Pike Road Student Spotlights – November 2025

Macon East Academy’s K3 and K4 students wrapped up their Apple Unit with a fun surprise—Senior Will Hasson dressed as Johnny Appleseed! The preschoolers have been learning all about how apples grow and the different colors they come in, and today’s visit brought those lessons to life. Will’s appearance as the legendary apple planter added excitement and smiles to the classroom, making it a memorable way to celebrate everything they’ve learned.

Pike Road Elementary School PEP gifted classes had a wonderful visit from Lanark (Alabama Nature Center in Millbrook) to engage our students with activities working with their brain senses! Their school tours stopped by to share some fun and challenging activities that go along with their concept-based unit brain study for this year! We had a wonderful time of learning!

Pike Road Elementary thanks Alpha Delta Kappa Gayla Sellers/Frances Revel Grant for creative and innovative educators for our C3 and C4 PEP gifted classes. We will be using this grant for new resources in our classes at both schools. This grant is titled, “Imagine It, Engineer It.”

Macon East Academy is proud to announce that seniors Jamya Powell and Mollie Ross have been selected to the AISA All-Star Volleyball Team. This honor recognizes their hard work, talent, and dedication to the sport. Both athletes have been integral members of the Lady Knights volleyball program for several years, consistently demonstrating strong leadership on and off the court. Congratulations to Jamya and Mollie on this well-deserved recognition!

Pike Road Elementary School held a ribbon-cutting to officially open the newly designed library. Mrs. Steindorff, the new librarian, arranged books so children can easily find their perfect story. A very special addition is Zainab’s Reading Corner: a reading nook created in loving memory of one of our students who loved to read! We are looking forward to seeing students enjoy their new reading spaces.

The Alabama Association for Gifted Children selected Mrs. Laura Eubank to receive the 2025 AAGC Award of Excellence for Outstanding Parent Advocacy. She was honored in Mobile, Alabama at the state of Alabama Gifted Conference. Mrs. Eubank was nominated by Pike Road Schools Gifted Specialist (Mrs. Misty Trussell) for this award. Thank you, Mrs. Eubank, for all that you do to support our gifted education program in Pike Road Schools! We honor you!

Pike Road Intermediate School hosted its 2nd Annual Fall Festival, and it was a huge success! With more than 500 tickets sold and at least 25 activity booths, students enjoyed games, face painting, and plenty of fall fun. The PRIS PTA helped the participants stay full of energy by selling concessions. It was a perfect night for Pike Road families to enjoy the cool weather and time together with friends. The proceeds from this event will help support PRIS Capital projects & improvements, library resources, teacher & classroom materials, speakers for class assemblies, copier supplies, smart boards and more!

Today, Pike Road Elementary School unveiled new communication boards at each of its playgrounds, along with a new inclusive swing! These additions were made possible through the Guardian Teach for Tomorrow Grants, helping create play spaces where every child can connect, communicate, and belong. The communication boards are especially meaningful because not every learner is verbal, so they give our nonverbal friends a way to share what they want to do, how they feel, or what they need. It’s another beautiful step toward making sure every Patriot has a voice and a safe place to play.

Macon East Academy wrapped up a lively Homecoming week on Friday, September 26 with tailgates, a festive Knight Parade, and a big win over Snook. The week was packed with fun and friendly competition, as students showed off their school spirit through themed dress-up days and a boys volleyball game. Both upper and lower school students enjoyed tailgating, sharing good food and fellowship. The Homecoming Parade brought the whole school together, with lower school classes marching with handmade signs and younger students—princesses, cheerleaders, and football players—riding floats and tossing goodie bags to the crowd.
Homecoming Court attendants selected by their classmates were Harper Underwood (7th grade), Emma Bushong (8th grade), Sophie Clark (9th grade), Bentley Graham and Campbell Loughridge (10th grade), Megan Hardy, Addie Longcrier, and Gracie Strickland (11th grade), Jamya Powell, Livi Robinson, Mollie Ross, and Payton Underwood (12th grade). At halftime of the football game, Miss Livi Robinson was crowned as the 2025 Homecoming Queen. The Student Government Association officers and members did outstanding job planning and organizing all this year’s Homecoming week activities.

Pike Road Show Choirs recently hosted their second Spooky Sprint 5K. Participants chose to run a traditional course, or take on a more thrilling route with student-zombies waiting for them. After the race, the show choirs performed a couple of chilling dances for runners, guests, and volunteers to enjoy. Trophies were awarded to the top finishers in multiple categories, making the event a bit competitive. Whether you were racing, or being chased, the morning was a fun and festive time for everyone.
***Spooky Sprint Photo Credit: Aubrie Moates, Hello Baby Co***

Pike Road High School hosted its second annual Steps for Strength Suicide Awareness Walk. Students, teachers, coaches, parents, community members, and leaders all came out to walk eleven laps around the bus loop. Eleven is significant because 1 person dies from suicide about every eleven minutes in the United States.