The upper school Honors Day ceremony is a time to recognize the accomplishments of students in grades 7-12. The senior class members are presented scholarship certificates from college and university representatives as well as community organizations. A variety of awards and honors are bestowed upon the students for academic accomplishments, community service, and leadership. At the conclusion of the honors day program, the seniors receive their honor chords to be worn at graduation.
Congratulations to the high school students inducted into Macon East Academy’s chapter of the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society: Kayle Bell, Jackson Ceman, Anne Turner Cobb, Tucker Neven, Hannah Paik, Ellie Kate Wilkerson, Emily Brooks, Bradford Nickles, Georgia Blaze, Colby Cox, Will Desmarais, Brianna Johnson, Jonathan Mathis, Tanner Moore, Emily Nickles, Aiden Steyer, Sara Stuckey, and Mary Hunter Wright. Mu Alpha Theta recognizes excellence in mathematics, and the MEA chapter is sponsored by Mrs. Melissa Baker. Serving as Mu Alpha Theta officers for 2018-2019 are Nate Center – President, Jake Gracey – Vice President, and Madisyn Kennedy – Secretary/Treasurer.
Girls on the Run is a 10-week youth development program for girls in grades 3 to 6. It centers around group sessions where the girls discuss and learn strategies on how to successfully handle the many issues girls face in today’s society. At the same time, they are training to run a 5K at the end of the 10 weeks. There is also an emphasis on making a positive impact in their community and beyond. The girls choose, plan, and implement a project to help a local organization.
This was Macon East’s first year to participate in the Girls on the Run program, and it was a wonderful addition to our elementary extracurricular activities. Thanks to the girls’ coach Ms. Kathy Loomis, along with Kayla Boroff and Taylor Anne Surles, for serving as mentors and role models. On May 4, the girls and their running buddies completed a 5K at Cloverdale Park.
Macon East baseball player, Jackson Ceman signed to play with the AUM Warhawks. Jackson is a 2-year starter for the Knights program under Coach Bob Pickett. He hit over .330 with 30 stolen bases and 58 RBI’s in the 2019 season. His fielding percentage was over .930 at 2nd base, and on the mound he was 4-1 with 1 save. Jackson was a part of 66 combined wins his junior and senior season and was an integral part of the 2018 AISA AA State Championship team. Jackson is the son of Deidre and Chad Ceman. He is not only a stand-out on the athletic field; he will be attending AUM on an academic scholarship. Jackson is one of 8 members of the Class of 2019 continuing their athletic endeavors at the collegiate level.
The Lady Knights softball team finished the 2019 season with a record of 51-18 and were 3A Region Champs. As has become tradition, they headed into the state tournament at Lagoon Park as the team to beat, holding 6 state champion titles in the last 8 years. A loss early in the final day of play to Glenwood, put the team in the losers bracket. They battled back into the final game of the division AAA tournament, but fell again to Glenwood (4-3) to take home their second State Runner-Up trophy in those 8 years. Devyn Debardelaben, Kadence Ward, and Caroline Capps earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
Madisyn Kennedy, Dawn Johnson, Kayle Bell, and TJ James will represent Macon East in the senior AISA All Star game on June 4 at Lagoon Park, and Emi Lott and Caroline Capps will play on the junior team.
Seniors, Connor Higbe and Madisyn Kennedy represented Macon East Academy at the 60th annual Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Award ceremony at Frazer United Methodist Church on April 30. Since 1959, the objective of the Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Award program has been to recognize Christian leadership in athletics and to encourage and inspire others to emulate the man whose memory is perpetuated by this award. The current status of the Hitchcock Award is stronger than ever before and is held in high status in the Montgomery area. Each year coaches nominate senior athletes who have displayed the most outstanding qualities of Christian leadership in athletics and possesses the following qualities: strong character, dependability, 100% effort, team leadership, church leadership, school leadership, and scholastic leadership. Freshman students who exhibit these same qualities are also invited to attend the annual banquet and be recognized. This year, Ali Churchwell and Luke Noffsinger represented Macon East Academy as freshman certificate recipients. Connor and Madisyn were both honored to be part of a prestigious group of Hitchcock nominees as their full resume of athletic, academic and volunteer accomplishments were shared with the auditorium full of parents, coaches, Hitchcock committee members and special guests.
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.
