2025 Joe Sewell Memorial Awards honors Elmore County seniors

Julianna Reichenbach,

Posted: May 6, 2025 11:45 PM CDT

Kayden Edwards of Elmore County High School and Colby Beyer of Stanhope Elmore High School were named winners of the prestigious Joe Sewell Memorial Awards Tuesday night in Wetumpka.

The awards, presented annually to outstanding high school seniors from Elmore County, honor the legacy of Joe Sewell, a former professional baseball player and Elmore County native.

The ceremony recognized finalists from each high school in the county. Scholarship are earned across several categories before naming one male and one female as overall winners. Each receives a $3,500 scholarship.

Edwards, who competed in volleyball, basketball and softball, expressed gratitude for the recognition.

“I learned a lot about who Joe Sewell was from this award preparing for our interviews, and it truly warms my heart to be able to say that I embody him to the committee and everybody in this community,” Edwards said. “It’s just a great honor.”

Beyer, who participated in football, soccer and golf at Stanhope Elmore High School, also shared appreciation.

“It means a lot because Joe Sewell is a very big meaningful character around here,” Beyer said. “It just means that I’m getting recognition for a lot of things that I’ve done during my high school career. And it just makes me feel like I’ve been accomplishing things in high school as well.”

The Joe Sewell Awards provide scholarships to help recipients further their education while commemorating Sewell’s athletic achievements and commitment to his home community.

Here’s the full list of scholarship winners: