Havah Standridge

This year, our Grand Marshall for the parade is Havah Standridge. Havah is currently a student at Deshler High School, where she is involved in both wrestling and softball. This year, she had the privilege of becoming the first ever female state champion wrestler in Deshler history and one of the first in the entire state of Alabama. She was also named Varsity MVP for the softball team. Havah truly loves being part of both sports.

Girls wrestling is one of the newest sports added by the Alabama High School Athletic Association, and Havah is really passionate about helping it grow. She sees it as a sport where girls can be strong, fierce, and beautiful all at the same time. Her hope is that her story will encourage younger girls to try something new, face challenges head on, and believe they can accomplish more than they think.

She is truly honored to have experienced success but attributes that success to having great coaches. She is thankful for her wrestling coaches Noel Smith and Michael Statom, and for her softball coach Bailey Martin. She also gives credit to her great teammates and training partners.

This year has made her so proud to be a Deshler Tiger and a part of the entire community of Tuscumbia. The support, encouragement, and pride that comes from representing this town means so much to her.

Outside of school and sports, Havah is the oldest of eight siblings, so life is always full of activity, noise, and laughter. This has helped shape her just as much as any team or tournament. Havah strives to lead with character, kindness, and a little humor, whether she is on the mat, the field, or just at home helping with the crew.

As a believer in Jesus, she hopes the way she does things is a living example of Christ in her. Whether it’s how to treat a teammate, handle a win or a loss, or support someone younger than her, Havah wants people to see something different, something hopeful, through the way she lives.

As our Grand Marshall, Havah hopes not just to represent herself, but also her family, school, and all the girls who are paving their own way in sports.