Student Spotlights – December 2024

DES celebrated their Fall Festival Saturday, October 26th from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Students enjoyed games, inflatables, a dunking booth, and lots of food! Thank you to everyone who joined us!!!

The CTKCS Spooky Lab brought many smiles to our junior high students! Mrs. Williams amazed everyone with tasty experiments, mind-blowing activities, and so much fun. The students loved making science come alive in such a “spooktacular” way!

K-3 students at Daphne Elementary School participated in the Daphne Public Library’s Bookmark Contest by designing their own bookmark during their scheduled library time. DES was excited to have three winners in this year’s contest. DES was excited to have three winners in this year’s contest:
3rd place in Kindergarten: Selayiah Moore
1st place in First Grade: Cade Nouwen
3rd place in Second Grade: Edith Blanco

Bayshore’s precious 1st graders had an unforgettable adventure at Linda’s Learning Farm! They milked a goat, fed horses, and got to pet a quail, a bunny, and a turkey! They also planted turnip greens, making memories and learning all about farm life. The smiles were endless as they enjoyed a day outdoors with their friends. What a memorable experience for our little explorers!

Two students at St. Michael Catholic High School earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Program. The programs celebrate the hard work of thousands of high school students nationwide to help them showcase their strong academic performance.
For the first time, the academic honors recognize first-generation students, in addition to rural and small town, Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic/or Latino students. The program opens college access for more students because many institutions use the awards for their recruitment efforts. At St. Michael Catholic High School, Charles Nevin was recognized with the first generation award and Natalia Pyatt was recognized with the Hispanic award.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate our students and recognize them for the great work they’ve been doing. We’re proud of their strong academic performance in the classroom and on College Board assessments like the PSAT/NMSQT®, PSAT™ 10, and AP® Exams,” said Lisa East, Dean of Academics. “There’s so much that makes our students unique, and this honor reinforces their individuality and achievements as assets for their future.”
Eligible students must meet the following criteria to qualify:
• Earn a GPA of B+ (equal to at least 3.3 or 87%-89%) or higher.
• PSAT/NMSQT or PSAT 10 assessment scores that are within the top 10% of assessment takers in each state for each award program or earned a score of 3 or higher on 2 or more AP Exams by the end of 10th grade.
• Attend school in a rural area or small town, or identify as African American/Black, Hispanic American/Latino, Indigenous/Native American, or a first-generation college student.

Congratulations to Bayshore Alumni Georgia Byrd on being named one of the University of Alabama College of Arts and Sciences’ Outstanding Sophomores and Juniors! This award honors her exceptional character, leadership, and dedication to both academic and co-curricular achievements. We’re proud of her accomplishments and excited to see the impact she will continue to make!

St. Michael Catholic High School held a wonderful observance of Veteran’s Day on Monday, November 11th. Many of our family members who have served attended a beautiful Mass, followed by a student-led program that included several meaningful rituals. We then heard from our special speaker and current parent, Lt. Col. Mark Flynn. He reminded us of the shared virtues common to our faith and our military: service for others and working for the common good. We are grateful to him and all those that have exercised these virtues in service to our country. Thank you to all veterans for your sacrifice and dedication.

The students at Nature Connect School enjoyed a field trip to Blakeley State Park with Ranger Brian. The children were able to observe deer and learn about local trees and the rich history of the Native American tribes and the Blakeley settlers.

Pine Grove Elementary School is thrilled to announce that Matthew Flanders has won a brand new bike for his exceptional perfect attendance in October! Enjoy your well-deserved reward!

Bayside Academy Upper School History Teacher and History Department Chair Donna Lamberti was surprised at school on November 1 st by WKRG News 5’s Bill Riales. Mr. Riales, along with representatives from the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, Elite Urgent Care, Hembree Heating and Air, and Rich’s Car Wash, presented Mrs. Lamberti with the Golden Apple Award.
According to WKRG’s website, “The Golden Apple Award honors those who believe in the true spirit of teaching by making classrooms a fun and safe place or learning!” Mrs. Lamberti teaches AP USGovernment, Psychology and the Good Life, and a senior capstone course.
The interview aired on WKRG News 5 on Tuesday, November 12.
Pictured: Bayside Academy history teacher Donna Lamberti holds her Golden Apple Award.

Congratulations, officers!
The members of the Stapleton School chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society, the Stapleton Scholars, have selected their officers for this school year. Congratulations to:
President – Eliza
Vice President – Joshua
Treasurer – Aubrey
Secretary – Allie
We’re proud of each of these stellar leaders!

Thank you, Veterans! Summerdale School celebrated and honored all who have served and are serving our country with a Veteran’s Day program. We are honored to have one of our very own as the guest speaker, Lieutenant Commander Frank Starr, US Navy Retired. The program was student-led, and all students participating did a wonderful job. Thank you to Mrs. Goodwin, the Band Director, Mr. Turner, the Music Teacher, Ms. Hinson, the FACS Teacher, Peer Helpers, and all who helped make this day possible.

Congratulations to BCS girls’ and boys’ cross country teams for winning the Sectional Championship for the fifth year in a row! Their hard work, resilience, and teamwork continue to make us proud. Way to go, Eagles!

The Swift Consolidated Elementary School Pre-K class celebrated the 50th Day of School in style! They compared past to present, learned the hand jive, had a sock hop, added 50 dots to their vinyl records, and even made floats as a special treat!

Exciting news from Magnolia Elementary School! Our annual Red Ribbon Parade was a fantastic celebration of health, safety, and making positive choices. Students and staff came together waving banners and spreading the message of living drug-free. Huge thanks to everyone who participated and supported this wonderful event! Let’s keep the spirit alive every day!

Congratulations to the Elsanor Elementary School October Leaders of the Month! These students were chosen for exhibiting leadership roles in their classroom. They are Kieya Green, Kathryne Causey, Nicolas Boyington, Lily Dejonge, Elizabeth Rojas, Waylon Hobbs, Emily Mashburn, Liliana Quintana, Zoey Randolph, McKenna Jennings, Wyatt Riggan, Adelaida Lima, Addyson Parker, Emma Quinn, Hudson Cutler, Jaylynn Alvarez, Walker Coleman, Brynlee Bowling, Rhylee Zoltak, Lizbeth Lemus, and Oaklee Palomino. Well done!

Last month, Bayshore’s third-grade classes took a step back in time for their very own Greek Olympics Day! Our young athletes competed excitedly and enthusiastically in classic events like the javelin, long jump, relay, and even a spirited chariot race. After all the fun, they enjoyed a delicious feast with flavors of Greece, celebrating the spirit of teamwork and ancient traditions together. What a memorable day of learning, laughter, and a little friendly competition!

Congratulations to the St. Michael Catholic High School Volleyball Team for clinching the 4A Area 1 Volleyball Tournament Championship, beating out Orange Beach in 5 sets!

The Bayside girls cross country team placed third in the 6A State Championship! Bayside is classified as a 3A school but competes at the 6A level in cross country.
The Bayside girls were able to capture a podium finish in the highly competitive 6A race at the State Meet on Saturday, November 3, 2024. They defeated two of the largest private schools in Alabama (Briarwood Christian and McGill-Toolen) and placed just behind 6A powers Mountain Brook and Homewood.
Junior Shelby Fargason earned All-State honors with her 9th place individual finish.
Congratulations to Coach Joe Swagart and all of our amazing cross country athletes!
Pictured: Bayside Academy junior Shelby Fargason received All-State honors at the AHSAA Cross Country State Championship Meet on November 9, 2024.

Bayside Academy senior Burk Brown was recognized as WEAR-TV’s Scholar-Athlete of the Week in mid-November.
Burk is a member of the National Honor Society who holds a 4.03 GPA with a rigorous AP course load. He has participated in both Football and Track & Field throughout his time at Bayside Academy. He is a leader in our school community as the Vice President of the Student Government Association and President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also participates in many service opportunities through Key Club. His positive attitude, strong work ethic, and an ability to motivate others make him a role model for those around him. Burk is regarded highly by his peers and was the recipient of the 2023 HAW5 award. Burk plans to attend Auburn University.
Way to go, Burk!
Pictured: Bayside Academy senior Burk Brown

We are thrilled to announce that the Elberta High School Cross-Country team recently concluded their season on Saturday, November 9th, by competing in the AHSAA Cross-Country State Championships held in Oakville, Alabama. This event is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our athletes, as only those who qualified based on their race times at sectionals were invited to participate.
We are proud to recognize the following EHS and EMS students who earned their place at the state championships through their performances at sectionals on October 31st: Haley Wheeles, Fionna Stevens, Charlie Woerner, Joe Maya-Hernandez, Carson Watts, Brody Davis, Daniel Maya-Hernandez, Gus Woerner, and Thad Woerner.
At the state competition, these athletes not only showcased their skills but also set new personal records for their best 5k times. From August to November, they dedicated themselves to practices and participated in numerous meets across Baldwin, Mobile, and Escambia Counties.
Please join us in congratulating these talented students on a fantastic season and their impressive achievements. Their hard work and perseverance have truly made us proud!

St. Michael Peer Helpers recently attended the annual Peer Helper Jubilee in Orange Beach. They had the opportunity to connect with Peer Helpers from across Baldwin County sharing experiences and building relationships with those who are also passionate about supporting mental health and well-being in our community. The Jubilee also featured presentations from national speakers who addressed a range of important mental health topics, offering valuable insights and practical tools for supporting others. The Jubilee was a great opportunity for our Peer Helpers to gain new knowledge and skills and it also allowed them to reflect on their own roles as leaders and advocates for mental health awareness.

Congratulations to Ms. Robin Clarke for being named the Baldwin County Virtual School Teacher of the Year!

Bayside Academy had three seniors sign letters of intent to play baseball at the collegiate level on National Letter of Intent Day, Thursday, November 13, 2024.
Division I: Cole Dean University of South Alabama
Division III: Nathan Sadlock Millsaps College
NJCAA: Weston Hannaman Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
We are so proud of these outstanding student-athletes.
Pictured: Bayside seniors Nathan Sadlock, Cole Dean, and Weston Hannaman are surrounded by Bayside baseball players of all ages on National Letter of Intent Day.

During the Loxley Elementary School Leadership Assembly, we celebrated our students scoring level 4 on ACAP subtests with achievement medals. We had 3 students scoring all level 4s on all subtests taken last spring. They received trophies for their outstanding accomplishments. Congratulations to these scholars!

Rosinton Elementary School is thrilled to celebrate our incredible teachers who have completed Kagan Cooperative Learning training! These dedicated educators are equipped with new strategies to boost student engagement, collaboration, and success in the classroom.
Together, we’re making learning more interactive and fun at Rosinton Elementary School!

Congratulations to Elberta High School’s Mrs. Danielle Dunlavy! She has been recognized as a 2024 Hermon Moore LAMP award recipient for her many years of service to Alabama libraries. Her title, Library Media Specialist doesn’t begin to cover all the hats Mrs. Dunlavy wears at EHS, which is why we are so grateful that she is a Warrior. Thank you for everything you do for our students and staff. We appreciate you!

Congratulations to Robin Phillips for being named the Florence B Mathis Elementary School 2024-25 Teacher of the Year!
I am honored to be named Florence B. Mathis Elementary’s 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year. I have been teaching since 2001. The majority of that time has been in 5th grade, and much of that time I have taught only Math or Math and Science. Math was always my favorite subject when I was in school, and I have a passion for teaching math to my 5th graders. It is so rewarding to see students experience that aha moment, or to hear them say, “Now I get it!” On a personal note, I enjoy reading and spending time boating. ~Robin Phillips

The Ordo Amoris Classical Academy cross country team competed in the ACAA State Championship! Though this is the first time the school has competed in the state championship, the girls’ team earned 2nd place! Top 10 individuals included State Champion Anna Dernlan, State Runner-up Rebecca Dernlan, and Bennett Greer placed 8th in the high school boys’ championship race. We are so proud of our runners!

Silverhill Elementary School Sixth grade students went to the Exploreum to see the D-Day IMAX film and to the Bankhead Tunnel. They went under the tunnel, were able to see inside the tunnel, and explored how the tunnel was built. Afterwards, they went to ALDOT to see the traffic cameras and how they operate the message boards on the interstates.

Congratulations to these 5 Elberta Middle School students from Mrs. Burnett’s class! They were the top in their classes for the IXL Leaderboard Challenge!
Lucas Harner, Marley Pierce, Roman Corban, Jayden Rowan, and Rush Traver

Foley High School was recently named as a School of Excellence! This is an achievement that speaks volumes about our students, teachers, administrators, and staff!! We are so proud of this award! Go Lions!

Seventh and eighth-grade students from CTKCS embarked on a meaningful vocations field trip! The 7th and 8th-grade boys visited St. Joseph Seminary in Louisiana, while the girls traveled to Casa Maria in Irondale, where they learned about the Sister Servants of the Eternal Word. Both groups had an inspiring day, hearing powerful stories of how others were called to dedicate their lives to God.

Congratulations to the Foley high School October Students of the Month!! Also, thank you to Foosackly’s in Foley for their contributions to our students!
Mackenzie Snell 9th
Carter Beauchene 10th
Sadie Langham 11th
Ava Bodiford 12th

J. Larry Newton School’s choir made their debut performance at Barnwell Community Day! They proudly led the Pledge of Allegiance and performed the Star-Spangled Banner for the crowd along with singing two additional songs. A big thank you to music teacher Caroline Womack and Autumn Ford for inspiring and guiding these talented students!

Congratulations to the Fairhope High School cheerleaders for winning 1st place out of 12 schools in the 7A Game Day division at the Super South Regional Competition. Performance was flawless with zero deductions!

Welcome to the newest members of the Baldwin County Virtual School High Fliers Club!
These honor roll students were recognized at our Friendsgiving celebration. Thanks to our sponsors, each high flier received a special t-shirt displaying their achievement.

Fifth-grade students from Christ the King Catholic School took a step back in time during their visit to the Daphne History Museum. What made the field trip extra special? The students walked to the museum from campus and discovered that many of the museum’s staff members are alumni of CTKCS! It was a meaningful way to connect history with their own community’s roots.

Leo Bancroft and Nathan Howell represented Fairhope High School as delegates to the Auburn University Model United Nations Conference. Nathan received awards for Best Delegation and Best Speaker. FHS alumni Rafael Olivier, an AU aerospace engineering major, served as President of the AMUN Conference.

Congratulations to Belforest Elementary School student Wyatt Childress for winning first place in the Shrimp Festival Youth for Art Show. He received a $75.00 prize.
We would also like to congratulate all of the participants: Mila White, Hank Turner, James Arnwine, Gaines Byington, Anne Willson Kirby and Charlie Maher.

Congratulation to Spanish Fort Middle School’s Mrs. Webb and Ryder Pridmore for being awarded a SFEEF grant! Cannot wait to see this amazing technology used in 8th grade science!

Congratulations to Daphne East Elementary School’s Adriana Watkins! She won third place in the elementary section of the Shrimp Festival art contest! We are so proud of you Adriana!

Please join Daphne Middle School in celebrating our November teacher and employee of the month! Congratulations, Mrs. Huertas and SRO Lewis!

The Fairhope East Elementary School 6th graders had an incredible time at Pelican’s Nest, learning about human impact on the environment through hands-on activities! Thanks to the Pelican’s Nest team for an unforgettable experience helping our students become future environmental stewards!

Congratulations to Robertsdale Elementary School Teacher of the Year… Brooke Hartner! We are so proud of her!

Daphne East Elementary School student Ava Smith participated in the essay contest hosted by the Battleship Memorial Park themes “What Veterans Day Means to Me”. A panel of judges selected three winners from both Baldwin and Mobile counties. Ava Smith received 2nd place and was awarded $150 and earned $100 for use in her classroom.
Way to go Ava!

Congratulations to W. J. Carroll Intermediate School student Livia Urniezius, the 1st place winner of the 2024 Daphne Public Library Bookmark Contest! Her achievement is truly remarkable among the 700 total entries. Livia’s bookmarks will be shared at the Daphne Public Library. We are so proud of our mighty Trojan!

The Robertsdale High School PAWS Students of the Month for October were nominated by their teachers for demonstrating Progress, Accountability, Work Ethic, and Success—values that are at the heart of our RHS community.
Seniors: Keikilani Pace and Spencer DeAngelo
Juniors: Shiloh Bishop and Ian Eaton
Sophomores: Zy’anna Mitchell and Andre Sanders
Freshman: Khloe Edwards and Kylen Sedlack

Quarter 1 Honors Day at W. J. Carroll Intermediate School was a fantastic day celebrating our amazing students, teachers, and staff!
We have a special announcement: our 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year is the Marvelous Mrs. Erin Jones! You’re officially our favorite superhero!
We also want to Congratulate our Staff of the Quarter, Mrs. Gretchen Wenzel! Thank you for all your hard work!

Congratulations to the Daphne High School students who participated in the USA Honor Band!
Participants includes Elizabeth Evans, Katie Smith, Avery Rushing, Mikenzie Price, Carter Fraley, Cas Weinacker, RJ Stanton, Hudson Ayer, Champ Hill, Thomas Boucher, Christopher Madison, Lily Yates, Ben Guarisco, Jamicah Black, James Dunn, Thomas Fridge, Celyn Simpson, and Eli Lores.

Foley middle School students in the 8th grade held their annual Olympic Day on the practice field after completing their unit on Ancient Greece. Students in Ms. Christian, Ms. Taylor, Ms. Ward and Ms. Whiddon’s classes competed in tug of war, softball throw, frisbee throw, and javelin throw in Foley’s version of the Olympics. Everyone enjoyed the chance to get outside and show off their skills.

Stonebridge Elementary School is proud to recognize our Leaders of the Month who have embodied Habit 1: Be Proactive! These students have shown incredible initiative, responsibility, and a positive attitude, setting a fantastic example for their peers.

Recently, during Rockwell Elementary School’s 6th grade Keyboarding, Technology, and Production class (funded through the 3mil), students used their Discipline-Based Arts Education focused on the 1970s to emphasize a groovy toy item, the Pet Rock. The students digitally designed their Pet Rock using images and shapes in Google Slides. The rocks came to life as they were able to decorate their own pet rock in STEAM classes (also a special class funded through the 3 mill).
Then they created e-books on Book Creator with the main character being their Pet Rock. Through the Book Creator program, the students chose fonts, selected images, used pen tools, and tweaked layout designs along with creating a setting, beginning, middle, and end to their stories.
The fun was shared with Kindergarten and Pre-K when the 6th graders visited classrooms to read and share their Pet Rock adventures this week. Additionally, the 4th and 5th students also designed pet rocks digitally using Google Slides.

Congratulations to the Florence B Mathis Elementary School top cookie dough fundraiser sellers! They got to participate in a money jump!

Theatre students at Robertsdale High School enjoyed a performance by the Pensacola Opera.

Please join Daphne Middle School in celebrating our November students of the month! Congratulations, Andrew (7th grade) and Landon (8th grade)!

Central Baldwin Middle School is excited to recognize two outstanding members of our Central Baldwin Middle School family as our November Employees of the Month!
Certified Employee of the Month: Congratulations to Mrs. Judy, who has gone above and beyond in the classroom, inspiring students and supporting colleagues each day. We’re grateful for your commitment and passion!
Classified Employee of the Month: A big shoutout to Mrs. Lester for her hard work and positive attitude every day in the front office! Thank you for all you do to keep CBMS running smoothly!
Thank you both for your incredible contributions to our school community!

Congratulations to the Central Baldwin Middle School October Bear Pride Winners!
We are excited to announce the winners of our monthly drawing for the CBMS Bear Pride Program!
1st Place $20.00: Easton White
2nd Place $10.00: Deaunte Yelder
3rd Place $5.00: Farrah Green
The Bear Pride Program recognizes and rewards good citizenship performed by our amazing students at Central Baldwin Middle School!

Foley Middle School couldn’t be more proud to share this news!
The Foley Middle cafeteria ladies earned a 100 rating by the health department! These ladies serve over 800 breakfast and lunches each day with a smile.
Congratulations to all!

Foley Elementary School’s Mrs. Mathison and Ms. Parker’s first-grade students dressed up as their favorite character from their book that they did a book report on.

Congratulations to Ms. Pellock’s 3rd grade class at Fairhope West Elementary School for capturing the esteemed WEST WIN flag with their remarkable attendance record! Way to go!

A big congratulations to Bay Minette Middle School students Kendall Brown who won 1st place in the 103 lb division and Elías Nelson who won 1st place in the 112 lb division at the 2024 Hurricane Kickoff Classic Middle School/JV Wrestling Tournament this past weekend! We are so proud of you both. Go Tigers!

Congratulations to the Baldwin County High School cheerleaders on a big win – AHSAA South Regional First Place Co-Ed! We are so proud of y’all for your dedication, hard work, and never giving up despite injuries & setbacks. Perseverance pays off!

Bay Minette Elementary School’s “Principal for the Day” was Miss Puja Nelson. Puja learned exactly how much it takes to make the school run. Puja now knows how to check in/out students, use the intercom, answer the doorbell, patrol the campus, she also helped Officer Allen walk the perimeter, and collect students from various areas. She also learned that sometimes you have to make people laugh. If you came in the office, you had to dance. Great job Puja! Can’t wait to see if you have a school of your own one day!

Belforest Elementary School is excited to announce this year’s 24-25 Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Shawn Kavanaugh! Mrs. Kavanaugh teaches 2nd grade and has many wonderful years teaching in many schools. She was certainly surprised today with this great honor. Congratulations!

Big congratulations to Spanish Fort Middle School’s Ms. Smith’s homeroom class for achieving the highest attendance percentage for the month of October! Way to show up and show out, everyone—your dedication and commitment are inspiring! Let’s keep up the amazing attendance streak!

Congratulation to the Bay Minette Elementary School Teacher of the Month Mrs. Carroll, and Employee of the Month Caleb Jackson. We are so lucky to have them on our campus!

Daphne High School cheerleaders had the best time performing at the AHSAA South Super Regionals. The cheerleaders competed in 7A Traditional and Gameday routines. Our Gameday team placed 3rd of 12 very competitive 7A teams and was awarded a bid to the State Championship. Our Traditional team placed 1st, was awarded a bid to the State Championship, and are AHSAA Regional Champs! We also got to see our awesome Daphne Middle School cheerleaders perform their routines and cheer on lots of our friends! It’s truly great to be a Daphne Trojan!

Congratulations to the Spanish Fort High School varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Swim and Dive teams for their outstanding performances in the District Championship meet in Mobile! The boys’ team won 1st place overall by defeating all 14 of the other areas teams! The girls’ team also represented well by finishing in the top 10. Additionally, Freshman McKenna Bailey placed 2nd overall in the diving portion of the meet.
Go Toros!

Congratulations to Spanish Fort High School Taylor Ishmael and Kennedy Jane Nelson for being named to the 2024 AVCA Best & Brightest List!
The AVCA Best & Brightest Award honors individual high school Senior volleyball players who excel on and off the court. To be eligible for the Best and Brightest Award, Senior student-athletes must have earned at least a 3.5 Unweighted/4.0 Weighted GPA (or the equivalent, if using a different GPA scale) during their junior year AND play in 50% of their varsity team’s sets during their senior season.
We’re so proud of these ladies getting it done in the classroom as well as on the court!
Go Toros!

Spanish Fort Elementary School had an amazing Red Ribbon Week! Our students have gone all out to show their commitment to making healthy, drug-free choices—from wearing red to pirate outfits, fitness gear, and even island attire! Each day has been full of fun and spirit as we unite for a positive message. Thank you to everyone for making this week unforgettable!