Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Sally DeShazo, student council president and a member of the 2025 senior class at Hewitt-Trussville High School, in her backyard.
Twelve years ago, bright-eyed kindergarteners streamed into Trussville classrooms for their very first day of school. In the blink of an eye, the class of 2025 will step through the doors of Hewitt-Trussville High School for the first day of their senior year.
One of this year’s rising seniors is Sally DeShazo, who was elected this year’s Student Council president.
From a young age, DeShazo demonstrated natural leadership ability, and she’s had opportunities to hone those skills throughout her school years — in elementary school as a Cahaba Elementary safety patrol member (C.E.S. Dog), in middle school as a peer mentor (M.U.S.H.) and in high school as part of Leadership Hewitt-Trussville.
“All of these programs have taught me what it means to be a leader and skills like how to include others and when to step back sometimes as a leader,” DeShazo said. “I’ll take what I’ve learned with me in my college years, on my career path and in becoming who I am.”
Things came full circle last year when DeShazo mentored fifth grade students at Cahaba Elementary, including the daughter of her kindergarten teacher, Donna Franklin.
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Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
Sally DeShazo, student council president and a member of Hewitt-Trussville’s Class of 2025, in her backyard.
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Photo courtesy of Kim DeShazo.
Sally DeShazo on her first day of kindergarten at Paine Elementary School in August 2012.
DeShazo looks back fondly on her year with Franklin, who made kindergarten a joy. One memory that stands out was the “talking zoo” project, where kids learned about and dressed up like their favorite animal, then visited the Birmingham Zoo on a field trip.
“I was a leopard,” she recalled. DeShazo appreciated the way Franklin continually reinforced positive behavior with rewards and kept students’ artwork to send home at the end of the year. “I love Mrs. Franklin!” she said.
When kindergarten first began, DeShazo was nervous to get out of the car in the mornings. Franklin would meet her in the carline and walk her inside, where she was soon happily learning. Franklin has enjoyed staying connected to the DeShazo family since that year.
“Sally has always been a leader and someone who is kind to everybody,” she said. “It’s been such a fun thing watching her grow up.”
Now a fifth grade teacher at Cahaba Elementary, Franklin is glad she gets to teach in her own town.
“What’s such a treasure about Trussville is that you know a lot of your students when they walk into your classroom,” she said. “You’re already invested with those kids, and it brings an extra level of love for them because you already love their families and your community so much.”
DeShazo said a few of the other Trussville teachers who have made a lasting impact on her life are Tamra Higginbotham and Kay Shumate from her elementary years and Christy Shellnut and Tina Rosetta from middle school.
Photo courtesy of Kim DeShazo.
Sally DeShazo on her first day of kindergarten at Paine Elementary School in August 2012.
DeShazo is a strong academic student, who has chosen an advanced course path throughout high school. While English is her favorite subject overall, she is taking A.P. Biology this year because of her interest in the medical field.
“I’m glad I decided to take advanced classes,” she said. “It’s definitely boosted my G.P.A., and it’s pushed me to be able to learn more and at a quicker pace.”
One of the things DeShazo is looking forward to about her senior year is implementing new ideas as Student Council president. She is also excited about Friday night football games and hosting friends before and after the game. DeShazo enjoys fashion, so her job at Wrapsody is a perfect fit.
“I love clothes and jewelry,” she said. “Getting dressed up makes me feel put together.”
As DeShazo walks the halls of Hewitt, she keeps in mind words from a sermon she once heard: “Go out of your way to say, ‘Hey.’”
Her advice to underclassmen and aspiring young leaders is to always be kind.
“You don’t really know what anyone’s ever going through,” she said. “They could have had the worst day of their life, and you being a friend by asking them to come sit at the lunch table with you or just reaching out and saying ‘Hey’ can make a big difference.”
After graduating from Hewitt-Trussville High School, DeShazo plans to attend Auburn University, where she is considering studying pre-dentistry or hospital administration.
On the first day of school every year, DeShazo’s family prays together. As she reflects on her upcoming senior year, DeShazo says prayer and a strong support network have been invaluable throughout her life and educational journey.
“I’ve learned that having a close circle really does matter,” she said. “Find your people and stick with them. Throughout all the moments and milestones, take the
time to enjoy your friends, enjoy your family and enjoy your people.”
