Congratulations to top students, athletes
COLUMNS--FEATURE SPOT, Opinion, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Staff Reports Published 
8:04 am Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Congratulations to top students, athletes

Some people think media outlets only look for the bad. At the Franklin County Times, we’ll cover the bad news that needs to be covered – but we love to look for the good. 

There was plenty of good news in this past week’s FCT, and we’d like to congratulate two groups that made headlines: the Belgreen High School Scholars Bowl team and the Russellville High School tennis program.

If you picked up a copy of the April 26 newspaper, you know the BHS senior Scholars Bowl team is the Class 1A state champion for the second year after a winning performance at Jefferson State Community College in Birmingham April 14. The 2022 state title was a first for Belgreen – and here those Bulldogs are again, just a year later, achieving the same remarkable feat. 

We’d like to join their sponsor, Mary Motes, along with well-wishers throughout the community in congratulating these standout students. We know there is a high value placed on education across Franklin County, but these students took their studying and intellect beyond the classroom to accomplish something even more than good grades or test scores. They put forth an effort toward academic achievement to satisfy a hunger for learning that will serve them well throughout life. Well done!

We are also proud of the RHS girls’ and boys’ tennis teams, each of which took first place in the AHSAA Class 4A-5A Section 8 tournament to advance to the state tournament in Mobile. With this feat, the teams accomplished a first in school history: The first-place sectional finishes by both RHS squads were accomplished in the same year for the first time.

RCS prides itself on a tradition of excellence, as well it should. The tennis program is adding to that tradition; maybe next year will make two in a row for this tennis triumph. 

On the editorial pages of this paper, we must seek to be unbiased, sharing the facts as they stand as well as the stated opinions of others. On this page, however, we have the freedom to share our feelings about the stories we report. We have the opportunity to praise that which deserves to be praised.

These two student groups certainly fall in that category, and we’re glad to devote this week’s editorial in their honor. Congratulations to all involved in these wonderful success stories!

Also on Franklin County Times
Successful paving plan draws Florence’s interest
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
August 5, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Pondering whether Florenceshouldestablish its own paving department, officials only had to look about 20 miles south to see the benefit...
Mills named principal at West Elementary
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
August 5, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Gayla Mills is beginning her 31st year in education and her first as West Elementary’s principal. Mills taught third grade when that gr...
Disciplinary point system gets ‘amped up’
Main, News, Russellville
By Ella Seaton For the FCT 
August 5, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — As Alabama students head back to school, there is a new incentive for staying out of trouble. This school year, school disciplinary pro...
Wright is new RES principal
Main, News, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
August 5, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Channing Wright, former Russellville Elementary assistant principal, will begin the new school year in a new role, that of principal. N...
Motorists reminded of bus safety rules
Franklin County, News
By Ella Seaton For the FCT 
August 5, 2026
As school buses begin returning to roads across northwest Alabama this week, transportation officials remind parents, students and motorists the impor...
Gym artifact finds new home at PCHS
High School Sports, News, Phil Campbell, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
August 5, 2026
PHIL CAMPBELL — Fifteen years after the April 27, 2011, tornado destroyed Phil Campbell High School, a preserved piece of the old gym has found a perm...
Vina man may have his bond revoked after messaging a minor
Franklin County, News, Z - News Main
By Kevin Taylor For FCT 
July 30, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A Vina man, who was arrested and charged in 2024 with electronic solicitation of a child, could have his bond revoked after allegedly t...
City OKs ‘Women of True Grit’ agreement
A: Main, Franklin County, News, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 29, 2026
REDBAY–The city council has approved a $12,000 agreement with Hand in Hand Entertainment and Promotions for a one-year “Edie Hand: Women of True Grit”...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *