Student Spotlights – August 2026

At Cultivate Studios, learning doesn’t stop when the school year ends! From local field trips to shared laughter around the table, we’re intentional about building friendships, confidence, and community every step of the way. Sometimes the best lessons happen over ice cream and conversations with friends!

Sunshine, splashes, and smiles! That’s a wrap on one of our favorite Cultivate Studios traditions! Splash Day is more than just cooling off, it’s celebrating friendship, childhood, and the joy of learning together. We can’t think of a sweeter way to kick off summer break.

The Class of 2026 experienced one of St. Luke’s most cherished traditions, “Walking the Halls,” as they said farewell to the youngest Wildcats on the Japonica Campus before making their final walk through the University Campus halls.
For many seniors, passing through the iconic red doors of the lower campus once again was especially meaningful — a moment filled with nostalgia, reflection, and memories of just how far they have come.
The next time these students walk through those red doors, it will be as alumni, carrying with them the friendships, lessons, and experiences that helped shape their journey.
We love you, Class of 2026! Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat!

One of the most cherished traditions at St. Luke’s is “Passing Through the Gates.”
As freshmen, students walk through the center gates for the very first time, marking the beginning of their high school journey and all the memories yet to come. Four years later, those same gates take on an even greater meaning.
Following commencement, faculty and staff line the pathway to cheer on the graduating class as the Student Body President unlocks the gates — a powerful symbol of new beginnings, endless opportunities, and the transition into the next chapter of life.
As the gates open, the Class of 2026 walks forward together, surrounded by the cheers, applause, and love of the St. Luke’s community. It is more than a tradition; it is a celebration of growth, resilience, achievement, and the lifelong bond shared by Wildcats.

Covenant Academy of Mobile is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Quantina Sides as our incoming Principal. A highly accomplished educational leader with more than 20 years of experience, Dr. Sides brings a proven record of academic excellence, instructional leadership, and school transformation.
A native of Greensboro, North Carolina, Dr. Sides began her career as a classroom teacher, dedicating 11 years to inspiring student success and fostering academic growth. She later served as an instructional coach, where she focused on strengthening teacher effectiveness and improving student achievement through strategic support and professional development.
Dr. Sides transitioned into school administration in North Carolina, serving as an Assistant Principal for seven and a half years before pursuing leadership opportunities in Alabama. For the past five years, she has served as Principal of Highland Gardens Elementary School in Montgomery, where her leadership has been marked by a commitment to excellence, innovation, and student-centered decision-making.
Dr. Sides is passionate about creating learning environments where all students can thrive. Her leadership philosophy centers on high expectations, strong relationships, data-driven instruction, and a belief that every child deserves access to exceptional educational opportunities.
As Covenant Academy of Mobile continues its mission of providing a high-quality, tuition-free public charter school education, Dr. Sides will play a pivotal role in advancing academic excellence, strengthening school culture, and preparing students for lifelong success.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Quantina Sides to Covenant Academy of Mobile.

And just like that, our 2026 UMS-Wright Summer Programs have officially come to a close!
It has been a fun-filled summer on campus with campers creating, exploring, learning new skills, and making memories with friends. From the kitchen to the art studio, the stage to the field, there was something for everyone!
A big thank you to all of our campers, families, coaches, instructors, and staff who helped make this summer such a success. We are already looking forward to welcoming everyone back to campus for an incredible 2026–2027 school year!

Distinguished Young Woman of America, Nikita Chincholkar, visited with students during their Summer Literacy & Numeracy Camp. She shared her joy of reading and spoke about the importance of the five pillars: Be Healthy, Be Involved, Be Studious, Be Ambitious, and Be Responsible. Our students really enjoyed her visit!

St. Dominic Summer Camp was excited to welcome a special visit from the Reno’s Reptiles! Campers had the opportunity to see a variety of fascinating reptiles up close while learning fun and interesting facts about each animal. The interactive presentation sparked curiosity, encouraged questions, and gave campers a memorable hands-on learning experience that they will be talking about all summer long.

St. Dominic Summer Camp campers have been having a wonderful time getting creative through arts and crafts! From colorful projects to imaginative creations, campers have enjoyed expressing themselves while building new skills and friendships. These hands-on activities encourage creativity, teamwork, and confidence, making each day of camp both fun and memorable. It will be fun to see what these talented campers create next!

Davidson High School drum majors Stanley Dees and Dylan Vo kicked off their summer at Auburn University’s Annual Drum Major Camp, preparing for the 2026 marching season!
During camp, they sharpened their conducting techniques and learned how to be stronger role models for their band and built friendships with fellow student leaders from across the region. Most importantly, they brought home valuable lessons they can use to help lead the Warrior Band this fall.
“We’re looking forward most to the Friday night lights, marching competitions, and seeing how far we progress throughout the season!”
We can’t wait to see Stanley and Dylan put their leadership into action as they help guide the Warrior Band to another great season.

E-I-E-I OOPS…what happened to the moo?
Our K5 Wildcats stole the show with their performance of E-I-E-I OOPS! It started at Farmer MacDonald’s barnyard, where a lively cast of singing animals kept everyone laughing and smiling. But when the cow suddenly lost his moo, the barnyard friends had to work together to save the day!
We are so proud of our talented K5 students for their outstanding performance and grateful to our dedicated teachers for bringing this production to life. Their confidence and enthusiasm shined brightly on stage and showcased the joy of learning at St. Luke’s!

While students are enjoying summer break, Davidson High School’s assistant principals are hard at work getting our campus ready for the new school year!
Among their many summer projects, Mr. Powell, Mrs. Quinones, and Mr. Williams have been painting walls, refreshing stairways, and refinishing floors to make sure our campus looks its best when Warriors return in August. Their hard work behind the scenes helps create a welcoming environment for students, staff, and families.

Council’s Chess Club Open House was a resounding success, bringing together students of all skill levels for an exciting day of strategy, learning, and fun. Students participated in peer-to-peer matches while experienced players tested their skills against Chess Master and Teacher Fouad Hujier. Newcomers to the game received guidance on chess pieces and moves, helping them build confidence and develop new strategies. In addition to gameplay, students also enjoyed completing chess-themed word searches and creating their own chess booklets. The event showcased teamwork, critical thinking, and a growing enthusiasm for the game of chess throughout the Council community.

The Mobile Retired Educators Association met on June 9, 2026 at Via Senior Center and named the Volunteer of the Year, Marion Platt, a native of Citronelle. Mrs. Platt retired from the Mobile County Public School System after teaching Physical Education at McDavid-Jones Elementary School for 32 years! She has the distinction of being a Master Gardener and remains active in her community and church, and serves as Attendance Chair for MREA. The annual award was presented by Dianne Martin, 2nd VP; John Paul Jones, President; and Sarah Horton,1st VP. Congratulations to Marion Platt!

Our Summer Learning League students enjoyed a visit from Buster the Safety Bus. They learned lots of important school transportation safety rules and enjoyed a fun story from the special guest reader. We are so proud of our students for practicing putting safety first!

Council is proud to celebrate our talented elementary student filmmakers who earned recognition at the 2026 MCPSS Film Festival. Their creativity, imagination, and hard work truly shined on the big screen as they shared original stories through film.
Congratulations to our outstanding winners: Patricia Cushman, Ava Cushman, Bellamy Kyser, Kinsley Shute, Aubree Mays, Shephard Lawrence, Khalil Evans and Kollin Evans.
These students demonstrated incredible storytelling, creativity, and confidence throughout the festival. We are so proud of their accomplishments and the enthusiasm they brought to this exciting event.

St. Ignatius fifth- through seventh-grade students participated in their annual service week, themed Walk-the-Walk, which teaches students how to physically lead the way. Each day of the week takes students to a different location around Mobile for a service project. The Dumas Wesley Community Center is always a wonderful place to serve. Students led activities in the SAIL and summer
recreation programs, made and donated blessing bags, and cleaned apartments at the Sybil Smith Family Village. Way to go, Impalas! St. Ignatius forms leaders in mind, body, and spirit. #thecatholicdifference

St. Ignatius teachers attend several conferences each summer to ensure St. Ignatius provides a program where students excel in mind, body, and spirit.
Mrs. Melissa Hodges, Ms. Karen Shirah, Mrs. Jennifer Zakutney, and Ms. Tori Miller attended the Get Your Teach On Conference in Orlando, Florida, to learn about “Five to Thrive” initiatives to promote student engagement in K-8 classrooms.
Mrs. McDonald, Mrs. Bailey, and Mrs. Wright visited the Augustine Institute in St. Louis, Missouri, to learn all there is to know about Catholic Classical Education. Part of St. Ignatius’ strategic plan is to integrate more Classical education techniques into our mainstream curriculum.

Congratulations to the Council artists who had a piece of artwork displayed at the USA Marx Library this year for JAWSfest. Their Jazz-themed artwork really made a splash. A special congratulations goes to Bennet Files for winning 1st place in the K-4 art category and to Tiana Stallworth for earning 2nd place in the same category. Both students were presented with beautiful certificates in recognition of their outstanding artwork. We are so proud of their creativity and hard work.

Congratulations to Zane Young, Al’Jewel Young, and Colton Padgett for their outstanding achievements in the 2026 Law Day Art Contest sponsored by the Mobile Bar Association.
Zane earned 1st place, Al’Jewel received 2nd place, and Colton won 3rd place for their incredible artwork inspired by the theme, “What the American Dream Looks Like to Me.”
We are so proud of their creativity, talent, and hard work. These talented students were honored at a special reception at the Battle House Hotel, where they received certificates and gift cards in recognition of their accomplishments. Congratulations again on this well-deserved achievement.

UMS-Wright recently welcomed educational leaders from across the Gulf Coast for its 2026 Leadership Conference, themed Mission Forward. The annual conference provided an opportunity for administrators, teachers, and school leaders to collaborate, share ideas, and explore innovative approaches to leadership in education.
The conference opened with an inspiring keynote address from UMS-Wright alumnus Ty Bullard ’02, who encouraged attendees to lead with purpose, authenticity, and a commitment to serving others. Throughout the week, participants engaged in panel discussions, collaborative roundtables, and professional development sessions focused on educational leadership, innovation, and growth.
By fostering meaningful conversations and connections, the conference reinforced UMS-Wright’s commitment to advancing excellence in education while equipping leaders to make a lasting impact in their schools and communities.

Davidson High School’s JV & Varsity cheerleaders had a great week at UCA Camp! Our squads worked hard all week, pushed themselves outside their comfort zones, and represented Davidson with pride! All this hard work paid off in a big way:
Varsity – 1st Place in their division for Sideline & Cheer, 1st place in their division for Camp Routine, and Medium Varsity Game Day Cheer Champions!
JV – 1st Place in their division for Sideline & Cheer and 1st place in their division for Camp Routine!
JV and Varsity – Both received gold/superior ribbons on Cheer & Sideline evaluations!
10 total UCA All-Americans! (Five JV and all five seniors made it!)
UCA JV Jump Off Champion!
3 Pin-It-Forward awards!
Congratulations to our cheerleaders! We’re so excited to see what this season has in store for us! Go Warriors!

Cultivate Studios’ new campus is entering its final stages of construction, marking an exciting new chapter for our growing school community! Designed to inspire curiosity, creativity, and meaningful learning, the new space will welcome learners into thoughtfully designed studios, collaborative gathering areas, and outdoor environments where exploration can flourish. As we prepare to begin our fifth year, we’re filled with gratitude for the families, supporters, and community who have helped make this dream a reality.

At Cultivate Studios, community extends beyond our learners. The Cultivate Mom Co. brings together mothers from across the Mobile area to build meaningful friendships, encourage one another, and grow in faith and purpose together. This growing community reminds us that education flourishes best when families are connected and supported!

The Covenant Christian School Class of 2026 may have been small in number, but they leave behind a legacy far greater than their class size. Over the years, these students have grown into confident, compassionate young men and women who have learned the value of faith, friendship, perseverance, and servant leadership.
From their earliest days in our classrooms to their final walk across the graduation stage, they have been encouraged to pursue excellence while keeping Christ at the center of all they do. Along the way, they have built a strong academic foundation, developed meaningful relationships, and discovered that true success is found in using their gifts to serve others.
At Covenant Christian School, our mission is to graduate students who are prepared to understand their world, to communicate with their world, and to influence their world for Christ through servant leadership. The Class of 2026 embodies that mission, and we are excited to watch them continue to grow and thrive as they begin the next chapter of their educational journey.
While they may be leaving the halls of Covenant, they will always be part of our family. We pray they will walk boldly in their faith, lead with humility, and embrace every opportunity God places before them.
Congratulations, Class of 2026. Your story is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see how God uses each of you to impact the world for His glory.

This summer, St. Ignatius students have been busy participating in summer CYO activities ranging from golf and cross country to tennis, baseball, and more. We are blessed to have the Catholic Youth Organization, run by McGill-Toolen, integrated into all our elementary schools. CYO provides healthy competition in a faith-based atmosphere; a true winning combination. CYO also provides a great foundation of friendship for students, parents, and coaches alike. Thank you, McT, for offering summer CYO programs! #thecatholicdifference

Alicia Arrington recently represented Bright Academy at the Multisensory Math Workshop, a dynamic training built on the Marilyn Zecher multisensory approach. Throughout the session, she engaged in research‐based, hands‐on strategies designed to make mathematical concepts meaningful and memorable for every learner. Teachers explored movement‐based activities, purposeful manipulatives, rich visual models, and collaborative problem‐solving routines—all crafted to strengthen conceptual understanding. Alicia returned inspired, equipped with new tools to help students connect abstract ideas to concrete experiences, and committed to bringing these multisensory practices into her classroom to support deeper learning and confident mathematicians.

The Causey Middle School archery team turned in a strong performance at the NASP World Championship at Daytona Beach, Florida, placing third among all middle schools in 3D and ninth in Bullseye. Causey’s Makynzie Thompson was the No. 1 middle school girl in Bullseye and was eighth in 3D, while teammates Braxton Boone (Bullseye) and Gavin Spann (3D) turned in top-10 finishes in middle school boys. Individual archers also competed from Baker High School, Dodge and Wilmer elementary schools, and Dawes Intermediate. Baker’s Kaiden Richardson placed 10th in Bullseye and 12th in 3D for high school boys, while Wilmer’s Isaias Diaz-Maldonado was 10th in elementary boys for 3D.

St. Dominic Summer Camp was excited to welcome a special visit from the Reno’s Reptiles! Campers had the opportunity to see a variety of fascinating reptiles up close while learning fun and interesting facts about each animal. The interactive presentation sparked curiosity, encouraged questions, and gave campers a memorable hands-on learning experience that they will be talking about all summer long.

As Covenant Christian School prepares for another exciting school year, our campus is buzzing with anticipation. Classrooms are coming to life, new educators are joining our team, and several familiar faces are stepping into expanded roles—all with one goal: better serving our students and families.
Our growth isn’t simply about adding programs or positions. It’s about intentionally investing in the people and resources that help every student thrive academically, spiritually, and personally. From expanded educational support to new leadership opportunities, each addition reflects our commitment to equipping students for both today’s challenges and
tomorrow’s calling.
At Covenant, everything we do is centered on preparing students to understand the world through a biblical perspective, communicate truth with wisdom and compassion, and influence others for Christ through servant leadership. That mission guides every classroom, every relationship, and every opportunity we create for our students.
As our Covenant family continues to grow, so does our excitement for what God has in store. We are honored to partner with our families in nurturing the next generation of leaders, and we look forward to another year of learning, growing, and serving—together.

Landon Nguyen, a rising seventh-grader at Clark-Shaw School of Math, Science & Technology, earned the National History Day Junior Division Outstanding Affiliate Award for Alabama. His exhibit, “Threads Bounding the World: How the Silk Road Revolutionized Global Trade,” explored the network of trade routes known as the Silk Road that once stretched from east central China to the Mediterranean Sea and beyond.

While our Covenant families are enjoying well-deserved vacations, beach days, and time together this summer, our campus has been anything but quiet!
Throughout Covenant Christian School, there’s been plenty of paint, planning, and preparation as our team works to create an even more welcoming environment for the year ahead. Hallways, classrooms, and restrooms are receiving fresh coats of paint, furniture has been moved to accommodate additional classrooms, and new teachers have been busy transforming their spaces into places where students will learn, grow, and thrive.
When you return, you’ll notice a number of campus improvements, including refreshed front office spaces, new flooring in select areas, updated science and computer lab tables, new classroom chairs, and fresh landscaping designed to make our campus even more inviting.
A very special thank-you goes to our Facilities Lead, Mr. Grant Simpson, whose leadership, dedication, and tireless work make these summer transformations possible. Along with the outstanding team he assembles each summer, Mr. Simpson works behind the scenes to ensure our campus is safe, beautiful, and ready to welcome students back. Their hard
work often goes unseen, but its impact is felt by every student, teacher, and family who walks through our doors.
We can’t wait to welcome our Covenant family back on Tuesday, August 11, for another incredible year of learning, growing, and serving together. Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer—we’ll have everything ready for you when you return!

Ms. Montalvo spent part of her summer at a technology conference in Huntsville, exploring AI, robotics, Canva, Google Workspace, and other emerging classroom tools. She also toured Alabama’s Supercomputer and is excited to bring new ideas to our students next year, including website design projects and opportunities to compete in the ACTE Tech Fair.

Creativity was in full bloom at our Creative Camp for Girls! Campers explored a variety of art techniques while creating colorful projects, including paintings, jewelry, garden bricks, stained glass art, and more. Each young artist left with unique creations and wonderful memories of a fun-filled week.

Mia Kastor, as rising International Baccalaureate senior at Murphy High School, recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for the Congressional Seminar, an interactive civics-focused workshop, as one of two Alabama winners of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America annual essay contest. She received full tuition and support for travel, university campus housing and meals, access to world-class museums, meetings with members of Congress like Rep. Shomari Figures, and more. For her winning essay, she was asked to “describe the principles in the Declaration of Independence you believe are most important in lifting the human condition and explain how they have helped this country meet evolving challenges over our 249 years.”

A documentary made by rising eighth-grader Cassie Williams of Denton Magnet School of Technology was displayed earlier this summer at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., as part of a special showcase in conjunction with National History Day. The documentary, entitled “Voyage of the Clotilda – Ocean of Tears,” won first place during the South Alabama Regional History Day and second place at the state competition. It is one of 28 History Day projects completed by Mobile County Public Schools students selected to be presented in Washington, D.C., and the University of Maryland. Other MCPSS students who presented their projects were from Causey, Clark-Shaw, Denton and Lott middle schools and Blount, Citronelle, Davidson, Mary G. Montgomery and Murphy high schools. You can watch Williams’ documentary on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd0TtCfgH3o.

Bryant Career Technical Center is the Alabama FFA State Small Engines Champions! Students from Bryant’s Small Engines program topped 11 other teams to take first place in the event at the Alabama FFA State Small Engines Career Development Event in Montgomery. Joining Bryant FFA Advisor Jamie Walter (left) are team members Colby Jackson of Alma Bryant, and Justin Harmon, Cohen Irby and Jaden Dickens, all of Theodore.