Macon East Academy Celebrates a Spirited Homecoming Week



Macon East senior Sam Wallace recently took part in the Dixie Electric Cooperative Youth Tour and had an unforgettable experience in Washington, D.C. Alongside other students, Sam toured the U.S. Capitol, visited historic monuments, and even attended a Washington Nationals baseball game.
A highlight of the trip was Youth Day, where students from across the country gathered to learn about the importance of civic engagement and leadership. Sam especially enjoyed meeting with members of Congress and gaining insight into how the government works.
Macon East celebrated Homecoming the week of September 30 – October 5. This year’s Homecoming week was a time of fun and competition all centered around the theme, “In My Macon Era.” Events included themed dress up days of In my Vacation Era (dream vacation), Sweet Home Alabama Era (redneck vs country club, Beginning / End of an Era (babies vs senior citizens), In My Celebrity Era and In My Macon Era (homecoming shirts and Macon gear). The entire school really enjoyed dressing up and showing their school spirit. Other events during the week included a homecoming crashers, and a fun boys volleyball game. The cheerleaders entertained everyone with a fantastic blacklight pep rally Thursday night. The annual upper school tailgate was a time of good food and lots of fun and fellowship. The lower school students enjoyed tailgating as well. As the school day ended, everyone gathered in the parking lot for the Homecoming Parade. Each lower school class carried a sign down the parade route. The wee princess, little damsel, and pee wee cheerleaders along with the pee wee football team rode on floats and trailers throwing goodie bags to the crowd. Homecoming attendants threw goodies to the crowd as well from their decorated vehicles. Homecoming Court attendants selected by their classmates were Ashley Davis (7th grade), Kylie Taylor (8th grade), Bentley Graham (9th grade), Bella Chambers and Gracie Strickland (10th grade), Bree Grisco, Hagen Owens, and Payton Underwood (11th grade), Alexis Davis, Mary Taylor May, Mattie Pugh, and Shamaiah Thomas (12th grade). At halftime of the football game, Miss Shamaiah Thomas was crowned as the 2024 Homecoming Queen. The Student Government Association officers and members did an outstanding job planning and organizing all of this year’s Homecoming week activities.
The Knights celebrated homecoming with a dominant 60-0 shutout against North River Christian, marking their third shutout of the season. Thad McKinney led the way with 82 rushing yards, including a 57-yard touchdown, and a 65-yard kickoff return. Sam Wallace threw for 89 yards with two touchdown passes and added a 30-yard touchdown run and a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown. Carter Hopson contributed with a 45-yard touchdown run and a 51-yard touchdown reception. Micah Andrews caught two touchdown passes. On defense, Hopson had nine tackles, McKinney recorded four tackles and a sack, Mathew Pugh had five tackles and a fumble recovery, and Wallace intercepted a pass.

Macon East Academy celebrated Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September by honoring a Mother’s Day Out student. To raise awareness, the MEA PTO organized several initiatives, including selling bracelets and stickers, as well as hosting a Warrior Wednesday dress-down day where students wore spirit wear for a donation. On the last Wednesday of the month, the entire school, from K3 to 12th grade, participated by wearing yellow or gold—colors that symbolize childhood cancer.
The funds raised will be divided between the Allshouse family and donated to the social workers on the childhood cancer floor at Children’s Hospital, who provide essential gift cards for food and gas to families in need during treatment. Macon East Academy demonstrated remarkable support for this important cause, especially for our brave little knight, Emma Allshouse, who is courageously fighting her battle against cancer. We stand united in prayer and support for her.
Overall, donations exceeded $1,000, showcasing the community’s generosity and commitment to making a difference.

Macon East Academy Senior Tiffany Marshall exceled at the Distinguished Young Women of Bullock County event. Tiffany not only won the “Be Your Best Self” essay award and the scholastics award, but she also earned first runner-up. We are incredibly proud of her accomplishments and thrilled that she came home with several thousand dollars in scholarship money.
Macon East Academy students 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢 𝐑𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐧 and 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐨𝐧 attended the 2024 HOBY Alabama Leadership Seminar at Troy University. At HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership), high school students explore their leadership potential through inspiring leadership development programs. It allows students to build a network of positive community change-makers and a more comprehensive network of HOBY Alumni. After the seminar, HOBY alumni are challenged to complete 100 hours of community service within the next year as a way to put their passion and newly built leadership skills into action. Anna went through the interview process and was chosen as a counselor for the ambassadors this year!
The annual Macon East Honors Day program was a time to recognize the graduating class for their accomplishments as well as other outstanding upper school students. Representatives from many colleges were on hand to present scholarships and recognition to the seniors. The Class of 2024 earned over $4.2 million in academic and athletic scholarships. Seniors were also presented with their honor cords and honor graduate medallions to be worn at the commencement ceremony.
Macon East faculty and administration presented the following subject awards and special awards to the upper school students.
Macon East Academy takes immense pride in acknowledging the accomplishments of the graduating Class of 2024. This distinguished group of 26 students has collectively garnered approximately $4.2 million in merit-based and athletic scholarships. Having been accepted into a total of 62 colleges and universities, they exemplify the high standards of academic achievement that Macon East Academy upholds. During their senior year, they earned several honors in performing arts and propelled the athletics program to new heights by clinching a State Championship title in softball. Additionally, four members of this exceptional class have further committed to their athletic careers by signing scholarships to continue playing at the collegiate level. Each graduate embodies the core values of student life and Christian principles that Macon East Academy cherishes, setting a remarkable precedent for future classes.

Macon East Academy had four outstanding juniors, Mattie Pugh, Addison Little, Mary Taylor May and Bryant Morrison participate in the Dixie Electric Cooperative’s Montgomery Youth Tour. Students toured historical sites in Montgomery, met with legislators, learned about the cooperative form of business, competed in Co-op 101, and participated in leadership activities.

