Woodlawn High School Athletes Help Make a Difference at Sloss Furnaces
birminghamal.gov A group of dedicated athletes from Woodlawn High School recently came together not on the playing field, but at the Historic Sloss Furnaces for a special site beautification service project. With a spirit of teamwork and community pride, these students rolled up their sleeves and worked tirelessly to enhance the grounds of one of […]
Black News 
birminghamal.gov
A group of dedicated athletes from Woodlawn High School recently came together not on the playing field, but at the Historic Sloss Furnaces for a special site beautification service project. With a spirit of teamwork and community pride, these students rolled up their sleeves and worked tirelessly to enhance the grounds of one of Birmingham’s most iconic landmarks.
Throughout the day, the athletes tackled a variety of tasks, bagging leaves, cutting shrubs, pulling weeds, polishing the blowing engines, cleaning out a storage space for an artist studio and cleaning leaves out of the Beehive Coke Ovens.
Their efforts not only improved the aesthetics of Sloss Furnaces, but also provided an opportunity for the students to connect with local history and give back to their community. The project was a testament to the leadership and commitment found among Woodlawn High School’s coaches and student athletes.
Football coach Clarence Williams praised the student athletes for dedicating their time to the serve project and emphasized several important takeaways.
“First, this is a valuable chance for them to learn about the history of Sloss Furnaces. Many young people today don’t fully appreciate the significance of history, but being here allows them to experience it firsthand and hear its stories,” Williams said. “Second, this visit has ignited their curiosity about Birmingham’s origins and the pivotal role Sloss Furnaces played in transforming it into the Steel City, known as the ‘Magic City.’ Third, it’s truly an exciting day. The student athletes get to spend a couple hours giving back by helping to clean and refresh this historic site, making it welcoming for visitors from around the globe.”
Ralph Carp, Vice Chair of the National Historical Landmark Board, had the privilege of guiding one of four groups of student athletes across the historic site. He went beyond simply coordinating their tasks; by sharing the story and significance of Sloss Furnaces, he made its history come alive.
Carp explained, “This is a great beautification service project for the student athletes. Also, they probably drive by the site all the time and this experience has given them the opportunity to learn and know what Sloss Furnaces is about. This community service project is more than just a little clean up, it is connecting the kids to the city. Sloss Furnaces is a visual link to the cultural past.” His enthusiasm inspired the students, transforming the cleanup into a meaningful connection with their city’s heritage and underscoring the lasting impact of community involvement.
The event wrapped up with a group photo and smiles all around, as Woodlawn High School athletes left Sloss Furnaces a little brighter and more beautiful. Their contribution serves as an inspiring reminder of the difference young people can make when they come together for a good cause.
