Private: Blog

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.

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!