Student Spotlights – May 2024

Dean Road Elementary School hosted a Multicultural Night with 17 families proudly representing over a dozen countries. The multipurpose room at DRES was buzzing with cultural exchange, laughter, and unity. From vibrant displays showcasing traditional attire to mouthwatering dishes from around the globe, the school was filled with cultural pride and appreciation. Seeing students, families, and staff come together to embrace and celebrate their cultures was heartwarming. ACS thanks all of the families who participated, generously sharing a piece of their heritage with enthusiasm and willingness to educate and inspire others!

With students and their families representing 23 countries, Auburn High School became a vibrant tapestry of cultures, colors, and traditions during the 2024 World’s Fair. Every corner of the cafeteria was filled with laughter, excitement, and the spirit of unity. From culinary delights to musical performances and a stunning fashion show, the World’s Fair showcased the heritage and talents of AHS students. ACS appreciates everyone who contributed to making this event a resounding success. Thank you to the talented performers, dedicated organizers, and the entire Auburn High School community for coming together to celebrate one another!

Richland Elementary School had the incredible honor of hosting award-winning children’s author and storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy! Deedy enchanted students with her captivating stories, weaving together folklore and fairy tales in the most magical way possible. Her stories, from personal childhood memories to mischievous creatures in the jungle, transported the audience to far-off lands filled with wonder and imagination. Students laughed out loud as she brought characters to life with her humorous voices and infectious energy. Deedy has published several children’s books in both English and Spanish, with her latest titled “The Peanut Man.” In her travels, she visits around 125 schools yearly and has done so for the past 32 years. ACS thanks Carmen Agra Deedy for sharing her talent and passion at RES today!

Auburn City Schools is proud to announce that Pick Elementary School’s very own Deana Hooks has been selected as the Alabama State Board of Education District Two Elementary Teacher of the Year, placing her in the Sweet 16 statewide! As a National Board-Certified Teacher, Mrs. Hooks is in her 33rd year with ACS, serving teachers and students as the Librarian and Technology Coordinator at PES. Mrs. Hooks and all ACS Teachers of the Year will be recognized at the Board, as the next step in the process unfolds, revealing a Final Four before a reception in Montgomery in May. ACS congratulates Mrs. Hooks for her dedication to educational excellence as she represents the teaching profession for our school system!

Bentley Kiser, a sixth grader from J.F. Drake Middle School, was recently honored by Lee County Family Court Judge Mike Fellows for putting good character into action at school! “Bentley has taken a young lady with learning and developmental needs under her wing. She works alongside her when she has the opportunity and is able to motivate participation while modeling for the whole class what it means to meet a person where they are in life and walk their journey with them.”—Carrie Williams, Lions teacher at DMS. ACS is proud of Bentley for going above and beyond to include others through kindness!

It was an exciting morning at the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center as ACS first graders embarked on a music-infused journey with the Grammy-winning duo 123 Andrés! With their enchanting melodies and infectious rhythms, 123 Andrés captivated students while seamlessly integrating elements of Spanish, American Sign Language, and Geography into their performance, creating an immersive and educational experience for the young audience. ACS thanks the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center for continually providing the community with enriching cultural experiences that broaden horizons and foster a deeper appreciation for the rich tapestry of the world!

Reading coaches from across the region observed comprehension strategies in the classroom and a collaborative session between OES teachers Davis Ann Speigner and Montasha Britton. OES highlighted its 40 Book Challenge, and students spoke about how participating in this program has changed them as readers. ACS is proud of this effort to foster encouragement, learning, and fellowship among students and educators!

AHS celebrated a momentous occasion as 277 outstanding students were inducted into Auburn High School’s chapter of the National Honor Society! The ceremony celebrated academic excellence, leadership, service, and character. Each of these remarkable individuals has demonstrated a commitment to positively impacting our school and community. A special highlight of the evening was when Mayor Ron Anders presented and read a proclamation, officially declaring March 20, 2024, as National Honor Society Day in Auburn. What an honor to have the City of Auburn recognize these exceptional students’ hard work and dedication! ACS congratulates the newest NHS inductees, as their achievements are a testament to their dedication and determination!

Students at Creekside Elementary delved into the exciting world of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. From building miniature catapults to coding adventures, math games, and discovering the art of Kumihimo – a traditional Japanese Braiding Technique – every moment was filled with curiosity and creativity! Watching young minds tackle challenges, collaborate, and explore new concepts is inspiring. A huge shoutout to the parent volunteers and dedicated teachers for making today’s event a memorable success for future innovators!

Auburn Junior High Jazz Band students were treated to a unique experience this morning when the Victor “Red” Atkins Quartet visited them from New Orleans! Sponsored by the Sound Wall Initiative, this workshop brought the magic of jazz to young musicians in Auburn. Victor Atkins, accompanied by the phenomenal talents of Derek Douget on saxophone, Adonis Rose on drums, and Jason Stewart on bass, transported students to the heart of New Orleans’ vibrant jazz scene. From the classics to the contemporary, students got an up-close and personal lesson on the music of New Orleans’ Modern Masters. ACS thanks everyone involved for making this musical event possible for our students!

Three talented young artists from Auburn City Schools were honored at the prestigious 2024 Alabama State Superintendent’s Visual Arts Exhibit at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery! Eli Kiser, a fifth grader from Pick Elementary School, won Best of Show in the Elementary level with his piece titled “Washing Waves.” Cedar Linhoss, a third grader from Ogletree Elementary School, earned 3rd place in Division 3-4 with her entry “Crazy Picasso Chicken.” Shiloh Lora, a seventh grader from East Samford School, secured second place in Division 7-8 with the piece titled “Apples in the Afternoon.” These talented artists had the opportunity to meet State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey and Alabama State Board of Education Vice President Tracie West (District 2) during the award ceremony that honored some of the best student artists in the state.

Breakfast with Dad event at Dean Road Elementary School had a very special guest speaker – none other than Auburn University’s Head Football Coach, Hugh Freeze! Coach Freeze brought not only his football wisdom but also some invaluable fatherly advice. During his inspiring talk, Coach Freeze emphasized the importance of being there for our children in every aspect of their lives. He stressed the three P’s: Protection, Provisions, and Play. As dads, it’s crucial to protect our kids, provide for them, and, most importantly, engage in quality time and playfulness with them. It was a truly heartwarming and motivating experience to see Coach Freeze connect with our students and parents alike. Thank you, Coach, for sharing your insights and championing the vital role a father figure can play in shaping their children’s lives!

The vibrant creativity of Auburn City Schools’ budding artists was on display at the newly renovated Jan Dempsey Community Art Center. The exhibit had hundreds of submissions that was a feast for the eyes, showcasing the imagination and skills of students in grades K-12.

Lee-Scott Academy students participated in the AISA State Art Show at Faulkner University. Congratulations to the following students and all their hard work being rewarded!
Kindergarten – 1st Grade
Drawing Color: Elizabeth McMurray, 1st Place & Best of Show
3D Art: Charlie McGarrigle, 1st Place
Mixed Media: Addie Claire Russell, 1st Place
Printmaking: Hayes Hester, 2nd Place
Collage: Zadie Bradham, 2nd Place
2nd – 3rd Grade
Collage: William King, 2nd Place
6th – 8th Grade
Printmaking: Corbett Culpepper, 1st Place
9th – 12th Grade
Water Base: Eleanor Harrison, 1st Place
3D Art: Pie Clinard, 2nd Place
Photography: Travis Pham, 2nd Place

Mrs. Martine’s Kindergarten class had many guest readers. What better way to inspire a love for reading than having students’ parents read to them! “ “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” —Emilie Buchwald

Mrs. Olney’s 3rd graders have been learning about DNA and inheriting traits from their parents. To better understand DNA, they dissected a strawberry, used an extraction buffer to separate the DNA from the liquid, filtered it, and studied the DNA under the microscope. They discovered that DNA is the blueprint to all living things.

Mrs. Milana’s 1st graders studied biographies for Presidents’ Day and they couldn’t get enough of them! Students created autobiographies using pictures to represent important moments from their lives. They did an excellent job practicing public speaking skills and following respectful guidelines to ask good questions after each presentation! Way to go 1st grade!

Lina Park hoisting up her 1st place national trophy/medal on the podium. Lina is currently the #1 ranked women’s foil fencer in the southeast region of the United States for 3 categories: Ages 14 and under (y-14), 16 and under (cadets), AND ages 19 and under (juniors).
Edward Lim on the podium with his second-place medal at the national competition for y-10 men’s foil. He lost in the final by one point (score was 10-9)! Edward Lim is the #1 ranked fencer in the southeast region for y-10 men’s foil and is #3 in y-12 men’s foil. Fencing is a great NCAA and Olympic sport that can also be enjoyed recreationally as well. We hope to further spread awareness of the availability of this safe, healthy, and exhilarating sport!

Miss Goodwin’s 2nd graders experimented with penny boats! They designed, tested, and redesigned boats made of paper and tape to learn how to analyze and test materials. The winning team’s boat held 110 pennies!! Way to go 2nd grade!

On this year’s staff retreat day, SMCS teachers traveled to the Biblical History Center LaGrange, GA. Teachers spent the day focusing on Jesus’ life leading up to his crucifixion and after his resurrection. This was such a perfect way to prepare everyone’s hearts this Easter season.

Elementary students participated in stations representing different days and events in Holy Week. Students were able to reenact Palm Sunday, the washing of the feet, and the Last Supper! They spent time reflecting on Holy Week and Jesus’ great sacrifice for us. As we continue through Holy Week, we pray that their hearts and minds stay on Jesus

5th graders have been constructing their own parachutes with Mrs. Stewart in STEM. Each group had the choice of bubble wrap, a grocery bag, wax paper or a coffee filter to create a parachute. Students then went outside and experimented with how their creations flew when dropped. With videos on their iPads, students will debrief and discuss what went wrong, what went right and how they can make changes next week!

Congratulations to the Warriors’ JV State Track team on their performances at the AISA JV State Track Meet! Both teams finished third overall. Congrats to Coach Harris, Coach Carter and the entire team on a great day!

Congratulations to the JV girl’s soccer team for finishing their season undefeated! A perfect 8-0, the team scored 48 goals and only allowed 4 all year. Congratulations, Warriors! The future is bright!

It was a bitter sweet moment as the seniors were celebrated during Senior Night for Lee-Scott soccer. 7 senior players gave a jersey to teachers and staff members who have played a role in their time at Lee-Scott.
We’re so thankful for how these individuals have shaped these students’ experiences at LSA!
Skylah Harris: Mrs. Meador
Hannah Deboer: Mrs. Armstrong
Wesley Matthews: Mr. Kendrick
Matthew Rolader: Mrs. Starr
Colee Shepp: Ms. Williams
Allie Starr: Mrs. Johnson
Mallory Wheeles: Dr. Tyree

Seventh grade students, parents, and teachers enjoyed a trip to Washington, D.C., and visited the Museum of the Bible, the Capitol, many monuments, and Smithsonian Museums. This trip brought to life much of the history these students have been learning about which has focused on 1849 to present day.

Our fourth and fifth grade classes had a busy month visiting the State Capital. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about Alabama and its governing body.

Congrats to Aly, Sadie, and Kelsi for winning first place in their division at the AISA District Art Show. They will now advance to the state art show.

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.
March’s Junior Technician Award was given to Lower School 3rd Grade teacher, Mrs. Tracey Streetman! Mrs. Streetman was nominated after assisting another teacher in creating a quiz in IXL and then showing those students where to go to take it. That goes right along with Mrs. Streetman’s constant desire to help others! Well done and congratulations, Mrs. Streetman! We appreciate you!

There was a full group of zany zebras on campus learning all about the letter, “Z!” After a full day at school and getting to eat some zebra cakes, the Pre-K students should catch plenty of “zzzz’s” tonight!

The 5th grade students presented “The Easter Story” through interactive vignettes. Families experienced a walk-through of the days leading up to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Lee-Scott Academy’s 6th Grader Ella Cato competed in the HITS Winter Circuit Horse Show in Ocala, Florida! Ella competed over a 10-week period spanning from January through March and was named overall Circuit Champion last weekend, winning both of the divisions she was competing in. We are very proud of her hard work and determination! Ella is also a member of the Lower School Equestrian Club! Thank you for representing LSA well, Ella. Way to go!

Each spring, the Alabama Art Education Association holds the online Visual Art Competition of Alabama (VACA). VACA is a juried online art competition open to all students from Kindergarten – 12th Grade in public or private schools of AAEA members. Each AAEA member may submit up to 3 artworks on behalf of their students. This year, Lee-Scott Academy freshman Pie Clinard won two awards in the 7th-9th Grade division! She received a second-place award for her piece titled “Ignite” and an Honorable Mention for “Uninvited Guest”

At The Oaks School, we’re proud to feature the Read Well phonics curriculum in our educational toolkit – a proven phonics-based reading program designed to foster love and mastery in reading and includes the following features:
•Tailored Learning: Read Well adapts to each student’s individual learning pace, ensuring personalized progress and understanding.
•Strong Foundations: By focusing on phonics, students build a solid base for reading, spelling, and comprehension skills.
•Engaging Content: Stories and activities are crafted to captivate young minds, making learning enjoyable and effective.