“Never give up, never stop trying, make no excuses, and everything happens for a reason,” are some of the verbal comments remembered by Oak Mountain Middle School students after hearing encouraging words from Noah Galloway, the “2014 Men’s Health Ultimate Guy”, at a recent school assembly.  Mr. Galloway, a native of Alabaster, addressed students at the school’s 2014 Characters with Character recognition awards ceremony for October.

Mr. Galloway is a veteran of the Iraq wars and valiantly served his country until an IED explosion significantly wounded him in December, 2005.  Mr. Galloway lost both his left arm and leg in a night accident when his Humvee triggered the enemy’s hidden explosive device.  After facing numerous emotional, physical, and mental challenges, Galloway finally decided, “no excuses.”  He began immense athletic training pushing himself to previously unknown limits.  Galloway was recently recognized as the “2014 Ultimate Men’s Health Guy” in recognition of workout regimen, his “No Excuses Charitable Foundation,” and advocacy for promoting children’s positive well-being,

Mr. Galloway assisted Student Government Association officers in awarding the following students a Character with Character award for their positive attitudes and exemplary behavior during the first nine weeks:

8^th grade – Caroline Dorsey, Forrest Hardy, Razel Gargollo, Brandon Stephens, Olivia Russo, Zachary Rakers

7^th grade – Emma Grace Ingram, Eli Fizer, Lauren Holsey, Nathan McOmber, Simene Morgan, and Aaron Brooks

6^th grade – Taylor Yonfa, Evan Laycock, Nooni Syed, Hogan Morton, Pricila Torrijos, and Jimmy Harris