Montgomery Student Spotlights: August 2021

The Brew Tech girls’ track team are the proud owners of brand-new state championship rings! A ring ceremony was held at the school recently to celebrate the team winning the 4A-5A state championship.

Montgomery Academy Coaches Ethan McBride and Noah Johnson hosted a Speed & Strength Camp which trained student-athletes on the proper ways to get bigger, faster and stronger and improve overall sprinting speed to have fun!

Representatives from the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office visited LAMP High recently to talk to students.

Mrs. Kimbrough, Ms. Lepine, Mrs. Jordan, and Dr. Thomas soaked up information at the Model Schools Conference in Nashville to bring back to Booker T. Washington Magnet High!

Montgomery Public Schools were well represented at the Girls Scouts of Southern Alabama Leading Ladies Awards Brunch. MPS Senior Communication Officer Jade Jones was one of this year’s Leading Ladies nominees!

Not only that, Booker T. Washington 2021 valedictorian Claire Harden delivered opening remarks and helped present awards. Also in attendance was Lanier High teacher Senitha Barnett, who was a Leading Lady in 2020.

Shown, Claire Harden, BTW Class of 2021 valedictorian, joins Karlyn Edmonds, chief executive officer of the Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama, to present Leading Ladies awards.

There was a sort of Jeff Davis High reunion at Girls State this year on the University of Alabama campus. Rising JD senior Jayla Washington, center, was elected Girls State District Judge. Ariyana Miles, a 2021 JD graduate, left, also attended. While they were there, they ran into Kristian McCord, a 2019 Girls State governor who is currently studying at Tuskegee University.

The Brewbaker Technology Magnet High cheer team came home with several trophies from the UCA Cheer Camp at Auburn University. The team won First Place in Camp Routine, First Place Overall Camp Champs, and Third Place in Cheer. Payton Watkins and Janiah Howard were selected for the All American Team. Watkins also received the “Pin It Forward” Award, as did teammate Hailey Mullins.

No, it’s not an episode of Dexter. It’s students in the summer program at Park Crossing High completing a blood splatter lab. This was just one of the many engaging ways students learned this summer!

Six Montgomery Academy student-athletes and two coaches participated in Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) All-Star week. In tennis: Guy Hughes, Gaines Freeman and Coach David Bethea. In basketball: Chloe Johnson. In soccer, Virginia Meacham, Alex Kohn, Will Beringer and Coach Gabi DeQueiroz.

Montgomery Academy junior Whit Davis was selected as a male Tennis Player of the Year honoree in the Alabama High School Sports awards program, part of the USA TODAY High School Sports awards. Davis was recognized in the on-demand streaming awards show that premiered on July 15.

Montgomery Academy Speech & Debate Coach Jay Rye led a weeklong Speech & Debate day camp, working with students to boost their communication skills. They discussed, developed, researched, wrote and delivered speeches throughout the week, from one-minute impromptu pieces to 10-minute long original oratories.

Macon East Academy upcoming senior Luke Noffsinger attended the 84th Annual Alabama Boys State program at The University of Alabama recently. Sponsored by the American Legion Department of Alabama, more than 600 students from across the state met for this unique summit to receive hands-on leadership training in government and community service under the motto, “We Build Citizenship.” Boys State was founded to supplement the curriculum taught in high school civics classes. The program teaches that the preservation of our democracy depends on informed citizens electing responsible officials to administer our government.

Noffsinger was elected county commissioner for Jefferson County representing City 12 – Frazier, which was awarded the Best City for the entire Boys State. He was also a part of the Frazier ultimate frisbee team that went undefeated for the week. Noffsinger said he really enjoyed participating in the week of learning, leading and making lifelong friends. He is president of the Student Government Association at Macon East Academy.

Civil rights activist and youth advocate Sheyann Webb-Christburg stopped by Loveless Academic Magnet Program High to talk to students about their academic journey!

The writing (of the math problem) is on the wall. Students in the Launch into Learning summer program at Lee High went out into the hallway to collaborate on matrix math problems. Teacher Catrina Gooden consulted with the students as needed.

Representatives from the Alabama Army National Guard visited Park Crossing High to introduce students to virtual reality and other high-tech industries they could explore. The students found the virtual reality experience incredibly realistic, leading to some intense reactions! It was a great way to get students interested and engaged in learning.

Macon East Academy pre-Kindergarten teachers Jessica Taylor and Caitlin Bruce planned out a week of fun activities and learning tools for a weeklong summer camp for K3-1st-graders! Each day was assigned a theme and the students were taught a lesson, made crafts and experienced lots of hands-on activities. Kids had fun being able to take a break from “summer life” and get back into school and reunite with their friends and teachers.

The Floyd Middle Magnet cheerleading team had an amazing summer. The team participated in the UCA Cheer Camp at Auburn University and came home with some serious hardware! The girls won first place All Around, second place in Cheer, first place in Camp Routine and a special award —Traditional Award. These middle school students also got to stay in dorms and learn all about cheer during the camp.

More than 50 volunteers spent a July Saturday morning volunteering at Brewbaker Technology Magnet High! Brew Tech also held its first robotics workshop of the 2021-2022 season, and volunteers helped clean the engineering classroom and organize the robotics lab. Thank you to Church of the Highlands Serve volunteers, parents and students who took part!

Booker T. Washington Magnet High cheerleaders, the FAME Board, the PTSA, and faculty were all on hand to greet students and parents for the BTW Orientation at the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts. BTW Principal Dr. Quesha Starks shared academic expectations, daily schedules and online resources as well as BTW alumni achievements and tips for success. Students also were encouraged to create vision boards for the upcoming year and beyond.

Montgomery Academy Volleyball Coach Julie Gordon, center, has been selected as an inductee in the 2020-2021 Alabama High School Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame! Coach Gordon led the volleyball team to its seventh state championship in October 2020.

The K5 class at Evangel Christian Academy concluded the year with a program and graduation ceremony. The students began by sharing Bible verses and songs. The audience then enjoyed a visit from various Bible characters. The children also shared math skills, reading rules, and the process by which they learned to read through songs and skits. There was even an appearance from a super hero, “Super E.”

When the students left to change into their caps and gowns, the parents enjoyed a video presentation celebrating the students from birth to graduation. The graduates later returned dressed in traditional caps and gowns, and awards were given to each student.

The Lady Knights volleyball team enjoyed hosting a camp this summer for all the incredibly talented volleyball girls in grades 2-6. Two-time state champion coaches, Codi Moon and Kambria Darby, welcomed 27 girls who attended the three-day camp. The Lady Knights had a blast teaching the basics of the game and getting to know the up and coming volleyball stars.

“It was fun interacting with the elementary girls,” Coach Moon said. “I think their favorite part of the camp was ‘beach volleyball.’ I know the older girls really look forward to getting back on the court and encouraging the younger girls to love the sport as much as they do!”

The junior varsity and varsity teams are looking forward to another great season, and both groups hope to bring home another state championship.

Is a hot dog a sandwich? Is cereal soup? How would you answer these pressing questions of our time?
Yes, they may sound silly, but these questions posed by Dr. Benjamin Straughter were great ways to spark debate and get students at Southlawn Middle thinking in different and creative ways. For example, if a student opined that cereal is not soup, he was asked to explain why he reached that conclusion. This activity was one of many examples of the fun and engaging learning happening at Southlawn Middle this summer!

Macon East Acaemy alumnus Drew Baker has been drafted the 325th pick in the 11th round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft by the Philadelphia Phillies! Baker’s strength is his ability to pitch a fastball that clocks in around 98 miles per hour! He attended college at Chipola after graduating from Macon East, then Auburn University for a year and back to Chipola this past year. He struck out 92 batters this season in 57 and one-third innings for Chipola College. Baker worked as both a starter and reliever for the Indians.

At Macon East, Baker was a star catcher since ninth grade. In 2017, he was a part of the first state championship in 13 years. He worked behind the plate and on the mound his senior year and helped lead the Knights to a back-to-back state championship in 2018.

Baker earned many accolades his senior year at Macon East. He was also chosen for the AISA All Tournament Team – Most Valuable Player, AISA All-Star game, named to the Alabama Sports Writer Association’s AISA All State 2nd team, and Montgomery Advertiser’s AISA All Metro Player of the Year. Baker is a very down-to-earth athlete and gives a lot of credit to his former coaches.

“Drew is a special person and player. I’m lucky to coach a player with his caliber of athleticism,” said Bob Pickett, Macon East Academy head baseball coach. “He is a hard worker but a better person. He is humble and the same guy he has always been. I wish him all the best. I will always be in his corner! The sky is the limit for him!”

Macon East Academy was well represented in the Alabama Sports Writers Association All-State baseball and softball teams. Colby Cox, top left, a senior pitcher and outfielder who has signed with Huntingdon College, and Tanner Moore, bottom left, chosen for designated hitter were selected to the first team of the AISA classification. Matthew Kitchens (sophomore pitcher) and Jabe Boroff (sophomore catcher) were both named to the second team.

For the Lady Knights, Taylor McKinney, at right, a senior who is signed to play at Troy University, was chosen as first team utility player and was also named as Hitter of the Year! “Taylor is the best pure athlete I have ever had the pleasure to coach. Her knowledge of the game and work ethic is second to none and she is a leader by example for her team,” said Coach Glynn Lott. McKinney was selected on the Central Alabama Scoreboard’s 2021 Super Softball 22 list as #2 overall, The You Dropped the Bomb on Me List as #1, producing 21 home runs this season. She was also #2 on The Lisa Hernandez List of Top Hitters with a batting average of .604, on-base percentage of .697 and 1.248 slugging percentage. McKinney was also listed in the top 5 of The Driving Force List of Run Producers.

Devyn DeBardlebaden, at right, who is signed to play at Shelton State, was chosen as first team designated hitter by ASWA. She was also chosen on the Central Alabama Scoreboard’s top Driving Force List of Run Producers having 52 RBIs, top 20 of The Lisa Hernandez List of Top Hitters with a batting average of .423, on-base percentage of .563 and slugging percentage of .677.

Macon East Academy has a rich tradition of producing and promoting excellent athletes through their stellar athletic program.

The Alabama Independent School Association has awarded Macon East Academy with its AISA Class AA Chairman’s Award designation for the 2020-2021 school year. The Chairman’s Award was established by AISA for the specific purpose of recognizing member schools that achieve athletic excellence during the school year. This award also serves as a symbol of recognition to the individuals who have given unselfishly of their time to serve as chairperson of the Alabama Independent School Association athletic committee. The criteria for winning the AISA Chairman’s Award includes achievement in all areas of the school’s athletic programs: state champions in all sports, All-Star Selection, scholarship, participation in different sports, finishing in the top four in State Play-offs, sportsmanship, student-athlete award, and no eligibility problems.

The AISA Blue Ribbon Award program is sponsored by AISA to recognize member schools with outstanding educational programs. In order to be considered for the AISA Blue Ribbon Award, a school must complete a rigorous application process and exemplify excellence in scholastic achievement, professional learning, student involvement and community interaction. These schools have demonstrated a high level of excellence in their academic and student programs and are very worthy recipients of the AISA Blue Ribbon Award.

AISA has been steadfast in its efforts since 1970 to maintain an organization of independently operated non-public schools that are rich in diversity, committed to academic and athletic excellence, and deeply concerned about the growth and development of children and youth. Two of the association’s goals are to provide quality educational services and programs that ultimately serve to enrich the educational experiences of the students within its member schools; and provide programs of athletic opportunities for those parents choosing an alternative to public education.
Shown with the Chairman’s Award are Headmaster Glynn Lott and Macon East Academy Board President Charlie Byrom.