the Lady Parsons’ season comes to a close, Slaten was selected as the 2023 NJCAA Region 22 Player of the Year and ACCC Player of the Year.

Slaten, a freshman from Guntersville majoring in Business, posted the second-best batting average in the ACCC (.430) on the year. She also recorded 43 RBIs, 32 stolen bases – both team-highs – and six homeruns. She was only caught stealing once.

Over the season, Slaten has split time at short-stop and the pitcher’s circle. Over 28 innings pitched, she totaled 19 strikeouts and an ERA of 6.00.

Slaten also earned First Team All-Region 22 and ACCC All-North Division Team honors. West, a freshman from Geraldine, was selected to the All-Region 22 Second Team and the ACCC All-North Division Team. Her batting average was .374, with a .430 on-base percentage and a .578 slugging percentage. Lydia had 70 hits in 187 at bats with 11 doubles, nine home runs and 42 RBIs.

BOAZ, Ala. – After a series sweep of Bevill State to end the regular season, Snead State Community College’s Baseball team has secured a spot in the ACCC Championship Tournament in Oxford.

The Parsons (30-23, 17-15) have won 12 out of their last 14 games. They’re set to take on Lurleen B. Wallace in a single-elimination, play-in game at Chocolocco Park on Wednesday, May 10, at 4 p.m. During the regular season, the Parsons won two out of three against LBW.

“I’m really proud of our guys in how they’ve progressed over this season,” said Parsons head coach Casey Underwood. “After a shaky start to the season, I’m pleased with how they’ve been able to put it all together here at the end with the tournament on deck.

“But, Wednesday a new season begins for us. While we’re thrilled about the growth we’ve seen over the course of the season, we need to kind of put that behind us now and reset our focus on one game, one play at a time if we hope to have success in this tournament.”

Last year, Snead State won the ACCC Championship Tournament. Entering the postseason, they were among the top seeds and one of the favorites to win it all.

This postseason is a different story. The Parsons enter this tournament as the North’s No. 4 Seed, flying under the radar to defend the title.

“Our goal was to get back here, and now that we are, anything could happen,” Underwood said. “But one thing that’s certain is that our guys are going to play hard, leave it all out on the field, and have a lot of fun while we’re doing it.”

Snead State can enter the tournament with a bit of confidence knowing they have arguably one of the best players in the country in sophomore right fielder Carter Frederick. Frederick leads the ACCC and all of NJCAA Division I Baseball with the highest batting average (.493). He’s tied for first in most homeruns (13) with teammate Trey Higgins.

As a team, the Parsons posted a .321 batting average and 59 homeruns over the regular season. They’ve driven in a total of 398 runs over 53 games.

The tournament is set to begin May 10 and will continue through May 15. Tournament seeds are as follows:

North
1. Wallace State
2. Lawson State
3. Shelton State
4. Snead State
5. Southern Union

South
1. Wallace-Dothan
2. Bishop State
3. Coastal Alabama-North
4. Chattahoochee Valley
5. LB Wallace

Games are as follows (game times are subject to change without notice):

Wednesday, May 10 – Single Elimination 
Play-In One – 1:00 pm – N5 Southern Union vs. S4 Chattahoochee Valley
Play-In Two – 4:00 pm – S5 LB Wallace vs. N4 Snead State

Thursday, May 11
Game 1: 10:00 am – N3 Shelton State vs. S2 Bishop State
Game 2: 1:00 pm –  Winner N5/S4 vs. Wallace State
Game 3: 4:00 pm –  S3 Coastal Alabama-North vs. N2 Lawson State
Game 4: 7:00 pm – Winner S5/N4 vs. Wallace-Dothan

Friday, May 12 
Game 5: 10:00 am – Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 6: 1:00 pm –  Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4
Game 7: 4:00 pm –  Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Game 8: 7:00 pm –  Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4

Saturday, May 13 
Game 9: 10:00 am  – Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7
Game 10: 1:00 pm –  Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8
Game 11: 4:00 pm –  Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8
Game 12: 7:00 pm – Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10

Sunday, May 14
Game 13 12:00 pm – Winner Game 12 vs. Loser Game 11
Game 14  3:30 pm – Championship Game

Monday, May 15
Game 15: 10:00 am – “if Game” if loser of Game 14 is first loss

For a free Tournament program, please visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iMDTAjLpH9MXSWwaXOesVKPraLt141zG/view?usp=sharing

General Admission – $10.00 per day
Children under six, scouts/four-year coaches with ID, ACCC member with ID: Free

Daily parking is $5.00 (City of Oxford policy).

Beat the line and purchase tickets online at https://gofan.co/app/school/AL86338. 

All games will be webstreamed on the ACCC Sports Network at: https://www.jockjive.com/acccsports.html

Please follow https://twitter.com/acccathletics and www.acccathletics.com for game scores and updates.

Please visit for Choccolocco Park information and policies. https://choccoloccopark.com/ 

BOAZ, Ala. – Snead State Community College hosted a pair of special Commencement Ceremonies on Tuesday, May 2, to celebrate its graduating members of the Baseball and Softball teams.

Ceremonies were held for nine members of the softball team at Lady Parsons Softball Field, and at Emmett Plunkett Field for 13 members of the baseball team.

“It’s my opinion that commencement ceremonies are the most important thing that we do on our campus,” said Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore. “Today just marks the next step in your life’s journey. It’s a point that marks the end of your academic time at Snead State, but I point out every year at commencement that the word ‘commencement’ doesn’t mean ‘end.’ When you commence something, you begin. You start. So, today marks a beginning, not an end. And the next step after this one is going to be different for all of you.

“Remember that when God is taking you somewhere in your life, and your destiny, you want to go from A-Z. It’s rarely going to be in a straight line – A, B, C, D, E, F G … through Z. You’re going to start at A, go to Q, back to C, over to M … God’s going to bounce you around in life.

“So, why is it that, en route to your divine purpose – that meaning you’ve got in life – why is it do you get bounced around? Sometimes good, sometimes bad; sometimes it’s ugly. The reason is so that it can develop your character. God wants to make you a better person, and he’s not going to do that without a test, without a block – something that he allows to happen, or he creates a circumstance that you can develop as a person and develop your character.

“Don’t worry about life’s detours. Don’t worry about a road block. Don’t worry about any kind of misdirection. Because God’s got a plan to get you specifically where he wants you to go.”

“We’re very proud of what you’ve accomplished here, not only on the athletic field but also in the classroom, and we want to encourage you to continue to strive to achieve all of your educational and personal goals in the future,” said Vann Scott, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer.

Graduates included:

SOFTBALL

• Janiah Lenae Anderson, of Athens, Alabama, Associate in Science, Chemical Engineering, summa cum laude
• Rylee Brooke Bartlett, of Gardendale, Alabama, Associate in Science, General Education, summa cum laude
• Reagan Leigh Cornelius, of Springville, Alabama, Associate in Applied Science, Applied Business
• Adelyn Ellis, of Boaz, Alabama, Associate in Science, General Education
• Ashlyn McKenzie Hallman, of Coaling, Alabama, Associate in Science, Elementary Education
• Julia Faith Hurley, of Southside, Alabama, Associate in Science, Pre-Nursing, magna cum laude
• Katherine “Katie” Johnson, of Cottondale, Alabama, Associate in Science, Animal Sciences
• Zoe Lee Payne, of Oneonta, Alabama, Associate in Science, General Education
• Kaci Nicole Sharp, of Athens, Alabama, Associate in Science, General Education

BASEBALL

• Joshua Eli Bartle, of Cullman, Alabama, Associate in Science, General Education
• Brody Bradshaw (Team Manager), of Arab, Alabama, Associate in Science, Agri-Business
• Mason Edward Cooper, of Jefferson, Georgia, Associate in Science, Business, magna cum laude
• Cason Paul Firth, of LaGrange, Georgia, Associate in Science, Business
• Carter James Frederick, of Chelsea, Alabama, Associate in Science, General Education
• Brooks Hardie, of Bremen, Georgia, Associate in Science, General Education
• Revy “Trey” Higgins, III, of Oxford, Alabama, Associate in Science, General Education, cum laude
• Brock Hill, of Chelsea, Alabama, Associate in Science, General Education
• Noah Riley Lam, of Huntsville, Alabama, Associate in Science, Computer Science, summa cum laude
• Evan Steckmesser, of Madison, Alabama, Associate in Science, Computer Science, cum laude
• William Hardy Tarpley, of Pinson, Alabama, Associate in Science, Social Studies Education, cum laude
• Coby Dyllan Wilkerson, of Monroe, Georgia, Associate in Science, General Education
• Nicholas Cody Williams, of Rockmart, Georgia, Associate in Science, General Education, summa cum laude

Carter Frederick was also presented the Civitan Award, which is given annually to the “Best All-Around Student” of the graduating class of Snead State Community College.

“That’s not just of our Baseball graduates, but that’s out of over 200 students that will be participating in our ceremonies Thursday night,” said Jason Cannon, Vice President for Student Services. “To be eligible for the award, a student must have attended Snead State for at least three semesters and maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition, the student should have participated in extracurricular and community activities. The student is elected by a vote of the faculty from a list of eligible students who are participating in commencement ceremonies this week.”

Snead State Community College is scheduled to host its full Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 4, beginning at 6 p.m. inside Emmett Plunkett-Lurleen B. Wallace Gymnasium.

BOAZ, Ala. – As the lights shined bright at Emmett Plunkett Field on Saturday night, so too did Snead State Community College’s Baseball Team. The Parsons swept ACCC foe Southern Union State in a home doubleheader to win the season series 3-1.

The games hosted at Snead State were the first night baseball games to be played on campus – a historic milestone for the college. To celebrate, the occasion was dubbed “Parsons After Dark.” Special guests in attendance included Boaz Mayor David Dyar, Rep. Brock Colvin and Alabama Senate Majority Leader Clay Scofield, who Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore said played an integral role in helping get lights for the college’s baseball and softball fields.

“These lights would not have been possible without the unwavering support of Clay, Brock, Mayor Dyar, Alabama Community College Chancellor Jimmy Baker, and so many others,” Whitmore said. “We have been working toward this day for many years, and we are just so grateful for the work these men have put in to make our vision a reality.”

Scofield threw out the first pitch under the lights and was presented a jersey from the baseball team.

Hundreds of spectators filled the bleachers and surrounded the field to witness the historic night and take in the college’s first baseball game under the lights. Among the sizeable crowd were several area youth baseball teams, which were allowed onto the field to meet players, take photographs and have memorabilia signed.

In Game One, the Parsons torched the visiting Bison 13-3 in six innings.

Southern Union State took an early 2-1 lead in the first inning, but the Parsons used a three-run inning in the bottom of the third to take a 4-3 advantage and never look back.

Powered by a four-run homerun from Brooks Hardie, the Parsons worked in five runs during the fourth inning to extend their lead to 9-3. The team drove in another run in the fifth to make widen the lead to 10-3.

In the bottom of the sixth, Snead State’s Carter Frederick blasted a walk-off, three-run homer to deep center that ended the game 13-3.

On the mound, William Tarpley pitched a complete game for the Parsons. Through six innings, he registered six strikeouts while allowing seven hits and three earned runs.

Frederick led the Parsons, batting 3-for-4 including the homerun. He accounted for three runs and three RBIs. Brooks Hardie finished 2-for-4 at the plate, including a homerun, and registered four RBIs. As a team, the Parsons totaled 11 hits and 12 RBIs.

For Game Two, Snead State pitchers Cody King and Evan Steckmesser combined for a 3-0 shutout.

King, who pitched through five and two-thirds innings, struck out six Bison batters and gave up just five hits and one walk to earn the win.

Steckmesser closed out the game with four strikeouts and allowed only one hit.

Offensively, the Parsons struggled to replicate their output from Game One. As a team, Snead State only produced seven hits. Frederick led the effort batting 3-for-3 including a double, and tallied one run and one RBI. Fisher Moss and Trey Higgins each recorded an RBI. Cason Firth finished 1-for-3 and recorded two runs.

With just a four-game series against Bevill State left on the schedule, the Parsons (26-23, 13-15) are currently tied for fifth with Southern Union State in the ACCC North standings.

Only the top five teams in each division qualify to compete in the ACCC Championship Tournament May 10-15 at Choccolocco Park in Oxford.

While the Parsons hold a head-to-head advantage over Southern Union State, winning the next four games remains vital to secure a postseason berth.

“Bevill State is in the bottom half of our division standings, but no victory comes easy in this league, and Bevill is certainly not a team to overlook,” said Snead State Head Coach Casey Underwood. “We’ve won eight of our last 10 games. Our guys have done a pretty good job over the past several games to find a rhythm and consistently put points on the board, and also keep points off the board on defense. If we want a chance to compete for a championship, we have to maintain our focus and be disciplined, and take everything one day and one play at a time.”

Snead State will hit the road for their first two games of the Bevill State series on Thursday, May 4, with games at 2 and 4 p.m. The Parsons are scheduled to return home Friday, May 5, for the final two games of the series. Game One is slated for 2 p.m.; Game Two at approximately 4 p.m. Sophomores will be honored prior to the first game.

BOAZ, Ala. – Snead State Community College’s Softball Team honored its nine sophomores on Friday, April 28, after splitting its final home doubleheader of the season against Southern Union State at Lady Parsons Softball Field.

In Game One, Snead State fell to the Lady Bison 10-4. The Lady Parsons were held scoreless until the final inning. Addie Walker launched a two-run homerun to put Snead State on the board 10-2.

Later in the inning, with one out, Lydia West took advantage of an errant throw by Southern Union State and made her way home to give the Lady Parsons their third run of the night and cut the deficit to 10-3.

Adelyn Ellis hit a fly ball out to shortstop, but was able to drive in Brittany Slaten for another run, 10-4. But the rally fell short after Julia Hurley struck out to end the game.

From the pitcher’s circle, West and Ashlynn Hallman combined for 10 hits, 10 earned runs and four strikeouts over seven innings.

In Game Two, the Lady Parsons survived a late-game rally by Southern Union State to get revenge with a 7-6 win.

Heading into the seventh inning, Snead State held a 7-1 lead over the Lady Bison. Whitney Goodwin got things going for the Lady Parsons with a sac fly to drive in a run in the second inning.

The Lady Parsons began to pull away with three runs in the fourth inning. Ellis drove in a score, Hurley doubled to drive in a score, and Rylee Bartlett also doubled to bring in a run to lead 4-1.

In the fifth inning, Snead State drove in three more runs to take their 7-1 lead, this time West, Slaten and Ellis each tallying an RBI.

In the seventh inning, the Lady Parsons allowed five runs by Southern Union, including a solo home run and then a grand slam to cut the Snead State lead to 7-6.

Reagan Cornelius pitched a complete game for the Lady Parsons. She allowed six hits and six earned runs while striking out four.

Walker, Slaten, Ellis and Bartlett all finished 2-for-3 at the plate.

As a team, Snead State recorded its seven runs on 10 hits.

With a pair of losses on Saturday, Snead State (29-31, 17-15) ends the regular season fourth in the ACCC North standings and secures a spot in the ACCC Championship Tournament May 3-7 at Veterans Park in Alabaster.

The Lady Parsons are scheduled to take on the South’s No. 5 seed Lurleen B. Wallace on Wednesday, May 3, at 4 p.m. Should Snead State win, they would take on South No. 1 seed Coastal Alabama-South on Thursday, May 4, at 2 p.m. in Round Two.

North
1. Wallace State
2. Marion Military 
3. Central Alabama
4. Snead State
5. Southern Union
6. Shelton State

South
1. Coastal Alabama-South
2. Wallace-Dothan
3. Bishop State
4. Coastal Alabama-North
5. LB Wallace
6. Enterprise State

Games are as follows (game times/fields are subject to change without notice due to weather or other circumstances): 

Wednesday, May 3
Single Elimination
Game A – 2:00 pm (Field 2) – S6 Enterprise State vs. N3 Central Alabama
Game B – 2:00 pm (Field 5) – N5 Southern Union vs. S4 Coastal Alabama-North
Game C – 4:00 pm (Field 2) – N6 Shelton State vs. S3 Bishop StateGame D – 4:00 pm (Field 5) – S5 LB Wallace vs. N4 Snead State

Thursday, May 4
Double Elimination
Game 1 – 12:00 pm (Field 2) – Game A winner vs. S2 Wallace-Dothan
Game 2 – 12:00 pm (Field 5) – Game B winner vs. N1 Wallace State
Game 3 – 2:00 pm (Field 2) – Game C winner vs. N2 Marion Military
Game 4 – 2:00 pm (Field 5) – Game D winner vs. S1 Coastal Alabama- South
Game 5 – 4:00 pm (Field 2) – Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 6 – 4:00 pm (Field 5) – Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4

Friday, May 5
Game 7 – 12:00 pm (Field 2) – Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Game 8 – 12:00 pm (Field 5) – Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
Game 9 – 2:00 pm (Field 2) – Loser Game 8 vs. Winner Game 5
Game 10 – 2:00 pm (Field 5) – Loser Game 7 vs. Winner Game 6

Saturday, May 6
Game 11 – 12:00 pm (Field 5) – Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8
Game 12 – 2:00 pm (Field 5) – Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10Game 13 – 4:00 pm (Field 5) – Loser Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12

Sunday, May 7 
Game 14 – 12:00 pm (Field 5) – Championship Game 
Game 15 – 2:00 pm (Field 5) – “If-Game” if Loser Game 14 is first loss

All games will be shown live at https://www.jockjive.com/acccsports.html

Game results will be posted here and also at https://twitter.com/acccathletics

For information on Veterans Park, please visit:
http://al-alabaster.civicplus.com/Facilities/Facility/Details/Veterans-Park-10

There are NO PETS allowed in the softball complex at Veterans Park.

Admission
$10.00 per day
$20.00 for five-day tournament pass
Free for children 6 & under

BOAZ, Ala. – Two Snead State Community College students were recently announced as semifinalists for the highly competitive Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

Erika Aragon Cruz, a sophomore from Horton, Ala., and Edwin Romeo Jarquin-Perez, a sophomore from Guntersville, Ala., were two of 459 semifinalists chosen from a pool of more than 1,700 applicants across 215 community colleges in 38 states.

The pair of Parsons was the only applicants selected as semifinalists from the state of Alabama.

Cruz is a Business major. She currently boasts a 3.88 GPA. After graduating from Snead State, she intends to transfer to Jacksonville State University to continue her pursuit of a Bachelor’s Degree. Once she earns her degree, Cruz intends to pursue a career in Marketing. Her dream job would be to work for a major company, such as Google.

“Earning this scholarship would be huge,” she said. “It would help me so much.”

Cruz, who is the first in her family to attend college, is a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient and does not qualify for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) program. She pays for her college tuition mostly out of pocket.

Scholarship recipients are awarded up to $55,000 per year, along with academic advising and access to a network of peers.

“I just want to say thank you to Brittany Goble, Director of Student Support Services and Engagement, for pushing us to apply for this scholarship and really guiding us throughout the process,” Cruz said.

Like Cruz, Jarquin-Perez is also a first-generation college student who would benefit greatly from the scholarship.

Jarquin-Perez currently has a 3.9 GPA and is majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He plans to transfer to the University of Alabama-Huntsville after graduating from Snead State this spring.

When he earns his degree, Jarquin-Perez said he will take on a position to help people – like the person who helped he and his family several years ago.

“When I was younger, I was raised in Mexico by my grandparents,” he said. “We lived in an area where there was no electricity. But I remember a man with an engineering degree who came to our village and helped build a power grid that allowed us to have electricity.

“With a mechanical engineering degree, I want to be able to help people in need – those who are less fortunate,” Jarquin-Perez added. “Whether it be helping build a power grid for a community or establishing a water system for a village in need, I want to give back just like that man helped me and my family back then.”

Jarquin-Perez said he was grateful for his time at Snead State and the support he’s received from faculty, staff and fellow students over the last two years.

“I’m thankful for Snead State, which has helped me build a solid foundation and guide me on the journey to getting into a four-year college,” he said.

Recipients of the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship are expected to be announced later this month.

The Scholarship is presented by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Students selected by the Foundation are community college students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, leadership, service, and a determination to complete their bachelor’s degrees at top four-year institutions.

In addition to the generous financial support, selected Cooke Transfer Scholars will receive educational advising from the Foundation’s Deans of Scholar Support to guide them through the process of transitioning to a four-year school and preparing for their future endeavors. They will also have access to opportunities for internships, study abroad, graduate school funding, and the incomparable connection to a robust network of more than 3,000 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

For more than 23 years, the Cooke Foundation has dedicated its mission to advancing education for exceptionally promising students who seek financial assistance. Since 2000, the Foundation has awarded almost $250 million in scholarships to nearly 3,200 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive educational advising and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $125 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. Learn more at www.jkcf.org.

BOAZ, Ala. – Two students from Snead State Community College were recently honored as members of the 2023 All-Alabama Academic Team.

Amber Lopez, a sophomore from Horton with a 3.85 GPA, and Marisol Ramos Lopez, a sophomore from Albertville with a 3.95 GPA, were two of 48 students from across the state to be recognized during a special ceremony Friday, April 14, hosted by the Alabama Community College System in Birmingham.

“You were selected as a member of the All-Alabama Academic Team in a historic year,” ACCS Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker stated. “The Alabama Community College System was established on May 3, 1963, and we are celebrating you today as part of our 60th anniversary. Your outstanding academic achievement and your service to your college and community are making the difference to ensure that for 60 more years, our 24 community and technical colleges across Alabama foster the level of excellence that helps students achieve greatness. You, and students just like you, are the reason that our colleges exist.

“On behalf of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees and the thousands of faculty, staff and administrators within our System, congratulations on the tremendous honor of being a member of this year’s All-Alabama Academic Team. We are honored that your path of excellence includes the Alabama Community College System. We look forward to your success in the future.”

Both students are members of Phi Theta Kappa, an academic honor society with a purpose to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students, and they also serve as student Ambassadors, a scholarship program for student leaders who are involved in many activities at Snead State, including Preview Days, fundraisers, campus tours, and other events.

The students were supported at the special ceremony by Snead State President Dr. Joe Whitmore, Dean for Student Services Jason Cannon, Director of Student Services and Campus Engagement Brittany Goble, and Career Coach Chandler Tarvin.

“It’s an honor to recognize the achievement of our students, and we’re proud of Amber and Marisol’s accomplishments. They represent Snead State well, and we’re excited to see where their journey takes them,” said Dr. Whitmore.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a statement, reading in part: “Our young people are our future and I encourage you to make service to this state and nation a priority in your life. You are true examples of how important it is to succeed academically and to serve and assist others. Keep up the good work and always remember that you represent our hopes for a better tomorrow.”

Patty Hughston, Executive Director of Paths for Success Foundation, said, “The All-Alabama Academic Team Program provides a venue to highlight the most outstanding community college students in Alabama. The Community College System employees consider it a privilege to serve you and they are extremely proud of your accomplishments. We are excited to witness your continued success and hope that you will proudly reflect on the educational and career foundation that you gained through the Alabama Community College System. You are the future leaders from which our communities will thrive.

“The Paths for Success Foundation is delighted to recognize your significant accomplishments by awarding this scholarship in support of your future educational goals. We are thankful for the leadership provided by Chancellor Jimmy Baker and his staff to ensure that recognition programs and scholarship opportunities remain a priority for the Alabama Community College System.”

In addition to recognizing members of the 2023 All-Alabama Academic Team, students were presented Medallions and the system’s New Century Scholars were honored.