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
Franklin D-1 commission race heads to runoff
Franklin County, News, Z - News Main
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
May 20, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Residents of District 1 will have to wait a little longer to learn who their representative on the Franklin County Commission will be a...
Clark wins Franklin coroner’s race
Franklin County, News, Russellville, ...
Addi Broadfoot For the FCT 
May 20, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Jeff Clark defeated incumbent Charles Adcox in the Republican primary for Franklin County coroner Tuesday night, winning 75.25% of the ...
Oliver secures fifth term as Franklin County Sheriff
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
By Brady Petree For the FCT 
May 20, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — Incumbent Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver will remain in office for at least four more years after he overwhelmingly won re-elec...
CPR training among department services
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
May 20, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — City firefighters are trying to get the word out to the public about a variety of free services they offer, including CPR classes and b...
Lighting project to begin soon
Main, News, Red Bay, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
May 20, 2026
RED BAY — Mayor Mike Shewbart said construction on a lighting project along the Alabama Highway 24/Corridor V entrance is expected to begin soon. The ...
Foster care shortage forcing children out of county
Main, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
May 20, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — A shortage of foster homes in Franklin County is forcing children to be placed in homes throughout Alabama, increasing travel demands o...
THS rocketry team finishes 54th in nationals
News, Russellville, Z - News Main
th in nationals THS rocketry team finishes 54
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
May 20, 2026
RUSSELLVILLE — The Tharptown High School rocketry team finished 54th at the 2026 American Rocketry Challenge national finals on Saturday in The Plains...
Delta Kappa Gamma honors educators
Columnists, News
HERE AND NOW
May 20, 2026
As retired educators gathered for the Delta Kappa Gamma Alpha Upsilon Chapter spring banquet at First Highlands Church of Christ in Russellville, memo...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.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