Saints Fest 2026 raises $40K in donations for Selma High band, athletics

Selma High School Alumni Association’s 2026 Saints Fest raised $40,000 that they donated to Selma City Schools in a ceremony at Selma High’s Media Center on Friday.

"Today is about more than presenting a check. It's about purpose, giving back and recognizing what can happen when people come together with a vision bigger than themselves." This is how Selma High School Alumni Association member Temekia Sykes opened the ceremony created to publicly announce the monetary gift to Selma City Schools from the Association through an alumni fundraiser called "Saints Fest." The 2026 event was held on Oct. 17, the day after Homecoming.

Let's back up. This collaborative effort started with a vision on the ground in Selma through an informal discussion held between Timothy Coleman and Martina West, now committee members. Others bought into the idea that every decade of graduates from Selma High School could come together in one space, one day a year, for the purpose of fellowship and funds.

So, in 2019, Saints Fest jumped off the pages of a notepad and came to pass. The Saints had put pen to paper and rubber to the road. 

"A vision doesn't go forth unless you have people to support that vision," stated Cicely Curtis, a committee member who already rendered a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all the hard work and sacrifices that people willingly made. Curtis is also Selma City School Board president.

"Because of your support each year, the dream continues to grow," said Martina West, a Selma High alumnus. She gave a special thank-you to Selma High, the committee, alumni and to all class representatives for being the connectors to the committee. "There is no way one or two people could have done this alone," she said. Then, she invoked the spirit of the very first graduating class, the class of 1971. She thanked them for bringing together the AG Parrish yellow and the RB Hudson blue. 

"You could have chosen any other mascot, but you chose the Saint. What a powerful legacy," she added.

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West announced the amount donated each year. "Our first time was $10,000," she reminded us. "Then we moved to $15,000. And last year, we gave $24,000," she continued. "Every year more and more Saints show up. Saints Fest ‘26 was our biggest and most successful event yet. People even caught flights home. Look at what we can achieve when we all work together.”

Of the $40,000 raised in 2026, $10,000 went to the Selma High marching band and $30,000 went to the athletics department.

“To the Band of Blue. We heard you,” West said. “We wanted to do more for you this year. You bring the sound, the spirit and the energy that helps make the Saints so special. To our student athletes and coaches, we see your dedication and the pride you bring to our school. We are proud to support the work you do in the classroom and in competition."

The committee said they were proud to donate a total of $40,000.

"It's never about us," said Martravious Totrell, another committee member. "So tell a friend to tell a friend, it's not over. Thank you for your support and Go Saints," he ended.

Saints Fest ‘27 planning is already underway.