FEATURE SPOTLIGHT NEW UPPER SCHOOL TEACHERS

Ryan Kline

POSITION: Cheerleading coach/ Intermural Sports Program leader

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR? Bring Maclay Spirit back throughout the whole campus.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME TO MACLAY?

The rest of my family is here at Maclay, so this was a great opportunity to be on campus and spend more time with them.

Philip Previte

POSITION: Chemistry Teacher

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR? I have a passion for chemisty, so I cannot wait to teach my students.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME TO MACLAY? I was headed down to South Florida when I got the offer from Maclay about teaching, it was a perfect match.

Mildred Seckel

POSITION: Theater Teacher

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR? I can’t wait to see how the program grows and develps this year while I’m here.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME TO MACLAY? I worked at leon high school for 38 years and i just love the performing arts. When i found out Maclay had an opening position, i was eager to join the team.

Aran Smith

POSITION: History Teacher

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR? I am excited to get the opportunity to work with high school students. I have always worked in a college setting, so I can’t wait to see what I can accomplish this year.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME TO MACLAY? I was impressed with how tight knit it was and everyone was very friendly.

Ismael Milligan Jason Cauley

POSITION: Art Teacher

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR? I am exited to work with the students and develop my own practice in the classroom.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME TO MACLAY?I have heard a lot of great things about Maclay so when I got the offer to come here, I jumped on it as soon as possible.

POSITION: History Teacher/Football Coach

WHAT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED FOR THIS YEAR? Working and balancing both football and teaching.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO COME TO MACLAY? When I saw there was an opening, I knew that this was exactly where I needed to be.

Design By Merrell Webster

Moststudents get involved in clubs or take responsibility for a leadership position, but few can do both with a positive attitude. Whether he’s helping around campus or playing on the varsity tennis team, senior Oakley Deison always has a smile on his face. He is currently involved in five clubs, all of which include: Student Council, Honor Council, Student Ambassador, Multicultural Awareness Club (MAC) and Model U.N. On top of

Deison has earned leadership roles in Student Council and MAC. While he is largely involved in the upper school, his interest in club involvement goes back to his days in lower school.

Deison, who has been at Maclay since kindergarten, has a history of school involvement. In lower school, he started off in Student Council and in middle school, he joined Model U.N., Brain Bowl, tennis and baseball. Although he is known for his outgoing personality, Deison wasn’t always extroverted. However, by joining clubs and becoming involved in the Maclay community, he has evolved to become comfortable in the spotlight.

“I just like Maclay a lot,” Deison said. “All these clubs are interesting. Student Council is involved in dances which I love doing and planning. I always wanted to go into MAC and Model U.N, and I joined Honor and Student Council my junior year.”

Even though Deison was involved in clubs for most of his life, he did not go into high school knowing he wanted multiple clubs. Nonetheless, the amount of clubs he’s involved in provide him a lengthy and diverse to do list. In MAC, Deison helps with culture fairs where he makes food for lunch and educates the student body. Within Honor Council, he sees students that have possibly broken honor code, decides if they have and what the punishment is. Deison helps the Student Ambassador Club by welcoming new students to make them feel at home on campus. In Model U.N., he prepares for the once a year debate, with his clubmates, to solve world issues. Within Student Council, Deison manages affairs, runs bake sales for charity drives and helps the service club with events.

“Oakley leads with positivity and action,’’ Student Council sponsor Heather Bas said. “He bases his creativity on what he sees lacking in the Upper School experience. Oakley is open to constructive criticism, an attribute that is necessary to be a long term successful leader. He welcomes the help of others and is a great team player.”

While Deison loves what he does, the most challenging part of being in so many clubs is keeping track of it all. An inevitable part of taking up a big workload is the stress that comes with it. Whenever he is not devoting his time to clubs, Deison is taking advantage of his free time at school by going to FLEX to get as much work done as possible.

“It’s always the worst feeling when you just forget a meeting,” Deison said. “There’s definitely a lot of stress that comes with it all. If you ever get overwhelmed, just go for a walk. You’re going to feel better I promise you. Narrow your vision; you could have a million things due that week but focus on the next day, get through it and you’ll be good.”

One perk of being in multiple clubs is that Deison gets to make new friendships and strengthen existing ones, just by being a part of the school environment. Getting to know people around school gives him a sense of what the student body is thinking or feeling, which helps with the work he does in his clubs. His involvement also enables him to know what events are happening in the upper school. Being able to plan those events and rally school spirit helps Deison feel connected to the Maclay community more than the average student. That aspect is important, as being involved in the school community makes it a better place for him.

“Oakley is nice, always there to break the ice and very outgoing,” Student Council member Clayton Knox said. “He isn’t afraid to step up and lead. He is a great example to follow.”

For anyone who wants to get involved in clubs, there are various opportunities around school. During the first month of school, the upper school hosts a club fair where students can express their interest in various clubs. Another way to get involved is to talk to club sponsors or interact with people in a desired club. For example, in Student Council anyone in the student body can sit in on meetings every Wednesday at lunch, making it easier for students to express their concerns.

“Reach out to the clubs,” Deison said. “They’re always happy to have you. Just join and do what you feel passionate for or like. Be enthusiastic. You could not know anything but if you are eager to do something and get it done then everything else will work out.”

BY LEAH KIROS