It is often said that “children are our future,” and it was evident that was the case Saturday when five new members were inducted into the Atmore Area Hall of Fame.

Every single member of the class had some connection to education. Floyd Adams is a former coach and high school teacher. The late Dickie Dickinson was a school board member for more than 22 years, including 16 as the board president. The late Mary Joyner Grissett was an educator for 27 years, and also helped develop the HIPPY(Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) program and Atmore Rotary Academic All-Star program.

The Rev. Albert Kennington was a teacher for six years, before beginning his second career as an Episcopalian minister. And, last but not least, the late Eldred Pritchett was a teacher and administrator at both local high schools as well as Jefferson Davis Community College.

It should come as no surprise that every one of these new class members was also very active in the community, whether through service groups, city government service, or just sheer volunteerism. They are truly role models for all of us to aspire to, whether we are children or adults ourselves.

When Kennington accepted his induction to the Hall of Fame, he remarked that he had recently viewed the many photos at the Atmore Public Library, and was overwhelmed when he thought of all of the fine men and women who have been honored throughout the years. He also noted that he recognized several former teachers and school administrators on that wall.

We join the Atmore Area Hall of Fame Committee and family members in congratulating the five members of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015. We thank the committee for spending the effort and time to put on this event every year, and for continuing to honor those people who have truly helped to make Atmore a great place to live, work, and play.