Student Spotlights – June 2024

Wrights Mill Road Elementary School hosted local law enforcement agencies for a heartwarming First Responder Breakfast. Officers and deputies kicked their day off with a spread of fruit, bagels, and piping hot coffee generously provided by WMR’s PTO and staff. Seeing them enjoy a well-deserved meal before they started their duties was a joy.
After fueling up, they jumped into the day by opening car doors and greeting students with big smiles and high fives! Their presence highlighted safety and security, as well as warmth and connection to the ACS community. ACS expresses a heartfelt thank you to all first responders for their unwavering dedication to keeping our community safe, and the profound commitment to children’s well-being is sincerely appreciated!

J.F. Drake Middle School proudly hosted the sixth annual ‘Driving Through the Decades’ car show, a spectacular display of over 70 vehicles spanning from the early 1900s. This event started with ten cars in 2018 and has continued to grow, promising an even more thrilling future. From Model T to Tesla, DMS students studied various automobiles in their social studies curriculum. Along the way, they learned even more about the historical events of a particular vehicle before presenting it to guests and other students. Through this car show, students experience a visual and tangible way of bringing history to life. ACS would like to thank the visionaries of this event, Social Studies Teacher Beverly Helm and car enthusiast Tom Spicer, as well as the local car clubs, for making Driving Through the Decades a successful and engaging learning opportunity for students!

The Auburn High School Varsity Boys and Girls Golf teams finished in 1st place at the sectional tournament in Enterprise. Will Scott was low medalist for the boys shooting a 71, and Kate Ha was low medalist for the girls shooting a 72. Both teams now advance to Sub-State. GO TIGERS!

The Tiger Battalion at Auburn High School celebrated the outstanding achievements of cadets in JROTC during their 2024 Awards Day Ceremony. ACS recognizes the dedication, discipline, and commitment of the JROTC program students, who were presented with well-deserved accolades for their remarkable contributions to leadership and excellence. From exemplary drill performances to commendable displays of teamwork and service, these cadets embody the spirit of honor, integrity, and selflessness. Congratulations to all the award winners, and a special thank you to the instructors and families. Your guidance and support have been instrumental in nurturing these young leaders. ACS is grateful for their service and commitment to our community and country!

The City of Auburn’s Water Resource Management Department recently recognized the winners of their storm drain marker contest. The artwork of 15 ACS students was selected as winners and turned into markers for storm drains throughout Auburn. This initiative, sponsored by the Lee County Sunrise Rotary Club, is a significant step in our community’s efforts to protect our local waterways. The markers serve as a visual reminder that what goes into storm drains will ultimately matriculate into local creeks, streams, and other waterways. The students’ drawings, with their clear message that only rain should go down storm drains, are a powerful testament to the importance of this project.
Congratulations to the following talented student artists:
Pick Elementary School
3rd Grade – Addison Rich
4th Grade – Avanita Deepak
5th Grade – Rae Kwak
Yarbrough Elementary School
3rd Grade – Reagan Cooper
4th Grade – Leighton Sprayberry
5th Grade – Jason Hong
Ogletree Elementary School
3rd Grade – Alyssa Hu
4th Grade – Audrey June
5th Grade – Aurielie Mehren
Creekside Elementary School
3rd Grade – Sallie Grace Owens
4th Grade – Eric Wang
5th Grade – Joyce Ro
Wrights Mill Elementary School
3rd Grade – Charlotte Faircloth
4th Grade – Ilana Ahlzadeh
5th Grade – Eleanor Lumpkin
ACS thanks everyone involved in this effort to provide students the opportunity to enhance their community!

The Auburn High School Varsity Girls Tennis team finished as Runner-Up in the 2024 AHSAA 7A State Championship. This team’s dedication and talent have consistently showcased their prowess on the court throughout their high school careers. For four consecutive years, the seniors on this team have either clinched the State Championship title (2021 and 2023) or secured the runner-up position (2022 and 2024). ACS congratulates the student-athletes, coaches, families, and supporters on another outstanding season!

J.F. Drake Middle School’s 6th Annual Book It For Drake 5K and Fun Run was an incredible success! With a mission to support professional development, enhance technology, and enrich classroom libraries, students and community members came together as 112 runners blazed through the one-mile race, and 237 conquered the 5K challenge. Thanks to the contributions from sponsorships, general donations, race entries, and day-of registrations, the event raised $31,000! This remarkable sum will directly empower DMS’s educational initiatives and create more opportunities for growth and learning. ACS thanks everyone who participated, volunteered, and supported this meaningful cause!

During the April 2024 Auburn City Schools Board of Education meeting, the Board recognized the AHS Ambassadors, student artists, and Teachers of the Year. Shiloh Lora, a seventh grader at East Samford School, was honored for winning the Middle School division of the Youth Art Month (YAM) Flag Design competition for the state of Alabama. During the State Superintendent’s Visual Art Exhibit recognition, 20 ACS students and their art teachers were celebrated for competing at the state level. Three of the students placed in the SSVAE: Eli Kiser, a fifth grader at Pick Elementary, won “Best of Show” for the elementary division, Shiloh Lora placed 2nd in the 7-8 Division, and Cedar Linhoss, a third grader at Ogletree Elementary, placed 3rd in the 3-4 Division. ACS is thankful for the 14 outstanding individuals who were named Teachers of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year. With administrators sharing kind words about each one, it was a great display of the educational excellence in our schools!

In the spirit of Tiger Giving Day at Auburn University, representatives from the AU Football program went above and beyond by participating in “Tiger Give Back Day”! These special guests took time to spread joy and inspiration, creating smiles and laughter for all involved. From sharing stories of perseverance to engaging in fun activities, they truly made a positive impact on the young minds of tomorrow. Moments like this are a great reminder of the power of giving back and the importance of community involvement. ACS greatly appreciates the Tigers for going the extra mile to make a difference!

Auburn City Schools students showcased their talent, determination, and spirit during the 2024 Special Olympics Alabama- Lee County Track Meet! From the field to the track, ACS students gave it their all, inspiring others with their courage and resilience. Whether sprinting toward the finish line or cheering for their classmates, each participant showed the true meaning of sportsmanship and camaraderie. Congratulations to all the student-athletes for their hard work and dedication! Thank you to the coaches, volunteers, families, and supporters for a fantastic event!

Kindergarten worked on tech skills in library. Appropriate use of technology is so important! The lesson on tech ended with coloring Bible stories. What stories do you recognize in these pictures?

Ms. Goodwin’s 2nd graders have been learning about how they can assemble, disassemble, and reassemble different things! Students made a structure, drew it, disassembled it, and then tried to create their partner’s structure based on their drawing! How creative!

The Lee-Scott Academy Band had their annual spring band trip up to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and competed at “Music in the Parks” at Dollywood! Once again, under the incredible leadership of Mr. Hudson, the band cleaned up in awards and trophies. Among their successes, the band was awarded a Superior rating and first overall in the concert & jazz band divisions. Additionally, they were also named first place as the overall concert band across all divisions.
Congratulations to Mr. Hudson and all of these talented students!!

Lee-Scott Academy students spent a day at Camp Marannook for the annual 6th Grade Retreat.
These students will have a big year next year transitioning to 7th Grade and the Middle School with Ms. Lloyd. Executive Director Taylor Teel first shared with students about the importance of unity as the body of Christ. The rest of the day was filled with team building activities like canoeing, ropes courses and obstacle challenges. These 6th Grade students are ready for their next steps together at LSA! Thanks to the staff at Camp Marannook!

Auburn City Schools students had the incredible opportunity to journey back millions of years as they ventured into the fascinating world of Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center (GPAC). With hearts full of wonder and eyes wide with amazement, students were transported to a time when giants roamed the Earth. Through lifelike puppetry and engaging storytelling, they witnessed the awe-inspiring spectacle of prehistoric creatures coming to life right before their eyes! Today was not just a trip to the theater but an educational adventure filled with laughter, excitement, and unforgettable memories. ACS thanks the GPAC for hosting our schools and making this captivating experience a reality!

Mrs. Milana’s 1st graders concluded their measurement unit by comparing their shoe size to items around the room. Students found items that were shorter, longer, and about the same length as their shoe as their form of measurement! To celebrate being such great learners, they had popsicles on the playground!

What an incredible weekend it was for Auburn High School as the Marching Band performed during the prestigious National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington, D.C.! The passion, dedication, and musical prowess shone brightly as more than 170 AHS students marched through the capital, showcasing the talent and spirit of Auburn to America. While in the nation’s capital, students had the opportunity to tour museums, memorials, and monuments including experiencing the changing of the guard at Arlington National Cemetery. Marking the second appearance in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade for AHSMB, ACS couldn’t be prouder of the students and band directors for another amazing performance!

Students learned all about the solar eclipse this year. Students observed the different shadows of the trees and a colander. Our future scientists had so much fun experiencing this rare eclipse!

A group of ACS students in grades 6-12 competed in the 2024 Alabama State Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF) at Auburn University. ASEF is an affiliate fair of the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (Regeneron ISEF), the world’s largest international pre-college science competition. ISEF annually provides a forum for millions of students from more than 50 countries to showcase independent research. Several students took home prizes and category awards, including Auburn High School’s Will Bao, who won the “Best in Fair” Award. He will join three other ACS students, Annie Bao, John Parsons, and Kevin Yan, at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in California.

4th Grade students at Lee Scott Academy had a great day stepping back into history and visiting the State Capitol building and the First White House of the Confederacy in Montgomery.

Congratulations to these four Warriors for making the Junior & Senior All-Star teams selected by the AISA Coaches Association! Coach Deese and these players will participate in the 2024 AISA Softball All-Star Event at Lagoon Park in Montgomery. Congratulations, Warriors!

Twelve OHS Seniors were awarded Killgore Scholarships on April 23 and honored with a reception at the high school. Honorees were joined by family members, school administrators, city leaders and board of education members. Pictured (l-r): Chuck Beams-OCS Board of Education member, Kelli Fischer-OHS Principal, Tim Aja-Opelika City Council, Mayor Gary Fuller, Honorees: Brayden Wilson, Peyton Weston, Kenneth Frazier, Devam Patel, Nolen Wilson, Parker Killcreas, Hannah Huling, Michael Constance, Atticus O’Banner, and Caden Blair, Patsy Parker-OCS Board of Education member, Farrell Seymore-OCS Superintendent, Erica Baker-Norris-Opelika City Council, and Tipi Miller-OCS Board of Education. Not pictured-Anita Duncan. Congratulations to this outstanding group of Seniors!

Students from the Opelika High Choral Department were invited to participate in the Soundtrack Sessions Workshop with Disney Imagination Studios in Epcot. They learned music from the super talented, professional recording artist and actor Ian Patrick Gibb of the Voices of Liberty and recorded a song with sound effects and voice recordings all made by them in just two hours! It was an incredible experience and they performed and represented Opelika with excellence! We are so very proud of them and thankful to Disney Imagination Studios for this awesome opportunity! What an amazing experience for the OHS Choirs at Disney Imagination Studios.

OCS is proud of the Spirit of the South Marching Band from Opelika High School. They were invited to march down Main Street! Spirit of the South Marching Band enjoyed parading down Main Street in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.

ACA held our annual Spring Showcase alongside families and friends. The work and diligence our students carry throughout the academic year was evident and fruitful as each grade presented. A very big “job well done” to each and every ACA student! We are so very, very proud of each of you!

We are so thankful God gave us this beautiful Earth and will always do our best to care for it.

4th grade students have been learning all about Alabama’s history. What better way to learn the history of our great state than to get a hands-on experience at our state Capitol building and museum!

2nd Grade celebrated Earth Day. Students learned all about how each year, Earth Day is celebrated on April 22nd. Through different stations, groups of students learned about bugs, animals, bees, how plants affect our planet, the harm pollution causes, and even made their own water filters. It was a beautiful day to be outside and celebrate Earth Day on…earth!
Thank you to all of our guests and parent volunteers that helped coordinate this day!

Congratulations to the Lee-Scott Football program for receiving the EAGLES Program Student’s Choice Award at the annual EAGLES Employment Awards Luncheon. Coach Daniel, Coach Ozment and the entire team were recognized and given this award today in appreciation of their ability to create an inclusive environment for Auburn University student videographer, Bryson, this year! Bryson, a second year EAGLES student in the Sports and Recreation Management concentration, was a wonderful addition to the Warriors and did a fantastic job filming practices, games, and supporting the program on their quest to capture a second straight state championship. The Education to Accomplish Growth in Life Experiences for Success (EAGLES) is a comprehensive transition program for students with intellectual disabilities at Auburn University. Students in the program receive an inclusive post-secondary education providing them with an enriching and rewarding Auburn experience as they prepare to transition to gainful employment, that aligns with the student’s strengths and interests and independent living.

Spring time in Kindergarten means a Spring Market for shoppers once again. Spring pennies, earned for hard work and good behavior all semester long, were spent on bird feeders, snacks, and gifts for others throughout the classroom.

Underneath the umbrella of learning, our Pre-K students embraced “Umbrella Day”. From a whimsical parade through the Upper School to see high school “undergraduates” and uncovering the United States flag, there were plenty of words that start with “U” to be found! Not to mention, the number of unique individuals found along the way…

While in STEM with Mrs. Stewart and in Technology with Mrs. Jones, 5th Graders have had an amazing opportunity to engineer their own Ozobot maze and program their Ozobots to travel through it! Students planned and created their mazes in STEM class. Some students engineered a maze with a theme and others even created tunnels for their Ozobot. Students then brought their maze to Technology class and were able to program their Ozobot to travel through every twist and turn.

Students in AP Literature and AP Biology, along with Dr. Tyree, were given a special tour of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine research park on Auburn University’s campus.
Students met with professors and student doctors, toured the facility and participated in sessions such as “What is Osteopathic Medicine?,” “How to Treat a Patient in Distress,” and “The Interplay of the Nervous System and our Emotions and Faith.” They also were able to perform experiments in a lab setting. We are so grateful to Dr. Kari Dugger, VCOM professionals and those that participated in making this such a meaningful experience for our students! It’s one we hope they do not soon forget.

TCS Tennis AISA Boys Tennis State Champions

2nd Grade’s field trip to Pioneer Park in Loachapoka enhanced their studies of pioneer times and reading of “Little House on the Prairie”.

Mrs. Battles’s first grade class studied contractions and practiced forming them in a creative unit called, “Contraction Surgery”. The students enjoyed dressing up like doctors and learning about different parts of the medical field.