Amy Maddox - Linly Heflin

Educate a Woman and You Educate a Family
The
Linly Heflin
Focus on our
Inside this issue:
Amy Maddox
Teacher,
mentor,
winner of multiple
awards
Page 2
Jessica Alvey
Hurricane Survivor
Future FBI Agent
Page 4
Newsletter
2009
Kristi Driver
Law Partner,
multiple award
winning
community leader
Page 10
Jennifer Stinson
Pediatrician
Medical Missionary
Page 6
Anna Phung
Griffin
Pharmacist
Page 8
A story of
triumph over
tragedy:
fearing
imprisonment or death, her family escaped
during the fall of Saigon
Jeff Pizitz, Ann Simmons, Nichole Cummins and Herman Heinle
Gus Mayer sponsors the 51st Annual Linly Heflin Scholarship
Luncheon and Fashion Show featuring dianara
Page 12
Joseph and Muoi Phung
With the help of an American family, they settled in Montgomery. In spite
of hardships and trials of many kinds, her family has managed to stay
intact, and has had an amazingly positive impact upon their community.
Amy Maddox
mer, she and her husband, Paul Maddox, were
married.
Amy’s outstanding college record led to her
receiving the James Madison Memorial Fellowship,
which financed her pursuing a Master of Arts in
Secondary Education at UNA. After earning this
degree in 1999, she and her husband moved to
“I was born to teach.”
Birmingham. Amy was hired by the Vestavia Hills
Experts in career development tell us that one of School System, and has taught AP courses in US
the key factors in achieving success is choosing a History and Government in the high school for the
field in which one is passionately interested. This past ten years.
principle is attested to in the teaching career of
As one of the best loved and most respectAmy Maddox. Amy tells us that she was “born ed teachers at Vestavia Hills High School, Amy
has compiled an enviable
to teach”, and never serecord. In 2002 she introriously considered other
duced the “ We the People…
career options. A prime
the Citizen and the Constiinfluence in her early life
tution” mock congressiowas her beloved grandnal hearing competition to
father, who was a high
the high school. Under her
school vocational teachexpert guidance, teams of
er. During her senior
outstanding students have
year in high school, she
won innumerable awards in
told him of her decision
state, regional and national
to become a teacher.
events. This past April, the
Much to her surprise, her
Vestavia Hills team placed 2nd
grandfather tried to disin the national competition in
courage her. Although
Washington, D.C. Amy has
he knew that teaching
received a number of personwas a fulfilling profession, he also was aware Amy was awarded the National Outstanding Teacher al awards for her outstandof the problems and Award by the Daughters of the American Revolution ing ability as a teacher. The
Alabama Center for Law and
challenges every teacher
faces. In spite of her grandfather’s warning, Amy Civic Education gave her the “Excellence in Teaching
felt that her life would not be truly fulfilling if she Award” in 2008. She has been chosen as Vestavia
did not at least try teaching. Family finances were Hills “Teacher of the Year” for secondary level. Last
rather strained at the time, and Amy was uncertain year, the National Society Daughters of the American
about how she could pay for a college education. Revolution also gave her the prestigious “OutstandHowever, her outstanding high school academic ing Teacher of American History” award. Jamie Blair,
record resulted in her being given several scholar- Superintendent of the Vestavia Hills School System,
ships. These included one from
tells us that Amy has always done
the Linly Heflin Unit that she says
an outstanding job. “She is a topwas a great help in easing her finotch teacher, and a great person
nancial burden.
in every way”, says Dr. Blair.
A native of Decatur, Amy decidStudents in Amy’s classes agree
ed to enroll in the University of
that she is one of the hardest
North Alabama in Florence. Since
teachers in the school. Yet most
math had been a favorite subof them feel that their efforts pay
ject in high school, she assumed
off in a deepened understandthat this was what she would ultiing of, and appreciation for our
mately teach. However, a survey
American form of government.
course in United States History
A number of her students have
soon brought about a change in
served as interns for our Alaher plans. Under the inspiring lecbama senators and congressmen.
tures and guidance of Dr. Larry
One of Amy’s most outstanding
Nelson, she fell in love with the
students is Lauren Faraino. Lausubject and switched majors. In
ren was born with limited use of
1997, Amy graduated from UNA
her arms, and mastered the art of
with a Bachelor of Arts in History,
writing by using her feet, holding a
Summa Cum Laude. That sumpencil between her toes. She gets
Amy Maddox in her classroom
Award Winning Teacher
2
The Linly Heflin Unit 13 Office Park Circle Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 871-8171 www.linlyheflin.org
around with the help of
I was born to teach.
a powered wheel chair.
Everyday as I watch
However, Lauren has
the ‘light bulbs’ go off
never let her disability
in the minds of my stuslow her down. She
dents I know that I am
scored a perfect 2400
doing what I was put
on her SAT college adon the planet to do. I
mission test, and was
love knowing that I am
selected as a Presidenfulfilling my civic retial Scholar for 2009.
sponsibility in training
Only 141 high school
the next generation’s
seniors nationwide releaders. I love knowceived this honor. Amy
ing that I can provide a
Maddox, Lauren’s fasafe and encouraging
vorite teacher, accom- Amy Maddox and her students at the awards banquet. environment in which
Lauren Faraino is on the right.
panied her to Washingmy students can stand
ton D.C. in the spring to attend the awards ceremony. on their intellectual tip-toes.”
Lauren has been accepted at Harvard University, and
Amy and her husband, Paul, are the proud
plans to major in government studies and prepare for parents of two beautiful little girls. Rebecca Grace
law school. Lauren tells us that Mrs. Maddox de- is four years old, and Corra Nicole is in her second
mands more from her students than any other teach- year.
Juggling the responsibilities of motherhood
er at Vestavia, yet she always stands ready to provide and teaching is not always easy, but Amy credits her
husband with being remarkably supportive. Without
his help and encouragement, she feels that she could
“For Mrs. Maddox, history is not
merely pages of names and dates;
rather it is a story to be passed on, a
moral to be learned, a subject to be
devoured.”
Lauren Faraino, former student
Editor’s note: Lauren scored a perfect 2400 on the
SAT, is a Presidential Scholar and is now a freshman at
Harvard
“I love knowing that I can provide a
safe and encouraging environment
in which my students can stand on
their intellectual tip-toes.”
Amy Maddox
never have achieved any of her professional success.
Amy tells us that the joys of being a mother and an
assistance, either academically or personally. In Lau- educator are innumerable, and states: “It’s a wonderren’s words, “Mrs. Maddox’s ardor for teaching drives ful way to spend a life!”
students to meet and exceed her grand objectives. Amy tells us that she has the highest respect for the
During my time as a member of ‘We the People’, Linly Heflin scholarship program. To seek out highMrs. Maddox sparked a passion that has become the achieving young women and assist them with their
center of my academic interests. Her charisma and college educations is a tremendous public service.
her zeal for the study of history have breathed life into She realizes that without the support of the Linly Hefthe characters in textbooks. For Mrs. Maddox, history lin and other scholarship programs, she would probis not merely pages of names and dates; rather it is ably never have been able to fulfill her dreams of bea story to be passed on, a moral
coming a teacher.
to be learned, a subject to be devoured.”
In reflecting on her teaching career,
Amy admits that her grandfather
had some things right. Teaching
can sometimes be an excruciatingly demanding job. And yet, she
says, “It was never really a choice.
This past April,
the Vestavia Hills team
placed 2nd in the
national “We the People”
competition in
Washington, D.C.
Newsletter Co-editors: Katy Terry and Anne Hicks
3
For Jessica Alvey, a Linly Heflin scholar and
third year student at the University of Alabama,
the year 2005 was a fateful one. Her family had
settled in Slidell, Louisiana. Jessica was pleased
with her new home, and particularly liked the
fact that New Orleans was only a twenty minute
drive away from Slidell. She considered New
Orleans to be one of the loveliest cities she had
seen. In August, 2005, Jessica had just begun her
junior year at North Shore High School in Slidell
when there began to be ominous reports from the
weather bureau. When hurricane Irene threatened
the Louisiana coast, her family evacuated their
home for several days. Fortunately, the storm
took another path, and the evacuees returned to
their homes.
However, the storm season was far from over.
Toward the end of August, a far more dangerous
Since the previous storm had been
a false alarm, they left most of their
possessions behind
hurricane had developed: Katrina. The authorities began issuing warnings, and residents of the
area were told to leave. Since the first storm had
done no damage, many were reluctant to evacuate
again. However, as the warnings became more
insistent, Jessica’s family (which included her
mother, her step-father, and her younger brother), decided to stay with Jessica’s grandmother in
Pelham, Alabama until the storm was over. Since
the previous storm had been a false alarm, they
took only a few changes of clothing, leaving most
of their possessions behind. The family spent the
next three days huddled around the television
set, monitoring the progress of the hurricane. To
their horror, Katrina headed straight for the New
Orleans area. Slidell was in the epicenter of the
storm, causing the levees to break. Their entire
neighborhood was inundated by a nine foot wall
Their home was inundated by a
nine foot wall of water
4
of water. A few days later Jessica’s step-father
was able to return to the area, where he found
a scene of total destruction. Their house, along
with most of the others in the neighborhood, was
gone. The only possessions that were left were
a few family photographs. Among the things Jessica regretted losing was an heirloom quilt that
had been made by her great-great grandmother.
Having suffered such a devastating loss, Jessica’s father and mother decided to make a fresh
start in Pelham. A new home was found for the
family, and Jessica’s parents were able to find
jobs in the area. She and her brother enrolled in
the Pelham school system, along with a number
of other hurricane evacuees. Jessica missed her
old school and friends in Slidell, but since she
had experienced a number of previous moves,
she was able to adjust to her new surroundings.
An excellent student, Jessica was soon caught up
on the work she had missed. The following year,
she graduated from Pelham High School with
honors.
Jessica had always had a deep desire to attend
college. Realizing that her parents were unable
to provide much financial help for her education,
she applied for, and won, a Linly Heflin Scholarship, and also a Capstone Scholarship from
the University of Alabama. She entered the University in the fall of 2007. To help with her expenses, Jessica has worked diligently at a number
of jobs throughout her high school and college
years. During the summer of 2008 she worked
as a personal assistant to a real estate agent. This
past summer she spent between 30 and 40 hours
a week giving hospice care to an elderly couple.
This fall she has a job as desk assistant for the
University Residence Halls. Among other duties,
this involves her being at her desk from 4:00 AM
until 8:00 AM twice each week, and from 11:00
PM to 7:00AM each Saturday night. Jessica must
be a person of boundless energy, for her demanding work schedule has not prevented her from
making an outstanding academic record. At present, she holds a G.P.A. of 3.91!
For several years, Jessica has harbored an
unusual ambition: that of joining the F.B.I. To
Jessica’s GPA is 3.91
further this ambition, Jessica is majoring in Psychology and Criminal Justice, and has a minor
in Chinese. She first became interested in law
enforcement through her step-father, who was
previously with the Secret Service. During his
years with this agency he worked with the explosive ordnance unit, and also was assigned to
guard Presidents Reagan and Bush. The subject
of Behavioral Analysis fascinates her. This is a
discipline which analyzes criminals and builds
profiles to assist in their capture. Jessica would
like to attend the F.B.I Academy in Quantico,
Virginia. Two criteria for admission are a college
education and proficiency in a foreign language.
She hopes to be an exchange student to Taiwan
for her senior year, and thus become adept in the
Chinese language. She also envisions spending
an extra year in the country, employed as a teacher, before returning to attend the F.B.I. Academy.
In her relatively short life, Jessica has faced
and overcome many obstacles. Even a hurricane
could not get her down! Jessica is happy to be at
the University of Alabama, for she feels that the
department of Psychology and Criminal Justice
is one of the best in the country. We feel certain
that her determined spirit and proven abilities
will lead her to success in her chosen field and
that one day she will be a valued agent for the
F.B.I.
Jessica Alvey
Hurricane survivor
future
FBI
agent
&
To further her
ambition of
joining the F.B.I.,
Jessica is majoring in
Psychology and Criminal
Justice and minoring in
Chinese.
Jessica says that if not for the
storm, she wouldn’t have attended
the University of Alabama, where
the Department of Psychology
and Criminal Justice is one of the
best in the country.
Jessica has a job as desk assistant for
the University of Alabama Residence
Halls. She must be at her desk from
4:00 A.M. to 8:00 A.M. two days a
week, and from 11:00 P.M. to 7:00
A.M. each Saturday night.
This past summer Jessica spent 30-40
hours a week giving hospice care to an
elderly couple.
5
Dr. Jennifer
Stinson
Pediatrician
from
Enterprise
6
Jennifer
during
medical
mission to
Honduras
Jennifer’s fluency in
Spanish helped during
medical mission trips
to Honduras,
and helps her every day
in Enterprise as she
cares for children from
Mexico, Guatemala and
other Central American
countries. Jennifer
credits her Linly Heflin
scholarship with helping
her to gain this skill.
Dr. Jennifer Stinson leads an extremely busy life as a pe- to combine her love of the Spanish language with her love of
diatrician in Enterprise, Alabama. There never seem to be medicine. Jennifer graduated from medical school in 1997,
enough hours in the day to fulfill all of her obligations. As having distinguished herself by earning the Paul Palmisano
one of only a few pediatricians in the area, she is responsible award. This award is given each year to the most outstanding
for attending deliveries and caring for the new born, as well pediatric student in the medical school.
as taking care of children up to and through their college
After her graduation, Jennifer spent three years as a resiyears. In addition to her regular office hours, she is on call dent pediatrician at Children’s Hospital. Following the
several nights a week, and spends a great deal of time mak- completion of her residency, she was employed by the hosing hospital visits. In spite of her heavy work schedule, she pital as a critical care transport physician for two years. This
feels that it is a joy to watch children grow and thrive. She involved transporting sick children from Alabama and surtells us:”Children never cease to amaze me, and for this rea- rounding states back to Birmingham via jet. During this peson I absolutely love my job.”
riod, she returned to Honduras as part of a medical mission
As much as Jennifer loves her practice, she always saves team. The group worked in a rural village that had no runquality time to be with her family. Her husband, Slade, ning water or electricity. The children that they treated had
is a full time pastor of a local Baptist
probably never seen a doctor in their
church. The couple has two active
lives. Once again, Jennifer’s fluency
sons: Solomon, who just turned three,
in Spanish helped the team to minister
and Zach, who is two. The boys love
to their patients more effectively. Dr.
swimming, toddler gymnastics, and are
Bryson Waldo, who was part of the
currently mastering the art of furniture
team, tells us that Jennifer’s ability to
climbing all over the house!
communicate with the native HonduWhile she was still in her teen
rans was a tremendous advantage duryears, Jennifer decided that she wanted
ing this visit. In fact, he says, Jennifer
to become a physician. She attended
was far more skilled in translating the
Shades Valley Resource Learning CenSpanish language to English, and vice
ter (now the International Baccalaureate
versa, than the interpreters who had
School), graduating in 1990. Because
been assigned to them.
of her excellent high school record, she
Jennifer moved to Enterprise in
earned several scholarships, including
2001, and currently works as a fullone from the Linly Heflin. She entered
time pediatrician at Enterprise MediUAB in the fall, planning to major in
cal Clinic. She tells us that her ability
pre-med Biology. She tells us that hav- Jennifer and Slade with Zach and Solomon to speak Spanish has been a great help
ing a Linly Heflin scholarship enabled
in her practice in Enterprise. She utiher to try new classes, and she discovered how much she lizes her knowledge of the language every day as she cares
enjoyed learning Spanish. She changed her major, and in for families who are from Mexico, Guatemala, and other
1993 earned a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with Summa Cum Central American countries. These families are grateful to
Laude honors.
find someone with whom they can communicate about their
Having been enrolled in the Early Medical School Ac- children. Jennifer feels that it is a privilege to be able to
ceptance Program, Jennifer entered UAB Medical School take care of these families and to speak to them in their nashortly after graduation. She was given a special Linly Heflin tive language. She credits her Linly Heflin scholarship with
medical school scholarship, which was a great help with her helping her to gain this skill that has been such an advantage
expenses at this time. She found that her training in Span- for her medical practice. She tells us that both of her Linly
ish was invaluable to her when she joined a group of fellow Heflin scholarships were a tremendous help during her edumedical school students on a trip to Honduras, to work in a cation, concluding: “I am very grateful and honored to have
rural clinic. She discovered that this was an excellent way been a scholarship recipient.”
Linly Heflin Officers 2009-2010
President
First Vice President
Second Vice President
Recording Secretary
Corresponding Secretary
Treasurer
Project Treasurer
Scholarship Chair
Scholarship Co-Chair
Scholarship Trust Fund
Mrs. Walter M. Beale, Jr. (Ju-Ju)
Mrs. W. Crawford Owen (Bette)
Mrs. Gary M. London (Eve)
Mrs. James Porter II (Kathryn)
Mrs. Barrett Hicks, Jr. (Anne)
Mrs. Wyatt R. Haskell (Susan)
Mrs. A. Philip Cook, Jr. (Deane)
Mrs. William W. Goodrich (Fran)
Mrs. George Jones III (Ruth)
Mrs. Frank Caley (Margaret)
The Linly Heflin Unit 13 Office Park Circle Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 871-8171 www.linlyheflin.org
7
Anna Phung Griffin
Facing imprisonment or death, her
family escaped during the fall of Saigon
Anna Griffin, who was born and raised in Montgomery,
Alabama, tells us that she is “A southern girl through and
through.” However, her background is not that of a typical
“southern girl”. Her family fled Vietnam in 1975, five months
before Anna’s birth. In spite of hardships and trials of many
kinds, her family has managed to
stay intact, and has had an amazingly positive impact upon their
community. Both individually, and
as a group, theirs has been a story
of triumph over tragedy.
Anna’s father, Joseph Phung, was
employed by the U.S. Air Force, and
later by the American Embassy during the Vietnam War. His work as
an interpreter was invaluable to our
Joseph Phung
government, for Joseph was fluent
in three languages: Vietnamese, French, and English. When
it became apparent that North Vietnam was winning the war,
Joseph became fearful about the fate of his family. The Viet
Cong had promised imprisonment
and death to those who helped the
Americans. Shortly before the fall
of Saigon, Joseph’s employers at the
U.S. Embassy offered to help him to
escape and immigrate to America.
Although they hated the thought
of leaving their native country, Joseph and his wife, Muoi, knew that
there was no other choice for them.
They began making the necessary
preparations for their departure, and
anxiously awaited word that trans-
Muoi Phung
8
Mama Muoi and Tam
portation had been arranged
for them. At this time, the
situation in Saigon was both
chaotic and heartbreaking.
Thousands of South Vietnamese were desperately seeking
to escape, fearing the reprisals
and re-education camps of the
dreaded Viet Cong. With the
help of the American armed
forces, approximately 135,000
did escape and were brought
to America. Joseph Phung and
his family were grateful to be
among that fortunate group.
One evening, just as
the family was preparing to
eat supper, they received word
that arrangements had been
completed for their escape,
and they were to leave immediately. Joseph and his wife
quickly gathered up their four
children and a few belongings,
left their untouched supper on
the table, and quietly departed by their back door. They had
been directed to a certain square in the city, where a helicopter waited to take them to a U.S. Navy ship in the harbor.
Here, they joined other refugees, and were transported to the
United States. Their next stop was Camp Pendleton, California. Along with thousands of other refugees, they were
given temporary quarters here, until a permanent home could
be found for them in our country. Meanwhile, help was on
the way for the Phungs in the person of Lt. Col Mike Brooks,
U.S. Air Force. Brooks and Joseph Phung had become close
friends in 1965, when (then) Lieutenant Brooks had been part
of a small advance U.S. Air Force team that had landed on the
site of a former Japanese World War II base, and was charged
with building a US Air Base
near Phan Rang. Joseph
had provided priceless assistance as his interpreter,
and had also helped in hiring local construction workers, as well as directing a
unit of the base personnel
office. After leaving Vietnam, Brooks had kept up
with his friend through the
exchange of cassette tapes
from time to time. When it
became clear that Saigon’s
fall was imminent, Brooks
became concerned about
the fate of the Phung family.
Through contacts with the
U.S. State Department, he
learned the location of his
friends. Several days and Left to right: Tam Phung,
numerous phone calls later, Cathy Brooks, Holly Brooks,
Brooks was able to make
contact with his good friend Lisa Brooks, Chris Phung
Joseph.
During their conversation, Brooks generously offered to
sponsor Joseph and his family, and help them to get settled in
their new country. At this time, Lt. Col. Brooks was squadron
commander at Air University’s Maxwell Air Force Base and
lived in Montgomery, Alabama with his wife, Emma Jean,
and their four daughters. A family decision was made to open
their home to the Phung family. A short while later, Joseph
and his family began their new life in America as houseguests
of Mike and Emma Jean. With the Brooks family’s help,
Joseph was able to find employment, and the children were
enrolled in school. At the time of their escape from Vietnam, the ages of the children were ten, eight, six and four.
None of them could speak English, but in a surprisingly short
time each began to pick up the language, with the patient
help of their schoolteachers, and the Brooks family. Within
five months after their arrival in Montgomery, Joseph and his
family were able to move into a home of their own. And a
short time later, both families were delighted to welcome a
new addition, Anna. Through the years, lasting ties have been
forged between the Phung family and their gracious hosts, the
Brooks, and their relationship remains warm and vital to this
day.
In spite of having to adjust to a new country, a new culture,
and an unfamiliar language, each of the Phung children has
been remarkably successful. All five graduated from Auburn
University. Anna, the youngest, graduated from Pharmacy
School with the help of a Linly Heflin Scholarship in 1999.
To help with expenses, Anna worked at a Cracker Barrel and
The Linly Heflin Unit 13 Office Park Circle Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 871-8171 www.linlyheflin.org
Anna graduated from Pharmacy School
with the help of a Linly Heflin Scholarship
in 1999. Anna likes being in a field where
she is able to help others.
a CVS drug store during her college years. During her senior year, Anna was
introduced to Adam Griffin, a student at Georgia Tech. After several months
of courtship, she and Adam were married in 2000. The couple has lived in
Atlanta ever since. Anna is presently a Pharmacy Manager at Publix in midtown Atlanta. Her husband, Adam, is Director of IT for his company. Anna
tells us that she likes being in a field where she is able to help others. She
especially enjoys getting to know her customers and building trusted relationships with them. She finds Atlanta to be a “hustling and exciting” city to live
in, and welcomes the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life on a
day-to-day basis.
Anna remains close to her family, although they are separated by miles
from her. Her mother and father, and one of her brothers, Chris, live in Montgomery. Chris is a managing pharmacist in the city. Another brother, Vinh,
lives in Oklahoma City, and is an electrical engineer with the Air Force Systems Command. Anna’s sister, Hope, is a teacher in the Atlanta area. Her
older sister, Tam, tragically passed away from Lupus in 1996. Tam had been
awarded a fellowship by Vanderbilt University, and had begun work on a PhD
in psychology at the time of her death. Anna has words of highest praise for
Each of the Phung children has been
remarkably successful. All five graduated
from Auburn University.
her parents, as well as her siblings. She tells us that her parents always emphasized the importance of an education, and she is thankful to them for pushing
her and supporting her in all of her endeavors. She describes her father as
being the “rock” of the family, whose “dedication and strong work ethic has
been constant and unwavering.” She says her mom is “the best”, and the most
selfless person she has ever known. Anna says: “My family has, and always
will, keep me grounded. I am so blessed to be loved and surrounded by such
wonderful people”.
Anna is deeply grateful to the Linly Heflin Unit for helping to fund her education. She tells us: “The admiration and appreciation I have for this group of
women is beyond words. Thank you for your support during such a crucial part
of my life. It allowed me to achieve my goals and provided me with so much
more than you will ever realize. I truly echo and believe in the motto of the
Linly Heflin, ‘Educate a Woman and You Educate a Family’. I am so honored
to have been one of those women.”
Phung family left to right: Joseph, Hope, Vinh, Anna, Muoi, Chris
Anna: Pharmacy Manager
Anna and Mama Muoi
Anna and Adam Griffin
9
Khristi Driver, Linly Heflin scholar of 1993, has been
practicing law in Birmingham since 2000. In her relatively short career, she has accomplished much, and
made a definite impact upon our community. During
the past year, she was chosen by the “Birmingham
Business Journal” as one of the top forty business
leaders in the city under the age of forty: (Top Forty
Under Forty).
Khristi was raised in a rural community in southern Blount County. Her high school years were spent
at Tabernacle Christian School in Gardendale. Although no one in her immediate family had ever
gone to college, Khristi made a decision early in her
teen years that not only would she attend college,
but she would try to go to law school as well. An excellent student, Khristi also became heavily involved
in extra-curricular activities. She took a keen interest in government and politics and enjoyed being on
the school’s debate team. A natural-born athlete,
she played on the volleyball team, and became quite
proficient in gymnastics. She served as a cheerleader, as well. Yet another area that she was talented
in was drama. Her performance of a scene from “My
Fair Lady” won her the Jr. Miss title for Blount County. To cap off her many honors, she graduated as the
class Valedictorian.
Although Khristi’s parents supported her ambition to go to college, they were unable to help
her financially. However, Khristi’s
academic and extra-curricular
achievements led to her receiving
several scholarships, including
one from the Linly Heflin Unit.
She entered the University of Alabama in 1993 and continued her
high school pattern of excelling
in all of her classes. In addition to
school work and campus activities, she held a number of jobs to
help with her expenses. At various times she was employed by
Subway, Bruno’s, and as a coach
for a gymnastics team. She also
worked as a runner for a law firm
in Tuscaloosa.
Khristi earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science in 1997. Soon afterward, she was thrilled
to find that she had been granted a full Presidential
Scholarship to Samford University’s Cumberland
School of Law, fulfilling her lifetime dream. During
law school, she received awards for writing the best
legal memorandum and the best legal brief in her
class. In 2000 she received a Juris Doctorate and was
admitted to practice law in the State of Alabama.
Khristi is presently a partner in the law firm of
Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker, LLC, one of the
ten largest litigation firms in the city. Her practice is
focused on defending insurance carriers in bad faith
and fraud claims, assisting employers with EEOC in-
10
Kristi Driver
vestigations, and engaging
Award winning
in complex litigation for
community
her clients. Khristi sits on
leader,
Haskell Slaughter’s Marketing Oversight Committee,
author,
and leads the firm’s Conspeaker,
servation Committee. She
law
partner,
also dedicates a significant
amount of time to mentoring wife,
the firm’s new lawyers. Wyatt and mom
Haskell, founding partner of
the firm, recently commended Khristi as being a “highly
effective lawyer.” He also
commented that the Linly Heflin’s scholarship
for Khristi had been “money well spent.”
Khristi has developed nationally recognized expertise in a new area of law, electronic discovery. This
refers to dealing with information in electronic format, such as e-mails, instant messages, documents
or databases. She is a frequently featured speaker
and published author on this subject.
Recently, Khristi was elected to the Executive
Committee of the Birmingham
Bar Association. She also serves
the Bar Association through the
Women’s Lawyers’ Section, and
was awarded the Distinguished
Service Award for her work on
multiple community service projects. Khristi has served on the
Board of Directors for ONB’s Magic City Connection, which produces the annual art festival in Linn
Park each spring. She has also
engaged in fundraising efforts for
various local projects, such as the
Susan G. Komen Foundation, and
the Voices Against Violence campaign for The Women’s Fund.
Khristi strives to maintain a
work-life balance by spending
as much quality time as possible with her husband,
Joe, who is also a lawyer, and their four year old son
Steven. She will be taking an extended break this fall
when her expected daughter, Sophia Kate, arrives
on the scene.
Khristi states: “I am forever grateful to the women
of the Linly Heflin Unit, and your vision of educating young women. After I had the opportunity to attend college, my mother was able to attend college
as well, and attained her Associate’s degree in Early
Childhood Education. Later, each of my two younger
sisters graduated from college, and both are practicing Registered nurses. If I remember correctly, your
motto is that ‘If you educate a woman, you educate
a family’. My life is a testimony to that truth.”
The Linly Heflin Unit 13 Office Park Circle Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 871-8171 www.linlyheflin.org
Linly Heflin Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion Show 2008
The 50th Annual Linly Heflin Scholarship Luncheon and Fashion
Show was held on September 18th, 2008. A sell-out crowd of
over 1000 attended the event, which was sponsored by Gus Mayer. Audrey Lindquist produced and narrated the presentation of
lovely fall fashions from Gus Mayer, followed by creations brought
to us by Zenobia of Canada. Adding to the entertainment were
a group of dancers from Birmingham Southern. As the climax of
the show, Miss Alabama, Amanda
Tapley, joined Brian Winston of Zenobia on the runway and presented
him with a bouquet. Congratulations
to Co-chairmen Helen Crabtree and
Patsy Dreher and their committees
for an outstanding, glamorous and
successful event.
Photos by Anne Hicks
Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Lindquist, Patsy Dreher and Helen Crabtree
A Letter from the President
of Linly Heflin
Since 1923 the major focus of the Linly
Heflin Unit has been to further the education
of young women in Alabama. Through the
years over 3,000 four year scholarships have
been awarded to Alabama women attending
Alabama colleges.In 2009 alone we have 76
young women on scholarship.
The 125 women of the Unit
are deeply grateful for the
commitment of the community
to education and the support
of past recipients.
Jeff Pizitz, Ann Simmons, Nichole Cummins and Herman
Heinle attended the September meeting of the Linly Heflin
and presented a sneak preview of some of the fashions to
be presented at the 51st Scholarship Luncheon.
Juliet Beale
President of the Linly Heflin Unit
11
51st Annual Linly Heflin Scholarship Luncheon
Gus Mayer,
We wish to thank
the
many individuals who contributed generously,
the businesses that took out ads in our
program, and especially...
Thanks to our 2009
Gina Boyd
Corporate
Sponsors
Valedictorians
Nancy Bromberg, Diana Inman, Herman Heinle and Sheri Corey at Gus Mayer
The 51st Annual Scholarship Benefit Luncheon and Fashion
Show will be held at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel on September 24th, 2009. Chairwomen Nancy Bromberg and Sheri Corey
and their hard-working committee members are coordinating
with Gus Mayer to present dianaira, a clothing line known for its
interchangeable, reversible looks. The designer is Diana Inman,
who will be available after the show for a “meet and greet.” The
Linly Heflin wishes to express our deep appreciation to Jeff Pizitz
and the Gus Mayer staff for once again making it all possible. We
wish to thank the many individuals who contributed generously
and the businesses that took out ads in our program and, especially, our Corporate Sponsors.
Gus Mayer
Harbert Management Corporation
Vulcan Materials Company Foundation
Salutatorian
Ready Mix USA in honor of Ann A. Pritchard
Sterne Agee
Susan Mott Web Foundation
Summa Cum Laude
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
CRC Insurance Services, Inc.
Jemison Investment Company, Inc.
Ladd Real Estate Management Company, Inc.
McConnell, White & Terry
Protective Life Corporation
Publix Super Market Charities, Inc.
Schreiber LLC
Welch Group
Gina Boyd
Magna Cum Laude
Modeling for Gus Mayer at the September Linly Heflin meeting are Happy
Anthony, Margie Gray, Murray Priester, Helen Drennen,
Elizabeth Hubbard, Cynnie Sproull and Katherine Cox.
Linly Heflin Trust Fund Named
Scholarships
Each year Linly Heflin receives a number of named scholarships.
These are established by a gift of $15,000 to the Linly Heflin Scholarship Trust Fund. Some donors choose to give a lump sum, and
others spread out their giving over a number of years. The Linly
Heflin is extremely grateful for the generosity of all of our donors.
Here are the named scholarships established during the past year:
Eugenie Beatty Dean Scholarship
Elna Blount and Richard Spain Riley Scholarship
Clarke Crawford Gillespy Scholarship
Katherine A. Terry Scholarship
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American Cast Iron Pipe Company
AT&T
BBVA Compass Bank
The Barber Companies
B.L.Harbert International LLC
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama’s Caring Foundation
Burr & Forman LLP
Dorm Suite Dorm
Dunn Investment Company
Honda Manufacturing of Alabama LLC
McGriff, Seibels & Williams, Inc.
Regions Bank
Royal Cup, Inc.
Seale Harris Clinic, P.C.
ServisFirst Bank
Torchmark Corporation
UAB Administration
Check out our website:
www.linlyheflin.org
Beff King
Corporate Funding
Learn more about the Linly Heflin,
find out how to apply for a Linly Heflin
scholarship, print reply cards for the
ScholarshipFashion Show and Luncheon, and much more! Many thanks
to Eve London, our wonderful
webmaster.
The Linly Heflin Unit 13 Office Park Circle Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 871-8171 www.linlyheflin.org