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Macon East Academy 6th grade student, Marissa Robledo was recently recognized as an outstanding member of the Montgomery Amateur Radio Club.  At age 11, Marissa was named 1st runner up for the Alabama Outstanding Youth Ham Award at the American Radio League’s event in Huntsville.  During the past year she has given satellite demonstrations to various clubs and organizations and is considered to be an excellent ambassador for amateur radio.  Marissa is one of 3 local student members of the Montgomery Amateur Radio Club who received awards for outstanding amateur radio skills during recent local and national competitions.

The Macon East Academy PTO hosted a fun-filled Back to School Bash on August 12.  Macon East families and the community gathered to enjoy fun filled activities for all ages.  Lower school students bounced between the inflatables, carnival games, face painting, balloon creations and the popular touch-a-truck area.  The upper school students lined up at the dunk tank for a chance to soak one of their coaches.  Everyone satisfied their hunger with delicious selections from area food trucks while listening to the tunes played by DJ, Van Wadsworth.  The Back to School Bash included a silent auction with a huge variety of items available for bidding.  This year’s PTO Back to School Bash was a huge success, and the PTO is already making plans for next year’s Bash.

Macon East Academy junior, Jon Maddox represented Macon East at the 81st annual American Legion Alabama Boys State.  Held at the University of Alabama in June, Alabama Boys State is one of the highest honors granted to Alabama students. Students from across the state are chosen based on their demonstration of leadership, hard work, strong morals, and motivation in school and community activities.  At Boys State, student delegates will find the opportunity to build new friendships, participate in a mock government, and hear from and meet a diverse array of Alabama leaders such as Congressmen, state elected officials, business leaders, civic leaders, and others. Delegates will have the opportunity to join interest groups that focus on their individual areas of interest.  Jon was involved in the Engineering and Computer Science interest group where he gained knowledge about current and future technology and the opportunities available in these fields.  The American Legion Boys State provides delegates with an understanding and working knowledge of our democratic society.  Jon said he enjoyed participating as a member of his city and learning more about the city, state, and federal government through the hands-on activities and elections.  Boys State has a long-standing and distinguished history of raising up young mean to be leaders within our state and nation.

Macon East Academy junior, Bailey Nyberg said, “Attending Girls State at the University of Alabama was one of the most exciting experiences of her life.”  Expressing her appreciation for the knowledge, as well as friendships, gained during the one-week event, Bailey was honored to be selected as Macon East’s 2018 delegate.  The American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State program is one of the most respected and coveted experiential learning programs in the United States.  The program’s mission to honor those who have brought us our freedom through our enduring commitment to develop young women as future leaders grounded in patriotism and Americanism. The young women become knowledgeable of the democratic process and how our republic form of government works at the state and national levels.
Each summer, approximately 20,000 young women participate in week-long ALA Girls State programs across the nation. Every American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program operates with the same patriotic values through a nonpartisan curriculum where students assume the roles of government leaders, campaigning as “Federalists” and “Nationalists” to become mayors and county and state officials of their ALA Girls State.  Bailey said that living and working as a citizen of her “city” was an educational experience beyond anything you can learn in the classroom.  Since 1942, Alabama Girls State has provided a unique educational opportunity for young women seeking to develop leaders and provide a better understanding of and pride in our American government and traditions.

Macon East high school students, Nate Center, Connor Higbe, Spencer Lindemood, and Trent Watson were honored to attend the 9^th annual Alabama Lions High School Leadership Forum.  Held on the campus of Troy University June 15-17, the event was both fun and educational.  Students from around the state gathered to hear from a variety of keynote speakers, participate in group activities, and build leadership and service skills.  A highlight of the 3-day event was a field trip to Camp Butter and Egg for team building activities.  Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club.  For years Lions Club members have sought to volunteer their time and talents in their communities with the motto “We Serve.”  The High School Leadership Forum is one way the Lions Club seeks to serve and train civic-minded youth.

Jon Maddox, a senior at Macon East Academy, was one of 4 local students invited to represent Dixie Electric Cooperative during the 2018 Washington Youth Tour.  Along with 1,500 other students from across the country, Jon had the opportunity to tour numerous historical sites in D.C. and learn about the importance of political involvement. In March of this year, Jon participated in the Montgomery Youth Tour and there earned selection for the D.C. summer tour.  The all-expense paid trip is a great outreach program to broaden the students understanding of the local cooperative as well as teach them leadership skills.  Along with visiting the sites in our nation’s capital, students heard from various motivational speakers and made lasting friendships.  Jon said his favorite part of the trip was a dinner cruise on the Potomac River and a dance party.

Macon East Academy sophomores, Zach Kitchens and Rachel Sargent were selected to attend the HOBY Leadership Seminar at Troy University the last weekend of May.  Founded in 1958, HOBY’s mission is to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation.  HOBY State Leadership Seminars are for sophomore students who want to develop their leadership talents and become stronger leaders in their communities. Through engaging and interactive speakers, workshops, fun activities, and discussions, HOBY’s dynamic three-day leadership training explores leadership from three perspectives: personal, group, and societal.  Both participants enjoyed the group activities and were motivated by the speakers to continue growing in their leadership roles at Macon East.  Zach said the HOBY conference taught him how important it is to be a leader and how to better lead others, while Rachel reflected on the connections made with the other students at the conference and the impact the speakers had on her thoughts about leadership among teens.  As America’s foremost youth leadership organization, HOBY has a long and impressive history of successfully motivating youth and volunteers to outstanding leadership.  Rachel and Zach continue to bring these outstanding leadership qualities to all of their school activities at Macon East.

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.