Student Spotlights February 2023

Kindergarten students learned all about Antarctica, Arctic animals and explored the My Body and Hands On hall exhibits at the Exploreum in Mobile.

Congratulations to the Robertsdalen Elementary School 6th grade STEAM Squad. These students will assist classroom teachers with various technology and robotics.

It might be sunny outside, but Miss Sumner’s class has had a snow day. They have been learning all about snow, so it was time to make their our own. They measured and mixed to make pretend snow and spent time making snowballs and snowmen. Then they ended the day with a snowball fight. Now they are snow experts!

Exciting things are happening at Elsanor Elementary! The book vending machine has arrived! We are waiting on our books to fill the machine so students can earn tokens and choose books to keep! This purchase was made possible through our 3 Mil Tax money!

Mrs. Amerson’s 3rd graders are learning about fossils in Science. Today, they used dinosaur figurines and modeling clay to create their own fossils!

What an amazing night of spelling talent at the Spanish Fort Middle School Annual Spelling Bee! The students did a phenomenal job. Congrats to 7th grader, A’Nia McPherson, our Spelling Bee Champion! Thanks to all SFMS English teachers, custodial staff, Mrs. Wheeler, as well as our guest judges, Tina Dillen- Stonebridge Elem Gifted Teacher, Kathleen Quinn- SFHS 11th grade English Teacher, and Connor Cruthirds- South Alabama student/SFHS Graduate, for making this night possible!

Brycen Williams is an 8th grader at BMMS, he attended United States Navy Sea Cadet training in Starke Florida. He has been a Sea Cadet for 1.5 years, going to drill once a month at the Coast Guard base in Mobile, AL with The Dunlap Division here in Mobile and Baldwin counties.
Brycen finished his training at graduation on Tuesday, January 3rd and hopefully will attend Washington in the summer for aviation (flight school). He hopes to be a fighter pilot in the years to come.

Daphne Elementary School celebrates student achievement with a quarterly Honors Day Parade. Students that achieve honor roll status for second quarter wear ribbons and are celebrated in a parade that circles through the carline. Students that receive Trojan Awards are also celebrated by their peers. Also, a teacher is chosen by faculty members as the “Teacher of the Quarter” and awarded with a sash and gift basket during the parade. This month’s teacher is third grade teacher, Mrs. Brittany Stefano. CNP Manager, Mrs. Daphaine Hester, was awarded Classified Employee of the Quarter as well!

Bay Minette Middle School has named Jennifer Jones as its Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023. Jones teaches eighth grade physical science and serves as co-sponsor of the Beta Club. This marks her 15th year as a middle school science teacher – all at BMMS. The Baldwin County High School alumni graduated from the University of Mobile. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree from the University of West Alabama, with plans of graduating this summer. In 2016, she completed professional development to become an eMints trained teacher and is she is currently working toward becoming a National Board Certified teacher. BMMS Principal Lisa Creps, right, presented the award to Jennifer Jones.

Thanks to the generosity of State of Alabama Representative Frances Holk-Jones, juniors at Foley High School will be able to take the ACT Prep classes and the ACT test in the spring.
Over 140 students will be able to participate in a special intensive ACT Prep program to begin in January 2023. Participants will learn how to take the ACT, what to expect, have the opportunity to take a practice test, then in the spring they will be able to take the ACT.
This program in conjunction with the City of Foley will give students to opportunities to take the ACT to improve their scores to know what they will be facing with taking the test and to get the optimum result. The $7,000 donation provided by Representative Holk-Jones allows the students participating in the program to be able to take the test and not worry about the financial commitment that would have been incurred.
Pictured are Representative Holk Jones and Foley High principal Jessica Webb

Haley Wicker is soaring to new heights at Baldwin County High School and beyond. Haley serves as the Corp Commander for the school’s Air Force JROTC, the top cadet position. This week she was announced as the winner of the AFJRTOC J-100 Scholarship which is a full-tuition, four-year scholarship to the school of her choice (Auburn University). This will also cover full room and board and include a monthly stipend. Haley has certainly earned that accomplishment through her hard work in the classroom, the Corp and her community. She has the highest fitness score in the Corps, earning a possible 93 out of 100, for which she earned a Silver Star for Fitness ribbon. During the summer of 2022, Haley took part in the Flight Academy which was a first for a female cadet at BCHS. Haley also works hard in the Girl Scouts and has received the Silver Award, the highest honor a Girl Scout Cadette can achieve. Haley’s academics are also stellar, boasting a 4.3 GPA and membership in the school’s National Honor Society. We can’t wait to see her take flight!

While the underclassmen were taking the Winter CERT test, Daphne High School Seniors were “adulting”! Rotations Included Mechanic-How to change the Oil and a Ties with Mr. Ling Traffic Stops FAFSA- Sponsored by Alabama Fast, is a comprehensive toolkit that includes materials that address many avenues of the FAFSA application process. From help determining if you should file for FAFSA to avoiding scams, this rotation has something for every student.
Senior Seminar- Graduation Checklist, Scholarships, and everything seniors need to know before graduation Reality Check- Sponsored by Auburn Extension, Seniors were given a paycheck based on current careers. They traveled through life stations to see how far their paycheck would go. Life stations included:
Buying or renting a home
Phone and utility plans
Vehicle purchase
Medical costs
Recreational activities and more…
They also had to place money in savings and in addition to the routine monthly responsibilities above. They faced unexpected medical bills and maintenance costs. At the end of the circuit they were met by a career counselor who talks with them about their career decision and the outcome of the Reality Check -whether they had money left or not.
This event helps students understand the importance of planning for a career early, budgets, and the cost of living.
Some of the students were blown away!
This whole rotation was a great exercise for students to plan for their future with a touch of reality.

Students at Bay Minette Elementary School competed in a Volleyball Superbowl. The competition featured students in fourth, fifth and sixth grades. Coaches have been working with students this quarter on the fundamentals of the game during their Physical Education classes.

Fourteen spellers from Grades 4–8 competed in the Bayside Academy Spelling Bee on Monday, January 9. After 14 rounds, 7th grader Wesley Wells was declared the winner and 7th grader Caroline Ernest named the runner-up, with 4th grader Jeremy Ou rounding out the top three. The championship word was a provocation.
Wesley will represent Bayside Academy in the Baldwin County Spelling Bee in Loxley.

Bayside Academy Spelling Bee Participants

4th Grade
Vivian Lokar
Jeremy Ou
Phoenix Vivier
5th Grade
Laura Jackson
Mary Kathryn Jacobs
Ward McCrory
6th Grade
Jake Jacobs
Annabel Kimbrell
Owen Swagart
7th Grade
Caroline Ernest
Audrey Haines
Anna Heiser
Wesley Wells
8th Grade
River Hannaman

Pictured: Bayside Academy Spelling Bee runner-up Caroline Ernest with winner Wesley Wells.

Baldwin County High School Wrestling had three first place wins at the Bulldog Brawl held at Vancleave High School in Mississippi. Alexis Brown won in the 185 division, Tamara Reed in the 235 and Nick Portis in the 138 division. BCHS wrestlers swept all four top spots in the 235 girls division. Joining Reed on the podium included Meagan Portis, second; Jessinia Jones, third; and Ameria Brooks, fourth. In addition to these wins, Zeteria Baker (112), Joaquin Crook (132) and Alia Vickery (152) won second place in their divisions. Gate Brown (95) and Cameron Benetiz (160) finished in third place. Coach Hunter Bates said the team is young and focused on learning and improving. “BCHS Tigers Wrestling has a lot of new wrestlers and they are trying their best on the mat and that is all Coach Shaun (Livermore) and I could ever ask. Every wrestler on our team is improving every match because they want to make it to sectionals,” he said. The team is not focused on winning and losing, Bates said, “because we believe in winning and learning. The only time you lose is whenever you do not want to improve yourself as a wrestler and person.” – Pictured here: BCHS wrestlers swept all four top spots in the 235 girls division. Joining Tamara Reed on the podium included Meagan Portis, second; Jessinia Jones, third; and Ameria Brooks, fourth.

Trent Battle, son of DES principal Mrs. Benita Battle, visited Daphne Elementary School after returning from the TCU vs. Georgia Championship Game in Los Angeles, California. Students in Mrs. Riel’s class snapped a quick photo with him during his visit. Students are so proud that Trent exhibits Leader in Me Habit “Begin with the End in Mind” as a former DES student/athlete and now on his college football journey at Texas Christian University! Once a Trojan, Always a Trojan! Go TCU Horned Frogs!

2023 Elective Fair in the books! Students had an opportunity to learn more about the elective classes offered for next year.

Bayside Academy‘s middle school and upper school math teams finished runner-up at the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) District Math Competition on January 10, 2023. Middle school mathletes include eighth graders Tbug Baker, Amelia Hicks, Anna Flynn Hughes, Ethan Kok, and Farrah Lane and 7th grader Huan Chen, who was the highest individual scorer. Upper school mathletes include seniors Hunter Hyderally, Ryan McCullough, Beverley Milteer, and John Thomas Neill and juniors Michael Klimjack and Georgia McInnis. Ryan McCullough was the highest individual scorer. Both Huan Chen and Ryan McCullough will represent Bayside Academy at the AISA State Math Competition in Montgomery on February 1. Team sponsors are Matthew Lipham and Joe Swagart.

Picture 1: Bayside Academy’s upper school math team: Georgia McInnis, JT Neill, Beverley Milteer, Sponsor Joe Swagart, Hunter Hyderally, Ryan McCullough, and Michael Klimjack.

Picture 2: Bayside Academy’s middle school math team: Ethan Kok, Anna Flynn Huhges, Amelia Hicks, Sponsor Matthew Lipham, Tbug Baker, Farrah Lane, and Huan Chen.

Congratulations to the following classes at Silverhill Elementaryfor receiving the Library Star Award for 1st & 2nd Quarter! These three classes earned the most points for being leaders in the library! Mrs. Weaver’s 1st Grade Class, Mrs. McDoniell’s 4th Grade Class, and Ms. Farrier’s 5th Grade Class. Way to go! Keep up the great work!

Spanish Fort High School National Art Honor Society students had the best time volunteering at the Spanish Fort Public Library yesterday! They worked on a collaborative coloring sheet mural honoring Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. with children from our community. After they finished that project, they then created mixed media artworks with words such as ”peace,” “kindness,” “equality,” “leadership,” and “respect.”

Timmy Abell, a nationally recognized recording artist and songwriter, and his wife, Susana, performed for Bayside Academy students of all ages during their annual trip to the school. The interactive show, filled with folk music, is a treat for everyone – from the seniors to the PK3 students. We look forward to his visit every year!
Pictured: Susana and Timmy Abell with Bayside students Pablo (4th grade), Marco (1st grade), and Neo (PK4) Giraldo Sanchez during their performance.

Congratulations to the Gulf Shores Middle School winners of the Lions Club Peace Poster Contest.
1st place Amelie Walker, 2nd place Ekaterina Harea and 3rd place Ava Nelson.

Baldwin County Virtual Elementary/Middle School spellers all did an amazing job showcasing their word knowledge in the spelling bee! Congratulations to our first-place winner, Robert McDonald and our runner-up Matilda Cagle!

Mrs. Jablonski’s Algebra with Finance students at Daphne High School created residential floor plans as part of their Independent Living unit. They had to meet a certain set of criteria, such as area restrictions. The students could illustrate their floorplans on graph paper or use a computer program to create the plans.

Spanish Fort Middle School students in Coach Daniels and Mrs. Josie Webb’s 8th Grade Science classes explored matter to introduce them to get them excited about their learning this semester. Students were very engaged and intrigued!

4th Graders in Mrs. Dees’ class at Foley Elementary learned how to harness the power of the wind on this blustery day.

Rehearsals are underway for the Bayside Academy Middle School Drama Department’s spring play, The Witch’s Princess. Performances will be in The Pilot Center Theatre on Bayside’s campus at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 16–Saturday, March 18 and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 19. Visit www.baysideacademy.org/performing-arts to purchase tickets.

Students in 4th- 6th grades at Robertsdale Elementary learned about block coding using the Sphero Bolts and Sphero RVRs in the STEAM Lab. Thank you Central Baldwin Public Schools Commission for supporting our school.

States of matter labs are the best! Students in Mrs. Stewart’s classroom and Mrs. Baker’s classroom at Foley Middle School completed labs this week related to the states of matter. In Mrs. Stewart’s class, students examined the properties of different solids and liquids. In Mrs. Baker’s class, students explored phase changes and recorded data to support phase changes at specific temperatures.

Foley Elementary 2nd grade had so much fun in art class lol learning about movement, and creating their own little movement sculptures.

Congratulations to the St. Michael cheerleaders who recently competed in the State championship in Birmingham. They placed 12th (out of 28) in “Game Day” and 6th in “traditional!” They have worked hard all season, and we definitely appreciate their spirit and contributions during all of our athletic events!

It’s Workout Wednesday at J. Larry Newton School. Our school staff is using January to focus on health and wellness with a friendly team step competition and after school workouts. What a great way to stay fit and fellowship too.

Congratulations to Daphne East Elementary School 2nd quarter Crown of Character recipients!
Mrs. Wallace: Nicholas
Mrs. Waddle: Nevaeh
Mrs. Gamble: Ella
Mrs. Kowalczyk: Aubrey
Mrs. Cunningham: Edynn
Mrs. Dawson: Skylar

Off to the Everglades National Park for third grade students in Mrs. Arnold and Mrs. Cork’s classes at Fairhope West Elementary. Students participated in a virtual field trip where they were able to interact with park rangers while learning about animals habitats and adaptations.

Announcing SEEDS Inaugural Crawfish for the Classroom Event presented by 68 Ventures on Saturday March 11, 2023 from 4-7pm on the grounds of Daphne’s City Hall. Event festivities include Crawfish from MudBug Mafia, live music from Anthony Crawford of Sugarcane Jane, featuring Pete Nice, children’s activities and local brews from Fairhope Brewing Company!
Ticket includes crawfish, hot dog & chips, and dessert. Separate beer tickets will be sold for 3 for $10 or 1 for $5 with a valid I.D. Tickets : Adult $25 presale or $35 at the door, Kids 6-12 $5, Teachers $10,Kids 5 and under Free. All proceeds go to the 2023 SEEDS Classroom Grant Program for Daphne schools supporting Daphne High School, Daphne Middle, W.J. Carroll Intermediate, Daphne East Elementary, Daphne Elementary and Belforest Elementary.

Congratulations to St. Michael Catholic High School senior, Marguerite Cowles, who was chosen as our Red Ribbon leader. The Drug Education Council selects outstanding students from Mobile and Baldwin County who represent the 6 pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

Belforest Elementary Fourth graders enjoyed learning and exploring at The Gulfquest National Maritime Museum in Mobile

Jolysia Byrd was the big winner at Pine Grove Elementary School Spelling Bee. The competition included 15 students from third through sixth grades. After several rounds, the competition narrowed down to Jolysia and Hazel Peacock, who finished as the Spelling Bee runner-up. Jolysia will now represent Pine Grove Elementary at the county-wide competition.

Silverhill Elementary School is very thankful for our Silverhill Elementary SRO everyday, but especially when he steps in to read to a class in the library when there is a scheduling snafu! Thank you for everything you do, Officer Daniel!

Congratulations to all of the Central Baldwin Middle School Band students who participated in the Baldwin County All-County Middle School Honor Band this year! They put on a wonderful performance last night!!

Bailey Hope was named UTV 44 Scholar Athlete of the Year and was awarded a $5,000 scholarship by Andy Citrin for her outstanding video entry!

Don’t judge a book by its cover…judge it by its illustrations! Third graders at Spanish Fort Elementary acted as [mock] judges of Caldecott Medal contenders. The actual Caldecott Medal committee will announce the winner at the end of the month. The Caldecott Medal is awarded each January to an outstanding picture book published in the previous year.