October 2024 Student Spotlights – Montgomery

The Lower School ended their first week back to school with an Eagle Talk! This monthly assembly program creates a sense of connectedness in our school and teaches students important values. This month’s value is “community,” and students spent time in Eagle Talk learning about The Three Sisters–corn, squash, and beans– and the way that each plant’s growth and unique characteristics support the growth of the other two. Our youngest eagles will be using these lessons from Native American lore as they embark on an aMAzing year together!

In early September, Montgomery Academy’s Middle School, Junior Varsity, and Varsity Volleyball teams were champions in the Mayor’s Cup tournaments at the Cramton Bowl Multiplex and at home in MA’s Sidhu Gym! Our JV Team went undefeated on the weekend, and both Middle School and Varsity squads brought home championship honors.

On Friday, September 13th, Saint James School celebrated Military Appreciation Night as part of the school’s matchup against Handley. 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 evening’s festivities began with a tailgate specifically for military members and their families at the Community Garden. Military families were treated to free game tickets.
Pre-game activities began as all U. S. and International Military families who are a part of the Saint James family were recognized on the field. Saint James 8th grader, Aditi Shyam, performed “America the Beautiful.” Tatyana is currently a contracting officer at Maxwell Air Force Base. Saint James junior Campbell Wright (daughter of Retired Colonel Jason Wright) lead the invocation.
Air Force ROTC Detachment 19 from Alabama State University presented the colors as the Marching Trojans performed the national anthem. Maj. Gen. Parker Wright, dad of senior football player Will, and Lt. Col. Billy Mendel, dad of senior volleyball player Alex, served as honorary captains for the coin toss. In further recognition of the sacrifices and dedication of our military families, the Saint James football team players added an American flag decal on their helmets.
The student section, The War Zone, was dressed out in red, white, and blue.

Each year, MA partners with a local organization to learn more about the unique challenges & needs in our community and to seek opportunities for students to serve. Our students are not only committed to service but to uniting and motivating others to make a difference in someone’s life. This year we are excited to work alongside the Respite Ministry, an initiative first envisioned by MA parent, Daphne Johnston, “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.” During our Public Service Assembly, Respite Ministry Director Tammy Center reminded students how something as simple as singing side by side with our Respite friends can bring joy to those who may struggle to remember even yesterday’s activities.
Through service, MA seeks to improve the quality of life for those in need, whether it is preparing weekend meal bags for the Food For Kids Backpack program, organizing a toy drive for Brantwood Children’s Home, or making a regular commitment to spending time with participants at Respite. We believe it is our responsibility to help strengthen communities through service and to make a positive difference in the world.

Saint James School is proud to announce that Woochan Kim has been awarded the distinction of National Merit Semifinalist for 2025. This prestigious honor is awarded to approximately 16,000 students nationwide, from over 1.3 million entrants. Woochan and his Semifinalist peers represent less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
National Merit Semifinalists are recognized for the exceptional academic promise shown by their outstanding performance on the 2023 preliminary 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 6,870 National Merit Scholarships 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.
Woochan is the son of Sehoon Kim and Hyejung Lee. Woochan feels that Saint James has provided him the opportunities to improve as a student and as a person. He says,” I am truly grateful to my teachers and peers who have helped me become who I am today.” Woochan plans to apply to Princeton University, the University of Michigan, Auburn University, and Yonsei University in Korea.
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 400 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 Woochan has shown throughout his time at Saint James School and is thrilled that he has been recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

Bear Exploration Center hosted a luncheon celebrating Grandparents Day. Grandparents and even great grandparents came to have lunch with their Bear students and enjoyed some special time together.

Bear Exploration Center participated in the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts Chalk Walk event. Fifth grade students used chalk to get creative and create two amazing works of art. Aveeana, Bradford, William, and Aubrey were on the first team and they created a scene from the Wizard of Oz titled, There’s No Place Like Bear. Kennedi, Audrey, Matthew, and Nolan were on the second team and their design had a castle rising out of a story book which was titled, StoryLand. Pictured are the artists with Mrs. Bonikowski, their visual arts teacher.

Congratulations to Montgomery Academy senior Nathan Applegate on being named a Semifinalist in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program! Nathan will continue in the competition for some 6,870 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.

The lack of being prepared for college and career can have negative effects in a person’s life. TEA Christian Academy, Inc. takes pride in going the extra mile to prepare students beyond high school life. In an effort to strengthen students’ ongoing efforts for life after high school, various opportunities are given to students as early as the seventh grade. Students are given the opportunity to take leadership classes, effective communication classes, and serve as administrative assistants, as well as enroll in dual college classes where they will earn college credit. Career Skills Job Shadowing Program is another component of strengthening and self-empowering students for life.
TEA Christian Academy, Inc. presently has several students who were awarded full college scholarships and also serve as members of the Student Government Association (SGA). Former student and graduate of 2024, Savian Ross has a scholarship at Trenholm State Community College, where he also serves on the (SGA). We are so proud of your milestone, Mr. Ross, and as TEA’s slogan says. . . “Taking An Extra Step Towards Educational Excellence…Because You Matter!”

On September 9th, the Saint James School senior class and Kindergarten class had their Buddy Reveal event! The Kindergarten Buddy program has been a favorite program at Saint James for over 25 years, beginning in the fall of 1997.
During the morning’s event, the seniors placed one shoe in a large pile. Each senior’s shoe has a Kindergartner’s name on it. Once the Kint4rgarten student locates the shoe with his/her nametag, then he/she must locate the matching shoe being worn by a senior. Smiles were seen on all the faces as the students paired up and got to know each other.
Our cherished Kindergarten Buddy Program helps build our school community and cultivates special relationships. The buddies participate in fun activities both on and off campus through the year.

Bear Exploration Center students welcomed the new school year with a Back to School Sneaker Ball hosted by the Bear PTA. The students danced, enjoyed snacks, and had lots of fun!

Resurrection Catholic School starts our first ever Chess Club under the direction of Jay Mal, Founder and CEO of Get It Off Your Chess. Students listed are Conner Kirkland and TaCorie Richardson.

With the recent merge of two west side high schools, G.W. Carver High School and Sidney Lanier High School, the football team has shown great efforts in modeling what unity looks like. The student-athletes have come together on and off the field leading by example. The home games, filled with cheering fans, serve as a reminder of how communities have come together during this historical time.

The 2024 Macon East Academy Varsity Softball team ended the year as the AISA AAA State Champions. A ring ceremony was held recently for the Lady Knights at the annual Night with the Knights kick-off event to the season. Coach Glynn Lott’s softball team secured their 11th state championship at the AISA AAA state tournament, held at the Lagoon Park Softball Complex. Their victory over Clarke Prep School not only added another championship trophy to their collection but also highlighted the exceptional talent within the team.

MA’s Speech & Debate Team traveled to Mississippi State University in September to compete in the John C. Stennis Novice Tournament. Schools from Mississippi and Alabama competed in the opening tournament for the 2024-2025 season. Individual honors went to…
• Duncan McInnes: 1st, Congressional Debate
• Karan Daryanani: Finalist, Congressional Debate
• Shree Patel & Karan Daryanani: 5th place, Public Forum Debate

As Sarah Rose Burden began her first year as an elementary teacher with Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School, she was not overly nervous as most brand new educators might be about embarking on a brand new career. Miss Burden grew up learning from her mother and her grandfather, who are both teachers and former administrators at the school, and she always dreamed of one day joining the teaching profession.
Mrs. Ellie Burden, Sarah Rose’s mother, is a 31-year veteran elementary teacher who began her 19th year with Montgomery Catholic in August. Mr. Gerry Shook, Sarah Rose Burden’s grandfather, served as the principal at Montgomery Catholic’s St. Bede Elementary Campus in the 1990s prior to his retirement as an educator.
When Sarah Rose graduated from Auburn University in May 2024, she knew there was only one place she wanted to begin her teaching career and that was returning to her alma mater only four years after her high school graduation in 2020. Miss Burden is a first grade teacher at Montgomery Catholic’s Holy Spirit Elementary Campus alongside her mother, who is a K3/K4 teacher just down the hall. Miss Burden is also the Montgomery Catholic Varsity Cheerleading Coach. Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is proud to have a legacy of alumni and friends who continue the mission of our school founded by the Sisters of Loretto over 150 years ago.
Pictured: Three generations of Montgomery Catholic educators Miss Sarah Rose Burden, Mr. Gerry Shook, and Mrs. Ellie Burden. (Photo by Karen Lathram)

Upper elementary students in Mrs. Payton’s science class at River Region Academy created marble runs as part of their study on kinetic and potential energies. Their objective was to create downhill paths for the marbles, with twists and turns along the way. Students worked together using problem-solving skills and discovered that the marble has potential energy until it is going through the run, when it changes to kinetic energy.

Students in Mrs. Lawley’s middle school science class at River Region Academy made edible plant and animal cells, using Graham crackers (for plant cells), sugar cookies (for animal cells), vanilla frosting, Twizzlers, M&M’s, marshmallows, and sprinkles to represent the various parts. It is fun to learn and create. It is great fun to eat what you learn and create!

Recently, Resurrection Catholic School received a major donation of school supplies from Walmart Super Center Chantilly. The students and faculty are so thankful for this gift!

Our teachers are rocking Chucks and Pearls at Resurrection Catholic School!
Staff left to right: Miss Vaughn, Miss Thomas, Miss Carter, Miss Daniels, Miss Gibbs, Dr. Pessoa, Miss Jones, Miss Sichel, Miss Graham, and Miss Gadson.

Macon East Academy SGA officers attended the AISA Fall workshop in Montgomery to learn more about the state project- Camille Place. Their mission is to provide refuge and restoration to female minors who are survivors of human trafficking, empowering them through the renewal of spirit, soul, and body.
Pictured are:
Colton Lunn (Content Creator), Alexis Davis (Secretary), Livi Robinson (Chaplain), Mattie Pugh (Treasurer), (Vice PresidentMary Taylor May ), and Bryant Morrison (President).

This year, ACA proudly introduced the WINGS PTA program, a new initiative designed to uplift and support the dedicated teachers who play a vital role in shaping our students’ futures. WINGS, which stands for *Working and Investing to Nurture Growth and Success*, aims to not only show appreciation but also provide resources and encouragement for teachers to pursue ideas and dreams that may fall outside their typical classroom budgets.
Since its inception, WINGS has already hosted several “surprise and delight” events to boost teacher morale and show appreciation for their hard work and dedication. These events have become a fun and meaningful way for the ACA community to come together and express gratitude for the teachers who continuously go above and beyond for their students.
Through WINGS, ACA seeks to foster a supportive environment where educators feel empowered to innovate, dream big, and continue nurturing the growth and success of the entire school community. This program is not only about appreciation but about investing in the long-term success of both teachers and students.

On September 11, 2024, Alabama Christian Academy’s upperclassmen stepped up to show their appreciation for Montgomery’s first responders. In a heartfelt act of gratitude, the students cooked, packaged, and delivered meals to eight different Montgomery Fire & Rescue Stations. This initiative was a meaningful way for the students to honor the bravery and dedication of those who work tirelessly to protect the community.
The students not only gained hands-on experience in preparing and organizing meals, but they also had the opportunity to personally express their gratitude to the firefighters. The project, carried out in observance of 9/11, served as a reminder of the importance of community and the vital role first responders play in keeping others safe.
In reflecting on the event, both students and firefighters shared a sense of unity and appreciation. This gesture reinforced the enduring respect and admiration for the sacrifices made by first responders, particularly on a day of national remembrance like 9/11.

Fourth grade students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School learned about Newton’s Second Law of Motion while having a little fun on the links. Following the invitation to participate in the Guardian Championship 2024 Junior Clinic, Montgomery Catholic’s Dean of Academics Dr. Elizabeth Parker, along with fourth grade teachers Mrs. Sarah Wilson and Miss Kelly O’Donnell, taught lessons on distance and time while relating them to “the greater the force, the greater the distance” law.
While at the Junior Clinic, the fourth grade students learned golf tips and tricks from Epson Tour golf professionals and SQDx Sports Golf Academy staff while putting Newton’s Second Law of Motion into practice at the RTJ Golf Trail at Capitol Hill.
Once back on campus, Dr. Parker worked with the fourth grade classes to test hitting golf balls with various forces and then measuring the distances with which the balls traveled, bringing science to life through real-world application. A special thanks to Guardian Credit Union, the Epson Tour, SQDx Golf Academy, and the Robert Trent Golf Trail at Capitol Hill for the opportunity to participate in the Guardian Championship 2024 Junior Clinic.
Pictured: Montgomery Catholic fourth grader Aitana Fonseca at the Guardian Championship Junior Clinic held on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Capitol Hill. (Photo by Mary Kelley)

Congratulations to Trinity senior John Morris for being named a Semifinalist in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program! John is now in the running for nearly $26 million in scholarships to be awarded next spring. Semifinalists represent the top one percent of U.S. seniors, selected for their academic excellence, school endorsement, essay, and strong SAT® or ACT® scores.

Homecoming week at Trinity Presbyterian School was a blast! The game board-themed festivities brought the campus to life with fun activities like Guess Who, Candyland, Scrabble, and Twister. The competition heated up with the always-exciting powderpuff volleyball and football games. The excitement peaked with a big win over Slocomb and the return of alumni for their reunions, making the week even more special.

Macon East Academy Senior Tiffany Marshall excelled at the Distinguished Young Women of Bullock County event. Tiffany not only won the “Be Your Best Self” essay award and the scholastics award, but she also earned first runner-up. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and thrilled that she came home with several thousand dollars in scholarship money.

Trinity’s Middle and Upper School students join us for the annual See You At The Pole event. This student-led event is a global day of prayer where students from schools all around the world gather at their school’s flagpole to pray for their friends, families, teachers, and communities.

Forest Avenue Academic Magnet is honoring their first set of “Caught Being Good” friends. Our August winners are Demetri Colvin, Kingston Lawson, Jordan Jefferson, Adelyn Henderson, Liam Keith, and Luke Han (not pictured). Congratulations to all of these people, along with everyone else who received these golden tickets this month!

Forest Avenue Peer Helpers had the opportunity train with other Peer Helpers in MPS. Students learned important skills for helping others, such as connecting, listening, understanding, coping, and referring. They are now ready to get started helping their peers at FAAM. We can’t wait to see them make a difference.

Congratulations to the 2024 Trinity Homecoming Court. The attendants were Camila Fahel (7th), Adams Jackson (7th), Alonna Welch (8th), Rebi McLemore (9th), Morgan French (10th), Kenzie McClelland (11th), Francie Morris, Mary Townsend Sanders, and Delaney Stanley (12th). Francie Morris was crowned Homecoming Queen by last year’s Queen, Erin Mitchell.

Ms. Ausley’s kindergarteners are showing off their college colors. FAAM is a place where ‘Great Things Happen’.

Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Forest Avenue Wildcats Robotics Team!
We’re thrilled to introduce the dedicated students who will represent our school this year in the VEX Robotics competition! This talented group of innovators showed exceptional teamwork, problem-solving skills, and creativity during tryouts, and we couldn’t be more excited to see what they will accomplish.
Stay tuned for updates as they design, build, and compete in challenges throughout the season! Go Wildcats!