MARCH 2012

This year’s logo for the AP Art History trip to New York

City seemed to say it all. The Class of 12 viewed over

11 thousand works of art, took 10 subway rides,

patronized over9 shops, enjoyed8restaurants, visited 7 museums

over the course of 6 days and 5nights, while seeing Broadway

productions at 4 theaters, and

studying3major buildings, after2flights to 1 fabulous city. Weeksbefore the February 15 departuredate students began a countdownfor the much-anticipated trip toNew York. They studied works ofart and prepared journals that werefilled with information about thevenues that the class would visitwhile on the trip. During theirtravel schedule, the students wouldpresent their reports to their peers,sharing information about “can’tmiss” opportunities and things to

see. The15 AP Art History students included: CatherineAdams, Meredith Bear, Brittany Briddell, KatieColeman, Cille Harris, Dawson Haynes, JeanCatherine Hubbard, Bentley Hudson, Erin Katz, Gibbs

Lee, Rosalind O’Connor, Sophie Odom, Ann KathrynParrish, Hannah Trachy, and Sara Walker. They wereled by AP Art History instructor Connie Deal andchaperoned by Registrar Connie Johnson.

Students had the opportunity to

visit 7 museums including: theMuseum of Modern Art (MoMA),the Guggenheim, the FrickCollection, the Neue Gallerie, theBrooklyn Museum, the Cloisters,and the Metropolitan Museum ofArt. The Metropolitan’s collection

alone boast over 11,000 works,so while students breezed througheach museum, they recognizedworks that they had studied in theirtextbook and made connections toartists and time periods in art.However, it wasn’t just the art thatadded to the experience; The

evenings included 4 Broadwayplays: Anything Goes, War Horse,Seminar, and BlueMan Group, and

who could forget the group’s favorite restaurant, Ellen’sStardust Diner where students sang along and bouncedtheir way through dinner in the 50’s retro diner.Additionally, while we’re counting, according to the

Art Counts – A New York CityTravel Experience

group’s tour guide we logged over 54miles of walking during the

6-day period. That may possibly be a trip record, but the only realway to see the city is to walk it, and this year’s phenomenal weathermade the walk well worth it.

Counting artwork and fabulous plays wasn’t the only exciting aspectof the trip. This group experienced more “star power” than anyprevious group. They kept count of famous faces they saw beingthrilled by appearances of Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Saarsgard,Emma Stone, Miss Bermuda, Sutton Foster, Lily Rabe, and evengot autographs from Jerry O’Connell and Alan Rickman afterseeing their production on Broadway.

Finally, perhaps an aspect of the trip that truly counted, was thethrill that two seniors experienced as they received their collegeacceptances while in New York. Brittany Briddell and RosalindO’Connor both found out that they were accepted into New YorkUniversity and New York University Tisch School of the Arts on theday we arrived to the city. How exhilarating to find out that youwill attend a great school in a fabulous city while actually beingthere. Their classmates were excited for them, and it set the tonefor a dynamic trip that will be counted as one of their mostrewarding high school experiences.

Connie DealUpper School Art

Photos from top to bottom: Rosalind O’Connor and Brittany Briddellboth found out that they were accepted into NYU while on the streets ofNew York. The group enjoyed ice skating in Central Park. Soaking inthe details of pieces of art at the Cloisters. After the Broadway play"Seminar" Cille Harris who shares a birthday with actor JerryO'Connell spent her 18th birthday seeing him on Broadway and thengetting a quick pic. The group gathers for a quick photo op while at theEmpire State Building.

I left my Heart in San FranciscoI traveled to San Francisco in February to visit Montgomery Academy alumni and to meet with the director ofadmissions at Stanford University. Over the years, several of our alumni have attended Stanford, loved theirexperience and so decided to stay in the Bay area. It’s hard not to fall in love with Stanford. It’s even harder to getin!

Stanford anticipates accepting just 6.5% of applicants for the 2012-2013 school year. That’s a ridiculously lowacceptance rate but indicative of a national trend in college admissions. Applicant pools for most selective collegeshave increased dramatically over the past ten years while enrollment numbers have remained stable. Collegeadmissions offices support and encourage this trend; it means they can deny more students and tout their selectivity.

Another noteworthy national trend is the rise in popularity of state colleges and universities. As the economycontinues to struggle along, many families are taking a fresh look at these programs. Frankly, this consideration isnot new for MA families given the outstanding options we have in Alabama. For the past ten years, approximatelyhalf of our students have matriculated to state schools (primarily Auburn University and the University of Alabama)and the other half have spread across the country.

Regardless of where our students matriculate, the results of their Academy preparation are clear; over 75% have beenoffered $25 million in merit scholarships in the last five years. They earn far higher GPAs on average than theirnon-MA peers and they fully participate in community life on their new campuses. Pursuing Stanford or Samford,the University of Alabama or the University of Virginia, is a family decision; preparing students to thrive on anycollege campus is an Academy promise.

Dave FaraceHead of School

FROM THE HEAD of SCHOOL

French students recently took home four awards at the AAFCFrench Convention in Tuscaloosa. French 1A students includingMargaret Ann Allen, Issey Behr, Amber Carter, Maclou Dillon,Emma Franklin, Alice McGowin, and Caroline Sellerscompeted in the Group Oral performance, creating a tableau-vivant comic based on Calvin and Hobbes. They were awarded a"Très Bien" and "Best Theme-Related Material.” Talya Whytereceived a "Très Bien" in Extemporaneous Reading, while AnneLouise Pass received the highest, "Supèrieur," in both of hercompetitions: Solo Song and Extemporaneous Reading.

OUAIS MA!!!

French Students Awarded

Art Students Receive High HonorsEvery spring, Middle School art teacher Amanda Townsend is invited to submit ten pieces to the District II Visual ArtsAchievement Program held in the Malone Gallery at Troy University. This year, works submitted by Shelby Walcott,Sidney Mims, Ellie Herron, and Haley Terry were selected aswinning pieces.

In another competition, congratulations go to the followingUpper School students whose works received gold, silver, andhonorable mention keys in the 2011 Scholastics Art andWritingAwards!

Gold Keys: Garrett Barnes, Danielle Berlin, McEachernFoy, Everett Fuller, Addison Tambling, Gibbs Lee, SophieOdom, Nini Rabsatt-Smith, Hannah Trachy, and RosalindO'Connor.

Silver Keys: SophieOdom, HaydenWalcott, RosalindO'Connor, andCaroline Lester

Honorable Mentionkeys : Ryan Zienert,April Shambo,Addison Tambling,Hayden Walcott,Rosalind O'Connor, Elizabeth McGowin, Caroline Lester, Christine Hong, and Mazie Chambers.

Students Qualify for PrestigiousNational Speech & Debate TournamentMA students Sawyer Knowles and Bo Starke recently qualified to participate at the prestigious 2012 LFG/NFLNational Speech & Debate Tournament in Indianapolis, Indiana June 10-15.

These students participated in the Deep South Congressional District Tournament held at The MontgomeryAcademy, which was the last step to secure a place at the National Tournament.

More than 3,200 students will participate in the 2012 NFL National Tournament, billed as the largest academiccompetition in the world. The event draws visitors from all 50 states and as far away as China. Top performers takehome more than $200,000 in college scholarships.

PRINGLE’S PAGES

We have had a busy time around the Lower School thispast month. The Fourth Grade Play held on the Fridaybefore Presidents’ Day was outstanding. The play was awonderful way to celebrate our American history. Thestudents looked sensational in their authentic costumesand seemed to enjoy acting out our heritage in song andprose.

I have to admit I really miss the “Down Under.” It israining as I write this giving me the feeling that I haveleft a beautiful summer in Australia and returnedabruptly to a dreary Alabama winter. The enrichmentteachers did an excellent job planning and implementingour Australian study and it was an entertaining andeducational experience for all of us. We owe a big debt ofgratitude to all of the parents who helped us. Thank youso very much for volunteering your time and talents.

This year the Lower School teachers have been busyreviewing our Language Arts program. This is such animportant discipline for us because it includes ourreading, writing, and spelling programs. All theclassroom and resource teachers have spent many hourssince August evaluating our Language Arts curriculumand looking at materials for future use. The privilege ofevaluating and making curriculum decisions is a realadvantage we have as members of an independent schoolfaculty. At the Lower School we take this responsibilityvery seriously. It has been fun for me to see theenthusiasm the teachers have had as they have reviewedwhat they are teaching and considered new ideas for thefuture. In addition, our kindergarten teachers returnedFebruary 17 from Atlanta after attending a five-dayintensive training session in a multi-sensory LanguageArts program called Orton Gillingham. They are soexcited about what they learned and are looking forwardto applying the information gained in their teaching. Iam very thankful that we can send our teachers totraining opportunities such as this.

March ushers in an exciting time of year for all of us.The third graders will present their play “HighHarmony” on March 22, the day we get out for spring

holidays. They have already begun practicing songs andlearning narrative parts for this entertaining play.

Our spring sharing project will be held from March 12-March 16 and once again will support the AmericanHeart Association by collecting money for the JumpRope for Heart Campaign. During gym classes, the gymteachers will emphasize the important role of exerciseand diet in having a healthy heart. We want the childrento learn about the heart and preventing heart disease, aswell as helping those with heart problems through theircontributions. The week will culminate with a specialtime for each grade in gym classes where children willcelebrate “Healthy Heart Week” with relays andactivities. Katie Bradshaw is our Lower SchoolActivities chair and will be sending information soonabout this special project.

Our next Parents+ activity will take place on March 12with a Connect with Kids video on self-esteem followedby a panel where I will join others to discuss self-esteemin children. It should be very interesting and I urge youto try to attend.

Our next grading period ends March 2 and you willreceive your child’s report card on March 9. Pleasediscuss the report card with your child and use thediscussion as an opportunity to praise and encourage theefforts that are evident on the progress report. Also,remember that the teachers,Mandy Poundstone, and Iare all available to have a conference with you to discussany issues you might have with your child’s behavior orprogress.

I want to remind you once again to refer to your child’sportal page for dates of special events and assignments.There are many special activities in the spring and youwill want to be aware of these.

Take care,Jan

The Montgomery Academy’s Boys and Girls IndoorTrack teams recently competed in the Alabama HighSchool Athletic Association Class 1A-4A StateChampionship in Birmingham with sophomore TaylorGerard earning United States Second Team honors forher performance in the 1600M run and the 3200M runand junior Drake McGowin winning the statechampionship for pole vault.

Gerard took second place in four events: 800M run(2:23.95), 1600M run (5:16.56), 3200M (11:40.13)and the 4x800M relay. McGowin won the pole vaultstate championship with vault of 9-00.0. Also scoring forthe Lady Eagles in pole vault was senior Audrey Woikawho captured second place in the event clearing 9-00.0.

Freshman Emily Pierce, seventh graderMaggieChambers, and junior Krisie Stakely joined Gerard in

winning second place in the 4X800M relay (10:19.60)and senior Bentley Hudson, senior Erin Katz andsophomoreMazie Chambers joined McGowin inearning third place in the 4x400M relay (4.31:99).Points also were scored by Hudson, Katz, Woika andMcGowin in the 4X200M relay, and Katz also scoredpoints in the 400M dash.

The women’s team took third place competing against17 1A-4A teams and missed the runner-up trophy byonly two points.

For the boys team, sophomore Jesse Austin earned twothird place finishes in the high jump (5-06.00) and inthe pole vault (11-06.00). Junior Drew Patterson(Triple Jump) and Sophomore Justin Woolfolk (60Mdash and 40M dash) also earned points for the Eagles.

Indoor Track TeamWraps Up Successful Season

The Lady Eagles 4x800M relay team set a school record while also taking second place. Accepting their second place medals are (l-r)junior Krisie Stakely, freshman Emily Pierce, sophomore Taylor Gerard and seventh grader Maggie Chambers.

The 4x400 relay team took third place in the AHSAA Class 1A-4A Indoor Track Championship in Birmingham with a time of4:32.99. Accepting their bronze medals are: (l-r front row) senior Bentley Hudson and sophomore Mazie Chambers (l-rbackrow) junior Drake McGowin and senior Erin Katz.

Sophomore Jesse Austin took third place in the AHSAA Class 1A-4A State of Alabama Indoor Track Championship for pole vault andhigh jump. Austin accepted his third place medal with a vault of 11-06.00.

We are now in final preparations for two major classtrips in the Middle School! On March 5, our 8th gradewill depart for Washington D.C. and on March 6, our7th grade will depart for a new class trip to Chattanooga!Both of these trips will provide amazing experiences forour students. I have so many fond memories of my tripto Washington when I was an 8th grader here at MA,and I look forward to making repeat visits to many ofthe same sites that I visited.

It’s hard to believe that we are already “marching” intospring. Our basketball and indoor track teams finishedwith strong seasons in the winter, and now spring sportsare well underway. I’m so excited that Lindsey Atchisonhas revived our softball program and we celebrated theteam’s first home game on March 1. I wish CoachAtchison and her group of dedicated girls all of the bestin the weeks and months ahead! I appreciate their hardwork and their dedication to the pursuit of excellence.Along with the softball team, I wish all of our teams thebest during the spring seasons.

I want to take this opportunity to offer public thanks tofour individuals with whom I work with closely on adaily basis to keep things running smoothly in theMiddle School. Middle School parents may not alwaysget the opportunity to recognize what these fourindividuals do for our students so I just thought that Iwould use my “McWilliams in the Middle” article thismonth to share what I’ve learned about these four MA-zing women.

First of all, we are blessed to have Rolanda Woods asour administrative assistant in the Middle School. Shemanages our students’ comings and goings throughoutthe school day in such a kind and professional manner.She handles the stresses of her job with such grace,compassion and fairness. Throughout the day, she alsoserves as a back-up nurse, and she comforts studentswhen they are sick or upset. In the meantime, she doeseverything that she can do to support both BrandalynWright and me in our work in the Middle School. Ithas been a pleasure to work with Rolanda over thecourse of this year, and I look forward to the years ahead!

Secondly, I can’t imagine a person better suited for thedifficult role of Middle School counselor than BrandalynWright. I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity tosee how Brandalyn deeply cares for our Middle Schoolstudents and responds to their joys and their trials. Iknow that I can always talk through a situation thatemerges with Brandalyn, and I will leave that meetingwith a clearer understanding of how we can best proceedto support our students. Our students feel extremelycomfortable talking to Brandalyn about a whole host ofissues, and Brandalyn handles each situation with herwarm smile and a caring and supportive attitude. I hopethat all parents will take advantage of the opportunity toconnect with Brandalyn at our MS Brown Bag LunchSeries in April.

When I was a teacher in the Upper School, I already hada deep appreciation for the work that Connie Johnsondoes for the school each day. However, my appreciationhas only grown now that I’m in an administrativeposition. Connie Johnson works tirelessly as theregistrar for both the Middle and Upper Schools. Whileher office is located in the Upper School, Connie spendsas much of her time dealing with Middle School issuesas with the Upper School. She works closely with thefaculty and with parents in understanding the intricaciesof PowerSchool, and manages student and facultypersonnel files. Connie is extremely precise, thorough,and helpful. While the students in the Middle Schoolmay not directly recognize the role that she plays,Connie Johnson is instrumental in the functioning ofthe school. I am very thankful for the support that sheprovides to the Middle School on a daily basis.

Finally, I want to offer a word of thanks to VivianBarfoot. I am so happy that her office is next door tomine. She has served as a personal mentor to me, and,for that, I will be eternally grateful. I know that Iwouldn’t have been able to make it through my noviceyear in this position without her constant help andguidance. Beyond her direct support for me, though, Ihope that everyone can appreciate Vivian’s profounddedication to the school. She works tirelessly for theadvancement of the school’s mission. Much of her workis “behind the scenes” so not everyone may recognize the

MCWILLIAMS IN THE MIDDLE

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work that she has done. I am very thankful to have theopportunity to work with this remarkable woman andgifted administrator!

On top of those individuals, I continue to be thankfulfor entire faculty and staff and to the Middle Schoolstudents for the support that they have shown me overthe course of the school year as I have ventured into thisnew position. I’m also appreciative of the POA ParentPanel and to all of the parents for your support. I thinkthat we’ve had a great school year, and I look forward tothe months and years ahead.

Best wishes for an enjoyable March!

John McWilliams

In February the Upper School Chorus traveled toLouisiana performing in Lafayette, Baton Rouge and NewOrleans. The chorus began their tour in Lafayette,performing at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. The studentscontinued their tour performing at Lafayette High Schoolalong with Lafayette’s chorus. Lafayette currently has over300 students in their choral program, yet they wereextremely impressed with our choral program andaccomplishments. Later, the chorus traveled to LouisianaState University in Baton Rouge to visit with Dr. Fulton,Director of Choral Studies and to sit-in on his rehearsalwith the LSU acappela chorus. The LSU ensemble iscurrently recognized as one of the finest ensembles in thecountry and our students had the opportunity to acquire

new concepts and techniques to bring back to theclassroom. The concert tour ended on Tuesday withperformances at St. Georges Episcopal School and IsidoreNewman. Our students received high praise at bothperformances.

In addition, our chorus served as inspiration to the chorusmembers at Isidore Newman as they are trying to growtheir program. Performing in venues like those listed aboveallows members of the Upper School Chorus to work withother choral ensembles and receives instruction frommanyof the foremost collegiate conductors in the country. Theseexperiences also allow our students to become better at thecraft of performing choral music.

Chorus Travels to Louisiana

Fifth graders recently participated in the second of threeWordMaster challenge meets of the year. High scorerfor the second meet was Elizabeth Waldo, who had aperfect score of 20. Closely following was WillHamlett, Hannah Maddox and Logan Norris withscores of 19 of twenty, Vivian Herron and HannahSoloff with 18 of twenty, and Bisola Adediji, FrancieHill, Trey Lindsey, Mead Robertson, Hunt Scott,Sarah Kennedy Smith and James Torbert, all with 17of twenty. The fifth grade team score was 181 of 200.TheWordMaster Challenge is a national, analogy-basedtest of vocabulary and verbal thinking skills.

WO R Dmasters

FROM THE UPPER SCHOOLOur brochures and web site are impressive, but in listingand describing MA’s spring sports and activities theyhave omitted the co-curricular endeavor that actuallydominates completely from February - May: juggling.

Yes, juggling. If your child is an athlete, singer, artist,thespian, volunteer or debater--or any combinationthereof--in addition to being a scholar and member of afamily, he or she has become quite proficient at keepingmany differently weighted and differently shaped objectsin the air. Attend one Academy event and you’ll seeamong the performers several students who areinstrumental in the success of other teams or groups.Recently one of my advisees participated in a track eventon Saturday morning, and that afternoon took part in adebate tournament. Not only did she have to get fromone place to another in a limited amount of time, butshe also had to reorient her thinking and her focus. Thatday she channeled the skills that make her a successfuljumper, and a few hours later the very different ones thatenable her to plan and deliver coherent, cogentarguments. It must have been like juggling a toaster anda duvet.

The kids’ adroitness and versatility are remarkable andimportant. In education we place great emphasis on thedevelopment of high-order thinking. The ability to

analyze and assess, to approach information andsituations creatively, to solve unpredictable problems--these are the varieties of excellence that much of ourwork in the classroom and in rehearsals and practicespursues. The kinds of complex understanding andinterpretation that our students practice in every arenaare necessary not only to win a game or execute apratfall, but also to succeed in the real world. Applyingthem not only to one sort of endeavor but to many, andto the combination of those many activities, is what ourkids do as they wear one hat and then another andsometimes a stack of hats all at once. It is what they willdo all their lives.

Anyone can toss a single ball into the air and catch itover and over, but juggling, say, the skills and mindset ofa singer and those of a football player, along with thoseof a nascent web designer (tossing a musical score, a pairof cleats and maybe an iMac in a circular pattern) issomething else again.

As the logistical pressures of spring squeeze harder andharder, let’s all keep in mind that beneath all thecompeting deadlines and commitments a deep andlasting sort of learning is taking place. Fore!

Cheryl McKiearnan

Interpersonal RelationsClass Serves at theSalvationArmy

On February 13, the Interpersonal Relations Class performedtheir quarterly service project at the Salvation Army where theyprepared and served lunch for approximately 50 clients. Thetable service was a special treat for the clients, who usuallystand in line to get their lunches. “Volunteering at the

Salvation Army was a great experience and I really felt good about helping people that were in need.When people wouldcome up to say ‘thank you,’ I felt like I made a huge difference,” said LaRonica Kelly. “I am really looking forward togoing back there to volunteer soon.”

On February 7, the eighth grade class visited the FederalCourthouse in downtown Montgomery to witness andparticipate in a Naturalization Ceremony. This was theperfect supplement for the class’ study in history onimmigration last fall. Eighth grade history teacher,Dexter Hobbs, discussed the process of being naturalizedwith the students the day before the trip.

The Honorable Susan Russ Walker whose daughter,Lanier, is a MA graduate, was the presiding federalmagistrate of the ceremony. Also participating in theceremony were Clerk of Court Debbie Hackett,mother to MA graduates Daniel and Jenny, andDeputy Clerk Trey Granger, father of current MAstudent Lilla Bea Granger.

The group of 25 candidates being naturalized was one ofthe largest groups the court had ever had. Theseindividuals came from a variety of countries including

China, India, the Philippines, Nigeria and Mexico.Candidates underwent an hour-long ceremony whichincluded saying an oath of citizenship and the Pledge ofAllegiance, which was led by four MontgomeryAcademy students: Class PresidentMary BradenHendon,William Chandler, Annabel Roth andNelson Whyte.

After the ceremony ended, Judge Walker called thestudents and the new citizens up to the front of thecourtroom for a question and answer session where sheopened up the floor for the students to ask questions.Among the questions asked was: “Why did you come toAmerica?” The new U.S. citizens gave heartfelt,emotional responses, including one woman who told thestudents she came to America for religious tolerance.Another woman shared that she came to the U.S. simplybecause she wanted the right to vote.

Eighth Graders Participatein Naturalization Ceremony

New Uniform Shirts!now available at

These 100% co�on pique shirts come in Cardinal, Navy andWhite. The MA logo is embroidered!

Youth short sleeved shirt $26Adult short sleeved shirt $28Youth long sleeved shirt $28Adult long sleeved shirt $35

Don’t forget!All items in the store are free of sales tax.

All sale proceeds directly benefit MA.