Montgomery Student Spotlights – October 2025

Fourth grade students at Montgomery Christian School are having a phenomenal time learning to play the handbells. As they progress, they will master handbell techniques while learning how to read and perform classical music. This hands-on musical experience builds both skill and confidence. Students will showcase their talents at two special performances for friends and families during the school year.

Montgomery Christian School celebrated the opening of its new building with a special ribbon cutting ceremony. MCS welcomed Mayor Steven Reed, Montgomery Chamber of Commerce members, board members, dedicated supporters, parents, staff and students. It was a day filled with gratitude and excitement for the future. MCS is not just opening doors, they are building a lasting impact for the entire community.

The House Program, established in the fall of 2022, was designed to foster community across grade levels and build intentional relationships between students and faculty. The four houses—Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam (AMDG), Memento Mori, Viva Cristo Rey, and Verso L’Alto—each have a patron saint, a motto, and a logo, serving as guiding models for students as they grow in faith and character.
For freshmen and all new students, the day is especially memorable as they learn their House assignments for the first time. With great excitement, they sprint to the gym to be welcomed by cheers, applause, and the enthusiastic embrace of their new House family.
The leadership of each house is represented by its House President, pictured at the event: Campbell Webb, Jaja Gancayco, Frances Rogers, and Adeline Gadilhe.
Through the program, students and faculty have meaningful opportunities to work, play, worship, and serve together, strengthening the bonds that make Montgomery Catholic unique. House Reveal Day has quickly become a highly anticipated tradition, filled with excitement, camaraderie, and school spirit for all who take part.
The House Program will build on this excitement by holding House Olympics (field day), House Games, and multiple service opportunities throughout the school year. The House Program has been a wonderful way for our entire High School community to put their faith into action on campus and in our greater Montgomery community!

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School students, faculty, and staff came together today in an inspiring show of faith and service, packing 30,000 meals for those in need through the school’s annual Meals to Missions event.
The event united the entire Montgomery Catholic community—students from K3 through 12th grade, faculty, staff, parents, and community partners—for a hands-on day of giving. Meals prepared will benefit both local families through the Heart of Alabama Food Bank and international communities in crisis through Cross Catholic Outreach.
Montgomery Catholic was honored to welcome Archbishop Mark S. Rivituso, Superintendent of Catholic Schools Chad Barwick, representatives from the Heart of Alabama Food Bank and the YMCA of Greater Montgomery, and local clergy including Father Alex Valladares, Father Francis Matiru, Father Andrew Jones, and Father Joseph Schultz. Their presence underscored the importance of Catholic education’s mission to form students who serve with compassion.
“Meals to Missions is more than just a service project—it’s an opportunity for our students to live their faith in action,” said Montgomery Catholic President Justin Castanza. “Seeing our youngest learners alongside our seniors working together to feed the hungry is a powerful reminder of the Gospel call to love and serve others.”
This year’s meal-packing day continues a growing tradition at Montgomery Catholic, with thousands of meals distributed annually to meet critical needs both at home and abroad.
There is still time to support Montgomery Catholic and its Meals to Missions initiative. Contributions help fund the cost of meals and ensure the program’s continued success in the years ahead.
For more information or to make a gift, visit www.montgomerycatholic.org/meals2missions.

MA Seniors Mason Stevens and Angelina Tran have been named Semifinalists in the 71st annual National Merit Scholarship Program! Mason and Angelina will continue in the competition for some 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. To qualify as a Semifinalist, a student must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

In honor of Constitution Day, the 4th graders at Forest Avenue each received pocket Constitutions and a bookmark of our Amendments. Thank you to The Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr. Institute for providing these goodies for us!

Second graders in Mrs. Crittenden’s class were told to squeeze all of the toothpaste out of the tube. Then they were told to put it back in. They were very earnest and sincere in their attempts. After a while, they were told to stop and a conversation was conducted about how retrieving words we speak are just as imposssible to get back as it was to put toothpaste back into the tube. They then read the book My Mouth is a Volcano. This was a wonderful lesson for them about the impact of the words we speak.

On September 8, Saint James School celebrated one of its most cherished traditions: the Kindergarten Buddy Reveal. The annual event brought together the Class of 2026 and the Class of 2038 for the official start of a year-long bond that has been a hallmark of the school for more than 25 years.
The tradition began in the fall of 1997 and continues to be one of the most anticipated traditions for both students and families. At the Buddy Reveal, seniors placed one of their shoes in a large pile, each labeled with the name of a Kindergartner. One by one, the youngest Trojans searched for their name and matched the shoe with its owner, leading to big smiles and even bigger hugs as the new buddies met for the first time.
“This is such a special day on campus,” said Saint James Senior Class Sponsor, Elizabeth Conner. “Our Buddy Program builds community and creates lifelong memories for both our youngest and oldest students.”
Throughout the year, Kindergarteners and their senior buddies will share in activities both on and off campus, from classroom visits and arts projects to holiday celebrations and service opportunities. These interactions strengthen the school’s community spirit and create special memories.
For more than two decades, the Kindergarten Buddy Program has embodied the Saint James School values of character, commitment, courage, and community, making it a favorite tradition.

Trinity Presbyterian School is making history with the launch of its inaugural 5th Grade Robotics Team! After a competitive round of tryouts, these Wildcats earned their place on the team and are ready to begin an exciting journey of building, coding, and creating.
Trinity looks forward to cheering them on as they bring innovation to life and proudly represent the school in this new chapter of exploration and discovery.

Montgomery Christian School had a wonderful start to this year’s Parent University series on Health. Families gathered to share a meal, enjoy fellowship, and grow together. Parents had the opportunity to learn about the school’s new counseling program designed to support parents and their families. The evening also included meaningful Bible study sessions that encouraged connection and reflection.

Montgomery Academy’s weeklong Homecoming celebration concluded on Friday, September 12 with spirited pep rallies on both campuses, a festive door-decorating contest in the Middle School, the annual parade from the Vaughn Road Campus to the Hill Campus, and a thrilling football victory over Wicksburg High School. The celebration culminated with Lucy Nelson being crowned this year’s Homecoming Queen by last year’s queen, Emily Ingram ’24!
Congratulations to all of the 2025 MA Homecoming Court attendants:
9th Grade: Larkin Callahan and Lizzie Campbell
10th Grade: Mary Grace Parsons and Preston Sullivan
11th Grade: Martha Armstrong and Lola Campbell
12th Grade: Emily-Kathryn Casey, Lulu Espy, Lucy Nelson, and Sailor Vance

Mrs. White’s K3 class at Macon East Academy recently completed a patriotic lesson on America. As part of the study, students created handprint flag crafts, incorporating stars and stripes while proudly showcasing their school spirit.

Montgomery Catholic’s Pro-Life Club, led by Rick Aaron and Karen Harris, has been gathering after school to stuff teddy bears for newborn babies at Baptist East. Through this heartfelt project, the club is honored to support Baptist Hospital by giving each new mother and baby a special keepsake to celebrate their joyous day. Embracing the belief that new life is a precious gift, Pro-Life Club students are thrilled to share their love and encouragement in this meaningful way. To date, they have lovingly prepared 40 teddy bears and look forward to creating many more throughout the school year.

FAAM kindergarteners are starting their journey as digital citizens! In September, we learned about digital footprints — the little “marks” we leave behind when we use technology. To make the idea fun and visual, students colored their very own paper footprints while talking about how to make safe and positive choices online.

Saint James Senior Chloë Simone Taylor, daughter of Ms. Takenya Taylor and the late Nace Taylor, was crowned Saint James School’s 2025 Homecoming Queen during halftime ceremonies during STJ’s September 19th match-up against Talladega.
Queen Lily’s court included Freshman Attendant Olivia Ann Willis, Sophomore Attendant Mia Grace Zukowski, Junior Attendant Isabella Grace Penney, and Senior Attendant Abigail Vy Huynh. Queen’s Attendants were senior Sydney Johnston and senior Emily Needham. The crown bearers were Saint James kindergarten girls who are children of Saint James alumni. The 2025 crown bearers were Miss Rowan Marie and Miss Rebecca Jo Tew, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan (Leigh Quinney ‘98) Tew; and Miss Ann Pelham Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles (Alexandra Wise ‘12) Smith V.
After a school-wide homecoming parade, the queen was announced during the afternoon pep rally. Queen Chloë and her court were presented during halftime ceremonies at the homecoming football game that evening. Saint James Board of Trustees Chair, Mr. Michael Jenkins, presented Queen Chloë with an engraved silver bowl per school tradition, and Head of School, Dr. Larry McLemore, crowned the 2025 Queen with the assistance of the crown bearers. The Trojans won the night’s game against the Tigers, 31-14.

Montgomery Academy is proud to share that Senior Anton Yang has been named a National Merit Commended Scholar in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. This distinction places Anton among the top 50,000 students nationwide who entered the competition and recognizes his outstanding potential for academic success.

Our Lower School students had a special visitor this week—Johnny Appleseed himself! Dressed in his familiar hat and carrying his bag of seeds, he shared stories about his childhood, his adventures traveling across the country, and the reason behind his famous nickname. Students listened closely as Johnny explained how he planted apple trees everywhere he went, hoping to leave behind something that would bless families for years to come. The visit was both fun and educational, and our students walked away inspired by his love for nature, kindness, and generosity.

We are so proud of our very own 6th grader, Kabri Whisenant! Kabri has been working hard showing cows, and her dedication paid off at the Blount County Fair where her heifers earned 2nd and 3rd place.
At ACA, we love seeing our students pursue their passions both inside and outside the classroom. Kabri’s commitment and success are a great reminder of the many ways our students shine when they explore new opportunities and challenges.
Way to go, Kabri!

Grandparents Day Dinner at TEA Academy was held on September 10, 2025. This was a special evening of fellowship and food. The evening began with a tour of TEA Academy. Our grandparents were given the opportunity to see artwork, projects and all the classrooms where our students learn every day. As the grandparents visited each classroom, they were met and welcomed by each teacher. As a part of the tour, our grandparents were the judges for the Best Decorated Door and Classroom Competition. Congratulations to Ms. Williams’ 5th grade class for winning the competition and $25 gift certificate.
Our grandparents received a heartfelt message from our owner and principal, Dr. Maggie McElroy-Washington and enjoyed a program featuring the TEA Academy Choir. A poem was presented by Kendarrius Jackson, which explained what treasure grandparents are. The speaker for the evening was Nicalai Cleveland, who presented his grandparent with an essay. The program ended with a closing prayer by Joel Howze; and summited with a sit-down dinner.
It is such a joy to have our parents, but it is an added blessing to have grandparents. WE LOVE YOU!

Congratulations to Trinity’s Lillian Claire Wells, who has been named a Commended Student in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program! Lillian placed among the top 50,000 students nationwide who entered the competition by taking the PSAT/NMSQT.
Trinity is proud to celebrate Lillian’s hard work and academic excellence!

Saint James School is proud to announce that William Harvey and Grant Phillips have been awarded the distinction of National Merit Semifinalists for 2026. This prestigious honor is awarded to approximately 16,000 students nationwide, from over 1.3 million entrants. This honor is well-deserved.
National Merit Semifinalists are recognized for the exceptional academic promise shown by their outstanding performance on the 2024 PSAT tests, as well as their academic record, leadership abilities, honors received, and participation in school and community activities. Identifying these academically talented high school seniors across the nation provides them the opportunity to continue in the scholarship competition vying for one of 6,930 National Merit Scholarships, totaling approximately $26 million, that will be offered in the spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition. Over 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and approximately half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the title Merit Scholar.
William is the son of Mrs. Laura Harvey and the late Mr. Shaun Harvey. William plans to apply to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and expects to major in journalism. William plays guitar and percussion for the Saint James Marching Trojans. He is also a Peer Tutor for math and writing, and a member of the National Honor Society.
Grant is the son of Cols. Ben and Melissa Phillips. Grant plans to apply to the University of Florida, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Auburn University, and is considering other options as well. Grant plans to enter the pre-medical field. He serves as a Student Ambassador, Peer Tutor, plays soccer and football, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Saint James seniors Aden Brinkman and Chloe Choi were also recognized as National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Students, a prestigious honor that places them among the top 50,000 PSAT/NMSQT test-takers each year.
National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC), a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 300 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.
Saint James School’s Mission states, “We are committed to challenging and assisting students in realizing their individual potential and preparing them for lives of responsibility, service, and achievement.” Saint James School celebrates the hard work and dedication that William, Grant, Aden, and Chloe have shown throughout their time at Saint James School.

Trinity’s Middle and Upper School students and teachers joined together for See You at the Pole, a powerful time of prayer. The group lifted up our school, community, nation, families, and friends, reflecting on the strength found in faith and unity.
We are thankful for a school family that comes together to encourage and support one another through prayer.

We’re so grateful you chose Resurrection Catholic School as the place for your town hall meeting. Your willingness to visit our school and engage with us in person means a lot!
The meeting was incredibly informative. We learned so much from your insights and felt inspired by the open conversation. Your dedication to our community and your ongoing efforts to preserve the progress we’ve made is deeply appreciated!
Thank you, Congressman, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with us and share your knowledge. Your commitment to staying connected and responsive to the concerns and needs of your constituents makes a big difference.

Macon East Academy senior, Jamya Powell, has joined an elite group of athletes by recording her 1,000th career kill on the volleyball court. Known as a powerhouse player and team leader, Jamya’s accomplishment reflects years of dedication, discipline, and determination. As she continues her senior season, Jamya looks to build on this remarkable achievement and create even more unforgettable moments on the court.

Lower School Night at the ACA football game was one to remember! Our lower school teachers brought the fun and laughter as they dressed up in hilarious inflatable costumes and raced across the football field, putting on a show that had the whole crowd cheering. Students and families packed the stands, and the energy was electric from start to finish.
It was such a fun night filled with school spirit, laughter, and community. We are thankful for our teachers who go above and beyond to make memories with our students, and for the incredible turnout from our ACA families who came out to support the Eagles!

Forest Avenue 2nd graders hosted lemonade stands for kindergarten and 1st grade to wrap up their unit on Addition and Subtraction!

In honor of September 11th, we had the privilege of welcoming Chief Master Sergeant Lisa McDay as a special guest speaker. We are so grateful for her time, her service, and the powerful message she shared with our students.
9/11 is a day that forever changed our nation. We remember the nearly 3,000 innocent lives lost, the first responders who ran toward danger, and the countless heroes who showed extraordinary courage and compassion in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Chief McDay helped our students reflect on the true meaning of service, sacrifice, and unity. Her words reminded us that even in the darkest moments, the strength of the human spirit shines through.
Let us never forget those we lost, and let us continue to honor them by living with purpose and kindness.

We are so grateful to the Montgomery Police Department for taking the time to visit our students at Resurrection Catholic School.
Special thanks to Officer Pettway, Officer Lowe, and Officer Harvey for speaking with our students about the importance of doing the right thing, staying focused in class, being respectful, and growing into productive citizens.
Your words made a real impact, and we appreciate you stepping away from your busy schedules to pour into our young people. Your presence and encouragement truly mean a lot to us!

Congratulations goes to Jeziah Owens and Azariah Gibson on being selected to join the LINK MGM Leadership Program.

On Dress Down Friday, we’re rocking our best blues, not the sad kind, the stylish kind! From navy to sky, were proving that feeling blue never looked so good!

River Region Academy students Jalen and Tee, proud members of Ezekiel’s football team, are pictured with their chemistry teacher, Mrs. Tracy Hendricks, ahead of a big game. A perfect reminder that at RRA, we are committed to developing strong minds and strong leaders.

On September 11, our school gathered to honor and remember the lives lost and the heroes who stepped forward on that tragic day. Patriots Day gave us an opportunity not only to reflect on the events of 9/11, but also to show appreciation for the heroes among us—our own first responders, nurses, doctors, and military personnel.
During the ceremony, these community heroes were recognized for their service and sacrifice. Students also took part in the program, reading heartfelt passages about what 9/11 means to them and how the day has shaped our country. Their words reflected themes of courage, resilience, unity, and gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy.
It was a powerful time of remembrance, reflection, and respect—a reminder that even in tragedy, we come together as one community and one nation.

Trinity’s K4 students recently turned into little bakers as they learned all about the letter B by baking biscuits. As part of their weekly Cooking Cooler, these Wildcats enjoyed hands-on experiences that made learning both fun and meaningful.
From mixing to shaping, every step helped strengthen fine motor skills while sparking creativity and curiosity. Trinity loves seeing its youngest Wildcats learn, create, and grow through engaging activities!

RCS Principal Dr. Teisha Pessoa had the honor of attending the Justice and Action Awards Ceremony, an evening dedicated to celebrating a truly remarkable leader: Father Manuel Williams, Director of Resurrection Catholic Missions.
Dr. Pessoa said, “I am beyond proud to serve alongside this incredible man every day as Principal at Resurrection Catholic School. Father Manuel works tirelessly, graciously, humbly, and selflessly, for our students, our community, and everyone who crosses his path. He pours his heart into his work and leads with both strength and compassion! This recognition is so well-deserved. Father Manuel inspires and empowers those around him just by being who he is. I’m deeply grateful and truly blessed to work under his leadership. His impact is immeasurable, and we are all better for knowing him!”
Congratulations, Father Manuel! We love you, we appreciate you, and we celebrate you, today and always!

Seventh graders at River Region Academy recently took on a unique life science challenge: designing and building three-dimensional microscopes. Pictured here is Loren with her impressive creation — complete with a visible specimen when viewed through the lens. A wonderful example of creativity and scientific curiosity at work.

At River Region Academy, IT specialist Steve and student Aiden discuss the components needed to build a new computer—covering everything from RAM to GPUs and SSDs. A true lesson in speaking the language of technology.