Helena City News

06/12/2026

Pics from the Helena Spring Fling
elementary news
Helena Elementary News
Helena Orthodontics Janet Finnerty Capstone Plumbing Alfa Insurance -Tragg Tew

06/12/2026

HELENA HIGH GIRLS SOCCER WELCOMES HOME ONE OF ITS OWN
📸 Graphic courtesy of Helena Girls Soccer

HELENA — Helena High School has named a familiar face to lead the Huskies’ girls soccer program, as 2017 Helena graduate Landon Gaskins returns home as the team’s new head coach.

Gaskins is no stranger to Husky soccer. He served as captain of Helena’s first-ever state championship team in 2016 and earned All-Metro, All-County and All-State honors during his playing career. He also represented North Alabama in the AHSAA North-South All-Star Game.

After graduating from Helena, Gaskins earned his degree from Troy University and later completed a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Montevallo.

His coaching journey began at Calera High School, where he guided the program to its first-ever Class 6A Final Four appearance and was recognized as Shelby County Coach of the Year. Most recently, Gaskins was part of an Oak Mountain coaching staff that helped lead the Eagles to the 2025 Class 7A State Championship match and a national ranking as high as No. 8 in the country.

In addition to coaching, Gaskins will join the Helena High faculty as a History teacher. His wife, Audrey, will also be joining the Helena family this year at Helena Elementary. Together they are raising their son, Beckham.

Returning to the school and community that helped shape him, Gaskins says he is excited for the opportunity to give back to Helena. The Huskies are equally excited to welcome one of their own back home to lead the next generation of Helena Girls Soccer.

Congratulations and welcome home, Coach Gaskins!

As always — GO HUSKIES! 🐾💙⚽️




Helena Orthodontics Janet Finnerty Billy Rosener for Mayor - Helena, AL Helena Parks & Recreation Helena City News Dave Smith Helena Huskies Boys Soccer

06/11/2026

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06/11/2026

SPRING FLING BRINGS FUN, MEMORIES AND SUPPORT TO HELENA ELEMENTARY
Dave Smith 📸 | Helena City News

HELENA — The annual event raised approximately $10,000 for Helena Elementary School this spring, but if you ask the thousands of families who attended, dollars probably won’t be the first measure of success.

For many Helena residents, Spring Fling is more than a fundraiser. It’s a tradition that spans generations.

I first started taking photographs at the elementary school’s annual shindig when my own children attended school there in the 1990s. Over the years, the celebration has evolved, changing seasons and even changing names—from Fall Festival to Spring Fling—but one thing has remained remarkably consistent.

The smiles on festival goers’ faces.

Big smiles filled the midway as children raced from ride to ride, tried their luck at carnival games, enjoyed classic fair food and proudly carried away prizes ranging from stuffed animals to the ever-popular plastic-bagged goldfish.

This year’s Spring Fling drew an estimated 3,500 attendees over the course of the weekend, according to PTO President Kristen Ciza. Sonshine Entertainment transformed the school playground into a colorful carnival atmosphere, operating rides and attractions from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon.

Parents, grandparents, teachers, former students and current Huskies all came together to enjoy a weekend that has become one of Helena Elementary’s most anticipated annual traditions. While the funds raised will help support school programs and activities, the event also served as something equally valuable—a chance for families and neighbors to gather, reconnect and make memories.

Events like the Spring Fling are a reminder that schools are more than classrooms. They are gathering places where communities come together, celebrate their children and create traditions that last long after students move on to middle school, high school and beyond.

Browse through the photos below and see if you recognize a friend, neighbor, classmate or family member. If you do, please help us share the memories by tagging them in the comments.

As always — thanks for looking!



Helena Orthodontics Janet Finnerty River & Cape Montessori School Helena City News City of Helena-Helena, Alabama Helena Elementary News Helena Elementary School PTO Helena Vision Care Capstone Plumbing Alfa Insurance -Tragg Tew Due Amici Italian - Helena, Alabama

👉🏼 https://pizza.dominos.com/alabama/helena/4685-hwy-17

👉🏼 https://cbac.com/helena

06/10/2026

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06/09/2026

⚽️ HUSKY SOCCER CAMP 2026 is a big HIT! ⚽️💙🤟🏻

06/09/2026

⚽️ HUSKY SOCCER CAMP DRAWS 100 YOUNG CAMPERS FOR A WEEK OF FUN, FRIENDSHIP AND SKILL BUILDING
Dave Smith 📸 | Helena City News
HHS Husky Summer Camp Guide Link:
https://sites.google.com/shelbyed.org/helenahighyouthsummercamps/home

HELENA — While summer break may have brought a brief pause to the school year, the soccer field at Helena High School was anything but quiet last week as approximately 100 young athletes participated in the annual Husky Soccer Camp.

Youngsters spent the week learning the fundamentals of the game while working alongside Helena High School players who served as counselors helping to teach drills, lead activities and create an energetic atmosphere throughout the week.

According to Helena Boys Soccer Coach Kelly Koch, Director of the camp this summer, soccer camp continues to be one of the highlights of the summer.

“Camp this summer was a huge success,” Koch said. “We had around 100 campers and 50 counselors who came out for a fun week of soccer. The weather was amazing other than a brief 20-minute rain shower we had to dodge — I call that a win!”

Each morning, campers arrived eager to take the field, where they participated in skill-building drills, games and team activities designed to improve their soccer abilities while keeping the experience fun and engaging.

“I love seeing how excited the campers are as they come in each morning with big grins and lots of energy,” Koch said. “The counselors do an amazing job teaching and guiding the young athletes while allowing for a whole lot of fun.”

A favorite tradition for many campers was the daily popsicle break, which provided a welcome chance to cool off before returning to the field for the final activity of the day.

“We spent the morning sessions playing games and doing drills,” Koch explained. “Next we took a popsicle break and ended each day scrimmaging different grade levels. That always makes for a fun energetic environment to end the day.”

The camp not only helps younger players develop soccer skills, but also provides Helena High School athletes with an opportunity to serve as mentors and role models for the next generation of Huskies.

“I am so proud of all the counselors and the hard work they put in each day and so thankful for the campers that continue to come back each year,” Koch said.

As another successful camp comes to a close, one thing remains clear: the future of Helena soccer is bright, and the enthusiasm shown by both campers and counselors suggests the Husky soccer family will continue to grow for years to come.

Hope everyone has a terrific summer! Stay tuned for more pics from other summer skills camps as the summer rolls on!

As always — GO HUSKIES!!! ⚽️



Capstone Plumbing Alfa Insurance -Tragg Tew
Helena Huskies Boys Soccer Helena Vision Care
Helena Orthodontics Janet Finnerty River & Cape Montessori School Helena City News Dave Smith Due Amici Italian - Helena, Alabama

👉🏼 https://pizza.dominos.com/alabama/helena/4685-hwy-17

👉🏼 https://cbac.com/helena

05/29/2026

TODAY’S CAMPER. TOMORROW’S HUSKY.
SUMMER SKILL CAMPS ARE BACK ON THE HILL! ⚽ 🥎 ⚾ 🏀 🎾 📣 🎭
📸 Dave Smith | Helena City News
(Link to all high school camps below except for wrestling. In its first year, a graphic for it is among the photos.)

HELENA —One of the things I enjoy most about covering Helena’s extra-curricular programs is seeing the next generation of Huskies discover what they love.

Some arrive thinking they’re soccer players and fall in love with softball. Others show up as basketball players and then discover tennis. Some find their passion on the baseball diamond or gridiron, while others discover confidence on a stage, a cheer mat, or with a flag or baton in their hands.

The future stars of Helena athletics, fine arts, band, theater, cheer, dance and more are often sitting right in front of us — they just haven’t discovered it yet.

Over the years, Helena City News has photographed thousands of young campers learning new skills, making friends, and taking their first steps toward becoming future Huskies. Looking back through these photos, it’s amazing how many familiar faces started right here at summer camp.

Whether your child is already passionate about a sport or activity, or simply wants to try something new, Helena High School’s Summer Skill Camps offer a great opportunity to learn from current coaches, players, and instructors in a fun, encouraging environment.

Who knows? The next state champion, college athlete, drum major, cheerleader, actor, musician, or student leader may be attending their very first camp this summer.

Registration information and camp details can be found here:

https://sites.google.com/shelbyed.org/helenahighyouthsummercamps/home

Tag a parent who needs to see this!

Attached are some images from past skill camps. Enjoy browsing through them and please help spread the word by tagging any you recognize among the photos!

As always — GO HUSKIES!!!
⚽ 🥎 ⚾ 🏀 🎾 📣 🎭



Helena Orthodontics Janet Finnerty Capstone Plumbing Alfa Insurance -Tragg Tew Helena City News Dave Smith Helena High School River & Cape Montessori School Helena Vision Care Due Amici Italian - Helena, Alabama Helena Middle School Helena_HS_Sports Shelby County AL Schools

05/29/2026

The softball team missed graduation to defend its state title last Monday. The school held a special ceremony just for them last Thursday.