Student Spotlights September ’21

Little Flower Catholic School principal, Ms. Alesa Weiskopf, (center) was joined by first grade teacher, Mrs. Emily Milwee (left) and kindergarten teacher, Miss Alex Lilly (right) at the Summer Mega Conference hosted by the Alabama State Department of Education. At a session entitled “Grit”, teachers focused on how to help students persevere in challenging situations. Phonics instruction included demonstrations on how to use sound walls to assist beginning readers in the classroom. The attendees look forward to a fresh start to the school year with new classroom tools.

Students at Davidson High School will be welcomed back to campus in the fall with all new signage! The DHS PTSA generously supported this project, funding the purchase of over 50 directional signs to be placed throughout the campus.

NJROTC Chief Petty officer Kirsten Finley DHS Class of 2021 was a Senior NJROTC student teacher who assisted Capt. Daniel in NJROTC academics, drill and physical fitness. She earned a 4-year NROTC scholarship to Florida A & M University where Capt. Daniel previously served as Professor of Naval Science 2002-2004. Coincidentally, Commander Sheree Williams was the Midshipman commander at Florida A & M in 2002 with Capt. Daniel at that time and Williams’ daughter will also be attending Florida A & M on NJROTC scholarship as a university classmate of Cadet Finley. Cadet Finley plans to major in Biology and serve as a Navy Nurse.

Cottage Hill Christian Academy began their 60th first day of school on August 10th! As the oldest evangelical school in Alabama, CHCA gladly welcomed 104 new students and 66 new families, in addition to returning students and families, on campus for in person learning to begin another record setting enrollment year. CHCA knows the value of on campus learning and is thankful the Lord has provided the opportunity to continue this form of education this school year!

Paige Madden ’17 clinched the silver medal in the 4X200M relay and earned the 7th fastest time in the in 200M free style while she represented the United States of America at the Tokyo Olympics! On August 6, news stations, fans, and the UMS-Wright family gathered on campus at the Lubel Pool as Mayor Sandy Stimpson proclaimed August 6, 2021 as “Paige Madden Day!” Paige will continue her swimming career by competing in Naples, Italy for the International Swimming League.

Denton Magnet School of Technology recently announced that it has been recognized as a 2020-21 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. It is one of just 310 schools across the U.S. to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning opportunities for students through PLTW Launch. PLTW is a nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in schools across the U.S.

The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, Denton Magnet had to have more than 75 percent of the student body participating in the program and had to offer at least two PLTW Launch modules at each grade level during the 2019-20 school year.

Studies show that students decide as early as elementary school whether they like, and think they are good at, math and science. Whether designing a car safety belt or building digital animations based on their own short stories, PLTW Launch students engage in critical and creative thinking, build teamwork skills, and develop a passion for and confidence in STEM subjects.

“It is a great honor to recognize Denton Magnet School of Technology for their unwavering commitment to provide students with an excellent educational experience despite the unusual circumstances and unique challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented to the educational landscape this past year,” said Dr. Vince Bertram, President and CEO of PLTW. “They should be very proud of their achievements in unlocking their students’ potential and equipping them with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in life beyond the classroom no matter what career path they choose.”

Denton Magnet is part of a community of PreK-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporate and philanthropic partners across the country united around a passion for providing students with inspiring, engaging, and empowering learning opportunities. For more information about PLTW’s recognition program, visit pltw.org/our-programs/program-recognition.

On August 11, teachers and staff of E.R. Dickson Elementary welcomed back their almost-1000 student body. Ms. MaShawn Williams’ 5th grade class was excited to be returning for their last year at E.R. Dickson before moving on to middle school.

As the first day of school approaches, our administration, faculty, and staff have been hard at work preparing for students to arrive on campus! From power washing, painting, and organizing, to classroom development, community worship, and team building, we have been doing our best to ensure this year will be a great one by preparing well before it even begins!

Keyon Drake was a delegate at the 84th American Legion Alabama Boys State. He was a credit to his community and to W.P. Davidson High School. Keyon Drake was involved in the Senate.
After being elected to the Senate, he worked on writing and debating bills that would improve the State of Alabama in various ways. His parents are Kenya and Stan Jones.
Acceptance to Alabama Boys State is a privilege granted by invitation only. Delegates from across the state are selected by their school faculty and community leaders based on their demonstration of leadership, hard work, strong morals, and motivation. Boys State is a full and active week held on the campus of The University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, and an invitation to attend is one of the state’s highest honors.

St. Luke’s VERY talented Kate Eden recently submitted this piece of art to the 12th Annual Student Art Contest by Southern Teachers Agency. This year they had 500 entries and Kate’s was selected as one of twelve winners! The artwork of the twelve winning students will be reproduced in the Southern Teachers Art Calendar for the 2021-22 academic year. These calendars are sent to hundreds of independent schools. Southern Teachers believe that teaching the fine arts is fundamentally important to the overall education of children. Art teachers develop in their students not only an aesthetic sense and technical abilities, but also creativity and imagination, which are essential talents in our ever-changing world. We are so very proud of you, Kate!

Chaney Scott McCorquodale ’21 was one of 2 Alabamians chosen to be a United States Senate Intern for Senator Richard Shelby in Washington, D.C. this summer. Chaney Scott served as the initial point of contact for constituent calls, led tours of the United States Capitol Building, selected and compiled state news/broadcast mentions for Senator Shelby’s daily news clips. She also assisted in daily administrative tasks for the office manager and provided the Senator’s legislative correspondent with notes on hearings.

Founded in 1961, Saint Dominic Catholic School provides a learning environment that develops students to their fullest potential through an exceptional foundation in faith, academics, leadership, and service. Thank you to Alum, Keith Castelin, for his work in designing our 60th anniversary logo.

St. Luke’s recently kicked off the upcoming 60th year celebration. Staff and students in grades K2-12th grade celebrated the last 60 years of traditions by dressing like go-go girls, hippies and rock stars and showing off flower power-themed clothing, tie-dye t-shirts, peace signs, and colored glasses. This celebration will continue throughout the rest of the 2021-2022 school year.

St. Dominic Catholic School is excited to welcome three new teachers to our faculty this year. From left to right: Mrs. Jenna Strickland, Third Grade, Mr. Wesley Newberry, Middle School Science, and Ms. Rebecca Bates, Music. It is going to be a terrific year!

CHCA’s summer campers had a blast this summer! The theme was “Camping” and the students participating had lots of camp-like experiences. From learning about tying knots, making tents, and making “sizzling apples” from Boy Scouts to dressing up like they are going camping and reading stories about camping experiences, there was plenty of fun to go around! CHCA is thankful for these fun experiences the students get to enjoy during the summer months.

Kevin Erdman (right photo), a student at Old Shell Road Magnet School, won 3rd place for kindergarten in the dreamARCHITECTURE 2021: Draw Your Dream Restaurant contest for the Mobile and Baldwin County areas. The art contest is sponsored annually by Alabama Center for Architecture.
Charley Ford-Conklan (left photo), a student at Old Shell Road Magnet School, won 1st place for kindergarten in the dreamARCHITECTURE 2021: Draw Your Dream Restaurant contest for the Mobile and Baldwin County areas. We are proud of you, Kevin and Charley!

Local students really enjoyed the University of South Alabama College of Education and Professional Studies Literacy Center reading and video production summer camp. Tiffany Whitfield, a South alumna, even stopped by for a special visit. Whitfield earned a dual certification in elementary education and special education from South and established the Tiffany Whitfield Scholarship for undergraduate students. She is a teacher in Kuwait and attended the Literacy Center summer camp to read her new book to campers. She worked with one of her Kuwaiti students to write and publish the book titled “Astronaut Commands.” “I enjoyed the students during the literacy camp,” Whitfield said. “I haven’t been in a classroom in 15 months due to COVID-19, so it was exciting to engage and interact with students.” To learn more about Whitfield, visit southalabama.edu/colleges/ceps/news/tiffany.whitfield.html. To purchase a copy of Whitfield’s book, submit a preorder request at https://bit.ly/3wJRBUA

The Girl Scout Gold Award is the pinnacle of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, and it’s available exclusively to Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors (9-12 grade). Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama (GSSA) would like to recognize West Mobile Christian School graduates Cailey and Hailey Starkey for receiving their Gold Awards.
Through the Gold Award, girls engage in a rigorous leadership process, as they tackle issues they’re passionate about to create long-term, sustainable change. To earn the Gold Award, girls typically spend one to two years exploring the root cause of a local or global issue and partner with the community to create lasting solutions.
For Cailey’s project, she planned a girls’ weekend retreat called In-Depth and mentor groups called My Big Sister. The retreat focused on building self-confidence in girls as well as developing their faith through their self-image. The My Big Sister mentor groups were a chance for girls to mentor each other through their faith journey. Cailey wanted to help the girls in her student ministry group develop a positive self-image and inner strength through her programs.
For Hailey’s program, she created a retreat for girls and moms to help learn how to cope with the mental health effects of COVID-19. Hailey led activities and taught skills that helped teach the attendants different coping methods when dealing with mental health. After seeing the need for mental health awareness, Hailey wanted to give the girls and moms in her community the opportunity to decompress and learn new ways to help handle mental health during the pandemic. Cailey will continue her passion for Girl Scouting as a camp counselor this summer and Hailey plans to become an elementary school teacher. Cailey and Hailey have been Girl Scouts for the past 12 years and look forward to continuing their lifetime memberships.

Davidson High School’s Azalea Trail Maids and members of the NJROTC were invited to the commissioning of the combat ship USS Mobile on Saturday, May 22. The event was open to a limited audience, so these students were thrilled to be included along with Mayor Stimpson and Governor Ivey!

E.R. Dickson welcomes their new teachers for the 2021 – 2022 school year. Ms. Latoya Williams (Counselor), Ms. Sharan Allen Smith (Pre-K), Wendy Lynch (1st Grade), Ms. Christina Lursen (2nd Grade), Ms. Keleigh Warr (1st Grade), Ms. Angie Quebodeaux (1st Grade), and Samantha Wills (4th Grade). Not Pictured: Ms. Sabrina Holifield (2nd Grade) and Ms. Darnisha Wilson (3rd Grade).