Yearly Archives: 2018

The Class of 2018 bid their final farewell as students on the Macon East campus at Senior Send-off.  Always a special day for the seniors and their families, the students enjoyed one last breakfast with Mrs. Vickie, followed by a slide show sure to bring a tear to every parents eyes, recognition of the honor graduates, and finally the traditional balloon release.  Tyler Watson was named as the class Valedictorian, and Bryson O’Malley will address the class as Salutatorian.  A number of students were honored to receive the 13+ pin to be worn over their heart at graduation.  These students have attended MEA since Kindergarten or preschool.  Several members of the graduating class have spent just one or two years at Macon East but have quickly learned what it means to be part of the Knights family.  The eclectic Class of 2018 has succeeded in the classroom and in athletics.  Earning over $4.8 million in academic and athletic scholarships, they have set a school record.  They also earned 4 State Championship trophies this year in volleyball, boys basketball, softball, and baseball.  It has been an honor for the staff and faculty of Macon East to teach, coach, and mentor each member of this class, and we wish them all the best in their future endeavors.

Macon East Kindergarten through 6th grade students who met or exceeded their Accelerated Reader goal enjoyed a fun day at Camp Chandler. Students participated in archery, candle making, and a fun game of gaga.  As special treat, the 6th graders enjoyed a ride on the pedal boats. The Accelerated Reader program is designed to facilitate student reading growth. The Macon East AR program has been a huge success for many years with students continually reading well above grade level.

Play On! was presented by special arrangement with Samuel French by the Macon East Academy Drama Club on May 10^th. In this comedy, a group of actors are attempting to produce a play while the author continuously revises her script. Each act offers a look at the work that goes into producing a play and the challenges faced by the actors. During the 3^rd Act, opening night has finally arrived and everything that can go wrong does. As the final curtain closes, the author attempts to give a speech on modern theater. The cast featured 5 seniors, one of which stated, “That was by far the best thing I have performed on the Knights stage; it was amazing!”

Cast and Crew:

Rachel Sargent: AGGIE MANVILLE – a stage manager and prompter.
Lane Johnson: GERALD “GERRY” DUNBAR – a community theatre director.
Jacob Cannon: HENRY BENISH (“Lord Dudley”)
Savannah Clemens: POLLY BENISH (“Lady Margaret”)
Hannah Grace Johnson: MARLA “SMITTY” SMITH (“Doris the maid”)
Travis Moody: SAUL WATSON (“Doctor Rex Forbes”)
Jonathan Mathis: BILLY CAREWE (“Stephen Sellers”)
Casie Starling: VIOLET IMBRY (“Diana Lassiter”)
Makayla Morris: LOUISE PEARY – a sound-and-lighting-and-scenic technician.
Bailey Dees: PHYLLIS MONTAGUE – a novice playwright in the community.

Sound and Lights: Emily Brooks and Ally Mathews

Backstage: Jaycee Cook-McCollum, Madison Folkes, and Sam Pittenger

The International Thespian Society welcomed nine new members at the spring induction ceremony. Congratulations to Emily Brooks, Bailey Dees, Jacob Cannon, Jaycee Cook-McCollum, Johnny Mathis, Ally Matthews, Travis Moody, Makayla Morris, and Casie Starling on their induction into the Macon East ITS troupe.  The International Thespian Society is an honor society for high school and middle school theatre students. It is a division of the Educational Theatre Association.  The International Thespian Society allows for the induction of high school and middle school students attending ITS affiliated schools, based on the quality and quantity of work in all realms of theatre. Points can be earned from participation in productions (either on stage or backstage) and participation in the AISA District and State Drama competitions.  After induction, members can continue to earn points in order to move up through the International Thespian Society ranking system.  Current members in the ITS are Hannah Grace Johnson, Lane Johnson, Rachel Sargent, Sam Pittenger, Savannah Clemens, and Madison Folkes.  This is the third year Macon East has had an active ITS troupe on campus.

For over 20 years, Mrs. Vickie Kyser has served so much more than a hot meal to the students of Macon East.  Mrs. Vickie has loved and nurtured each student that stepped into her cafeteria.  It was an honor to dedicate the “Kyser Cafeteria” in recognition of Mrs. Vickie for the impact she has had on the students and faculty of Macon East.  A recent social media post announcing Mrs. Vickie’s retirement drew comments from many alumni, parents, and current students.  Expressions of gratitude for her dedication and kindness were numerous as well as fond memories of her poppyseed chicken, biscuits and gravy, and of course her famous cakes.  Mrs. Vickie’s servants heart and gentle spirit is why all of us at Macon East love her dearly.  We wish her the very best in retirement!