Student Spotlights – January 2026

Our first chapel service of Advent was extra special this year with a surprise visit from St. Nicholas! Our wonderful second graders assisted Mother Amanda by lighting the Advent wreath, reading Scripture, and leading the congregation in song. It was a beautiful and meaningful start to the Advent season for the entire school.

The Kindergarten Class at Nature Connect School had a fantastic week. Their letter of the week was L, and the students came up with all kinds of animals that began with that sound. The theme for the week focused on gratitude, and together they created a “gratitude chain” by writing down what they were thankful for. The students worked hard on several math activities, including count-and-color exercises, continuing patterns, and matching quantities to written numbers. They had so much fun learning & playing outside!

What an incredible Spelling Bee that took place at Elsanor Elementary School! We are so proud of each one of our Spelling Bee contestants; they worked hard and learned their words! They are all classroom winners! But, there is only one school champion, and that honor goes to Mr. Lleyton Spivey, fifth grader, winning the Bee with the word “garishly.” Mr. Mason Sultan, sixth grader, came in Second Place and Mr. Jude Mileski, fifth grader, came in Third Place. Congratulations! We look forward to Lleyton representing our school at the Baldwin County Bee in February!

The combined 6th grade bands from Stapleton School and Delta Elementary came together for a wonderful Christmas concert—and what an impressive performance it was!
Under the outstanding leadership of Mrs. Deanna Lepa, band director for both schools, these students demonstrated just how much can be accomplished in a short amount of time with dedication, perseverance, and expert instruction. Just a few months ago, many of these students were true beginners—unsure of which instrument they would play and learning for the very first time how to hold it. Today, they are confident young musicians who can read music, play together as an ensemble, and perform for an audience.
The growth on display was remarkable and a testament to the students’ hard work, the support of their families, and Mrs. Lepa’s passion and skill as an educator. We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful for opportunities like this that bring schools together through the arts.
Bravo to all involved for a terrific start to the holiday season!

BCS celebrates an extraordinary achievement at the Daphne Public Library Annual Bookmark Contest 2025. For the first time, one school swept every top position in the overall awards and across multiple grade levels. We are so proud of our amazing students!
Overall Winners (K–5th)
1st Place: Gurian Howard, 4th Grade
2nd Place: Abraham Whetstone, 5th Grade
3rd Place: Indie Gregg, 5th Grade
Librarian’s Choice Award: Parks Scott, 5th Grade
Grade-Level Winners (K-6th)
Kindergarten
3rd Place: Sophia Beresford
1st Grade
1st Place: Davy Malone
2nd Place: Benjamin Callahan
2nd Grade
1st Place: Birdie Britt
2nd Place: Scarlett Nokovich
3rd Place: Charleigh Ann Buchanan
3rd Grade
1st Place: Luke Gill
3rd Place: Emily Koenig
4th Grade
1st Place: Evie Barkley
5th Grade
1st Place: Charleigh Cronin
6th Grade
1st Place: Ava Dykema
2nd Place: Izzy Howard

Creative talent continues to flourish at Bayshore as two students stand out in the Daphne Public Library 2025 Bookmark Contest. Seventh grader Okleigh Williams received the Librarian’s Choice Award for her imaginative artwork, and eleventh grader Clara Hecker earned 3rd Place in the Teen Overall division. Their artistry and dedication reflect a love of learning that inspires our community.

Bayshore Christian School celebrates sophomore David Rainer for an incredible performance at the AHSAA 1A–5A State Swim Championships.
David raced to a State Title in the 50 Freestyle and secured State Runner-Up in the 100 Breaststroke. His hard work, grit, and God-given ability were on full display. Congratulations David! We are so proud of you!

Bayshore Christian School proudly announces that senior Allie McTaggart and sophomore Henry Barber have been named to the 2025 Southwest Alabama Regional Teams, also known as the “Super 7.”
Allie’s outstanding season earned her the additional honor of Coastal Runner of the Year, recognizing her as one of the top cross country athletes in the region. Henry’s performance also earned him a place among the elite Super 7 athletes.
We give thanks to God for the talents, discipline, and determination He has blessed these Eagles with. Their hard work, sportsmanship, and commitment to excellence reflect His glory both on and off the course.

We are thrilled to announce that Ms. Martin, one of our amazing kindergarten teachers, has been honored as Teacher of the Year!
Ms. Martin’s dedication, creativity, and love for her students shine through every single day. She inspires young learners to dream big, explore with curiosity, and grow with confidence. Her classroom is a place where kindness and learning go hand in hand, and we couldn’t be prouder to have her as part of our Magnolia family.
Please join us in congratulating Ms. Martin on this well-deserved recognition!

Two Daphne Middle School 8th graders placed in the Youth for Art Contest sponsored by the Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores. Jack Howat placed 3rd, and Annalyn Looney placed 2nd in the middle school division. They both received a ribbon and a monetary award. Along with the Shrimp Festival committee members and winners is Mr. Edwards, the principal, and Mrs. Bittinger, the art teacher.

Matthew Kroll from Robertsdale High School was selected as All American at UCA cheer camp this summer and spent a week in Hawaii to represent In the Pearl Harbor parade.
Brianna Harris from Daphne carried the banner with Matthew to lead the festivities.

Our Loxley Elementary kindergarteners used Cookie Crisp cereal to model addition and subtraction—turning math time into a fun, hands-on (and tasty!) learning activity. We love seeing their smiles and excitement as they build strong number skills!

PGES has been working hard on building fluency and automaticity, and we’re excited to celebrate our November Reflex Challenge winners!
Congratulations to Mrs. Doerr’s 6th grade homeroom for rising to the top and earning first place!

Rosinton’s Library was transformed into a magical Winter Wonderland! Students have enjoyed crafts, music, movies, and fun hands-on activities that brought the holiday spirit to life. Our campus has been sparkling with winter vibes, joyful smiles, and sweet moments we couldn’t wait to share with you!
And just like Buddy the Elf would say, “The best way to spread holiday cheer is singing & crafting fun for all to hear!” Our students definitely brought the cheer!
Thank you, Mrs. Comstock, for creating an experience that even the Grinch couldn’t help but love!

Archbishop Rivituso visited St. Michael Catholic High campus for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Monday, December 8th. Archbishop Rivituso is pictured here with Ford Stankoski after celebrating the all school Mass. It was the Archbishop’s first visit to our campus since his installation this fall and we look forward to many more!

Silverhill Elementary School is thrilled to announce our Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Mott, our amazing Gifted Teacher! Her passion for challenging minds, inspiring creativity, and supporting students and teachers goes above and beyond every single day. We are so lucky to have her!
We are also proud to recognize our Employee of the Year, Nurse Kimmie! From caring for our students and staff to always offering a smile and a calm presence, she truly keeps our school running smoothly.
Please help us celebrate these two incredible individuals who make our school a better place every day!
Congratulations, Mrs. Mott and Nurse Kimmie!

It is everyone’s favorite day, Club Day! Students participated in all kinds of fun activities from crocheting to robotics! The students have so much fun. Thank you to our staff members for going above and beyond to provide these fun learning opportunities for our students!

Congratulations to our Elberta High School October Warriors of the Month!
These students were recognized for their outstanding character, leadership, and positive impact at EHS. Each received $25 from Mr. Jason Dixon, New Home Specialist with D.R. Horton.
We’re proud to celebrate their success in and out of the classroom!

The Florence B Mathis third grade students celebrated the end of their multiplication unit with a Multiplication Carnival! Games, tickets, prizes, and lots of excited mathematicians. What a fun way to celebrate all their hard work!

The Foley High School Theatre Department did an outstanding performance at the BCBE Assistant Principals Christmas Celebration Luncheon of their recent production of Annie. The theatre group is under the direction of Logan Lane. The students performed excerpts from the musical.

Our CTK 8th-grade students transformed the gym into Santa’s Workshop! Younger students were full of excitement as they made cookies, created festive crafts, and even snapped a picture with Santa. It was a joyful afternoon filled with holiday cheer and service from our amazing 8th graders!

Over the Thanksgiving Break, St. Michael Catholic High girls swim team competed in The State Meet. The 200 yard medley relay won third and broke a school record with a time of 2:00.65 minutes! Sara Garlock broke the school record in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 0:58.99 seconds and placed 5th in the state!

Our Foley High School FTA and FCCLA Toys for Tots Drive was a huge success! These toys will go directly to children in our community!
Thank you to all of our students, teachers, and staff for your generosity!

On Tuesday, December 2, Bayside Academy held its 5th annual Lighting of the Trees on the bluff. Families were able to enjoy hot cocoa and cookies while the snow fell from above. It was a magical night for all!
As part of the festivities, families were encouraged to bring toys for FOX10TV’s 10 Caring Gifts program, and we are happy to report that a bus-load of gifts were taken to FOX10 by our Lower School student government representatives.
Pictured: Senior Matthew Peterson and PK3 student Margot Hollon prepare to “flip the switch” to light the trees on Head of School Dr. Scott Phillipps’s countdown.

Our tiniest Saints gathered together to share the beautiful story of the First Nativity. Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, stars, angels, shepherds, wise men, and animals sang beautifully as they spread the true reason for the season. Their hard work and practice truly shone through! It was an excellent performance! Bravo, Saints!

Students at Ordo Amoris Classical Academy were delighted to welcome author and scholar Dr. Louis Markos for a special visit that brought literature vividly to life. Dr. Markos read aloud portions of his book The Dreaming Stone, captivating students with both the story and the experience of hearing an author share his own words. Along the way, he spoke with students about storytelling, imagination, and the great myths that inspire his writing. The visit left students inspired, eager to read more, and reminded them that the books they love are written by real people who delight in sharing stories with young readers.

This fall, students at Ordo Amoris Classical Academy take part in a school-wide Scripture Memory Challenge that encourages them to hide God’s Word in their hearts. Students memorize passages of Scripture appropriate to their age, cheering one another on as they reach new milestones together. The challenge builds confidence, strengthens character, and helps students develop focus and perseverance, all while fostering a shared love for God’s Word. Celebrated with special recognitions and plenty of excitement, the Scripture Memory Challenge is a joyful reminder that learning can shape both the mind and the heart.

Matthew Kroll from Robertsdale High School was selected as All American at UCA cheer camp this summer and spent a week in Hawaii to represent In the Pearl Harbor parade.
Brianna Harris from Daphne carried the banner with Matthew to lead the festivities.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: History → Creation → Parade!
After learning how the NYC tradition began in 1924 (and how giant balloons joined in 1927), our RenaissanceSchool students engineered their own “balloon” floats—then marched in a joyful hallway parade. Creativity + curiosity = lift-off!
#RSES #HandsOnLearning #STEAM #Thanksgiving #AwakeningPotential

Yet another amazing accomplishment from one of our Baldwin County Virtual School students.
Maggie Rae won Miss Coastal Christmas! Congratulations Maggie Rae!

Bayside Academy is thrilled to congratulate their 2025 football team on being named the AHSAA 3A State Runners-Up! We are so proud of these boys and how hard they have worked. Go Admirals!

Seven St. Michael Catholic High students were selected for the University of South Alabama Marching Honor Band. Addison Pratt, Emily Bastian,Grace Campbell, Sam Johnson, Alex Dominguez, Ellis Navarre and Eli Navarre represented us well at the event Saturday, November 22nd. Grady Christian was also selected but was unable to attend. Way to go, Cardinals!

Bayside Academy kindergarten students thought they were celebrating a Christmas pajama day on Friday, December 12, but instead, their parents met them on the Bluff for a Christmas surprise! Families celebrated Christmas together with breakfast, hot cocoa, carols, and family gingerbread signs. What a special holiday memory!
Pictured: Zach, Holland ’38, and Courtney Fetcko

Congrats to these seniors who completed STEP!
Step is the Student Training Exploration program that partners with Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce and several local businesses in order to teach career skills.
Students tour businesses, colleges, and various certificate programs.
They participate in career round tables as well as career training.
Congratulations to all of these students who completed the step program! They received a certificate and gift card.

On Monday, December 8, Bayside Academy had seven seniors sign letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level. The signing day was postponed from the December 4th national signing day due to several of these athletes competing in the state championship football game on that day.
Division I NCAA:
Will Allen (football), Samford University
Shelby Fargason (XC/track & field), Davidson College
Monroe Partin (football), Wake Forest University
Haley Robinson (volleyball), Samford University
Division III:
Brennen Yamane (football), Pomona-Pitzer (Pomona College)
Division I NJCAA:
Noah Cain (baseball), Shelton State
Wyatt Williams (baseball), Gadsden State
We are so proud of these student-athletes. Go Admirals!
Pictured: Bayside Academy seniors Wyatt Williams, Noah Cain, Haley Robinson, Shelby Fargason, Will Allen, Brennen Yamane, and Monroe Partin sign their letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level.

Renaissance School of the Eastern Shore wrapped its Second Grinchmas for K–5 with cocoa, crafts, Grinchy games, and The Grinch himself. The joyful, hands-on celebration highlighted strong school–family partnership. A big thank you to Abi Toomey and Amy Weller for spearheading the merry magic—and to Jen’s Bay Balloons for making it shine.

Our 7th-grade students took time out of their studies for a special field trip. They showed incredible support for a classmate as she took the stage as Clara in The Nutcracker this holiday season!
We love seeing our CTK community cheer one another on and celebrate each other’s talents.

Each November, Ordo Amoris Classical Academy gathers for a beloved school-wide Thanksgiving Feast that brings students, families, and teachers together around the table in gratitude and joy. The school provides the turkey, while families contribute favorite side dishes and desserts, creating a warm, family-style meal that reflects the heart of our close-knit community. Students pause from their studies to give thanks, share fellowship across all ages, and celebrate the many blessings of the past year. With laughter, good food, and grateful hearts, the Thanksgiving Feast has become a cherished tradition that reminds us learning is about more than books—it’s about community, gratitude, and growing together.

Grateful for RSES and the CHOOSE Act! Renaissance School learners shared why they love their school—learning at their own pace and more time outside—and we’re thankful the CHOOSE Act helps fund their RSES experience.
#RSES #AwakeningPotential #CHOOSEAct

Gresham Thrasher took 3rd place for Foley Wrestling at the JH Gulf Coast Clash! Several other middle school students wrestled and did great. We are proud of you!

Congratulations to Laney Williams for being our first place winner in the school spelling bee. Great job to our runner up, Henry Berg. We are so proud of you both!

Thank you to our FWE community for sending in items to make goodie bags for our local nursing home residents. FWE Choir, Peer Helpers & Student Anchor Teams delivered 72 bags as Christmas treats to each resident of Fairhope Health and Rehab. The choir even performed for the residents!

Students from Fairhope High participated in the annual Baldwin Model United Nations competition. BMUN brings Baldwin County high schools together to play the roles of the United Nations. Students serve as delegates and other leadership positions representing countries from around the world. Among this year’s winners are:
Axel Jackson– Premier Speaker and Premier Diplomat
Georgia Gordon-Outstanding Diplomat Premier Speaker
Elizabeth Gibson-Outstanding Speaker
Austin Etheridge-Outstanding Diplomat
Stella Jones-Outstanding Diplomat
Pieter Slinkman-Premier Diplomat
Annora Haber-Honorable Recognition
Marleigh Parker-Honorable Recognition
Landrey Parks-Honorable Recognition

Our Foley Elementary School 25-26 Teacher of the Year, the fabulous Mrs. Amanda Welsh, got a huge surprise!
Thanks to the generosity of the Vosloh Foundation, she received a $1,000 check just in time for Christmas! And Mr. Vosloh’s special rule? Spend it all on you, Mrs. Welsh! We couldn’t imagine a more deserving person. Enjoy!

Students in Mr. Johnson’s art class were challenged to design the official 2025 Christmas card for FMS to send out this holiday season. With so many creative and talented entries, the competition was fierce.
Congratulations to 7th grader – Sophia Isbell, who was named runner-up for her fun and festive Grinch-themed Christmas card. Sophia received a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card for her outstanding work.
A special congratulations goes to 8th grader- Victoria Fondren, whose Santa Winter Wonderland design was selected as the winning card. Victoria was presented with a $25 Visa gift card.
We are incredibly proud of all of our student artists. Every submitted card is currently on display in the front lobby, so be sure to stop by and enjoy the creativity of our talented students.
Great job to our artists and thank you to Mr. Johnson for inspiring such wonderful work!
Also pictured: Shawn Johnson -Art Teacher & Mrs. Angie Hall- FMS Principal

Mrs. Collins’ creative and hardworking 3rd graders at J. Larry Newton School have been busy little elves this season—they’ve written their very own book titled “’Twas the Night Before Christmas in Fairhope”!
These young authors poured their imaginations into every page, adding hometown charm, holiday magic, and plenty of festive fun. We are so proud of their creativity, teamwork, and big dreams!

Our Daphne Elementary School Third Grade students did an excellent job with their Wax Museum! They did such a great job portraying each of their selected historical figures. We are so proud of you!

The BCBE Board recognized the Daphne High School Cheerleading Team at the December Board Meeting who won the 2025 AHSAA Varsity Coed State Championship. They are under the direction of Head Coach Rachel Jablonski, along with Chase Brett, Sarah Brett and Chace Pridmore.
Congrats! Go Trojans!

The Administration, Faculty, and Staff of Daphne High School are delighted and proud to announce Mrs. Jess Jackson as the recipient of the DHS 2025 Teacher of the Year award.
This honor recognizes an educator who demonstrates extraordinary commitment, passion, and impact on our students and school community.
The dedication required of a Theater educator is immense, and Mrs. Jackson exemplifies this commitment every day. Her enthusiasm is boundless, extending far beyond the standard school hours. Ms. Jackson’s presence is a constant on campus – through nights and weekends – coordinating tryouts, leading rigorous rehearsals, and overseeing the complex logistics of set construction, costuming, and production details.
She instills a deep appreciation for the history, legacy, and technical details of Theater, from Shakespearean drama to modern stagecraft. She fosters an environment of determination and grit, teaching the valuable life lesson that “The show must go on.”
Mrs. Jackson’s unwavering energy and devotion ensure that the Performing Arts thrive at Daphne High School, enriching the lives of every student who steps onto her stage. We are profoundly proud of her dedication and the artistic excellence she brings to the Daphne Trojans community.
Please join us in celebrating Jess Jackson, our inspiring 2025 Teacher of the Year!

Congratulations to our Daphne East Spelling Bee Winner, Hannah Gray, and Runner-Up, Dean Logan! Great job! We are so proud of all of our Spelling Bee participants and their hard work.

Spanish Fort Elementary School is incredibly proud to share that Kauri Buxton was nominated by Mrs. Knapp, STEAM Coach at Spanish Fort Elementary, and has been accepted into the NYLF Pathways to STEM summer program!
This summer, Kauri will attend the program at Emory University, where she’ll have the unique opportunity to build a robot, investigate a mock crime scene, and explore the medical field through hands-on activities that mirror real doctor training.
We are so excited for her to experience this amazing opportunity and can’t wait to see all that she learns!

Red Ribbon Week Leader Camden Phillippi asked students to donate water to the BMFD during Red Ribbon Week! Great Job Camden! We are so happy to have you be our representative.

Congratulations to our Realtor Lillian Travis Toros of the Month!
Students of the Month:
– 9th Grade: Eliex Santiago
– 10th Grade: Syon Mistry
– 11th Grade: Gracie Thorpe
– 12th Grade: Darolyn Foust
– Teacher of the Month: McKenzie Smith
– Staff Member of the Month: Elana Bender
Thank you all for setting #TheStandard and being #baldwinproud and thank you to our sponsor, Realtor Lillian Travis

Mrs. White and our talented beginning band put on a fabulous Christmas concert! Their hard work shined through, and they sounded absolutely fantastic!

Congratulations to our thirty-two 3rd-6th graders who competed in our school-wide spelling bee! It takes courage to compete!
Our runner up finalist was Sahaj P. Our winner for this year was Zarina S.! Amazing job!

Congratulations to our Leaders of the Month for Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind! These students set goals, make plans, and stay focused on what matters most. We are so proud of their leadership and the example they set for others.

Our Spanish Fort Middle Toro Theater was fantastic in their production of Stocking Stuffers! This semester they have practiced hard, performed for 6th graders, made decorations with other SFMS classes, and built the sets.
Thank you to Ms. Hall and Ms. Jurkiewicz for dedicating time and energy to our students! Thank you to the volunteers who helped behind the scenes!

Congratulations to Rockwell’s Teacher of the Year Anne Reier! We are so proud of her and so thankful for her pouring into our 4th graders!

The BCBE Board recognized the Spanish Fort High School Volleyball Team who won the 2025 6A Volleyball Championship! If you think that sounds familiar, it’s because they won it last year too! Back-to-back state titles for these young ladies! We also have to give a big congrats to Head Coach Gretchen Boykin who was named the 2025 AVCA Girls High School Region 3 Coach of the Year. Coach Milam is also a part of the leadership for the team. Congrats ladies!

We couldn’t bee-lieve the talent at this year’s BMMS Spelling Bee! Our students were un-bee-lievably brilliant, our judges were the bee’s knees, and a huge congratu-bee-lations to our champion, Vergil Keith —he truly earned the bee crown! Abigail Fowler was our 2nd place winner!

It pays to do the right thing at CBMS
Congratulations to our November Bear Bucks Winners
$5 Winner: Zoey Warren
$10 Winner: Lilly Bonds
$20 Winner: Gracie Roache
These awesome Bears were caught showing PAWS-itive behavior on campus through our Bear Pride Program! Keep Shining, Bears—you could be next!

We are so proud of all of our spelling bee contestants for their hard work, courage, and fantastic spelling skills!
A big congratulations to our Spelling Bee Winner, Damien Roberts, and our Runner-Up, Evan Moody!
You represented our school so well—we are so proud of you both!

Our BCHS Theatre students have won STATE! They participated at the State Trumbauer Theatre Festival at UAB.
Our one-act play, THE LAST MILE, received “Best in Show” and will be advancing to SETC (the Southeastern Theatre Conference) in March in Chattanooga. This is an enormous honor for our students and our program, and we are beyond grateful and excited for what’s ahead! Congratulations – we are so proud of y’all. Go Tigers!