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

AHS Students Are Career Ready

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!

WPE Celebrates With a Winter Wonderland

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!

St. Michael Catholic School 4th Graders Engage in Engineering

Mrs. Young’s 4th graders had an electrical engineer visit their science class. He helped students make parallel and series circuits! Students learned about batteries, conductors, insulators, and different types of energy sources. The following week, they created electromagnets using their knowledge of circuits. Way to go 4th grade.

Spelling Bee Winners at SMCS

The top two students from each class spelling bee (3rd-5th grade) competed in the school spelling bee. Congratulations to Leanora for winning first place and runner-up Jacob! Leanora will continue on to the Lee County Spelling Bee!

Jeter Primary School Principal Relieves Distinguished Award

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!

Keeping Christ in Christmas at SMCS

Thank you to the wonderful Knights of Columbus, who held our annual Keep Christ in Christmas competition! Students created artwork depicting what they think Keeping Christ in Christmas looks like! The Knights of Columbus awarded a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winner in each grade! Way to go students and thank you Knights!

AHS Esport Team Wins State Championship

The Auburn High School Blue MarioKart team has won the 2024 AHSAA Esports Championship! The team defeated the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering today at the University of Alabama-Huntsville in the Charger Union Theater! ACS is proud of these students and Coach Jacque Middleton for securing the first-ever Esports State Championship for AHS!

ACS Announces Elementary and Secondary TOTY
Auburn City Schools is excited to announce the Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year, Allison Etheredge and Josh Wine! With 14 years of experience in public education, Mrs. Etheredge is in her fourth-year teaching sixth-grade math at J.F. Drake Middle School. Mr. Wine is the Director of Bands and the Fine Arts Department Chair at Auburn Junior High School. Their applications will now compete at the regional level with aspirations of making the Sweet 16 at the state level. Join us in celebrating Mrs. Etheredge and Mr. Wine as they represent Auburn in the ALSDE Teacher of the Year program!

ACS Thanks the Board

Auburn City Schools is proud to celebrate and express our deepest gratitude to the incredible individuals who comprise our Board of Education. These five dedicated leaders volunteer their time, energy, and expertise to ensure our school system thrives and continues its tradition of excellence.
Thank you to our Board Members:
• Melanie Chambless, Board President
• Kathy Powell, Board Vice-President
• Sharon Tolbert, Board Member
• Blake Prestridge, Board Member
• David Warren, Board Member
Your unwavering commitment to the success of our students, teachers, and staff is inspiring, and our entire community is grateful for your leadership.

History Comes Alive at AJHS

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!

Opelika City School Celebrates Elementary TOTY

Join us in celebrating Anna Grizzard, West Forest Intermediate School’s 2024 Teacher of the Year and OCS Elementary Teacher of the Year! Your unwavering commitment to education makes you an extraordinary role model.

Congrats to Opelika City School’s Secondary TOTY

Congratulations to Tracy Tidwell, Opelika High School’s 2024 Teacher of the Year and the OCS Secondary Teacher of the Year! Your leadership and dedication to students are second to none.

TCS Christmas Concert 2024
Congratulations to Trinity Christian School’s Christmas Concert and Band Concert and to all the students that performed this year.

YES Celebrates the Holiday Season

Yarbrough Elementary students filled the school with holiday cheer during their festive program, “Celebrate!” Directed by Mrs. Tracey Oprandy, talented third, fourth, and fifth-graders shared songs and performances that captured the spirit of the season. Highlights included renditions of “Jingle Bell Parade,” “Golden Ribbons, Silver Bows,” “Holiday Hoedown,” and “When the Holidays Come.” From speakers to bell players, every student lit up on stage! ACS thanks all the students, teachers, and families who made this event so special!

AHS Outreach Club Hosts Holiday Event

The Auburn High School Outreach Club hosted a heartwarming day of fun, games, and activities for our students with special needs. Smiles were everywhere as students enjoyed festive games like reindeer ring toss, snowball basketball, and karaoke. The holiday fun didn’t stop there! Students also got creative building gingerbread houses and making ornaments to celebrate the season. A huge thank you to the Outreach Club members for their kindness, leadership, and dedication to creating inclusive and joyful experiences for all!

D.A.R.E. Program Graduates SMCS Students

5th graders graduated the D.A.R.E program after spending 10 weeks learning with Officer Jay Stroud. They learned all about making wise decisions, resisting peer pressure, and drug/alcohol facts. Each student wrote an essay on what they learned throughout the course and Officer Stroud read the winning essay aloud. D.A.R.E has impacted our 5th graders tremendously and we are so proud of them as our first graduates! Thank you Officer Stroud and the Auburn Police Department for partnering with our school!

LSA Students Create Sculptures

6th Grade students created their own nativity scenes out of clay in art with Mrs. Beard recently. Their sculptures were then fired in the kiln. Afterward, students glazed their pieces and had them fired in the kiln once more to make them appear as glass. As students prepared to take these home, they were read, “’Twas the Night That Began Christmas” by Catherine Waters. Following the familiar rhyme and verse of Clement Moore’s “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” the book shares Biblical truths to carry readers from the first Christmas to the second coming of Christ. It’s our hope that as the students see their nativity each year, they are reminded of the full story of why Jesus came that first Christmas!

AHS Cross-Country Team Recognized at Board Meeting

The 2024 AHSAA Class 7A State Champion Cross-Country team from Auburn High School was recognized during the December Board of Education meeting. Over the course of a ten-meet season, these talented athletes showcased their grit, determination, and teamwork, achieving victory in every competition they entered. The season’s pinnacle came with a thrilling one-point victory over Hoover High School, securing the seventh state championship in eight years. Leading the team was sophomore Sarah Tole, a sophomore who has earned the distinction of being the number one-ranked runner in the state of Alabama. Sarah’s dedication and performance have been a source of inspiration for the entire team and a testament to the strength of Auburn’s cross-country program.
The championship team included:
– Abby Merner
– Adeline Clark
– Audrey Erath
– Hannah Kwon-Larson
– JB Wade
– Linnea Cox
– Maggie Shaw Cox
– Natalie Schoonover
– Rylee Plexico
– Sarah Tole
Our dedicated alternates, who supported the team every step of the way, were:
– Valeria Escalera
– Abigail Hardee
– Cates Brantley
This season was a true team effort, with all 34 girls contributing to the program’s success and creating an environment of excellence. Their hard work, camaraderie, and relentless pursuit of improvement set a high standard for future seasons. ACS is proud of these student-athletes, Head Coach Erica Skidmore, Coach Jake Wade, Assistant Coach MG Maddox, and their continuing the dynasty!

Shop With a Cop a Huge Success

A heartfelt thank you to the Opelika Police Department for organizing the annual Shop with a Cop event!
We are so grateful for their commitment to making the holidays brighter for 60 deserving Opelika City Schools students. Thanks to their leadership and the generosity of community partners and local businesses, each child had the opportunity to shop for themselves and their families, creating unforgettable holiday memories. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this incredible initiative!

OHS Launches Culinary Food Truck

Opelika High School celebrated the official launch of its Culinary Food Truck! This innovative mobile classroom will provide students with hands-on culinary training, entrepreneurial experience, and the opportunity to serve the community. Guests, including school leaders, board members, and Opelika Chamber representatives, joined us to mark this exciting milestone. Chef Eldred and our student chefs prepared delicious cookies and brownies for everyone to enjoy! This food truck wouldn’t be possible without the incredible generosity of our donors – we thank them for making this experience a reality.

Trinity Christian School Starts Year Off With Science

Swinging into the New Year in science! Students performed an experiment that tested how different factors, radius and centripetal force, affect uniform circular motion.

OMS Students Earn Spots in All-State Choir

We’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of 13 Opelika Middle School students who earned spots in the Alabama All-State Choir! This honor recognizes their exceptional talent and dedication to the arts. They’ll head to Birmingham in April to rehearse with renowned directors and perform with top students from across the state. Special thanks to all 32 OMS students who auditioned—your hard work inspires us! Let’s cheer for these incredible vocalists as they prepare for this unforgettable experience.

LSA Government Class Takes Historical Tour

Mrs. Chancey’s AP Government class toured the Museum of East Alabama in downtown Opelika to learn more about our local community. They also visited the largest Christmas tree in Alabama, located right in the middle of downtown!

OCS Students Celebrate Liberty

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!

CWES Sets Sail for Pinataville

Cary Woods Elementary School students delighted families and loved ones with their performance of The Holly Jolly Pirates of Piñataville! Under the leadership of CWES Music Teacher Dr. Rob Lyda, the talented young performers brought this toe-tapping musical to life with songs, laughter, and, of course, pirates. It was a memorable morning for students filled with smiles and holiday spirit. ACS is proud to foster the arts from kindergarten to high school and appreciates everyone who works tirelessly to provide music education to our students!

AHS Korean Leadership Program Raises Funds for BigHouse

As part of the Korean American Youth Leadership Program, students from Auburn High School organized a 5K event to raise donations for the BigHouse Foundation. Through their hard work and dedication, they raised $3,080 and were able to contribute over 70 boxes of essential items—diapers, wipes, pull-ups, baby shampoo, and dozens of baby pajamas. Seeing students make a difference for families in need is truly inspiring. ACS is proud of these young leaders!

SMCS Performs Annual Christmas Program

Congratulations to the students that performed in St. Michael Catholic School Christmas Program this past December.

St. Michael Catholic School Students Travel the World

1st grade packed their bags and created their passports to travel to all parts of the world to discover how they celebrate Christmas in different cultures and regions! Students started in Mexico and ended up in England!

OHS Students Win Essay Contest and Scholarships

Congratulations to Jancyn Thompson and Hayley Ponds. Jancyn earned first place and a $5000 scholarship, while Hayley won second place and a $3000 scholarship in the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity’s International High School Essay Contest on social media’s impact on mental health. Both also received the Joseph Durr Scholarship and an additional $1000 each! Their achievements were celebrated at the Achievement Scholarship Gala at Auburn University. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication. Way to shine!

Lee-Scott Academy Student Named to All-State Jazz Band

Congratulations to Lee-Scott Academy junior James Bagley on being named to the Alabama All-State Gold Jazz Band, the top band in the state! Not only did James make the band, he was named first chair for tenor saxophone. If you’ve heard James play, you know this comes as no surprise! Congratulations James!

LSA Students Pack Gifts for the Azalea House

7th & 8th Grade students had a special Christmas celebration as they wrap up their first semester. To start the day, they packed gifts for the Azalea House. After going to see the new movie, “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” all together, students lined the Middle School hallways for a meal together.
With pizza, salad, treats and drinks, students spent quality time with each other and their teachers celebrating a great job well done this year!

Fox Run Announces TOTY

Join us in congratulating Leigh Moore, Fox Run School’s 2024 Teacher of the Year! Your dedication, leadership, and enthusiasm make an incredible impact.

LSA Toy Drive a Success

Lee-Scott Academy completed its annual Toy Drive and was able to send off tons of toys to be included in the Auburn City Toy Drive. Thank you to FCA Area Rep for the Auburn Area & Assistant LSA Baseball Coach, JT Clark, for joining us this morning and reminding us of how the greatest gift we’ve been given is Jesus…we just have to receive it! Thank you to the Mr. Hudson & the LSA Jazz Band, Mrs. Reeves & Mrs. Miller for leading us in hymns, our students who performed the skit and SGA President Laken Smith & School Resource Officer Jon Young for speaking about the magnitude of the Toy Drive in our local community.

Lee-Scott Academy Presents Christmas Program at Grandparents Day

Our Grandparents Day Christmas Programs were truly special celebrations, highlighting the joy and love that define the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you to Mrs. Petrone for organizing another wonderful program as well as our incredible faculty, staff, and students for their dedication and hard work in making these events unforgettable!

Auburn City Schools are Prepared

Auburn City Schools is actively engaged with the nSide platform, which has been essential for keeping emergency operations plans current, logging drills, and ensuring staff and safety teams are well-prepared to respond effectively in a crisis. This designation as a Champion of School Safety was evaluated through both the frequency of platform usage—such as sessions and in-app activities—and the overall quality of the Emergency Operations Plan in ACS. The nSide Operations Team included a personal note expressing their appreciation for ACS Safety Coordinator Steve Hall: “Mr. Hall is very attentive to safety protocol and procedures throughout his district. He was very knowledgeable and helpful to us during the implementation process. When we needed guidance or information about certain schools, he was always quick to be supplemental in every way possible. Mr. Hall is also a very sound and prompt communicator, as he always gets back to us as soon as possible when we have a question or concern. We thoroughly enjoyed working with him this year as Auburn enhanced their safety initiatives.”

Buddy the Elf came to visit Lee-Scott Academy’s Lower School

Buddy the Elf helped open car doors, visited classrooms and read to 1st Grade students! Apparently, the easiest way to spread Christmas cheer at LSA is by reading aloud for all to hear!

OCS Congratulates Middle School TOTY

Let’s hear it for Rachele Weaver, Opelika Middle School’s 2024 Teacher of the Year! Your passion for teaching and student success is truly remarkable.

DRES Gets Creative

Creativity is in the air at Dean Road Elementary School, as students had the opportunity to work with artist-in-residence Jacqueline McDonough, better known as Ms. Clay! Ms. Clay introduced students to the art of ceramics, guiding them through painting their own clay gingerbread people. Each piece will be fired in a kiln and ready to become a special gift for their families—just in time for the holidays! Her passion for art doesn’t stop there. Ms. Clay has also shared her expertise with Auburn City Schools art teachers in a hands-on paper clay class and led a workshop on the same topic at the 2024 Alabama Art Education Association Fall Conference held at the Hotel at Auburn University. ACS thanks Ms. Clay for inspiring creativity and spreading joy through art!