St. Bernard Prep School proudly shines a spotlight on senior Joey Shadowens, whose remarkable achievements and diverse talents set him apart as a standout student and community leader.
Shadowens joined the St. Bernard Prep family in the seventh grade after completing six years at Sacred Heart School in Cullman. Now a senior, he manages a rigorous academic schedule that includes five Advanced Placement (AP) classes — Calculus, Physics I, Computer Principles, Government and Literature. Recently, he completed a Dual Enrollment English 102 course at the University of Alabama, highlighting his dedication to academic excellence.
Outside the classroom, Shadowens is a key member of the St. Bernard Prep band, where he plays the trombone. His schedule consists of work commitments, balancing part-time hours during the school week and full-time hours on weekends at Doug Doggett Jewelers in Cullman.
In addition to his academic and professional pursuits, Shadowens holds several leadership positions. He serves as vice president of the Student Government Association at St. Bernard and is an active participant in the Student Advisory Board for First National Bank and the Youth Leadership Development Program.
Shadowens credits his mother, Stefani Nelson, for inspiring his community involvement. “My mom volunteers at several organizations; I follow along to help out where I can such as the library and Chamber of Commerce functions,” Shadowens shared. Her influence has shaped his passion for service and fostered a deep appreciation for giving back to the community.
Beyond his school and community commitments, Shadowens enjoys the responsibilities of farm life, where he cares for an array of animals, including horses, six birds, four tortoises and two rescue dogs.
Shadowens’ hard work and dedication have earned him recognition from the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), which honored him with the Good Citizenship Award. Recipients of this prestigious award were selected by school faculty and evaluated based on recommendation letters, school and community activities and volunteer efforts.
Shadowens’ academic achievements have also led to acceptance offers from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Auburn University, the University of Alaska in Fairbanks and the New York Institute of Technology. He is eagerly awaiting a decision from Vanderbilt University. Shadowens plans to major in physics and aspires to become the CEO of a science-based company, or physicist, though he says teaching remains a “hard maybe.”
St. Bernard Prep celebrates Joey Shadowens for his outstanding contributions to the school, community and beyond. His dedication, leadership and ambition make him an exemplary role model and a true embodiment of the school’s values.