Student Spotlights – February 2026

Daphne Elementary School celebrated our Teacher of the Quarter, Mrs. Marilyn Washburn, and our Staff Member of the Quarter, Mr. RJ Koen, at our Honors Day Parade! Congrats! DES loves you!

These students are rockin’ with their reading skills! They are chosen by their teachers, based on reading achievements, given a coin from our wonderful librarian, Mrs. Stejskal, and they get to put the coin in the book vending machine and choose a book! What a treat! Congratulations!

At Fairhope East Elementary School, Mrs. Gersonde’s class tested how a seed’s structure affects seed dispersal in a fun hands-on way!

Congratulations to Dean Gearhart and Lucia Jordan, who are Fairhope High School’s nominations for the Bryant-Jordan Student Athlete Scholarship Program.
Lucia was nominated for the Scholar-Athlete Award. This was developed by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in conjunction with the AHSAA, the program recognizes Alabama high school seniors who have achieved a high level of excellence not only athletically but academically as well.
Dean was nominated for the Achievement Award. This award recognizes student athletes who have achieved a level of success commensurate with their ability or who may have overcome hardship. These students exemplify by their individual efforts, the dedication and commitment required to be the best that they can be.
Good luck to our representatives on these prestigious state awards.

Congressman Barry Moore announced his nominations for the Class of 2030 to the United States Military Service Academies, and St. Michael Catholic High School is proud to recognize two students selected for this prestigious honor.
Receiving an appointment to a United States Military Service Academy is a highly competitive, multi-step process that requires a congressional nomination in addition to rigorous academic, physical, and leadership qualifications. Securing a nomination represents one of the final milestones before an academy extends an appointment, based on available openings within each congressional district.
St. Michael Catholic High School Nominees:
Samantha Grace Kokoszka — United States Military Academy (USMA) & United States
Naval Academy (USNA)
Fisher Avent Key — United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) & United States Naval
Academy (USNA)
“These students represent the very best of St. Michael,” said Dr. Andrea Williamson, principal of St. Michael Catholic High School. “Samantha and Fisher exemplify our Core Values of Service, Wisdom, Optimism, Responsibility, and Discipleship. Their commitment to leadership and service reflects the formation we strive to provide every student. We are incredibly proud to call them Cardinals and look forward to watching them continue to fly high—no matter where they land.”
St. Michael Catholic High School congratulates Samantha and Fisher on this outstanding achievement and commends their dedication to academic excellence, character, and service to others.

Our Daphne East Elementary School Red Ribbon Leader, Arden, along with our Peer Helpers visited The Brennity to play Bingo and deliver items our school collected for Arden’s Leadership Project. Thank you to those who donated items. The residents enjoyed the visit and were thankful for the snacks!

The Belforest Elementary School Kindergarten students performed at our annual Christmas Cookie Extravaganza!
The kids had a merry time decorating cookies and enjoying time with their family.

Congratulations to the November/December Students of the Month: Ninth Graders: Chloe Brasfield (not pictured) and Evans Wilcoxon
Tenth Graders: Liz Niehuss (not pictured) and Baze Alexander
Eleventh Graders: Elizabeth Willingham and Dylan Gilbert (not pictured)
Twelfth Graders: Graysen VanSise and Jayden Jackson (not pictured)
Pat on the Back winner: Julia Deakle

The J .Larry Newton 2026 School Spelling Bee featured a room full of orthographers! We would like to extend our sincerest congratulations to Miss Margot Powell, our champion speller, and Miss Allison Simpson, our runner-up. We’d also like to congratulate all our classroom winners for their dedication to academics and bravery in participating! Each of you makes our school so proud! JL. Newton will be cheering on Margot as she heads to the upcoming Baldwin County Bee!
Thank you to Mayor Sullivan and Mrs. Gardner for giving your time to judge the bee!

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

During the St. James’ chapel services throughout the Advent season, our first and second graders played a special role by assisting Mother Amanda as they confidently read Scripture and led the school community in song, helping to make each service a meaningful and prayerful celebration.

Renaissance students brought Whoville to life in THE GRINCH with Bay Area Performing Arts. They didn’t just perform—they practiced life skills:
Confidence — stepping into the spotlight
Executive function — lines, cues, timing, problem-solving
Language & literacy — reading for meaning, expressive speech
Empathy & teamwork — building a story together
Multi-sensory learning — movement, music, visuals for diverse brains
Huge thanks to BAPA, our staff, and every family who cheered them on. This is why we choose theatre at RSES—art that grows kids from the inside out.
#RSES #RenaissanceSchool #TheGrinch #BAPA #BayAreaPerformingArts #StudentTheatre #WholeChild #AwakeningPotential #awakeningpotential

Red Cross Club members participated in CPR/AED training at Daphne High School. This is an annual event for the club and in the last three years they’ve had over 50 students earn their CPR/AED certification. Thank you to Nurse Aimee, Nurse Laura, Nurse Mallory, Mrs. Reynolds and Coach Saine for taking time to train our students. Also, thank you to Ms. Lores for sponsoring/organizing this event each year for the club members.

Huge congratulations to Aubrey Gregg and Kimaya Heard for being named Daphne High School’s nominees for the prestigious Bryant-Jordan Student Athlete Scholarship Program!
Aubrey Gregg (Scholar-Athlete Award): Nominated for her incredible balance of elite athleticism and academic mastery. This award, presented by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the AHSAA, honors the “best of the best” in the classroom and on the field.
Kimaya Heard (Achievement Award): Nominated for her inspiring dedication and resilience. This award celebrates student-athletes who have overcome obstacles and shown the ultimate commitment to being their personal best.
We are so proud to have these two representing the Eastern Shore! Join us in wishing them the best of luck at the state level!

Recently, Nature Connect School welcomed Andrea Robards and Nikki Cobb from Alabama Extension for an informative session on fire, wildfires, controlled burns, and fire safety. The students were highly engaged, asking thoughtful questions throughout the experience. Andrea and Nikki brought several animal skins for the children to observe and touch, which sparked even more curiosity. They discussed how certain trees thrive after fire while others do not, helping us understand the differences between evergreen and deciduous trees. This was a fantastic opportunity for hands-on learning and exploration!

Congratulations to Spanish Fort High School’s Kate Morris and Aaron Gowitzka on being nominated for the Bryant-Jordan Student Athlete representatives for Spanish Fort High School. Two amazing students!

Between daily duties, gentle voices, and kinder choices students at Renaissance School learn wonderful lessons thanks to our classroom pets. #RSES #SocialEmotionalLearning #ClassroomCommunity

Students explored chemical reactions by revealing hidden messages using invisible ink. Through this hands-on experiment, they practiced scientific observation, critical thinking, and step-by-step problem solving—turning abstract concepts into real understanding.
At Renaissance School, multisensory learning helps students see their success and build confidence through discovery.
#HandsOnLearning #STEMinAction #MultisensoryEducation #AwakeningPotential #RenaissanceSchool

Congrats to our Spanish Fort Middle School 7th grader, Gloria Ferguson, on winning the school-wide spelling bee!

Thank you to all of our 2025-2026 spelling bee participants at Stonebridge Elementary School! Congratulations to Hemani Nadikoti for being our champion! We wish her luck at the county spelling bee.

St. James’ Christmas program was a joyful celebration of the Nativity story, featuring wonderful performances by lower school students. A second grader served as the narrator, guiding the audience through the story of Christ’s birth, while students in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade brought the scene to life as Mary and Joseph, angels, and wise men.

Congratulations to Tessa Horton for being selected as a Baldwin EMC Shining Star! She was nominated by Dr. Frye! She is very deserving of this honor as she exemplifies perfection and perseverance in everything she does! We are so, so proud of her!

Huge congratulations to our Trojans on their big win in the Baldwin County Wrestling Championship. Daphne Girls won first in the county! And a special DMS congrats to our middle schoolers, who placed: 2nd – Payton Carpenter, 2nd – Mila White, 3rd – Makenna Carter. Go Trojans!

Congratulations to our Foley Middle School Spelling Bee champion – Kaitlyn Magee! She won the competition with the winning word of apocalypse.

The Fairhope Middle School First Priority Holiday Giving Drive was a tremendous success! We are grateful to everyone who supported First Priority and helped make this effort possible. Our students packed 50 gift bags for a local nursing home and generously sponsored two angels from the Angel Tree, spreading love, hope, and joy this Christmas season. We are incredibly proud of our students for serving others and making a meaningful difference in our community.
“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” — Acts 20:35

Congratulations to our Foley High School All-County Football Players!
Front Row (L to R): Marrio Roberts, Craig Miller, William Quarles, Rylan Pedalino, Malachi Dread
Middle Row (L to R): John McClellan, London Lester, Jayden Holly, Quinten English, Aiden Waters
Back Row (L to R): Luke Jennings, Thaelon Henton, Devin Moyer, Landon Smith
*Not Pictured: Jaxon Dixon
Way to go, guys!

These Cardinals flew to Florida over break to cheer during halftime at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl as a part of the All American cheerleading squad. Selected for their excellence in talent and spirit, Ella Tomlinson, Abigail Smeraglia, Ashley Matthews, Cabrini Calvery, Mary Pearson Bailey and Finley Sherrer represented us with grit and grace.

Mitchell Swanson represented St. Michael at the recent DAR Good Citizenship Program and Luncheon. One senior from each of the Eastern Shore schools was in attendance. Each Good Citizen student is chosen for their demonstration of Good Citizen qualities at their school and in the community. As an added bonus, he got to see Cardinal mom and the local organization’s Chapter Regent, Amy Molyneux.

Fifteen spellers from Grades 4–8 competed in the Bayside Academy Spelling Bee on Thursday, January 8.
After 13 rounds, 6th  grader Sarah Kell was declared the winner and 5th grader CJ Rahe named the runner-up. The 2026 championship word was atrium.
Sarah will represent Bayside Academy in the Baldwin County Spelling Bee in Loxley on February 10th .
Bayside Academy Spelling Bee Participants
4th  Grade
• Zora Lumsden
• Fig Taylor
• Paul Thomason
5th  Grade
• Barrett Kimbrell
• CJ Rahe
• Mary Margaret Wells
6th  Grade
• Sarah Kell
• Anna Thomason
• Addison Williams
7th  Grade
• Nizar Morrar
• Coleman O’Connell
• James Yaeger
8th  Grade
• Elizabeth Coumanis
• David Green
• Mary Kathryn Jacobs
Pictured: Bayside Academy 6th grader Sarah Kell with her mother, Melissa Kell

Congratulations to the Florence B Mathis Spelling Bee Champion: Deacon Tomlinson, 3rd grader!
Deacon will move on to our district spelling bee! Congratulations to all class finalists. We have some impressive spellers and are proud of all of them!

From tricky syllables to tough tie-breakers, these students spelled their way to the top! Congratulations to our 2026 Grammar School Spelling Bee winners:
1st Place- Tucker Lantz
2nd place- India Gregg
3rd Place- Liam Havard

Bayside Academy is proud to announce that senior Sophie Weller was named the chapter winner of the Good Citizen Program for the Ecor Rouge Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). Sophie’s essay and application now moves on to the state level.
The DAR Good Citizen Program is a unique event as students are given a topic on the spot and are required to write a timed essay with no additional resources. All six high schools in our area (Bayshore Christian School, Bayside Academy, Daphne High School, Fairhope High School, St. Michael Catholic School, and Spanish Fort High School) choose one senior who best represents the quality of a good citizen to participate in the Good Citizen Program.
Sophie was selected by Bayside’s faculty members as a finalist for the school nomination, and she was then chosen as Bayside’s school winner based on a vote from her fellow students. She completed an in- depth application consisting of a resume, letters of recommendation, and an essay that had to be completed in only two hours.
Sophie attended the Ecor Rouge DAR chapter’s luncheon on Thursday, January 8, where she was announced as the chapter winner. After being announced as the winner, she read her essay to the audience. Sophie’s parents, Kelly and Joseph Weller, were also guests in attendance at the program.
Pictured: Bayside Academy senior Sophie Weller

During choir practice at BCS Logic & Rhetoric, students come together in harmony—training their voices, cultivating discipline, and developing leadership as they are guided by their peers, using their gifts for God’s glory.

Some of our varsity football players made the journey to Indianapolis last month to cheer on Coach Rivers in his epic return to the NFL! They got some time on the field before the game to offer encouragement in this incredible unprecedented moment. We’re so proud of them and of course, our amazing Coach!

Spanish Fort Elementary School had some very special guests in the building!
Devon Walsh from WKRG News 5, along with the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, Hembree Heating and Air, Terminix, and Rich’s Car Wash surprised Mrs. Gonzalez with the Golden Apple Award!
If you see this Golden Apple teacher around campus, be sure to congratulate her!

At Robertsdale Elementary School, Mr. Dearborn’s classes built earthquake-safe structures with toothpicks and marshmallows! They had to build a structure, then we “experienced” an M6.2 earthquake. Afterwards, they had to rebuild and reinforce their structures to determine how it would stay safe during a real earthquake.

Several members of the BCVS Theatre’s Pelican Players participated at the 2025 State Trumbauer Secondary Theatre Festival over the first weekend of December. Mia-luna Galvis and Will Brunson brought home third place for their Novice Reader’s Theatre performance!
Other accolades from both the District V and State Festivals include Rachael Goodrich (3 Superiors, 1 Excellent), Andy Houston (2 Superiors, 1 Excellent), Isla Ragsdale (2 Superiors), Lexi Shirley (2 Superiors), Mia-Luna Galvis (2 Superiors, 1 Excellent), Will Brunson (2 Superiors, 1 Excellent), and Maggie Rae Brown (1 Excellent).
Congratulations to all who participated. We can’t wait to see how you shine next year!

College Board announced that Bayside Academy has been named to the 2025 Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) School Honor Roll, earning gold distinction.
The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening participation. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing college-going culture, providing opportunities for students to earn college credit, and maximizing college readiness.
Bayside had 71% of seniors who took at least one AP exam during high school, 65% of seniors scoring a three or higher on at least one AP exam, and 36% of seniors who took five or more AP exams (with at least one taken during the freshman or sophomore year)!
At Bayside, we are proud to offer 16 AP courses over 24 sections of classes with 11 teachers.
“AP gives students opportunity to engage with college-level work, to earn college credit and placement, and build professional career skills they can use no matter what path they choose after high school,” said Trevor Packer, head of the AP program. “Congratulations to this year’s AP School Honor Roll recipients for proving it’s possible to expand participation in these rigorous courses and still drive strong
performance.”
College Board’s Advanced Placement® Program (AP®) enables students to pursue college-level studies—with the opportunity to earn college credit, advanced placement, or both—while still in high school. Through AP courses in 40 subjects, each culminating in a challenging exam, students learn to think critically, construct solid arguments, and see many sides of an issue—skills that prepare them for college and beyond.

As part of the Spanish Fort High Developmental Psychology unit, we kicked off our annual baby project — switching from sock babies to egg babies this year! Students met and dressed their little bundles of joy and will be responsible for them everywhere they go for an entire week.
Babysitting (by a qualified adult) is allowed once per day for things like work or events, but otherwise these babies are along for the ride 24/7! Go Toros!

Robertsdale High School is proud to announce our Classified Staff and Teacher of the Year!
Classified Staff of the Year: Lisa Wilson (School Nurse)
Lisa is the definition of dependable—she serves with heart, handles the unseen work that keeps our school running, and makes everyone around her better. We are grateful for you, Lisa!
Teacher of the Year: Meg Rogers (Special Education Teacher)
Meg brings energy, excellence, and genuine care into her classroom every single day. She challenges students to grow, supports them when they struggle, and leads with consistency and compassion. Congratulations, Meg!
Please join us in celebrating Lisa Wilson and Meg Rogers—two Golden Bears who represent the very best of Robertsdale High School!

Congratulations to the Central Baldwin Middle School December Bear Bucks Winners!
$5 Winner: Chloe Sanders
$10 Winner: Bentley Barlow
$20 Winner: EJ Fluellen
These awesome Bears were caught showing PAWS-itive behavior on campus through our Bear Pride Program! Keep Shining, Bears—you could be next!

Foley Elementary students went 16 rounds before we got our winner and runner up for the school spelling bee!
Congratulations to champion Phoenix and runner up Brantley!

Congratulations to our Baldwin Preparatory Academy SRO, Officer Garcia, for receiving the First Responder of the Year Distinguished Service Award from the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. Officer Garcia is such a vital part of BPA and is so deserving of this award! We are so thankful for his commitment, service, and positive impact he makes every day.

Congratulations to our Bay Minette Middle School 2nd Quarter Students of the Quarter!
These amazing kiddos were recognized for giving their best, staying focused, and showing incredible hard work every day. We are so proud of each of you—keep shining bright!

The Baldwin County High School Tiger Theatre Department is celebrating a monumental achievement after receiving BEST IN SHOW at the prestigious Walter Trumbauer State Theatre Festival held at the University of Alabama at Birmingham this past December.
The troupe, which initially earned a bid to the state competition after receiving Best In Show at the district level in Mobile in November, competed against thirteen other high schools from across Alabama in the One Act Play Festival.
The BCHS students presented the powerful, original one-act play, “THE LAST MILE,” written by theatre teacher and playwright, Darren J. Butler. The production featured nineteen students on stage and seven students in crew positions.
Competing against many well-established programs, the Tiger Theatre’s performance of “The Last Mile” was honored with the coveted BEST IN SHOW award for the One Act Play Festival. This top recognition automatically qualifies the troupe to advance to the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) in March, where they will compete against high schools from across the southern United States and beyond.
The group is under the direction of Darren Butler.

Our youngest learners mix science, technology, engineering, art, and math in playful projects—like pattern-printing and design work at the table. They make predictions, test ideas, count and compare, and tell the story of their creations. Integrated STEAM builds early number sense, vocabulary, fine-motor skills, and persistence—all through joyful, hands-on learning.