By Crystal McGough
IRONDALE – Mayor James D. Stewart Jr., of the city of Irondale, presented proclamations honoring two local students at the regular city council meeting on Sept. 6, 2022.
“I believe in giving people their roses while they are alive,” Stewart said.
JCIB student Sadie Arnold with Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart Jr.
The first proclamation was presented to Sadie Arnold, a sophomore at Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, who won a T-shirt design contest for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.
“Sadie has Crohn’s Disease and she decided to develop a T-shirt to be able to sell it to provide resources for those that are not as fortunate as her,” Stewart said. “I thought that was outstanding, that at her age, she’s thinking about how she can help others more than she can help herself.”
The proclamation states that “Whereas Sadie was diagnosed with moderate to severe Crohn’s Disease almost four years ago … (and) whereas Crohn’s Disease is an inflammatory bowel disease where the patient’s immune system attacks the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, (and) can often lead to uncomfortable symptoms. … Now therefore be it resolved that I, James Douglas Stewart Jr., mayor of the city of Irondale, issue this proclamation honoring Sadie Arnold for her courage and determination.”
To purchase the T-shirt Arnold designed, or otherwise make a donation, visit www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org.
Stewart presented a second proclamation honoring Shades Valley High School senior and football player Christian Thomas for receiving the title of The Trussville Tribune’s “OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports Player of the Week.”
Shades Valley High School wide receiver Christian Thomas with Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart Jr.
“A couple weekends ago, high school football began in the state of Alabama and football is like a religion in our city,” Stewart said. “I wanted to honor a young man that on Aug. 28 was the player of the week by The Trussville Tribune. He really showed out and had an awesome game.”
The proclamation for Thomas states: “Whereas football is a sport that requires tremendous skill and talent, as well as dedication and hard work … whereas the city of Irondale would like to recognize and bring notoriety to our outstanding young athletes for their excellence in competition … and whereas Christian Thomas, a senior at Shades Valley High School, was named ‘Player of the Week’ by The Trussville Tribune on Aug. 28, 2022 … whereas Christian Thomas made the biggest play of the game when his team needed him the most … and whereas Christian is recognized by his coaches and teammates for his superior athleticism and versatility on the field, as well as his character off the field; now therefore, let it be resolved that I, James Douglas Stewart Jr., mayor of the city of Irondale, issue this proclamation of congratulations and honor Christian Thomas for his athletic achievement and for making the city of Irondale proud.”
After honoring the students, Stewart presented a third proclamation, recognizing the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation for its work to bring awareness for gynecological cancers and proclaiming September 2022 Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month.
Betsy Fetner, program director for the Laura Crandall Brown Foundation, with Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart Jr.
“We’ve done this several times,” he said. “Every year, we do a proclamation for GYN cancers. I’ve had a parent to die from lung cancer and maybe everybody out there at some time has lost a family member to cancer. We realize how hard cancer can (be). It’s a very hard death for an individual to be able to experience, especially when they go through it long-term.”
The proclamation states: “Whereas GYN cancers are among the leading cancer-killers of women in the United States and more than 125 women will be diagnosed and more than 33 women will die from the disease this year, and the absence they leave in our hearts will be deeply felt; and whereas Laura Crandall Brown Foundation and their ‘A State of Teal’ initiative brings awareness to GYN cancers for people throughout the state of Alabama … Now therefore, be it resolved that I, James Douglas Stewart Jr., mayor of the city of Irondale, issue this proclamation recognizing September 2022 as Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month throughout the city of Irondale and encourage all residents of Irondale to work together to raise awareness of GYN cancers.”
To learn more, visit www.thinkoflaura.org.
