The Serendipity Dance Club is celebrating its 35th Anniversary. Each year, Bachelors and Spinsters are recognized with a dance at the Gadsden Country Club. Funds are raised to benefit the fine arts in Gadsden.
In years past, the funds generated were used to support the Callan Concert Association and the Gadsden Symphony Orchestra with goods and services.
In 1998, “The Serendipity Stage,” complete with sound system, was built in the courtyard of the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts. The club commissioned artist Steve Temple to paint trompe l’oeil murals on the wall in the courtyard. A plaque is placed there to recognize Serendipity as the donor. Rob Johnston, artist in residence, completed another wall of the trompe l’oeil project in 2004. In 2009, Mario Gallardo was commissioned to complete the final wall. In addition, support was given for the iron balcony and wooden shutters. In 2006, gas lanterns and planters were placed in the courtyard as well as signage and a lantern at the Broad Street entrance to the courtyard. Artist Joseph Giri, commissioned by Serendipity, completed a jazz mural on the wall by the train caboose at the Hardin Center. The proceeds from 2007 were used to purchase a bronze sculpture of two children sitting on a bench reading a book in honor of Gadsden Reads. A prominent location downtown will soon be found for the sculpture, which currently resides in the courtyard under the magnolia tree. In the spring of 2012, artist Joseph Giri was again commissioned by Serendipity to complete the mural now that the caboose at the Hardin Center had been moved. Last year the mayor and city council dedicated the mural.
Beginning Aug. 15 and running through Nov. 15, 2015, Serendipity is sponsoring a major exhibit during the Mary G. Hardin’s 25th Anniversary, The Art of Andy Warhol and POP Art Studio, in Imagination Place. The exhibit is toured by Children’s Museum of Pittsburg and The Andy Warhol Museum and will be housed in the Hardin’s Center Chan Gallery and Imagination Place Children’s Exhibition Hall. The exhibit includes a working silkscreen studio, original Warhol silkscreen prints from Warhol’s Myth Series, and The Factory, where visitors can dress up like the characters in some of the Warhol paintings, play with toys like those collected by Warhol and learn more about art and Andy Warhol through books and videos. In Pop Art! The Andy Warhol Studio, visitors can try a variety of art-making techniques used by pop artists, including silkscreen printing and stamping, and dress up and learn about Andy Warhol in The Factory. The gallery is a space to display artwork created by children from the local community, examples of the iconic prints by Warhol, or a combination of both.
Young adults honored recently at the dance were Rebecca Irene Abel, Elizabeth Kirkland Back, Courtney Lauren Callis, William David Catanzaro, Andrew Kyle Christenberry, James Lillon Clokey, William Andrew Crawford, Cameron Watford Dowling, Kaitlyn Alexandra Dorsett, Jonathan David Gilbert, John Hunter Hayes, Frances Taylor Isbell. Evan Brock Kirby, Caroline Lee Maddox, Joshua-Phillip Gregory Miles, Elizabeth Linden Newman, Allie Rabon Pennington, Tanner Ayres Roberts, William Henry Rhea, IV, Rebecca Elaine Russo, Andrew Spencer, Caitlin Marie Williams, and Madison Shelby Wrenn.
Miss Rebecca Irene Abel is the daughter of Mr. Luther Abel and Mrs. Robert Milwee. She was graduated in May from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical and Biological Engineering. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority, Zeta Chapter. Her activities included an internship with the Electric Power Research Institute as an engineering research assistant. She plans to pursue a career as a chemical engineer.
Miss Elizabeth Kirkland Back is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kent Back, Sr. She was graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Art History. During her senior year at Alabama, she was the president of the Honors College Assembly, vice president of Kappa Delta, a Capstone Woman, and a SGA Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences. Her senior year accolades included the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, which recognizes one male and one female from the graduating class for excellence of character and service to humanity, and the National Alumni Association’s Top Ten Senior Award. Her honors include the Anderson Society, the XXXI Women’s Honorary, Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa, Blue Key and Order of Omega. She held internships with W Magazine in New York City, the Office of Senator Richard Shelby in Washington, D.C., and Creative Campus in Tuscaloosa. She has joined the Teach for America Nashville 2014 Corps, where she will teach eighth grade English to underserved students at Knowledge Academies for two years.
Miss Courtney Lauren Callis is the daughter of Mrs. Dial Callis and the late Clifford Louis Callis, Jr. She was graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management with a Minor in Business. She was a member of Phi Mu Fraternity and a member of the Club Managers Association of America. While attending Auburn University she worked for the Athletic Department as a Class-Checker, as well as a Tele-Counselor for the Office of University Recruitment. In addition, she was a part of the Marketing Team for the 2013 Hospitality Gala, hosted by the Hotel and Restaurant Department. She was actively involved with Phi Mu Fraternity’s Philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network along with Project Uplift and Big Event. She is currently a member of the pool staff at Moores Mill Club in Auburn, Alabama and is continuing her pursuit with a career in the hospitality industry.
Mr. William David Catanzaro is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Antonio Catanzaro. He was graduated magna cum laude in May from Samford University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Medicine. He was a four-year letterman on Samford’s Golf Team. He was elected to serve on Samford’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and served as a collegiate golf advisor at Samford’s Nike golf camps. He was actively involved in the Habitat for Humanity in Jefferson County. He was a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, which is a pre-health honorary fraternity. He has been on the Dean’s List three years. He was active in College Golf Fellowship, a Christian organization. He received the Kinesiology and Nutrition Science Department Certificate of Outstanding Academic Achievement. He plans to pursue a career in the field of medicine.
Mr. Andrew Kyle Christenberry is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Kyle Christenberry. He attends Belmont College in Nashville, Tennessee on an Academic Merit Scholarship. While pursuing a Bachelor in Business Administration, he has been on the Dean’s List, a member of the Service Corps and is active in Awakenings. He is currently interning with Dave Tough Productions. After graduation in August, he will pursue employment in the entertainment industry in Nashville.
Mr. James Lillon Clokey is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Clokey, Jr. He was graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. His activities at the University include Phi Sigma Theta National Honors Society, President’s List, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Institute of Real Estate Management, and his social fraternity, Kappa Alpha Order, where he served on the alumni board. While pursuing his degree, he worked as an industrial engineer intern. He is currently employed in Tuscaloosa by the Alabama Industrial Assessment Center. He enjoys spending his time outdoors fishing and hunting.
Mr. William Andrew Crawford is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Crawford. He is a senior at Auburn University and will graduate in December 2014 with a degree in Landscape. He is a member of the Horticulture Club and works at the Auburn University Arboretum. He is currently doing a summer internship with Green Landscaping Company in Birmingham.
Mr. Cameron Watford Dowling is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Frank Dowling, IV. He will graduate in the fall from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Building Science with a minor in Business Administration. He is a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity where he is active in intramural sports and volunteer activities. He is also a member of Delta Epsilon lota academic honor society, the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. and was awarded the Howard Putnam Memorial Scholarship. This summer he is interning with Chase Building Group, Birmingham, Alabama. After graduation, he plans to pursue a career as a project manager in the building and construction industry.
Miss Kaitlyn Alexandra Dorsett is the daughter Dr. and Mrs. Cecil R. Dorsett. She was graduated cum laude in May from Birmingham Southern College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Her honors include serving her social fraternity, Chi Omega, in various leadership roles to include vice president and treasurer. She was a member of the Science Honor Society. She has been accepted into the UAB Graduate Biomedical program and will pursue her PhD in Cancer Biology.
Mr. Jonathan David Gilbert is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kim Gilbert. He was graduated summa cum laude in May from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance with a specialization in Economics along with a minor in Political Science. His honor societies include Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, Sigma Alpha Lambda, and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. He has also been selected to the Dean’s List and President’s List during his four years. He was a member of Theta Chi fraternity where he served one year as the Scholarship Chair and multiple years on the Judicial Board. In the fall, he will attend the University of Alabama School of Law to pursue his law degree.
Mr. John Hunter Hayes is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Hayes. He was graduated in December from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Management. He was a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon honor society and was president of the Jacksonville State fishing team. He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Business Management and working for Hayes Energy Services as a Field Engineer.
Miss Frances Taylor Isbell is the daughter of Dr. Gordon Isbell, III and Mrs. Timothy Russo. She was graduated summa cum laude from Samford University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in Political Science. She was a University Fellow and a member of various honor societies, including Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Tau Delta, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Gamma Sigma Alpha. While at Samford, she was awarded the Rufus Shelton Community Service Award, the Gail Hyle Memorial Award, and the English Department Faculty Award. She was also selected as a University Ministries Senior Honoree and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges. She held leadership positions with Samford’s DiversABILITY, Oxfam, Amnesty International, Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl, Student Government Association, Pre-law Society, and Phi Mu fraternity. She often volunteered with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Children’s Miracle Network, and Relay for Life. She also tutored inner-city elementary school students at Smithdale Community Center. She plans to attend law school in the fall on a full merit scholarship.
Mr. Evan Brock Kirby is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kirby. He will graduate in August from the University of Alabama with a degree in Exercise Science. After graduation, he plans to pursue a Doctorate of Physical Therapy. He has been on the President’s List and the Dean’s List throughout his four years at the University of Alabama. He was also active in the University’s pre-health honor society, Alpha Epsilon Delta.
Miss Caroline Lee Maddox is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Michael Lee Maddox. She was graduated cum laude in May from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. She was in the University Honors Program, Alpha Lambda Delta, Sigma Alpha Lambda, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key, Phi Eta Sigma, and was on the President’s and Dean’s Lists. Her social sorority was Alpha Chi Omega. She also assisted in research of osteoarthritis and depression while she attended the University. She plans to pursue a career in medicine.
Mr. Joshua-Phillip Gregory Miles is the son of Mr. Philip Miles and Mrs. Cusimano Miles. He attended Berklee College of Music where he studied guitar performance and sound design. He currently works as a pizza maker at Effina’s Tuscan Grille. He plans to move to Atlanta and pursue a career in music.
Miss Elizabeth Linden Newman is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Charles Leatherbury Newman. She will graduate in the fall from the University of Alabama with a Bachelors of Science in Human Environmental Sciences with a concentration in Fashion Retail. Upon graduating, she has been offered an internship with Show Me Your Mumu in Los Angeles, California with the ultimate goal of employment. This summer she is participating in a Retail Study Tour in Beijing, China, and then interning with Hunter Bell in New York City. She has participated in Birmingham Fashion Week for the past two years and is on the Pants Store Fashion Board. She is also a Brand Ambassador for Green Beverage Company where she had the privilege of working as Nick Saban’s Coaches Clinic this spring at the University of Alabama. She is also a member of Chi Omega Social Fraternity. She was a lady in the King Felix’s court of Mardi Gras this past spring in Mobile, Alabama and was presented at Bal d’Or in Gadsden, Alabama in December, 2012. Her hobbies include snow skiing, modeling and travel. She attends the Church of the Highlands in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and is a member of First United Methodist Church, Gadsden, Alabama. She has volunteered for the Etowah County Humane Society and the Etowah County Republican Office.
Miss Allie Rabon Pennington is the daughter of Mr. Michael Pennington and Mrs. Williams Pennington. She was graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in May earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in Gender and Women’s Studies. She was honored as member of the Dean’s List and the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society. She was involved in KVRX Student Radio, Allies Student Group, and makeup artistry. She plans to pursue her Master’s degree in English.
Mr. Tanner Ayres Roberts is the son of Mr. Jeff Roberts and Mrs. Ayres Roberts. He was graduated from Auburn University in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a major in Accounting. He worked as an intern at Frost Cummings Tidwell in Birmingham. He is now attending graduate school at Auburn University, pursuing a Master’s degree in Accounting. His social fraternity is Lambda Chi Alpha.
Mr. William Henry Rhea, IV is the son of Judge and Mrs. William H. Rhea, III. He attends the University of Alabama where he is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with a minor in English. He is a member of Theta Chi fraternity and is working this summer in hospitality and hotel business management. He plans to pursue a business career after graduation.
Miss Rebecca Elaine Russo is the daughter of Mr. Michael Timothy Russo and Ms. Janet Foster Russo. She is pursuing a degree in court reporting at Gadsden State Community College. She is a member of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She plans to begin her career as a court reporter in Montgomery later this year.
Mr. Andrew Spencer is the son of Dr. Pam Autrey and Dr. and Mrs. Homer Spencer. He attended The University of Alabama where he is a member of Theta Chi social fraternity. He will attend Auburn University in the fall where he will pursue a degree in Building Science.
Miss Caitlin Marie Williams is the daughter of Senator and Mrs. Phil Williams. She was graduated magna cum laude from Auburn University this past May as a University Honors Scholar, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Communications. Her honor societies include Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Sigma Alpha, and Alpha Lambda Delta. She is a member of Sigma Kappa Sorority. She served for three years in Auburn University’s Student Government Association. During her first two years in SGA, she served as Assistant Vice President of Political Affairs. During her senior year, she was also appointed as a Director for Auburn Conservatives for Tomorrow.
Miss Madison Shelby Wrenn is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Wrenn. She is a senior at the University of Alabama where she will be graduating in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Secondary Math Education. Her honor societies include Phi Sigma Theta, Kappa Delta Epsilon, and Sigma Alpha Lambda National Honors Society. She is an alumna of Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity. She is currently a Crimsonette and a four-year member of the Million Dollar Band. After graduation she plans to pursue her Master’s in Mathematics.