Mobile County Public Schools recognized four top students for the impact they are making at their schools and in the community, surprising them in their classrooms this week with district-wide Learning Leading Awards. They are: Rylan Besaw of Gilliard Elementary School, Anniston Byrd of McDavid-Jones Elementary School, Benjamin Stringfellow of Phillips Preparatory School, and Farah Hujier of Davidson High School.

Each of MCPSS’s 90 schools honored a Learning Leading student who exemplifies the district’s motto of: “Learning Today. Leading Tomorrow.” From those, a committee selected the four countywide winners. All 90 students will be honored at the Learning Leading Awards on April 23 at 6 p.m. at Murphy High School. 

These students all have a few things in common: They are kind, they go out of their way to help others, and they have the utmost character and integrity to represent their schools with honor. MCPSS is proud of all 90 students for the work they are doing at their schools. They truly embody the spirit of learning and leading at MCPSS.

Read more about the Countywide Learning Leading Award winners here on mcpss.com.

Congratulations to Davidson, the Hi-Q Champions! The Warriors faced semifinalists Murphy and McGill-Toolen in the academic competition. The championship match and the entire season featuring 18 local teams will air on mcpssTV this month. For Hi-Q, students are quizzed in areas ranging from American history to physics, from Shakespeare to geography, and from sports to math. 

About 3,000 seniors attended the annual High School Career Fair at the USA Mitchell Center. The career fair, presented by the MCPSS Career Technical Education Department in partnership with the Mobile Chamber's Workforce Development team, brought students from all 12 MCPSS high schools in to meet industry partners, along with numerous representatives from colleges and universities. Students prepared for the Career Fair by practicing interviewing skills, polishing their resumes and researching companies. 

Watch a video about the Career Fair on the MCPSS YouTube channel, courtesy of mcpssTV.

Congratulations to Davidson High senior Sariah Hossain, who was recently presented with the Rising Young Leader Award at the City of Mobile's Women's History Month Changemakers Awards Ceremony. Sariah has been named as a candidate for the 2026 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, and was also recently named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist.

Congratulations to Baker's Meredith Kelley (right) and Davidson's Jackson Fox (left), who placed first and second, respectively, in representing Crichton Optimist Club at the Zone Oratorical Contest.

Stephanie Bondora, a science teacher at Davidson High School, has received the Alabama State Science Fannie Mae Teacher of Promise Award. This award recognizes an outstanding early-career science educator in Alabama with less than three years of teaching experience. She was honored at the Alabama Science Teacher Association (ASTA) Conference in Tuscaloosa. 

Citronelle High Career Coach Lakenda Craig was named a 2026 Changemakers Award recipient in the category of Industry, Trades, and Workforce at the Women’s History Month Awards Ceremony sponsored by City of Mobile Events. She was honored for her commitment to connecting students with real-world opportunities through internships, industry partnerships, and workforce experiences.

Mobile County Public Schools hosted its annual Calvin Crist Driver Education Road-E-O, where some of the best Drivers Ed students from each high school showcased their skills.  The winners were Rosalie Miller of Alma Bryant, first place; Jace Law of Baker, second; and K.J. Walker  of LeFlore Magnet, third. The annual Driver Education Road-E-O, named in memory of longtime MCPSS instructor and coach Calvin Crist, required student competitors to demonstrate proficiency in navigating turns, changing lanes, using traffic signals, and backing into a parking space. About 25 student drivers competed. Judges included representatives from the State Department of Education.

Seniors from all MCPSS high schools were awarded nearly $5.4 million in scholarships by Alabama A&M University and nearly $1.4 million in scholarships by Alabama State University during their respective Presidential Tour stops at LeFlore Magnet High School recently.

Congratulations to Lily Smith of Davidson High School and Bryant Career Technical Center, Caroline Carter of Davidson and Maddie Brown of Baker, who received scholarships from the Mobile Retired Educators Association. These outstanding students impressed the scholarship committee with their dedication, academic excellence, and passion for learning.

Congratulations to Annah Murray of Alma Bryant High School, who has been selected as a member of the AHSAA Student Leadership Team this year. This statewide initiative empowers student-athletes to develop their leadership skills and promote sportsmanship within Alabama schools. Annah's selection is a reflection of her leadership, character, and commitment to excellence.

Alma Bryant High students recently were named Bayou La Batre Youth Council students and participated in a Bayou La Batre City Council meeting, stepping into the roles of local government officials to learn more about how city government operates and the importance of civic engagement. The students and their Youth Council roles were:
Mayor: Joreyan Dortch
Council Members: Cullen Billiot, Abrahm Collier, J.T. Esfeller, Jeremy Owens, Cooper Roberts
City Clerk: Jaslynn Byrne
City Attorney: Mia Cornelson
Municipal Judge: Justin Anderson
Court Magistrate: Victoria Tysyachuk
Chief of Police: Tucker Lewis
Fire Chief: Spencer McDonald
Students in Mrs. Mott’s Government class played a key role in preparing for this experience, as students learned the importance of leadership, responsibility and public service through classroom elections, debates and mock government activities.

Spruce up your garden with ornamental and edible plants from the Spring Plant Sales! The greenhouses at Bryant Career Technical Center and the Academy of Agribusiness at Mary G. Montgomery are both open for business.

Bryant CTC is also selling durable picnic tables for $175. To place an order, email William Clark.

Bryant CTC will offer extended hours for MCPSS employees on Friday, April 3, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will also be open on Saturday, April 4, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit Bryant CTC's Horticulture Program's Facebook page.

Hours at MGM are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday sales are planned on April 4 and April 11. For more information, visit MGM's Academy of Agribusiness Facebook page.

Board meetings: The Mobile County Board of School Commissioners will hold a work session on April 22 at noon and will hold a board meeting on April 27 at 10 a.m. 

The board's work sessions are recorded and uploaded to the mcpssTV YouTube channel. The board meetings are live-streamed on mcpssTV. All meetings are held in the Board Room at MCPSS Central Office, located at 1 Magnum Pass in west Mobile. The schedule is here on the mcpss.com website.

New on the mcpssTV Network: The MCPSS YouTube channel includes new episodes of "Homeroom," featuring school spotlights of Old Shell Road School of Creative and Performing Arts, Burroughs Elementary and John Will Elementary. Watch it here.

Email: communications@mcpss.com
Website: mcpss.com
Location: 1 Magnum Pass, Mobile, AL 36618
Phone: 251-221-4000
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