Student Spotlights – July 2025

A group of elementary educators from across Auburn City Schools gathered for Summer School orientation led by Betty Weeden, our Coordinator of Elementary Curriculum and Professional Development. These passionate teachers geared up to make a powerful impact by providing students the extra support they need to become confident, capable readers. From structured phonics instruction to engaging reading games, this summer was all about helping young learners grow stronger and shine brighter. ACS is proud of the heart, time, and expertise these educators bring to the classroom to make a difference.

Day three of CTE Summer Exploration Camp had students putting on their PPE for healthcare and their thinking caps for education. In the Healthcare Sciences program, led by Laurie Osborne, campers explored essential medical skills. They learned CPR, how to take a pulse, and even had a hands-on lesson in dental care. An East Alabama Health ambulance was on site to provide an up-close look at emergency medical services. In the Education and Training program with Julie Echols, campers stepped into the shoes of a teacher, using simple resources to create engaging lessons and explore brain-based methods that help children learn and grow. Thank you to all the Auburn High students for volunteering to support this camp and share their knowledge with younger students!

Rising juniors Olivia Murchison & Lucy Zellner recently represented Lee-Scott Academy at the annual Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership seminar at Troy University. HOBY is a leadership program bringing together outstanding high school students from around Alabama to develop their leadership skills through workshops, community service projects and networking opportunities. Olivia & Lucy had an amazing weekend and represented LSA so well!

Thank you to our friends at the Kreher Preserve & Nature Center and Choctafaula for visiting our K-3rd grade students! Students have been studying animals and they were able to see many different animals today! Our visitors included a baby kangaroo, baby emu and rhea, rat snake, bearded dragon, an ostrich egg, cockroaches, box turtles, and tortoises! This hands-on learning experience was so fun (and smelly)!

Engineering students from Auburn High and Auburn Junior High School recently competed at the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, Texas!
Auburn High School Team:
Cole Myers, Howard Homburger, Samuel Lowe, Harrison Elkins, Chris Min, and Randall Calloway
Coaches: Sarah Sharman and Jacque Middleton
Auburn Junior High School Team:
Ben Cox, Braylen Cobb, Hayden Kwon, Berkeley Wu, Dalton Parker, Ryan Bang, Aiden Kim, Lucy Tamblyn, Lilah Boutros, Mabel Theeck, Irene Oh, and Sarah Hong
Coaches: John Tamblyn and Jacque Middleton
A special shoutout to Team 36832H — Aiden Kim, Braylen Cobb, Dalton Parker, and Sarah Hong — for earning the VEX Robotics Sportsmanship Award. This a prestigious honor recognizing teams that demonstrate exceptional respect, courtesy, and enthusiasm throughout the competition. From innovation and perseverance to professionalism and teamwork, these students made Auburn proud on the global stage!

A new group of future majorettes could be joining the Lee-Scott Academy Marching Band in the coming years! Mini Majorette Camp was a hit as Lower School girls were led in a baton twirling clinic by majorettes from Auburn University. These students learned new tricks, refined others and will get to show it all at a Warrior football game this fall! Be on the lookout for these future Warrior majorettes.

Four Lee-Scott Academy students recently participated in Auburn University’s Beginner Band Bash. Steven Alfaro, Emmett Anglin, Baylin King, and Sarah Smith all spent the day with many other students their age gaining experience performing with others and sharpening their talents.

Thanks to Flight Nurse and DMS parent Matt Huddleston, the Aviation Club had the incredible opportunity to witness a medical evacuation helicopter land on the school’s front lawn. This unforgettable experience, made possible through a partnership with East Alabama EMS, gave students a close-up look at real-world applications of aviation and emergency response. Thank you to Mr. Huddleston and his team for bringing learning to life and showing the powerful impact of parent engagement in education!

City of Auburn Mayor Ron Anders issued Proclamations on behalf of his office to the 2025 Lee-Scott Academy varsity girls soccer team and varsity golf team recognizing their achievements of AHSAA State Championships. Thank you to Mayor Anders and the City of Auburn for recognizing our students’ hard work and success!

Summer Camps at LSA were kicked off with Mrs. Hanahan’s Goodness & Grace Camp. This group of girls spent a few days learning how to shine with confidence and grace! They explored table manners, how to have quality conversations, first impressions and so much more through fun games and fellowship.

Congratulations to the class of 2025 from Opelika High School! It was a night of celebration, as students walked across the graduation and accepted their diplomas. Good luck to your future endeavors!

OHS celebrated the Class of 2025 during Senior Awards Day, where local organizations, families, and colleges awarded scholarships to our seniors. Thank you to all who support our students’ next steps!

Congratulations to the Class of 2025 graduates who are stepping into the journey of becoming teachers. Your passion, dedication, and heart for education will shape the classrooms of tomorrow. Here’s to inspiring young minds, making a difference, and building a brighter future—one lesson at a time.

4th grade is busy early this morning working on measuring weight, volume, and length.

Six Opelika High School agriculture students earned the Skills for Success Land Survey Technician certification. This credential validates their proficiency in essential land surveying techniques, preparing them for future agriculture, construction, or engineering careers. The Skills for Success Program allows students to gain valuable skills in various career areas to create a highly skilled workforce. These programs are hosted through the Alabama Community College system free of charge. The certification was made possible through a partnership with Southern Union State Community College, which provided access to specialized training. This hands-on experience allowed students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world tasks, equipping them with in-demand workforce skills. “We are very thankful to Southern Union State Community College for assisting in this endeavor. Students complete online modules to prepare them for a hands-on lab that allows them to put learning into practice. These labs are taught by highly skilled instructors provided by the colleges,” said Opelika High School Agriculture teacher Jordan Harris.
Pictured (L-R): Jim Weese, Surveyor/Lab Instructor, Dannay Garcia, Braelynn Brooks, Kamyra Jackson, Markayla Thomas, Tavonne Menefee, Jerry Ambrocio, J.B. Harris, Dr. Tyler Nelson, Director of Workforce Development at Southern Union State Community College.

The Sound Wall brought the renowned Cindy Scott Quartet to both Fox Run School and Opelika High School for a day of musical education. Sixth-grade students were treated to an interactive performance where they not only learned about musical styles and cultural traditions but also joined in singing along with the quartet. For many, it was their first time experiencing a live jazz performance. Elizabeth Gibbs, Fox Run School’s Band Director, said, “We felt very fortunate to have the Cindy Scott Quartet not only perform for our 6th grade band members, but also include them as part of the performance. It was a wonderful opportunity for our youngest band members to be exposed to a variety of musical styles at the onset of their instrumental music education.” High school band students were also treated to a performance by the quartet and had a chance to ask the band questions about technique and musical styles. This program, part of The Sound Wall’s broader mission to enrich music education in schools, helped inspire a deeper appreciation for the arts and gave students a front-row seat to the power of live performance.
Pictured (L-R): Ryan Hamilton– Student Teacher, Elizabeth Gibbs– Band Director, April Brock– Principal, Payton Beasley, Rylynn Gallant, Mya Susong, Ar’Riya Evans, Jovi Feng, Raylan Baker, Kennedi Smith, Penelope Harris, Mary Gibson Haynes, Morgan Stehouwer, Jena Bolar, Komfort Holland, Ca’liyhia Wright, Jacob Kennedy, Ethan Goodman, Eli Rainey, Dariana Garcia Martinez, and Chelsea Santana Ramirez.

Each class took some time exploring their next grade, hearing from their future teacher, and learning what to expect in the coming school year! 2nd grade even prepared a precious video of things to look forward to!

Opelika High School and Opelika City Schools proudly recognized 16 seniors who earned the Alabama Seal of Biliteracy during Opelika High School’s annual Academic Signing Day. These students demonstrated proficiency in an approved English assessment and an additional language assessment and met all Alabama graduation requirements. The initiative was made possible through the leadership and collaboration of OHS educators: ESL teacher Brenna Flowers, principal Kelli Fischer, French teacher Samantha Shipman, counselor and testing coordinator Meredith Vickers, and English department head Hannah Holladay. “What these students have accomplished is remarkable! I want to draw attention to the name, “Seal of Biliteracy.” These students don’t just speak two languages. They can speak, read, write, and comprehend two languages at a proficient level. This marks these students as leaders within our diverse community. We are incredibly proud of them and are excited to see what they achieve,” said Mrs. Brenna Flowers. This program encourages the study of languages, identifies biliterate job candidates, certifies biliteracy, and secures academic credits at colleges and universities.
Pictured (L-R): Row 1: Angela Fernandez, YanSi Gabriel Perez, Dulce Hernandez, Nancy Marquirez, Valentina Arevalo Villegas, Frida Natalia Cruz Valdés, Mrs.Kelli Fischer
Row 2: Ms. Emily Murray, Axnel Revilla, Kenneth Lopez Niz, Abelino Diaz Sales, Diana Hernandez Garcia, Marialys Cordones Rodriguez, April Vega Sanchez
Row 3: Michael Merida-Gutierrez, Timoteo Knight, Franco Vasquez, Arabella Luna Trujillo, Mrs. Brenna Flowers

What a wonderful day of fellowship and fun as the St. Micheal Catholic School Students attend the annual field day festivities. Students competed in various fun events, where leadership and team work were the highlight of the day.

Richland Elementary recently held an African Safari Art Show, highlighting K-2 students’ artistic talent!
This year’s showcase was inspired by the vibrant work of Tanzanian artist Edward TingaTinga, known for his colorful, patterned depictions of animals from the African savanna. His artwork gained popularity among safari tourists and later inspired the children’s cartoon Tinga Tinga Tales, which shares African folk stories through bold visuals. The halls were filled with incredible student creations that brought the spirit of the safari to life!

Day four of the 2025 CTE Summer Exploration Camp was all about content production and healthy diets! Campers had the opportunity to explore Auburn High School’s state-of-the-art television production studio with Entertainment and Media instructor Jared Dillard. They practiced interviewing each other, gaining firsthand experience in the field of media. Work-Based Learning Coordinator Audrey Marshall joined the campers to introduce them to the basics of healthy eating. She guided them on how to decipher nutrition labels and make informed food choices. The session wrapped up with a fun and healthy activity—making banana sushi rolls! This week is providing students with valuable glimpses into the numerous Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings available through Auburn City Schools. From media production to nutrition and wellness, campers are discovering how their interests can lead to meaningful careers. These early experiences are helping students explore the pathways that can lead them to their dream jobs after graduation.

Moms make a huge difference in the successful education of students in our school. To celebrate their unconditional love and support of their children, they enjoyed a morning of appreciation with “Muffins with Mom”: What a beautiful morning celebrating our sweet SMCS moms! Thank you for all you do!

Young superstars are lighting up the gym at Mini Majorette and Flag Camps. Campers learned the fundamental flag and baton skills while receiving tips and tricks from the Varsity Majorettes, who are inspiring the next generation of AHS performers—one high kick and hair bow at a time. The campers were not only mastering routines but also building their confidence with every eight-count. ACS is proud to see school spirit shining bright at Auburn High!

Between Senior Awards Day & graduation, Lee-Scott Academy has given out several specific awards & honors to individual graduates in the Class of 2025.
2025 Valedictorian & Salutatorian – Gabriela Pugh & Jazriene Revalde
Ben J. Kirk Award – Gabriela Pugh
I.J. Scott Award – Hayden Kelly & Scarlett Wood
Nancy Plant McLeod Award – Reese Colley & Jay Collins
Spirit of a Warrior – Riley Fields & Matthew Hood
AISA All-State Academic Team – Reese Colley & Campbell Thomas
LSA Student-Athlete Awards – Hayden Kelly & Scarlett Wood
Senior Masters Award Winners – Chloe Clinard (Spanish), Reese Colley (English), Jay Collins (Drama), Parker Ortbals (Math), Gabriela Pugh (Social Studies), Will Rhodes (Band), Campbell Thomas (Science), & Lilly Kate Thompson (Art)
Senior Distinguished Warrior Winners – Brayden Butler & Caroline Heartsill
Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Nominee – Pelzer Reaves
Mr. and Miss LSA – Will Rhodes & Sara Kate Speakman
National Merit Scholar – Reese Colley
National Honor Society Scholarship Recipient – Jana Hilliard
It has been a special season to celebrate this entire class of 64 young men and women!

The 2025 LSA Youth Baseball Camp was a home run! Led by Head Coach Jarrod Cook and supported by our varsity players and coaches, campers sharpened their fundamentals and grew their love for the game. With skills training, team drills, and friendly competition, it was a great week of learning, teamwork, and fun on the field for these future All-Stars!

God’s Game Changers camp was packed with energy, fun, and faith! Our rising 2nd & 3rd Grade boys spent the week growing in character, learning how to be Godly leaders, and discovering what it means to be on God’s Team! Through games, activities, and powerful lessons with our group of 1st Grade teachers, these boys had a fun-filled and memorable experience to remember!

Field Day 2025 was an incredible day filled with joy, enthusiasm, and spirited competition. It was truly inspiring to witness the hard work, determination, and support from each team! A **HUGE** thank you to all the dedicated parent and student volunteers who made this event possible!

Thank you to everyone for coming to the banquet last night. It was a great night of fellowship as we celebrated this athletic year. We have much to be thankful for and much to look forward to as we turn the page to next year! Great is the Lord’s faithfulness to us!

Auburn City Schools held the annual Award Recognition Ceremony, proudly celebrating the incredible dedication of employees with storied careers in Auburn. These individuals were presented service pins for their time invested in ACS and to honor their passion, perseverance, and purpose. We also celebrated 19 retirees who are closing a meaningful chapter in their careers, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the lives of our students and community. A special moment of the evening was recognizing Board of Education President Melanie Chambless, who served her final board meeting after 12 years of steadfast leadership and service to Auburn City Schools. Her commitment to students, staff, and the ACS mission has made a profound impact, and we are grateful for her many contributions.
Congratulations and thank you to all who serve, lead, and inspire in Auburn City Schools!
20 years: Amanda Bain, Elizabeth Bass, Robert Brasher, Tiffany Flowers, Nancee Garcia, Liz Greathouse, Brian Hinkle, Matthew Hooper, Erica Jones, Adam Martin, Jacqueline Middleton, Suzanne Parish, Shannon Pignato, Deloise Pitts, Mary Sanders, Jan Swiderski, Selena Tapley, Emily Thompson, Peggy Vaughn, and Kelly Walsh.
25 years: William Abney, Beverly Adams, Hilary Boyd, Anton Card, Amanda Dillard, Frances Glass, Tonya Mabson, Terry Melton, Jacqueline Milford, and Angelique Ogletree
30 years: Bari Hodges, Kara Sartain, and Charlene Thomas
35 years: Yolanda Smith
Retirees: Tracy Adrian (28 years in ACS), Judy Boone (25 years in ACS), Melissa Cleondis (13 years in ACS), Jon Coleman (13 years in ACS), Charles Cooper (24 years in ACS), Lori Decker (10 years in ACS), Andrea Folmar (29 years in ACS), Alicia Hames (28 years in ACS), Sharon Higgins (15 years in ACS), Gina Jordan (27 years in ACS), Irene McIntosh (18 years in ACS), Dan Norton (32 years in ACS), Patrick Plott (7 years in ACS), Greg Sanders (17 years in ACS), Kara Sartain (30 years in ACS), and Candy Traylor (22 years in ACS). Mid-year retirees: Donald Cannon (26 years in ACS), Kathleen Warfield (23 years in ACS), and Grover Wilkinson (12 years in ACS).

Officer Damion Barry was honored with the “Above the Call of Duty” award from The Alabama Association of School Resource Officers for exceptional service to schools and the community! Over the past four years, Officer Damion Barry has served the Auburn community as a dedicated School Resource Officer at both Auburn Junior High and Auburn High School. Officer Barry’s professional demeanor and dedication to his career have earned him widespread recognition and respect from staff, students, and parents. What truly distinguishes Officer Barry is not only his commitment to maintaining safety in schools but also his genuine support for students both in and out of uniform. He is a fixture at DARE Camp, after-school functions, and community events, constantly present, approachable, and engaged. He knows how to shift seamlessly from a passionate mentor to a calm but decisive protector, a balance that speaks to his remarkable character. Auburn City Schools community is proud of Officer Barry for his outstanding contributions to keeping our community safe!

Rising 5th and 6th-grade students dove into the world of Career Technical Education through the Auburn City Schools CTE Summer Camp. Adventure began at Auburn University, where campers partnered with the amazing staff and volunteers from the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. Students put their engineering minds to the test by building miniature helicopters and had a blast competing to see which one could soar the highest. During the campus tour, campers also got a behind-the-scenes look at War Eagle Motorsports and Auburn’s cutting-edge Formula Student Racing program. The exploration continued with Mike Brogan and Chef Everson to learn more about the exciting Career and Technical Education pathways offered in Auburn City Schools. Huge thanks to the team at AU Engineering for helping inspire the next generation of innovators!

For more than 680 Auburn High School Seniors, the final steps of their student journey culminate tomorrow evening during the Commencement Ceremony that starts at 7pm in Duck Samford Stadium. Seeing future graduates visit their previous schools is a tradition in Auburn City Schools that celebrates our graduates and provides an opportunity to recognize the hard work of students, families, teachers, and staff combined! ACS is proud to honor the Class of 2025!

Day two of the 2025 CTE Camp was packed with hands-on learning and sweet rewards. Students explored the intricacies of Precision Machining with Mike Brogan and got a taste of Culinary Arts with Chef John Everson. They learned the importance of safety, preparation, and precision in both fields before operating the heavy equipment and ovens. Each camper went home with a personalized dog tag engraved with their name, in addition to the in-house recipe for the chocolate chip cookies they baked, so that they could share the delicious experience with their families. Thank you to Mr. Brogan, Chef Everson, and their incredible students for sharing their time and knowledge with future ACS CTE leaders!

Mayor Ron Anders honored the Auburn High Girls Golf Team with a special proclamation following their dominant win at the 7A State Championship! Led by individual State Champion Kate Ha, this team made history with a record-setting 211 on day two, finishing 19 strokes ahead of the competition and posting the lowest team score ever recorded by AHSAA across all classifications. With major wins this season at the Auburn Invitational, March Madness, Hike the Hills, Sectionals, and Sub-State, this team exemplified talent, grit, and selflessness all year. Congratulations to senior Esha Gupta, team captain Hannah Halverson, junior Kate Ha, and sophomore Summer Yoo, who gave everything for this team every round.

J.F. Drake Middle School has been named a 2024-2025 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase School! This prestigious honor is awarded to campuses that demonstrate excellence in building a culture where students feel safe, connected, and engaged. The Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase Schools® Award recognizes schools that go above and beyond in creating an environment where students thrive academically and emotionally. Through the Capturing Kids’ Hearts® Process, J.F. Drake Middle School educators have been equipped with relationship-building tools and processes that help them foster student success and a positive campus culture. Each year, Capturing Kids’ Hearts recognizes schools nationwide for their commitment to transforming their campus environments through a relational approach to education. Schools that receive this designation have shown measurable progress in student connectedness, academic achievement, and overall school culture.

Mrs. Jones’ VEX Go Robotics Camp was full of building, racing, and hands-on discovery! Campers explored the science behind speed, force, and motion by creating and testing their own super cars and coding them to drive. From engineering challenges to creative problem-solving to plenty of competition, these young innovators had a blast learning through movement and momentum.

Students in Chef Eldred’s Culinary Arts program at Opelika High School have earned their ServSafe Manager Certification, a nationally recognized credential for food safety and restaurant operations. This accomplishment signifies not only their knowledge of food handling standards but also their professionalism and commitment to excellence in the kitchen. The ServSafe program, administered by the National Restaurant Association, is a key step toward culinary and hospitality career readiness.
Pictured (L-R): First Row L to R: Nahla Riggs, Addison Howell, and Exiria Jones
Second Row L to R: MarcKella Jones, Alicia Frazier, TaMya Cooper, and Lincoln Hinkle

The Auburn High School Class of 2025 has successfully crossed the stage, received their diplomas, and celebrated an important milestone!
Join us in celebrating this class and all their accomplishments:
• 680 graduates
• 9 National Merit Finalists
• 10 National Merit Semi-Finalists
• 5 National Merit Commended Scholars
• 9 National Merit Institutional-Endowed Scholarship Recipients
• 3 Presidential Scholar Nominees
• 190 Total Number of Colleges/Universities Represented
• 6 US Service Academy Appointments (2-Air Force Academy; 2-West Point; 2-Naval Academy)
• More than $26 million in Total Scholarships Offered
• 62% of the Senior Class was Awarded Scholarships
• 42 AP Scholars
• 25 AP Scholars with Honor
• 34 AP Scholars with Distinction
• 23 IB Diploma Candidates
Auburn City Schools is incredibly proud of the Class of 2025, and looks forward to the bright futures of our students!

Twelve students from Opelika Middle School proudly represented their school at the first-ever Opelika Chamber Civics Bee, a local extension of a national competition sponsored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Hosted at the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, the event brought together students from across the area to compete in a rigorous academic challenge focused on civic knowledge and engagement. To participate, students submitted original essays on a prompt about strengthening their community through civic involvement. Those selected advanced to the live competition round, where they demonstrated their understanding of the U.S. Constitution, government processes, and responsibilities of citizenship in a dynamic, quiz-bowl format. Participants demonstrated their knowledge of government, the Constitution, and civic responsibility through a written essay and a live, quiz-style competition. “We are incredibly proud of our students for stepping up to this challenge and representing OMS,” said OMS Principal Kristen Williams. “Their dedication, preparation, and poise were so impressive.” The Civics Bee is designed to help young people understand that their voice matters and to empower them to become thoughtful, active citizens in their communities.
Pictured (L-R): First Row L to R: Elizabeth Bellflower, Cooper Taylor, Allie Hall, Erick Fernandez, Lilian Click, Kelsey Berry, Yenifer Lucas
Second Row L to R: Brooklyn Turnham, Tinsley Williams, Kristen Williams, Kaylynn Smith

Warrior Cheer Camp brought the energy all week long. Lower School campers learned cheers, chants, and dances alongside our JV and Varsity cheerleaders, all while showing off their Warrior spirit. It was a week absolutely packed with school pride, teamwork, and memories! Look for these future Warrior cheerleaders on the sidelines of Jud Scott Field for a game this fall!

Woodland Pines Elementary and Yarbrough Elementary each hosted vibrant celebrations of culture, creativity, and community. These sister schools—serving the same school zone—welcomed families to enjoy student artwork, cultural displays, performances, and more. The events were well attended and full of joy, reflecting the many talents and heritages that make our school community shine. ACS thanks the staff, volunteers, and families who helped bring these special nights to life!

This year’s retirement tea was held at Fox Run School to honor the employees who are retiring this year. We appreciate their many years of service to children in Opelika. First Row (L-R): Lynn Freeman-Child Nutrition, Shirley Green-Transportation, Raquel Ellington Springer-Opelika High School, Talaya Williams-Opelika High School
Second Row: Kathy Brown-Southview, Linda Bible-Morris Avenue, Deidre Fenn-Jeter Primary School, Angie Walters-Jeter Primary School, Betsy Gore-Opelika High School, Karen Bush-Opelika High School
Third Row: Tamera Garner-Fox Run School, Jamie Williams-Opelika High School, Denise Hankins-Opelika Middle School, Ulysses Barnett-Northside Intermediate School, David Toxey-Transportation
Not pictured: Sharon Cannon-Central Office, Donna Howard-Child Nutrition, and Melody Stanfield-Central Office

It was all about teamwork, fun, and a little friendly competition at Dean Road Elementary. Families joined their students on the playground for Parents Day in PE, and the energy was sky-high during some truly epic matches. Everyone got in on the action, from parents to little ones, and the smiles say it all. From cheering on teammates to celebrating the toppled hula-hoop towers, it was a great way to bring families together through play. Events like this are more than just fun. Family engagement increases student success, boosting their confidence, building community, and showing students that learning happens everywhere. Thanks to everyone who joined us for this action-packed day in PE!

Auburn City Schools is proud to welcome Dr. Gregory Moore as the new Principal of Auburn High School. Currently serving as Principal of Springville High School with more than two decades of experience as an educator, coach, assistant principal, and principal, Dr. Moore brings a deep commitment to servant leadership, student success, and academic excellence. Dr. Moore has built a reputation as a visionary school leader who believes in fostering a positive culture, empowering educators, and helping all students reach their full potential. Dr. Moore holds a Doctor of Education degree from Samford University and is actively involved in shaping the future of public education in Alabama through service in statewide leadership roles.

Wrights Mill Road Elementary 4th graders made waves during the inaugural Cardboard Boat Regatta at the City of Auburn’s Samford Pool. After weeks of preparation, beginning with 3D-printed prototypes to test buoyancy and weight distribution, students designed and built full-size boats using cardboard and duct tape. The mission? Carry two classmates across the pool without sinking. Congratulations to all the race winners and brave boaters who paddled with heart and determination. ACS thanks the amazing WMR families and the City of Auburn Parks & Recreation Department for their support in making this hands-on STEAM event a success!

We are incredibly proud of our School Resource Officers for being honored with the Big Jim Brown Community Engagement Award at the 2025 TAASRO Conference. Congratulations, and thank you for the outstanding work you do every day to build connections with our students and staff. Your commitment to safety, mentorship, and community engagement makes a lasting impact in our schools and beyond.
We are grateful for your partnership and proud to see you recognized statewide for the difference you make in Opelika.

The Opelika City Schools Board of Education is proud to announce Dr. Kevin Davis as the next Superintendent of Opelika City Schools. With over 20 years in education and a proven record of student-focused leadership, he brings a deep commitment to excellence and community. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Opelika family. Dr. Davis will officially begin his role on July 1, 2025. A community meet and greet will be announced soon!

Looking for childcare? There could be some new certified babysitters near you. That’s a wrap on Babysitters Club camp with Mrs. Moore. Campers had a blast while learning essential first aid skills, earning certification, and getting fully equipped for summer babysitting. From building their own first aid kits and babysitter bags to designing custom business cards, they’re now ready to take on any babysitting job with confidence and care.

Rising seniors, Davis MacIsaac and Cord Zellner, recently spent time at American Legion Alabama Boys State on the campus of the University of Alabama. Alabama Boys State is a leadership and government training initiative that provides knowledge of the political process through practical participation. Students from around the state are selected based on their demonstration of leadership, dedication and strong morals in education and community engagement. Davis was elected among his peers as a Supreme Court Associate Justice throughout the process. Thanks to the American Legion for hosting our students and to Davis & Cord for representing LSA!