PR2012 Apr U1

Media Release

For Immediate Release

Contact: Doug Perry, dperry@sheltonstate.edu (205) 391-3988

Malena Cunningham,

strategicmedia@bellsouth.net (205) 746-9942

Shelton State Remembers: Inside the Tornado

On Wednesday, April 25, students, faculty and staff of

Shelton State Community College will gather to

commemorate the events that one year ago changed their

lives.

The college will pay tribute to two Shelton State students

and the hundreds of others victims who were killed during

the April 27, 2011, storms in a special memorial Shelton

State Remembers: Inside the Tornado.

Michael Carr, Theater Program Coordinator at the college,

says students will present a special production Inside the

Tornado, a series of plays in May, but the theater group will

preview parts of the production during the April 25

commemoration.

“The plays capture the emotions, virtues and foibles that

terrible day exposed, showing us our strengths and

weaknesses, our struggles and victories but ultimately this

production celebrates the resilience and character of a

community that has and will continue to rebuild and reinvent

itself, “ says Carr.

The theatrical preview is just one part of the two-hour

remembrance. B101.7 will host a live remote radio broadcast

on Shelton State’s main campus from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00

p.m. There will also be an art exhibit and other activities to

educate attendees on severe weather preparedness.

Kevin Burns who advises the Shelton State student chapter

of the American Red Cross says last year’s storm thrust his

team into action. “Our small group was organized and

answered the call to help so many families in the community.

I am proud of the work they performed from working in

distribution centers and shelters to cleaning up debris in

neighborhoods. Additionally, the club created a peer support

center for Shelton State students impacted by the storms.

Club members have been involved in debris removal and

construction support throughout the year.”

Dr. Mark Heinrich, President of Shelton State, says, “As we

move forward, we stand proud of our Tuscaloosa home, its

citizens, our students and their determination to make a

brighter future for themselves and for us all.”

Friends and family members of Shelton State students are

encouraged to attend the commemoration.

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