Student Spotlight – January 2025

Students in two Career Tech programs at Auburn High School recently pursued industry-approved certifications to enhance their marketability in the workforce. These students earned Food & Beverage and Skid Steer career readiness indicator certifications through Skills for Success, a no-cost, industry-recognized training program offered through Southern Union State Community College for Alabamians to develop skills for well-paying jobs. ACS is proud of Chef John Everson and Jessica Bowlin for their commitment to excellence in their respective CTE programs and CTE Director Dr. Silvia Scaife’s continued leadership in preparing students for the future!

Woodland Pines Elementary School became a winter wonderland for Polar Express Family Night. Students and their guests enjoyed a magical evening filled with winter-themed math, literacy, and writing games in their holiday pajamas, topped off with hot cocoa and the gift of a book to take home. It was a night of learning, laughter, and festivities. ACS is proud of WPES for creating a fun educational experience for the whole family!

Dean Road Elementary students brought the magic of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to life with their very own miniature version! Inspired by Melissa Sweet’s Caldecott Honor-winning book, Balloons Over Broadway, art teacher Andrea Newman transformed the multipurpose room of DRES into the streets of New York City, featuring each grade level’s creative celebration:
Kindergarteners designed James Rizzi-style buildings to line the parade route.
First graders painted cheerful spectators to bring the crowd to life.
Second graders built the imaginative “floats” that stole the show.
Thank you to the students and staff for making this artistic Thanksgiving tradition so memorable!

Auburn City Schools scored an “A” as a school system on the 2024 Alabama State Department of Education report card. This letter grade was earned and awarded by assessment of Academic Proficiency, Academic Growth, Graduation Rate, College & Career Readiness, Attendance, and Progress in ELL Proficiency. ACS wants to thank community stakeholders for enriching our 14 schools with continued support as we equip students to change the world!

Each month, Lee-Scott Academy Director of Technology, Mr. Kyle Christian, gives out a Junior Technician Award. The award is bestowed to a faculty member, nominated by their peers, who are actively innovating new technologies in their classroom that assist with classroom engagement and learning, solving difficult technical problems that affect many users or teaching other faculty and students how to better use technology. November’s Junior Technician Award is given to Upper School science teacher, Mrs. Alison Starr! Mrs. Starr was nominated for her recent challenge to her chemistry students to script, film, edit and create music videos about different chemical bonds. The projects have been fun and impressive thanks to Mrs. Starr’s imagination! Well done and thank you for all you do, Mrs. Starr! Congratulations!

Mrs. Petrone and the Lee-Scott Academy Middle & Lower School Choir had a wonderful fall concert. This group of girls showed off all the hard work and practice they’ve put in with their beautiful vocals and choreography. Thank you to Mrs. Petrone for her time spent with this group!

Congratulations to Ms. Croley, Mrs. Claridy and the Middle School Scholars Bowl team! The team, including Harper Thrower, Anderson Dobbs, Thad Bacak, Jackson Slocumb, AG Henry & Colten Zachary, took home the victory at the AISA Scholars Bowl Tournament hosted by Edgewood Academy!

Lee-Scott Academy’s Upper School Counselor Mrs. Jamie Payne and Lower School Counselor Mrs. Payton Royston had the opportunity to attend the Alabama Counseling Association Conference to learn and engage with other counselors across the state. They enjoyed time gaining knowledge and collaboration amongst others to learn skills and make connections that will impact their work in our school! We’re appreciative to them for seeking out resources that will help our students.

Varsity boys’ basketball team won the John Allen Memorial Tournament at Heritage Christian Academy after defeating Ezekiel Academy with a second-half comeback 45-43 in the championship game! Thank you to Heritage for hosting and our folks for coming out to support the team! Go Eagles!

Our entire Second Grade class completed the “Reading Challenge” for the month of October, which included reading 3 books (book of choice, non-fiction, & historical fiction) and writing a report. Mrs. Blackstock rewarded her class with an extra recess. She made it very special by lacing up her tennis shoes and joining in on the fun. Well done, 2nd Grade!

Congratulations to OHS Senior Slade Clayton on signing a Lurleen B. Wallace Community College baseball scholarship.

Congratulations to Opelika High School Senior Tyler Moore on signing a football scholarship to Georgia State University!

Honoring heroes and celebrating liberty! Our second graders from Carver Primary School, Jeter Primary School, and Southview Primary School had an unforgettable day with the Hands-on Liberty Program.
Thanks to the Liberty Learning Foundation and all the incredible sponsors who made this meaningful experience possible!

Students in K4, Kindergarten and 1st Grade all learned about one of the traditions in the United States: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Inspired by the book, “Balloons Over Broadway” by Melissa Sweet, students learned all about the artistic and scientific process that goes into making giant balloons for the parade. Afterward, they made their own parade balloons and showed them off just like in New York City!

Lots of turkeys had their Thanksgiving feast in K-4 classrooms today! Students shared what they were thankful for, spent time with their families and had yummy food. Happy Thanksgiving from Lee-Scott Academy K-4!

Linzee Mooty is an Auburn University graduate has been with ACS since 2013 and currently serves students as the Venture teacher at CES. “Mrs. Mooty goes above and beyond to create a warm, inclusive classroom where every student feels welcomed and valued. Her innovative, hands-on approach to teaching helps her students connect their learning to real-world experiences. Known for her kindness, patience, and willingness to help others, Mrs. Mooty is respected by parents, loved by students, and valued by her peers. She brings positivity, dedication, and passion for education to Creekside daily. Thank you, Mrs. Mooty, for making our school community better in every way!” – Katie Daniel, CES Principal

The Auburn High School Varsity Girls Swimming team brought home a Red Map trophy as State runner-up. Alli Kaplowitz won the 100M freestyle, and Mary Kate Henry won the 100M breaststroke during the state meet. ACS is proud of this team, Coach Jeff Dellinger, the families, and supporters for a fantastic finish to the 2024 swimming season!

Students in Mr. Logan Shaddix’s history class at Auburn Junior High School recently completed a powerful project inspired by the heartfelt correspondence featured in “Dear Betty, Love Byron.” This book captures the story of Lt. Byron Yarbrough, an Auburn native who served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, and Betty Jones, his pen pal from Cordele, Georgia. Through their letters, a friendship blossomed into a romance—tragically cut short when Lt. Yarbrough was killed in action in 1945. Betty cherished the letters for the rest of her life, never marrying and preserving this poignant chapter of history. To make this project even more meaningful, AJHS partnered with Dr. Mark Wilson of Auburn University at Pebble Hill, and student projects were judged by a special panel, including Dr. Wilson; Mrs. Teri Lorant, Byron’s niece; and Mrs. Nancy Dupree, Betty’s niece, who discovered the letters. Mrs. Dupree and Dr. Wilson visited AJHS this morning to present awards to the project winners, share insights about the letters, and commend the students for their work. ACS is proud of these students for their creativity and dedication to preserving a touching piece of Auburn’s history!

Kim Johnson, the Response to Intervention teacher at Auburn Junior High School, and Jeff Johnson, principal of Richland Elementary School, were among an elite group of educators invited by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden to help decorate the White House for the holiday season! Kim and Jeff joined over 300 volunteers in transforming the White House into a winter wonderland, with Kim specifically decorating the East Room, the largest space in the historic residence. A highlight was showcasing self-portraits created by students from Auburn City Schools, proudly displayed on holiday trees. The White House staff were especially impressed by the students’ artwork! The Johnsons also attended a special reception and had the honor of meeting the First Lady, representing Auburn City Schools with pride!

After reading fall, Halloween, and Thanksgiving books, kindergarteners made containers for pumpkins using different materials! First and second grade classes read, “One is a Feast for Mouse”, and built towers for pumpkins as Mouse created a tower of food! Our elementary classes visit Mrs. Pennisi’s library twice a week for 45 min. This gives them time for reading individually and as a class, as well as participating in hands on STEM activities! These classes are so important to a child’s education.

Opelika City Schools students had an unforgettable experience at Neville Arena as part of the Hudson Family Foundation’s Legends Club. These remarkable students, selected for their resilience, effort, and integrity, were celebrated with their own Tiger Walk, featuring the Auburn University band, AU cheerleaders, Tigers Paws, Aubie, Tim and Kim Hudson, and foundation donors. During this inspiring event, students heard from Andy Burcham, Coach Leroy Burrell, Tim and Kim Hudson, and each superintendent, including Dr. Farrell Seymore. A special thanks to the Hudson Family Foundation for their dedication to supporting our students and making this day unforgettable!

These turkeys narrowly escaped becoming someone’s thanksgiving meal by disguising themselves as dragons, superheroes, animals, princesses and more! Way to go PreK4, your creativity saved the turkeys!

Opelika City Schools celebrates Mr. David Carpenter, Principal of Jeter Primary School, for receiving the District VII Distinguished Principal Award at the AAESA Conference in Perdido Beach. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor!

Congratulations to Opelika High School Senior E’Mauri Smiley on signing a football scholarship to the University of South Alabama.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord for He is good, His steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Congratulations to Brodie Jones, OHS Senior, for signing his baseball scholarship to Wallace Community College-Dothan.

SMCS students brought in 1,754 cans for the St. Vincent de Paul Canned Food Drive. The class that brought in the most cans voted for which teacher will dress up as a turkey. While this is a fun challenge to win as a class, students were encouraged to think about why they needed to bring these cans and to pray for those they will be helping through this food drive!

Throughout the fall, students used the LEGO Boost Toolbox to learn the basics of coding, engineering, and robotics. They were able to choose from five models available in the set to build and make it come to life using an app. Students used icon-based coding and completed activities that were designed for each model. They were able to learn about coding and improve their problem-solving skills.
Thanks to Mrs. Jones for spending time with these students and expanding their knowledge in a unique way!

Technology class with Mrs. Jones, Kindergarten students were inspired by the book “The Great Turkey Race” by Steve Metzger. After listening to this Thanksgiving read aloud, each group of students created their own race course for Ozobots! Students learned how to use the Evo by Ozobot app to “drive” their Ozobot turkeys and race against others.

Students from Auburn City Schools, Lee County Schools, and Opelika City Schools were inducted into the Hudson Family Foundation’s Legends Club. With the AUMB pep band and Aubie greeting everyone at the entrance, more than 1,200 students made their way into Neville Arena to be honored for overcoming challenges in their lives. AU Track & Field Head Coach and Olympic Gold Medalist Leroy Burrell was the keynote speaker, and he encouraged students to continue working hard with solid character for their family, friends, and teachers. In addition to becoming a member of the Legends Club, each student will be presented with a $100 gift card from Kroger to use for Thanksgiving meal shopping. ACS thanks the Hudson Family Foundation, its staff, and sponsors for impacting young people’s lives!

Auburn City Schools robotics teams from J.F. Drake Middle School, East Samford School, and Auburn Junior High School showcased their skills at the Auburn Robotics Club VEX IQ Robotics Competition!
ACS teams made an impressive showing, with 10 of the 20 finalists representing their schools. The competition was intense, but the teams displayed exceptional teamwork and strategy. Their hard work paid off as they won both the Tournament Champions Award and the Robot Skills Award! These accomplishments highlight the dedication and talent of our students. ACS is proud of all the robotics teams for their outstanding performance!

Fourth graders from Yarbrough Elementary School had a hands-on history lesson as they toured the heart of Auburn! They met with Municipal Court Judge Jim McLaughlin, who shared insights about our local courts and the justice system. Then, they were greeted by the heroic men and women of Fire Station 1, learning about firefighters’ vital role in keeping our community safe. And, of course, no trip would be complete without a stop for some iconic Toomer’s Lemonade—a refreshing taste of Auburn’s tradition! Along the way, they explored the rich history of Auburn, discovering how our past shapes the present. ACS is proud of these young learners for their curiosity and enthusiasm—they truly embody the spirit of Auburn!

13 Opelika Middle School students were selected for the prestigious Alabama All-State Choir after competing against top vocalists statewide. This is a significant achievement for these talented young singers, who are preparing to perform in Birmingham this April.

Elementary teachers spent two days learning more about ACAP text-dependent writing. The Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) and the Alabama Office of Math Improvement (OMI) led these professional development opportunities. Administered through the Alabama State Department of Education, ARI and OMI collaborate with school systems across the state of Alabama by implementing, supporting, and monitoring. ACS always seeks ways to enhance the educational experience for all students. Thank you to ARI and OMI for investing in our teachers!

Students from Auburn Junior High School and Auburn High School participated in the Racial Justice Essay Contest for the Lee County Remembrance Projects with winning results!
Congratulations to the following students for competing:
First Place: Kyle King, 12th grade
Third Place: Imari Starks, 9th grade
Eileen Merrill and Chaejin Kim, both in 12th grade
ACS is proud of these young leaders for commemorating history through their writing!