August 2023 Student Spotlights

St. Mary Catholic School students enjoyed two fabulous weeks the of Summer Jumpstart Summer Series from June 19 through June 23 and July 10 through July 14.  Students participated in enrichment activities with a focus on reading, writing, math, and science to enhance their curriculum and address learning gaps. Art, playground fun, and daily snacks were also included! Photo by Kortnee Acton.Submitted by Marcelle Naman.

This summer, freshman Lillian Strange served as a page for Representative Chip Brown. She was chosen through an application process with the House of Representatives. The duties of a page are varied but normally consist of assisting the members of the House and/or Senate, and certain staff members, by performing errands on the floor of each house and during committee meetings. These errands usually include obtaining copies of bills, resolutions, amendments, substitutes, and other official documents, as well as delivering messages to and from members. She is already looking forward to having the opportunity to participate again next year!

This summer 10 students/faculty spent a week on mission in Guatemala. Throughout the week, they conducted VBS in the mornings and worked in teams distributing shoes and building a classroom for Clubhouse Guatemala. The shoes were from the shoe drive held at the West Campus this past spring. The team was led by 2023 alum Becca Steedley. We are proud of our students and staff as they spend their summer spreading the gospel locally and globally!

Acton Academy Mobile hosted their inaugural Children’s Business Fair! Every student created their own business idea from start to finish. From homemade baked goodies and jewelry to face painting and tie-dying, these KIDpreneurs were very successful and all made a profit from their revenue!

Mrs. Schoenvogel’s Wright Way Character class partnered with Duck Tap to promote the “BE KIND & STICK TOGETHER” challenge. This challenge provides a fun and different way for students to explore the important social-emotional learning concepts of kindness and sticking together to combat bullying and negative behaviors in schools! In Mrs. Schoenvogel’s Wright Way Character class, the Lower School student body was charged to complete a “kindness challenge” this semester. And what happened if they completed the challenge? Lower School Principal Aldridge Marks would be taped to the wall. AND GUESS WHAT – at the end of the school year, it happened!

St. Mary Catholic School Principal Mrs. Debbie Ollis welcomed in the New Principal, Mrs. Corinne Cuffle during the last week of June. After a week of transition, Mrs. Cuffle has officially taken the reins as the new leader of St. Mary Catholic School. Mrs. Ollis began her duties as the new Principal of Little Flower Catholic School on July 5. St. Mary congratulates both of these outstanding leaders of Catholic education as they take on their new roles. Photo by Marcelle Naman.

It’s been a busy summer as CHCA has hosted football, softball, basketball, and academic enrichment camps on campus. We are proud of our students and their dedication to continue to improve as students and athletes!

The United States Marine Corps and the American Volleyball Coaches Association announced this week that Satsuma High School’s 2022-2023 volleyball team won a USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award. This award honors volleyball teams that maintain a year-long grade-point average of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or 4.1 on a 5.0 scale. Satsuma is the only public high school in Mobile County to receive this award! #WeAreSatsuma #ExcellenceTodayLeadersTomorrow
Students pictured left to right – Mariah Andry, Madison Lynd, Caleigh Turpin, Kaeden Enzor, Presleigh Montalvo, Kaylee Skidmore, Hayden Andrews, Isabella Gibbons, Shelby Smith, Beatles Byrd, Janie Best and Claira Rice

Congratulations to Corpus Christi Catholic School rising 8th grade class, who received the official black spirit shirts at the end of the school year. We know they will lead our school proudly next year.

To celebrate the end of their class novel, The Lemonade War, our 3rd graders hosted their very own “Lemonade Day” in May! The students put their entrepreneurial skills to the test as each class created a company name, logo, commercial, and banner, all while learning about the importance of customer service!

Each summer St. Ignatius Parish holds altar server training for any student in fifth grade or above who wants to serve in this capacity. We are thrilled to have so many of our rising fifth grade students volunteer part of their summer for this service. Watching these Impalas serve their first Mass is the definition of faith formation. Giving back is a pillar in the Catholic faith. Service at a young age helps mold these adolescents into respectful and meaningful humans. We are so proud of all our new altar servers!

Zander Snyman of Phillips Preparatory School (left)  received the Outstanding Affiliate Entry Award at the National History Day competition in Maryland last month for his documentary, “Red Coal.” Pictured with him here is fellow award-winner Maleah Beaufort of Stanhope Elmore High in Millbrook.

St. Ignatius hosted 210 students in June for a week full of faith, formation and fun! This year’s Vacation Bible School theme was “Dreams. Discovering how big God’s dream for you can be”.  Students danced, sang, learned bible verses, did arts & crafts, relay races, water stations, and more. Special thanks to Brittany DeFalco and all our parent and teen volunteers for successfully creating a memorable Vacation Bible School week!

“To be, or not to be: that is the question…” Cypress Grove Academy third graders performed a Renaissance classic, “Hamlet” by Shakespeare, for students and parents in attendance.

Chastang-Fournier K-8 School held an official unveiling of a mural created this summer in the school’s gym. Students worked with local artists to design and paint the piece, which features positive traits for students to emulate. The project was the result of a partnership with the Mobile Arts Council and the Alabama State Council on the Arts.

The incoming 6th grade students at Phillips Preparatory had a wonderful experience at our annual Pirate Camp. This camp offers an opportunity for students to learn the routines, understand the rules and procedures, and enjoy mini academic lessons. They also enjoyed games, an ice cream social, and lunch. Welcome to all of our new Pirates!

St. Mary welcomed back the 8th grade class of 2019 for the annual Mustang Walk! These class of 2023 high school seniors walked through the hallways of their alma mater, sat in their old desks, reminisced with former teachers, and had fun with the St. Mary students of today for a complete journey home! Submitted by Marcelle Naman.

The Alma Bryant High School and Causey Middle Schools archery teams posted strong finishes in national competition this spring. Causey placed first in 3D and fourth in Bull’s Eye in the middle school division in the NASP Open Championships. Bryant, meanwhile, rebounded from a second-place state finish to place second overall in the nation. Its 24 team members each received $750 scholarships from Easton — a total of $18,000. Two Bryant freshmen, Mia Cornelson and Talah Coleman, placed first and third in the girls’ state rankings, respectively.

Congratulations Mrs. Harriet Callahan, the recipient of 2022/2023’s prestigious yearbook dedication award. Mrs. Callahan is Heartwood Christian Academy’s high school science teacher extraordinaire. Mrs. Callahan’s love for science shows in all of her classes. She makes learning fun! Mrs. Callahan is well-known for her extensive qualifications, namely 15 subspecialties, in the field of forensics. Carl and Carlita, the class skeletons, help teach this informative class! Although Mrs. Callahan is renown in the field of forensics. Her astronomy class and chemistry class would award her a 5-star rating too! Next school year, Mrs. Callahan is bringing on the heat with Physics I. Students are signing up for what appears to be an exciting 2023-2024 school year!
When not at school, Mrs. Callahan is often seen running around Mobile in one of a myriad of marathons in the area. And if she’s not seen running, you may find her hanging out with her two favorite friends, Carl & Carlita. Heartwood Christian Academy is so blessed to have this amazing teacher, who brings science to life and God to the classroom! We appreciate you so much, Mrs. Callahan!

Ms. Colston’s Second Grade Academy Students at Spencer Westlawn Elementary School actively participated in growing butterflies from caterpillars to full-grown Painted Lady Butterflies. Throughout the three-week process, students kept a caterpillar journal and documented their observations. Students engaged in reading AR books about insects, caterpillars, and butterflies in addition to writing expository paragraphs about how butterflies grow. At the end of three weeks, the class watched seven adult butterflies fly from our butterfly habitat into our school flower garden. Spencer Westlawn Elementary School
students will always remember our science activities.

As their second school year approaches, Acton Academy Eagles explore their updated play stations outdoors! Student can now dig, climb, crawl, jump and create during their many outdoor explore times.

Have you ever gazed into the sky only to view a blur that looked like a star? Recently, Heartwood Christian Academy had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Salomon Itza, Professor of Physics and Astronomy from the University of Mobile. Dr. Itza introduced students to his Planetarium, which was quite impressive. It’s an amazing way to see the stars up close. The students entered a dome and were introduced to a beautiful star-filled sky. Dr. Itza navigated the students through the stars of the Northern Hemisphere. Stars appeared in the form of clusters called galaxies. A galaxy contains several million stars. The Milky Way Galaxy was identified among others. The students of Mrs. Harriet’s Astronomy Class witnessed the night sky in different seasons namely January and May. They were able to identify Orion with its deep red star named Betelgeuse and its blue star notably Rigel. Of course, the brightest star in the sky was Sirius, also known as the Dog Star. Thank you, Dr. Itza, for a most informative afternoon.

At its June meeting, the Mobile County Board of School Commissioners recognized student leaders from the MCPSS Mentor/Mentoree program. The program empowers students to encourage their peers to turn away from violence, bullying, and drug and alcohol use, and to learn positive life skills. The student mentors who were recognized are Jaden Morrisette and Brandon Greene, Alba Middle; Jamar Martin and Isaiah Johnson, Chastang-Fournier K-8; Bralin Ratcliff, Collins-Rhodes Elementary; Jabraylin Holder, Holloway Elementary; Jaleon White, MCTS; Terell Johnson, Vigor High; and Sha’ Donya Johnson, Williamson High.

St. Luke’s lower campus hosted a high-energy Boosterthon glow-run to raise money for the Japonica Campus.  Boosterthon inspires students to activate their character and an active lifestyle.  By the smiles on their faces, it looks like our Wildcats had a great time participating and supporting our school.

St. Luke’s girl’s cross-country team recently revealed their state championship banner in the gym before the study body and parents. We’re proud of our girls XC team for making history!

As a special day set aside for competition and fun, Field Day is made for memories. Teachers and students alike took part in the action at Little Flower’s Field Day.

A favorite tradition at St. Luke’s, Passing Through the Gates: In 9th grade, our students enter the gates as a sign of entering high school. These students will not use these gates until their graduation day.
Here, the Class of 2023 seniors sign out and walk to the gates as they are cheered on by faculty and staff. Once everyone has signed, the student body president unlocks the gates as the entire class walks out in front of a large, loud, and proud crowd! We’re so proud of you & will love you forever, Wildcats!

Two Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) students are national winners of the world’s largest K-12 science competition for their CiliaBuilder innovation to address hearing loss. Gabriel Gurt and Marlan Zha were selected as the 2nd place winners out of 2,000 submissions and 6,000 students for the Toshiba / National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) ExploraVision Competition, a program that has existed since 1992.
The ExploraVision competition challenges students to solve real-world problems with a focus on STEM. They are tasked with envisioning a new technology 10 or more years in the future and researching the current science landscape for their solution. Participants are sponsored by a teacher who guides and coaches them through the process of designing, researching, and even analyzing the feasibility of their idea.
Gurt and Zha were coached by ASMS chemistry department faculty member, Dr. Elisa Rambo. They describe that when coming up with their innovation, they were inspired by their love of music and desire to learn more languages. Gurt shares, “We wanted to improve access to the things we love for everyone around the world.” Zha echoes, “Our motivation for the project comes from the fact that by 2050 the World Health Organization predicts that as many as 1 in 4 people will have hearing problems.”
The students submitted a 150-word abstract, 11-page paper description, research bibliography, and 5 sample web pages which communicate and promote their idea. They were named regional ExploraVision winners in April and awarded certificates at the school’s Ann Bedsole Day luncheon. At the luncheon, a representative from the Toshiba Corporation, an ExploraVision sponsor, also surprised the students with the news they had been selected as 1 of just 8 national winners. The students would be invited to Washington, D.C. and will also both receive $5,000 in U.S. savings bonds. Those who wish to learn more about the student’s innovation can visit
https://nstawebdirector.wixsite.com/ciliabuilder or watch their video at https://vimeo.com/834173356.