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Student Spotlight – August 2024

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Every month we compile a list of students doing great things across our community.  We have so many talented students in our area.  Auburn – Opelika Parents joins with their families and schools to celebrate their achievements!
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ACS Encouraging Future Educators

Students from Auburn High School, guided by Education & Training teacher Julie Echols, made learning fun and impactful for summer school students with engaging math games to help sharpen multiplication and division skills! The energy and enthusiasm from both the high school mentors and the younger students were incredible. The interactive sessions strengthened mathematical foundations and cultivated a love for learning through play. Thank you to Mrs. Echols for her leadership and passion to make this initiative successful. ACS also acknowledges the dedication and creativity of the Education & Training students, who played a crucial role in making this learning experience memorable.

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ACS Rising 6th Graders Attend DARE Camp

Pick Elementary was the host site for the 2024 DARE Camp, an engaging summer program administered by the Auburn Public Safety Department! This initiative is designed for rising sixth graders, emphasizing character development, teamwork, and anti-bullying education. It also provides a valuable opportunity for our School Resource Officers (SRO) to build connections with students before they embark on their secondary school journey. Camp activities are packed with fun and excitement, from whiffle ball to tug-of-war. The Auburn Fire Department also adds to the thrill with its water trucks, ensuring the inflatable slides stay lively and refreshing. A heartfelt thank you to the dedicated volunteers, including the retired Marines, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make this camp a success every year!

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Welcoming New Pre-K Students to LSA

Rising LSA K4 students enjoyed time at Lee-Scott Academy where they spent some time learning with their future K4 teachers. Students practiced their letters, created with crafts together and were able to meet other students and make some new friends. LSA can’t wait to see them on the first day of school this August!

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LSA Art Campers Get Creative

Lower School art teacher, Mrs. Beard, held two art camps at Lee-Scott Academy. Students were hard at work and being creative. Campers designed and were able to take some incredible creations home this summer. The imaginations and pieces constructed by these campers, from 1st – 6th grade, will leave you amazed!

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Sara Kate Speakman named Distinguished Young Woman of Lee County

The Distinguished Young Woman (DYW) of Lee County for the Class of 2025 was named on June 29, 2024, at the Opelika Center for the Performing Arts. In total, the program awarded $10,500 in college scholarships. Additionally, Hood College, the University of West Alabama, and Northwestern State University of Louisiana provided $2.29 million in college-granted scholarships across the participants.
Sara Kate Speakman of Lee-Scott Academy was named the new DYW of Lee County and received $4,650 in program scholarships. Riley Yates of Auburn High School was named the first alternate and received $2,850 in scholarships, and Hannah Hines of Auburn High School was named the second alternate and received $1,600 in scholarships.
The DYW of Lee County program awarded three scholarships in each program category: scholastics, interview, talent, fitness, and self-expression. Two scholarships were awarded to participants for superior community service records, and two scholarships were awarded for writing an essay on striving to be your best self. The participants selected one participant who best represents the ideals of the DYW program to receive the Spirit Award. The full list of award recipients is below:
Scholastics Awards: Harper Olsen, Sara Kate Speakman, and Margie Grace Wilder
Interview Awards: Hannah Hines, Sara Kate Speakman, and Margie Grace Wilder
Talent Awards: Stella George, Sara Kate Speakman, and Riley Yates
Fitness Awards: Kyndall Brundidge, Sara Kate Speakman, and Riley Yates
Self-Expression Awards: Hannah Hines, Sara Kate Speakman, and Riley Yates
Be Your Best Self Essay Awards: Hallie Herring and Sara Kate Speakman
Community Service Awards: Hannah Hines and Riley Yates
Spirit Award Winner: Sara Kate Speakman
Sara Kate Speakman will compete in January 2025 for the title of Distinguished Young Woman of Alabama. The Distinguished Young Women Program, originally called America’s Junior Miss, was founded in 1958

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2024 Girls Basketball Camp at AHS

Under the expert guidance of Head Coach Courtney Pritchett, the varsity Lady Tigers trained and inspired more than 40 young athletes following a Class 7A Area 4 Championship and a Final Four appearance during the 2023-2024 season. Throughout the week, campers honed their skills, from mastering dribbling basics to perfecting layups. The camp concluded with exciting hot-shot competitions and full-court scrimmages showcasing all they learned. Summer athletic camps at AHS provide an excellent chance for young students to discover their passions—whether they aim for success in competitive sports or build lasting friendships!

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ACS STEM In Action

Talented members of the Technology Students Association (TSA) Engineering Club from Auburn High School paid a special visit to summer school, bringing along remote-controlled vehicles they use for competitions. The elementary-aged students got an up-close look at the cutting-edge technology and engineering skills the TSA students have mastered. From intricate design to agile maneuvering, these robots are a testament to their hard work and innovation. The summer schoolers were thrilled to interact with technology by steering the vehicles through intense “battle bot” challenges. ACS thanks the TSA club members for sharing their passion and being a catalyst for sparking curiosity and innovation in the next generation of tech enthusiasts!

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Northside Intermediate School Art Student Awarded

Savannah Finck, a student at Northside Intermediate School had a delightful surprise at the State Superintendent’s Visual Art Show. Her artwork was selected, and purchased, by Alabama State Treasurer, Young Boozer, for his art collection!

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ACS Introduces Two New Principals

Lamarrius Anderson and Lisa Wheatley will lead Cary Woods Elementary School (CWES) and Yarbrough Elementary School (YES), respectively. Over the past two decades, Lamarrius Anderson has developed a diverse educational career, transitioning from an elementary teacher to an instructional coach and assistant principal (CWES) and ultimately serving as a principal in Russell County Schools before his return to Cary Woods. Lisa Wheatley has a robust 30-year career in education, beginning as an elementary teacher and advancing through roles as a literacy coach and assistant principal, culminating in a decade-long tenure as a principal in Sarasota County Schools before coming to Auburn.

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LSA Students Learn Essential Skills This Summer

LSA 3rd Grade teacher Mrs. Hanahan has had two groups who are learning essential skills in a fun way this summer. In “Making Table Manners Fun” camp, rising Kindergarten – 2nd Grade students learn the very basics of table manners. Through fun competitions and games, campers learn the proper way to set a table, how to order with a strong clear voice – and even the right way to butter your bread! During “The Art of Conversation” camp, girls that are entering 2nd – 4th Grade work to improve their conversation skills with words of kindness, using a social filter and learning how to not “drop the ball” when talking with another person!
All of these students have had a blast learning such important life skills with Mrs. Hanahan!

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OHS Class Raised Donations for Non-Profits

The 2024 Opelika High School Philanthropy 101 Class donated $11,600 to local non-profit agencies during their donation luncheon held on June 20 at the Opelika Public Library. Ten local agencies received funding through the generosity of the Samford Cannon Foundation.
This three week program for rising seniors brings the principles of philanthropy to life through classroom learning and hands-on experiences. Thank you to Lucinda Cannon and the Samford Cannon Foundation for sponsoring the program and to Addi Abernathy and Dean Jones for serving as directors.

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OCS Child Nutrition Program Receives Perfect Scores

We are excited to share that every school’s cafeteria team achieved a score of 100 on their health department inspections throughout the 2023-2024 school year! Thank you to our CNP employees for your commitment to ensuring that every meal served is prepared with the utmost care. Pictured below from LtoR: Front Row – Constance Smith, Fox Run; Marsha Broach, OMS; Cathy Murray, Southview; Donna Howard, West Forest; Lynn Lee, CNP Director Back row – Elaine Smith OHS, Listasha Avery, Jeter; Debra Walker, Morris Ave; Kaela Allen, Northside; Amy Jacobs, Carver

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Baking Camp Hosted at LSA

The atrium at LSA has been smelling extra nice this summer! LSA Bakes Camp led by Lee-Scott Academy fourth grade teachers have taught students how to bake some delicious treats. With two camps held each day, there are now plenty of new chefs in the Auburn area!

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Lee-Scott Academy Basketball Camp a Success

The Warrior Basketball Camp led by Coach Harrison, Coach Johnson, and members of the Warriors’ basketball teams had a full house this summer. The gym was filled with future hoopers eager to work on their ball handling, passing, shooting and fundamentals.

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Lee-Scott Academy Host Summer Math Camps

Math camps with Mrs. Gothard have been a sweet treat and a way for students to beat the heat this summer! Whether counting and working on fractions using different types of candy to learn or using a pizza to see how things can be divided in real life, these groups of students have had a blast improving upon their math skills before next year.

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Congrats to Jeter Primary School Student’s Art Award

Big new! Jeter Primary School’s kindergarten student, Bruce Heath, was recognized recently for his 1st place finish in the State Superintendent’s Visual Art Show! Bruce submitted an oil pastel abstract that featured vibrant colors. What an accomplishment!

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CTE Summer Exploration Camp Hosted at ACS

The Auburn City Schools Career & Technical Education Department hosted the 2024 CTE Summer Exploration Camp, which rising fifth and sixth graders attended. For a whole week, students engaged in various hands-on activities and workshops designed to ignite their curiosity about potential career paths. From coding and robotics to arts and health sciences, each session offered a glimpse into the vast array of career possibilities that lie ahead. This camp was a platform for these young minds to dream big and explore their interests, igniting a sense of excitement about their potential futures. ACS thanks the invaluable volunteers, community partners, and the camp coordinator, Samantha Cooper, for making this camp an unforgettable experience!

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Rising First Graders at LSA Prepare for Fall Learning

It was the rising first graders’ turn to camp with Ms. Sanders at LSA! Students were able to strengthen their phonemic awareness, writing, reading, and sight word recognitions skills through whole group instruction and through a wide variety of hands on activities. In addition, students brainstormed book ideas to create their very own “How To” books! At the end of the week, students had their written and illustrated book to take home and share. This group will be ready for first grade in just a few short weeks!

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Lee-Scott Academy Students Learn Tech Skills

Rising 4th-6th grade students spent time on campus learning the basics of coding with our IT Department staff…through Minecraft! Mr. Christian & Mr. Henderson helped students play one of their favorite games while also helping them learn coding vocabulary as well as conditionals, functions, coordinates and more. These students had fun while learning skills they might even use in a career one day.

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Reading Camp at Lee-Scott Academy Was Dino-Mite

The “Read and Roar” Summer Reading Camp for rising second graders was simply “DINO-mite!” Mrs. Bass led students in a thematic study of dinosaurs tied into one of the summer reading options, “Dinosaurs Before Dark” by Mary Pope Osborne. Each day consisted of digging into fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension correlated to the novel. Students participated in several STEM and art activities to include digging for dinosaur eggs, excavating dinosaur fossils, forming their own fossils, creating a dinosaur lantern and mask, and making dinosaur egg bath bombs and lava lamps. To end the week, students enjoyed a volcanic eruption, dinosaur dirt cups, and “Jurassic Juice!” It was a ROARING good time of reading!

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OCS Announce New Principal

Opelika City Schools proudly announces Mrs. Laura Sellers as the new principal of Morris Avenue Intermediate School. “We are excited to welcome Mrs. Laura Sellers as the new principal of Morris Avenue Intermediate School. She is a veteran educator who is committed to the success of all students,” said Dr. Farrell Seymore, Superintendent of Opelika City Schools. “She has excelled as the lead teacher at Morris Avenue, and we look forward to her serving in this new role as principal to continue our mission of educating every child, every day.”
Mrs. Sellers has worked in Opelika City Schools for the past nine years. She began her career with the Opelika City Schools teaching fifth grade at Morris Avenue Intermediate School in 2015. She was selected as lead teacher at Morris Avenue in 2021. Before teaching at Morris Avenue, she taught sixth grade at Johnnie Carr Middle School in Montgomery, AL. “I am thrilled and deeply honored to serve as principal of Morris Avenue Intermediate School. The faculty, staff, and students at Morris Avenue are wonderful and I look forward to continuing to work with them as I move into this leadership position,” said Sellers. “My family and I love Opelika and I am excited to play a role in the growth and success of Opelika City Schools.”
Sellers received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies at Auburn University in 2011. She continued her studies at Auburn University at Montgomery where she received a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education in 2013 and her Educational Specialist’s Degree in 2020. She also received certification in Instructional Leadership from the University of West Alabama in 2020. Sellers is a 2024 graduate of the Opelika Chamber’s “20 Under 40” program where she served as the Service Project Chair. Laura and her husband Lane are the proud parents of two children, Britton (age 6) and Brooks (age 3).

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Serving Up Fun At ACS Volleyball Camp

Excitement was in the air as the Varsity Volleyball team at Auburn High School kicked off Wheatley’s Wild West Volleyball Camp with Head Coach Brian Wheatley! Young up-and-coming volleyball players filled the gymnasium with energy as they learned proper form and technique through high-energy drills. The varsity athletes lead sessions throughout the week, sharing their expertise and mentoring the next generation of volleyball stars. It’s not just about volleyball; it’s about building confidence, teamwork, and making new friends. Coach Wheatley, a seasoned mentor with years of experience and a passion for the game, was at the helm of this camp, making it an incredible opportunity. Under his expert leadership and with the assistance of talented varsity athletes, young players dove into the game and developed their talents on the court!

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Auburn Day School Hosts STEM Camps

Auburn Day School’s STEM Camps are off to a fabulous start. Our future musicians explored the music world by experimenting with tempo and rhythm. Our budding musicians made instruments, including a guitar, a harmonica, and a maraca. It was a rocking time! Our Junior Vets dove into the world of animal care, treating our adorable furry buddies and taking a tour of Auburn University’s Equestrian Center! We even had a slithering snake, a duo of dogs, a cuddly cat, a shy sheep, and a charming cow stop by; check out the pictures from our animal friends who visited us. Buckle up for Auburn Day School’s wild, educational adventures!

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Student Spotlight – August 2024

by Staff time to read: 19 min