February 24, 2023

(Hoover, AL) - The Hoover Parent Teacher Council (HPTC) held its annual City Leaders Breakfast on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Discovery United Methodist Church. This event honors the Hoover Police Department and Hoover Fire Department members for their service through student essay, poetry, and art contests. Hoover’s city, police, fire, and school leaders attended the Breakfast to recognize the contest winners.

HPTC President Lucas Dorian said, “The City Leader’s Breakfast (CLB) is an opportunity for leadership on every level in Hoover to celebrate our remarkable school system. The CLB provides a platform for not only highlighting the achievement of our award winners but also the success of Hoover City Schools as a whole.”

HPTC Vice President of Community Relations and event organizer Cyndi Hodges said, "It was such a special morning and worth all the time and energy our HPTC board members put into it. There was a sense of community in the room, and I was especially proud for our PTO presidents to be able to experience it. Some of the strongest leaders in our city are the engaged parents who volunteer their time to lift up our school district."

Shades Mountain Elementary School 3rd-grader Roman Graffeo was honored by the Hoover Fire Department for his poem, which praises the bravery of firefighters. Hoover fire officials also recognized Brock’s Gap Intermediate School student Divya Nayak for her artwork in the department’s annual Fire Prevention Art Contest. 

Asher Piennette, a 5th-grader at Deer Valley Elementary School (DVES), was honored by the Hoover Police Department for his essay about police protection, specifically related to the work of School Resource Officers (SROs). Each Hoover school has at least one SRO, and Piennette wrote his essay about the SRO at DVES, CJ Acoff. Piennette read a touching poem about his relationship with Officer Acoff to the audience, which brought people to tears. 

Hoover police officials also awarded $500 police department scholarships to Hoover High School senior Jeremy Sigmon and Spain Park High School senior Aidan Blizzard. Both seniors won essay contests about peer pressure. The police department thanked Frank Barefield for providing the college scholarship funds for the students. 

Dorian says his message to the winners is that the city and school system are proud of them and their achievements. 

“Each of you represents the very best of Hoover City Schools. We are thankful for you and the gifts you share with our community,” said Dorian.

Berry Middle School’s Bravura Show Choir provided musical entertainment for the crowd. Gene Hallman, CEO of Bruno Event Team, was the guest speaker who shared stories of servant leadership demonstrated by city leaders. 

HPTC members hold the City Leaders Breakfast each school year. HPTC is comprised of the PTO/PTA presidents from each campus across the Hoover City Schools District.