Student Spotlights – April 2026

St. Luke’s – Mrs. Haynes’ STEM+M students launch their rockets! Experiences like this are what STEM+M at St. Luke’s is all about – learning by doing, problem-solving in real time, and discovering just how high ideas can soar! The future of innovation is bright…. And it’s launching right HERE at St. Luke’s!

After earning first place at the Distinguished Young Women talent show with her stunning solo of “Never Enough,” Neha won $500 to donate to St. Luke’s Arts Department!
We are so proud of the poise, confidence, and incredible talent she displayed while representing St. Luke’s. We can’t wait to see all she accomplishes this summer and beyond!

Bright Academy’s Student Government Association continues to exemplify leadership, service, and school pride through a full year of meaningful initiatives. SGA members have collected supplies for a local animal rescue, organized the annual food drive, and assembled Thanksgiving food baskets for families in need. During the holiday season, they honored veterans by placing wreaths at a local cemetery, reflecting their commitment to community service. On campus, they spread appreciation on Valentine’s Day with treat bags for students and a breakfast and coffee bar for teachers. In March, members will give back during a special school workday, followed by participation in a Coastal Cleanup in April. Through every project, Bright Academy’s SGA demonstrates enthusiasm, compassion, and a genuine love for their school.

St. Luke’s Biomedical Sciences program stepped into the world of forensic investigation, focusing on real-world traffic crash reconstruction and vehicular homicide cases. From classroom theory to hands-on simulation, our students experienced what it truly means to follow the evidence.
We kicked off the week with Glenn Garside of Cunningham Bounds, LLC, a former homicide investigator with the Mobile Police Department, who provided an engaging orientation to investigative work and set the stage for the week’s focus on fatal crash investigations.
On Day 2, he was joined by Natalie Bonner (class of 2018) and a former St. Luke’s Biomed student who is now an investigative analyst on his team. She shared how digital evidence plays a critical role in modern cases, giving students a powerful look at the career pathway she has chosen.
Midweek, Deputy John Mixon of the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office led students through the science behind crash scene analysis. Students learned how to calculate minimum speed using real formulas and examined skid and yaw marks to understand how collisions occur.
Highlight of the week: a full-scale crash simulation.
Thanks to Cunningham Bounds and Southport Towing, two wrecked vehicles were staged on campus with mannequins and live actors to recreate a realistic crash scene. The students collected and requested analysis of blood and fingerprint evidence, interviewed witnesses, examined seatbelt locking mechanisms and airbag deployment, and analyzed broken-glass patterns and debris fields.
On Day 5, student teams presented their findings to Mr. Garside and defended their conclusions with evidence. Some teams reached the correct conclusion with their supporting evidence, some without it, and all learned how challenging real investigations can be.
The final result was another unforgettable, immersive learning experience that students are already calling “one of the best weeks ever in Biomed!”
We are incredibly grateful to Glenn Garside, Natalie Bonner, Deputy John Mixon, Southport Towing, and Cunningham Bounds for their time, expertise, and generous support in making this experience possible.

Students at Council Traditional School were thrilled to celebrate Jennifer Asberry, recently named the 2026 MCPSS Elementary Teacher of the Year. In the school’s STEAM Lab, Mrs. Asberry introduces students to the wonders of science through hands-on, experimental learning that connects real-world applications to everyday life. She has created an annual Family STEAM Night, leads after-school clubs focused on engineering, math, and science, and has served as an Elementary Science Curriculum Writer and mentor teacher. “I empower my students to see that they are not just observers of the world,” Asberry shared, “but active, scientific contributors to it.” Council is proud to celebrate an educator whose passion inspires curiosity, creativity, and discovery. Congratulations to Mrs. Asberry on this well-deserved honor.

Academic excellence continues to rise across Mobile County Public Schools. Four MCPSS schools were recognized in Montgomery as being among Alabama’s Top 25: Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies, Council Traditional School, Eichold-Mertz School of Math, Science and Technology, and Old Shell Road School of Creative and Performing Arts.
The State Board of Education also recognized Nan Gray Davis Elementary counselor Kimberly Jones as Alabama’s School Counselor of the Year and honored several schools for having Alabama School Counseling Programs of Distinction. Those schools include Craighead Elementary, Eichold-Mertz, North Mobile K-8, Pillans Middle, and B.C. Rain High.
Each year, the Alabama Department of Education announces its top-performing schools based on state report card data, including reading and math achievement, academic growth, attendance, and graduation rates.
Barton, Council, and Eichold-Mertz are the only schools in southwest Alabama to earn a 100 on the state report card. Old Shell Road scored a 99.

In St. Luke’s lower campus science lab, students got a hands-on introduction to the ChompSaw, learning how to use it safely and exploring the many possibilities it offers. Through brainstorming and creativity, they began imagining what they could design and build—engineering minds in the making!

Our kindergarten students are officially 100 days smarter! To celebrate the 100th day of school, students participated in fun, themed reading and math activities designed to build skills and confidence. From counting snacks in groups of 10 to writing numbers all the way to 100 and completing creative writings like “I wish I had 100…”, the day was filled with learning, laughter, and lots of proud smiles. What a wonderful milestone for our youngest Council scholars.

Mrs. Poole’s third graders at Little Flower Catholic School practiced their math facts Jeopardy-style using IXL’s Spark Studio. Learning multiplication and division facts and applying that knowledge to word problems is a breeze with lots of practice in the classroom. Little Flower Vikings are victorious over math challenges.

During a recent science class at Little Flower School, Mrs. Frank’s first grade class was hard at work conducting an experiment to learn how mirrors work. Simple objects like small mirrors, clothes pins, and a flashlight made the magic happen. The students explored reflections and discovered how light helps us see images, all while having fun with hands-on learning!

Learning parts of speech can sometimes fall into the category of boring in the classroom. But these students doing group work at Little Flower Catholic found a way to make learning parts of speech not only NOT boring, but actually entertaining. By sharing ideas and working together, students used their teamwork as a tool for better communication and to reach their goal.

What an incredible competition! This year’s Spelling Bee at Mary B Austin went an impressive 19 rounds, keeping everyone on the edge of their seats. The winning word was “rickety”—and it sealed an exciting finish!
Final Results:
3rd Place: Callie Cope
2nd Place: Elizabeth Butts
1st Place: Kyler Johnson — Spelling Bee Champion for the second year in a row!
We are so proud of all of our participants for their hard work, confidence, and perseverance. Way to represent our school and show your love of words!

The second grade girls team at St. Dominic Catholic School brought home the championship this year. These girls show their skills on the court and their smarts in the classroom. SWISH!

The third grade students led the Pledge of Allegiance at the Mobile City Council meeting and toured Government Plaza, gaining firsthand exposure to all three branches of local government and connecting their classroom studies to real-world experience. Students visited the archives and met County Commissioner Connie Hudson, City Councilman and Eagle Dad Ben Reynolds, Mayor Cheriogotis, and District Attorney Blackwood—an unforgettable experience that supports strong academic formation and civic leadership!

Fifth grade students at St. Dominic Catholic School wowed their parents and peers with reports on historical figures who have made significant impacts on humanity. The Wax Museum project is a favorite tradition at St. Dominic. This project gives students an opportunity to refine their public speaking skills, gaining confidence and valuable experience for real-world applications.

Ben Stringfellow is the Learning Leading Award winner for Phillips Preparatory School. Ben is a PPS scholar who serves as SGA President, NJHS member, 25-25 Football captain, MCPSS Gold Band, etc. He is a positive role model in the classroom and leader within our school and community.

Lane Carter, an outstanding 5th grade student, has been a part of the Mary B. Austin school family since kindergarten. Over the years, she has built strong connections across many grade levels and truly seems to know everyone. Her friendly, welcoming personality helps others feel included and valued every day.
She also does an excellent job as a Safety Patrol member and a Morning Buzz Crew member, serving with responsibility and pride. She takes her duties seriously and demonstrates leadership through her actions. Known for being respectful to teachers, staff, and fellow students, she consistently shows kindness and maturity in everything she does.
We are so proud of Lane and grateful to have such a wonderful representative of our school!

Students at Covenant Christian School recently brought their imaginations to life through the annual Color by Kids art showcase. Using a variety of artistic mediums—including watercolor, crayon, pastels, pencil, ink, acrylic, and oils—students created vibrant pieces that reflect their creativity and effort.
This year’s event featured more than 61 entries from students across multiple grade levels. Judges selected first-, second-, and third-place winners, and from those top entries, up to 20 pieces will represent Covenant Christian School in the county-wide Color by Kids Art Competition, sponsored by SpringHill Medical Center.
The student artwork was first displayed in the school’s front office, where families and visitors had the opportunity to view the pieces before they were submitted for final judging by SpringHill affiliates and local artists. Winning entries are professionally framed and will be displayed at several community locations, including the Mobile Museum of Art, the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, and the Springhill Medical Center campus, where they will remain as part of the program’s final exhibition.

Heartwood Christian Academy burst with patriotic pride as students celebrated America’s 250th anniversary during a lively, schoolwide event led by Student Council. The day honored our nation’s history while providing meaningful, hands-on learning experiences for students throughout the campus.
Elementary students arrived dressed as historical figures and in red, white, and blue costumes, filling the halls with creativity and excitement. A costume contest brought friendly competition, while a history trivia station encouraged students to test their knowledge and earn sweet rewards along the way.
The celebration was made even more special by visiting students from Gateway Christian School, who joined HCA students in honoring America’s history and strengthening ties between both school communities.
Each student received a handmade, commemorative bracelet to celebrate the milestone, and Mrs. Ida took individual portraits of students, preserving memories of the day and their patriotic appearances.
Behind the scenes, Heartwood’s Student Council worked hard to plan and coordinate activities, helping bring this special event to life. Their leadership and teamwork ensured a smooth, engaging experience that combined education with celebration.
America’s 250th Anniversary at HCA was more than just a festive day: it was a chance for students to connect with history, build community, and celebrate the freedoms we cherish. It served as a powerful reminder of how learning, leadership, and service come together at Heartwood.

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and pyou gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” — Matthew 25:35–36
At St. Dominic Catholic School, these words are at the heart of our mission.
As a faith-filled community, we strive to live out the Gospel each day by serving others with compassion, generosity, and love. Through service projects, outreach efforts, and daily acts of kindness, our students learn that caring for others is how we reflect the heart of Christ.
We are proud to form not only strong minds, but faithful servants — Eagles who soar by putting their faith into action. Recently, Archbishop Rivituso visited St. Dominic to help with a school-wide service project – The Matthew 25 Project. Many parent and grandparent volunteers supported the students as they made 300 lunches for charitable organizations in our community. Meals were sent to McKemie Place, Catholic Social Services, Waterfront Rescue Mission, Somi Club, and Eagles Landing. This was a day our students will not forget! Pictured are Susan Cunningham, Laura Ball, and Cuyler Ball– 3 generations helping with the Matthew 25 Project.

Sometimes the best learning spaces come with the aroma of fresh coffee and cozy vibes. A few Cultivate Studios Microschool learners took to local coffee shop Soul Caffeine for their “Power Hour”: a focused time to practice core skills while enjoying a special snack. A simple change of scenery can spark motivation, build independence, and turn everyday moments into meaningful learning experiences!

In February, nineteen seniors from our AP U.S. Government and Politics classes participated in a program at the United States Courthouse downtown titled “Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions.” Working alongside local attorney volunteers, court staff, and Judge Bradley Murray, students stepped into the roles of prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, and jurors in a courtroom simulation based on a real case that was heard by the United States Supreme Court.
The purpose of the exercise was to help students practice reaching complex decisions collaboratively through careful evaluation of evidence, logical reasoning, and respectful civil discourse. The experience allowed students to apply concepts they have studied in class while gaining a deeper understanding of the federal court system and the legal process.

Covenant Christian School’s track and field team enjoyed a successful season as student-athletes competed in four regular meets leading up to their Championship Meet. Throughout the season, Covenant athletes participated in a variety of events, including the 1600-meter run, 400-meter run, 200-meter dash, the 4×100-meter relay, long jump, and shot put.
Each meet provided valuable opportunities for students to improve their times, distances, and techniques while building confidence and learning the fundamentals of track and field. The sport offers a unique balance of individual achievement and team contribution, allowing athletes to challenge themselves personally while also supporting their teammates.
For many Covenant students, the track season is an important time of growth—physically, mentally, and socially—as they learn perseverance, sportsmanship, and teamwork. With dedication and plenty of Eagle spirit, Covenant’s young athletes continue to run strong. Go Eagles!

Mobile Christian Elementary Track & Field Girls & Boys both won the City Championship. Go Leopards! The Mobile Christian Varsity Girls Basketball team is the AHSAA 3A Runner Up! Way to go girls!

Our school brings families, students, and staff together through events like the Pancake Breakfast and Walk-In Day. This special morning invites families to start the day at school with their children while enjoying breakfast and fellowship. Events like these strengthen our school community and highlight the spirit of involvement that makes our school so special.
Pictured: Brayden Thompson and School Mascot Champ

Our 4th graders had an incredible field trip to Government Plaza where they met Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis Cheriogotis and Councilman Josh Woods, sat in on a Mobile City Council meeting, and enjoyed a beautiful picnic. Experiences like these bring learning to life and create moments our students will never forget!

A group of Cultivate Studios Microschool learners gathered inside their future school home that is still under construction for a very special moment. They wrote meaningful Bible verses on the foundation after spending the week praying about which verse they felt led to choose!

Three Mobile County Public Schools students have been named National Merit Scholarship Finalists: Murphy’s Collin Bendolph (top), Davidson’s Sariah Hossain and Owen Farmer (bottom left), and Baker’s Kennedy Lee (bottom right). This honor is awarded to high school seniors who score in the top 16,000 out of roughly 1.5 million PSAT test-takers and subsequently complete a comprehensive application process.

Davidson High School’s NJROTC made a statement at the Area‑16 Championship “Super Meet” in Philadelphia, MS! Our cadets brought home six awards, including:
1st Place – Academic Competition
1st Place – Personnel Inspection
1st Place – 16×100 Relay
2nd Place – Unarmed Exhibition Drill
3rd Place – Push Ups
3rd Place – Curl Ups
As Commander Hamblet shared, “The trophies are wonderful and well deserved, but they do not reflect the true emotional reward and immense pride these cadets felt at the end of the day… It was transformational for them.”
We are incredibly proud of our NJROTC cadets, Senior Chief, Master Sergeant, and the entire team of educators who push our students to grow every day. Way to go, Warriors!

The third through fifth grade students at Eichold Mertz Magnet School of Math, Science, and Technology participated in our school’s Diversity Wax Museum!
Students presented on famous individuals from various places and cultures. They brought history to life with their research, creativity, and confidence.
We are thankful to the following teachers who helped put this amazing event together, Ms. Lambert, Mrs. Landress, Mrs. K.Harris, and Ms. S. Mabien.

As President of Outreach for Heartwood’s Student Council, Libby March leads with compassion and purpose, turning service into real-world impact.
Libby organized a community fundraiser to support Black Point as part of her junior year project at All Age School in Exuma, The Bahamas. With help from friends and family, donations were collected, supplies purchased, and care packages prepared for delivery. Thanks to this generous support and Libby’s well-coordinated effort, much-needed resources are now in the hands of this remote island school.
Her outreach work reflects Heartwood’s Student Council mission: empowering students to serve others while developing leadership skills. Libby’s dedication is already making a meaningful difference.
We are proud of Libby for representing Heartwood so well and showing how student leadership can create lasting change.

Two Mobile County Public Schools middle schools are sending robotics teams to VEX World Competitions! A team from Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies comprised of Garrett Bolton, Grayson Dennis, and Norah Lewis, won the Innovate award, placed third in Skills, and advanced to the quarterfinals at the State VEX5 Competition. And a team from Alba Middle School comprised of Christie Bouaphanh, Gage Ferguson and Samson Sellars, won the Create Award at the State VEX IQ Robotics Competition. Both these teams advanced to their respective World Competition events in April in St Louis.

On this Ash Wednesday, our St. Mary’s Catholic School community gathered for a beautiful whole school Mass to begin the Lenten season together. After Mass, our little Mustangs in Mrs. Cortopassi’s class got a special glimpse of their ashes, a gentle reminder of prayer, sacrifice, and God’s everlasting love. Moments like these help plant the seeds of faith early.

Covenant Academy of Mobile recently welcomed community partners and supporters to its 2nd Annual Golf Par-Tee at Heron Lakes Country Club. The tournament is part of CAM’s “Investing in the Vision” campaign, supporting excellence in arts, athletics, and academics.
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and participants, the event continues to grow each year, strengthening community connections and creating new opportunities for Covenant Academy of Mobile students and families.

St. Ignatius forms leaders in mind, body & spirit. Part of leadership formation is cultivating public speaking skills. Recently, kindergarten students dazzled in the annual Kindergarten Fashion Show where they performed songs for their families and the entire student body. Each student also memorized lines and delivered them on the runway. This year’s theme was “Story Books”. 60+ adorable storybook characters did an amazing job singing and speaking for the applauding crowd. #thecatholicdifference

Old Shell Road Magnet School’s robotics teams participated in the MCPSS VEX IQ Elementary Challenge. Team A won a design award for their engineering notebook. This award earned them an invitation to the Alabama State Championship VEX IQ Robotics Competition at Wallace State Community.

Teams from two Mobile County Public Schools took top honors at a recent Engineering Competition hosted by the student chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) at the University of South Alabama. Mary G. Montgomery’s Academy of Engineering students took first place overall and first place in the concrete canoe competition, while Theodore High’s engineering students earned first place in the bocce ball competition.

After working diligently on their three-stage pieces since late January, the UMS-Wright Wind Ensemble earned Overall Superior Ratings at the ABA State Music Performance Assessment in early March. We are incredibly proud of the dedication and hard work these students demonstrated throughout the process. We also want to congratulate Mrs. Melissa Jokerst and Mrs. Christina Bowman for their outstanding leadership in guiding the band to this achievement.

Mobile Chamber Music Young Concert Artists on Tour visited and performed for the students at Old Shell Road School of Creative and Performing Arts. It was a treat for our students to hear beautiful music from such outstanding young musicians.

Congratulations to all of the students who were selected as Allentown’s February Gator Kids. Students are selected as Gator Kids by their teachers for being on their best behavior and exhibiting good character traits.

Congratulations to Grace Messanh, a talented 5th grader, for winning 1st place in the MCPSS Film Festival Poster Contest. Mr. Joseph Sikes from Central Office visited Council to present Grace with her beautifully framed winning poster and to congratulate her for her amazing retro- inspired design. Grace’s award-winning poster will hang in all elementary schools across Mobile County.

Congratulations to Tyla Kirksey for being selected as E.R. Dickson Elementary’s Learning Leading Award recipient! Tyla shows us that making the right choices and giving your best effort every single day is both powerful and inspiring. We are so proud of you Tyla!

Items were donated by ERD students, faculty, and community members as part of Brandon Montgomery’s “Stock our School Nurses” Community Service Project to help local hometown heroes. These items included hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, Lysol spray, Kleenex, and Ziploc bags.
Pictured is: Red Ribbon Recipient, Brandon Montgomery, with the school nurses from E.R. Dickson Elementary School.

Clark-Shaw students earned top honors at this year’s Mobile Regional Science and Engineering Fair.
Our incredible students brought home 33 out of 40 awards, including the prestigious Best in Show honor — an amazing accomplishment that highlights the hard work, curiosity, and dedication of our young scientists.
Students who placed in their categories have now earned the opportunity to compete in the Alabama State Science and Engineering Fair this April. We are so proud of their achievements and can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!

Davidson High School had an outstanding day at the South Alabama Regional History Day competition on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 sponsored by MCPSS and the Alabama Humanities Alliance. Six of our seven projects brought home either 1st or 2nd place honors in a very crowded field of competition! These students will now move on to the Alabama History Day competition on April 9, 2026 at American Village in Montevallo, AL.
Congratulations to our winners:
– Raeed Hossain & Sariah Hossain – 1st Place, Group Website
– Anna Hunt, Lily Smith & Evie Tate – 1st Place, Group Documentary
– Alex Choi – 1st Place, Individual Paper
– Aritra Biswas – 2nd Place, Individual Exhibit
– Ke’Miyah Lett & Kaitlyn Kollin – 2nd Place, Group Website
– Ava Wendt – 2nd Place, Individual Paper
– Madeline Shettlesworth – Individual Documentary

Ten students from Clark-Shaw School of Math, Science & Technology racked up first-place finishes in the Mobile Regional Science & Engineering Fair, while students from Phillips Preparatory and Davidson High School also earned top honors. Clark-Shaw students placing first in their categories in the junior division were: Rainica Jin, Aisha Raza, Rory Weatherford, Alexandia Ginocchio, Abigail McGriff, Corbin Perry, Roxson Odom, Cardin Phan, Emily Perez Roman and Paisley Knighten. Phillips’ Abigail Krause also took first place in the junior division, while Davidson’s Violet Borchert won first place in two categories in the senior division: Animal & Plant Science and Statistics. Several students from Clark-Shaw and Phillips placed second or third in their categories in the junior division.

We would like to extend a huge congratulations to our very own 5th grade teacher here at Eichold Mertz Magnet, Ms. Rebecca Waldo, on receiving the prestigious Golden Apple Award! The Golden Apple Award recognizes outstanding educators who go above and beyond to inspire students, demonstrate excellence in teaching, and make a lasting impact within their school community. This honor celebrates educators who lead with heart, dedication, and a passion for student success, and Ms. Waldo exemplifies these qualities.

We are so incredibly proud of our students for how they represented Clark-Shaw at the South Alabama Regional History Day Competition.
Emma Spisak earned 3rd place in Individual Junior Exhibit, and Makenly Frost placed 3rd in Individual Junior Documentary. Landon Nguyen brought home 2nd place in Individual Junior Exhibit, and Clara Eaton earned an amazing 1st place in Individual Junior Website.
These projects required months of research, revisions, creativity, and perseverance. The time and effort they put in truly paid off, and their hard work was recognized at the regional level. Even more exciting — these students will now advance to the next level and compete in the State History Day Competition!

The Old Shell Road School of Creative and Performing Arts Choir performed in Montgomery for the Capitol Tunes program, a collaborative project of the Alabama State Department of Education, the Alabama Music Educators Association, and the Alabama Institute for Education in the Arts. We are proud of each student who participated.

Congratulations to the outstanding FPC piano students of Dr. Yuliya Brown who performed in the 57th Annual MMTA Sonata Competition at the University of South Alabama!
Olivia Rodriguez – 1st place in category 7A
Gwendolyn King – 1st place in category 9B
Jackson Sanderson – 1st place in category 14
Jada Johnson – 1st place in category 15
Elisabeth Rodriguez – 2nd place in category 8A
Bravo to the talented performers and their teacher, Dr. Brown, for continuing to inspire musical excellence!

Each Friday during Lent, St. Ignatius Middle School students voluntarily arrive at school at 7:00 a.m. to join their fellow Lifesavers for a morning of prayer and reflection. The Lifesavers begin each gathering by praying for the lives of unborn children and for mothers facing difficult circumstances. Each meeting features a different speaker, ranging from community members who share their adoption stories to clergy who discuss the Catholic pro-life perspective. It is inspiring to see middle school students celebrating the gift and sanctity of life each Friday morning during Lent. Lent is a time of preparation for the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, and this initiative represents one way St. Ignatius seeks to form leaders in mind, body, and spirit. #TheCatholicDifference

Deuteronomy 32:7a says to remember the ancient days, consider the years from generation to generation. Cypress Grove Academy does just that and kindergarteners through sixth graders had a parade along with presentations where students got to present what they had been learning from history. Pictured are the 5th and 6th graders representing U.S. History.

Mrs. McLean’s Kindergarten class at St. Pius X celebrated Red Across America week focusing on various Pete the Cat books. Here they are having a taco party after reading Pete the Cat Wacky Taco Tuesday!

Shoutout to Davidson High School Band Instructors, Dr. Beattie and Mr. Messer. Davidson High School had the most students in all of MCPSS earn spots in both All‑State and All‑State District Honor Band!

It has long been a St. Mary’s tradition for our 8th grade students to have the opportunity to ride on the St. Mary’s Catholic School float in the Floral Parade on both Saturday and Monday of Mardi Gras weekend. These students wait years for their turn to represent their school and let the good times roll!