BREMEN, Ala. – The 1936 Club at Cold Springs High School earned a CLAS School of Distinction Award for State School Board District 6, placing it among just four programs in the district recognized as outstanding models for other schools in Alabama.
The honor, awarded by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS), recognizes programs that demonstrate excellence in education and community impact. Established in 2001, the CLAS Banner School program highlights outstanding schools across the state, with eight Banner Schools, one from each district, selected from the Schools of Distinction. Those recognized will be honored at an awards luncheon on April 27 in Prattville, where final selections will be announced.
Club Sponsor Tammy Gay said the recognition reflects something deeper than just an award.
“The Cold Springs community is a small, unincorporated area without even a stop sign, making the local school the true heart of the community,” Gay said. “Four years ago, we established a service club to strengthen our ability to support both our students and our neighbors. The 1936 Club, named in honor of the year our school was founded, is an all-inclusive organization open to any student with a desire to serve others while building meaningful connections and enjoying the experience.”
Since its inception, the club has grown into the largest student organization on campus, driven entirely by students who take the lead in planning and carrying out service projects.
“As a student-led group, the 1936 Club is actively involved in a wide range of service initiatives,” Gay shared. “Members provide tutoring and organize school-wide events such as a community trunk-or-treat and a high school egg hunt. The club also supports families in need by providing Thanksgiving meals and hosting ‘Christmas in the Springs,’ along with many other outreach efforts throughout the year.”
The club also takes on a new service focus each year, selecting a cause or organization to support through volunteer work and fundraising efforts. Funded entirely through donations and fundraisers, the group also gives back to its own students by awarding a scholarship to a deserving senior member each year.
Now, with statewide recognition, their impact is being showcased far beyond the Cold Springs community. Gay said the club’s success is a direct reflection of the students who make it what it is.
“As the largest club at our school, the 1936 Club reflects the heart and spirit of Cold Springs, students who are always willing to step up, serve and make a difference,” she said.
For more information on the 1936 Club, contact Tammy Gay at 256-287-1787 or tgay@ccboe.org.
