Every month we compile a list of students doing great things across the River Region. We have so many talented students in our area. River Region Parents joins with their families and schools to celebrate their achievements!

Wings Delights ACA Faculty and Staff with Popcorn and Coke Treat

ACA’s WINGS PTA program added a little extra cheer to the school day by treating faculty and staff to a delightful popcorn cart experience. Teachers and staff members were invited to create their own “sweet and salty” popcorn combinations and pair them with an ice-cold Coke.
The event was a huge hit, with the aroma of freshly popped popcorn filling the air and plenty of smiles to go around. WINGS, which stands for *Working and Investing to Nurture Growth and Success*, has been dedicated to uplifting ACA’s educators and staff with thoughtful and fun initiatives throughout the year.
Events like this not only show appreciation for the hard work of ACA’s team but also foster a sense of community and joy on campus. Thank you, WINGS, for continuing to make a positive impact and showing how much ACA values its incredible faculty and staff!

ACA’s Fall Festival Brings Fun, Food, and Festivities

The Alabama Christian Academy Fall Festival was a resounding success, bringing families, students, and the community together for an evening of fun and celebration. From the vibrant atmosphere to the diverse activities, this year’s festival had something for everyone.
The silent auction was a highlight of the evening, with attendees enthusiastically bidding on a variety of exciting items and baskets. The country kitchen was another crowd favorite, offering homemade goodies that delighted taste buds and brought a touch of nostalgia.
Children and families enjoyed a variety of fun-filled activities, including carnival games, bounce houses, and face painting, ensuring smiles all around. The event perfectly captured the spirit of community and camaraderie that ACA is known for.
Thanks to the hard work of the organizers, volunteers, and staff, the festival not only created cherished memories but also successfully supported school initiatives. ACA extends its heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated and contributed to making the event a triumph. We look forward to next year’s festival being even bigger and better!

Veterans Day Program at Bear Exploration Center

Fourth graders at Bear Exploration Center put on a Veteran’s Day program entitled, Honoring All Who Served. Families and veterans in our community were invited to attend. Under the direction of Sarah Fell, students sang patriotic tributes to all those who have served our country in all of the branches of the military.

ACA Hosts Successful "Feed the Need" Fundraiser and Packing Party

Alabama Christian Academy recently hosted its impactful “Feed the Need” fundraiser, uniting students, staff, and families in a meaningful effort to make a difference both locally and globally. The event culminated in an exciting packing party, where students took an active role in assembling meals for those in need.
This year’s initiative supported two causes: meals were sent to families in Bangladesh, a region facing severe food insecurity, and to the Mercy House here in Montgomery, which serves as a refuge for local individuals in need. Students were directly involved in the packing process, gaining a hands-on understanding of the importance of service and compassion.
The event not only demonstrated the school’s commitment to nurturing global citizenship but also fostered a sense of community and purpose among the students. Parents, teachers, and volunteers joined together in the effort, emphasizing ACA’s mission of faith, service, and education.
“Feed the Need” continues to be a cornerstone event for Alabama Christian Academy, showcasing how education can go beyond the classroom to instill values of generosity and servant leadership in the next generation.

Montgomery Catholic Students Hold Weekly Adoration in the Chapel

Montgomery Catholic’s student-run campus ministry is bringing Adoration and Confession to tutorials on Thursdays in the chapel. Students wanted more adoration opportunities at school after fall worship night. After weeks of planning, all students are now able to attend weekly adoration.
Their first adoration was in early October. It featured live music by student singer Grace Clayborne, a senior, and student guitarist and singer Kyle Frank, a junior. They sang and played multiple worship songs throughout the thirty minutes of Adoration.
Father Joseph Schultz from Saint Bede Parish also offered confession for both students and faculty during this time as well. After Adoration was over, Father proceeded to sing a song in Latin and everyone was dismissed.
The students will be holding more Adoration events throughout the year. The High School Campus ministry is trying to make Adoration on Thursdays a weekly occurrence, like morning Mass before school. With continued support from our community, we can make it happen!

TEA Christian Academy Students’ Seminar On Life And Decisions

Jerry Morris, the Business Engagement Specialist for the Montgomery Job Corps Center provided the students at Talent Education and Art Christian Academy, Inc. a mentoring seminar on life, and preparing for the future. The students were very excited, and asked various questions as they were given a task on how to spend their earned income. Oh yes! They were in disbelief to find out how expensive living on their own really is. Career paths were a major focus during the seminar. TEA Academy continues to provide students with meaningful opportunities for learning and growth. We are grateful for the opportunity to have Mr. Morris to serve as our mentor for the month of November, said Bonnie Robinson the vice principal, who also assists with various events and activities. Thank you so much Mr. Morris for your support, and for encouraging our students to always make good choices.

Carver School of Mathematics, Science and Technology Receives Top Ranking Among Alabama Elementary Schools

The Carver School of Mathematics, Science and Technology earned another significant honor recently with a top ranking for elementary schools in the state of Alabama.
Carver MST, focused on preparing students for STEAM-related college and career pathways, ranked #9 out of 667 schools across the state, according to U.S. News and & World Report. The rankings were part of an updated list of Best Elementary and Middle Schools published Nov. 14. The school earned an overall 98.8 out of 100 score.
The report highlighted the school’s high-performing math (72%) and reading (85%) proficiency levels when compared to other elementary schools across the state. When considering ranking factors, the publication classified the school’s proficiency percentages were “well above expectations.”
“It means that all of this hard work that our students and teachers have put in has paid off,” said Chris Payne, Carver MST Principal. “It is an honor that is a great reflection of the commitment of our students to achieve at the highest level. We are so proud and it feels like Carver MST is moving in the right direction.”
Carver MST has a passionate staff dedicated to nurturing each child’s potential. Through a standards-based approach to education, students are consistently challenged to exceed grade-level expectations and achieve new heights.
Significantly, Carver MST serves a diverse student population. According to district data reported to the U.S. Department of Education, 58% of the students at the school are “economically disadvantaged” with a nearly 53% minority enrollment. That data also reveals the school has a 23:1 student/teacher ratio.
In September, Carver School of Mathematics, Science and Technology was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. Only five Alabama schools received the distinction.

Montgomery Catholic Students Celebrate All Saints Day
Montgomery Catholic 2nd and 8th graders chose a Saint to research in honor of All Saints Day on November 1st. They spent time learning about their Saint and then dressed up as them and gave presentations on the life of their Saint to their classmates.
Catholics celebrate All Saints Day, as a day to venerate all of the holy men and women that have gone before us and been canonized as Saints by the Church.
Our goal as a school is to not only educate our students, but to help each one of them get to Heaven. All of our students pray this prayer daily as a reminder that we are called to a higher purpose.
Heavenly Father, Your Word tells us that we are all called to sainthood. We ask that You send the Holy Spirit upon us to guide and direct our hearts towards heaven. May we be faithful in our actions as we work daily to remember we are called to be different, called to be better, and called to be disciples. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ and the intercession of His blessed mother Mary. Amen.

Engaging STEM Program at Montgomery Christian School

Montgomery Christian School (MCS) offers a robust STEM program that includes hands-on science labs with their STEM teacher, Mr. Jacob Neils. Fifth-grade students had a blast learning how to create bubbly yeast and exploring its fascinating reaction by viewing it under the microscope in various settings. It was an engaging experience that brought science to life at MCS!

ACA Hosts Another Successful Golf Tournament

Alabama Christian Academy recently held its annual golf tournament at the Arrowhead Country Club, and the event was a resounding success. With over 25 foursomes participating, the tournament showcased the strong support of the ACA community and raised valuable funds for ACA athletics.
To accommodate the impressive turnout, the tournament featured two separate time slots, allowing players to enjoy 18 holes of golf each. The day was filled with friendly competition, camaraderie, and plenty of memorable moments on the course.
Participants also enjoyed an array of giveaways, adding to the excitement and celebratory atmosphere of the event. This year’s tournament further cemented itself as a beloved tradition, uniting the community in support of ACA’s athletic programs.
A heartfelt thank-you goes out to all players, sponsors, and volunteers who contributed to making this event such a success. ACA looks forward to continuing this tradition and strengthening its commitment to athletic excellence in the years to come.

Montgomery Catholic Donates Meals to the Local Community

Thanks to the generosity of Montgomery Catholic families and friends a portion of meals packed during the Meals 2 Missions packing day were delivered to our local community. Montgomery Catholic was proud to volunteer with the YMCA’s Brown Bag Bus to deliver meals to the youth of Montgomery and their families. We also delivered meals to the Heart of Alabama Food Bank to help feed the hungry during this Thanksgiving season. Thank you to both of these organizations and we look forward to finding more ways that we can partner with them to help food insecure families throughout central Alabama.

Goldfish Swim School Visits RR Academy

Goldfish Swim School visited River Region Academy to teach our students about water safety, an essential foundation for all further lessons. Here, we see Bubbles with an instructor along with some of our students.

International STEM Day at Bear Exploration Center

In celebration of International STEM Day, Bear Exploration Center students dressed up as their favorite STEM professionals. Scientists, engineers, astronauts, teachers, veterinarians, doctors, and nurses, just to name a few, were represented. Parent guest speakers also came to discuss various STEM fields and encourage our future STEM professionals.

Kindergarten Service Projects at Forest Avenue

The Forest Avenue kindergarteners in Ms. Ausley, Mrs. Allred and Mrs. Thomas’ classes have been working on a service project this year. They are collecting cake mixes and frostings for Love Loud Montgomery. Love Loud distributes food to needy families in the River Region. Each month the classes bring in cake mixes, frostings, brownie mixes and cookie mixes. At the end of the month we sort, count and graph the mixes and then pack them up for delivery. In two months, the kindergarteners have collected 103 mixes!

Bear Honor Choir Students Participate in Festival

The Honor Choir students from Bear Exploration Center and their music teacher, Sarah Fell, participated in the Alabama Music Education Association’s annual Elementary Music Festival. Fourth through sixth grade students from across the state came together to work with clinicians and create two different choirs. The choirs performed that night for family and friends.

The Power of One: Volunteer Accomplishes Formidable Task for BTW Magnet High School

“Hunter is a machine; he is amazing!” Dr. Quesha Starks, Principal of Booker T. Washington Magnet High School, emphatically stated on a recent Zoom call with BTW supporters discussing the opening of the new school year. “He is a one-man assembly line and incredible to watch – but don’t get in his way. He’s focused, intentional, careful and we can’t thank him enough!” she continued.
All schools, public and private, rely on the support of dedicated volunteers for a host of essential tasks. Sometimes, special tasks arise. Tasks that seem a tad overwhelming. Just such a monumental task faced the new Booker T. Washington administrators following the completion of the first academic year on the brand-new, state-of-the-art campus now open at 4400 Bell Road.
The task? Crates and pallet-loads of unassembled, but essential, school furniture: desks, tables, credenzas, podiums, chairs and other specialty, one-of-kind items. Through insurance and federal ESSER funds, BTW received allocations for furniture, some of which was delivered unassembled on pallets in huge boxes. While custodians and maintenance staff whittled slowly over the gargantuan task, an enormous amount remained. With increased enrollment, the room being occupied by these pallets and crates was needed, as were the contents. The answer: volunteers.
Enter, Airman First Class Hunter Locklear. New to both the Air Force – he has served just under 18 months of his 6-year commitment — and the Maxwell-Gunter-Montgomery community (he arrived in Montgomery in February 2024), Hunter will be forever “adopted” by the BTW community. Primarily by himself, he tackled a gargantuan task in clearing this mountainous backlog, working Saturdays and some Sundays for nearly five full months. With a tool kit and a mind attuned to detail, he set to work one box, one crate, one item at a time. While many would have shied away from a return visit after the first arduous day of work, he was thrilled to see the tangible accomplishment, and returned – weekend after weekend after weekend. “I enjoy a challenge, and I like to be productive. This work isn’t “busy” work; it’s necessary, and it’s needed, and there are tangible rewards, too. Dr. Starks buys me lunch every day I work!” Locklear said with a grin. Dr. Starks responded with “It’s the least I can do for all his selfless efforts!”
The “Power of One” is alive and well-represented by this incredible young man with a servant’s heart. When our news sources are filled with negative images and violence, it is reassuring and reaffirming that the future will also be represented by generous spirits like Hunter Locklear.

Bear Exploration Center Honored for Keeping Campus Clean

Bear Exploration Center was honored at the annual Alabama PALS Governor’s Awards Luncheon for their efforts in keeping their campus litter free and in teaching students about the importance of taking care of the environment. Bear received 2nd Place in the Clean Campus Scrapbook Competition which came with a plaque and a check for $750. People Against a Littered State has a luncheon each year to recognize the outstanding efforts of schools, communities, businesses, and individuals from all over Alabama. Pictured are representatives from Bear’s Green Team.

Special Guest at Resurrection Catholic School

Phillip Ensler, Member of the Alabama State House of Representatives, District 74 stops by Resurrection Catholic School. He spoke to 5th graders about politics and the importance of voting.

Resurrection Catholic Stands Up Against Bullying

Resurrection Catholic School stands up against bullying! Thank you, Monique Davis, Founder of the Jamari Terrell Williams Foundation for taking time to talk to us about the devastating impact of bullying!

Bear Students’ Artwork on Display at MMFA

Bear Exploration Center has twelve works of art exhibited in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts’ ArtWorks Community Gallery exhibit entitled, “You, Me, Us”. Students created self-portraits and other works of art that told a story about their life or their community. Students and their families were invited to the opening reception. Student artists are Sierra Allen, Jalaya Trapp, Purity Umeh, Gemma Bazzell, Luciana Sides, Aubrie Daniels, Joseph Crosby, Jonta Weeks, Teagan Brown, Mary Gehring, Naomi Ward, and Brookley Sanders. Pictured are three of the artists with visual arts teacher Mrs. Bonikowski and principal Dr. Williams.

Resurrection Catholic Enjoys Thanksgiving Feast
Our Thanksgiving Luncheon was a success! The food as always was delicious and the fellowship…PRICELESS! Also, our 1st and 2nd graders had a great time getting ready for the Thanksgiving holidays.

Forest Avenue 2nd Graders Visit Alabama Nature Center

Forest Avenue future scientists in 2nd grade enjoyed going to the Alabama Nature Center today. Students went on a hike, got to touch some critters, and went fishing!

Veteran’s Day Guest at Resurrection Catholic

Resurrection Catholic School welcomed Chief Master Sergeant Mataya Wright Williams in honor of Veterans Day!

Halloween Fun at Resurrection Catholic School

Resurrection Catholic School celebrates Halloween with students and staff.

50th Day of School at Forest Avenue

The 2nd grade at Forest Avenue had so much fun celebrating the 50th day of school!

Mock Elections at Forest Avenue Academic Magnet

Forest Avenue 2nd graders exercised their right to vote in their own Mock Election!

Saint James School Theater Presents Radium Girls

The Saint James School Theater Department presented Radium Girls to delighted audiences this November.
Written by DW Gregory, Radium Girls is inspired by the 1920s true story of Grace Fryer, a watch dial painter who battles for justice in court against her former employer who refuses to believe that radium could be the cause of his workers’ illnesses. As the case progresses, Grace faces not only opposition from the U.S. Radium Corporation, but also resistance from her family and friends, who fear the consequences of her fight. Written with warmth and elements of mystery, this fast-paced drama explores themes of health, wealth, and the commercialization of science through the eyes of our ensemble cast.
The cast included STJ students Abigail Roarke, Bethany Stanton, Lily Everett, Reagan Rolling, Lillian Archer, MaryEllis Killough, Caleb Hendrick, Waylon King, Jaxon Mason, and Alex McIlwain.
There were many students who worked behind the scenes to make the show a success. The House Crew consisted of Elizabeth Santana, Nancy Bradford, Jesse Johnson, Emilee Alexander, Izzy Pappas, Mae Puckett, Callie Sellers, Abby White, Parker Henry, Heesoo Cho, GiGi Reynolds, Breyonna Mckinnon, Madison Jackson, Devaney Green, John Ashton Dollar, BraylonFrazier, and Hazel Clinton.
The show was directed by Director of Theatre, Mr. Lonny Harrison.The Saint James Theater Department presents three productions each year.

Saint James School-Wide Community Day

Saint James School places a strong emphasis on community service throughout the year, with a special focus on Community Day. Held on Friday, November 1, this annual day of service brought together students from all divisions, from preschool to high school.
The elementary students in preschool decorated posters for community helpers, such as local firefighters and police. Students in Kindergarten and 1st grade colored thank you pictures for Veterans in the VA hospital. Upper elementary students made a pennant banner to hang in the VA hospital.
Middle school students organized donations for Adullam House and Mercy House, sorting clothing, sporting equipment, toys, blankets, and household items. High school students contributed their time to various non-profits around the city, with seniors packing food boxes at the Heart of Alabama Food Bank and other classes volunteering at Dream Court, Lanark Nature Center, Brantwood Children’s Home, Crowne Health, MAP Center, Family Sunshine Center, and the Child Protect golf tournament.
This day of service is organized by the Saint James high school SGA in coordination with Volunteer Coordinator Venna Everett and elementary school principal Andrea Harris. This is a part of the Saint James School focus of “Character, Commitment, Courage, and Community.”

Saint James Arts Department Presents Arts Showcase
On Thursday, November 21, the Saint James Arts Department held its annual Arts Showcase. The event featured performances by the STJ Jazz Band, Elementary Choir, Middle School Choir, High School Choir, Trojanettes dance team, and many talented students who performed various group and solo acts. The audience enjoyed watching several scenes from the fall play, Radium Girls. Guests also enjoyed watercolor and printmaking stations where they created unique custom artwork led by our STJ Visual Arts teachers and students.
From the visual art pieces displayed in the gallery, to the captivating theatrical performances that filled the auditorium, the event underscored the school’s dedication to fostering artistic growth and self-expression in every student. The evening also highlighted the collaborative nature of the arts programs at Saint James, where students across grade levels and disciplines work together to bring their creative visions to life.
“We are so proud of our students and the incredible work they’ve done in the arts this year,” said Mr. Lonny Harrison, Director of Theatre at Saint James School. “The showcase allowed us to come together as a community and celebrate the creativity and hard work of our arts students.”
The arts at Saint James School continue to inspire, enrich, and empower students to reach their fullest potential. The arts showcase is held annually to celebrate the remarkable talents and accomplishments of students across all divisions in the visual and performing arts.

Montgomery Academy’s 9th Annual STEAMfest a Big Success

On Saturday, November 16, several hundred students and families attended our 9th annual STEAMfest held at the Lower School campus. This year’s event was one of the largest yet and included more than fifty hands-on activities designed to engage students ages Pre-K-6th grade. Thirteen community partners participated this year and the majority of attendees were from outside of the MA community. We are looking forward to next year’s milestone 10th annual event.

Montgomery Academy Girls Cross Country Wins State 3A Championship

Congratulations to our MA Cross Country teams! MAXC girls laid claim to the 3A State Championship, while the boys placed second at the 3A level! Along with the team trophies came a number of Top 15 individual medal finishes and some truly incredible PR times— some team members managed to shave anywhere between 45 seconds to a full minute off their previous personal records!

Trinity Sophmore named Finalist in the Speech and Debate Tournament

Trinity School sophomore Caroline Rogers showcased her exceptional talent at the Prattville High School Speech and Debate Tournament, where she placed as a finalist. Competing against students from across Alabama, Caroline impressed the judges with her informative speech on the forgotten Brontë sister, Anne Brontë.

Hands-On Science Lab at Montgomery Christian School

Third graders at Montgomery Christian School (MCS) dove into hands-on learning in the science lab with a flower dissection activity! They carefully studied and identified each part of the flower, then had the pleasure of delivering a beautiful pink bouquet to their principal, Stephenie Price. It was a fun and memorable way to combine science with a thoughtful gesture. Every student at MCS learns not only through reading, but also with connecting the books to actual creative experiences.

Mock Voting at G.W. Carver

Mrs. Burton-Hines and Ms. Ware prepared a “Mock Voting” station for students to get hands-on experience and be a part of the moment. Rosa Parks and so many others would be overjoyed.

Monday Chapel Days at MCS

Every Monday, Montgomery Christian School (MCS) celebrates faith in action at chapels led by community pastors and partners. Reverend Chris Montgomery, senior pastor at Frazer Church, led MCS students and staff. MCS students practiced their Bible memory verses and their favorite songs from music class. Chapel is a key part of the curriculum at MCS.

Saint James Celebrates Military with Veterans Day Assembly

On Friday, November 8th, Saint James School celebrated Veterans Day with a school-wide assembly. Saint James School is honored to have more than 90 military families, representing both the United States and its international allies, as part of the Trojan family this year.
The assembly began with a patriotic prelude performed by the Saint James School Band, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by Senior Class President Pruitt Conner. The STJ band and combined choirs then led students in the singing of the National Anthem.
Head of School Dr. Larry McLemore welcomed Col. Benjamin Hatch as our 2024 guest speaker. Col. Hatch is the Commandant of Air University’s Air Command and Staff College. He received his commission in 2001 through Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base and has spent much of his career as a Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. A combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, he holds qualifications as a military parachutist, pathfinder, and SCUBA diver and has an extensive background in Air Force Special Warfare. Colonel Hatch holds three graduate degrees, including a Master of Arts in Government from Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, as well as two master’s degrees from Air University. He was a 2024 Fellow at the University of Southern California, graduating from the SHIELD Executive Program in Global Space and Deterrence. Col. Hatch and his wife Audrey have three sons at Saint James: Hoyt who is in 4th grade, and twins Grant and Mitchell, who are in Kindergarten.
Following Col. Hatch’s address, Amelia Rasmussen, STJ middle school student and daughter of Air Force officers, sang a solo feature from Song for the Unsung Hero, accompanied by the STJ band and combined choirs. SGA President Lily Everett delivered the closing prayer. Students dressed in red, white, and blue to commemorate the day. Saint James School is grateful for the men and women who defend our freedoms and we are proud of our military community.

Carver High Students Serve at Southlawn Fall Festival

CHS Ambassadors served at Southlawn Elementary School’s Fall Festival, engaging in community service by helping with the fun festivities; setting an example for the future wolverines!

Success Unlimited Academy Announces Spelling Bee Winners

Success Unlimited Academy held its annual spelling bee competition on October 24, 2024 . This annual event challenges students to learn to spell over 250 words prior to the school’s spelling bee. Held in Hawkins Hall on the lower campus, participants in grades 3rd through 8th worked individually and collectively to learn the correct spelling of the official spelling bee list. All participants received medals and certificates for their participation.
The 2024 spelling bee winners for elementary were Asher Morrow – 3rd grade, Cathe Pouncy – 4th grade, and Ava Hayes – 5th grade. Winners for middle school were Joel Johnson – 6th grade, JaMarcus Farrior – 7th grade, and Rasheed Loudermilk – 8th grade. The winners presented a trophy, certificate and a Chick-Fil-A gift card by Susan Alred, SUA’s headmaster and Pam Watson, SUA’s spelling bee coordinator. Winners in grades 5th through 8th will advance to the AISA District spelling bee. Congratulations to all!

Saint James Choir Attends Auburn University’s Honor Choir Festival

The Saint James School High School Choir attended Auburn University’s Honor Choir Festival held in September. Students enjoyed workshops and rehearsals with the esteemed Dr. Rosephanye Powell, toured campus, and experienced moving performances by Auburn University vocal ensembles. It was a fun day building relationships and developing choral skills. The Saint James School choral program is led by Dr. Sallye York.

Job Applications and Interviews at RR Academy

Mrs. Stinson’s sixth graders at River Region Academy completed job applications and participated in job interviews. Students were tasked with considering their desired position, completing job applications, and “dressing to impress” for the interviews. Throughout this assignment, students worked on writing, interviewing, interpersonal, and presentation skills. Job well done!

Montgomery Academy Senior Gabby Barrera Commits to Ball State University

This week, Montgomery Academy senior Gabby Barrera officially signed to become a member of the Ball State University tennis team! Gabby’s career as an Eagle has been remarkable, on the tennis court, in the classroom, and in the art studio. She will become a member of the Cardinals family next fall, but before that, there’s still one more season of MA Tennis to finish out. Gabby will be the 14th Eagle to play collegiate tennis, and the 9th to play at the D1 level. Congrats Gabby!

Forest Avenue Students “Caught Being Good”

We are proud of our October “Caught Being Good” Winners! They are Cadence Southall, Joshua Barnes, Jasper Blackburn, Max Koo, Olivia Shin, and Kasen Smith (not pictured). Keep on being good and get “caught” again!

Montgomery Academy Designated a Platinum Member of the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll

MA has been designated a Platinum member of the College Board’s AP School Honor Roll! This is MA’s second consecutive year on the honor roll and the Academy is the only independent school in the River Region to have earned Platinum Status for the 2023-24 school year. The AP® School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs have done outstanding work to welcome students into AP courses and support their path to college success. Platinum status is awarded to schools that enable 80% of the next year’s senior class to experience at least one AP course, enable 50% of the senior class to earn college credit by earning an AP exam score of 3, and create opportunities for at least 15% of the Class of 2025 to take a total of 5 AP courses across their high school years.

Montgomery Academy Honors Veterans

On Friday, November 8, Montgomery Academy held an assembly to honor and recognize family members of our current students who have served or are serving in our military. The gathering featured performances from the Lower School Eagleaires Chorus, a presentation from members of the Speech & Debate team, and a reading by Leo Wang (’29) of his essay, “What Does Freedom Mean to Me?” MA extends its gratitude to all military members and their families for their service.

Trinity Senior Fleming Hall Signs to Play Baseball at Auburn University

Trinity School senior Fleming Hall has officially signed to play baseball with Auburn University. A standout athlete and dedicated student, Fleming’s achievement reflects his hard work and passion for the game. As he continues his journey at the collegiate level, the Trinity community celebrates this exciting milestone and looks forward to seeing all he will accomplish. Congratulations, Fleming!

Macon East Student Attends Alfa Youth Leadership

Macon East Academy and Bullock County student Bella Chambers attended the Alfa Youth Leadership Conference Nov. 4-5 at the Alabama 4-H Center in Columbiana. The conference teaches students how to advocate for agriculture, identify their potential and step into leadership roles. The event is for ninth and tenth grade students. Sponsors are Alabama Farmers Federation, Bullock County Farmers Federation, Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Farm Credit. Bella Chambers is pictured with Alabama Farmers Federation’s Matthew Durdin.

Trinity Veterans Day Celebration

Trinity School recently brought their community together for a heartfelt Veterans Day celebration. The event honored the courage and sacrifice of veterans and active military members connected to the school. Special military guests joined us for the day, which featured incredible performances by the Trinity Band, Upper School Show Choir, and Middle School Choir.
This meaningful tradition highlights what makes Trinity unique: a school where faith, community, and excellence are at the heart of everything we do. It was a special day for our students and families to reflect on the importance of service and gratitude.

Macon East Students Signs to Play Softball with Tuskegee University

Miya Tatum, a senior at Macon East Academy, recently signed with Tuskegee University to play softball, fulfilling her dream of continuing her athletic career at the collegiate level. Miya transferred to Macon East in 2022, where she quickly made an impact, leading the Knights in hitting as a sophomore and batting .484 last season. Her performance helped the team secure back-to-back state championships. Last season, she also set a school record with 20 home runs. Miya has played nearly every position for the Knights, including outfield, shortstop, second base, and pitcher, but was recruited by Tuskegee to pitch and play shortstop—her favorite position. She is determined to help lead Macon East Academy to a third consecutive state championship before moving on to Tuskegee University. Congratulations Miya!

Trinity School-Wide Service Day

Trinity School students from K3 to 12th grade came together for an incredible day of service, putting their core values of integrity, respect, service, responsibility, and leadership into action. In just one day, students served 802 hours and collected 1,139 pounds of food for the Montgomery Area Food Bank, enough to provide 949 meals for families in need.
Students volunteered at over 20 locations across the River Region, including Wilson Elementary, Baptist East NICU, Meals on Wheels, MANE, Hope House, Habitat for Humanity, and many more. Everyone, from our youngest Wildcats to the upper school seniors, played a part in making a difference.

Trinity Senior Francie Morris Signs to Play Basketball at Samford University

Trinity School senior Francie Morris has taken the next big step in her basketball career by signing with Samford University. Known for her determination, leadership, and talent on the court, Francie has made a lasting impact at Trinity and now looks forward to bringing her skills to the collegiate level. The Trinity community celebrates this incredible accomplishment and can’t wait to see all that Francie will achieve at Samford. Congratulations, Francie!

G.W. Carver Students Learned about Skin Burns on Halloween

On Halloween, at G.W. Carver High school, in Caryn Barnes’ class ( Human Anatomy), seniors dove deep into the Integumentary System, learning about how skin burns are classified. To bring these concepts to life, students creatively constructed realistic burns on themselves, providing a hands-on experience that enhances their understanding of the material.