April 2025 Student Spotlights – Montgomery

Macon East Academy is excited to announce that senior Colton Lunn has been awarded the DAR Good Citizen Award. Colton was honored at a special luncheon for his exceptional qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism—traits that make him a true role model within our school and community. This prestigious award recognizes high school seniors chosen by their teachers and peers for embodying these values at the highest level. We are incredibly proud of Colton and his accomplishments!

It’s story time at Resurrection Catholic School. Our Pre K students just love a good book!

Trinity is proud to announce that senior Holland Williams has signed to play volleyball at Mississippi College! Over the past three seasons, Holland has been a dominant force on the court, recording an impressive 922 kills and 280 blocks, accounting for 60% of the team’s total blocks. Her hard work, dedication, and passion for the game have propelled her to this exciting next chapter.

Trinity Presbyterian School’s Upper School students wowed audiences with their high-energy performance of Rock of Ages, this year’s spring musical. With over 100 students involved—on stage and behind the scenes—the production highlighted our students’ incredible talent, teamwork, and dedication.

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School honored Bobby and Bonnie McClure on February 15, as the 2025 Charlie Harbin Distinguished Service Award winners for their service to the school. The Charlie Harbin Distinguished Service Award was established by the Harbin family and is awarded by the school to recognize those selfless individuals who have significantly served Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School and exemplified its values in their lives.
Montgomery Catholic’s president, Mr. Justin Castanza, presented Bobby and Bonnie with an engraved clock at the school’s 17th Annual Monte Carlo Night, in appreciation for the gift of their time. The McClures are the 29th recipients of the Harbin Award.
Bonnie is a proud alumnus of Montgomery Catholic. She is a retired Montgomery Catholic employee of 21 years, a former cheerleading coach, a cheer volunteer, served as the Monte Carlo chair and decorations volunteer for a decade, and continues to volunteer her time as needed in the Central Office.
Together, Bobby and Bonnie are parents of 3 MCPS alumni and grandparents to 3 current students. Over the last 30+ years, they have served as room parents, chaperones, team parents, active members of the Booster Club, and campus clean-up volunteers. They have served on every strategic plan and capital campaign committee in the 2000s. They are active members of Holy Spirit Catholic Parish and are proud advocates of the faith and Catholic education. They are annual donors to the school’s Annual Fund and tuition assistance and have provided significant contributions to the Holy Spirit Campus, including the Blessed Mother statue and the flagpole in honor of Bonnie’s father, Raymond Vollenweider, Sr.
Bobby & Bonnie’s love for Montgomery Catholic is unmatched. They are always willing to serve the school and promote Montgomery Catholic in every way possible. The gift of their time has been an abundant blessing to our school and we are so grateful for their selfless gift of service.

Resurrection Catholic School had a SURPRISE visit from Councilman Andrew Szymanski District 7. Thank you for spending time with our students!

In honor of February and Black History month, MCS students and staff chose to study and learn about the Tuskegee Airmen. We read books, made our own airplanes, researched and did packets, and 3rd grade was able to go on a field trip to visit the Tuskegee Airmen historical site. We have enjoyed learning about these wonderful and inspiring men!

Montgomery and Pike Road-based Team Warriors, composed of 8 to 12 years students, achieved a remarkable feat at the 2025 Alabama State Championship VEX IQ Robotics Competition, securing three prestigious awards.
Held at Auburn University from February 28 to March 1, Team Warriors claimed the titles of Skill Champion, Teamwork 2nd Place and the Amaze Award. Notably, in the Skill Champion category, they set a new state record by scoring a total of 428 points—232 points in Autonomous Coding Skill and 196 points in Driving Skill—surpassing their previous state record of 404 points. Their performance dominated the competition, securing a 108-point lead over the second-place team (320 points) in the Skill Challenge.
Team Warriors consists of Justin Lee (12), Charlotte Lee (10), Eubin An (10), and Jaely An (8), with one middle schooler and three elementary school students. One of the most impressive aspects of their achievement is that a team primarily composed of elementary school students excelled in a competition designed for middle school participants.
Throughout the 2024-2025 season, Team Warriors has amassed a total of 16 awards, including multiple Excellence Awards, Skill Champion, and Teamwork Champion titles.
Their latest three awards further solidify their status as a formidable force in VEX IQ Robotics competitions.
With these victories, Team Warriors has officially qualified for the VEX IQ World Championship, which will take place from May 12 to 14 in Dallas, Texas. The World Championship will feature 420 teams from across the United States and international representatives, including teams from South Korea, competing for the title of the best robotics team in the world.
As they prepare for the global stage, Team Warriors is committed to rigorous training and continuous improvement, aiming to showcase their exceptional skills on the world platform.
Team Members:
• Justin Lee (12) – Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School
• Charlotte Lee (10) – Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School
• Yubin An (10) – Blount Elementary School
• Jaely An (8) – Bear Elementary School

Pre K students at Resurrection Catholic are working on their art project, Art Under the Table for the letter U for Universe.

Lynn Kim was invited to attend the County Commission meeting to be recognized for her outstanding achievement in the spelling bee. She is standing with Justin Castanza who represents Forest Avenue’s district on the County Commission, the 2nd and 3rd place spelling bee winners, and Brian Petters who sponsors the Montgomery County spelling bee.

FAAM 5th grader, Haley Kanparia, and former FAAM student, Baldwin 6th grader, Navya Patel, attended the Women In Training’s 4th Annual Mother-Daughter Brunch. They both performed a classical Indian dance at the brunch and got to meet Angelina Jolie and her daughter, Zahara!

Fifth graders in Mrs. Payton’s class at River Region Academy conducted research and created presentations on some of their African American heroes during Black History Month. Pictured here are Christian honoring Booker T. Washington, who established Tuskegee Institute (now known as Tuskegee University), Gavin celebrating basketball player and sportscaster Charles Barkley, and Kay’don presenting chemist Percy Julian.

Resurrection Catholic School Pre K students are on a scavenger hunt to find rocks, leaves, butterflies, sun, clouds, and big trees. They had so much fun!

Mrs.Williams’s and Ms. Minor’s first grade homerooms participated in “Hearts Across America”. Our classes received Valentines cards from over half of the states from the United States along with eight other countries! Our students were able to learn about map skills, regions, and different cultures while also receiving cards from loved ones.

Montgomery, Alabama- Saint James School proudly celebrated four outstanding student-athletes as they signed scholarship offers during a special Signing Day Ceremony on Wednesday, February 26, at 9:40 a.m. in the Saint James School gymnasium. This event marked an exciting milestone for these athletes as they took the next step in their academic and athletic careers.
The following students signed their letters of intent:
● Wils Johnson – University of Mount Union, Football
● Tabor Offord – L.B. Wallace Community College, Baseball
● Tat Shufford – Southern Union State Community College, Volleyball & Softball
● Sana Shufford – Southern Union State Community College, Soccer
Their respective coaches are:
● Coach Aubrey Blackewell (football)
● Coach Keith Lucky (baseball)
● Coaches Katie Barton (volleyball), Karen Lee (past volleyball coach), and Mark Hall (softball)
● Coach Charlie Brightwell (soccer)
Saint James School Head of School Dr. Larry McLemore and Athletic Director Larry Ware joined coaches, faculty, families, and fellow students in celebrating these athletes’ hard work and dedication.
“This is a proud moment for our school community as we recognize the commitment and achievements of these student-athletes,” said Coach Ware. “Their dedication to academics and athletics represent the values of Saint James.”
The Saint James Signing Day Ceremony brought together families, friends, and supporters to honor these students as they embark on this exciting journey.
For more information, please contact Coach Larry Ware, Athletic Director, at lware@stjmontgomery.org or (334) 273-3015.

Trinity Presbyterian School’s Lower School Techno Night was a huge success. K5–5th grade students showcased their tech skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. From coding and robotics to digital storytelling, our young innovators took center stage, proving that the best way to learn is by teaching others! At Trinity, we foster a love for learning and prepare students to lead in an ever-evolving digital world.

Trinity Presbyterian School’s Varsity Girls Basketball team has once again showcased their dominance by securing their third consecutive AHSAA 4A State Championship. In a commanding performance, the Wildcats defeated Good Hope High School with a final score of 67-43. This remarkable achievement underscores the dedication, talent, and hard work of our student-athletes and coaching staff. At Trinity, we cultivate excellence both on and off the court, preparing our students to lead and succeed in all endeavors.

Montgomery Academy Lower School students wrapped up the end of last month exploring Mexico, courtesy of our annual Culture Study! Now in its 28th year, the Culture Study offers students a glimpse into life in different parts of the world. Through research, hands-on projects, special programs and performances, and even Mexican dishes in the cafeteria, students learned about the people, the land, the animals, and the cultural traditions of our neighbors to the south. Thank you to everyone–teachers and parent volunteers–who made this year’s Culture Study a huge success!

On March 6, Montgomery Academy’s Upper School Chorus participated in the Alabama Vocal Association’s State Choral Performance Assessment (SCPA) and earned all Superior Ratings, “Straight 1s,” with an average stage performance score of 85/88 and sight reading of 86/88, one of the highest scores of the day. This is the first time since 2019 that the US Chorus has participated in this event. Congratulations to this incredibly talented group of singers and their leaders, Dr. Damion Womack and Mrs. Elizabeth Kimbrough!

Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) is proud to announce the Brewbaker Middle School Cougars as the 2024-2025 middle school soccer champions. The Cougars secured their title with a 2-0 victory over the Southlawn Middle Rockets in the championship match held on March 11, 2025, at the Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex.
“We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes for their hard work and dedication this season,” said Antoine Dottery, head coach of the Brewbaker Middle soccer team. “This victory is a true testament to their commitment, both on and off the field.”
We also would like to congratulate South Lawn Middle School on a successful season as runner ups of the 2024-2025 Middle School soccer championship
MPS congratulates both teams for their outstanding efforts and thanks the staff, families, and supporters who contributed to a successful season.
For more information about Montgomery Public Schools, please visit www.mps.k12.al.us.

Montgomery Public Schools is proud to announce that McKee Middle School’s robotics team achieved a phenomenal victory at the Alabama Middle School VEX IQ State Championship this past weekend in Auburn, Alabama, earning the highly coveted Create Award and securing a spot at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, TX.
The Create Award is presented to robotics teams that demonstrate an innovative engineering design solution to one or more competition challenges, highlighting their creativity and problem-solving abilities. This recognition places McKee Middle School among the best in the state, marking a historic milestone as the first middle school team in MPS history to qualify for the prestigious global event.
The VEX Robotics World Championship brings together top teams from over 50 countries, offering students the opportunity to showcase their skills on an international stage. McKee Middle School’s success is a testament to the strength of the MPS middle school robotics program, which was launched in 2020 through the Hyundai Initiative for Robotics Excellence (HIRE) in partnership with Auburn University’s Southeastern Center of Robotics Education (SCORE).
“Our students have worked so hard to make it to this point. I can not begin to tell you how proud I am of all of our robotics programs. We’re so thankful to our community partners for their partnerships. This is what 21st century education is about, it’s about hands-on innovation pushing students to think creatively and deeply, all while working together,” shared Kristy Hatch, Director of Strategy and Innovation for MPS.
MPS will now work with McKee Middle to prepare for the World Championship in Dallas Texas, starting May 9, 2025. If any community partner is interested in sponsoring McKee to the championship, please contact Mrs. Jade Jones at jade.jones@mps.k12.al.us.

A long-standing facet of life at Montgomery Academy has been the annual Community Day, when the Upper School sends its students, faculty, and staff across the city (and slightly beyond) to give local organizations some extra sets of hands. This year, MA is proud to partner with the following organizations for a day of work:
• Common Ground Montgomery
• CaraVita Village
• MACOA
• Medical Outreach Ministries
• Respite Ministry at FUMC
• River Region Trails
• John Knox Manor
• Adullam House
• Reality & Truth Ministries
• Brantwood Children’s Home
• Caring for Citizens of Alabama
• Change Community Resource Center
• Eastview Retirement Center
• Montgomery Bicycle Club
• Heart of Alabama Food Bank
• Montgomery Zoo
• That’s My Child
• Child Protect
• Salvation Army
• First Baptist Church Caring Center
In addition, our Middle School students also participated with on-campus community-building projects that included writing letters of appreciation to community members and painting kindness rocks for our friends on campus and at Respite Ministry.
Thank you to all our students and their advisors for their efforts in giving our community an extra boost of hard work and love!

On Friday, March 7, teammates, friends, coaches, and family gathered in Montgomery Academy’s Eagle Room to celebrate senior Sophia Cho as she officially signed her letter to continue her athletic and academic career at Emory University this fall. An accomplished athlete in both soccer and basketball, Sophia’s work ethic on the field of play is matched by her accomplishments in the classroom and away from campus. MA is proud of Sophia and her hard work & dedication, and we cannot wait to watch her compete at the next level. Soar, Eagle, soar!

Resurrection Catholic School Pre K students celebrates Mardi Gras by making festive Mardi Gras Masks!

Dr. Matthew Sleeth spoke to Montgomery Christian School’s K-5 students at chapel. He was truly inspired and humbled to witness our classes recite their memory verses and sing Bible songs for him. Connecting with our students in a powerful way, he explained to them the importance of not lying and the importance of trust. Even when it’s hard, Sleeth encouraged students to tell the truth because we belong to God. God says, “I am the truth” connecting that as we begin to speak truth, God speaks to us. The Bible is the truth, and Dr. and Mrs. Sleeth delivered Bibles to each MCS student. MCS brought Dr. Sleeth to Montgomery for a mental health summit. As a longtime ER physician, author and prolific speaker, he spoke to many churches about his research and book, Hope Always: How to be a Force for Life in a Culture of Suicide.

Congratulations to our Eagles for defeating the Mars Hill Bible School Panthers 65-56 and securing MA’s FIRST Varsity Boys Basketball state championship. The championship game was played on Friday, February 28, in front of a packed crowd of students, staff, alumni, and MA families at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Soar Eagles, Soar!

Alabama Christian Lower School recently made a splash with its incredible production of Finding Nemo Jr.! With over 30 talented 2nd through 5th graders participating, the students wowed the audience with their enthusiasm, energy, and fantastic performances.
Under the expert direction of Mrs. Kelly and Mrs. Peters, the young cast brought the beloved Disney story to life, captivating friends and family with their hard work and dedication. From colorful costumes to lively musical numbers, the production showcased the creativity and teamwork of our students.
The show was a testament to the vibrant performing arts program at ACA Lower School, providing students with an opportunity to grow in confidence and express their talents on stage. A huge thank you to everyone who played a role in making this production a success—especially our incredible directors, cast, and supportive families!

This past weekend, our amazing theatre students competed in the Alabama Conference of Theatre Trumbauer Jr. Theatre Festival, going up against public and private schools, as well as theatre troupes from across the district.
Every single one of our students received superior scores!
1st Place (Tie): Kendra Cunningham & Geordan Thompkins
2nd Place: Caitlin Wright
Huge shoutout to all of our talented competitors:
Justin Ahn
Brileigh Brooks
Kendra Cunningham
Kaleb Jackson
Geordan Thompkins
Destiny Williams
Caitlin Wright
Show them some love and give them a big congrats when you see them!

George Washington Carver High School students read to Carver Elementary and Arts Magnet School students during “Read Across America” to promote reading among children.

Saint James high school students participated in the 76th annual Alabama Youth Legislature Conference in February. Sponsored as part of the YMCA’s Youth in Government program, the conference was held at the Alabama State House. Representing Saint James, 21 students fully immersed themselves in the legislative process, participating in committee sessions, House and Senate debates, voting on bills, and even campaigning for office. Their engagement in the conference provided an invaluable experience in understanding and practicing democracy in action.
A special congratulations to the following students on their achievements:
Mary Ellis Killough – Served as the Senate Sergeant at Arms and was named an alternate delegate to the Congress on National Affairs to be held this summer, an honor given to only 50 students.
Aarya Patel – Recognized as a First Year Top Statesman in the First Year Chamber, a distinction awarded to approximately 12 students.
Aashvi Patel – Earned the 2026 Media Award for her outstanding writing and reporting, receiving the sole award in this category.
Izzy Pappas and Michael Phan – Served as committee chairs.
Lucy Hwang – Served on the Supreme Court.
Eric Vo – Served as a lobbyist.
Nicole Jung and Aashvi Patel – Contributed as members of the Media Team.
Aden Brinkman, Charlotte Brown, Hee Soo Cho, Ivy Chung, Jack Davis, Kevin Hwang, Lucas Kang, Grant Phillips, Jake Poling, Aidan Saldhana, Yuha Shin, Chloe Song, Kaleigh Soto, and Max Ward also participated.
Saint James School has long been involved with the Alabama Youth Government program. Participants are mentored by Mrs. Michelle Studdard, who teaches World History and Government and Economics at Saint James. Alabama Youth Legislature is a part of the YMCA’s Alabama Youth in Government program. The YMCA Youth in Government “gives youth the opportunity to learn firsthand about government and civic issues by taking an active role in the democratic process, boosting youth development and contributing to a stronger community.”
Saint James School commends all participating students for their dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm throughout the conference. Their commitment to civic engagement is a testament to the school’s mission of fostering informed and active citizens.

Juniors and seniors at River Region Academy took the ASVAB as a part of the Career Exploration Program (CEF) under the direction of test coordinator Britney Hodges. Students received their results and guidance in identifying their skills to help them choose potentially satisfying career fields. This career planning resource engages, encourages, and empowers students to align their strengths and interests to their post-secondary plans.

Evangel Christian Academy’s College and Career Prep class recently got the opportunity to hone their interview skills. Professionals from various fields volunteered to help our seniors be prepared for the interview process. The mock interviews were very beneficial to our students, as they got to practice how to present themselves and answer questions.

Alabama Christian Academy recently inducted over 23 new members into the National Honor Society, recognizing students for their excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The induction ceremony celebrated these outstanding students’ hard work and dedication to academic and community success. ACA continues to foster a culture of achievement, encouraging students to excel both in and out of the classroom.

Congratulations to Montgomery Christian A and A/B Honor Roll students! The vision of MCS is to partner with parents in developing academic, social, emotional, and spiritual maturity so students can effectively pursue God’s purpose in their families, churches, communities and personal lives.

Alabama Christian Academy (ACA) recently had the privilege of hosting the Special Olympics basketball tournament on its campus. The event brought together athletes who demonstrated incredible determination and sportsmanship, inspiring everyone in attendance. Players showcased their skills in a competitive and supportive environment, highlighting the spirit of inclusion and perseverance. ACA’s involvement in the tournament reflects its commitment to fostering a welcoming community and celebrating the achievements of all athletes.

Alabama Christian Academy celebrated Read Across America with Bundle Up with Books, Blankets, and Buddies, creating a cozy and fun reading experience for students. Children brought their favorite books, cuddly blankets, and stuffed animal buddies to enjoy stories in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Teachers and staff joined in, reading aloud and fostering a love for literature. This special event encouraged students to develop a lifelong passion for reading in a fun and memorable way. ACA continues to promote literacy through creative and engaging activities like this one!

Mrs.Williams’s and Ms. Minor’s first grade homerooms participated in “Hearts Across America”. Our classes received Valentines cards from over half of the states from the United States along with eight other countries! Our students were able to learn about map skills, regions, and different cultures while also receiving cards from loved ones.

Through the unity of colors, the FAAMily at Forest Avenue celebrates Black history.

Saint James School’s Kindergartners and their Senior Buddies came together to make a difference in the lives of others, spreading love and joy beyond the walls of their campus.
As part of a heartwarming service initiative, the students decorated and packed goodie bags filled with snacks and words of encouragement for the children served by Child Protect Children’s Advocacy Center, a non-profit organization supporting children in Montgomery County. In addition, the students created handmade Valentine’s Day cards to bring cheer to residents at a local assisted living community.
Since 1999, the Kindergarten/Senior Buddy Program has been one of Saint James School’s most treasured traditions. This unique program pairs the youngest students with graduating seniors, fostering meaningful relationships that span the school year. Through shared activities, the students form bonds of friendship, mentorship, and mutual respect.
“The Kindergarten/Senior Buddy Program is such a special part of our school culture,” said Mrs. Megan Deal, Kindergarten teacher. “Seeing our students come together to serve others exemplifies the character and compassion we hope to instill in every Saint James student.”
Together, Saint James students are making a difference, one act of kindness at a time.

Forest Avenue’s February “Caught Being Good” winners are Caden Shon, Asher Kim, Aywb Hassan, Sarang Lim, Emery Barton, and Princeton Shepherd. We are proud of all of these sweet friends!

River Region Academy sixth graders selected a few people who were center stage in the struggle for equal rights for Black people. Celebrating their African American heroes during Black History Month are Loren, honoring Septima Poinsette Clark, a civil rights activist whose citizenship schools helped empower African Americans, JoElla, recognizing the achievements of Ruby Bridges, a Civil Rights leader who bravely became one of the first black children to integrate New Orleans’ all white public school system at the age of six, Ailani, honoring Diane Nash, best known for her efforts to integrate lunch counters, desegregate interstate travel, and work with the Freedom Riders, and Elijah, who discussed the Freedom Riders – civil rights activists who rode buses into the segregated South to support the desegregation of public buses. Their strength, courage, determination, and contributions to the struggle for equality have left an indelible mark on American history, culture, and society. Thank you, Mrs. Stinson, for leading your students in these studies.