May Around the Academy

MAY 2012

HEART Named Volunteer Group of the Year The

Montgomery

Academy

HEART Club was selected as the 2012 River Region Volunteer of the Year in the Youth Group category by the Volunteer & Information Center and the Junior League of Montgomery.

HEART (Helping Eagles Are Right There) was chosen in recognition of their outstanding service and dedication to making a positive difference in the River From left to right: HEART sponsor Connie Johnson, Carter Goodwyn, Cassie Price, Henderick Adams, Meredith Bear, Kim Herbert from Brantwood Children’s Home, and Upper School Director Cheryl McKiearnan

Region community. The group was recognized along with other outstanding volunteers at the annual Volunteer Celebration on

April 17. As winner of the award, a $200 donation was made in HEART's name to the organization of their choice, Brantwood Children's Home.

HEART’s sponsors are Denise Wentworth and Connie Johnson and the HEART officers are: Cassie Price, president, Henderick Adams, vice president, Meredith Bear, treasurer. Class officers are: Addison Anthony (11th), Hollan Smith (11th), Katter Longshore (10th), Tristan Watson (10th), Sara Brown (9th), and Jillian Tinglin (9th).

Jay Rye Earns National Distinction The National Forensic League (NFL) is proud to announce its newest diamond coach: Jay W. Rye, of The Montgomery Academy, who will be receiving the Fourth Diamond Award. Jay is one of only four debate coaches in the country receiving the Fourth Diamond Award this year.

An NFL Diamond Award recognizes a professional career that combines excellence and longevity. The NFL provides diamond awards based on coach points received. A coach may receive 1/10th the points of every student coached and 1/10th of the points earned as a student member of the NFL. After attaining a total of 1,500 points, a member coach is entitled to wear a diamond set key or pin; additional diamonds accrue at 3,000 points, 6,000 points, 10,000 points, and each 3,000 points thereafter. The minimum time between earning each diamond is five years as an NFL member coach.

On June 14, 2012, these coaches will receive special recognition at the Lincoln Financial Group/NFL National Speech and Debate Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana. Each year, the tournament draws more than 5,000 students, coaches, and parents from across the nation. Top students will receive nearly $200,000 in college scholarships at the conclusion of the tournament, billed as the largest academic competition in the world. The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has placed the tournament on the NASSP National Advisory List of Contests and Activities since the origination of the list.

The National Forensic League (NFL) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit honorary society whose mission is to promote high school and middle school speech and debate activities as a means to develop a student’s essential life skills and values. More than 112,000 high school and middle school students, representing more than 2,900 schools nationwide, are currently building their communication, leadership, cognitive, and presentational skills as members. Since 1925, more than 1.3 million students have found their voice in the NFL.

PRINGLE’S PAGES This year has been an exciting one and it is hard to believe it is almost over. I always approach the end of school with mixed feelings and this year is no exception.

I am looking forward to less activity, but know I will really miss everyone during the summer.

Our school building has never looked more beautiful.

The art displayed throughout the building is quite impressive. If you have not visited our Spring Art Show, please make it a point to do so. We had to end the Eagleaires concert rather quickly last week due to the fire alarm. I am afraid that some of you may not have had time to really appreciate our students’ art. I encourage you to come back and browse the halls.

Speaking of the Eagleaires concert, it was absolutely exceptional. I was so proud of Cliff Huckabee and our students for singing the last song acappella while the fire alarm provided a rather interesting background beat.

What beautiful and clear voices!

Eagle Day was such fun and our Lower School students had a blast. They get so excited and their enthusiasm is contagious. I love the school spirit that Eagle day fosters.

Eagle Day is truly an event that joins all three divisions of The Montgomery Academy in wholesome fun.

Among the new activities we implemented this year was the Senior/Kindergarten Buddy Program. The kindergarten students met their senior buddies the night before school began at an ice cream party. Then the next morning all of us felt a little heart tug as we watched them process in together at our opening Convocation.

Throughout the year the seniors came over to The Lower School to participate in planned activities with their kindergarten buddies. Their last official visit to our campus will be to come watch the Kindergarten Play.

This has been a well-received special program and unique relationships have been fostered.

There are several end of the year activities that are

coming up this month. Among the highlights are the Flight Ceremony for fourth graders, which will be held May 22nd, and the Kindergarten Play, which is the last day of school. The Flight Ceremony always makes me appreciate the years I have spent with the fourth graders and leads me to reflect on our time together. The Kindergarten Play leaves me with eager anticipation of the years ahead with the stars on the stage. If you are a kindergarten or fourth grade parent or grandparent, do not miss either of these events.

As we end this school year, we say good-bye to Margaret Grant, one of our most beloved faculty members.

Margaret has been our Kindergarten Resource Teacher for the past fourteen years. She has decided to retire to have more time to spend with her family. We will surely miss her and wish her special blessings.

April was a difficult month for our Lower School Family.

I know you join me in expressing our heartfelt sympathy to the Freeman and Ji families. I am proud of the way our parents, teachers, and students have responded to the tragic circumstances endured by these two MA families. We really are who we claim to be, a family. Your caring compassion and your acts of kindness have been touching for me to witness. Please join me in keeping these precious families in your thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.

As I complete another year in this position, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your support and encouragement. We have had an interesting year together from the unexpected fire alarms to the famous lockdown and I have always felt you “had my back.” I am proud to be The Montgomery Academy Lower School Director.

Take care and enjoy your summer break, Jan

Interpersonal Relations Students Honored The MA Interpersonal Relations class nominated LaRonica Kelly and Nini Rasbett-Smith to represent them at the Outstanding Big Buddy Awards Luncheon hosted by YMCA. These two big buddies and their families attended the luncheon on Wednesday, April 18 at the Capital City Club.

In addition to representing the Interpersonal Relations class, Nini was asked to YMCA Board Member Lolita McLean welcome everyone and to presents the Jamie Gilliland Spirit begin the program with an Award to LaRonica Kelly. opening prayer. LaRonica Nini, LaRonica, and LaRonica's little buddy. was also on the agenda to recognize the special guests in attendance. At the luncheon, LaRonica was presented the Jamie Gilliand Spirit Award

by YMCA board member Lolita McLean. This award is presented to the student participating in the big buddy program who best represents the spirit of the Interpersonal ideals. Congratulations to LaRonica on this great honor.

SUMMER AT THE MONTGOMERY ACADEMY! ACT and SAT Preparation June 4-8 July 30-August 3 Grades 11-12

Pass, Set, "Boomdaddy" Volleyball Camp June 4-7 Girls Grades 4-8

Camp Eagle June 18-22; June 25-29 July 9-13; July 16-20 Grades 1-6

Recreation: MA STYLE June 18-21 Boys Grades 7-9

Softball Camp June 11-14 Girls Grades 1-5

Camp Hoopstar Basketball May 29-June 1 June 4-7 Boys & Girls Grades 1-7

Baseball Camp June 11-14 Boys Grades 4-7 ART-standing Painting June 4-8 Grades 5-8 Camp Sylvest July 23-26 Grades 2-6

MCWILLIAMS IN THE MIDDLE the type of intellectual engagement that kept me In the fall of 2002, then Upper School Director Peter Trau called me into his office to let me know about a engaged in the learning process. I had to hone my graduate school opportunity at Dartmouth College that reading and writing skills. I had to remember how to be was unique for teachers. He knew that I was interested a student even as I was continuing in my teaching career. in pursuing graduate work, but that I was also interested I will be forever grateful to the Academy for the role that in staying a full-time teacher. Fortunately, Dartmouth this school played in helping me afford this amazing offered a “summers-only” enrollment option for teachers academic opportunity. in their interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Liberal “I am pleased that I work in a school community that has always Studies Program.

recognized the significance of professional development, and I strongly believe that it is one of the main reasons why our faculty can provide such enriching experiences for the students.”

As a result of Peter Trau’s encouragement and thanks, in large part, to the financial support of The Montgomery Academy and to the POA, I was able to enroll in the Dartmouth program in the summer of 2003. For several years, I travelled to Hanover, New Hampshire, to take a broad array of courses ranging from “Postcolonialism in Irish Literature” and “Cold War Film” to “The Craft and Culture of Journalism” and “Global Development.”

One summer, I also had the opportunity to gain credit for the Dartmouth program by taking two courses in Irish and Middle Eastern History at Exeter College at Oxford University in England.

I am please to report that, after finishing my thesis this year, I will finally graduate from the Dartmouth program in June! There were some delays along the way resulting partly from the unexpected death of my first thesis advisor. However, despite the difficulties, being a part of the program was an amazing experience for me.

I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to continue my academic interests while also working on an advanced degree. I consistently used my work at Dartmouth to enrich my AP US History class and to brainstorm about new elective course offerings. Not long after taking the Cold War Film seminar at Dartmouth, I decided to design a Cold War seminar in the Upper School. Not long after taking interdisciplinary history and literature classes, I began designing a “history through literature” course at the Academy. Not only did the courses help me in my teaching career at MA, but they also provided

I’m describing my experience in the Dartmouth program in this article to highlight the importance of professional development for our faculty. Although not everyone is pursuing a long-term degree, all forms of professional development are critical for the Academy faculty in order for our teachers to stay on top of the latest trends in education and to stay intellectually engaged in our fields.

I am pleased that I work in a school community that has always recognized the significance of professional development, and I strongly believe that it is one of the main reasons why our faculty can provide such enriching experiences for the students.

In the year ahead, we will focus much of our professional development energies on preparing for the introduction of iPads in the Middle School. Our Middle School faculty will have their first development workshop with Apple on May 9 and there will be future workshops. We will also continue to find ways to support all faculty members in their quests to remained engaged and prepared in their fields so that can help the students of The Montgomery Academy. In order for MA students to pursue excellence, then the faculty must do so as well.

John McWilliams Middle School Director

FROM THE UPPER SCHOOL April was a whirlwind of games and trips and concerts and performances and tournaments. MA kids were all over the place, traveling as far as San Francisco and Las Vegas. Except for playoffs in a couple of sports, May is a different story.

In May the focus returns to academic matters. AP exams begin the 7th and continue through the 18th. Our own in-house exams will be given May 21-24. It’s an interesting time of year. On the one hand, there is much to celebrate: students have learned a great deal and have gained and honed some important skills. They have grown and matured as thinkers. On the other hand, some chickens are coming home to roost: poor study habits; a backlog of material missed due to absences.

Catching up is hard to do. On the other other hand (and when we’re talking about kids there is always another hand), plenty of teachers can tell stories of students who have really hit their stride second semester, approaching their studies with maturity and purpose.

Turning from the playing field to the page, to the inward-directed work of study, is part of an overall reflectiveness that accompanies our sense of an ending as the school year draws to a close. As kids ask themselves how they’ll do on exams they’re asking what they have learned; they are also asking, consciously or not, how they handled school. The question takes on greater depth: how did things go with friends? How did it feel to manage adversity? What personal accomplishments and milestones stand out? Nine and a half months is a long time in the life of a person changing and maturing daily. A lot has happened in the hearts and minds of our students. Many of them have gotten taller or broader of shoulder; many more have become noticeably more grown up in their outlook and demeanor.

Endings, beginnings--the rhythms of school encourage everyone to take stock and they also offer a chance to

act on what we discover in the process. Celebrate this year, 2011-2012, and wait till next year...wait till the kids get to show how much progress they’ve made and how well prepared they are for the next, higher step.

Cheryl McKiearnan Upper School Director

Congratulations to the 2012-2013 Student Coucil officers SGA President Vice President Social Chair Seniors

Laura Katherine Crum Garrett Laurie Ryan Terry HONOR COUNCIL Lee Ellen Bryan Mary Elizabeth Massey Krisie Stakely

Juniors

John Ahn Garrett Barnes

Sophonores

Dawson Buettner Sam LaPlatney Senior Class

President VP Social

Grayson Anzalone Andrea Grey Jones Emily Garcia Junior Class

President VP Social

William Haynes Kit Birdsong Sarah Paige Massey Lillian Roth Sophomore Class

President VP Social

Josh Thomas Sara Brown Sam Adams George Hook

A year supporting Hackleburg After the horrific tornadoes ripped through the southeast last year, The Montgomery Academy formed a Tornado Relief Effort Team to partner with a school in an affected area. Made up of students and teachers, and spearheaded by faculty members Teresa Pittman and Denise Wentworth, the team solidified a partnership last July with Hackleburg Elementary and High School. As reported in Around the Academy this fall, a group of students and teachers made their first trip to Hackleburg in August to deliver school supplies that had been collected from teachers at the Academy.

Over the past school year, The Montgomery Academy has supported Hackleburg Elementary and High School in many ways, with each division focusing on a different area. In November, the Lower School collected money through their Fall Sharing Project for the Hackleburg Elementary playground. A group of teachers and lower school students traveled to Hackleburg in December and presented a check as well as a poster with signatures from all the students who donated to the cause. The Academy’s Middle School focused their efforts on adding books to the Hackleburg library. As admission to their fall dance, middle school students were asked to contribute books and they were delivered to the school in October. Finally, our Upper School contributed to the cause by raising money to pay for the DJ for the Hackleburg High School prom this spring.

Additionally, students have sent snacks and cards to the students in Hackleburg for both Valentine’s Day and Halloween and teachers have sent supplies and equipment throughout the year. For Community Day this past month, Middle School students brought in more materials for Hackleburg students and also made multiplication flashcards to send to the school. Upper School Guidance Counselor Alexis Wakefield is currently organizing a project that will begin in early May to provide gift cards to the Hackleburg faculty and staff. Through its projects, HEART has also collected money that will go to assist other specific needs for the school. The team plans to send representatives to Hackleburg to present a check, gifts and supplies in the coming weeks. top photo: MA students presented a check as well as a poster with signatures from all the students who donated to the cause bottom photo: Lower School students partcipated in the Fall Sharing project that raised money for Hackleburg Elementary.

FROM THE HEAD of SCHOOL New research: S’mores are good for you Well, not really, but they sure are good for bringing people together. This spring, Becky and I have been hosting small groups of seniors at our home for food and fellowship. The gatherings always start on our back deck with a large platter of chicken nuggets (consumed within minutes) and end in our back yard with everyone circled around a fire pit making/eating S’mores. In addition, I also host much smaller groups of seniors in my office to ask them to reflect on their MA experience.

These gatherings are important for several reasons. They give me the opportunity to honor a group of students who, in a matter of weeks, will graduate from The Montgomery Academy. This is no small feat as their educational journey has been difficult by design. Our faculty has pushed and challenged them and demanded maximum effort.

Our philosophy is best summarized by American author Napoleon Hill: “Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” When the seniors walk the stage and receive their diploma later this spring, they will have earned it.

I also collect salient feedback on our campus culture and academic program during these visits. When I ask the seniors about their favorite teachers, they always describe them as passionate, challenging, and loving. I thought you’d enjoy a few direct student quotes: • • • • • •

“Mrs. ____ is so willing to sacrifice for you. She will drop what she is doing to help me get through a personal problem.”

“Mrs. _____ is very patient and even held coach classes [tutoring sessions] at night at her home.”

“He’s the best because he is fun, hard, honest and very fair.”

“Mr. ____ has very high expectations but is also very approachable. He knows me so well and knows how to push and motivate me.”

“I love Mrs. ____ because of her genuine care for her students.”

“Mr. ____ is so into what he is teaching and even shares his own writing with us. He is the hardest and best teacher I have ever had.”

Finally, these gatherings serve as a source of inspiration for me. I do love other aspects of my job like strategic and financial planning but nothing beats time with kids. A mentor of mine used to say that kids were like oxygen to him. I couldn’t agree more and find myself breathing deeply in the presence of your children.

Dave Farace Head of School

Students Participate in State Latin Convention Eight Academy Latin students and faculty member Teresa Pittman recently attended the State Latin Convention sponsored by the Alabama Junior Classical League. Over 485 students from seventeen schools across the state attended the convention hosted by Samford University and Evangel Classical Christian Academy in Birmingham. The convention included mock Olympic games, written and oral academic contests, a toga banquet, and dance.

Several Academy students won the following awards: Level II: John Thomas Monroe, third place; Greek and Latin Derivatives Level I: Michael Butler, third place; Greek and Latin Derivatives Advanced: Hayden Walcott, third place; Club t-shirt: second place The students enjoyed the convention activities and are looking forward to next year’s event.

Te r v i s Tumbler Wa t e r Bottles m a k e g r e a t graduation g i f t s !

Spring Community Day Thursday, April 19 was a day that saw Middle and Upper School Academy students and faculty engaged in helping our community. Upper School students volunteered at 26 various service organizations including Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, M.A.N.E., Brantwood Children’s Home, the Family Sunshine Center, Camp Grandview and many more. Each student volunteered for three hours that morning, performing tasks assigned to them by each agency.

Students helped out with a variety of assignments including bathing animals at the Montgomery and Prattville Humane Shelters, cleaning out the stables at MANE and playing with children at different schools and Headstart programs around Montgomery. “I went to the Friendship Mission and helped cook meals for those in need,” said junior Mary Elizabeth Massey. “It was a great experience because we actually got to meet the people we were cooking for - it was really fulfilling to know that we were helping them in such an important way.”

Middle School students were involved in Spring Community Day through a variety of different activities right here on campus. Fifth and sixth grade classes participated by creating placemats for Meals on Wheels’ clients, making addition and subtraction notecards for Hackleburg Elementary and Adullam House and stringing bracelets for Child Protect, a child advocacy center. Seventh and eighth graders stuffed bags with pamphlets and children’s books for Gift of Life, made t-shirts for Brantwood Children’s Home, decorated pillowcases for the Family Sunshine Center and Baptist Hospice, cleaned Gazron Library, washed dogs to raise money for the Montgomery Humane Shelter and made neck warmers for Southeast Hospice residents. Middle School students also contributed through a clothing drive for Goodwill and collecting items for the Montgomery Humane Shelter such as shredded paper, hand sanitizer and printer paper. “The difficult part about Community Day for the Middle School is finding different activities that the students can do on campus. Today, I think we had a good mix of activities and now these organizations will be familiar with our children as Upper School students,” said Teresa Pittman, Middle School Community Day CoChair.

Sixth Grade Goes to Jasmine Hill The 33rd annual Sixth Grade Olympic Games Celebration was held on April 12 at Jasmine Hill Gardens. The gardens, filled with tributes to Greek buildings and an abundance of different flora, were the perfect place for this epic competition between the Cardinal and Navy citystates. The day began with the lighting of the Olympic Flame at the Temple of Hera, which is the true birth place of the Olympic Flame in Greece. After the torch was lit, the students began the athletic events where they competed in the marathon, discus throwing, lightning bolt race, javelin throwing and other events.

“When we visit Jasmine Hill Gardens, we see some of the flavor that we have previously studied about Greece and some of its famous ruins and statuary,” said sixth grade social studies teacher Carole Quallio. “This is precisely the kind of thing that makes history come alive for our students!”

The students then performed their version of a famous story from Greek mythology.

There were many interpretations performed and included such stories as Pandora, the Cyclops, and

King Midas. The winning performance was the story of the Trojan Horse presented by the Cardinal team.

Following the play performances, the students stopped for lunch and to enjoy the grounds before beginning the scavenger hunt. The day wrapped up with an Awards Ceremony where Navy was declared the winning citystate!

Academy Ambassadors Each spring, students in grades eight through eleven apply for the opportunity to represent the Academy as an Ambassador. In existence for over 17 years, The Montgomery Academy Ambassador program has evolved into an active and important extracurricular activity for upper school students. Ambassadors are chosen after a thorough selection process consisting of a written application, recommendations from faculty and directors and interviews. These students assist with a variety of special events including chorale concerts and plays, the New Student Pizza Party, Kindergarten, Middle and Upper School Open Houses, phone-a-thons, Mini Artworks, Awards Night, Baccalaureate and Commencement. Ambassadors attend monthly meetings and also give tours to prospective families and students.

“Being an Academy Ambassador is an honor and I am so proud to have been an Ambassador this past year!” Liza Hunter “I really enjoy expressing to outsiders why I love MA!” Laura Katherine Crum “I love being an Academy Ambassador because I get to help the school and I have fun doing it.” Will Sahlie

“I feel honored to represent The Montgomery Academy.” Lilla Bea Granger “I love being an Ambassador because it gives me the opportunity to make a positive impact on the families who are thinking about coming to MA.” Brock Hendon “I had a great time being an ambassador this year.

It feels so good to greet people with a smile!” Sarah Catherine Hook “I have really enjoyed being an Ambassador the past two years. I like connecting with parents, alumni, faculty and students at the school through the different events. Helping with these different events makes me proud to be a part of the MA family.” Corrie Tankersley “I love giving back to our school.” Emmie Chambers “Being able to give tours and meet those involved in MA gives us a better understanding of our great school.” Barton Crum

Please join us in thanking the 2011-2012 group for a great year of service!

Emmie Chambers Clayton Crenshaw Barton Crum Laura Katherine Crum Emily Garcia Carter Goodwyn Lilla Bea Granger Andrea Grey Jones

Brock Hendon Sarah Catherine Hook Liza Hunter LaRonica Kelly Mary Elizabeth Massey Neill McCorvey Drew Patterson Caroline Rickard

Will Sahlie Krisie Stakely Bo Starke Corrie Tankersley Josh Thomas Layne Williams Audrey Woika