Vestavia BOE Honors Students For Athletic, Academic Achievements

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — The Vestavia Hills Board of Education on Monday recognized several students for recent achievement in academics and athletics.

Students recognized by the school board Monday include:

Ethan Strand and Crawford West

At the AHSAA Indoor Track Championships in February, Strand broke his own previous record in the 7A boys’ 800-meter final with a time of 1 minute, 51.07 seconds. His time was recorded as the fastest 800-meter time in America for high school boys. Strand also won the 1,600-meter and 3,200-meter finals and led the Rebels to a state championship in the boys’ 4x400-meter relay. Strand later won the national championship in the boys’ mile run at the Adidas Indoor Nationals in Virginia Beach, Virginia, with a time of 4 minutes, 10.31 seconds. Strand also ran the anchor leg of the boys’ 4x400-meter relay; the team placed fourth in the nation with a time of 3 minutes, 22.12 seconds.

Also at the AHSAA state championships, Crawford West set a new state record in the 7A girls’ 1,600-meter final with a time of 4 minutes, 59.58 seconds. She also won state championships in the girls’ 800-meter and 3,200-meter finals. West also competed at the Adidas Indoor Nationals, placing sixth in the girls’ 2-mile run and 14th in the mile run.

Calyie Basselin

Vestavia Hills High School junior Calyie Basselin won the 6A-7A Alabama state championship in girls’ diving in December 2020. Basselin took home the top place in the 1-meter diving category with a score of 366.10. This was Basselin’s first year to compete in diving on the state level.

VHHS wrestling team

At the AHSAA State Wrestling Championships in February, Vestavia Hills High School defeated reigning champions Thompson High School to win the 7A state championship. The Rebels defeated the Warriors 277.5 to 240.5 in the overall team scores. The championship is the 16th overall in VHHS history. The team also finished second in the state in the 7A state duals championship, which took place in January. 10 VHHS wrestlers earned individual wins in the state duals championship.

VHHS Presidential Scholars

Ten Vestavia Hills High School students qualified this year for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The scholars program recognizes America’s most distinguished graduating high school seniors as well as students who demonstrate exceptional talent in the arts and in career and technical education fields. Up to 161 students are named Presidential Scholars each year, and the final list will be announced in May.

VHHS candidates for the Presidential Scholars Award are:

• Katy Chen
• Jason Han
• Joshua Kaiser
• Esther Lee
• Anushka Patel
• Hanna Sha
• Dylan Shi
• Alex Stern
• Ethan Wavra
• Ariel Zhou