Adopt-A-School Partners Honored At 40th Anniversary Celebration

TUSCALOOSA, AL — More than 400 business and education leaders gathered Thursday at the Bryant Conference Center to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Adopt-A-School program.

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Presented by Children & Teen Dental of Alabama and Boostr Digital Displays, and hosted by The Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the event also served as the official kickoff for the 2025-26 Adopt-A-School program year.

Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Clarence Sutton Jr., a former principal at Central High School in Tuscaloosa, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the power of education and community involvement.

“Let’s continue to support education, because we’re changing lives one day at a time,” Sutton said.

Several longtime partners were honored for their commitment to education, including Phifer Inc., which received a 40-Year Award for its partnership with Westlawn Middle School — a relationship that began with the program’s founding in 1985.

Other 40-Year honorees included BFGoodrich, Northport Medical Center and Shelton State Community College.

The Chamber also recognized partners celebrating 20 and 10 years of involvement.

Among the 20-Year Award recipients were Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Northport; the Tuscaloosa Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Matthews Elementary; Northport Medical Center and Flatwoods Elementary; Stillman College and Central Elementary; and ZF Foxconn Chassis Modules and Echols Middle School.

Ten-year honorees included Walmart Supercenter #0715 and Southview Elementary; BFGoodrich and Martin L. King, Jr. Elementary; Chick-fil-A Northport and Faucett-Vestavia Elementary; NorthRiver Yacht Club and Rock Quarry Elementary; and AFFLINK and Myrtlewood Elementary.

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