Private: Blog

Macon East seniors (l-r), Tanner McNaughton, Sydney Weverink, Jake Gracey, Bailey Nyberg, Parker Hardegree, and Madisyn Kennedy participated in this year’s Legislative Day hosted by the Alabama Bankers Association. The April 17 event featured guest speaker Will Ainsworth, Alabama’s lieutenant governor. Legislative Day allows ABA members from all over Alabama to bring high school students to Montgomery to learn about the legislative process and meet their elected officials. Participants have an opportunity to visit the House chamber, learn how bills become law, take part in a mock vote, and tour the Capitol.

The annual lower school Environmental Fair, April 18, was a day full of hands on learning from a variety of community presenters. Students learned to build a race car out of Legos and circuits with Snapology, and held a variety of reptiles thanks to Dixie Electric.  PALS taught valuable lessons on recycling and tips on how to keep our community clean.  A local 4-H representative taught STEAM activities using cups and string, while Jacobs Engineering used edible treats to teach engineering.  As always, Bonnie Plant Farm was on hand to help students plant herbs and vegetables to take home for the summer. Petland taught pet care and brought several furry friends. Representatives from the Red Cross helped the students understand the importance of having a family plan in the event of an emergency. Bee keeping was taught by Barrett Farms, and the Montgomery Public Library shared stories in the library.  Outdoors the students learned about archery and how to cast fishing rods with the Wildlife and Fisheries Department.  Our final presenter, Wild Birds Unlimited taught the students about the different types of birds native to our area and their importance. Many thanks to Ms. Marjory Johnson for organizing another wonderful day of learning and fun at this year’s Environmental Fair.

Macon East Academy offensive lineman, Connor Higbe signed his letter of intent to join the Huntingdon Hawks football program for the 2019 season.  Connor transferred from LAMP to Macon East in 2016 and had not played football since his days as a Montgomery Seminole.  Connor has contributed to the Knights success the last two seasons and represented Macon East at the AISA Senior All-Star game this year.  Connor also plays soccer, serves as the SGA Chaplain, and was selected as a Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Award nominee.

Following up on back-to-back state titles is tough to do, and add to that a move to the AAA division, the Varsity Boys finished their season 12-16.  Playing the toughest schedule in the AISA , the Knights lost 6 games to out-of-state teams and 5 games by 5 points or less.  In a rebuilding year for the program, the team showed a lot of growth throughout the season, but ended their run in the first round of playoffs.

Making yet another appearance in the Elite 8, the Varsity Girls fell to Ft. Dale 56-40.  Also moving up to AAA competition, the Lady Knights had an overall 13-10 season.  Team leader, Madisyn Kennedy ended her season with 24 points in the final game.  The team loses just two starters for next year.

Madisyn Kennedy and Kerion Taylor, who led their teams in scoring this season, represented Macon East in the AISA senior All-Star games on February 22.  The East girls team defeated the West 68-65, and the East boys fell to the West 78-83.  Congratulations to Madisyn and Kerion on their selection as All-Stars!  Macon East cheerleaders, Annslie Gourlay and Sarah Krasnowiecki also participated as All-Stars.

Macon East Art Show – Best of Show Winners

The Capstone Leadership Academy at the University of Alabama is a two-day event for select sophomores from across Alabama who have shown an interest in leadership through service.  The purpose of the event, which features dynamic speakers and group activities, is to give students the tools and the training to apply their leadership skills to opportunities in their own communities.  Three outstanding sophomores from Macon East Academy were invited to attend this year’s academy – Georgia Blaze, Will Desmarais, and Jonathan Mathis (unable to attend). Hosted by the Capstone Council and Honors College, the theme of the academy is Values, Vision, and Voice.  Along with leadership lectures, Georgia and Will enjoyed a campus and stadium tour, group activities, and participating in a service project.

The Macon East chapter of the National Junior Honor Society inducted 14 new members at a ceremony held February 28. The ideals of the society, Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character, were presented by this year’s NJHS officers: McKinnon Hammonds (President), Trey Matthews (Vice-president), Jay Moore (Secretary/Treasurer), and Allison Churchwell (Chaplain).  Members of the NJHS must maintain a 3.5 overall grade point average and be in good standing in all areas of school life.

This year’s new members are: Jameson Byrom, Kaiden Byrom, Sara Cochran, Pressley Graham, Jack Jones, Alison Magda, Ryann Moseley, Dalton Nickels, Luke Noffsinger, Jaden Rossell, Kacy Rutland, Barrett Spaeth, Tanner Surles, and Anna Watson.

Visiting Wesley Gardens retirement community at Valentine’s has become a  Macon East tradition.  The K 5- 6th grade classes presented a program to the residents themed “Thankfulness and Love” using Bible verses and Christian songs. Students enjoyed visiting with the elderly residents, and each one recieved a treat bag filled with Valentine cookies and personal care items.

Bailey Nyberg was honored as one of this year’s recipients of the Good Citizen Award presented by a local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Bailey and the other award recipients attended a luncheon held in their honor at the Montgomery Country Club.  The DAR Good Citizens Award and Scholarship Contest, created in 1934, is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship. This award recognizes and rewards individuals who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities. These students are selected by their teachers because they demonstrate these qualities to an outstanding degree.  We congratulate Bailey on her selection as the Macon East Academy representative.