Every month we compile a list of students doing great things across our community. We have so many talented students in our area. River Region Parents joins with their families and schools to celebrate their achievements!
ACTS Robotics Teacher Names VEX Teacher of the Year
Congratulations! John Cooper, Autauga County Technology Center’s Robotics Teacher, was named the 2025 VEX V5 Teacher of the Year during the state tournament this past weekend. Mr. Cooper is synonymous with robotics in Autauga County, having been successful in all levels of competition, including a bid to worlds last year. This award is a testament to his unwavering leadership and dedication to his craft and students.
Pine Level Elementary Students Study Poetry
Mrs. Mooney’s 5th grade class at Pine Level Elementary School incorporated a current event into our own poetry! Our class researched the recent Anglerfish that was found swimming towards the ocean’s surface. We discussed the Anglerfish’s journey, and wrote a poem, in her perspective, of her hard-fought journey out of the Midnight Zone.
iReady Celebration at Prattville Intermediate
PIS students whose score increased by 50% in Reading and Math on the iReady Mid-Year Benchmark enjoyed a morning of bowling! Students who increased scores 50% in either Reading or Math got to enjoy a pizza party!
PIS Hosts Sneaker Ball
House of Amistad hosted their annual Red and White Ball at Prattville Intermediate School on February 7th! Amistad changed up the theme this year to a Sneaker Ball! Students were encouraged to wear Red and White clothing and to finish off their ensemble with their nicest sneakers. Everyone in attendance had a wonderful time.
ECTC Job Shadow Day
On February 19, ECTC hosted Job Shadow Day where 27 students from multiple programs of study across the ECTC campus spent a school day with employers in their fields of interest. These juniors and seniors were able to get hands-on experience, ask questions about educational requirements, and learn what entry-level job opportunities exist when they graduate from high school or college. We appreciate the local partners who hosted students on their job site for the day!
Autauga County Schools Reads Across America
Oh, the places you’ll go inside the pages of a book! Elementary schools across the district celebrated #ReadAcrossAmerica Week with local and celebrity guest readers, themed dress-up days, special snacks, and loads of fun. Last week was a great reminder of how magical it is to pick up a book and be transported to a new world.
Daniel Pratt Elementary Gifted Showcase Night
Families gathered at Daniel Pratt Elementary School to see some of the things their gifted children have been working on throughout the year, get tips on parenting gifted children, and make connections with others who have similar interests. The gifted program at DPES is led by Gifted Specialist, Mandi Suggs, who says the best thing about her job is that she gets to focus on student strengths and foster curiosity in their minds.
ACS Students Participate in Water Festival
ACS fourth graders participated in the Autauga County – Alabama Extension Water Festival, exploring this renewable resource and how to best care for it. Students learned the importance of water, the water cycle, the interdependence of plants, trees, wildlife & soil, the effect of human actions, and the need for responsible stewardship. Congratulations to Josephine Dettmer, Daniel Pratt Elementary School student, for winning this year’s design contest. Her original artwork was printed on the shirts given to all participants.
ECTC Education in Training Students Attend FCCLA Conference
Students from ECTC’s Educators in Training program attended the annual FCCLA State Leadership Conference. Multiple students participated in competitions receiving top honors – S. K. Morgan 1st place Teach or Train, L. McCord 2nd place Teach or Train, E. Gwin 2nd place Focus on Children, S. Gaskins 3rd place Teaching Strategies.
Prattville High Students Named Exceptional Student
Tiffany Lee, a Prattville High School junior, was chosen as one of only 10 exceptional students to participate in the prestigious 2025 Frances Hesselbein Student Leadership Program! The week-long experience began today with leadership activities and lessons alongside fellow Student2Student leaders during the National Character and Leadership Symposium. The program aims to equip students with the necessary tools and knowledge to continue developing S2S programs.
PIS Robotics Team Completes First Competition
On February 6th the PIS Robotics Teams completed their first competition at Hyundai Initiative for Robotics Excellence (H.I.R.E.) Tournament! This after-school Robotics Program provides students with hands-on experience with engineering design!
ECTC Medical Science Students Attend HOSA Conference
Students from the Medical Sciences program at the Elmore County Technical Center attended the 2025 HOSA State Leadership Conference, a gathering for students in health science programs across the state. The ECTC chapter received multiple honors, multiple students entered competitions, and I. Taylor ranked in the top 6 in the Patient Care Technician competition.
Prattville and Marbury High Cadets Excel in Competition
Congratulations, cadets! PHS Air Force JROTC AL-951, comprised of cadets from Prattville High School and Marbury High School, placed first in the Greenville High School Invitational Drill, Fitness, and Academic Competition over the weekend, displaying discipline and determination to showcase problem-solving skills and precision drills.
Autauga Country Students Shine in Robotics Tournament
Congratulations to three district teams for programming their way to success after countless hours of practice in preparation for the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama’s fourth annual Hyundai Initiative for Robotics Excellence (HIRE) School Robotics Tournament, placing among the event’s 250 teams! Billingsley’s middle school team was crowned the Teamwork and Skills Champion, Pine Level Elementary School was chosen for the Design Award, and Prattville Junior High School took home the Teamwork Championship.
Autauga County Schools Represent in All-District Honor Band
Bravo! Autauga County Schools was represented at this year’s All-District Honor Band by student musicians from Marbury High School, Marbury Middle School, Prattville Junior High School, and Prattville High School. With just a few practices, this group performed a flawless concert with dozens of students from across 12 counties as a part of the Alabama Bandmasters Association District 5 area.
Students Lead Pledge of Allegiance at AL House of Representatives
Zadah Bunch, Pine Level Elementary student, and JEB Roy, Prattville High School sophomore, had a front-row seat to the legislative process while leading the Alabama House of Representatives in the Pledge of Allegiance earlier this session. These outstanding students exemplify the power of youth leadership and civic engagement as Zadah shared her story while speaking with policymakers and JEB served as a legislative page, learning firsthand about the vital work that shapes local communities.
Prattville High Students Work Toward Being National Merit Scholars
Congratulations to Prattville High School’s Kate Bibb and Saylor Boles, who are one step closer to achieving a major academic goal of National Merit Scholars. These classmates and lifelong friends advanced from 2025 National Merit Semifinalists to Finalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, allowing them to compete for millions in college scholarships.
