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By Carey Reeder | Staff Writer

Chilton County High School honored two new inductees to the CCHS Alumni Hall of Fame on May 20 at Senior Day. Principal Ron Pinson honored Jane Zuelzke and Lori Patterson as the 2022 inductees.

Zuelzke is the executive director at Butterfly Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center in Clanton. When first asked to attend Senior Day, Zuelzke said she thought she was only going to say a few words of encouragement to the senior class.

She did offer words of encouragement while also becoming one of the newest inductees into the CCHS Hall of Fame.

“I was completely surprised and honored,” Zuelzke said. “I’m very proud to come from this county and be a graduate of Chilton County High. That was one thing I wanted the kids to know they should be proud of because this is such a wonderful community.”

Zuelzke grew up in Chilton County and graduated from CCHS in 1993. After that, she attended Faulkner University and earned a degree in behavioral sciences. She also received a Master of Science in Psychology from Auburn University at Montgomery.

Zuelzke has been the executive director at Butterfly Bridge since its inception in 2012.

“It is a blessing to serve here in my home community,” Zuelzke said. “We have such a giving community, and I see that every day through the work I do.”

Zuelzke emphasized finding a job they enjoyed every day to the senior class during her speech as well as being mindful of others they meet along the way.

“I am reminded every day of what someone else may be going through,” Zuelzke said. “Their world is going to open up wide, and they are going to be around people from different walks of life with different experiences. I wanted them to be mindful to be kind and the light in the darkness of their day, and continue to do that after high school.”

Patterson, who has been the CEO of the YMCA of Chilton County since 2016, was pleasantly surprised by the honor, too.

“It was a very humbling, a great honor and a huge surprise,” Patterson said. “I appreciate very much whoever nominated myself and Jana.”

Patterson grew up in Chilton County and graduated from CCHS in 1991. Patterson went on to earn a degree in engineering from Auburn University and started working for the state of Georgia in 1995.

Patterson moved back to Chilton County in 1998 before earning her master’s degree in secondary education from the University of Montevallo.

Patterson’s speech to the 2022 senior class focused around giving to others.

“A life of service is what matters,” Patterson said. “If you try to serve others before yourself, you will find joy and fulfillment.”

Patterson and Zuelzke will have their names etched on the CCHS Alumni Hall of Fame plaque inside the school.