Two Macon East student-athletes were honored to participate in the 2023 AISA All-Star Football game held November 30 at Cramton Bowl. Barrett Spaeth represented Macon East for the East team.  Kaiden Byrom cheered the East team on from the sidelines as part of the all-star cheerleading squad. She was an All-Star scholarship recipient receiving a $500 scholarship in recognition of her hard work and leadership on and off the field.
Congratulations to Junior, đđ»đ»đź đȘđźđđđŒđ», on being chosen to be an alumni staff member at the Hugh O Brien Youth Leadership conference on the campus of Troy University this summer. Alumni staff members work with the seminar operations team, lead ambassadors in energizers, and perform support activities throughout the Alabama HOBY seminar weekend. We are so proud to have Anna be selected and to represent Macon East!
Eight Macon East student-athletes were honored to participate in the 2022 AISA All-Star Football game held December 2 at Cramton Bowl. Deonte Powell, Sanders Manning, Gabe Spencer and Hunter Tillman all represented Macon East for the East team. Gabe Spencer was honored as Most Outstanding Offensive Back for the East team. Madison May, Arâmonni Payne, Hannah Kate Hodges and Mikalah Belser cheered the East team on from the sidelines as part of the all-star cheerleading squad. The participants enjoyed a few days of practice with their fellow AISA teammates. The East team beat the West team this year 36-22.
The Macon East cheerleaders joyfully participated in the Night to Shine âShine thruâ and they showed up and shined! They were cheerleaders, dance partners, smile makers, red carpet walkers and they brought energy and spirit as they encouraged each participant to shine bright at this event.
Front Row: Hendley Culpepper, Ali Churchwell, Madison May, Katie Kitchens, Alexis Davis and Rachel Major.
Back Row: Hannah Kate Hodges, Coach Summer Kyser, Lathan Johnson, Kacy Rutland, Payton Underwood, Anna Watson and Kaiden Byrom.
Macon East senior, Hendley Culpepper, recently won the Bullock County Distinguished Young Women and a $1,000 scholarship. Distinguished Young Women of Alabama is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership, and talent in young women. Hendley was also awarded additional scholarships for winning the fitness, self-expression, talent, scholastics, and interview categories. We congratulate Hendley on her accomplishments and look forward to her competing in the next level of the competition.
The Macon East Academy varsity and junior varsity cheer squads recently competed at Troy University at UCA cheer camp. Cheerleaders from all AISA (Alabama Independent School Association) schools attended for a week full of instruction and competition. Both Macon East squads had some unfortunate events prior to and during the week but pushed through as champion cheerleaders would representing their school and coaches well. The Junior Varsity squad brought home 5th place in situational sideline. The Varsity squad came home with the Superior Award. Both Junior Varsity and Varsity squads received superior ribbons for their camp dance and cheer.
Two Macon East cheerleaders were selected as UCA All-American Cheerleaders: Katie Kitchens (Junior Varsity) and Kaiden Byrom (Varsity). Senior, Hendley Culpepper, was chosen as AISA All-Star and will cheer in the upcoming AISA senior All-Star football and basketball games in Montgomery. Hendley Culpepper received UCAâs coveted âPin It Forwardâ honors from the camp staff for her leadership, spirit, and motivation.
Three Macon East cheerleaders participated in the jump off competition. Katie Kitchens represented the JV, while Hannah Kate Hodges and Lathan Johnson participated in the Varsity division. Both Katie and Lathan made it to the second round of the jump off competition. Special thanks to the MEA cheer coaches, Summer Kyser and Kindall Bishop, for their hard work and dedication throughout the summer practices and camp.  Congratulationâs girls, we are super proud of you!
Macon East Academy varsity cheerleaders were able to celebrate with Short the Squirrel on his 1st birthday. SHORT the Squirrel is a non-profit founded in 2020 and was created after a Mobile County Assistant District Attorney, saw young children spending large unoccupied blocks of time in the courtroom. Short the Squirrel is a mechanism to fill the gap with âedutainmentâ. The Macon East Academy cheerleaders participated in the 30-minute celebration by participating in a pep rally for reading to the targeted audience of first graders. The girls were excited to bring the program to life and help encourage the love of reading. More information about Short the Squirrel or anyone who wished to follow his adventures can visit: https://shortthesquirrel.com/
Pictured: Troy University mascot, Arâmonni Payne, Hannah Kate Hodges, Short the Squirrel, Austin Gorman, Rachel Major, and Hendley Culpepper
Macon East Academy was represented by four football players and two cheerleaders at the 2020 Alabama Independent School Association All-Star Football game at Montgomeryâs Cramton Bowl on Friday, December 4. Eric Lawson, Stone Yarnell, Kirkland Pugh and Lane Goree were chosen to participate for the East squad in this yearâs contest.   The East defeated the West 34-32 and Kirkland Pugh received the Most Outstanding Defensive Back award.  MEA Varsity cheerleaders, Mary Hunter Wright and Mary Lawson Norton were on the sidelines as part of the AISA East All-Star cheer squad. The game was a chance for the senior athletes to showcase their talents and participate with some of the best athletes in the AISA and leave their high school football careers on a high note.
Macon East Academy held their annual cheer camp recently and were able to work on their skills for the season such as stunts, jumps, and routines. The UCA staff worked one-on-one with each team to help them learn and improve their overall skills. The girls learned the material that they will work on to perform at competition later this fall. They were able to perform their routines on Facebook Live for their friends and family thanks to the Macon East Sports Network.
Eight team members were honored as UCA All-American cheerleaders, an honor given to select individuals who have exemplified showmanship, poise and technique.  Seniors, Mary Hunter Wright, Mary Lawson Norton, Alyssa Clark, Georgia Blaze and Junior Rachel Major were among the cheerleaders selected from the varsity squad.  Freshman Kaiden Byrom and 8thgraders Katie Kitchens and Alexis Davis were chosen from the JV squad.  Pin It Forward Recipients were Georgia Blaze, Katie Kitchens, Rachel Major and Kaiden Byrom. Pin-It-forward is an award that recognized athletes for being a leader by setting a good example for their peers, having great spirit and attitude, and having a positive attitude. Rachel Major and Katie Kitchens were the Jump Off Winners during the cheer camp competition.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the camp was held at Macon East Academy and included social distancing measures, rules about face coverings and cleaning practices.
Senior athletes Cephus Cleveland, Derrick Hooks, Will Heary, Coleby Jordan, Dawon Strickland, and Parker Whittle were selected to represent the Macon East Academy football team in the annual AISA All-Star football game at Cramton Bowl on Friday, December 6. As part of the West team, Cleveland and Hooks were voted among their peers as captains for the game. The East defeated the West 31-13, and Cephus Cleveland received the West’s Most Outstanding Offensive Back award. MEA varsity cheerleaders, Kayla Boroff and Taylor Anne Surles were on the sidelines as part of the AISA West All-Star cheer squad. The girls competed and received this honor during their summer camp at Troy University. The all-star week events included team practices, the all-star participants and parents luncheon, and many memories made with teammates from rival schools. It was an exciting night for these seniors to participate in their final high school football experience among the best athletes in the Alabama Independent School Association.
