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!

Montgomery Catholic Students Deliver Gifts to the Children's Center

Montgomery Catholic’s House Leadership continued their annual tradition of delivering gifts they purchased and wrapped to the students at the Montgomery Children’s Center. As always, it is a special treat being able to visit with the children and share the beauty of the Christmas season. It was a joyous afternoon full of laughter, dancing, ornament making, Christmas trees, and Santa Claus!

Montgomery Academy 5th and 6th Grade Chorus Visits Respite Ministries

In December Montgomery Academy’s 5th & 6th Grade Chorus visited with our friends at Respite Ministries to take part in their holiday sing-along! Mixed in with Respite participants, the group sang through a number of holiday classics, including a rousing rendition of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” MA’s work with Respite Ministries is part of our year-long partnership with the organization, whose purpose is to provide a place of love, fellowship, and stimulating activities for people living with various memory loss diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, or stroke.

Trinity Explores STEM with Major Kyle Shaw and Hands-On Activities

Major Kyle Shaw of the U.S. Space Force virtually visited the Trinity STEM classroom to share his STEM experiences and remarkable career! As a proud Trinity Wildcats graduate, Major Shaw inspired our students with his journey among the stars.
Our first graders created “Universe Slime,” simulating the stars and lights in the skies. Kindergartners experimented with mixing solids and liquids to discover which combination created the biggest “reaction” perfect for rocket fuel! Third graders engineered towers with index cards, learning about stability and its role in rocket launches.
It was a day full of discovery, creativity, and learning about the wonders of space exploration!

MA Upper School Students Explore Spain

Over the Thanksgiving break, forty Montgomery Academy Upper School students and their teachers traveled to Spain where they immersed themselves in the language, art, and architecture to learn and experience the culture they studied.
Their trip began in the cosmopolitan capital of Madrid. They enjoyed the Plaza Mayor, the famous Real Madrid Stadium, the royal palace, and the Reina Sofia Museum of Modern Art. From Madrid, the group traveled to Toledo, Spain’s former capital, where students enjoyed a culinary class before visiting the city’s Gothic Cathedral and the Medieval Synagogue. They then continued south to Granada, the former seat of Spain’s Moorish kingdom. There, they visited the legendary Alhambra, a magnificent Moorish palace, and also enjoyed a flamenco dance lesson and performance. From Granada, the group traveled to Sevilla, where they visited the Gothic Cathedral, the burial place of Christopher Columbus, and the grand Giralda Tower.
The group took a day trip to Córdoba, where they visited the mosque cathedral, one of Spain’s cultural wonders. On Thanksgiving Day, the group traveled by high-speed train to Barcelona and arrived in time to visit La Boqueria food market and then have a traditional Spanish paella dinner. They experienced the highlights of Barcelona, including Antoni Gaudí’s Parc Güell and Casa Battló. What an aMAzing trip; gracias por todo y por la hospitalidad, España!

Montgomery Catholic Wins 2 Football State Championships
On Wednesday, December 4th, Montgomery Catholic won its first ever Girl’s Flag Football State Championship in 1A-5A with a win over Moody High School. The team has made history as the first official Flag Football State Champions in AHSAA history. Last year the Knights were Runner Up in the State Championship game during Flag Football’s last year as an emerging sport.
“We’re just thankful for the opportunity,” Montgomery Catholic head coach Whitney Toole said. “We were here last year, a different result. Anytime you make it to this game it’s an experience of a lifetime and we’re just happy to be on the other side of this.”
Sophomore quarterback, Hayden Fitts was named the Most Valuable Player after completing 11-of-25 passes for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns.
On Thursday, December 5th, Montgomery Catholic won its 2nd straight Football State Championship. Last year the Knights beat Cherokee Co to win the 4A Championship, and this year they won a close contest against Moody High School to win the 5A Championship.
Montgomery Catholic seniors end their high school football career with a 55-2 record, Back to Back State Championships, Back to Back undefeated seasons, and 4 undefeated regular seasons.
Coach Kirk Johnson had this to say about his team’s back to back championship runs, “To have the opportunity to play in two (championship games) as a head coach and win both of them? It’s life changing.”
Senior running back Giovanni Hayner was named the Most Valuable Player with 19 carries for 126 yards. “I’m proud of him,” Coach Johnson said. “That’s what Catholic football looks like. His freshman year and sophomore year, he sat behind a guy at Auburn, Jeremiah Cobb. Then his junior year, he finally gets an opportunity and gets hurt and Josh Griffin steals the show. He never once complained, he just showed up every day, picking up weights and doing the little things.”
Congratulations to both teams as they close out 2024 as State Champions.

Exploring Christmas Around the World at Trinity

At Trinity, our third graders have been discovering how countries around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus. From festive decorations to special foods and traditions, students practiced their research and cursive writing skills while creating reports on Christmas traditions. To complete the project, they presented their work to the class, building confidence and sharing what they learned with their peers.

TEA Academy Studies History of Christmas

The students at TEA Christian Academy enjoyed learning about Christmas, and
the history regarding this meaningful celebration. Christmas, is an annual holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, and is celebrated in many unique ways. Christmas is celebrated with decoration, exchanging gifts, singing Christmas carols, and enjoying special meals. Some Christian denominations hold special Church service, and Bible readings as a part of the celebration and traditions. We can’t talk about Christmas without the name Santa Claus being mentioned or the big bearded, rosy-cheeked jolly man that many people call Father Christmas! But have you wondered how he got the name Santa Claus? The name came from Sinterklaas, which means Saint Nicholas in Dutch, the language of the Netherlands. St. Nicholas was a Christian bishop who lived in the 4th century – and was known for being kind and generous. St. Nicholas later became a supporter and protector of children. We hope you all had a Merry Christmas to ALL!

Trinity Fine Art Department’s ’Twas the Night

Trinity recently celebrated the 23rd season of its beloved Christmas production, Twas the Night. Held at the Davis Theatre, the event showcased the incredible talents of over 170 students from the school’s Fine Arts Department. Guests enjoyed an enchanting evening filled with music, dance, and art, with an art exhibit preceding the performance. As the only independent school in the River Region to offer electives in Dance, Band, Choir, Show Choir, and Visual Arts, Trinity continues to shine as a leader in arts education. This treasured holiday tradition was a joyful celebration of the season and the creativity of Trinity’s students.

MA Middle and Upper School Choruses Host Fall Concert
On Thursday, December 5, Montgomery Academy’s Middle School and Upper School choral groups hosted a Fall Concert at First United Methodist Church. The Middle School Choruses (both led by Elizabeth Kimbrough) and the Upper School Chorus (led by MA Director of the Arts, Dr. Damion Womack), sang through a broad range of works, shifting easily from classical to contemporary.

Trinity's Kindergarten Christmas Play, "The Joy of Christmas"

Trinity continues its cherished tradition of the Kindergarten Christmas Play, “The Joy of Christmas.” After hours of rehearsals, our kindergarteners performed three shows—sharing the true meaning of Christmas with the Upper School, Lower School, and their families.
Many alumni who visited shared that they still remember their lines and Luke 2 from when they were in the play, a testament to how this experience plants God’s Word in the hearts of our children. It’s a sweet tradition that celebrates the joy of Christ’s birth and reminds us of the lasting impact of His story.

Saint James Welcomes Dr. Dale Wisely for Parent Education Series

Saint James School welcomed Dr. Dale Wisely to campus to speak at the STJ Parent Association fall parent education meeting. Dr. Dale Wisely is a child and adolescent clinical psychologist and popular adult educator and speaker on family matters and parenting.
He has been a child and adolescent clinical psychologist for over 40 years.
Dr. Wisely spoke to over 130 parents and faculty about student mental health issues facing our children today. He addressed dangers among our youth, such as social media, cell phones, substance abuse, and mental and emotional health and wellbeing. In addition, he shared best practices for reducing those risks. He gave practical advice for best leading these conversations and tips for creating good habits at home and at school.
Saint James School prioritizes student mental health and wellbeing and holds various parent education meetings and provides resources to support students.

G. W. Carver High School Early Signing Day Ceremonies

George Washington Carver High School had three student-athletes to sign early with full athletic scholarships. Tristan Norman committed to Texas A&M. Anthony Rogers committed to Ohio State and Tre’von Gilmer-Berry committed to The University of Minnesota.

Montgomery Academy Hosts 61st Annual Christmas Pageant

On December 20, the Montgomery Academy family gathered for the annual Christmas Pageant presented by the First Grade along with the Lower School Eagleaires Chorus. This year’s presentation ran as beautifully as ever in front of a standing room only auditorium. We cannot think of a more perfect way to mark the closing of the first half of the school year and the beginning of Winter Break!

Legendary MA Varsity Volleyball Coach Julie Gordon Announces Retirement After 46 Years

Coach Julie Gordon has announced her retirement after a storied forty-six years as varsity volleyball coach at Montgomery Academy. Over the last four decades, Coach Gordon has led the Eagles to eight state championships and holds an overall record of 1,645 wins and 438 losses. Coach Gordon eclipsed the 1,600-win mark earlier this season, becoming one of only two coaches in state history to reach that milestone. She ranks 6th in the nation in most career wins by a high school coach. Coach Gordon was inducted into the AHSAA Hall of Fame in 2013 and is a past recipient of the Montgomery Coach of the Year Award. In addition to her legendary career and remarkable accolades, Coach Gordon has served as a mentor and friend to many student-athletes and coaches both at MA and around the state. She will retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year. Congratulations, Coach Gordon, on an outstanding career!

George Washington Carver High School Culinary Arts

George Washington Carver High School Culinary Arts students serve a delicious meal during the holidays; showing gratitude for their teachers and showcasing their professional talents.

ACA Gives Back During Service Week

Alabama Christian Academy (ACA) recently celebrated Service Week, a special time dedicated to giving back to the River Region community. This impactful event involved students from K2 through 12th grade, each contributing in meaningful ways to make a difference in the lives of others. The youngest participants, our K2-K5 students, expressed their creativity by coloring cheerful sheets and decorating bags for food donations. These simple yet heartfelt acts of kindness served as a tangible way to brighten someone’s day.
Meanwhile, older students took a more hands-on approach, venturing into the community to serve in various capacities. They volunteered at local shelters, assisted with food drives, visited nursing homes to spend time with residents, and worked alongside community organizations to meet specific needs. Service Week exemplifies ACA’s commitment to fostering a heart of compassion and generosity in our students. By engaging in these activities, students not only learn the value of helping others but also see firsthand how their actions can positively impact their community.
The collaboration and enthusiasm displayed by ACA students during Service Week were truly inspiring. From coloring bags to delivering meals and offering companionship, their efforts reflected a collective spirit of love and service. As we continue to build on this tradition, we look forward to creating even more opportunities for our students to grow as servant leaders.

Christmas Visitors at Resurrection Catholic School

Guess WHO came to visit Resurrection Catholic School?! Thank you, Command Chief Master Sergeant Mataya Wright Williams for bringing your amazing team! Santa visited the classrooms, read books to the students, and took pictures with them. Christmas definitely came early at Resurrection Catholic School!

Montgomery Catholic Students Co-Chair YMCA of Greater Montgomery’s “Person of the Year” Award Banquet

The YMCA of Greater Montgomery presented their 73rd Person of the Year Banquet at Trinity Presbyterian Church on December 10. The YMCA Person of the Year Leadership Committee is comprised of students from various local high schools acting in the Youth in Government Clubs from the Montgomery area. The Person of the Year Leadership Committee was co-led by Montgomery Catholic Preparatory Schools seniors Anna Lathram, Isabell Shin, and Bebe Neeley, who also served as the event emcee.
Each of the Montgomery YMCA locations and several high school Youth in Government Clubs nominate local individuals each fall who have given of their time and talent to youth development and community service in the River Region. Nominees for the Person of the Year award are scored according to their exceptional service to youth, level of YMCA Board and committee work, the originality of their service, church leadership, and professional leadership. Pairs of students from the Person of the Year Leadership Committee present each nominee for Person of the Year at the annual banquet.
Montgomery Catholic students presented three of the 15 nominees for this prestigious award. Representing Montgomery Catholic’s Youth in Government Club, Anna Rose Schwarz and Molly Turner presented Mr. Terry Barber. On behalf of the Cleveland Avenue YMCA Branch, Madelyn Stringer and Hannah Grace Zaworski presented Dwayne Farrior, and representing the Kershaw YMCA Branch, Mary Eden Rall and Claire Aaron presented Carmen Moore-Zeigler as a nominee for the 2024 Person of the Year.
The YMCA of Greater Montgomery’s 2024 Person of the Year was awarded to Mr. Hank Hutchinson, nominated by YMCA Camp Chandler, for his decades-long faithful service to the YMCA of Greater Montgomery and its many programs.
Pictured: YMCA Person of the Year Banquet Co-Chairpersons and Montgomery Catholic seniors Isabella Shin, Anna Lathram, and Bebe Neeley with Mr. Hank Hutchinson 2024 YMCA Person of the Year. Photo credit: YMCA of Greater Montgomery

ACA WINGS PTA Receives Grant from Alabama AG

The WINGS PTA at Alabama Christian Academy is thrilled to announce the receipt of a generous grant from Alabama AG in the Classroom. This funding will support the ongoing development of our Outdoor Learning Center project, an initiative aimed at creating a dynamic, hands-on educational space for our students.
The Outdoor Learning Center will serve as an extension of the classroom, providing students with opportunities to engage with nature while enhancing their learning experiences across subjects such as science, agriculture, and environmental studies. The grant from Alabama AG in the Classroom, a program dedicated to fostering agricultural literacy and education, aligns perfectly with the center’s mission to nurture curiosity and growth through interactive learning.
The WINGS PTA, which stands for “Working and Investing to Nurture Growth and Success,” has been actively supporting initiatives to enrich the educational environment at Alabama Christian Academy. With this new funding, the Outdoor Learning Center is one step closer to becoming a reality, offering countless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Stay tuned for updates on this exciting project as the WINGS PTA continues to work toward creating an inspiring space for our students to learn and grow!

Judges Visit Resurrection Catholic School

Resurrection Catholic School welcomed not one but two judges. Thank you Judge J.R. Gaines and Judge Monet McCorvey Gaines for taking time from your busy schedules to speak to us about the judicial system and career opportunities.

Bear Exploration Participates in District Science Fair

Bear Exploration Center students participated in the Montgomery Public Schools district wide Science Fair. Ms. Graves’ 3rd grade science class won 2nd place in the district for class projects. Students designed an experiment that had to do with density and sodas titled, “Sink or Float”.

FAAM 5th Graders Play Battleship to Learn Math

Students in Miss Burner’s 5th grade class at Forest Avenue put their math skills to the test with a real-life version of Battleship! They’ve been learning about graphing integers and coordinate planes.

Forest Avenue Christmas Around the World

Mrs. O’s kindergarten class traveled to Mexico, Germany, Australia, and the U.S. to learn about different Christmas celebrations.

Macon East Academy Celebrates Christmas with Senior Buddy Program

Macon East Academy’s beloved Senior Buddy program brought holiday cheer this Christmas season! Seniors and their younger buddies teamed up to create festive reindeer crafts, showcasing their creativity and teamwork.The students also exchanged thoughtful presents, spreading joy and smiles all around. “We are so thankful for this sweet tradition and the joy it brings to each student involved!” shared school representatives. Moments like these highlight the special bond between the students, making memories that will last a lifetime.”

Resurrection Catholic Hosts Book Fair

Our Book Fair was a success. Resurrection Catholic School students were so excited to purchase their books. This picture says it all!! Thanks to our wonderful donors, our school library can purchase $1200 worth of brand new books.

Macon East Academy Students Donate Over 1,400 Canned Goods to Support Local Food Bank

Students at Macon East Academy demonstrated their commitment to community service by donating over 1,400 canned goods to the Dixie Electric Heart of Alabama Food Bank. Macon East Academy places a strong emphasis on community involvement, encouraging students to engage in meaningful ways to support those in need. This generous contribution reflects the students’ dedication to making a positive impact in their community.

FAAM 4th Grader Honored at Governor’s Luncheon

Congratulations to Forest Avenue 4th grader Jannie Kwon for being honored at the Governor’s Luncheon for her 2nd place poster for the PALS poster contest! We are so proud of Jannie!

Studying Light at Resurrection Catholic

We have been studying light. As part of the lesson, 1st and 2nd graders learned how white light passes through a prism to show the colors that make up the light…. the seven colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet). To end the lesson we created prism putty.
Pictured: Trinity Carter, 1st grade

Bear Exploration Student Chosen for Artwork

Bear Exploration Center student, Rone Foxx, was recognized at the MPS District Celebration. Rone’s photograph was one of ten elementary level pieces that were chosen to represent MPS in the state-wide Superintendent’s Art Show. His photograph was taken in the outdoor classroom at Bear.

FAAM Food Drive a Success

Forest Avenue’s Canned Food Drive was a HUGE success. We were able to donate all of this to the Salvation Army!

ECA’s Lion Cub Chorus Performs

Evangel Christian Academy’s Elementary Choir debuted with a joyful noise during a special Christmas chapel. Choir members sang their hearts out to “The Chipmunk Song” and “Go Tell It On the Mountain.” ECA is proud of the Lion Cub Chorus and the hard work the students have put in this year!

MPS Recognizes CIS Employees of the Month
Let’s give a big shout out to our teachers and staff who received recognition for the CIS Employee Spotlight for the month of October and November! Congratulations Ms. Martin, Mrs. Boyd, and Mrs. Edwards! We appreciate you!

FAAM Congratulations Teacher of the Year

A great big congratulations to Mrs. Lindsey Norris, our STEM LAB teacher and Montgomery Public School’s Teacher of the Year! Forest Avenue is so proud of her!

Resurrection Catholic Stands Against Violence

Resurrection Catholic School welcomed Ro Tyus, Founder of STOP THE VIOLENCE Prevention Campaign. We stand up against VIOLENCE!