MAY 2012

The Montgomery Academy

HEART Club was selected as the

2012 River Region Volunteer of

the Year in the Youth Group

category by the Volunteer &

Information Center and the

Junior League of Montgomery.

HEART (Helping Eagles Are

Right There) was chosen in

recognition of their outstanding

service and dedication to making a

positive difference in the River

Region community. The group

was recognized along with other

outstanding volunteers at the

annual Volunteer Celebration on

April 17. As winner of the award, a $200 donation was made in HEART's name to the organization of their choice,

Brantwood Children's Home.

HEART’s sponsors are Denise Wentworth and Connie Johnson and the HEART officers are: Cassie Price, president,

Henderick Adams, vice president, Meredith Bear, treasurer. Class officers are: Addison Anthony (11th), Hollan Smith

(11th), Katter Longshore (10th), Tristan Watson (10th), Sara Brown (9th), and Jillian Tinglin (9th).

From left to right: HEART sponsor Connie Johnson, Carter Goodwyn, Cassie Price,Henderick Adams, Meredith Bear, Kim Herbert from Brantwood Children’s Home,and Upper School Director Cheryl McKiearnan

HEART Named Volunteer Group of the Year

The National Forensic League (NFL) is proud to announce its newest diamond coach:Jay W. Rye, of The Montgomery Academy, who will be receiving the Fourth DiamondAward. Jay is one of only four debate coaches in the country receiving the FourthDiamond Award this year.

An NFL Diamond Award recognizes a professional career that combines excellence andlongevity. The NFL provides diamond awards based on coach points received. A coachmay receive 1/10th the points of every student coached and 1/10th of the points earnedas a student member of the NFL. After attaining a total of 1,500 points, a member coachis entitled to wear a diamond set key or pin; additional diamonds accrue at 3,000 points,6,000 points, 10,000 points, and each 3,000 points thereafter. The minimum timebetween earning eachdiamond is five years

as an NFL member coach.

On June 14, 2012, these coaches will receive specialrecognition at the Lincoln Financial Group/NFLNational Speech and Debate Tournament inIndianapolis, Indiana. Each year, the tournamentdraws more than 5,000 students, coaches, andparents from across the nation. Top students willreceive nearly $200,000 in college scholarships atthe conclusion of the tournament, billed as thelargest academic competition in the world. TheNational Association of Secondary School Principals(NASSP) has placed the tournament on the NASSPNational Advisory List of Contests and Activitiessince the origination of the list.

The National Forensic League (NFL) is a 501(c)3not-for-profit honorary society whose mission is topromote high school and middle school speech anddebate activities as a means to develop a student’sessential life skills and values. More than 112,000high school and middle school students,representing more than 2,900 schools nationwide,are currently building their communication,leadership, cognitive, and presentational skills asmembers. Since 1925, more than 1.3 millionstudents have found their voice in the NFL.

Jay Rye Earns National Distinction

This year has been an exciting one and it is hard tobelieve it is almost over. I always approach the end ofschool with mixed feelings and this year is no exception.I am looking forward to less activity, but know I willreally miss everyone during the summer.

Our school building has never looked more beautiful.The art displayed throughout the building is quiteimpressive. If you have not visited our Spring Art Show,please make it a point to do so. We had to end theEagleaires concert rather quickly last week due to the firealarm. I am afraid that some of you may not have hadtime to really appreciate our students’ art. I encourageyou to come back and browse the halls.

Speaking of the Eagleaires concert, it was absolutelyexceptional. I was so proud of Cliff Huckabee and ourstudents for singing the last song acappella while the firealarm provided a rather interesting background beat.What beautiful and clear voices!

Eagle Day was such fun and our Lower School studentshad a blast. They get so excited and their enthusiasm iscontagious. I love the school spirit that Eagle day fosters.Eagle Day is truly an event that joins all three divisionsof The Montgomery Academy in wholesome fun.

Among the new activities we implemented this year wasthe Senior/Kindergarten Buddy Program. Thekindergarten students met their senior buddies the nightbefore school began at an ice cream party. Then the nextmorning all of us felt a little heart tug as we watchedthem process in together at our opening Convocation.Throughout the year the seniors came over to The LowerSchool to participate in planned activities with theirkindergarten buddies. Their last official visit to ourcampus will be to come watch the Kindergarten Play.This has been a well-received special program andunique relationships have been fostered.

There are several end of the year activities that are

coming up this month. Among the highlights are theFlight Ceremony for fourth graders, which will be heldMay 22nd, and the Kindergarten Play, which is the lastday of school. The Flight Ceremony always makes meappreciate the years I have spent with the fourth gradersand leads me to reflect on our time together. TheKindergarten Play leaves me with eager anticipation ofthe years ahead with the stars on the stage. If you are akindergarten or fourth grade parent or grandparent, donot miss either of these events.

As we end this school year, we say good-bye to MargaretGrant, one of our most beloved faculty members.Margaret has been our Kindergarten Resource Teacherfor the past fourteen years. She has decided to retire tohave more time to spend with her family. We will surelymiss her and wish her special blessings.

April was a difficult month for our Lower School Family.I know you join me in expressing our heartfelt sympathyto the Freeman and Ji families. I am proud of the wayour parents, teachers, and students have responded tothe tragic circumstances endured by these two MAfamilies. We really are who we claim to be, a family. Yourcaring compassion and your acts of kindness have beentouching for me to witness. Please join me in keepingthese precious families in your thoughts and prayers inthe days ahead.

As I complete another year in this position, I want totake this opportunity to thank you for all of yoursupport and encouragement. We have had an interestingyear together from the unexpected fire alarms to thefamous lockdown and I have always felt you “had myback.” I am proud to be The Montgomery AcademyLower SchoolDirector.

Take care and enjoy your summer break,Jan

PRINGLE’S PAGES

The MA InterpersonalRelations class nominatedLaRonica Kelly and NiniRasbett-Smith to representthem at the OutstandingBig Buddy AwardsLuncheon hosted byYMCA. These two bigbuddies and their familiesattended the luncheon onWednesday, April 18 at theCapital City Club.

In addition to representingthe Interpersonal Relationsclass, Nini was asked towelcome everyone and tobegin the program with anopening prayer. LaRonicawas also on the agenda torecognize the special guests in attendance. At the luncheon, LaRonica was presented the Jamie Gilliand Spirit Awardby YMCA board member Lolita McLean. This award is presented to the student participating in the big buddyprogram who best represents the spirit of the Interpersonal ideals. Congratulations to LaRonica on this great honor.

YMCA Board Member Lolita McLeanpresents the Jamie Gilliland SpiritAward to LaRonica Kelly.

Nini, LaRonica, and LaRonica's little buddy.

SUMMER AT THE MONTGOMERY ACADEMY! ACT and SAT Preparation

June 4-8July 30-August 3Grades 11-12

Camp EagleJune 18-22; June 25-29July 9-13; July 16-20

Grades 1-6

Softball CampJune 11-14

Girls Grades 1-5

Pass, Set, "Boomdaddy"Volleyball Camp

June 4-7Girls Grades 4-8

Recreation: MA STYLEJune 18-21

Boys Grades 7-9

Camp Hoopstar BasketballMay 29-June 1June 4-7

Boys & Girls Grades 1-7

Baseball CampJune 11-14

Boys Grades 4-7

ART-standing Painting June 4-8Grades 5-8

Camp SylvestJuly 23-26Grades 2-6

SUMMER AT THE MONTGOMERY ACADEMY!

Interpersonal Relations Students Honored

In the fall of 2002, then Upper School Director PeterTrau called me into his office to let me know about agraduate school opportunity at Dartmouth College thatwas unique for teachers. He knew that I was interestedin pursuing graduate work, but that I was also interestedin staying a full-time teacher. Fortunately, Dartmouthoffered a “summers-only” enrollment option for teachersin their interdisciplinaryMaster of Arts in LiberalStudies Program.

As a result of Peter Trau’sencouragement andthanks, in large part, tothe financial support ofThe MontgomeryAcademy and to the POA, I was able to enroll in theDartmouth program in the summer of 2003. For severalyears, I travelled to Hanover, New Hampshire, to take abroad array of courses ranging from “Postcolonialism inIrish Literature” and “Cold War Film” to “The Craft andCulture of Journalism” and “Global Development.”One summer, I also had the opportunity to gain creditfor the Dartmouth program by taking two courses inIrish and Middle Eastern History at Exeter College atOxford University in England.

I am please to report that, after finishing my thesis thisyear, I will finally graduate from the Dartmouthprogram in June! There were some delays along the wayresulting partly from the unexpected death of my firstthesis advisor. However, despite the difficulties, being apart of the program was an amazing experience for me.I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to continue myacademic interests while also working on an advanceddegree. I consistently used my work at Dartmouth toenrich my AP US History class and to brainstorm aboutnew elective course offerings. Not long after taking theCold War Film seminar at Dartmouth, I decided todesign a Cold War seminar in the Upper School. Notlong after taking interdisciplinary history and literatureclasses, I began designing a “history through literature”course at the Academy. Not only did the courses helpme in my teaching career at MA, but they also provided

the type of intellectual engagement that kept meengaged in the learning process. I had to hone myreading and writing skills. I had to remember how to bea student even as I was continuing in my teaching career.I will be forever grateful to the Academy for the role thatthis school played in helping me afford this amazingacademic opportunity.

I’m describing my experience in the Dartmouth programin this article to highlight the importance of professionaldevelopment for our faculty. Although not everyone ispursuing a long-term degree, all forms of professionaldevelopment are critical for the Academy faculty in orderfor our teachers to stay on top of the latest trends ineducation and to stay intellectually engaged in our fields.I am pleased that I work in a school community that hasalways recognized the significance of professionaldevelopment, and I strongly believe that it is one of themain reasons why our faculty can provide such enrichingexperiences for the students.

In the year ahead, we will focus much of our professionaldevelopment energies on preparing for the introductionof iPads in the Middle School. Our Middle Schoolfaculty will have their first development workshop withApple on May 9 and there will be future workshops. Wewill also continue to find ways to support all facultymembers in their quests to remained engaged andprepared in their fields so that can help the students ofThe Montgomery Academy. In order for MA studentsto pursue excellence, then the faculty must do so as well.

John McWilliamsMiddle School Director

MCWILLIAMS IN THE MIDDLE

“I am pleased that I work in a school community that has alwaysrecognized the significance of professional development, and Istrongly believe that it is one of the main reasons why our facultycan provide such enriching experiences for the students.”

April was a whirlwind of games and trips and concertsand performances and tournaments. MA kids were allover the place, traveling as far as San Francisco and LasVegas. Except for playoffs in a couple of sports, May is adifferent story.

In May the focus returns to academic matters. AP examsbegin the 7th and continue through the 18th. Our ownin-house exams will be given May 21-24. It’s aninteresting time of year. On the one hand, there is muchto celebrate: students have learned a great deal and havegained and honed some important skills. They havegrown and matured as thinkers. On the other hand,some chickens are coming home to roost: poor studyhabits; a backlog of material missed due to absences.Catching up is hard to do. On the other other hand (andwhen we’re talking about kids there is always anotherhand), plenty of teachers can tell stories of students whohave really hit their stride second semester, approachingtheir studies with maturity and purpose.

Turning from the playing field to the page, to theinward-directed work of study, is part of an overallreflectiveness that accompanies our sense of an ending asthe school year draws to a close. As kids ask themselveshow they’ll do on exams they’re asking what they havelearned; they are also asking, consciously or not, howthey handled school. The question takes on greaterdepth: how did things go with friends? How did it feelto manage adversity? What personal accomplishmentsand milestones stand out? Nine and a half months is along time in the life of a person changing and maturingdaily. A lot has happened in the hearts and minds of ourstudents. Many of them have gotten taller or broader ofshoulder; many more have become noticeably moregrown up in their outlook and demeanor.

Endings, beginnings--the rhythms of school encourageeveryone to take stock and they also offer a chance to

act on what we discover in the process. Celebrate thisyear, 2011-2012, and wait till next year...wait till thekids get to show how much progress they’ve made andhow well prepared they are for the next, higher step.

Cheryl McKiearnanUpper School Director

FROM THE UPPER SCHOOL

SGAPresident Laura Katherine CrumVice President Garrett LaurieSocial Chair Ryan Terry

HONOR COUNCIL Seniors Lee Ellen Bryan

Mary Elizabeth MasseyKrisie Stakely

Juniors John AhnGarrett Barnes

Sophonores Dawson BuettnerSam LaPlatney

Senior ClassPresident Grayson AnzaloneVP Andrea Grey JonesSocial Emily Garcia

Junior ClassPresident William HaynesVP Kit BirdsongSocial Sarah Paige Massey

Lillian Roth

Sophomore ClassPresident Josh ThomasVP Sara BrownSocial Sam Adams

George Hook

Congratulations to the2012-2013 Student Coucil officers

After the horrific tornadoes ripped through the southeast last year, The Montgomery Academy formed a TornadoRelief Effort Team to partner with a school in an affected area. Made up of students and teachers, and spearheadedby faculty members Teresa Pittman and Denise Wentworth, the team solidified a partnership last July withHackleburg Elementary and High School. As reported in Around the Academy this fall, a group of students andteachers made their first trip to Hackleburg in August to deliver school supplies that had been collected fromteachers at the Academy.

Over the past school year, The Montgomery Academy has supported Hackleburg Elementary and High School inmany ways, with each division focusing on a different area. In November, the Lower School collected moneythrough their Fall Sharing Project for the Hackleburg Elementary playground. A group of teachers and lower schoolstudents traveled to Hackleburg in December and presented a check as well as a poster with signatures from all thestudents who donated to the cause. The Academy’s Middle School focused their efforts on adding books to theHackleburg library. As admission to their fall dance, middle school students were asked to contribute books andthey were delivered to the school in October. Finally, our Upper School contributed to the cause by raising moneyto pay for the DJ for the Hackleburg High School prom this spring.

Additionally, students have sent snacks and cards to the students in Hackleburg for both Valentine’s Day andHalloween and teachers have sent supplies and equipment throughout the year. For Community Day this past

month, Middle School studentsbrought in more materials forHackleburg students and also mademultiplication flashcards to send to theschool. Upper School GuidanceCounselor Alexis Wakefield is currentlyorganizing a project that will begin inearly May to provide gift cards to theHackleburg faculty and staff. Throughits projects, HEART has also collectedmoney that will go to assist otherspecific needs for the school. The teamplans to send representatives to

Hackleburg to present a check,gifts and supplies in the comingweeks.

A year supporting Hackleburg

top photo: MA students presenteda check as well as a poster withsignatures from all the studentswho donated to the cause

bottom photo: Lower Schoolstudents partcipated in the FallSharing project that raised moneyfor Hackleburg Elementary.

Well, not really, but they sure are good for bringing people together. This spring, Becky and I have been hosting

small groups of seniors at our home for food and fellowship. The gatherings always start on our back deck with a

large platter of chicken nuggets (consumed within minutes) and end in our back yard with everyone circled around a

fire pit making/eating S’mores. In addition, I also host much smaller groups of seniors in my office to ask them to

reflect on their MA experience.

These gatherings are important for several reasons. They give me the opportunity to honor a group of students who,

in a matter of weeks, will graduate from The Montgomery Academy. This is no small feat as their educational

journey has been difficult by design. Our faculty has pushed and challenged them and demanded maximum effort.

Our philosophy is best summarized by American author Napoleon Hill: “Strength and growth come only through

continuous effort and struggle.” When the seniors walk the stage and receive their diploma later this spring, they

will have earned it.

I also collect salient feedback on our campus culture and academic program during these visits. When I ask the

seniors about their favorite teachers, they always describe them as passionate, challenging, and loving. I thought

you’d enjoy a few direct student quotes:

• “Mrs. ____ is so willing to sacrifice for you. She will drop what she is doing to help me get through

a personal problem.”

• “Mrs. _____ is very patient and even held coach classes [tutoring sessions] at night at her home.”

• “He’s the best because he is fun, hard, honest and very fair.”

• “Mr. ____ has very high expectations but is also very approachable. He knows me so well and

knows how to push and motivate me.”

• “I love Mrs. ____ because of her genuine care for her students.”

• “Mr. ____ is so into what he is teaching and even shares his own writing with us. He is the hardest

and best teacher I have ever had.”

Finally, these gatherings serve as a source of inspiration for me. I do love other aspects of my job like strategic and

financial planning but nothing beats time with kids. A mentor of mine used to say that kids were like oxygen to

him. I couldn’t agree more and find myself breathing deeply in the presence of your children.

Dave FaraceHead of School

New research: S’mores are good for you

FROM THE HEAD of SCHOOL

Eight Academy Latin students and facultymember Teresa Pittman recently attended theState Latin Convention sponsored by theAlabama Junior Classical League. Over 485students from seventeen schools across the stateattended the convention hosted by SamfordUniversity and Evangel Classical ChristianAcademy in Birmingham. The conventionincluded mock Olympic games, written andoral academic contests, a toga banquet, anddance.

Several Academy students won the followingawards: Level II: John Thomas Monroe, thirdplace; Greek and Latin Derivatives Level I:Michael Butler, third place; Greek and LatinDerivatives Advanced: Hayden Walcott, third

place; Club t-shirt: second place

The students enjoyed the convention activities and arelooking forward to next year’s event.

Students Participate in State Latin Convention

Te r v i sTumblerWa t e r Bottlesm a k eg r e a tgraduationg i f t s !

Thursday, April 19 was aday that saw Middle andUpper School Academystudents and facultyengaged in helping ourcommunity. Upper Schoolstudents volunteered at 26various serviceorganizations includingHabitat for Humanity, theSalvation Army,M.A.N.E., BrantwoodChildren’s Home, theFamily Sunshine Center,Camp Grandview andmany more. Each studentvolunteered for threehours that morning,performing tasks assignedto them by each agency.Students helped out witha variety of assignmentsincluding bathing animals

at the Montgomery and Prattville Humane Shelters, cleaning out the stables at MANE and playing with children atdifferent schools and Headstart programs around Montgomery. “I went to the Friendship Mission and helped cookmeals for those in need,” said junior Mary Elizabeth Massey. “It was a great experience because we actually got tomeet the people we were cooking for - it was really fulfilling to know that we were helping them in such animportant way.”

Middle School students were involved in Spring Community Day through a variety of different activities right hereon campus. Fifth and sixth grade classes participated by creating placemats for Meals on Wheels’ clients, makingaddition and subtraction notecards for Hackleburg Elementary and Adullam House and stringing bracelets for ChildProtect, a child advocacy center. Seventh and eighth graders stuffed bags with pamphlets and children’s books forGift of Life, made t-shirts for Brantwood Children’s Home, decorated pillowcases for the Family Sunshine Centerand Baptist Hospice, cleaned Gazron Library, washed dogs to raise money for the Montgomery Humane Shelter andmade neck warmers for Southeast Hospice residents. Middle School students also contributed through a clothingdrive for Goodwill and collecting items for the Montgomery Humane Shelter such as shredded paper, hand sanitizerand printer paper. “The difficult part about Community Day for the Middle School is finding different activitiesthat the students can do on campus. Today, I think we had a good mix of activities and now these organizations willbe familiar with our children as Upper School students,” said Teresa Pittman, Middle School Community Day Co-Chair.

Spring Community Day

The 33rd annual Sixth Grade Olympic Games Celebration

was held on April 12 at Jasmine Hill Gardens. The

gardens, filled with tributes to Greek buildings and an

abundance of different flora, were the perfect place for this

epic competition between the Cardinal and Navy city-

states. The day began with the lighting of the Olympic

Flame at the Temple of Hera, which is the true birth place

of the Olympic Flame in Greece. After the torch was lit,

the students began the athletic events where they

competed in the marathon, discus throwing,

lightning bolt race, javelin throwing and other

events.

The students then performed their

version of a famous story from Greek

mythology. There were many

interpretations performed and included

such stories as Pandora, the Cyclops, and

King Midas. The winning performance was the story of

the Trojan Horse presented by the Cardinal team.

Following the play performances, the students stopped for

lunch and to enjoy the grounds before beginning the

scavenger hunt. The day wrapped up with an Awards

Ceremony where Navy was declared the winning city-

state!

Sixth Grade Goes to Jasmine Hill

“When we visit Jasmine Hill Gardens, wesee some of the flavor that we have previouslystudied about Greece and some of its famousruins and statuary,” said sixthgrade social studies teacher CaroleQuallio. “This is precisely the kindof thing that makes history comealive for our students!”

Each spring, students in grades eight through elevenapply for the opportunity to represent the Academy asan Ambassador. In existence for over 17 years, TheMontgomery Academy Ambassador program has evolvedinto an active and important extracurricular activity forupper school students. Ambassadors are chosen after athorough selection process consisting of a writtenapplication, recommendations from faculty and directorsand interviews. These students assist with a variety ofspecial events including chorale concerts and plays, theNew Student Pizza Party, Kindergarten, Middle andUpper School Open Houses, phone-a-thons, MiniArtworks, Awards Night, Baccalaureate andCommencement. Ambassadors attend monthlymeetings and also give tours to prospective families andstudents.

“Being an Academy Ambassador is an honor and Iam so proud to have been an Ambassador this pastyear!” Liza Hunter

“I really enjoy expressing to outsiders why I loveMA!” Laura Katherine Crum

“I love being an Academy Ambassador because Iget to help the school and I have fun doing it.” WillSahlie

“I feel honored to represent The MontgomeryAcademy.” Lilla Bea Granger

“I love being an Ambassador because it gives methe opportunity to make a positive impact on thefamilies who are thinking about coming to MA.”Brock Hendon

“I had a great time being an ambassador this year.It feels so good to greet people with a smile!” SarahCatherine Hook

“I have really enjoyed being an Ambassador thepast two years. I like connecting with parents,alumni, faculty and students at the school throughthe different events. Helping with these differentevents makes me proud to be a part of the MAfamily.” Corrie Tankersley

“I love giving back to our school.” EmmieChambers

“Being able to give tours and meet those involvedin MA gives us a better understanding of our greatschool.” Barton Crum

Emmie ChambersClayton CrenshawBarton Crum

Laura Katherine CrumEmily GarciaCarter GoodwynLilla Bea GrangerAndrea Grey Jones

Brock HendonSarah Catherine Hook

Liza HunterLaRonica Kelly

Mary Elizabeth MasseyNeill McCorveyDrew PattersonCaroline Rickard

Will SahlieKrisie StakelyBo Starke

Corrie TankersleyJosh ThomasLayne WilliamsAudrey Woika

Please join us in thanking the 2011-2012 group for a great year of service!

Academy Ambassadors