Student Spotlights – May 2026

Auburn High School hosted the Lee County Rising Reverse Career Fair, where juniors and seniors harnessed and enhanced their networking skills. Unlike a traditional career fair, students took the lead by sharing their goals, resumes, and vision boards with local industry partners, practicing real-world communication and building professional confidence. Students from Auburn, Beauregard, Beulah, Loachapoka, and Smiths Station High Schools showcased the outstanding talent and potential of the region’s future workforce. From healthcare and public safety to STEM, business, and skilled trades, students demonstrated preparation, professionalism, and passion for their future careers. ACS thanks the Work-Based Learning Program at AHS, the Lee County District Attorney’s Office, and all partners who shared their expertise with students. By supporting events like this, we empower Auburn and Lee County’s next generation of leaders to thrive!

March is designated as National Social Work Month, and Auburn City Schools is proud to recognize the incredible impact of our five licensed social workers who support our students and their families. From helping students navigate challenges to providing guidance, resources, and compassion during life’s toughest moments, these dedicated professionals make a lasting difference across the school district. Please join us in celebrating (left to right): Alisia Hansell, Terri Huffman, Joy Stanley, Joy Barber, and Germany Leonard. Their commitment and advocacy do not go unnoticed. Thank you for all that you do for ACS!

As part of Music in Our Schools Month, students at Wrights Mill Road Elementary have been competing in their own March Music Madness bracket to crown their favorite song champion. The excitement came to life as students dressed up as their favorite songs, bringing 90s hits like “Ice Ice Baby” and “The Thunder Rolls,” as well as classics like “Born in the USA” and “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” into the hallways. Shoutout to WMR music teacher Francesca Andretta for creating such a fun and engaging way for students to connect with music and each other. We are proud that every Auburn City Schools student has access to music education, thanks to incredible educators who enrich learning every day!

Auburn High School’s JROTC Tiger Battalion hosted its annual Awards Ceremony, celebrating the accomplishments of its outstanding cadets. From recognizing excellence in leadership to honoring prestigious academy appointments, the ceremony showcased the hard work and commitment these students bring to this Career & Technical Education program every day. A “changing of the guard” also took place, as senior cadets passed the torch to the incoming commanding officers for the 2026–2027 school year, marking both a culmination and a new beginning. Auburn City Schools extends sincere gratitude to AHS’s JROTC Instructors, Maj. Brett Wiersma (Ret.) and 1SG John Audaine (Ret.), for their continued leadership and mentorship, as well as to the cadets’ families, school and district administrators, and special guests in attendance to celebrate these impressive students. We are proud of the Tiger Battalion and the future leaders they are becoming!

The Visual Shift: Create Differently is Alabama’s newly reimagined statewide visual arts exhibition celebrating innovative student work across a variety of media. This year, Auburn High School artists made an incredible showing! We are proud to recognize the following students for their outstanding achievements:
Best in Show: James Jang — Radiation Hive
Craft: Madison DeCarlo — Sunrise Swan (1st Place)
Mixed Media: Andrew Johnson — Analog Possession (3rd Place)
New Media: Amanda Nguyen — Calcified (1st Place), Ethan Chandler — Lucid Dreams (2nd Place), Lizzy Lovell — Ethereal Dream (3rd Place)
Painting: James Jang — Radiation Hive (2nd Place)
Photography: Brady Cannon — Fixed (1st Place), Law Alsobrook — Speak Up (2nd Place), Neil Jake Henderson — Roped In (3rd Place)
Printmaking: Ethan Chandler — The Moon (3rd Place)
These students exemplify creativity, technical skill, and the courage to truly create differently. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and the way they continue Auburn High’s strong tradition in the visual arts. Congratulations to all our award-winning artists!

Auburn High School proudly welcomed its newest members into the National Honor Society during a special induction ceremony for the Sigma Lambda Chi Chapter. These outstanding students have demonstrated excellence in the four pillars of NHS: scholarship, leadership, service, and character. A heartfelt thank you to the faculty sponsors, Ms. Michelle Hopf and Ms. Mary Jane Patterson, as well as the student officers and Principal Dr. Moore, who made the evening so meaningful for attendees. Congratulations to all 2026 inductees, your hard work and dedication are an inspiration to all students in Auburn!

Richland Elementary had an incredible morning welcoming children’s book author Yangsook Choi all the way from Korea. Thanks to the support of a FACES grant, students in every grade level had the opportunity to learn from Ms. Choi as she shared her journey as a writer and illustrator. She guided students through the art of storytelling, character development, and her creative illustration process. Students also enjoyed hearing excerpts from some of her beloved books, including The Name Jar, New Cat, and A Letter to My Best Friend. The most powerful takeaway? Every student left inspired, reminded that they are all writers with stories worth telling.

Auburn High placed 4th overall in the 2026 Azalea City Invitational hosted by St Paul’s Episcopal School. AHS placed first today in individual stroke play, with Cooper Pratt winning as an Individual, shooting 4 under with a 68!

Mrs. Sentenn’s 7th grade class took part in a Water Challenge while reading the novel “A Long Walk to Water”. The class is partnering with the Filter of Hope Ministry to help provide water filters for countries that experience water crisis like the characters in their novel study! They also hosted a Clean Water Project Bake Sale to help raise money!

Our seniors experienced history firsthand with an interactive Middle Ages adventure at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament, complete with a live educational presentation, a medieval feast, and an action-packed jousting tournament!

Congratulations to Fisher Pair for signing her letter of intent to continue her academic and athletic career at the University of West Alabama. Fisher was also named WTVM’s Scholar Athlete of the Week this week! We are incredibly proud of Fisher for representing LSA!

The 2026 Lee-Scott Academy Art Show was a success! We are incredibly proud of all our students that participated from kindergarten all the way to upper school! Congratulations to all our winners and participants.

Opelika’s fifth graders explored real-world careers during Tools of the Trade. Students rotated through hands-on stations to learn from professionals across health care, engineering, skilled trades, public safety, and more. Thank you to the companies, colleges and universities, and organizations that made this experience possible for our students: Opelika Fire Department, Opelika Police Department, Southern Union State Community College (Technical and Health Science), Southern Pride Landscaping & Maintenance, Scott Bridge Company, Chattahoochee Valley Community College, OCV, LLC, Auburn University Samuel Ginn College of Engineering, VCOM-Auburn – Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Auburn University Physics Department, and Harvest Engineering.

Mrs. Jessica’s 5th grade science class! Students participated in owl pellet dissection and homogeneous/heterogenous Chex mix lab!

Congratulations to Senior Joey Allen for making The AISA All-Star Basketball Team! Joey and The Blue All-Star Team defeated The White All-Star Team 109-100, with Joey scoring 15 points. Way to go Joey for a great game and representing The Oaks School so well. We are looking forward to watching you continue to play in college!

Mrs. Lauren’s 1st grade class connected Scripture with creativity during their latest lesson. After studying Bible verses about planting and growth, students painted their own flowerpots and planted seeds, combining art and STEM.

Congratulations to Mac Ellis and Harper Hendrix who were chosen by TCS teachers and administrators to represent Trinity Christian School at Alabama Boys State and Alabama Girls State this summer.

Mrs. Kellie’s class had a fantastic field trip to the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, where they learned more about our local community, followed by an educational tour of the East Alabama Museum in downtown. The day was wrapped up with a fun picnic at the square!

Students and teachers got a special preview as the talented Creekside Choir took the stage for their dress rehearsal ahead of this evening’s 6pm performance for families. The show features an incredible variety of music, from contemporary favorites like “Beautiful Day” by U2 and “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors to fun and creative pieces. ACS is proud of these students for their hard work and school spirit. A big thank you to the dedicated CES Music Teacher Morgan Fisher, school leaders, and volunteers who helped make this performance possible.

Congratulations to our Oaks JV Baseball Team in their 7-6 walkoff win against Springwood School. Pitcher #21 Braxton Bell pitched a complete game with 4 strikeouts in 4 innings. He also went 2-3 at the plate with 3 RBI’s. Special shout out to #27 Asher Johnson with his 1st career homerun in a Varsity game!

Our first graders had the best day on their field trip to the Springer Opera House in Columbus where they watched a children’s production of “A Bad Case of Stripes.” Our students loved the show and even more importantly, they learned a powerful message that it’s okay to be yourself!

Congratulations to our amazing Hello, Dolly! cast and crew on a fantastic production! Your God-given talents truly shined. Thank you to all the parents and staff who helped make it happen—we are so grateful!

The 5th Graders finished their study of the Medieval Age with a Medieval Feast. They performed recitations from “Voices From A Medieval Village” as well as playing games and eating lunch Medieval style!! Well done 5th graders! Huzzah!!

Auburn City Schools’ Career Technical Education (CTE) department hosted Career Exploration Day at East Samford School, immersing seventh-graders in hands-on experiences in career pathways. Students rotated through hands-on experiences to learn about a variety of career pathways, including:
Public Safety
Virtual Reality
Health Science
Work-Based Learning
Lawn Care & Entrepreneurship
Army JROTC
Students gained career insights, actively participated in discussions with the guest presenters, and reflected on the CTE opportunities awaiting them in junior high and high school. Thank you to our community partners and the CTE team for inspiring future leaders and helping students take their first steps toward discovering their passions!

Auburn City Schools proudly hosted a professional learning event at Woodland Pines Elementary in partnership with the Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI). Administrators from ACS, as well as other surrounding area administrators, joined ARI leader Ivy Pike to explore the impact of data-informed teamwork and strengths-based feedback on student learning. Through activities and reflection, attendees examined how using data intentionally can move schools from reacting to proactively focusing on student-centered instruction. ARI supports schools statewide in strengthening literacy instruction, so every student develops essential skills. Focus: Educators working together with data can boost student achievement. ACS values the chance to learn and grow as we continue our commitment to literacy excellence for every student!

During the March 2026 Board of Education meeting, coaches and student-athletes were honored for their impressive achievements in athletics: James Slaton, ACS Director of Athletics, was recently named a Certified Athletic Administrator by the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA). This prestigious honor reflects the highest level of knowledge and professionalism in athletic administration, earned through an evaluation process and comprehensive examination. Auburn High School Wrestling made history at the AHSAA 6A/7A State Tournament in Huntsville this year: Cheyenne Penn – 100 lbs STATE CHAMPION, Molly Seidman – 107 lbs STATE CHAMPION & Most Valuable Wrestler, and Lewis Miller – 144 lbs STATE CHAMPION. These accomplishments represent excellence, hard work, and Tiger pride at its finest. Congratulations to all!

What a beautiful afternoon to celebrate students at the Trinity Art Show! We loved showcasing the incredible work of our 1st–12th grade artists—so much God-given talent and creativity on display. “Let all that you do be done in love.” — 1 Corinthians 16:14

Thank you for your years of commitment to TCS athletics and for being such strong leaders on and off the field—we are so proud of you! A heartfelt thank you to the parents for your endless support—driving to practices, washing uniforms, working gates, and cheering every step of the way. We are so grateful! “Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

We are so proud of our students who participated in the All-State Choir Festival. They did an outstanding job, and we are thankful for the talent God has given them. “Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth.” — Psalm 96:1

Ashlynn “Cricket” Hayes had a 2nd place finish at the National Trumpet Competition (NTC) in Iowa City, IA. The National Trumpet Competition is a highly competitive annual event, drawing auditions from hundreds of young trumpet players nationwide. Participants must prepare and submit a video recording for their initial audition to be chosen and advance to the live performance rounds at the NTC event. For the NTC’s 2026 event, 40 high school trumpet soloists from across the country were invited to attend the live performance rounds. Adjudication of the first round of live performances resulted in the selection of 8 semifinalists to participate in a second round, where results were narrowed to the top 3 performers. These 3 finalists then performed once more to determine final placement, and awards were distributed accordingly. Being chosen to compete at the national level is an incredible achievement, and Auburn City Schools is thrilled that Cricket represented our community and the Auburn High School Band Program so well!

The East Samford School Math Team had an outstanding performance at the MATHCOUNTS Chapter Competition in Montgomery. Several of our students ranked among the top 25% individually: Jun Hoo Park – 2nd place, Eunyul Kim – 3rd place, and Kelton Kaidun – 4th place
Even more exciting, the East Samford team of Jun Hoo Park, Eunyul Kim, Kelton Kaidun, and Rae Kwak earned 1st place in the Team Round! Because of their incredible teamwork and problem-solving skills, they will advance to the State Competition. Emory Ainsworth also placed 3rd in the Countdown Round, a fast-paced, head-to-head math challenge performed in front of a live audience. Congratulations to these talented students and their teachers for representing ESS and ACS so well. We wish them the best of luck at the state competition!

Lee-Scott Academy is excited to congratulate sophomore Ellie MacIsaac for being selected to attend the 2026 Capstone Leadership Academy at the University of Alabama! Through an incredibly selective process, students are chosen and recognized for their excellence and involvement in their school and community. When at the leadership academy, Ellie and her peers will be challenged to cultivate their leadership potential with a focus on values, vision, and voice. She will get to know current students, hear from inspirational leaders and network with students from schools around the state. Congratulations, Ellie! Thank you for representing LSA so well.

Grandparents’ Day & Spring Exordium was such a special time. We loved welcoming grandparents for breakfast, fellowship, exciting presentations & classroom visits as students showcased their learning. We are so thankful for our Trinity grandparents! “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.” — Proverbs 17:6

This exciting event has quickly become a beloved tradition at Trinity Christian School. Our students are trained in the social graces of etiquette and formal dance as we seek to redeem culture for God’s glory. Friendship is a gift from the Lord, and these sweet evenings remind us how we can show love through joyful conversation, beautiful dancing, and Christ-centered fellowship.

The excitement from Madagascar Jr. rolled right into Pick Elementary’s Zoo Fest, where students explored the wonders of wildlife. Students had the opportunity to learn about animals, conservation, and the natural world thanks to some incredible community partners who brought the zoo to PES: Auburn University Raptor Center, AU Kreher Preserve & Nature Center, Choctafaula, and Pine Mountain Wild Animal Safari. Thank you to our partners for sparking curiosity and making Zoo Fest unforgettable for our students!

Our 1st Grade Medical Team was in full swing during “Contraction Surgery” Week. Dressed in their doctor coats, these young surgeons performed several successful procedures — carefully removing the “troublesome” letters (like the h and a in we have), stitching in an apostrophe, and bandaging the word back together to create a brand new one: we’ve! From diagnosis to discharge, these students showed precision, teamwork, and plenty of smiles. We’re pretty sure the future of grammar — and medicine — is in good hands! Amazing work, 1st Grade!

AEEC first graders put their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test during an exciting Egg Drop Challenge. Students designed protective containers to keep their eggs safe when dropped from a lift. Three teams tied for the win, successfully protecting their eggs from the highest height of 30 feet! A special thank you to the ACS Maintenance Team for helping make the Egg Drop possible and supporting this hands-on learning experience. Ingenuity, teamwork, and a little bit of suspense made for a great day of STEAM education at AEEC!

Lee-Scott Academy was honored to have Taylor Belich, author of the children’s book “Weagle, Weagle, War Beagle: A Story featuring Coach Sonny Smith” join our Lower School friends today!

K4 ended the study of the letter T with their annual Transportation Day! A terrific time was had by all while riding different modes of transportation on the track!

During National School Breakfast Week, and Child Nutrition Program teams have been creating mythical and masterful offerings for students in their school kitchens. Students have enjoyed the theme of “The Quest for School Breakfast,” and discovered a menu fit for a king. From royal pancakes and dragon egg bites to enchanted pumpkin oranges, fruity pixie wands, and magic milk, cafeterias were full of fun and fuel for the day ahead. School breakfast helps power student success by boosting academic performance, improving concentration, and supporting positive classroom behavior. Thank you to our incredible CNP Staffers for creating such majestic meals for students!

Fifth and sixth-graders from Auburn City Schools represented Auburn with excellence at the Region 5 Invention Convention. Out of 42 projects presented, 15 inventions advanced to the Alabama State Invention Convention. 5th Grade Winners: 1st Place – Traveling Magnetic Puzzle by Lacie Jordan (OES), 3rd Place: Headache Helper by Luke Dimick (YES), 6th Grade Winner: 1st Place – Sensor Safety Cradle by Sarala Mishra-Kingston and Ashley Newman (DMS), 2nd Place: Pro Sight Nose by Avanita Deepak (DMS), and 3rd Place: Suit ALSou 200 by Lily Kim (DMS). Special Awards: Best Pitch: Bike Mate – Owen Black (WMR), Best Prototype: Flip n’ Fold – Micah Coppenger and Nora Schmidt (WMR), Best Display Board : Traveling Magnetic Puzzle – Lacie Jordan (OES), and Best Logbook: Pro Sight Nose – Avanita Deepak (DMS). These students demonstrated creativity, problem-solving, confidence, and outstanding communication skills throughout the competition. We are so proud of the way they represented Auburn City Schools! Congratulations to all of our young innovators advancing to the Alabama State Invention Convention!

Pick Elementary students held their dress rehearsal for their spring production of DreamWorks® Madagascar: A Musical Adventure Jr. Adding to the excitement, second-grade students from Cary Woods Elementary joined the audience for the rehearsal, giving the performers a great crowd and a preview of the adventure that awaits. From the excitement of the jungle to the power of friendship, these talented students are bringing this story to life with music, laughter, and plenty of energy. ACS is so proud of the hard work, creativity, and confidence these young performers have shown as they prepare for their big performances. A special shout-out goes to Music Teacher Mr. Caleb Doster for always producing Broadway-caliber shows at Pick!

Over the past nine weeks, 9th graders at Auburn Junior High School have been working hard preparing for a professional interview. From learning about proper interview attire to developing their résumés and practicing interview skills, they have built a sound foundation for future success. They are putting what they have learned to the test during the 3rd Annual Interview Day at the AJHS Field House. This event provides our Career Prep students with the opportunity to participate in mock interviews with dedicated community volunteers, gaining real-world experience and meaningful feedback. ACS is grateful to the community members who generously gave their time to assist our students, including local pediatricians, representatives from the Auburn Public Library, and several departments at Auburn University. Their investment in our students is invaluable!

Our administrators and instructional coaching team attended the Literacy Reimagined Conference in Daphne this week. They learned innovative approaches to reading and writing instruction. We’re so grateful for this group’s commitment to continuous learning and bringing new ideas back to support our students and teachers!

Richland Elementary started the celebration in style with a fantastic Book Character Parade, bringing favorite stories and characters to life. Students will continue celebrating all week long with exciting dress-up days, a March Madness Read Aloud Book Bracket, and plenty of fun activities designed to spark a love of reading. We love seeing our students discover the joy and adventure that books bring!

Using the Desmos graphing calculator, students brought their creativity to life by designing their names, initials, and monograms through linear equations. By carefully working with slopes and y-intercepts, they ensured each letter was evenly sized and perfectly spaced. From bold color choices to creative embellishments like boxes and underlines, each design is a unique blend of math and personality!

Third grade was able to explore animal adaptations and life cycles more deeply thanks to Dr. Riggs, Mr. Miller, and Ms. Lazenby from Auburn University. Students created their own animal adaptations by developing different traits through a coin toss, explored symbiotic relationships with plants and bacteria, and used a spectroscope to observe how light and plants interact and work together. It was a fun day filled with learning and exploration!

Students in Mrs. Smith’s Introduction to Engineering Essentials and 7th/8th grade STEM electives attended Auburn University’s annual E-Day this past week. E-Day is Auburn Engineering’s annual open house for future engineers. The students got to tour engineering labs and departments, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and talk to Auburn University students about their experiences. They came away with new knowledge and lots of fun prizes from the day.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24. Students took part in a Reading Relay — lights off, glowsticks in hand, and taking turns reading as they passed the “baton.” Our friends from the LSA Track & Field team helped us get started, and our KICKS club members stopped by to read to us!