Student Spotlights – May 2025

Congratulations to Andrew Kiernan and Cabrini Calvary, our newly elected President and Vice President for the next school year! We are so proud of all the candidates who ran—this was a strong field with a well-run campaign across the board.
We have no doubt that Andrew and Cabrini will lead with integrity, dedication, and Cardinal pride. Looking forward to an amazing year ahead!

Thank you to Mr. Gene’s Beans for sponsoring our Fairhope Middle School March students of the month!
7th Grade: Collins Bailey & Parker Phillips
8th Grade: Joshua Sugg & Chloe Brasfield

Bayshore Christian School’s 6th-grade students recently demonstrated the true spirit of service by volunteering at a local food pantry. Their selfless efforts reflect the heart of Christ, as they embody His calling to serve others. It’s inspiring to see these young Eagles living out their faith in such a meaningful way. Well done, 6th graders!

We are incredibly proud to announce that Bayshore Christian School senior Cory Parker has signed to play baseball at the United States Sports Academy! Cory’s hard work, dedication, and talent have earned him this incredible opportunity, and we can’t wait to see all that he will achieve.

The Bayside Academy Chess Team got to play to defend the previous two years’ State Championship Titles in their own home county of Baldwin County at Magnolia School in Magnolia Springs on Saturday, March 29th.
Bayside entered teams in two divisions (High School Under 1300 [U1300] rating division and Middle School Under 1100 division). Bayside was the two-time defending champion in both divisions of play.
The high school team featured senior captain Jacob Stallworth; juniors Boyce Magli, Colt Hancock, and Evan Stafford; and freshmen Huan Chen, John Stephen Klimjack, and Burke Ramagosa. The middle school team included 8th graders Don Chen and Elias Blossom and 6th graders Ben Freeman and Jeremy Ou.
The tournament was five rounds of play, and while the players play as individuals, the top four scorers from each team comprise the team score. Chess scoring is one point for a win, half point for a draw, and zero for a loss. Maximum team scores possible are 20 points (four players x five possible wins).
The high school team played in a lightly contested division from a team standpoint, but there were several good opponent players in the division from various schools, including the second board player from local league champion Spanish Fort High School. Bayside scored at least four wins in every round and finished with 15.5 team points (77.5% of the possible 20 points) for the day. John Stephen Klimjack led the way with a perfect five-win score for the day, earning the Individual State Champ award in the process. Joining him as the Top Four scorers were Evan Stafford with a 4–1 record, Jacob Stallworth with 3–1–1, and Boyce Magli at 3–2. Huan Chen and Colt Hancock each scored two wins, two losses, and one draw, and Burke Ramagosa scored 2–3. Congratulations to the Bayside team for winning the State U1300 Title for the third year in a row! Evan, Jacob, and Boyce also won individual awards. The middle school division had several other complete teams competing against us, including UMS-
Wright, Christ the King, Magnolia School, and Foley Middle. After scoring two wins out of four games in Round 1, the team went on to score no less than three points in all four of the remaining rounds! Elias Blossom led the way, winning all five of his games, joining John Stephen as an Individual State Champ! Don Chen had four wins and one loss, and up-and-coming player Jeremy Ou, in his first season with the team, won four straight games after losing in Round 1. Ben Freeman added a win and two draws on the day. The team finished with 15 points out of the possible 20, a fine 75% winning performance! UMS finished in second place with 12.5 points, and Christ the King placed third. Don and Jeremy also won individual awards.
For the day, the high school team scored 21 wins, 11 losses, and three draws while the middle school team scored 14 wins, four losses, and two draws for a combined total of 35 wins, 15 losses, and five draws, a +20 in wins! And they combined to score 30.5 points out of a possible 40 maximum, for 76.25%. A very good day for the team, and Coach Paul Nager is proud of them.
It should be noted that Laura Morin and Magnolia School did a very good job of hosting the event, while our local league director, Mr. Tim Yahr, directed the event, doing a fine job as well. Local chess legends and Alabama Chess Hall of Famers Tom Denton and Valerie Hodgson were also there, as well as Alabama Chess Federation President Michael Porcelli.
The team will now prepare for Nationals in Orlando the second weekend in May. Jacob Stallworth, John Stephen Klimjack, Boyce Magli, Elias Blossom, Burke Ramagosa, and Jeremy Ou will attend the event, and an appearance by the former Coach Eric Nager and some key players (David and Michael Klimjack) is expected.
Pictured: Left to right: Burke Ramagosa, Huan Chen, Colt Hancock, Evan Stafford, Ben Freeman, Jacob Stallworth, John Stephen Klimjack, Don Chen, Bayside Academy Chess Coach Paul Nager, Jeremy Ou, Boyce Magli, and Elias Blossom.

Bayside Academy senior Annie Midyett and junior Shelby Fargason were recognized by the Mobile Optimist Club as the 1A–5A Athletes of the Week for their recent track and field performances at UMS- Fast Times and Baldwin County Championships, respectively. They were recognized at the Optimist Club’s meeting on Thursday, April 3rd.
Annie was selected based on her performance at the Fast Times meet held at UMS-Wright in Mobile where she won the 800m run. Shelby was selected based on her performance at the Baldwin County Championships where she won the 1600m run.
Pictured: Bayside Academy senior Annie Midyett and junior Shelby Fargason at the Mobile Optimist Club luncheon on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Bayside Academy PK students were buzzing with excitement on Wednesday, April 9th , when they received a sweet surprise from Southern Farms Honey! The students learned about bees, beekeeping, and how honey makes its way from hive to jar. They were able to learn about the life cycle of bees and about queen bees. This hands-on experience explored nature and the hard work and importance of pollinators. Thank you to Bayside parents Jennifer and Brad Pettis for sharing and making learning bee-autiful!
Pictured: Bayside Academy student Jep Lancaster studies a bee hive on Wednesday, April 9th .

Bayshore Christian School is excited to celebrate the incredible projects showcased at this year’s 7th Grade Science Fair! Congratulations to our winners:
1st Place: Manny McOlgan
2nd Place: Anna Kate Sullivan
3rd Place: McKenzie Thompson
Senior Choice Award: Alaina Giles
Well done to all the students who participated!

Pine Grove Elementary School’s Kindergarten class had an absolutely amazing time at the Veterans Home Easter egg hunt! The day was topped off with laughter and joy at the park. What a blast!

Our students had an unforgettable onsite field trip with Uncle Joe’s Rolling Zoo, where they had the chance to meet and learn about a variety of animals, from playful goats to adorable rabbits, creating lasting memories of fun and discovery!

Congratulations to our Elsanor Elementary School March Leaders of the Month! These students were chosen for exhibiting leadership roles in their classroom. They are: Micheal Cumbie, Edgar Gomez, Raymond Alvarez, Lani Taylor, Delilah Newman, Kanoah Ganey, Erick Castro, Emersyn Foley, Layla Griffin, Harmony Jeter, Daniel Newman, Beau Pace, Bryleigh Bowling, Angel Murillo, Sadie Coleman, Alana Self, Landen Lewis, Daenerys Williams, Hadley Mills, Maize Williams, and Mary Beth Randolph. Mrs. Gray’s Leader of the Month is Brandon Villatoro-Garcia. Well done!

What a fun-filled day of springtime joy for the Swift Consolidated Elementary School Kindergarten and First Grade students! The day was packed with laughter, sunshine, and adventure as the kids enjoyed all kinds of spring activities — from crafting and games to a super exciting egg hunt!
Their smiles said it all as they ran through the grass, baskets in hand, searching high and low for colorful eggs. It was the perfect way to celebrate the season and create sweet memories with friends.
Thank you to all the teachers and Peer Helpers who made today so special!

On March 14th, the Health and Wellness Club at St. Michael hosted its much-loved annual event, Hoops for Heart, raising an impressive $2,600 for the American Heart Association!
This exciting and spirited event featured a friendly (yet fiercely competitive) basketball showdown between members of the Health and Wellness Club and the Seminarians from the Archdiocese of Mobile. Students, faculty, staff, and community members packed the stands, purchasing $5 tickets to cheer on their favorite team and support a great cause.
In a game that kept everyone on the edge of their seats, the Health and Wellness Club pulled off a hard-fought win over the Seminarians. Congratulations to the student team—and thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to such a meaningful cause!

The annual Father/Daughter Dance at Bayshore Christian School was an unforgettable evening filled with laughter, dancing, and precious moments shared between fathers and daughters. With elegant decorations and delightful treats, every detail reflected the love and care of the Bayshore community. It was a special night that allowed these families to create lasting memories and cherish time together in a joyous atmosphere.

For the first time in at least six years, our Chamber Choir has earned straight ones and a superior rating at competition! That means every judge gave them the highest possible score — even in sight reading, where they scored a coveted one for the first time!

Read Write Academy students enjoyed an informative field trip to the Southeastern Indian Festival in Atmore, Alabama. The children learned so much about the rich history and culture of native tribes traditionally located in the Southeast. The Living History Walk was a highlight! Read Write Academy is a full day, micro-school for students with dyslexia and other learning challenges who need an intensive year or 2 of academic therapy before returning to traditional educational setting. Hands on and experiential learning is an integral part of the program!

CTK students PreK-7th came together to see the culmination of our 8th-graders’ hard work and knowledge at this year’s rocket launch! Overall, the rockets soared higher than they ever have before, making this an impressive launch! It was a thrilling experience and a fantastic way to celebrate learning in action. Way to go, 8th grade!

Parents gathered on the CTK campus for the cutest art show! These little artists showcased their masterpieces to their families, celebrating a year of creativity and hard work! Their artwork reflects the joy and learning that fill their days. Thank you to the teachers and assistants for nurturing a love for art and brightening every day with color and joy!

Ms. Partin’s 1st grade class at St. James Episcopal School has published a book highlighting their favorite local restaurants, combining creativity, research, and teamwork to celebrate the community’s dining spots.

Second grade students at Bayside Academy presented The Life and Times of William Shakespeare on Tuesday, April 8th. The play was originally written by Graham Thimes of Fairhope; Linda Lott and Tootsie Bryant added lines and scenes as more children joined the school. Bayside students have been performing the play for more than 25 years, and over the years, the costumes and painted backdrop have become very ornate with lots of parent and grandparent involvement.
The students begin brainstorming through poems about Shakespeare’s lift six weeks before the play. These daily poems help the children learn about Shakespeare’s life. The children love learning about Shakespeare, and this play has become a cherished Bayside tradition.
Pictured: Bayside Academy’s Head of Lower and Middle Schools Daniel Kriebel presents a
bouquet of flowers to the young actors following their terrific Shakespeare play.

Christ the King Catholic School 5th graders took learning to new heights at Alabama Flight Works! They explored the hands-on exhibit hall, toured the Airbus assembly line, and even flew a drone! What an incredible day of discovery and innovation!

The third-grade lemonade war at Fairhope West Elementary School was so much fun! There were definitely some interesting and delicious flavors but there can only be one winner. And the winner is …Mrs. Galloway‘s Capy Café! They use a mixture of Sprite and lemonade for the winning concoction. They also had some clever marketing by selling lemonade for one ticket but offering a spin on the prize wheel if you gave them a second ticket! Now, keep in mind, students were only given three tickets to use at the lemonade stands. The stand to receive the most tickets won the war.

Funky Fresh Fun Day at J. Larry Newton Elementary was a great way to kick off Spring Break! Students dressed in their funkiest outfits and enjoyed outdoor activities like kickball, face painting, sidewalk chalk, freeze tag, and more. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a day to remember!
A huge thank you to Riley Leonard for stopping by to visit with our students—it was especially exciting to welcome back a JLN alumni and proud Fairhope Pirate! We wish him the best of luck in the upcoming NFL Draft. Go Pirates!

Classical Conversations of Baldwin County participated in the Alabama State Archery Tournament this March in Montgomery, Alabama. Pictured left to right is Coach Megan Wilson, Davis Gresham(10), Pete Wilson(15), Reese Wilson(17), Ruthie Wilson(13), and Rebekah Wilson(12). Davis qualified for the National Tournament in Louisville, Kentucky. Congratulations to all of our archers for making it this far and a big congrats to Davis!! Classical Conversations supports homeschooling parents by cultivating the love of learning through a Christian worldview in fellowship with other families. We believe there are three keys to a great education: Classical, Christian, and Community.

The Luckie Few at Fairhope East Elementary School had the best day showing off their skills at Special Olympics! We are so proud of our little athletes and all their hard work!

Fairhope East Elementary School students worked together to engineer a robotic arm, created rockets for launching, completed rigorous astronaut physical training, and ordered the planets while also creating a scale model. What a wonderful hands-on learning experience for these students!

Fairhope High School held their National Honor Society induction ceremony recently! Congratulations to all the new inductees. We honor your hard work!

Fairhope Middle School 7th graders recently enjoyed their annual trip to Camp McDowell, located on the edge of Bankhead National Forest in Alabama. The trip provided students with hands-on environmental education, where they explored the area’s canyons, waterfalls, and hiking trails.
Activities focused on fostering environmental awareness, responsibility, and teamwork. Camp McDowell’s outdoor sessions, which align with the Alabama state curriculum, help students develop valuable life skills, such as recycling, confidence building, and community cooperation.

A very special ceremony took place this morning at Baldwin County High School as four seniors have answered the call for a career in education as part of the Future Teachers Signing Day. They include JaNya Crook, Demeitric Lymon, Abigail Paul and Addison Scarborough, all who will begin their educational journey at Coastal Alabama Community College.
As part of the ceremony, each student shared their college and career plans as well as their motivation to become a teacher. Many cited the desire to make a positive influence on students as their driving force, the impact teachers had made on their own lives, and to help students excel to their full potential.
BCHS teacher Chantelle McPherson serves as an advisor for the Future Teachers of Alabama chapter. In her words of encouragement, she shared how teaching creates the ripple effect because of the important role teachers play in the lives of students. BCHS Principal Richard Paul, whose daughter was among the signees, choked up while talking about the importance of educators in society. He shared that every other profession shared one thing in common: a teacher taught them how to read. He shared that no school day will be typical but encouraged each of the signees to take on the challenge because of how very important it is to have great educators in the classroom.
Future Teachers of Alabama is an organization within the Aspiring Educators/Student Division of the Alabama Education Association (AEA). It is for middle and high school students who have expressed an interest in the field of education as a career choice. In addition to taking part in job shadowing of educators, the FTA members also take part in various service projects throughout the school year. FTA Advisors at BCHS include Chantelle McPherson, Misty Byrd, Diona Davis and Vickie Locke.

Our Future Teacher Club members at Rosinton Elementary School spent time reading to Pre-K and Kindergarten students both indoors and out! These sweet moments of storytelling were filled with smiles and the magic of books. We’re so proud of these future educators already making a difference!

The annual Jill Hall Run at Summerdale School took place under perfect weather conditions, serving as a fundraiser for a scholarship benefiting Summerdale School alumni. We felt honored to have Celia Havard, Jill Hall’s niece, join us and share her aunt’s lasting influence with our students and staff.
Our appreciation goes to Summerdale Fire and Police Departments and the Town of Summerdale for their assistance in making the event a success.

Our favorite peeps in Mrs. Nelson’s PreK 1 class at Daphne East Elementary School had an eggs-citing adventure awaiting them. First, the Easter Bunny stopped in the classroom to wish them well. Then, they had to hop down the bunny trail and find all the eggs with their name on it. Finally, the Easter Bunny stopped by again for a quick high-five. Every bunny had a great time!

Congratulations to Magnolia School student Mad Quine B. for being nominated as Mrs. Singletary’s Character Leader for the month of April! This month’s character trait is perseverance.
“Perseverance is the ability to push through challenges, stay committed to a goal, and keep trying even when things don’t go as planned.”
Mad has worked hard this year and has shown tremendous progress in his efforts to better himself and accept and conquer challenges. He is very helpful with his teachers and peers and continues to work toward reaching his personal and academic goals. Join us in celebrating his accomplishments!

Mrs. Rankin and Ms. Dearborn’s classes at Florence B. Mathis Elementary School went on the hunt for math eggs! To begin each student had to find a hidden egg. Then, using the Kagan structure Quiz-Quiz-Trade, students had to solve the clock questions inside the eggs.

Congratulations NEHS inductees of Stapleton School!
We were pleased to welcome three exemplary students into the Stapleton Scholars Chapter of the National Elementary Honor Society today. Greyson, Fiona, and Cole have worked very hard to maintain outstanding grades and have also demonstrated exceptional character in their interactions with others.
The ceremony was led by chapter sponsors Ms. Winstead and Mrs. Tyler and our chapter officers – Eliza, Joshua, Aubrey, and Allie – did an excellent job assisting. The students were also inspired by a wonderful speech from our assistant principal, Dr. Lonny Hughes. Thanks also to terrific 3rd graders William and Maelie who were selected to help because their teachers think it likely they will be inducted next year.
Congratulations to all our NEHS members, both new and existing. We appreciate your leadership and are proud of all of you!

Nature Connect School kindergarten students embarked on an exciting adventure at the Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation’s Pelican’s Nest, guided by Kacie Hardman.They spent the day birdwatching, exploring the science lab, and venturing to the bay. A highlight was using dip nets to catch fish, shrimp, and other tiny creatures, which they later studied up close.Ms. Kacie was proud of how well the students respected nature, making this hands-on experience both educational and inspiring!

After remaining undefeated all season, the Fairhope High School JV Scholar’s Bowl team took second place in a close match in the District Championship.
We are so proud of this achievement! This is the team’s second year in a row to compete in the championship tournament. Our JV students have been supported by our Varsity team, whose insight and strategy suggestions cinched our wins across the season. As the year concludes, we are sad to say goodbye to seniors Max Astorga and Sierra Caldwell, who, along with our intrepid juniors, have mentored younger players and raised the bar for our success every year.
Congratulations to these scholars, and Go Pirates!